New Music: Pink Floyd, Depeche Mode, Nickel Creek

A stunning hardcover edition celebrating the 50th anniversary of Pink Floyd's The Dark Side Of The Moon as well as eagerly-awaited full-length returns from Depeche Mode and Nickel Creek are featured in my column this week.

Title: Pink Floyd — The Dark Side Of The Moon: The Official 50th Anniversary Book

Author: Jill Furmanovsky
Publisher: Thames & Hudson

Hardcover: 160 pages

Tell me more: Released in March 1973, Pink Floyd's eighth studio album The Dark Side of the Moon would ultimately prove to be one of the most iconic rock albums of the 20th century and is the groundbreaking English troupe's most beloved effort. According to Wikipedia, The Dark Side of the Moon is certified 14 times platinum in the United Kingdom and topped the LPs and Tape charts in the U.S. where it has "charted for 975 weeks." Now in celebration of the 50th anniversary of that release, Thames & Hudson has issued the must-have "Pink Floyd — The Dark Side Of The Moon: The Official 50th Anniversary Book." 

Curated by Jill Furmanovsky and featuring art direction from Aubrey Powell, the gorgeous LP-sized hardcover volume features rare and previously unseen photographs (including backstage and onstage images of the band taken during The Dark Side of the Moon tours of 1972-1975), song lyrics, tour dates, a Melody Maker review of the band's 1972 Wembley concert and much more; the book was created with the involvement of members of Pink Floyd. A truly marvelous keepsake for fans of Pink Floyd and The Dark Side of the Moon. Information: wwnorton.com.

Artist: Depeche Mode

Title: Memento Mori (Columbia Records)

You might like if you enjoy: Depeche Mode, Color Theory, Erasure

Tell me more: On their 15th studio album Memento Mori, Depeche Mode remind the music world why the British outfit matters more than ever; this is especially true following co-founder Andrew "Fletch" Fletcher's tragic death on May 26, 2022. Electronic rock's most enduring artist, Depeche Mode's David Gahan and Martin Gore are back with a brilliant batch of tracks that revisit familiar territory even while moving their sound ever onward into the future. The opener "My Cosmos is Mine" is a dark and brooding track with Gahan's powerful baritone awash in the troupe's signature electronica soundscape. The compelling "Watch Another Angel Die" is infectious on its surface even as the song's lyrics ponder religious doubt. The album's most enticing track, "Ghosts Again," is a sweeping number with a dynamic rhythm and irresistible flow across its full length. Romantic doubt ("Don't Say You Love Me," "Before We Drown"), self reflection ("My Favorite Stranger"), death ("Soul With Me"), obsession ("Always You," "Never Let Me Go") and human nature ("People Are Good") are detailed expertly via compelling originals produced by James Ford — along with additional production by Marta Salogni. Information: depechemode.com.

Artist: Nickel Creek

Title: Celebrants (Repair Records)

You might like if you enjoy: Nickel Creek, First Aid Kit, bluegrass music

Tell me more: Celebrants is Americana outfit Nickel Creek's first original album since 2014's A Dotted Line. It almost goes without saying that it is wonderful to have new music from the talented trio of Chris Thile, Sean Watkins and Sara Watkins — especially when the disc is as great as this one. My favorite track is the sumptuous musical jaunt "Strangers," with the dashing mix of Thile's mandolin, Sara Watkins' fiddle and Sean Watkins' acoustic guitar work dancing with the trio's artful harmonies. Other standout songs on the 18-track disc include the gorgeous "Holding Pattern," rousing "Where the Long Line Leads," sonically ambitious "The Meadow" and bewitching "Stone's Throw." Additional kudos to bassist Jeff Picker for his musical skills that enhance the music making across Celebrants. Information: nickelcreek.com.

Robert Kinsler

Sights and Sounds: Coldplay, The Secret Sisters, AXS TV to broadcast Coachella

As I get set to hit Coachella Weekend 2 tomorrow, this will likely be my last roundup until next week, but it is a good one! Hope to see many of you in Indio this weekend!

Coldplay shows announced; six international dates to mark the release of the band's 'Ghost Stories' LP

Coldplay have announced that they will mark the release of their new album, Ghost Stories, by playing six intimate shows in six cities around the world. The dates are as follows:

25 April - E-Werk, Cologne, Germany 

5 May - Beacon Theatre, New York, USA 

19 May - Royce Hall, Los Angeles, USA 

28 May - Casino de Paris, Paris, France  

  

 

12 June - Dome City Hall, Tokyo, Japan

 

1 July - Royal Albert Hall, London, UK

 

Tickets for the Cologne show will go on sale at 9 a.m. CET on Saturday, 19 April from www.eventim.de/coldplay.

Ticket information for the remaining five shows will be emailed exclusively to subscribers to the Coldplay mailing list (which can be joined at Coldplay.com).

Ghost Stories is Coldplay's sixth album. It will be released worldwide on Monday, 19 May. 

THE SECRET SISTERS NEW ALBUM

PUT YOUR NEEDLE DOWN AVAILABLE NOW

Critically Acclaimed Duo's First Album In Three Years

Produced By T Bone Burnett

Album Features New Original Songs Including First Single,

"Rattle My Bones," And "Dirty Lie" Co-Written by Bob Dylan

The Secret Sisters currently supporting country trio Nickel Creek

on its entire US reunion tour in April and May

The Secret Sisters' long-awaited second album, Put Your Needle Down is available now via Republic Records. The Alabama duo's sophomore set was produced by the iconic T Bone Burnett, and marks a giant creative step forward for siblings Laura and Lydia Rogers. Put Your Needle Down is currently available at iTunes, Amazon and other select retailers.

Recently featured on NPR WEEKEND EDITION, they say"The Secret Sisters' music is a nostalgic blend of country, folk, blues and rockabilly," and USA TODAY, which gave the album 4 out of 4 stars, says of Put Your Needle Down, "While still steeped in exquisite sibling harmonies, this albumcontemporizes them." ROLLING STONE says of the album, "Ethereal harmonies once again take center stage on the Secret Sisters' sophomore album [that] takes the listener back to a time when vocalists valued purity over production. But this time around, they manage to marry their signature throwback sound with a lot more energy."  

The album's 12 songs - primarily written or co-written by Laura and Lydia - seamlessly blend an exciting and decidedly Southern patchwork of country, blues, Americana, folk, rock and gospel. The album is preceded by the new single "Rattle My Bones," hopping from a guitar gallop into sweet, soaring harmonies from Laura and Lydia, it taps into a delightfully entrancing energy that's both enigmatic and endearing. The new album also features the he-said-she-said accusations of "Dirty Lie,"co-written with Bob Dylan. An unfinished song they brought to life, Dylan started writing "Dirty Lie" back in the '80s and when he heard that The Secret Sisters were recording a new album, he sent several demos to them for their consideration and gave the Sisters the nod to finish the song and record it.

Put Your Needle Down illuminates the many facets of this diverse, dynamic, and darling twosome and sways from the soulful mourning of "Let There Be Lonely" to the coy "murder ballad" "Iuka", and the uplifting musical baptism of "River Jordan".

In support of the album's release, The Secret Sisters are currently supporting country trio Nickel Creek on its entire US reunion tour in April and May.

Put Your Needle Down 

Track Listing:1. Rattle My Bones
2. Iuka
3. Dirty Lie
4. The Pocket Knife
5. Let There Be Lonely
6. Black And Blue
7. Lonely Island
8. I Cannot Find A Way
9. If I Don't
10. Good Luck Good Night Goodbye
11. Bad Habit
12. River Jordan

The tour itinerary is as follows:

4/16      Alabama Theater                       Birmingham, AL

4/17      Thomas Wolfe Auditorium          Ashville, NC

4/18      Ryman Auditorium                     Nashville, TN

4/19      Ryman Auditorium                     Nashville, TN

4/21      Track 29                                    Chattanooga, TN

4/22      Johnny Mercer Theater               Savannah, GA

4/24      NC Performing Arts Center        North Charleston, SC

4/25      Tabernacle                                Atlanta, GA

4/26      nTelos Wireless Pavilion            Charlottesville, VA

4/27      Tennessee Theatre                     Knoxville, TN

4/29      Beacon Theatre                         New York, NY

5/01      House of Blues                         Boston, MA

5/02      Keswick Theatre                        Glenside, PA

5/03      9:30 Club                                  Washington, DC

5/04      9:30 Club                                  Washington, DC

5/06      Taft Theatre                               Cincinnati, OH

5/08      Egyptian Room                         Indianapolis, IN

5/09      Riviera Theater                          Chicago, IL

5/10      Pabst Theater                            Milwaukee, WI

5/11      State Theatre                             Minneapolis, MN

5/13      Ogden Theatre                          Denver, CO

5/14      Kingsbury Hall                           Salt Lake City, UT

5/16      Crystal Ballroom                        Portland, OR

5/17      Moore Theatre                           Seattle, WA

5/19      Fox Theater                               Oakland, CA

5/20      Balboa Theatre                          San Diego, CA

5/21      The Wiltern                                Los Angeles, CA

http://www.secretsistersband.com/

https://www.facebook.com/TheSecretSisters

https://twitter.com/thesecretsisters

AXS TV ANNOUNCES FEATURED ACTS FOR LIVE BROADCAST OF WEEK 2 OF COACHELLA, AIRING FRIDAY, APRIL 18 THROUGH SUNDAY, APRIL 20

Weekend-Long Broadcast Features Over 20 Hours of Live Coverage,

Spanning 5 Stages, Airing Nightly at 9pE/6pP

For the first time ever, the second weekend of the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival will be broadcast live, as AXS TV–the premier destination for live music events—gives viewers a front row seat to one of the most popular music festivals in the United States. AXS TV will offer incomparable access while broadcasting over 20 hours of live coverage, from Friday, April 18 through Sunday, April 20, airing each evening at 9pE/6pP.

Held at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, CA, the three-day cultural phenomenon boasts an eclectic blend of mainstream acts, underground favorites, up-and-comers and icons, spanning a wide array of genres from indie and rap, to metal and punk, and everything in between.

Featured in Friday’s live coverage is an explosive lineup that includes Ellie Goulding, Grouplove, Bastille, AFI, Neko Case, Broken Bells, Chromeo, Kate Nash, HAIM, ZZ Ward and Bryan Ferry. Friday’s coverage re-airs on Sat., April 19 at 2pE/11aP.

Saturday, April 19, features Lorde, Cage the Elephant, CHVRCHES, The Head and the Heart, Capital Cities, Future Islands, Fatboy Slim, MGMT, The Pixies, Queens of the Stone Age, and Foster the People. Saturday’s coverage re-airs on Sun., April 20 at 2pE/11aP.

The weekend comes to a close on Sunday, April 20, with Arcade Fire, Beck, Skrillex, Pet Shop Boys, Big Gigantic, Daughter, NAS, Fishbone, Frank Turner, and Calvin Harris. Sunday’s coverage re-airs on Mon., April 21 at 2pE/11aP.

Hosting the broadcast is KCRW’s Music Director and “Morning Becomes Eclectic” DJ, Jason Bentley. Bentley will conduct artist interviews and co-produce exclusive editorial segments.

Summary of AXS TV’s 2014 Coachella Lineup* (Does Not Represent Broadcast Order)

*Lineup Subject To Change

Friday, April 18, 2014	Saturday, April 19, 2014	Sunday, April 20, 2014
AFI	Cage the Elephant	Arcade Fire
Bastille	Capital Cities	Beck
Broken Bells	CHVRCHES	Big Gigantic
Bryan Ferry	Fatboy Slim	Calvin Harris
Chromeo	Foster the People	Daughter
Ellie Goulding	Future Islands	Fishbone
Grouplove	Lorde	Frank Turner
HAIM	MGMT	NAS
Kate Nash	Queens of the Stone Age	Pet Shop Boys
Neko Case	The Head and the Heart	Skrillex
ZZ Ward	The Pixies

Inbox Update: Nickel Creek, Bayside, Kurt Cobain, Bonnaroo, Bruce Springsteen

Happy Thursday (ever closer to the weekend works for me). Here is a roundup of music news from around the Web!

Nickel Creek is back! Read news on the return of the popular Americana trio on George A. Paul's Music Minded blog here.

Music Minded also features an update on the release of Bayside's sixth album Cult. Read here for more details.

Today marks what would have been Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain's 47th birthday. In honor of the occasion, hear an apt version of Dead Stars' "Old Age." Click here.

Elton John, Blur frontman Damon Albarn, Vampire Weekend and Jack White will be among the featured artists at this year's Bonnaroo. Also slated to appear are the Avett Brothers, Phoenix and Phosphorescent. Read more here!

Finally, Bruce Springsteen covered one of my favorite INXS songs at a concert in Sydney, Australia! Watch the video and read more here.

Sights and Sounds: Led Zeppelin, Third Day, Punch Brothers, The Civil Wars, Grace Potter & the Nocturnals

Lots of news breaking today...I'll get right to it everybody!


Led Zeppelin have released a video of their performance of the epic track "Kashmir" from their forthcoming concert film, Celebration Day.

Filmed during the band's 2007 reunion show at London's O2 Arena, Celebration Day was released in theaters earlier this month and will see a retail release on CD, DVD, digital, vinyl, and Blu-Ray on November 19. Click here to watch the full performance of "Kashmir."

Third Day to kick off street week with performance on 'The Tonight Show With Jay Leno' on Friday night, Nov. 2

Third Day's new album Miracle won't arrive until next Tuesday (Nov. 6, 2012), but fans will get an early feel for the new disc when the Atlanta rockers perform the lead-off track "Hit Me Like a Bomb" on The Tonight Show With Jay Leno on Friday, Nov. 2. Following the performance of the song, there will be a limited-time free download of the potent rocker on the band's official Web site, www.ThirdDay.com.

The 12-track Miracle was produced by Brendan O'Brien (Bruce Springsteen, Pearl Jam, Train, The Killers) and recorded in the band's Atlanta studio called The Quarry.

The Punch Brothers will perform on 'Austin City Limits' on Nov. 3, 2012.

Two of Americana's best artists are being featured on Austin City Limits on Saturday, Nov. 3.

The Civil Wars and Punch Brothers will each perform sets on the next episode of the popular show, which will air on PBS stations on Saturday. Here is the release that arrived in my inbox earlier today:

Austin, TX—November 1, 2012—It's a night of great chemistry as Austin City Limits (ACL) presents new American acoustic music in a double-bill with The Civil Wars and Punch Brothers. The brand new episode airs Saturday, November 3rd on PBS (check local listings for times).

The Civil Wars bring their dynamic charisma to the Austin City Limits stage to perform tracks from the Grammy-winning debut Barton Hollow. A folk-pop duo comprised of vocalist Joy Williams and guitarist John Paul White, The Civil Wars made an appearance last year in the ACL Presents special, Americana Music Festival 2011, and ACL has been excited to have them back for a full set ever since. The magnetic pair create Appalachian-tinged folk melodies with a minimalist approach that has caught the folk-pop world by storm. The obvious chemistry between the singer-songwriters is as infectious as their grassroots success – over 250,000 copies of their critically-acclaimed debut album Barton Hollow sold without major industry support. “We are so amped to be here,” says The Civil Wars' Joy Williams from the ACL stage. “I’m still pinching myself that we get to play here tonight.” In addition to their originals, the duo wows the audience with inspired renditions of Michael Jackson's “Billie Jean” and Smashing Pumpkins' “Disarm” in their ACL debut.

Says ACL Executive Producer Terry Lickona, “I was there when Joy and John Paul performed for one minute on this year’s Grammy Awards Show, and that one minute had more impact than almost anything else on the show. That’s just the way they are – their music will grab your ear and your heart in one fell swoop!”

"When you start a band, this is all you really want to be able to do—play Austin City Limits," says Punch Brothers' leader Chris Thile from the ACL stage. Thile should know, the appearance marks his fourth turn on ACL, including two with his long-time band, the progressive bluegrass trio Nickel Creek. In 2006, mandolin virtuoso Thile assembled the all-star quintet Punch Brothers (the name comes from the Mark Twain short story Punch, Brothers, Punch!). The quintet’s boundary-less mix of indie-rock, bluegrass, classical music, jazz, folk, and pop has attracted critical acclaim and a loyal fanbase. The Grammy-nominated band performs tracks off their three albums, including 2012's Who’s Feeling Young Now? Paste Magazine calls the album “a masterpiece” and declared “every track is a small wonder of some sort,” while Rolling Stone claims it “strikes a nice balance between old-school and modern.” In October, 31-year Thile was awarded a MacArthur Foundation “Genius Grant” for his creative vision.

“I’ve been a fan of Chris’s music since he was a 13-year-old mandolin child prodigy, and it’s been inspiring to watch him take his music to new places only he can imagine,” says Lickona. “He’s got a band of kindred spirits who create music that really defies labels – unless you use all of them!”

The Civil Wars setlist:

From This Valley

My Father's Father

Billie Jean

Poison & Wine

Disarm

Barton Hollow



Punch Brothers setlist:

Movement and Location


Who's Feeling Young Now?


Next to the Trash


Flippen (The Flip)


Don't Get Married Without Me


Rye Whiskey

Season 38 Current Broadcast Schedule (seven additional episodes/artists to be announced)

October 6, 2012
Radiohead

October 13, 2012
Bon Iver

October 20, 2012
Bonnie Raitt with Mavis Staples

October 27, 2012
The Shins
Dr. Dog

November 3, 2012
The Civil Wars
Punch Brothers

November 10, 2012
ACL Presents: Americana Music Festival 2012 (Hosted by Jim Lauderdale and featuring performances by Bonnie Raitt with John Hiatt, Alabama Shakes, Carolina Chocolate Drops, Richard Thompson, The Mavericks and more)

The complete line-up for the full 13-week season, including seven episodes to air beginning January 2012, will be announced shortly. Check acltv.com for additional episode updates.

Grace Potter & the Nocturnals.

In other news released earlier today (November 1, 2012), a live performance by American rock band Grace Potter & the Nocturnals will be broadcast LIVE from Stubb’s BBQ in Austin, Texas on Thursday, November 8, 2012 exclusively on AXS TV. This premier concert event continues the AXS TV commitment to bringing fans the hottest acts, brightest stars and rising artists from all genres LIVE to a national television audience.



This exciting concert broadcast will bring GPN’s electrifying live show to living rooms around the country. Grace Potter and the band, who are currently promoting their critically acclaimed new album The Lion The Beast The Beat on their “Roar Tour,” will perform a thrilling set blending classic hits and new fan favorites.


“There is no better place to bring the AXS TV audience a rockin’ show from Grace Potter & the Nocturnals than Austin, the live music capital of the world,” said Evan Haiman, Vice President of Music Production at AXS TV. “Everyone tuning in from their living room at home will feel like they are in the landmark Stubbs’ audience from opening to encore.”


Tune in and rock out as Grace Potter & the Nocturnals join AXS TV’s continuous lineup of LIVE performances from extraordinary artists including: Alanis Morissette, Sara Evans, Tedeschi Trucks Band, Brandi Carlile, plus all the artists joining us on AXSLive!

Grace Potter will appear on AXSLive as she invites them to join her on the Los Angeles stop of her tour and talks about the upcoming LIVE concert event on AXS TV. AXSLive airs Thursday, November 1 at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT.

The Grace Potter & the Nocturnals special AXS TV live concert event airs on Thursday, November 8, 2012 starting at 10:15 p.m. Eastern  / 7:15 p.m. Pacific.

About AXS TV

Launched in July 2012 under the vision and stewardship of entrepreneur Mark Cuban, AXS TV is the premier destination for live events, breaking news, and as-they-are-happening trends in the worlds of pop culture, music, fashion, and entertainment.
AXS TV Concerts is the premier source on television for 100% live music. From multi-day festivals to stadium tours to club acts, AXS TV delivers an unparalleled shared experience for fans of all genres. Leveraging the network’s vast landscape, artists expand their reach to live behind-the-scenes moments, live fan Q&As, social media engagement and more unique opportunities specifically for the AXS TV audience. With multiple live concerts weekly, AXS TV is the number one destination for artists and their fans to experience and share a pure live event in the world of music and pop culture. Live LIVE!

The largest independently owned and operated network, AXS TV was developed by entrepreneur Mark Cuban and General Manager Philip Garvin. The network partners include Mark Cuban, AEG, Ryan Seacrest Media and Creative Artists Agency (CAA). AXS TV is available in the U.S. via AT&T U-verse, Charter, Comcast/Xfinity, DIRECTV, DISH Network, Insight, Suddenlink, Verizon FiOS, and other TV providers.

AXS TV can be found online at www.axs.tv, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/axstv and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/axstv. AXS TV Concerts can be found online at www.axs.tv, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/axstvconcerts and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/axstvconcerts.