[News] The Strokes' Albert Hammond Jr. Releasing New EP in September

The Strokes' guitarist Albert Hammond Jr. made an appearance on Har Mar Superstar's "Nocturnal Emotions" podcast this week, revealing some exciting news. While the show typically "features long conversations with musicians, actors, artists, and other people of interest focusing on embarrassing moments in their lives and careers," Hammond Jr. took the opportunity to announce a new EP. While it's yet to be titled, the EP will include five tracks and is set to release in September through bandmate Julian Casablancas' label Cult Records.

That's all the info we've got so far, but I for one am really looking forward to this. Hammond Jr.'s solo work has always been good, but he hasn't released anything since 2008's ¿Cómo te Llama?—below you can check out "GfC," my favorite track from that LP.

[News] More bands added to Reading & Leeds Festival

Reading & Leeds Festival are shaping up to be one of the highlights of the summer this year. Earlier in the year the festival announced headliners Biffy Clyro, Eminem and Green Day along with System of a Down, Foals, Chase and Status, Nine Inch Nails and Fall Out Boy. Joining the line-up for the August Bank Holiday will be Hawk Eyes, Wavves, Sharks, Mount Kimbie, China Rats, Darwin Deez, Don Broco, Deaf Havana, The Bronx, Gallows, EarlWolf, A-Trak, Willy Moon, Fenech-Soler, Dillon Francis, Jagwar Ma, Alkaline Trio and a load more. Seriously if you have no plans for the last weekend in August, get yourself a ticket and have some fun in the sun. Jump over here to check out the full line-up and for more information.

In a sad turn of events though, Brand New have pulled out of the event:

"Brand New regretfully announce that due to insurmountable personal issues, they have been forced to cancel their August European tour, including appearances at the Reading and Leeds Festivals. Sincere apologies to everyone we are letting down."

To purchase tickets head over to the Reading/Leeds official site.

[News] Porcelain Raft Announces Fall Tour, Watch Video for "Think of the Ocean"

Mauro Remiddi, aka Porcelain Raft, will hit the road this fall in support of his soon-to-be-released sophomore album Permanent Signal, due out on August 20th. Starting just two weeks after the LP hits stores, his tour will run for a month straight, hitting 21 cities across North America. Check out the full tour docket after the jump to see if Remiddi will be performing in your town.

Remiddi also shared the video for "Think of the Ocean" recently, the first song we've heard from Permanent Signal. It really showcases the musician's change in tone. Deepening into an ethereal well of depression, the song drones with echoing piano chords, despondent vocals and the emotional stirring of strings. Don't expect to feel particularly pleasant after listening to this one.

Porcelain Raft 2013 Tour Dates:
09/04 – Boston, MA @ Great Scott
09/05 – Brooklyn, NY @ Glasslands
09/06 – Philadelphia, PA @ Johnny Brenda’s
09/07 – Washington, DC @ Rock and Roll Hotel
09/09 – Nashville, TN @ The Basement
09/10 – St.Louis, MO @ Off Broadway
09/12 – Chicago, IL @ Schubas
09/13 – Madison, WI @ The Frequency
09/14 – Minneapolis, MN @ Triple Rock Club
09/16 – Denver, CO @ Larmier Lounge
09/17 – Salt Lake City, UT @ Kilby Court
09/19 – Seattle, WA @ Barboza
09/20 – Vancouver, BC @ Electric Owl
09/21 – Portland, OR @ Bunk Bar
09/23 – San Francisco, CA @ Bottom of the Hill
09/24 – Los Angeles, CA @ Bootleg Theater
09/28 – Dallas, TX @ The Prophet Bar
09/30 – Birmingham, AL @ The Bottle Tree
10/01 – Atlanta, GA @ The Drunken Unicorn
10/02 – Chapel Hill, NC @ Local 506
10/04 – New York, NY @ Mercury Lounge

[News] Arctic Monkeys Announce UK Tour

Earlier this week Arctic Monkeys surprised fans with the annoucement of their fifth studio album, AM, set for release on September 9th. Today UK fans can rejoice as they've announced an arena tour to support it set for October/November. Check out the details below. No doubt some great footage will be up for grabs later in the week following their Glastonbury set this weekend. Maybe we'll even get a preview of another new track or two as we've already heard "Do I Wanna Know?" and "Mad Sounds" debuted live in recent weeks. Arctic Monkeys season is upon us. Let's embrace it.

Arctic Monkeys 2013 UK Tour: 

22 October       Newcastle Metro Radio Arena

23 October       Manchester Arena

25 October       London Earls Court

28 October       Liverpool Echo Arena

29 October       Cardiff Motorpoint Arena

31 October       Birmingham LG Arena

1 November     Glasgow Hydro

2 November     Sheffield Motorpoint Arena

[News] Danny Brown, Gold Panda and more confirmed for Beacons Festival

In mid-August, Beacons Festival will take place in Skipton, North Yorkshire. Gracing the stage will be the likes of Local Natives, Savages, Fucked Up, and Gabriel Bruce. Even more top class acts have now also been announced. Joining the line-up will be Danny Brown,  SBTRKT (DJ set), Gold Panda, Wire, Eagulls, James Holden, T. Williams, Throwing Snow, New York Brass Band, Sky Larkin, Traams, Findlay. Jump over to the official website to check out the full line-up. If you're still sleeping on grabbing a ticket, don't. You can grab them over here from just £99.50, so what are you waiting for? 

In case you missed it, Solange recently pulled out due to family commitments with her Son starting his new school year earlier than anticipated. She promises to be "back in [the] area soon enough to make up for it."

[News] Bloc Party to Release 'The Nextwave Sessions' EP in August, Watch the Clip for New Song "Ratchet"

During an interview at Sasquatch!, Bloc Party frontman Kele Okereke and I dove into a discussion about the band's current projects. What ended up dominating the conversation was a new EP the band has been working on. The EP now has an official title and release date. The Nextwave Sessions is due out on August 13th.

Written and recorded during their Four tour, the EP consists of five tracks—check out the full tracklist below. The band have been performing one of those live, the relentless, attitude-heavy "Ratchet." It's a great song, especially when heard live, but now it gets an official video and some studio quality sheen. Catch the replay below.

The Nextwave Sessions Tracklist:
01. Ratchet
02. Obsence
03. French Exit
04. Montreal
05. Children Of The Future

[News] Delorean Announce New Album, Share the Lead Single "Spirit"

Spanish dance pop outfit Delorean have been a favorite of mine for a long time. Hell, three years later, their third album Subiza still shines bright. That's why my heart skipped a beat when I heard they had announced a follow-up to their fantastic 2010 LP. Titled Apar, the album is out on September 10th in North America and September 9th in Europe. Consider me very freakin' excited.

For an initial taste of what Apar has in store, give the lead single "Spirit" a bite. Frontman Ekhi Lopetegi describes it as their "big production album." After listening to "Spirit," what do you think? I guess we'll find out for sure when September 9th/10th rolls around.

[News] MGMT Announce New Self-Titled Album

MGMT teased earlier this year that their third album would be out by June, but as the month comes to a close the anxiety soaked in. Fret not, though! The duo have announced the follow-up to 2010's Congratulations. A self-titled effort, the record will be out on September 17th.

Spanning ten tracks, the album begins with "Alien Days"—for those who remember, the song was originally released as a Record Store Day 2013 exclusive—and continues with awesome titles like "Astro-Mancy" and "Cool Song No 2." The album also includes two songs that the band has performed live, "Mystery Disease" and "Your Life Is a Lie."

MGMT fans, go ahead and mark September 17th on your calendars. If it helps to pass the time, you can stream their single "Alien Days" over and over again.

MGMT Tracklist:
01. Alien Days
02. Cool Song No 2
03. Mystery Disease
04. Introspection
05. Your Life Is a Lie
06. A Good Sadness
07. Astro-Mancy
08. I Love You to Death
09. Plenty Of Girls in the Sea
10. An Orphan of Fortune