Saturday, May 17, 2008

Riff Raff: Odds and ends in local music news (May 11-17)

By Erin Rice

Eli Young Band - sometimes described as a cross between country and Coldplay.

Eli Young going Universal

The Eli Young band had a few announcements earlier this week. Their biggest news was that they have signed on with Universal Records, the Southern division (props to Galleywinter who leaked this news ages - two weeks - ago). When a well-loved band signs with a big label, there's always the worry they'll lose touch with diehard, local fans, but it seems this classy country act has no intention to do so. Their upcoming album, expected to release in September, will feature 10 new songs and an updated version of When It Rains. Before the hoards of band wagon jumpers descend on the album, the group will leak some of the new songs to its existing fanbase. Keep an eye on the band's website for when those songs will hit.

You may enter the show if you can say this word: "Shibboleth"

Shibboleth, the lounge pop act with a hint of the experimental, is releasing their second CD Saturday night, Experiment in Error (review). Playing at the Sons of Hermann Hall, they'll have an extra treat for those making it down to Elm Street. THE Bobby Patterson will provide vocals for the trio's otherwise non-vox set. No doubt they'll make a return to "Digging Up Bones," which you can download right here.

Speaking of new CDs, the guys in Seven Story Drop will be releasing their first full length album in July. Throughout the rest of May, they'll be sequestered to Sanger, TX where they are recording at Indian Trail Studios, which has worked with other local bands like Faktion, Advent, Flickerstick, Ivoryline, and Slow Roosevelt, among others.

Headkrack is looking forward to this concert so much that he had the NY subway map printed onto his t-shirt.

Partyin' with krack, Headkrack that is

Headkrack and 97.9 The Beat (the "official Lil Wayne" station... can anybody just claim that?) are holding a contest to fly you and friend, with Headkrack, to NYC to catch Summer Jam, a hip-hop and R&B concert featuring Lil Wayne, T-Pain, Kanye, Alicia Keys, Rihanna, and more. You win by submitting YouTube video of yourself lip-syncing or otherwise impersonating your favorite song or celebrity. My guess is, the crazier you are, the better your chances are.

The never ending search for band members never ends

Aton, great local reggae with a great big heart, is looking for a keyboardist and a second guitar player. Hit 'em up through their website for more information.

Also searching are local indie rockers Tonight Tonight. Via email to PegNews, they are looking for the following qualities in a lead singer:

What a tease

The Toadies have put up a little YouTube tease for their new album, No Deliverance. Not exactly sure what you are supposed to glean from the vid. At 40 seconds in length, it's simply a guitar and some distortion building up over a picture of a Marshall amp with the words "KEEP MUSIC EVIL" printed on the front. (It mostly just makes me think of "Everything Zen" by Bush.) In addition to a somewhat nondescript interview with Spin.com, The Toadies are fairly tight-lipped about the new material. Time to pull the Ouija board out of retirement.

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• Arts > Popular Music