Chad VanGaalen’s new album Soft Airplane is in stores now!

Chad VanGaalen’s musical roots date back to the first part of the decade, when he made a living busking on the streets of Calgary. He is also an accomplished animator and illustrator whose music is very much informed by his appreciation of visual arts. He has produced a voluminous wealth of material, by himself, at a rate that might best be described as alarming. And whatever his motivation for doing what he does, or creating what he creates, the result is that it is always both genuine and good.

The proof is in the songs themselves. They have heart. They have pain. They have hope. They have humor. And most importantly, they have fun.

Chad VanGaalen’s first two LPs, Infiniheart (2005) and Skelliconnection (2006), were wildly eclectic and ethereal, texturally imaginative, sometimes ambitious and sometimes restrained. Recorded on a Tascam 4-track and other analog devices, using synthesizers, guitars and a collection of his own handmade instruments, Chad created a unique style of pop songcraft, fundamentally experimental, both delicate and soaring, simple and elaborate.

Chad is more confident now, and unlike his previous albums, the songs on Soft Airplane were written and recorded more or less within the same time period, rather than collected from disparate moments and sessions spanning many, many years. As such, it feels more focused, deliberate, thoughtful and centered, both thematically and musically. It’s the sound of someone taking his time and sharpening his focus while opening his mind. At its core, it’s a pop record, one that feels free.

Mp3 “Willow Tree” http://www.subpop.com/assets/audio/4611.mp3

Artist Page http://www.subpop.com/artists/chad_vangaalen

Tour Dates  http://www.subpop.com/tours/chad_vangaalen

Video “Molten Light” http://www.subpop.com/assets/video/4646.mpg

YouTube Channel http://www.youtube.com/ChadVanG – with all Chad’s videos!

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July 30, 2008 – As the music industry continues to adapt to allow artists to be more involved in their careers – an act that was perhaps accelerated by Radiohead’s most recent release – and the band’s desire to cater more to their fans, Portugal. The Man and their label and publishing company, Approaching AIRBalloons, and Equal Vision Records have inked a unique agreement, it has been announced. The first release under this exceptional deal will be P.TM’s third full-length CD, Censored Colors, set for a September 16, 2008 release.

One of the factors that makes this partnership so unique is that the members of Portugal. The Man will share in the risk as well as in the rewards with Equal Vision, something that is easier for a Platinum act (like Radiohead) than a developing artist. Having self-financed the Censored Colors album, and while they had other label options, P.TM welcomed the idea of having an “open canvas” with Equal Vision, where they could work at their own pace and be intimately involved in all factors of their recording career.

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SKY EATS AIRPLANE have posted the single track, “Numbers”, from their self-titled full length in stores TOMORROW (July 22nd). Physical copies of the CD come with a unique code with access to a members-only site. By purchasing the CD, you’ll get exclusive video messages from the band, behind the scenes footage from their recent video shoot, contests, and more!

Speaking of numbers… the band is giving out their phone number: 817-271-5626
Leave messages telling the band what you think about the new album, a show you attended, or whatever you want to say. The band will be updating their voice mail from the road and calling a few lucky fans back while they’re on tour.

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The Smoking Popes triumphantly return to the music scene with Stay Down – their first studio album in 9 years.  Since their humble beginnings in their hometown of Chicago in 1991, The Smoking Popes have been breaking ground with their signature pop-punk style.  Songs like Pretty Pathetic, Brand New Hairstyle, and Need You Around became part of the soundtracks of summer, and a favorite for fans and radio programmers alike.  After the band’s untimely breakup in 1999, the Popes have been on the sidelines, until now.

Now, the Caterer brothers (Josh, Matt and Eli) along with friend and fellow Chicagoan Neil Hennessy, have started the next chapter of their story. Stay Down puts the band back on the map, with 12 songs that continue the Popes calling to create great pop-punk songs that will keep everyone singing along.

Stay Down will be in stores tomorrow, July 8 through the Appeal Records label or on .

Upcoming Tourdates
July 1 – Toledo, OH – Frankies
July 2 – Washington DC – DC9
July 3 – Philadelphia, PA – Johnny Brenda’s
July 5 – New York, NY – Blender Theater at Gramercy
July 6 – Allston, MA – Harpers Ferry
July 26 – Bedford Park, IL – Buzzbomb Club
Aug 2 – Chicago, IL
Aug 10 – Kansas City, MO – Record Bar
Aug 11 – Dallas, TX – Loft at Palladium Ballroom
Aug 12 – Austin, TX – The Mohawk
Aug 14 – Phoenix, AZ – Rhythm Room
Aug 15 – Los Angeles, CA – Knitting Factory
Aug 16 – San Francisco, CA – Slims

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For the last couple of weeks, Fear Before The March of Flames have been in Seattle, WA recording their fourth album with producer Casey Bates (Chiodos, Portugal The Man). The new album will serve as the follow-up to 2006’s incredibly diverse and experimental release, The Always Open Mouth .

The band is filming their adventures and just posted their newest webisode where you can hear some rough recordings.

For continuing updates, visit Fear Before on MySpace.

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The Indie Review

By Sean Duregger
June 28, 2008

Artist: Sigur Ros
Album: Med sud I eyrum vid spilum endalaust
Label: XL Recordings
Rating:

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Sigur Ros is probably one of the most unconventional and innovative bands working today. Rather than being driven by styles and trends, Sigur Ros is a true example of true art and music colliding. Med sud I eyrum vid spilum endalaust (translated: “With a Buzz in Our Ears We Play Endlessly”) is the culmonation of Sigur Ros‘ amazing previous work, taking their sound to more of a well rounded blend of beautiful, slow and haunting melodies combined with a more organic lively sound.

It seems Sigur Ros have embraced more of an organic sound lately. First with the release of Sigur Ros‘ “Rock” album Takk, then with their DVD release Heima and the subsiquent CD release of B-Sides and live studio versions of some of their favorite songs. Med sud I eyrum vid spilum endalaust takes the best moments from these albums and is Sigur Ros‘ strongest album to date.

As an album as a whole, there is a lot more variety to work with here. Gobbligook can be justified as Sigur Ros‘ first successful single and stands alone as a great song. The rest of the album is as innovative with impeccable production; crisp and organic, with less distortion and echo than the previous albums. Adding to the layers of each song are various levels of strings and piano.

Easily the most accessible Sigur Ros album, Med sud I eyrum vid spilum endalaust still maintains the integrity that comes with all Sigur Ros albums. Extremely artistic and not guided by a corporate label, Sigur Ros exists to create works of art with each album. With Med sud I eyrum vid spilum endalaust, Sigur Ros have added yet another masterpiece.

Stand Out Tracks:

“Gobbligook
“Inní mér syngur vitleysingur”
“Vid spilum endalaust”

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