Indie Rock
Interview: Otenki
I recently got to speak with the Houston based rock band, Otenki. Otenki’s new EP titled Kinetic is scheduled for release on May 3, 2011. Their single, “Ghosts”, will be released on February 7, 2011. We had to opportunity to talk to Otenki about their experience working in and out of the studio for Kinetic.
Otenki is Japanese for the word weather. We picked the name because it allowed us to always have the freedom to change virtually everything about our look and sound.
Why did you guys choose “Ghosts” to be the first single?
“Ghosts” was chosen as the first single because when we were in the demoing process and sending songs to James, that song stuck out the most. James immediately took a shine to it and said that it was the song that is going to set the standard for all of our other songs. All the songs are amazing but there’s something about “Ghosts” that really shines through.
What were the main sources of inspiration for Kinetic?
In reference to the song “Kinetic”, the inspiration came from all the years we have been a band. After so many years into being an unsigned band you struggle to find a reason to keep going because you’re not always making money, people dismiss you because you don’t have a label, labels dismiss you because you don’t have agents…it can wear you down. The music business can seem like a battlefield, there’s no mercy to be shown…However, the one thing that’s kept this going is our families, friends and fans. They’ve traveled hundreds of miles to see us, given us places to stay, fed us, inspired us to do great things. We do what we do for them. The song and the record are dedicated to those who matter the most to us. (more…)
Dispatch Announce Reunion Tour For 2011
Dispatch will be reuniting for the first time in almost a decade, embarking next summer for a six-leg tour. Fan pre-sale tickets will be available starting January 21st, with the general on-sale to follow on January 28th. A portion of all ticket proceeds will go towards education programs in local communities. If that’s not enough, the band is offering all four of their full-lengths for free digital download. Go here for more information and check out the tour dates after the break.
Dispatch 2011 Tour Dates:
06/04 – Morrison, CO @ Red Rocks
06/08 – Chicago, IL @ Millennium Park
06/11 – Berkley, CA @ Greek Theare
06/18 – Harrison, NJ @ Red Bull Arena
06/21 – Atlanta, GA @ Chastain Park
06/25 – Boston, MA @ TD Garden
Interview: The Dangerous Summer
I had the opportunity to speak to Cody Payne of The Dangerous Summer today, recapping the band’s experiences in 2010 and discussing their plans for a busy 2011. He was kind enough to answer some questions about their past and upcoming tours, their upcoming album, and an acoustic version of Reach For The Sun.
It was such an amazing tour for us, for the first time we really got to see what we were worth to our fans and it was great to see so many people coming out to the shows. Three of the shows actually sold out, one being in Canada. It really just blew us away. It was probably the best tour we have ever done.
In February, you will be heading to the UK with Francesqa. How did this tour come together?
We had just been in touch with their manager and their booking agent over the last year and they hit us up recently asking if we wanted to do direct support for the tour. We had to take it, we love it in the UK and it has been a good while since we have been there.
Not too long ago, you guys released a live EP. Can we expect an acoustic record as well or is that out of the question?
It is looking like we are going to be releasing an acoustic version of Reach For The Sun sometime in the early new year. I haven’t heard much info about when it’s coming out, but it is recorded. (more…)
New Passion Pit, The Antlers, and Andrew Bird Thanks To American Express
You don’t have to be a fan of commercial jingles to appreciate American Express’s ongoing ZYNC campaign. Passion Pit, The Antlers, and Andrew Bird have all recorded new tracks, which can be listened to below or downloaded from the American Express Facebook page.
New Otenki Song For One Day Only
Otenki have posted a new song, “Kinetic”, onto their Facebook page. The song is from the band’s upcoming Kinetic EP and will only be up for a day. The new EP will be available May 3rd.
Free Download From The Decemberists
You can now download The Decemberists‘ “Down by the Water” for free on iTunes. The single, which was previously released on their website, is from the band’s new album The King Is Dead, out January 18th via Capitol.
The King Is Dead:
01 Don’t Carry It All
02 Calamity Song
03 Rise to Me
04 Rox in the Box
05 January Hymn
06 Down By the Water
07 All Arise!
08 June Hymn
09 This Is Why We Fight
10 Dear Avery
jj Release New Mixtape
jj have released a new mixtape entitled Kills for the holidays. Grab the mixtape for free at Sincerely Yours’ website and read more to check out the tracklisting.
Kills:
01 Still
02 Die Tonight
03 Kill Them
04 Kill You
05 New Work
06 Believe
07 Pressure Is a Privilege
08 Angels
09 Boom
10 High End
Say Yea for Free Yeasayer
Yeasayer has posted a new live album, Live At Ancienne Belgique, on their Bandcamp page at a name your price rate. The album was recorded on October 28th in Brussels.
A Gorillaz Christmas Present
Stream the new Gorillaz album, The Fall, right here. The album was almost completely recorded on everyone’s favorite Apple tablet, the iPad, throughout the duration of their recent tour. Although the album is only available to download for fan club members only right now, you can stream the album by signing up for their mailing list. A physical release is planned to be released in 2011. Merry Christmas!
New Gorillaz Music Video
Read more to watch a new Gorillaz music video for “Phoner Arizona”. The track is from the band’s new Christmas-day release, The Fall.
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