Category Archives: Press Releases

PAUL MCCARTNEY PERFORMS FIRST EVER CONCERTS AT NEW YORK’S CITI FIELD ON FRIDAY, JULY 17 & SATURDAY, JULY 18, 2009

McCartney Returns to New York to Continue
Inaugural Concert Tradition
***
Tickets Go On Sale Monday, June 15 at 10:00 A.M ET
Online Exclusively at www.507TIXX.com and By Phone at 718-507-TIXX

FLUSHING, N.Y., June 3, 2009 – Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Paul McCartney will perform the historic first concerts at Citi Field – the new home of the Mets – Friday, July 17 and Saturday, July 18.

Tickets go on sale Monday, June 15 at 10:00 A.M. ET online exclusively at www.507tixx.com and by phone at 718-507-TIXX. These concerts are rain or shine.

These inaugural concert events at Citi Field mark the latest in a series of landmark performances that link the beloved Beatle with New York City and the home of the Mets. Beginning with The Beatles’ legendary musical christening of Shea Stadium in 1965, and continuing with McCartney’s special appearance at Billy Joel’s “Last Play at Shea” show that closed the stadium last year, McCartney’s summer shows at Citi Field will once again mark a momentous occasion in the history of New York – and rock n’ roll itself.

“I am really excited about playing Citi Field – The Beatles were the first to play at Shea Stadium and along with Billy Joel, I was the last to sing at the old Shea,” said Paul McCartney. “So to be the first to play this stadium is incredible. I am really looking forward to a buzzing show.”

“Every time Paul McCartney steps on a stage is a special event because of the timelessness of the music and the enthusiasm and verve that this icon gives to each performance,” said Randy Phillips, President & CEO of AEG Live. “Christening Citi Field as a venue will give this concert the added weight of the historical significance of The Beatles appearance at Shea Stadium 44 years ago.”

“There’s no more appropriate artist in the history of rock and roll to play the first concert at Citi Field,” said Jeff Wilpon, COO, New York Mets. “The era of big-time rock and roll concerts started with Paul and The Beatles at Shea and we’re thrilled to continue that tradition at our new home.”

The Citi Field concerts on July 17 and July 18 will feature classics from McCartney’s extensive catalog, including Beatles, Wings and solo career hits as well as selections from his most recent album Electric Arguments, released under his alias The Fireman.

Additionally, the Citi Field shows will be McCartney’s first U.S. appearances since his recent headlining stand at the first night of this year’s Coachella festival and the same weekend’s record-breaking one-off opening of the new Joint in Las Vegas. Reactions to the two sold out 2.5 hour performances were unanimously ecstatic from fans and critics alike:

“McCartney remains a sharp and agile performer, his voice as supple, warm and elastic as ever…Macca signatures Let It Be and The Long and Winding Road…still have the power to raise gooseflesh.” –USA TODAY

“The verdict from his Coachella debut on Friday? Never underestimate the power of a Beatle…The night belonged to Paul.” –LOS ANGELES TIMES

“For almost two and a half hours, he had the attention of what seemed to be the entire multigenerational festival” –THE NEW YORK TIMES

“Everything you could ask for in a McCartney set. Stunning. Beautiful.”–LA WEEKLY

“The concert of a lifetime” –LAS VEGAS CITYLIFE

The Beatles gave the first-ever concert at Shea Stadium on August 15, 1965, in front of more than 55,000 fainting, crying, and screaming fans. It was, and remains to this day, the most historic concert ever, as it was the first time in history that a sports stadium was used for a rock concert. The groundbreaking Beatles concert at Shea set new attendance records at the time; it was the first large-scale, outdoor concert that demonstrated such events could be hugely successful and profitable.

On July 18, 2008, Paul McCartney returned to Shea for the first time in 43 years for an unannounced guest performance at Billy Joel’s “Last Play at Shea” concert. His signature Hofner bass in hand, McCartney jumped on stage – surprising not only Joel but also the sold-out audience of 55,000 – and launched straight into “I Saw Her Standing There.” McCartney closed the night with his seminal anthem “Let It Be” featuring Joel on backing vocals, giving the legendary Shea Stadium a truly memorable send-off. That show ended just as McCartney’s first-ever performance at Shea with The Beatles had started – with a deafening response from the massive crowd.

THE MARS VOLTA FANS TO BE CHOSEN TO HOST ADVANCE LISTENINGS OF NEW ALBUM

JUNE 9 MAJESTIC VENTURA THEATRE SHOW ON SALE THIS SATURDAY, MAY 30
OCTAHEDRON OUT JUNE 23 ON WARNER BROS
TWO NEW TRACKS TO STREAM

The Mars Volta has announced plans to have 10-15 fans to host exclusive listenings in their homes for the band’s new album, Octahedron in advance of its June 23 release on Warner Bros.

Fans must submit an entry vying to host one of the listening parties. Entries can be submitted in any form from youtube videos, illustrations, writings, to anything that expresses why the entrant deserves to be a “Host.” “Official Hosts” will have their party pics posted on The Mars Volta’s website (thebedlam.net). One host and a guest will also be awarded a chance to see The Mars Volta perform anywhere in the US. Entries must be submitted by June 3rd to OctahedronParty@gmail.com

Mars Volta fans in southern California will also have a shot at hearing some of the new material early when the band plays the Majestic Ventura Theater on June 9. Tickets to the one-off performance will go on sale Saturday, May 30 at 11 a.m.

In the meantime, the band has provided this link containing two new tracks off their upcoming release:
http://www.intotheoctahedron.com/

For a full rundown of The Mars Volta confirmed live dates, see thebedlam.net.
For further information contact Steve Martin or Laura Eldeiry at laura@nastylittleman.com

BEASTIE BOYS: HOT SAUCE COMMITTEE PART 1 OUT THIS FALL

ILL COMMUNICATION REMASTERED DELUXE REISSUE IN STORES JULY 14
BEASTIEBOYS.COM PREORDER BEGINS JULY 6

“LEE MAJORS COME AGAIN” 7-INCH GOES FOR $105 ON EBAY

BONNAROO, ALL POINTS WEST, LOLLAPALOOZA, OSHEAGA, OUTSIDE LANDS & AUSTIN CITY LIMITS FESTIVAL APPEARANCES CONFIRMED
HOLLYWOOD BOWL HEADLINE ENGAGEMENT SEPTEMBER 24

New York, NY – May 26, 2009–As announced by Mike D, Adrock and MCA themselves last night on NBC’s Late Night With Jimmy Fallon, the title for the upcoming new Beastie Boys album will be HOT SAUCE COMMITTEE PART 1. The band’s eighth album of all new original material will be out this fall, with an exact date to be confirmed shortly.

In related news, an extremely limited vinyl seven inch featuring HOT SAUCE COMMITTEE PART 1 hardcore punk rave-up “Lee Majors Come Again” and an A Capella version of the new album’s “B Boys In The Cut” has been turning up golden ticket style in random copies of the recently released Check Your Head deluxe limited collectors vinyl edition. One copy was found selling for $105 on eBay–$25 above the list price of the original Check Your Head package in which it was included!

Additionally, the release date of the penultimate title in this summer’s deluxe remastered Beastie Boys series has been confirmed: Ill Communication will get the reissue treatment on July 14, with Beastieboys.com preorders beginning July 6.

Debuting at #1 upon its May 1994 release, Beastie Boys’ fourth album would quickly become an unstoppable force of nature, pervading every aspect of pop culture and public consciousness. Its charge to the top of the charts was led by “Sabotage” and its legendary Spike Jonze/Nathanial Hornblower helmed tribute to ’70s TV police dramas, as ROLLING STONE dubbed Ill Communication 1994’s “soundtrack for summer.” Crowds and critics alike were equally and instantly floored by hip hop highlights like the opening “Sure Shot,” the classic Jimmy Smith homage “Root Down” and the Q-Tip collaboration “Get It Together,” as a VIBE cover story–the magazine’s first on a white artist–hailed Beastie Boys as “perhaps the most consistently innovative musicians to emerge out of hip hop.” It was a claim that Ill Communication would justify for years to come, as everything from the household name hits to instrumental favorites “Sabrosa” and “Ricky’s Theme” to hardcore punk workouts “Tough Guy” and “Heart Attack Man” remain B Boys staples to this day. And back then as now, Ill Communication’s impact and momentum showed no signs of abating. 1995 saw Beastie Boys instantly sell out the Quadrophonic Joystick Tour, marking the band’s return to arena-headlining status. They continued to circle the globe as the record went multi-platinum, finally taking a break after the historic first Tibetan Freedom Concert drew 100,000 attendees over two days at San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park in June 1996.

For a full rundown of Ill Communication deluxe remastered configurations, stay tuned to Beastieboys.com.

Finally, as previously reported, Beastie Boys return to the road this summer, beginning with a June 12 appearance at the Bonnaroo festival in Manchester, TN. The band will then headline the July 31 opening night of this year’s All Points West festival at New Jersey’s Liberty State Park, play August 2 at the Osheaga festival in Montreal and August 8 at Lollapalooza in Chicago, and round out the summer with a return to SF’s Golden Gate Park, this time for an August 29 stand at the Outside Lands festival. Confirmed fall dates at present are a September 24 at the Hollywood Bowl and October 2 at the Austin City Limits festival. For ticket info visit www.beastieboys.com

ANDREW BIRD ADDS GREEK THEATER HEADLINE TO SUMMER TOUR

SPECIAL GUESTS RA RA RIOT & HEARTLESS BASTARDS
GENERAL ON SALE SATURDAY, MAY 16
DEBUT APPEARANCE ON THE NEW TONIGHT SHOW WITH CONAN O’BRIEN CONFIRMED FOR JULY 7

Currently entrancing capacity crowds throughout the UK and Europe, Andrew Bird returns next month to follow up his standing room only spring U.S. tour with an expanding series of headline, support and festival dates taking him through the bulk of the summer.

Bird’s July 10 debut headline engagement at Los Angeles’ prestigious Greek Theater is the latest of the high profile headline dates to go on sale, with tickets available to the general public beginning Saturday May 16 at 10 a.m. Ra Ra Riot and Heartless Bastards will serve as very special guests for this landmark evening.
A few days prior to the Greek show, Bird will follow up his successful Letterman and Leno plays with a July 7 debut appearance on the new Tonight Show With Conan O’Brien.

Other upcoming dates, previously announced and otherwise, include headlining stands at New York City’s Radio City Music Hall, Boston’s Bank of America Pavilion and Atlanta’s Cobb Energy Center, support engagements with Death Cab For Cutie and the Decemberists, and appearances at the Bonnaroo, Lollapalooza, Austin City Limits, Wanderlust and Britt festivals.

Released January 20 on Fat Possum Records, Noble Beast debuted at #12 on the U.S. album chart, and has since amassed nearly 100,000 sales. Noble Beast’s first week sales were the highest of the week for an independent label release and second highest of the week overall (second only to Mariah Carey’s Ballads collection!). The record was also that week’s biggest seller in Bird’s hometown of Chicago.
For further information, contact Steve Martin or Amy Grote at nasty little man t 212 343 0740 e amy@nastylittleman.com

ANDREW BIRD ON TOUR:
06/08/09- Washington DC – Merriweather Post Pavilion * Supporting The Decemberists
06/14/09 – Manchester, TN – Bonnaroo
06/15/09 – Atlanta, GA – Cobb Energy Center
06/18/09 – New York, NY – Radio City Music Hall
06/19/09 – Boston, MA – Bank of America Pavilion
07/10/09 – Los Angeles, CA – Greek Theatre
07/11/09 – Berkeley, CA – Greek Theatre * Supporting Death Cab For Cutie
07/13/09 – Salt Lake City, UT – Red Butte Garden * Supporting Death Cab For Cutie
07/14/09 – Morrison, CO – Red Rocks Amphitheatre * Supporting Death Cab For Cutie
07/16/09 – Jacksonville, OR – Britt Pavilion
07/17/09 – Redmond, WA – Marymoor Amphitheatre * Supporting The Decemberists
07/18/09 – Troutdale, OR – McMenamins Edgefield Amphitheater * Supporting The Decemberists
07/19/09 – Troutdale, OR – McMenamins Edgefield Amphitheater * Supporting The Decemberists
07/26/09 – South Lake Tahoe, CA – Wanderlust Festival
08/07/09 – Chicago, IL – Lollapalooza
10/02/09 – Austin, TX – Austin City Limits

SCOTT WALKER: 30 CENTURY MAN ON DVD JUNE 16, 2009

OSCILLOSCOPE LABORATORIES TO RELEASE MUSIC DOCUMENTARY EXECUTIVE PRODUCED BY DAVID BOWIE AND DIRECTED BY STEPHEN KIJAK
ON DVD JUNE 16, 2009
Sixth Film in Oscilloscope’s Series of Collector DVDs
With Specially Crafted Environmentally Friendly Packaging

New York (May 5, 2009) — Oscilloscope Laboratories is pleased to announce the DVD release of SCOTT WALKER: 30 CENTURY MAN on June 16, 2009. Executive produced by David Bowie and directed by Stephen Kijak, the film provides a look inside cult music icon Scott Walker’s creative process over a 40-year career and features artists including Radiohead, Brian Eno, Sting, Damon Albarn and Jarvis Cocker. Having enjoyed a limited theatrical release in winter 2008-2009, SCOTT WALKER: 30 CENTURY MAN now becomes Oscilloscope’s sixth entry in a series of collectors DVDs featuring specially crafted, environmentally friendly packaging.

SCOTT WALKER: 30 CENTURY MAN is a rare glimpse into the creative world of possibly the most enigmatic figure in rock history, and traces Walker’s undeniable impact on popular music through interviews with some of his biggest, highest profile fans. The film explores the Ohio-born Walker’s fascinating trajectory, from his teenage beginnings as a pioneer of the electric bass as a session player on L.A.’s Sunset Strip, to his domination of the British pop scene that began in the swinging summer of 1965 and peaked with his own BBC Television Series in 1969, to his transformation into a reclusive composer of true genius. SCOTT WALKER: 30 CENTURY MAN also offers a current portrait of an uncompromising and serious musician still working at the peak of his powers, as it follows the 63-year-old Walker as he re-enters the studio for the first time in 10 years, with unprecedented access to the sessions that produced his critically lauded 2006 album, THE DRIFT.

Oscilloscope Laboratories will release SCOTT WALKER: 30 CENTURY MAN on DVD on June 16, 2009. The DVD will be available for $29.99 SRP. The film features appearances by such Walker-influenced music legends as: David Bowie, Radiohead, Jarvis Cocker (Pulp), Brian Eno, Damon Albarn (Blur, Gorillaz), Neil Hannon (The Divine Comedy), Marc Almond, Alison Goldfrapp, Sting, Dot Allison, Simon Raymonde (Cocteau Twins), Richard Hawley, Rob Ellis, Johnny Marr (The Smiths, Modest Mouse), Gavin Friday, Lulu, Peter Olliff, Angela Morley, Ute Lemper, Ed Bicknell, Evan Parker, Hector Zazou, Mo Foster, Phil Sheppard and Pete Walsh.

SCOTT WALKER: 30 CENTURY MAN ON DVD JUNE 16, 2009

SCOTT WALKER: 30 CENTURY MAN
OSCILLOSCOPE LABORATORIES TO RELEASE MUSIC DOCUMENTARY EXECUTIVE PRODUCED BY DAVID BOWIE AND DIRECTED BY STEPHEN KIJAK
ON DVD JUNE 16, 2009
Sixth Film in Oscilloscope’s Series of Collector DVDs
With Specially Crafted Environmentally Friendly Packaging

New York (May 5, 2009) — Oscilloscope Laboratories is pleased to announce the DVD release of SCOTT WALKER: 30 CENTURY MAN on June 16, 2009. Executive produced by David Bowie and directed by Stephen Kijak, the film provides a look inside cult music icon Scott Walker’s creative process over a 40-year career and features artists including Radiohead, Brian Eno, Sting, Damon Albarn and Jarvis Cocker. Having enjoyed a limited theatrical release in winter 2008-2009, SCOTT WALKER: 30 CENTURY MAN now becomes Oscilloscope’s sixth entry in a series of collectors DVDs featuring specially crafted, environmentally friendly packaging.

SCOTT WALKER: 30 CENTURY MAN is a rare glimpse into the creative world of possibly the most enigmatic figure in rock history, and traces Walker’s undeniable impact on popular music through interviews with some of his biggest, highest profile fans. The film explores the Ohio-born Walker’s fascinating trajectory, from his teenage beginnings as a pioneer of the electric bass as a session player on L.A.’s Sunset Strip, to his domination of the British pop scene that began in the swinging summer of 1965 and peaked with his own BBC Television Series in 1969, to his transformation into a reclusive composer of true genius. SCOTT WALKER: 30 CENTURY MAN also offers a current portrait of an uncompromising and serious musician still working at the peak of his powers, as it follows the 63-year-old Walker as he re-enters the studio for the first time in 10 years, with unprecedented access to the sessions that produced his critically lauded 2006 album, THE DRIFT.

Oscilloscope Laboratories will release SCOTT WALKER: 30 CENTURY MAN on DVD on June 16, 2009. The DVD will be available for $29.99 SRP. The film features appearances by such Walker-influenced music legends as: David Bowie, Radiohead, Jarvis Cocker (Pulp), Brian Eno, Damon Albarn (Blur, Gorillaz), Neil Hannon (The Divine Comedy), Marc Almond, Alison Goldfrapp, Sting, Dot Allison, Simon Raymonde (Cocteau Twins), Richard Hawley, Rob Ellis, Johnny Marr (The Smiths, Modest Mouse), Gavin Friday, Lulu, Peter Olliff, Angela Morley, Ute Lemper, Ed Bicknell, Evan Parker, Hector Zazou, Mo Foster, Phil Sheppard and Pete Walsh.

ARCADE FIRE AUTOGRAPHED MIROIR NOIR DELUXE DVD TO BENEFIT PARTNERS IN HEALTH

ARCADE FIRE AUTOGRAPHED MIROIR NOIR DELUXE DVD + EXCLUSIVE SILK SCREENED POSTER
ALL PROCEEDS TO BENEFIT PARTNERS IN HEALTH
Strictly Limited Edition of 250 Available Exclusively at Arcadefire.com

The members of Arcade Fire have signed 250 copies of the deluxe edition of the recently released Miroir Noir DVD and combined them with a limited edition hand silk-screened poster signed and numbered by the artist for a special package to benefit Partners In Health. The strictly limited deluxe signed edition with poster will be available exclusively at Arcadefire.com for $250 (plus shipping and handling), with all proceeds going to Partners In Health.

Arcade Fire donated a share of ticket sales from every headlining show on the 2007 Neon Bible tour to Partners In Health’s program in Haiti, which focuses on delivering high quality healthcare to the poor. Members of the band have visited Haiti to witness firsthand the results of these donations, which also include sending thousands of children to school with hot meals, providing housing for the poorest patients, and increasing the agricultural capacity of those families.

For further information, please visit Arcadefire.com or www.pih.org

ACCLAIMED INDIE ARTIST ALEXI MURDOCH SETS THE TONE FOR FOCUS FEATURES’ NEW MOVIE AWAY WE GO, DIRECTED BY OSCAR WINNER SAM MENDES

SOUNDTRACK AVAILABLE DIGITALLY ON JUNE 2
AND IN STORES JUNE 23 ON ZERO SUMMER RECORDS

Exploring the comedic twists and emotional turns in one couple’s journey across contemporary America, Away We Go (which Focus Features releases June 5 in N.Y. and L.A., and in June in select cities) is the new movie from Academy Award-winning director Sam Mendes, from the first original screenplay by novelists Dave Eggers & Vendela Vida, and featuring the music of singer/songwriter Alexi Murdoch.

During the filming of Away We Go, Mendes began thinking about the music that would be the sound and soul of the film. When he first heard Murdoch’s acclaimed debut album, Time Without Consequence, he knew he had found what he was looking for.

Over the past 5 years, Alexi Murdoch’s music has been quietly engaging a fast-growing audience across the globe. After the unprecedented indie success of a first home-spun EP in 2003, which ultimately sold over 50,000 copies, Murdoch released the critically acclaimed debut album Time Without Consequence through his own label, Zero Summer Records, in 2006. Rolling Stone quickly named Murdoch one of that year’s “10 Artists to Watch,” while Interview lauded his “ability to directly communicate a wellspring of deep emotion,” Alternative Press awarded the album a 5 out of 5 rating, and similar raves came in from Entertainment Weekly, Paste, The Onion, and many more.

While his songs have been featured in such films as Gone Baby Gone and Garden State, as well as the trailer for Academy Award-nominated foreign film Paradise Now, his work on Away We Go represents the first instance where Murdoch is the primary musical voice of an entire film.

In addition to the tracks from Time Without Consequence that captivated Mendes, the Away We Go soundtrack album (available digitally June 2 and in stores June 23, from Zero Summer) features three previously unreleased Murdoch songs; “Towards The Sun,” “The Ragged Sea,” and the bonus track “Crinan Wood.” On the soundtrack, Murdoch finds himself in fine company with classics from Bob Dylan, The Velvet Underground, George Harrison, and The Stranglers.

A total of eight of Murdoch’s songs are featured in Away We Go which opens, fittingly, with “All My Days,” also the opening track from Time Without Consequence. The song has also been used in its entirety in the movie’s theatrical trailer, which is already creating a buzz about the film’s music.

The track listing is as follows:

1. All My Days
2. Blue Mind
3. What Is Life (George Harrison)
4. Song For You
5. Golden Brown (The Stranglers)
6. Towards The Sun
7. Meet Me In The Morning (Bob Dylan)
8. Breathe
9. Wait
10. The Ragged Sea
11. Oh! Sweet Nuthin’ (The Velvet Underground)
12. Orange Sky
13. Crinan Wood (bonus track)

For more information, please contact:

Steve Martin
Nasty Little Man
steve@nastylittleman.com
212-343-0740

Lauren Daddis
Nettwerk
For Zero Summer Records
lauren@nettwerk.com
323-301-4200

SPOON RETURNS TO AUSTIN FOR SPOONX3

Inaugural Three-Night Festival To Take Place July 9, 10 & 11 at Stubb”s Amphitheater

Austin”s favorite sons SPOON will take a respite from their worldly travels and in-studio toiling to present SPOONX3, a three-night festival taking place July 9, 10 and 11 at Austin”s Stubb”s Amphitheater featuring the debut of new material from the band”s forthcoming album as best online casino well as different special guests nightly, all handpicked by SPOON.

Beginning Thursday April 23, three-day passes to SPOONX3 will be available via an exclusive pre-sale at www.Spoontheband.com, at a $10 discount from the price of individual tickets. General on-sale will begin 10 a.m. Saturday April 25 via Frontgate Tickets.

The SPOONX3 lineup is as follows:

July 9 – SPOON, …And You Will Know Us By the Trail of the Dead, Black Joe Lewis & the Honeybears
July 10 – SPOON, Low, Dale Watson
July 11 – SPOON, Atlas Sound, the Strange Boys

HARPER GROHL ARRIVES

Dave and Jordyn Grohl have welcomed the newest addition to their happy and healthy family: second daughter Harper Willow Grohl was born in the afternoon of April 17. Violet Grohl’s newly arrived little sister (named after Dave’s great uncle Harper Bonebrake. Yes, Bonebrake.) is according to her dad “7 lbs 8 oz, 20 inches long and loud as hell.”