Minus the Bear Signs to Dangerbird Records

Minus the Bear, the Seattle-based band that’s been wowing music lovers for years with their jaw-dropping technical skills as much as for their keen pop song craft, has signed to Dangerbird Records. The Silver Lake label will release the quintet’s fourth LP this spring.  “As music fans, we’ve adored Minus the Bear for years, so we’re honored to be in business with them,” exclaims Jeff Castelaz, co-founder/CEO of Dangerbird Records. “They had many options, and chose to make Dangerbird their new home. Something we take quite seriously.”

“After months of looking under rocks and in dark caves, we’ve found a nice place to nest with Dangerbird Records,” explains bassist Cory Murchy. “They are a label of artists for artists and we are very excited to work with their creative minds to continue to bring you quality craftsmanship and the very best we can provide for our fans, both old and the newly educated.”

Not much has been revealed about the new album but  head over to MySpace to hear one of the forthcoming tracks, “Into The Mirror.” And keep an eye on their official site for even more news.

AOL/Spinner Celebrates Release of Jason Falkner’s New LP with “Listening Party”

Jason Falkner’s first new album in nearly five years, I’m OK, You’re OK, is out today and to celebrate AOL’s Spinner is hosting a “Listening Party.” Head on over there now for an exclusive stream of the entire album and then make sure to pick up a copy or grab it on iTunes. It’s filled with the delicious pop nuggets that you have come to expect from Mr. Falkner.

Hear now at Spinner.com’s Listening Party!

AM’s “Self Preservation” Video Premieres On Yahoo! Today

AM’s “Self Presevation” video premieres on Yahoo! today. The video features the band playing live while old archival footage of educational, government and union propaganda films from the ’50s, is projected over them. Check it out above.

Jason Falkner’s Latest Album, “I’m Ok, You’re Ok,” set to release February 16 on Cobraside Records

Keep a lookout for  Jason Falkner’s latest album, I’m Ok, You’re Ok, to be released February 16 on Cobraside. The 11-track LP, another infectious blast of his signature power-pop we all love, marks Falkner’s first solo release of original material in more than five years and is sure to impress critics, music lovers and fellow musicians alike. I’m OK, You’re OK overflows with the requisite hooks, impeccable arrangements and sticky melodies that have made him a favorite since his early beginnings in the Prince-approved neo-psychedelic band The Three O’Clock and San Francisco psych-poppers Jellyfish.

Want to know more? Check out Falkner’s website or take a listen at his MySpace.

Frightened Rabbit’s New Single Named NPR’s “Song Of The Day”

Frightened Rabbit’s first single, “Swim Until You Can’t See Land” from their forthcoming LP, The Winter Of Mixed Drinks, was named NPR’s “Song Of The Day.” The new album is due out March 9… but head over to NPR right now for a taste of what is in store. Or check out their Myspace to hear that song and another excellent new track called “Nothing Like You.” Happy listening!

Catch Frightened Rabbit at Coachella, SXSW and Everywhere In Between



Frightened Rabbit’s new LP, The Winter of Mixed Drinks, comes out March 9 and with it, there will be plenty of chances to catch them stateside this spring.

As a warm up for their North American tour, they will be in Austin, TX from March 17-20 playing at SXSW. Just one month later, the Scottish indie rockers will be back in the US, making their Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival debut! They’ll be performing alongside Muse, MGMT, the Dead Weather, Hot Chip, Devo and many others on day two of the three-day fest taking place April 16-18 in Indio, Calif.

And that’s just the beginning… The band has 24 dates in all planned between the US and Canada.

RIGHTENED RABBIT ON TOUR

March 17 – Austin, Texas @ SXSW
March 18 – Austin, Texas @ SXSW
March 19 – Austin, Texas @ SXSW
March 20 – Austin, Texas @ SXSW
April 17 – Indio, Calif. @ Coachella
April 19 – Tempe, Ariz. @ The Clubhouse
April 21 – Houston, Texas @ Walters
April 22 – Dallas, Texas @ Loft / Palladium Ballroom
April 23 – Little Rock, Ark. @ Revolution
April 24 – Atlanta, Ga. @ The Masquerade
April 25 – Carrboro, N.C. @ Cat’s Cradle
April 27 – Washington, D.C. @ Black Cat
April 28 – New York, N.Y. @ Webster Hall
April 29 – Boston, Mass. @ Paradise
April 30 – Philadelphia, Pa. @ First Unitarian Church
May 3 – Montreal, QC @ Petit Campus
May 4 – Toronto, ONT @ Opera House
May 6 – Newport, Ky. @ Southgate House
May 7 – St. Louis, Mo. @ The Old Rock House
May 8 – Chicago, Ill. @ Metro
May 9 – Milwaukee, Wisc. @ Pabst Theatre
May 10 – Minneapolis, Minn. @ Varsity Theater
May 12 – Denver, Colo. @ Bluebird Theatre
May 13 – Salt Lake City, Utah @ Urban Lounge
May 15 – Vancouver, B.C. @ Biltimore Cabaret
May 16 – Seattle, Wash. @ Neumo’s Crystal Ball Reading Room
May 17 – Portland, Ore. @ Berbati’s Pan
May 19 – San Francisco, Calif. @ The Fillmore
May 22 – San Diego, Calif. @ Casbah

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club Premieres New Song On AOL Spinner

Black Rebel Motorycle Club is gearing up to release their fifith album, Beat The Devil’s Tattoo, and AOL Spinner has the exclusive first listen of the lead single of the same name. Bassist/vocalist Robert Levon Been says his inspiration for both the song and the album came to him after reading Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Devil in the Belfry.”

Head on over to AOL for your first taste of the new material with new drummer Leah Shapiro. The trio are headed out next month on tour, check out dates HERE.

LISTEN HERE

Sea Wolf Teams Up With The Album Leaf For Winter Tour

To say Sea Wolf had a busy 2009 would be a gross understatement. The band released their sophomore LP, White Water, White Bloom on Dangerbird Records, toured the country in support of it and were part of the frenzy that is “Twilight: New Moon.” Their original song, “The Violet Hour,” was used in both the movie and found on the soundtrack alongside Thom Yorke, Grizzly Bear and Death Cab For Cutie…not too shabby. Cue 2010 and the band is picking right back up and will be hitting the road with The Album Leaf next month.

On February 3, the sextet traverse the West Coast going as far north as Vancouver and finishing up with a hometown show at the El Rey Theatre in Los Angeles. We for one can’t wait to hear Sea Wolf’s orchestral pop narratives side by side with The Album Leaf’s dreamy and cinematic soundscapes. It’s going to be like the aural equivalent of a winter sweater.

Keep an ear out for the band’s new single, “O Maria!” which will hit radio later this month and stay tuned for more info to find out when lead Wolf Alex Brown Church’s will be taking over an episode of MTV2’s “Subterranean.”

SEA WOLF ON TOUR WITH THE ALBUM LEAF

February 3 – Sacramento, Calif. @ Harlow’s
February 5 – Portland, Ore. @ Dour Fir Lounge
February 6- Seattle, Wash. @ Neumo’s
February 7 – Vancouver, BC @ Rickshaw Theater
February 8 – Bellingham, Wash. @ Nightlight Lounge
February 9 – Eugene, Ore. @ WOW Hall
February 11 – Santa Cruz, Calif. @ The Crepe Place
February 12 – San Francisco, Calif. @ Great American Music Hall
February 13 – Los Angeles, Calif. @ El Rey Theatre

Sea Wolf To Howl At The Roxy Thursday

This morning, Sea Wolf delivered a howlingly good set on KCRW’S “Morning Becomes Eclectic, adding new dimension to songs from both of their great albums Leaves in the River and the recently released White Water, White Bloom. If you missed the session, check it out HERE.

Alex Brown Chuch and his compatriots will wrap up their extremely busy year with a headline a hometown show this Thursday, Dec. 17 at The Roxy for KROQ Locals Only Showcase. Amaad Wasif and Chasing Kings will join them.

If you aren’t in LA, don’t fret, Sea Wolf will be coming to a town near you in 2010.

ABC World News Names Jeff Castelaz “Person Of The Week”

In recognition for his impressive and committed work with his charity the Pablove Foundation, Jeff Castelaz has been named by ABC World News with Charles Gibson as their “Person of the Week.”

Castelaz has been honored for his impressive and committed work with the Pablove Foundation, the charity he co-founded and named after his 6-year old son Pablo Thrailkill Castelaz, whose individual fight with cancer ended June 27, 2009, after a 13-month battle.

Castelaz, co-founder of esteemed Dangerbird Records, has dedicated himself to raising awareness and funds for children’s cancer, having just completed a triumphant 30-day bike expedition across the entire United States, titled Pablove Across America – his physical show of commitment to fighting this disease.

PLEASE WATCH, and spread the PABLOVE!