ICTH will be down for this week...for the most part.

Sorry all. I'm directing my first music video this week, and it's taking up all my free time (something this blog usually does). Needless to say, I will probably not be posting this week, although I might be able to squeeze a few out but don't count on it. ICTH will resume after Saturday (8/18), so no worries, right?
Talk to ya' soon.

[MP3] Nirvana - All Apologies (live) from "MTV Unplugged in NY" (via Box.net)

FRIENDLY REMINDER: Maria Taylor playing a FREE show this weekend

Maria Taylor (of Azure Ray) is playing a free show as part of the "Unplugged in the Park" summer concert series at Park Tavern in Piedmont Park this Sunday (8/12) in Atlanta. Ben Kweller just played his free show last Sunday (which was awesome!!), and Jason Isbell & The Apples in Stereo both have free gigs as part of this series coming up as well. I love free.

***FREE SHOWS*** UNPLUGGED IN THE PARK, PIEDMONT PARK, ATLANTA GA:

8/12/07 - Maria Taylor (Azure Ray), The Bridges, Harrison Hudson
9/09/07 - Jason Isbell (Drive-By Truckers)
9/23/07 - The Apples in Stereo

Park Tavern/Unplugged in the Park - website

GREAT NEW MUSIC: Midnight Juggernauts

Every once in awhile Pitchfork gets it right. Midnight Juggernauts are as good as they say they are. For real. And apparently Justice thinks they're the bees' knees. I, whole heartedly, agree. For fans of Simian Mobile Disco, Justice, Vitalic, Daft Punk, LCD Soundsystem and fun. "Dystopia" is out now in Australia, but the rest of us will just have to wait until...well that's kinda up in the air actually. No official release date has been set yet, how mysterious!

[MP3] Midnight Juggernauts - Into the Galaxy from "Dystopia" (via Box.net)
[MP3] Midnight Juggernauts - Tombstone from "Dystopia" (via Box.net)

Midnight Juggernauts - website | Myspace

Revenge of the Bookeaters (826NYC Benefit) adds Britt Daniels & Eugene Mirman to it's lineup!!

So I'm gonna be going to see the Revenge of the Bookeaters benefit show in New York in a couple of weeks and I couldn't be more excited to see that Britt Daniels (Spoon), as well as comedian Eugene Mirman, have been added to the already amazing lineup that includes musicians Feist, A.C. Newman (New Pornographers), Jim James (My Morning Jacket), & Grizzly Bear...writer/humorist Sarah Vowell & comedian Demetri Martin (Daily Show) who is hosting the event. Yay. I mean YAAAAAAAYYYYYY!!!!!!! Tickets are still available here. All proceeds from the show go to student programming at 826NYC.

"826NYC is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting students ages 6-18 with their creative and expository writing skills, and to helping teachers inspire their students to write. Our services are structured around our belief that great leaps in learning can happen with one-on-one attention and that strong writing skills are fundamental to future success."

826NYC - website

VIDEO: Deerhunter "Hazel St."

Just found this video this morning on Deerhunter's blog (which you should definitely check out 'cuz it's fun and they generously post unreleased music up there :-) ), I like it....enjoy.

GREAT NEW SONGS FROM VARIOUS ARTISTS

CELEBRATION
I saw Celebration open for The Blood Brothers awhile back and they blew my mind. If this new song is any indication of what I can expect from the forthcoming album, then consider my mind blown yet again. Their new album "The Modern Tribe" is due out October 9th.

[MP3] Celebration - Evergreen from "The Modern Tribe" (via Box.net)
Celebration - website | Myspace


A SHORELINE DREAM
I hadn't heard anything from this band before getting their latest EP, "Coastal" about a week ago. This song "New York" has been played over 30 times according to my iTunes. It is good. Really, really good. Their latest EP is out now.

[MP3] A Shoreline Dream - New York from "Coastal EP" (via Box.net)
A Shoreline Dream - website | Myspace


MATT POND PA
I've seen Matt Pond PA perform several times, and have yet to be disappointed. I can't stop playing "People Have a Way" off of their upcoming album "Last Light", it is everything and more that I've come to expect from this amazing band. "Last Light" comes out Sept. 25th.

[MP3] Matt Pond PA - People Have a Way from "Last Light" (via Box.net)
Matt Pond PA - website | Myspace


LOCKETT PUNDT (Deerhunter)
Man, I cannot get me enough Deerhunter. So I've been keeping my addiction satiated by going to their blog and downloading some of the new material they have been kind enough to post. Lockett put up a couple of "solo" tunes recently, and "White Out" has seen some pretty heavy rotation in the ol' iPod. Not sure if this song will show up on any official Deerhunter release or Lockett solo effort, but who cares...it's amazing.

[MP3] Lockett Pundt (Deerhunter) - White Out from "Unreleased" (via Box.net)
Deerhunter blog | Myspace

In the wake of The Casket Lottery & Small Brown Bike....ABLE BAKER FOX!!

I was one, sad bummed-out puppy when I heard that two of my favorite bands, The Casket Lottery & Small Brown Bike, had called it quits a couple of years ago. So flash forward to yesterday and to some news that had me grinning ear-to-ear...members of both bands have created a new band out of the ashes of their previous ones. Behold, ABLE BAKER FOX: Nathan Ellis (Jackie Carol, The Casket Lottery, Coalesce) - Vocals, Guitar, Mike Reed (LaSalle, Small Brown Bike) - Vocals, Guitar, Ben Reed (The Great Sea Serpents, Small Brown Bike) - Vocals, Bass, Jeff Gensterblum (The Holy Fire, Small Brown Bike) - Drums. They're currently finshing up recording their first full length, "Voices". The two songs they have up on their MySpace page are killer and so now I'm sad again because I can't hear more. Damn you guys for playing with my emotions.

"Right now, we’re finishing up our 11-song CD/LP “Voices” with Ed Rose for release on Second Nature Recordings. Head over to our MySpace page (myspace.com/ablebakerfox) to stream two songs right now. We’re not sure exactly when “Voices” will be released, but keep in touch and you’ll find out." HOO-FUCKIN-RAY.

Able Baker Fox - website | Myspace

Two Gallants/Blitzen Trapper FALL TOUR

Two Gallants (who you may remember as the band who had some really bad luck last Friday, Oct. 13th...go figure) are going on tour with recent Sub Pop signees, Blitzen Trapper. I'm still not a big Blitzen Trapper fan (with the exception of a few songs), but I heard their live sets are pretty good so I might just have to make it out for this one...I've seen Two Gallants perform and they ARE pretty good live. Two Gallants' new S/T album will be released on Sept. 25th via Saddle Creek.

TOUR DATES WITHOUT TASERING (HOPEFULLY):
09-17 Portland, OR - Berbati's Pan
09-18 Vancouver, British Columbia - Media Club
09-19 Seattle, WA - The Crocodile
09-20 Boise, ID - Neurolux
09-21 Salt Lake City, UT - Kilby Court
09-22 Denver, CO - Hi-Dive
09-23 Rapid City, SD - The Imperial Inn
09-24 Fargo, ND - Aquarium
09-26 Minneapolis, MN - Turf Club
09-27 Iowa City, IA - The Picador
09-29 Chicago, IL - Schubas
09-30 Cleveland Heights, OH - Grog Shop
10-02 New York, NY - Gramercy Theatre
10-04 Philadelphia, PA - First Unitarian Church
10-05 Boston, MA - Middle East Downstairs
10-06 Baltimore, MD - Sonar
10-07 Washington, DC - Rock and Roll Hotel
10-08 Chapel Hill, NC - Local 506
10-09 Atlanta, GA - Drunken Unicorn
10-12 Beaumont, TX - Vortex
10-13 Austin, TX - Mohawk
10-15 Tucson, AZ - Solar Culture
10-17 San Diego, CA - The Casbah
10-18 Los Angeles, CA - El Rey Theatre

[MP3] Two Gallants - Seems Like Home To Me from "The Scenery of Farewell" EP (via Box.net)
[MP3] Blitzen Trapper - Summertwin from "Field Rexx" (via Box.net)

NEW SONG: Black Lips "Cold Hands"

I can't say it enough...I love me some Lips. "Eager anticipation" is the phrase d'jour when it comes to Black Lips related news. The newest single Cold Hands, which has already surfaced in the form of a video, from the Black Lips forthcoming album, "Good Bad Not Evil" is now available as an MP3 for those of you who like to listen in their car on the way to...somewhere. Enjoy.

[MP3] Black Lips - Cold Hands from "Good Bad Not Evil" (via Box.net)

UPDATE:
Oh, snap! Thanks to Cable and Tweed for the heads up!! The Black Lips are playing Atlanta's seediest strip club (I use the term "strip club" loosely with this place since most of the "strippers" are over 40 or pregnant), The Clermont Lounge on Aug. 16th w/ The Subsonics brought to you by the fine upstanding folks over at Rob's House Records. (And yes Rich, I'm sure it WILL be nothing short of ridiculous...in a very, very fun way.)

GREAT NEW MUSIC: The Pains of Being Pure at Heart

If you were looking for yet another reason to get your ass down (or up depending on where you're at) to this year's Athens Popfest, then behold...The Pains of Being Pure at Heart. It's their first time out of New York, promoting their first EP, and playing their first Athens Popfest...whew that's quite a few "firsts"!! But unlike most people's first time, they're going to do it to us twice in the same day!! They're not only playing Athens Popfest on 8/11, but they're also playing the Drunken Unicorn later on that night in Atlanta!! What stamina! What bad sexual innuendo!! TPOBPAH is fun, upbeat pop for fans of The Smiths, Psychedelic Furs, Stars, The Jesus and Mary Chain, or even early My Bloody Valentine. Remember that time that girl you got all stupid nervous around in high school asked for a ride home one day, and then surprisingly kissed you before running into her house? Remember the ride home listening to some fuzzy-dreamy-pop song, taking the long way home on purpose? No? Oh wait, that was me....but that's how their music feels...like an all fuzzed-out euphoria. Georgians try catch 'em at both shows if you can, and for the East Coast there are a few dates for you as well.

TOUR DATES:
8/07 - New York [Cake Shop]: EP RELEASE PARTY W/ TITUS ANDRONICUS, THE DEPRECIATION GUILD, ZAZA
8/09 - Chapel Hill, NC — [The Nightlight] w/ MINCHIA, ZNTH
8/10 - Tallahassee, FL — [89.7 FM WVFS] 5:00 p.m. live on-air w/ ZNTH
8/10 - Tallahassee, FL — [The Warehouse, 825 Railroad Ave, Tallahassee, FL 32310] w/ FOR EX-LOVERS ONLY, ZNTH
8/11 - ATHENS POPFEST, Athens, GA — [Little Kings] @ 3:30 pm
8/11 - Atlanta, GA — [Drunken Unicorn] w/ PTERODACTYL, ZNTH
8/12 - Washington, D.C. — [DC9] w/ THE MANTRAS, DENNIS KANE
8/16 - Brooklyn, NY — [Galapagos] w/ APACHE BEAT, SHOCK CINEMA

[MP3] The Pains of Being Pure at Heart - Orchard of My Eye from "The Pains of Being Pure at Heart" EP (via Box.net)
[MP3] The Pains of Being Pure at Heart - The Pains of Being Pure at Heart from "The Pains of Being Pure at Heart" EP (via Box.net)

The Pains of Being Pure at Heart - website | Myspace

Bottom of the Hudson Bassist Killed in Van Crash

Man, this has been one shitty weekend for two of the bands that played together last Thursday as part of the Team Clermont Summer Festival, Deerhunter (see previous post) & Bottom of the Hudson. BOTH bassist, 28 year-old Trevor Butler was killed, and their new drummer Greg Lytle suffered severe injuries yesterday when the band's tour van careened off the highway following a blowout in N. Carolina. Cory Brown, owner of Absolutely Kosher (label home to BOTH) issued this statement:

"We are devastated by his loss and he will be greatly missed. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the band and their families. Thanks to everyone who has sent condolences and well-wishes.

We are currently accepting donations via Paypal (the address is both@absolutelykosher.com) on behalf of Trevor's family and for Greg's medical bills resulting from the accident. A benefit show is being discussed, but we're all still reeling from this tragedy. We will update our home page as news of Greg's condition and progress on further fundraisers comes in. Your generosity in this difficult time is appreciated.

best,
Cory Brown and everyone at Absolutely Kosher Records
www.absolutelykosher.com"

Please help if you can, our thoughts are with Trevor's family, Greg and the rest of the band.

Members of Deerhunter robbed!!

Bradford and Lockett of Deerhunter were robbed at gunpoint Friday night after their show at Lenny's here in Atlanta. Bradford posted this message on their Myspace page:

"We got a friendly homecoming suprise last night in Atlanta when Lockett and I got robbed at gunpoint after our show at Lenny's last night. We literally had just walked off the stage and I was pretty wasted. Lockett was trying to take care of me and get me home. He grabbed my guitar and my stuff and we walked to his car which was parked about a block away from Lenny's because it was so crowded. I heard a commotion behind us but like I said I was pretty out of it. I just opened the door to the car and collapsed in the passenger seat. Then I heard all this yelling and I hear this loud metallic banging on the window and look up and there is a gun in my face and a guy yelling "get the fuck out the car man" I stumbled out and see the other guy has Lockett with his arms spread on the roof of his car and is patting him down. Lockett was begging them to leave me alone. The guy put his gun up to my temple and said "give me EVERYTHING motherfucker I aint fucking with you" I just mumbled something and he put his hands in my pants and took everything I had. My cellphone, my wallet (empty except for credit / bank cards which kristin immidietly cancelled, and about 450 dollars in cash I had for my rent.) They also got all of Lockett's money. They even took my fucking Camel Ultralights and Orange Bic. All I can say is that I'm glad we are not dead. Or more specifically, I am REALLY glad they didn't hurt Lockett. He was just trying to help me get home and would not have even been there at that time otherwise."

I'm really glad neither one of those guys was hurt, although I'm sure that rent money will be missed. Lenny's is unfortunately in a pretty rough area of Atlanta (not to make anyone paranoid), so it's always a good idea to walk with a few friends if you're parked far away from the venue, if possible. There are fucking assholes everywhere, even in nice parts of town, so try and pay attention to your surroundings at all times, although sometimes shit just happens...oh, and try not to carry $450 in cash around with you. ;-) We love you guys, and hopefully karma comes back around and kicks those shitheads in the ass.