Although I first mentioned that Kill Rock Stars would be releasing an Explode Into Colors 7″ this summer (and later pointed out their new self-released tape), please allow me to spell out *exactly* what sort of good stuff we can expect from the Explode Into Colors camp in the immediate future. There are THREE 7-inches in the works; one on KRS (”Eyes, Hands, Mouth” + 1), one on M’Lady’s Records (”Coffin” b/w “Sharpen the Knife”), and one on Just For The Hell Of It. All will feature artwork by a different Portland artist, but they’ll share a consistent theme. Later, all of the 7-inches’ tracks will be collected into an EP (CD/vinyl), and that will be followed by EIC’s first full-length, which’ll come out on (you guessed it) Kill Rock Stars.

If, like me, you’re excited to hear stuff from Portland’s ‘Best New Band,’ then this is all very good news.

MP3: Explode Into Colors - “Sharpen The Knife”

MySpaceSome discussion emerged in the comments one of last week’s posts wherein the ongoing V Fest-spotting games turned to the possibility of Blur possibly making an appearance at the Ontario edition, unofficially set to happen August 29 and 30 in Burl’s Creek near Orillia. As much as I’d like that to happen - they’re on a very short list of acts who could get me to venture up that way and endure all the logistical joys that go along with it - I didn’t think it likely on account of the fact that though they’d surely be greeted like gods here, their profile in the US isn’t terrific, probably not known as anything but the “woo-hoo!” band outside of your major markets.

Well it appears I spoke a bit too soon. Billboard reports that the band are indeed considering options in America with a Live Nation UK representative is quoted as saying, “There are no plans beyond T in the Park [July 12] and Oxegen [July 10]. They are talking about some American shows still in the same time frame. There are possibilities of some European ones as well.” It’s hardly an official declaration of intent-- but it certainly offers some hope that those of us who missed ever seeing the band live their first time around might get a second chance, at some point.

Read more at Chromewaves →

And because it’s one of Graham’s and also one of the best Blur tunes to say nothing of one of my favourite videos ever - “Coffee & TV”.

Video: Blur - “Coffee & TV”

The Pop Cop scores an interview with Stuart Murdoch about God Help The Girl, which I’ve elected to not write in italics because it’s in reference to the project and not the possible accompanying film/musical/whatever. But if I reference God Help The Girl the album, out June 23, such as in the context of Drowned In Sound doing an extensive review and analysis of the record, it will be noted in italics what with it being a proper title. I know you care about these little OCD things as much as I do.

With the UK release of The Bachelor just over a week away, Patrick Wolf is streaming the whole thing on his MySpace and I’m not afraid to say this will likely be one of my favourite albums of the year. He gives a two-part interview to Drowned in Sound, a video interview to NYLON - his North American label - and talks about his London to This Is London. The Bachelor gets a North American release on August 11 but if you’re able to resist getting an import version before then, you’re stronger than I. He plays The Mod Club on June 15.

Stream: Patrick Wolf / The Bachelor

NPR has a World Cafe session with Bat For Lashes.

The Chester Chronicle talks to Little Boots’ Victoria Hesketh about Hands, out June 8.

Polly Scattergood discusses her debut self-titled album, out this week in North America, with The Yorkshire Evening Post.

The Times and Irish Times talk to Jarvis Cocker.

NME reports that Radiohead have begun work on their next album.

Don’t bother tuning in to Letterman tonight to see Grizzly Bear– they got bumped.

Deerhoof – “This Is God Speaking”

A short, unusual video for a short, unusual song.

Frank YangI’ve been to a LOT of shows in the past decade or so, and as such my list of bands whom I’m still waiting to see live is pretty short by this point - and last week, it got one big name shorter when I got to see reclusive Swedes The Radio Dept not once but twice in New York thanks to their headliner status at NYC Popfest. The venue for the big show was the Bell House in Brooklyn, a good-sized venue with a vibey bar/lounge up front and a nicely-laid out if horribly-lit live music room in back. Though The Radio Dept remain very much a cult band, the show was well sold out - probably with no shortage of fans like myself willing to make a pilgrimage to catch one of their rare live performances. And do some shopping. Hey, any excuse to plan a trip to New York City.

But even though I was anxious enough to see The Radio Dept live to make a road trip out of it, that doesn’t necessarily mean that I expected them to put on a great show. After all, this was an outfit that was famously reclusive, played out very infrequently and whose records were very much studio creations (even if the studio in question sounded like a bedroom) - not really a recipe for an epic live show. But regardless, an opportunity to see they who’d created music so dear to me was not to be passed up and so I went.

Read more at Chromewaves &rarr

Photos: The Radio Dept, Pants Yell!, The Secret History, Eux Autres, Computer Perfection @ The Bell House - May 16, 2009
MP3: The Radio Dept - “Freddie and the Trojan Horse”
MP3: The Radio Dept - “The Worst Taste in Music”

Iron & Wine – “Love Vigilantes” (New Order) Live on Fallon