[Watch] Check Out Fitz and The Tantrums' Video for "Out Of My League"

When talking on their upcoming sophomore album, Fitz and The Tantrums frontman Michael Fitzpatrick said that the "Eighties influence has kind of come to the foreground, and the Sixties soul is kind of layered behind that." That was definitely evident in their lead single "Out Of My League," an anthemic track full of sweeping synthesizers and vocal effects. The video for the song is equally as influenced by the Eighties, with Fitz and co. in a kaliedoscopic computerized landscape. Watch the Jordan Bahat-directed clip below.

Fitz and The Tantrums' sophomore album More Than Just A Dream is out on May 7th.

[Listen] Fitz and The Tantrums - "Out Of My League"

Fitz and The Tantrums have released the first single from their upcoming sophomore album More Than Just A Dream, the quick tempoed, anthemic "Out Of My League". With a swath of synthesizers amidst chanting choruses and groovy basslines, the song exemplifies the band's new direction: "Eighties influence has kind of come to the foreground, and the Sixties soul is kind of layered behind that", says frontman Michael Fitzpatrick. I loved the band's first album, but this new sound already has me excited for what's to come. Stream "Out Of My League" below.

More Than Just A Dream is out on May 7th through Elektra Records.

[News] Fitz and The Tantrums Announce Sophomore LP, Titled 'More Than Just a Dream'

On May 7th, Fitz and The Tantrums will follow-up their explosive soul debut Pickin' Up the Pieces with a sophomore effort entitled More Than Just a Dream. The album, the band's debut with new label Elektra Records, serves as an experiment for the Los Angeles outfit, who have taken the experience as a chance to expand their sound.

When frontman Michael Fitzpatrick spoke to RollingStone recently, he said that he and the band had "obviously grown a lot as a band and as people. We wanted to show people that this band was more than a 'retro band.' We'd all gotten a little bit tired of that one moniker that kept getting applied to us. To me, obviously, there was obviously a lot of Motown, retro-soul influence to (the first record), but there was just as much Eighties influence, indie-rock influence, new-wave and hip-hop all mixed in. That first record was that kind of hybrid, and on this record, we just wanted to push it even more forward and take even more chances, and it just required a lot of experimentation."

The result was 40 demos in 30 days, a ridiculous number by any musician's standard. Fitz and co. have narrowed that number down to include tracks like "Out of My League" (a blend of vintage organs and Eighties drum machine) and "Merry Go Round" (described as the album's emotional centerpiece). For now, we can't hear the fruits of the band's labor, but that time will come soon enough. Stay tuned!

[News] Fitz and The Tantrums Announce New Album, Summer Tour Dates

Following up their 2010 debut Pickin' Up The Pieces, soul outfit Fitz and The Tantrums have announced that their sophomore LP will be released on October 9th via Dangerbird Records. Produced by Tony Hoffer, who has previously worked with bands such as Phoenix and Depeche Mode, the progress of the studio effort will be updated on the band's official website.

Leading up to the release of the as-of-yet-untitled album, the Los Angeles outfit will be going on tour throughout the summer and into September, touring alongside Ben Harper, Dave Matthews and Blues Traveler. The tour will also include several festival appearances, including Outside Lands Festival in San Francisco. Take a look at their full tour itinerary after the jump. 

Fitz and the Tantrums 2012 Tour Dates:
06/05 – Birmingham, AL @ WorkPlay Soundstage
06/06 – Greenville, SC @ The Handlebar
06/08 – Manchester, TN @ Bonnaroo Music Festival
06/09 – Charleston, SC @ The Music Farm
06/10 – Raleigh, NC @ Lincoln Theatre
06/12 – New York, NY @ Jones Beach Amphitheater *
06/13 – New York, NY @ Jones Beach Amphitheater *
06/14 – Buffalo, NY @ Thursday at the Square
06/15 – Columbus, OH @ LC Pavilion
06/30 – Santa Barbara, CA @ Santa Barbara Bowl #
07/01 – Los Angeles, CA @ Hollywood Bowl #
07/03 – Salt Lake City, UT @ The Depot
07/04 – Morrison, CO @ Red Rocks Amphitheatre $
07/05 – Kansas City, MO @ Crossroads
07/06 – Milwaukee, WI @ Summerfest
07/07 – Minneapolis, MN @ Basilica Block Party
07/20 – Seattle, WA @ Capitol Hill Block Party
07/22 – Dover, DE @ Firefly Music Festival
08/11 – San Francisco, CA @ Outside Lands Music Festival
09/06 – Amherstburg, ON @ Fort Maiden Park
09/20 – Morristown, NJ @ Mayo Center for the Performing Arts
09/21 – Huntington, NY @ The Paramount
09/23 – Gulf Shores, AL @ DeLuna Fest

* = w/ Dave Matthews Band
# = w/ Ben Harper
$ = w/ Blues Traveler

[News] Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. Announce West Coast Tour with Fitz and The Tantrums

Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. will be kicking off the New Year by heading out on tour alongside Los Angeles soul band Fitz and The Tantrums. Starting on January 15th, the Detroit-based duo will support Fitz and The Tantrums for a string of West Coast dates, including Denver, Seattle, Vancouver, Portland, and San Francisco. The duo will also be headlining a show at Echoplex in Los Angeles on January 31st. You can check out the remainder of Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr.'s 2011 tour dates, as well as their upcoming 2012 tour dates, after the jump.

As well, head over to IFC to watch a video of the pair performing an acoustic version of "Nothing But Our Love" in a remote Icelandic village called Sólheimar. Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. will also be making their U.S. late night debut on January 30th, with plans to perform on Conan.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. 2012 Tour Dates:

12/13 Johnny Brenda’s, Philadelphia, PA
12/15 WIRED Pop-Up Store, New York, NY
12/16 Brighton Music Hall, Boston, MA
12/17 Bowery Ballroom, New York, NY – DJ Set – Brooklyn Vegan Holiday Party
1/15 Ogden Theatre, Denver, CO *
1/17 Knitting Factory, Boise, ID *
1/19 Commodore Ballroom, Vancouver, BC *
1/20 Showbox at the Market, Seattle, WA *
1/21 Showbox at the Market, Seattle, WA *
1/24 Roseland Theater, Portland, OR *
1/26 Regency Ballroom, San Francisco, CA *
1/28 Harrah’s Lake Tahoe, Stateline, NV *
1/31 Echoplex, Los Angeles, CA (Headlining)

* w/Fitz and the Tantrums

[Watch & Download] Harlan - "Dancing On The Bed"

California-based artist Harlan is prepping to release his debut EP Native Son with this introductory little number "Dancing On The Bed". It takes a second for the song to kick in, but once it grabs you it actually makes you want to get the nearest bed and dance like crazy. 

The EP is slated to drop on July 19th. If you're LA area he will be performing at The Music Box with Fitz & The Tantrums on July 22nd. Make sure to get there early to check him out!

If you enjoyed the video above, grab the song below to hold you over until the EP comes out!

Harlan - "Dancing On The Bed" by Some Kind of Awesome