The Breeders

Q&A: The Breeders’ Kelley Deal on the 20th anniversary of Last Splash

The Breeders: LSXXThe Breeders: LSXX (4AD, 4/23/13)

When The Breeders released the classic Last Splash in 1993, the band still was congealing into a new state. Begun as a side project by Pixies bassist Kim Deal in 1990, the rock quartet was transitioning to being a primary focus, and twin sister Kelley Deal had joined the band just a year prior, taking the place of guitarist Tanya Donelly (Throwing Muses) despite limited six-string experience.

Together, however, the Deal sisters made something special that capitalized on their vocal-and-guitar interplay. Aided by their history, Last Splash was a minimal, quirky rock gem. (“Do You Love Me Now?” dates back to 1970s, when the teenage Kim and Kelley played cover songs in bars.)

Rabbits to rodents: Jim Jarmusch announces series of Sqürl EPs

Following his recent collaboration with experimental lute player Jozef Van Wissem, screenwriter/director and guitarist Jim Jarmusch is making more music rounds with his band Sqürl, formerly Bad Rabbit — a trio that originated to score The Limits of Control. With the new name in tow, the band will release the first of a series of new EPs on May 21 via ATP, featuring more psychedelic dirge rock.

Get lost in Ten Kens’ hypnotic, vaguely sexual video for “Gently Used”

Ten Kens: Namesake special editionTen Kens: Namesake special edition (5/21/13)

Toronto’s Ten Kens has occupied artsy post- and alt-rock since 2006, fluctuating between airy moodiness and post-punk aggression. Now, with a slightly heavier bent and a skew towards dark psychedelia, the band is giving a special, international release to Namesake, its 2012 album, with four bonus tracks.

Shipping up for Boston: Dropkick Murphys raises $100K+ for Boston Marathon victims

Anyone familiar with The Dropkick Murphys knows that the band has deep ties to Boston, with tracks like “Shipping Up to Boston” and “Tessie.” Following Monday’s terror attacks at the Boston Marathon, the band has released a T-shirt to raise funds for the victims of the bombings. The shirt features both the city skyline and the city’s seal with the message, “Thank you, to all who purchased this shirt. All proceeds go to the victims and families of the Boston Marathon bombings. Love, Dropkick Murphys.”

At this point, the shirt, priced from $24.99 to $26.99, has raised more than $100,000 dollars. Head here to order one for yourself.

No Journalists Allowed: Lightning Bolt’s Brian Chippendale talks to noise-pop musician Dan Friel

Black Pus: All My RelationsBlack Pus: All My Relations (Thrill Jockey, 3/19/13)

“1000 Years”

Black Pus: “1000 Years”

Taking noisy and experimental music out of the basement and into the mainstream has been a long journey. From Brian Eno and Lou Reed popularizing it in the 1970s to the current generation performing at large festivals, we’ve reached a point where it’s not only critically praised but a genre with a serious following.

Dan Friel and Brian Chippendale (Lightning Bolt, Black Pus) — creative souls each with challenging yet accessible new solo albums — recently sat down and talked about the freedom of solo work, performing on the street in the United Arab Emirates, and drunk viking synthesizers.

Dan Friel: Total FolkloreDan Friel: Total Folklore (Thrill Jockey, 2/19/13)

“Thumper”

Dan_Friel_Thumper

Brian Chippendale: You just made a super pop record that opens with a 12-minute song, and you didn’t have to bounce the song order or album direction off any band members! Do you feel mega-liberated by that? Or trapped because you had to make every decision?

Dan Friel: 100% liberation. Zero trap. And the track order was an especially fun call to make. With that said, I always end up bouncing ideas off of the same few helpful friends as my solo-project research panel (even if I reserve the right to then do whatever I want).

French design duo M/M Paris shares a pixelated, neon future with C’est Wouf!

M/M Paris is a French design partnership consisting of Michael Amzalag and Mathias Augustyniak, well known for their work with musicians such as Björk (Volta), Kanye West (My Beautiful, Dark, Twisted Fantasy) and more. Now the duo has a new exhibition, C’est Wouf!, up at gallery Air de Paris in Paris.

Featuring the titular dog(?) as well as light fixtures, neon sculptures, and more, the exhibit is up through May 18. If you’re not fortunate enough to be near Paris, view some of the wild work below.

Steampunk maintenance: Imaginary Cities teases new album with cabaret-style lament

Imaginary Cities: Fall of Romance (Votiv, 5/28/13)

Formed in Winnipeg as a between-sets jam session, indie-rock group Imaginary Cities is releasing its second album, Fall of Romance, May 28 on Votiv. The group, which includes Rusty Matyas (The Waking Eyes, The Weakerthans), has a laid-back, cinematic feel that suits singer Marti Sarbit, who sounds comfortable whether performing balladry or a cabaret-style lament.