[Recap] Um, A Lot Of Music Just Dropped Out Nowhere Today

me trying to keep up with how many songs just keep falling out of the sky today 

lol remember when the RIAA was so proud of themselves 2 years ago because we all agreed on a global release day and we went from #NewMusicTuesday to #NewMusicFriday worldwide? 

lol lol lol #tbt to that cute idea according to Foster The People, Phoenix, HAIM, and Fall Out Boy. 

In an attempt to make your life easier so you don't feel as frantic as I do right now, here is a recap of what just the fuck dropped: 

Foster The People - III

Well this was a nice surprise! Earlier today Foster the People released 3 new tracks globally before bundling them as a cutie lil EP called III. Apparently these are off an upcoming 3rd album that's going to be dropped this summer. No other info there, but they did unveil some tour dates which you can check over on their website because I'm tryna make this update quick and dirty and don't feel like copying and pasting. 

Phoenix - "J-Boy" 

Another album announcement! Another solid jam! Phoenix just unveiled their lead single, "J-Boy" off their forthcoming album, Ti Amo, which will drop on June 9th. This is glittery and summery af, but not quite punchy enough for the coveted title of Song Of The Summer. I will still be drinking in the sunshine to this regardless. 

HAIM - "Right Now" 

If you have been waiting 4 long years for new HAIM music then you best stop everything and peep this video RIGHT NOW. This comes from their just announce upcoming album, Something To Tell You, which drops on July 7th. 

Fall Out Boy - "Young And Menace"

So here is a Fall Out Boy song that I believe would be better suited as a Patrick Stump song than a Fall Out Boy song but it is still pretty dang good. The track follows yet ANOTHER album announcement. You ready for this name, y'all??

It's called

M A  N   I    A

Yes, spaces and all. I don't know either. Bless these dudes. But yeah the record drops on September 15th, so we have plenty of time to get this fucking spelling right. That all said, props to the guys for the video, which features a glimpse into a fictionalized characters somewhat-hard-to-watch home life that tries to escape a home riddled with domestic violence. 

SZA - "Love Galore (feat. Travis Scott)"

LAST ONE (I think?)! SZA also after keeping her fans anxiously waiting for music from her upcoming album CTRL has finally dropped another morsel today for everyone to savor, "Love Galore" featuring Travis Scott. It's been said that CTRL will be the next project released on TDE but other than that there's  not much else we know. 

AM I MISSING ANYTHING ELSE FROM TODAY? Jfc. 

[Night Out] OMG CMJ 2014 Day Five: Soko @ United Palace Theater Theater

Soko @ United Palace Theater 10/25/14 (with our boy Matt on guitar!)

Saturday night Kibbe and I trekked up to the United Palace Theatre to cover Soko (who opened for Foster the People.)  Honestly, I'm glad we didn't try to stick around after Soko because I'm not really a fan of Foster the People. I was still interested in covering Soko nonetheless, especially since one of our friends Matt was going to be playing his gothic heart out on guitar and keyboards to make it worth the commute. For those not in the know, Matt is half of the Los Angeles band VOWS (formerly WAZU). The other half, his gorgeous partner with the hauntingly velvet voice, Rizz, was there supporting him in the wings. So win win, we get to cover an artist that was new to us, and catch up with super talented and genuine humans we know (and love) as Matt and Rizz. 

May I dare say United Palace Theater doesn't have the friendliest security staff and some of them obviously haven't been to photo pit hospitality class 101 but, that's a story for another day. I held my own under their fascist "photo pit" rules and managed to get some fun shots.

Soko entertained us with upbeat rhythms intertwined with hyper banter about her suicide attempts and reminders that "she would be old tomorrow" because it's her birthday. She playfully slipped out of articles of clothing on stage because "it was hot" and then made mention that the crowd from the night before was a "better audience".  I'll agree that the crowd was not as present as they could have been but, I don't know, maybe they just weren't in the mood or their adult sippy cups of overpriced beer ran dry.

Soko's spirited set ended and I swiftly maneuvered up the aisle (in my awesome hot pink Dr Marten boots) to meet up with Kibbe in the lobby. She was talking to some random people and I approached them with my not so happy Sprout pout (which is a rare occurrence, mind you).

Deciding it was time to make like a tree and leave, we headed round back to meet up with Rizz to briefly exchange hugs, catch up on life, and then say our goodbyes.  We were saddened to hear that the big move to Los Angeles hadn't been as fruitful for our friends as they had hoped, which is unfortunate given how talented these two are. It really got to me while Kibbe was on the verge of tears after we parted ways with Rizz. 

We left the venue with a mixed bag of emotions and a laundry list of nuances such as: the not so friendly security people, lack of photo pit hospitality, and a fan base with a pretense so thick that it penetrated the theater's every molecule.

The cab ride back to Kibbtopia provided a forum for the "WTF" convo and I believe an epiphany which inspired the manifestation of a brand new SKoA mission statement (coming soon).I'm going to call this revelation "the big picture". It's not easily noticed sometimes but, it's definitely there if you're willing to really see. This particular 'SKoA Night Out' presented an opportunity for Kibbe and I to truly get a glimpse of the big picture. A scenario that involves our love of music, truly talented artists, and their connection to the music industry.  This combination has become the catalyst to our commitment in changing the way music is revered, celebrated and showcased. We love music and we need it to love us back again. 

We'll be making a big announcement in the next few days sharing our new mission and vision for SKoA. For now, click here to head over to our Gallery to check out more photos from the show.

[News] Foster the People Announce 2012 U.S. Tour Dates

Coming off an incredibly successful year, Los Angeles indie rock trio Foster the People aren't ready to slow down just yet. The band has announced yet another North American headlining tour, this time with the help of The Kooks, Tokyo Police Club and Mayer Hawthorne & The County. Starting with two shows in New York City on May 29th and 30th, the tour will take the band to twenty-one cities across the continent, with a final show in Las Vegas, NV on July 7th. You can check out all of the band's tour dates and locations after the jump.

Foster The People 2012 Tour Dates:

• 5/29        New York, NY                      Rumsey Playfield *
• 5/30        New York, NY                      Rumsey Playfield *
• 6/1          Columbus, OH                      The LC Pavilion *
• 6/4         Grand Prairie, TX                 Verizon Theatre *
• 6/5          Austin, TX                             The Backyard *
• 6/7          Alpharetta, GA                      Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre *
• 6/10        Columbia, MD                      Merriweather Post Pavilion *
• 6/12        Montreal, QC                       Lachine Canal #
• 6/14        Philadelphia, PA                  Mann Center for the Performing Arts #
• 6/15        Boston, MA                           Bank Of America Pavilion #
• 6/16        Detroit, MI                             The Fillmore Detroit #
• 6/19        Toronto, ON                          Downsview Park #
• 6/20        Chicago, IL                           Congress Theater #
• 6/22        Minneapolis, MN                 US Bank Theater #
• 6/25        Burnaby, BC                         Deer Lake Park &
• 6/26        Seattle, WA                           WaMu Theatre &
• 6/27        Portland, OR                         Edgefield &
• 6/29        Berkeley, CA                        Greek Theatre &
• 6/30        Los Angeles,  CA                 Gibson Amphitheatre &
• 7/3          Morrison, CO                       Red Rocks Amphitheatre &
• 7/5          Salt Lake City, UT                The Great Salttair &
• 7/6          Phoenix, AZ                          Comerica Theatre &
• 7/7          Las Vegas, NV                     The Cosmopolitan &

* (w/The Kooks)

# (w/Tokyo Police Club)

& (w/Mayer Hawthorne & The County)

[Watch] Foster the People - "Don't Stop (Color On The Walls)" (Official Video)

Foster the People may have dropped off a lot of people's radar, but the band is continuously attempting to keep the hype train moving. Today, the Los Angeles-based trio let loose the visuals for the track "Don't Stop (Color On The Walls)." In the video, Foster the People frontman Mark Foster and actress Gabourey Sidibe are on the run from the police after stealing a ton of cash, and what better way to amp up the classic cop and robber chase scene than to have everything explode in colourful waves of paint? Check out the colour-filled splendour in the player above.

[Listen] Foster the People - "Macchu Picchu" (The Strokes Cover)

Foster the People were the most recent visitors to Radio One's Live Lounge and whilst their they performed a cover of The Strokes' "Macchu Picchu". This is the second Strokes cover we've had in as many days, see what you make of their take on the Angles track below via CoverMe. 

Surprisingly the guys also played a rendition of their 2011 hit "Pumped Up Kicks" which you can listen to over here if you so wish and it's still playable to you. I don't dislike it, but it's been hard to escape that track this year!

Foster the People – Machu Picchu (The Strokes cover) by CoverMe

[Listen] Two More Lady Gaga Remixes from The Horrors and Foster the People

We've already got to hear two remixes from the Lady Gaga Remix album. One from Wild Beasts who took on her track "Yoü And I" and one from The Weeknd and Illangelo who took on her new single, "Marry The Night". First up from the remix pile comes from The Horrors who have stylishly turned "Bloody Mary" into a dark and haunting number whilst Foster the People have taken a rather different approach to the task. Basically turning "The Edge of Glory" into a dancefloor filler with more energy than most toddlers after their first ever blue smartie (before they went all E number friendly!). Check out both new remixes below and look out for Born This Way: The Remix when it's released on November 21st in the UK and a day later on the 22nd in the US.

Lady Gaga - "Bloody Mary" (The Horrors Remix)

Lady Gaga - "The Edge of Glory" (Foster the People Remix)

[Watch] Foster the People - "Call It What You Want" (Official Video)

[Flash 10 is required to watch video]

The past year has been nothing but good to LA indie rockers Foster the People, and you can't deny that their rapid rise to stardom is highly impressive. Whether or not you like what the band has to offer, they're continuing to ride the success of their debut albums Torches, and today, the band released the video for the track "Call It What You Want." The visual offering is pretty, well, confusing, with everything from drummers in bathtubs to golden megaphones to swooning fans exploding with paint. You can watch the video in the player above, and head here to read our review of the band's debut LP.

[Watch] Foster the People - "Helena Beat" Live on Letterman

After performing a full webcast on Wednesday evening for David Leterman's show, the LA boys Foster the People hung around and performed another track for last nights broadcast. They didn't play "Pumped Up Kicks" either! This is good. They performed album track "Helena Beat" for the audience and what a good performance it was. Check it out at the top via our good friend The Audio Perv.