[Listen] Breton - "Titan"

I'm calling it right now: Breton's third album will be their breakthrough in the states. This is not up for debate. It's going to happen and I am so excited about this I feel like having sex with a drum machine. 

I'd love to be wrong about that and have it be sooner though, specifically since they announced that they'll be re-issuing War Room Stories  on November 10th on their very own label Cut Tooth (via Believe Recordings). The reissue will include two brand new songs, "Titan" and "Parthian Shot", along with 9 bonus tracks, previously unseen tour pictures and a PDF of all the band’s lyrics to date.

Earlier this week the band shared "Titan" for your listening pleasure in anticipation of the reissue. Remember when I was super excited about "Got Well Soon" and said it was the best thing they had ever made? I think I still stand by that for now, but in the case of "Titan" there's this new found approachability in this song that was previously only found in little snippets throughout their work, which is why I'm convinced that they're on the path to worldwide domination. Keep in mind that War Room Stories only came out in February and already we're seeing a massive growth spurt from the band in this track. Granted, I'm sure that some credit should go to Antoine Gaillet (co-wrote  M83's Before the Dawn Heals Us, mixed on Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming), who co-produced the song. Even so, the band has matured at such a rapid pace since their 2011 debut album, Other People's Problem that it's almost hard for me to believe that it's even the same band. 

Either way, it's basically all that Sprout and I have been listening to all morning and there has been much chair dancing at our desks as a result. Have a listen to "Titan" for yourself and tell me that your hips don't involuntarily shake even a little bit the second it hits your ears. 

Lucky folks across the pond can catch the band on tour next month. Make the best decision of your life and catch them if they're playing in your area. 

BRETON ON TOUR

09 Nov - Effenaar - Eindhoven, NL
10 Nov - Patronaat - Haarlem, NL
12 Nov - Berghain Kantine - Berlin, DE
13 Nov - Minoga Club - Poznaně, PL
14 Nov - Klub Hydrozagadka - Warsaw, PL 
15 Nov - Jazz Club Hipnoza - Katowice, PL 
17 Nov - Chelsea - Vienna, AT
18 Nov - Grabenhalle - St. Gallen, CH
19 Nov - L’Usine PTR - Geneva, CH
21 Nov - Liberteě - Rennes, FR
22 Nov - La Cartonnerie - Reims, FR
23 Nov - L’Autre Canal - Nancy, FR
24 Nov - La Rodia - Besancon, FR
25 Nov - Casino de Paris - Paris FR
27 Nov - Marcheě Gare - Lyon, FR
28 Nov - Paloma - Nimes, FR
29 Nov - La SireĚne - La Rochelle, FR
30 Nov - CCM John Lennon - Limoges, FR 
02 Dec - Heaven - London, UK

Against Me! Frontwoman Laura Jane Grace To Debut AOL Original Series "True Trans With Laura Jane Grace"

photo credit: Leslie LyonsAgainst Me! frontwoman Laura Jane Grace continues to make significant strides within the transgender community. Today AOL announced that they will be airing a 10-episode series called "True Trans With Laura Jane Grace". The first episode doesn't air until October 10th, but you can check out a preview of what's to come in the trailer below. Per the press release, "The series explores poignant moments from Laura's life that include identifying as transgender, the decision to come out publicly and the overall transition experience....Each episode will follow Laura and other powerful individuals who are part of the transgender community as they share stories about the harsh realities of growing up anxious about their own identities."

I love Against Me! I LOVE Transgender Dysphora Blues. I love Laura Jane Grace. I love people of all shapes, sizes, genders, ethnicities, religions, etc. This isn't just some kind of awesome, this is all kinds of awesome. Mad props to her for doing this. Watching this trailer just made me want to hug all of them. I will be looking forward to hearing theses stories. 

[News] Studio Killers Launch Kickstarter Campaign To Fund Live Shows

In their current state, electro-pop outfit Studio Killers have been confined to computer screens all over the world. If the group has it their way, however, that won't be the case for very long. In addition to the announcement that they would perform live at two festivals in Finland, a few days ago the trio launched a Kickstarter campaign in hopes to raise £50,000. At the time of this post, the campaign currently sits at close to £15,000, with 9 days left to reach their goal. While it seems like a hefty chunk of change to ask of their fans before they even perform their first live show ever, the band hopes to cover the costs of bringing their characters to life using state of the art technology courtesy of design company Immersive Ltd.. The firm's previous clients include: Jason Mraz, Bon Jovi, Knife Party, deadmau5, and many more. Additionally, per the band's Kickstarter page, they hope to use the funds to bring their live show various international locations as well. 

I for one hope they reach their goal. In fact, I've kicked in £60 because I feel like their live show would be something worth bringing to the masses. Their latest single, "Grand Finale" hints at a promising follow up to their self-titled debut, which makes me want to see the group through until they're standing on their own two pixels performing wherever they're loved the most. In terms of incentives, you get a little love regarless of how much/little you give. I'm personally very excited that my £60 will get me a limited print from Cherry since I've yet to experience her art in person (their gallery installation was in Helsinki). 

If you need further convincing, enjoy a snippet of "Grand Finale" below. 

[News] Y Not Festival Announces Initial Line-Up

As we've mentioned in the past few weeks, there are tonnes of festivals announcing their line-ups at the moment and all of them seem to be delivering some stellar line-ups. We have a reformed Outkast playing tonnes of dates the world over, Arctic Monkeys for Reading and Leeds, Snoop Dogg at Parklife, Beck at Bestival. Summer 2014 is already looking like one for the books. 

Keeping it real in the Derbyshire Countryside though, the ever growing Y-Not Festival has announced it's first few headliners and a bunch of acts playing their tents across the first weekend of August 1st-3rd. Dizzee Rascal and White Lies top the bill for the main stage, with some exciting looking names throughout the initial announcement. If you're up for a party, I'm sure Andrew W.K. will be happy to help out with that. Or maybe you're feeling a little more chilled, in which case Newton Faulkner can serenade you. Last year's Y Not was their biggest yet and by the looks of it the team their are planning something extra special for 2014. I'd highly recommend if you're in the UK and wanting to check out a grass roots festival with a really nice, relaxed atmosphere, make it this one.

If you're in a band and fancy playing the festival, head over to their Facebook page for more info and you could be doing just that; playing Y Not!

Tickets are on sale now and you can grab them here. Check out the announcement video below for the full line-up though.

[News] Pulled Apart By Horses Announce UK Tour

Cast your mind back to the year 2012. It's not that hard. Back to February in that year. That was the last time the UK was graced with the noisemakers known as Pulled Apart By Horses on the live circuit. They've been busy making brand new music for our ear holes but ahead of that they've gone and got all excited and have decided to treat fans to some previews on the road before release. Guitarist James Brown says:

After spending most of 2013 writing the new album, we are now so close to finishing it that we can't wait a moment longer to get sweaty with you guys. So we're excited to announce an intimate little UK warm-up tour. Think of it as some much needed exercise.

Tickets are on sale this Friday 8th Feb., or you can peek a pre-sale on Thursday 7th by checking pulledapartbyhorses.com for more info. You can check out the dates after the jump.

As well as that we can all expect some news about their third album in the very near future. Get excited and prepare yourselves for some awesome new sounds.

Pulled Apart By Horses 2014 Tour

April

24 Aberdeen Tunnels

25 Dundee Beat Generator Live!

26 Hartlepool Studio

27 Hull The Welly

28 Leicester The Musician

30 Oxford Art Bar

May

01 Norwich Epic Studios

02 Stoke Sugarmill

03 Leeds Live at Leeds

04 York YO1 Festival

06 May Cambridge Portland Arms

07 Aldershot West End Centre

08 Kingston New Slang @ McClusky's

09 Brighton The Great Eascape

10 Southampton Cellar

12 Exeter Cavern

13 Plymouth White Rabbit  

14 Bath Moles

15 Cardiff The Globe

[News] Bestival Announces Line-Up Additions; Beck & Foals join Outkast as headliners

Bestival has just announced its initial line-up and it's going to be hard to beat in terms of ending your summer on a high in 2014. Beck and Foals will top the bill at the event, joining the returning duo of Outkast, as announced last week. The rest of the acts announced are Disclosure, Major Lazer, Sam Smith, CHVRCHES, London Grammar, Wild Beasts, Caribou, Clean Bandit and Laura Mvula.

As is tradition with the festival, it will have a theme and this year it's 'Desert Island Disco'. I think opens up a few more options compared to 2013's nautical 'HMS Bestival' theme so get your thinking caps on if you're planning on grabbing a ticket.

Bestival takes place from September 4th-7th on the Isle of Wight and tickets are on sale now.

For more information, head over to Bestival.net

[News] Parklife Announces Initial Line-Up including Snoop Dogg, Foals, Kendrick Lamar & More

As we mentioned earlier the festival line-ups are coming in thick and fast and Manchester's very own Parklife Weekender, organised by the people at Warehouse Project, have just released the initial bill. For an event that's been growing year on year since its inception, it seems they've delivered once again as it's pretty damn big! Snoop Dogg and Foals top the bill on the main stage in the evenings while throughout the bill are big names. Bastille, Disclosure, Katy B, Soul II Soul, Danny Brown, Public Enemy, Seth Troxler, Chromeo, Moderat, Maya Jane Coles, London Grammar, Mount Kimbie, and a UK festival exclusive from Kendrick Lamar. It's sure to be a huge weekend. Check out the full line-up so far here.

With more announcements to come, who knows what other surprises the team has in store. The event takes place in Manchester's Heaton Park on the weekend of June 7th-8th and you can pick up tickets from £79.50 for the full weekend, or £49.50 for a day ticket over on parklife.uk.com.

[News] Live at Leeds 2014 Announces Initial Line-Up

It's that time of year again when festivals big and small begin to tease their fans with the artists that will be gracing their stages. Of course there are the huge announcements Stateside with Outkast reforming for several dates both on US soil and UK. But here at SKoA we're focussed on the ones close to home; For myself (Shey), that's Live at Leeds. A wonderful event that takes place across the city of (you guessed it,) Leeds, and draws bands from a smorgasbord of genres to venues throughout the city. Last year I had an absolute blast and the event was one of my highlights of the festival calendar. This year looks set to top it as they've announced their initial line-up which you can see above via the fancy new poster.

Making up the bill are Albert Hammond Jr, Blood Red Shoes, Catfish and the Bottlemen, Chloe Howl, Drenge, Pulled Apart By Horses, Wolf Alice, Yuck and hoards of other damn fine bands. 

Taking place in 2014 on the weekend of 2-5th of May, tickets are priced at just £25 and for the stuff you can see for that price, I'd snatch up a ticket fast. Grab them over here.