Polica on Jools!

 Watch Polica perform "Dark Star" on Later with Jools Holland!

Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings on Kimmel!

Watch Brooklyn native Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings perform "This Land is Your Land" and "He Said I Can" on a special Brooklyn taping of Jimmy Kimmel Live!

Cody ChesnuTT on Jools Holland

 Watch Cody ChesnuTT on Later...with Jools Holland!

The Killers on Later with Jools Holland

 Watch The Killers perform "Runaways" on Later...with Jools Holland!

Quick News

After his departure being well documented in the brilliant documentary, The Other F Word, Jim Lindberg has rejoined Pennywise. The band will play a special reunion show in Hollywood in January to welcome Lindberg back into the band. After Lindberg left the band, former Ignite singer, Zoli Teglas took over on vocals.

Just as they did last Thursday, The Rolling Stones did another warm-up club gig in Paris at le Théâtre Mogador on Monday night. The band played to 600 fans and ran through 12 songs as they prep their big 50th anniversary shows in London and Newark.

After all these years, Sir Paul McCartney has finally admitted that Yoko Ono did not break-up The Beatles. In an interview taped with David Frost, set to air in November, Macca said, "She certainly didn’t break the group up, the group was breaking up. I don’t think you can blame her for anything. When Yoko came along, part of her attraction was her avant-garde side, her view of things, so she showed him another way to be, which was very attractive to him. So it was time for John to leave, he was definitely going to leave."

Jimmy Page told Mojo magazine that he is working on remastering Led Zeppelin's back catalogue for a special box set that will arrive next year. The guitarist said, "There are a number of Led Zeppelin projects that will come out next year because there are different versions of tracks that we have that can be added to the album so there will be box sets of material that will come out, starting next year. There will be one box set per album with extra music that will surface."

Paul Banks on Letterman

 Watch Interpol's Paul Banks play to an audience-less Letterman.

Imagine Dragons on Fallon

 Watch Imagine Dragons play to an audience-less Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.

Bob Mould on Conan!

 Watch the always amazing Bob Mould on Conan performing a track off his latest record, Silver Age.

WATCH DEATH FROM ABOVE 1979 PLAY NEW SONGS!

 Canada's Death From Above 1979, who reunited last year, have been playing their motherland for a small tour and on Sunday night in Hamilton, Ontario, the band kicked things off. Consequence of Sound has rounded up footage of performances of a few new tracks, take a look!

QUICK NEWS

Green Day have cancelled all remaining 2012 concert apperances and postponed their 2013 tour as singer Billie Joe Armstrong still rehabilitates after checking into Rehab in September. Additionally, the band will also up the release of their album, Tre! from January to December 11. Bassist Mike Dirt said in a statement, "Obviously the timing for this isn’t ideal, but Billie Joe’s well-being is our main concern. We are happy to say that Billie Joe is doing well, and we want to thank you all for the outpouring of support and well wishes that we have received, and we can’t wait to see you all again soon."

Speaking to MissInfo.TV, A$AP Rocky has delayed his new album, LongLiveA$AP from Halloween to early 2013. He said, "The issue with my album is I got things on it that’s so out of this world that it’s taking so long to get mastered. That’s the issue, and I refuse to take anything off. It’s complete, everything is being mastered and cleared right now. Its just so hard to get things cleared, because you got to find people to clear samples. It takes a long time and that’s why it keeps getting pushed back from Halloween to September 11. I want to say it’s looking like top of the year, first quarter because it makes no sense to put out a album in December.”

Speaking to Mojo magazine, Led Zeppelin's Robert Plant has confirmed he has lent his voice to the new Primal Scream album. The forthcoming record will arrive next year, but Plant tells Mojo,"I sang a bit on the Primals stuff because I think their references on looking back on the glorious past and the way they bring them into the contemporary world are fantastic."

EXCLUSIVE! The Lonely Forrest INTV!

While Washington state at one point was the center of the musical landscape thanks to Seattle's grunge scene, the Pacific Northwest state has still been cranking out great bands since the end of the 90's grunge-era. Certainly we all know Death Cab For Cutie help carve out the new indie soundscape for the area, but The Lonely Forrest are carrying the torch. The band, who have been around since 2005, released their second LP last year, Arrows to rave reviews. They have been on the road this year with Portugal. The Man and Minus the Bear. We spoke to singer John Van Deusen about the bands sound, recording style, influences and touring the country with some of today's hottest bands. Take a look at our interview with Deusen below:

Hailing from Washington State, a place deep with American music roots, were you inspired by the artists from there that came before you?

I think Pacific Northwest rock music has played the biggest role in influencing our sound. Clearly we grew up around Nirvana, Soundgarden, Seaweed, The Posies, Beat Happening and many others. Combine those bands with all of the talented local bands that share our scene, and it's hard to escape their presence in our music. 

The sound of the band is very unique, who are some of your influences?

I'd say Nirvana + Doves + My Bloody Valentine + The National + XTC + The Police + REM and many many more.

You signed to fellow Washington state resident, Chris Walla’s label, who sought who out? Did he find out about you or did you contact him?

Chris bought our second full length record, "We Sing The Body Electric!" after reading a positive review in The Stranger. We then got the chance to meet him backstage at a Death Cab show and it grew in to a friendship from there.

When you signed with him, you were the first band to sign with that label. Did things begin to change for you as a band?

Things changed when we signed with Trans. It was our first national release and we started touring nationally after the record came out. We started to feel like professional musicians for the first time. 

You released your last record, Arrows, last year. What was it like making that album?

We had a lot of fun making Arrows with Chris. Personally, I spent a lot of time playing video games (when I wasn't recording). We had the privilege of recording at Sound City in LA which was a dream come true. I recorded my vocals right where Kurt recorded the vocals for Nevermind, which kind of freaked me out a little.

Are you currently working on new material?

We are always working on new material. Currently, we are in the process of choosing which songs to record for our next record. 

Much of your music comes from literary works. From the name of the band being a reference to The Silver Chair and making references to Walt Witman. What other writes inspire you? 

Books influence my lyrics and song titles more than anything else. Ray Bradbury, Issac Asimov and Ursula Le Guin hold the top spots in my heart right next to Kurt Vonnegut and Joseph Heller. 

Are the literary references intentional so fans can try and decipher what everything means?

My literary references are very intentional. I started doing it so that the kids listening would investigate the titles and eventually end up reading the books. 

What does your music mean to you?

All of our songs hold special places in my heart, especially the ones that came out of personal heartbreak and/or joy. I can think back and remember what I was going through when I wrote all of them.

What has been the best thing about Lonely Forest?

I'd say the best thing about the Lonely Forest has been all of the stories the four of us have accumulated over our time together. We've been through some crazy shit together. It's been real.  

You were on the road with Portugal. The Man last Spring,  how was that tour?

Honestly, this tour has been one of the more interesting tours we've ever been on. In some ways it's been a total shit show and in other ways it's been crazy fun. The PTM guys are really cool and relaxed, which makes for a good touring environment. 

You have been on the road with some heavy hitters aside from PTM, you hit the road with Two Door Cinema Club and Minus The Bear. How do you win audiences over knowing that a majority of faces in the crowd are there for someone else?

This has been a constant battle for us because like you said, we have toured with a handful of big bands that draw large crowds. Our method is simple though... we come prepared every night and play our songs as honestly as we can. People tend to respond well to sincere performances.

Quick News

A new study by Kaplan International Colleges has found that the music and lyrics of the late reggae legend, Bob Marley are the most useful when it comes to learning English. The Colleges asked hundreds of former and current students if listening to music in the English language assisted them in their studies, the results were 80% replied that it did, with 14% of those people highlighting the work of Marley as being particularly helpful.

Following in the footsteps of Foo Fighters, and Scissor Sisters, UK band Elbow are also going to take some extended time off. The bands leader, Guy Garvey told The Sun, "We've got our arena tour this November and December, which will be like a farewell party. We've already done six songs for the next album, then we'll come back to finish it next year."

Sweden's Refused are finishing out their reunion "in style." The hardcore band confirmed that their reunion, which began earlier this year and took them to Coachella, all around the US and Europe will come to a close on December 15 in the band's hometown - Uema, Sweden. The band took to Facebook to confirm the news and said, "So there were those years right after school, when you were 15 and pissed off and everyone thought you were a loser and you ran around with the other weirdos, generating weirdness and little else. And there were those years when what set you apart from the others become a fixation and a lifestyle and you had a band and people talked about what you did but you were so used to being weird you just lumped them in with the rest of the slanderers. Then there were those years when the ideas you'd clung to through late adolescence were beginning to ring hollow and you got more and more confused and destructive and the band broke up and you had rent to pay. That was among the tougher years. And then slowly, over a span of time, you began to sort yourself out and your friends started making sensible decisions in their lives and it suddenly began to seem like most of you were gonna be ok. 

 And then there was the year when you stopped being a petulent kid and you got your favorite musicians together in a room again and decided that you were gonna accept the love of thousands of listeners, accept the success that was waiting there to be had and just in general enjoy being appreciated for the exact same qualities that made you a freak to your contemporaries in your teens. This was one of the better years. 

 And now it is coming to a close. It's been kind to us. And that old punkrock golem "The shape of punk to come" has done good. The hatchet is buried, 1998 is not such a terrible memory for us anymore. We're going home. And we're doing it in style. 

 With old friends and new acquaintances in tow we're gonna take over our old hometown Umeå for one more night, just because we can. On the 15th of december at the Exel arena we'll be sharing the stage with these magnificent comrades: Randy (http://www.randytheband.com/), a band of punkrock bandidos from the north who we befriended years before we even were Refused, Two White Horses, an excellent sister/brother-duo from Sävar, both of whom we've individually collaborated with in different musical projects through the years, and Råd Kjetil Senza Testa, a new and exciting musical collective consisting of old Umeå pop and hardcore scenesters, among them the guy who produced the very first version of New noise for a local hardcore compilation in early 1997. We unconditionally endorse these bands. Great music, good crude fun, what more do you need? It's going to be one of those nights. 

Thank you for populating the pit in 2012. 

 Over and out."  

Live Pix - The Lighthouse & The Whaler @ Mercury Lounge

Ohio's The Lighthouse & The Whaler passed through NYC on Friday night before the pending "Frankenstorm" touch down in the area. Our correspondent Le-La Cloutier was on hand to capture the action! 

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The xx on Fallon!

 Watch the always amazing The xx perform a live remix of their single, "Chained" on Fallon!

Diamond Rings on Letterman

 Watch Diamond Rings perform his latest single, "I'm Just Me," on Letterman!

Pogues Live Album Trailer!

The legendary Irish folk/punks The Pogues will release The Pogues in Paris: 30th Anniversary Concert at the Olympia, next month. Take a look at the trailer for the release.

Gary Clarke Jr. on Fallon

Watch Gary Clarke Jr. on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon!

Quick News

Fans in Paris on Thursday night were treated to a very special club "Warm-up" gig for The Rolling Stones. The Stones, who are gearing up for their big 50th anniversary concerts in London and Newark performed for $20 for a few hundred lucky fans in the city of lights.

After a concert in London on Wednesday night, Scissor Sisters hinted at a career hiatus. The New York glam-pop band's front woman's Ana Matronic said, "This will be the last time we will play in London for quite some time. The ones who got us first – and always get us best." She then confirmed to Gigwise that "Don't you worry - this isn't the last you've heard of us."

Jimmy Eat World's Jim Adkins spoke to Phoenix People recently and gave some insight on the bands new album. He said, "What I’m hoping to get out of it, the way we’ve been recording it, it’s a lot less slick. It’s not to say we didn’t take our time and mix it and make sure performances were good and things were sounding good, I think we just had a better sense of what to let go and what to focus on. That comes from paying more attention to the vibe of things rather than the perfection of things. The short answer is that it’s definitely rougher-sounding, a little grittier. I don’t think it’s going to sound like anything we’ve done. It’ll be similar yet different."

In a recent interview with Spinner, Ben Gibbard assured fans that their are no plans for a new Postal Service record, the electronic band he had with producer Jimmy Tamborello. Gibbard said,"There are no plans to make a second record. I cannot say that enough. I think people like the idea of a second Postal Service record better than they would like the second Postal Service record. It's the desire for something one can't have, the anticipation of possessing something is more fulfilling than actually having something. People don't get what the Postal Service was meant to be. It was meant to be for fun. And just because it was so successful doesn't mean that we have to make another one. If there's any frustration I have with being asked that question all the time, I wish I could articulate the difference between a band and a project. A band is a living, breathing organism of people who are invested in each other in a very real way... I've done a lot of things and I haven't followed up on any of them."

Arcade Fire drummer Jeremy Gara told Canadian radio station, CKCU that the Canadian indie ensemble are recording their new album and hope to have it out by the end of 2013. Gara said, "We are just working like we always have. We took a couple months off and we've been writing songs. Now we're in the studio pretty much full-time just doing what we do. And we kind of shut the door. We haven't really gone out and done anything in over a year now. We haven't done photos or interviews or anything. We're just working on music and growing beards and living at home a lot and going out to dinner together."

The Lumineers on Letterman!

Watch The Lumineers perform "Ho Hey" on Letterman!

Two Door Cinema Club on Conan!

Watch the always amazing Two Door Cinema Club perform "Sleep Alone" on Conan!

QUICK SPINS

Titus Andronicus – Local Business

New Jersey’s blue-collar punks return for their third album and brand new line-up and a beardless front man. After channeling The Ramones, Fugazi, The Replacements, and Jersey hardcore, Titus Andronicus comeback for a cleaner and much more introspective album. Singer Patrick Stickles, who has referenced pop culture and The Civil War on the bands prior records, now digs deep within himself to pull out his most intimate and personal lyrics. While looking in, the band also go and look up to fellow Jersey native, Bruce Springsteen now than ever before and even hints of The Clash peak through on Local Business.

FINAL GRADE: A-

The Chevin – Boarderland

From the ashes of Your Vegas come a band whose sound, style and bravado will knock you to your knees. Boarderland is the impressive debut from English band, The Chevin, who feature members of Your Vegas and bring stadium style anthems and prove they are already to headline festivals and massive venues. The Chevin are a band whose sound is as ambitious as U2, as driving as Oasis and as heartfelt as a Springsteen ballad.

FINAL GRADE: A-

Metz

Very few bands these days would make anyone stop and say, “Kurt Cobain would have loved this band,” Canada’s Metz are one of those bands that would have made the son of Grunge fall in love with one of today’s rising stars. Metz are fuzzy and aggressive garage rock mixed with a post-hardcore attitude.

FINAL GRADE: A-

Converge – All We Love We Leave Behind

The eighth album from Salem, Massachusetts, mathcore heroes is just as brutal, intense and volatile as anything they have ever released, however, unlike their prior efforts, Converge demonstrate you can still have a lot of heart making some of the most brutal and bone crushing music around.

FINAL GRADE: A-

Swedish House Mafia – Until Now

It is sad to think that this is allegedly the final Swedish House Mafia record, with two albums under their belt, the superstar DJ’s changed the face of EDM forever and give a fantastic swan song.

FINAL GRADE: B+

Coheed & Cambria – The Aftermath: Ascension

The New York prog outfit return for more stories and more technical brilliant on The Aftermath: Ascension, the first part of a two-part album series that continues singer Claudio Sanchez’s complex and ever-evolving story of fictional characters.

FINAL GRADE: B+

The D.O.T. – And That

The debut collaboration from The Streets Mike Skinner and former Music singer, Rob Harvey’s hears fantastic production and solid beats over Harvey’s one-of-a-kind vocal skills. While this union has happened in the past, thanks to prior Streets records, now, a full album will please and feed the void of fans from both of these bands.

FINAL GRADE: B-

Ben Gibbard – Former Lives

The debut solo record from indie rocks favorite poster boy would have fans expect him to sing about his ex-wife, Zoey Deschanel, however, none of the song seem to be that way. Gibbard takes his personal pain and hides it in pop songs and not very creative tunes. We know what Gibbard can do thanks to Death Cab For Cutie, The Postal Service and The American Analogue Set, but Former Lives is catchy yet is lacking his passion.

FINAL GRADE: B

Bad Books – Bad Books II

Members of Manchester Orchestra and Kevin Devine return for another folk/rock album of intricate lyrics, solid playing and rousing entertainment.

FINAL GRADE: B

Ultraista

Iconic producer Nigel Goodrich (Radiohead, Beck), steps away from the production booth and into the limelight for his first time fronting a band. Featuring members of some of the bands he was produced over the years, Goodrich’s Ultraista is a sonic pleasure of electronic and ambient surprises and slick style.

FINAL GRADE: B

Ringo Deathstarr – Mauve

Ringo Deathstarr stole our attention last year with their fantastic album, Colour Trip, which had us jumping for joy with their punk infused British Cold Wave influence. On their second record,  Mauve, Ringo Deathstarr serve up more of the same but it seems less inspired than their debut, however worth at least one listen.

FINAL GRADE: B-

Deadmaus - >Album Title Goes Here<

The Maus is back in the house. EDM’s posterboy returns with his new album that features a hefty line of collaborations from Gerard Way,  Cypress Hill, Imogean Heap, but unlike his prior efforts, this record does not do much to hold our attention. It could possibly be do to his lack of concentration making the record thanks to his relentless touring schedule, but at least a new album gives him an excuse to tour.

FINAL GRADE: B-

Pet Shop Boys – Elysium

The New Wave pioneers are back for their 11^th studio record and while their return is very welcome, they do their best to stay current but have an issue of sticking to the foundation of what sustained their popularity over the years.

FINAL GRADE: B-

Skunk Anansie – Black Traffic

The industrial inspired Britrock band return but their arrival hears a band whose best days are far behind them and out of sight. Nearly a majority of Black Traffic is a generic rock album with some electronic hooks thrown in and wash, rise, repeat.

FINAL GRADE: C

No Doubt – Push and Shove

No Doubt return with their first new album in over a decade and if this is their best result, maybe it was best that they were retired from the scene. Push and Shove hears a band trying their absolute hardest to stay current and play catch-up on all the years gone by. Unfortunately for No Doubt, it no doubt would have been a brilliant thing to just be themselves and not try and push and shove their way into 2012’s mainstream

FINAL GRADE: C

Nelly Furtado – The Spirit Indestructible

The Portuguese Canadian hit-maker of the early Naughties returns with a new record of decent beats but terrible lyrical flow and style. Much like No Doubt, what would have made Furtado’s comeback special was if she did not sound like every contemporary artist these days and focuses on being herself. Furtado is not a rapper, so why is she trying to rap? She is not a rave singer, so why is she focusing a lot of attention on EDM. What made her 2006 release, Loose, so amazing was that she took things that inspired her and channeled that into a brilliant record, not trying to copy everyone popular these days. What is next, she forms a girl group to rival One Direction?

FINAL GRADE: C-

YokoKimThurston

The debut album from Yoko Ono and Sonic Youth members Kim Gordon and Thurston Moore is a disjointed, quagmire of a mess. It basically plays out as three brilliant minds trying to out do each other as to who can be stranger.

FINAL GRADE: D

Lupe Fiasco – Food & Liquor II: The Great American Rap Album Part 1

Lupe Fiasco was one of hip-hops promising young talents when he emerged nearly a six years ago. Yet, after releasing his much anticipated Lasers album last year to deaf ears, Chicago’s favorite son decided to return to the record that put him on the map and create a sequel to his brilliant 2006 debut – Food & Liquor. Yet, our advice to him is “Do not touch a classic,” the follow-up to Food & Liquor II is one of hip-hops most generic, redundant, uninspired, albums of the year. In fact, for a record to be called “The Great American Rap Album” he directly steals bites and flows from British rappers The Streets and Dizze Rascal – did he not think anyone would pay attention?! What makes an already awful album worse, if it could get like that, is the fact that this is the first of two installments.

FINAL GRADE: F 

Brian Fallon Covers Foo Fighters!!

 Brian Fallon of Gaslight Anthem covered Foo Fighters "Everlong" for a special on BBC Radio 1. Take a look and listen!!

Quick News

Gold Fields have confirmed that their debut album, Black Sun, will be out in January. Take a look at our CMJ feature & interview with the band HERE.

Glasvegas have confirmed to NME that their new album will be called, Whoever Shouts the Loudest. The bands third record will arrive next year and was recorded in singer James Allen's home in Scotland.

Speaking of new records, Snoop Lion (Yes, the artist formally known as Snoop Dogg) will release his reggae album, Reincarnation in February.

After working with Lana Del Rey on his new album, The Bravest Man in the Universe, Bobby Womack is keen on recording a full record with the young New York singer. Womack told The Sun, "I would love to do a whole album with Lana. Maybe I will get that chance, I’m putting it out there now."

The freed member of Pussy Riot, Yekaterina Samutsevich, told NME that, "But it's a more complicated situation for me now. I must act more carefully. They [the Russian government] listen to our telephones." She then spoke of the prison conditions and said, "It was like Groundhog Day. We were all under constant surveillance. All our correspondence was read. In terms of other things: food, a shower once a week, everything was bearable. But if they try to take me back I'll go insane."

Dubstep producer and DJ, Skream (Magnetic Man, Skream & Benga) released a FREE compilation album in celebration of his 10,000 Twitter follower. Download the album HERE.

Aimee Mann on Fallon

 Watch Aimee Mann perform her new song, "Labrador" on Fallon.

Prince on Kimmel!

Watch the always amazing Prince perform "Rock N Roll Love Affair," on Jimmy Kimmel Live!

Playlist

 It is that time of the month—thats right! Our monthly playlist! Take a look and listen to our 26 track playlist and hear it on Spotify!

Quick News

Depeche Mode confirmed on Tuesday at a press conference in Paris that the band will release their 13th album in April. The record will be followed by a massive world tour. No title has been given to the record.

Former I Am The Avalanche / Move Life front man, Vinnie Caruana will release his solo debut EP in early 2013. No title has been announced for the EP as of yet.

Ra Ra Riot announced details of their new record. The Syracuse, New York, indie rock outfit will release their brand new album, Beta Love on January 22, 2013. Take a look at the tracklisting below:
1. Dance With Me
2. Binary Mind
3. Beta Love
4. Is It Too Much
5. For Once
6. Angel, Please
7. What I Do For U
8. When I Dream
9. That Much
10. Wilderness
11. I Shut Off 

Alice Cooper on Jools!

 Watch the legendary Alice Cooper play the iconic, "Schools Out," on Jools!

Bloc Party on Jools Holland!

 Watch Bloc Party perform, "So He Begins to Lie" on Jools!

Alt-J on Later with Jools Holland

 Watch Alt-J perform "Breezeblocks" off their debut, An Awesome Wave, on Later...with Jools Holland!

WU-TANG on FALLON!

Watch many of the surviving Wu-Tang Clan line-up backed by The Roots on Late Night With Jimmy Fallon!!

Bloc Party on Kimmel

Watch Bloc Party perform "Octopus" and "Black Crown" off their fantastic new album, Four on Kimmel!

Kendrick Lamar on Conan

 Watch Kendrick Lamar on Conan!

Quick News

The two remaining imprisoned members of Pussy Riot have been transferred to a Siberian "Prison Hell" according to one of their legal representatives. The prison is part of remote Russian prison colonies notorious for their harsh conditions. We need to help these ladies achieve freedom, for more information please click HERE.

Rapper P.O.S. has been forced to cancel his Fall tour after he has to undergo an emergency kidney transplant. He stated in a video posted on YouTube Friday, "I might reach out to you to help me get a new kidney and heal up," he says, "whether that be seeing if you have a kidney that fits my body, or if you have 20 bucks to throw at it."

Foals have promised that their new record, Holy Fire, will be out in early 2013.

Biffy Clyro released the cover to their forthcoming to album, Opposites, which will be released in January. Take a look below:

Pure Love Cover & Tracklisting

On February 4, Frank Carter (ex-Gallows) will release the debut album from his new band, Pure Love, titled Anthems. Take a look at the cover above and the tracklisting below:

1.    She (Makes The Devil Run Through Me)
2.    Bury My Bones
3.    The Hits
4.    Anthem
5.    Beach Of Diamonds
6.    Handsome Devils Club
7.    Heavy Kind Of Chain
8.    Burning Love
9.    Scared To Death
10.    Riot Song
11.    March of the Pilgrims

Gold Fields Stampede CMJ 2012!

From Ballarat to the Big Apple, Australia's Gold Fields and one of our favorite discoveries of 2012 barnstormed through New York City for the 2012 CMJ Music Marathon. The band, who just released their new single, "Dark Again" via Astrelwerks, has gained much attention since their NYC debut in March and after I named them, "One of the most impressive live bands you will ever witness," for Officially A Yuppie and The Huffington Post, Gold Fields have continued to make me proud and prove me right.

After returning to the U.S. at the top of the month for a small tour, the band drove 10 hours last Tuesday after a gig in Ohio to New York City to play their first gig at the Gallow Green rooftop at McKittrick Hotel in Chelsea on Wednesday. On a cool night in NYC, Gold Fields turned up the heat on the posh rooftop bar to a packed place of unknown eyes whose jaws were collectively on the floor watching this band shake from the top of the building right down to the foundation. No exaggeration, the rickety elevator in the building shook as if there was an earthquake happening as the band played on top of the swanky hotel. Yet, that was only another day at the office for Gold Fields as they still had another gig that night at Rose Bar and then six more shows through the weekend, plus countless hours of press and appearances to make. Needless to say, Gold Fields were thrust into the limelight and made everyone who has supported them proud and ecstatic that this small band from the middle of nowhere can pick up some buzz at a legendary music conference.

Adding to the caravan of press chomping at the bit to speak to Australia's new buzz band, we had the chance to speak to drummer Vinci Andanar about their CMJ experience. Take a look below:

How as the tour of the US been?

So far so good! A lot of driving but it's great being on the road and actually seeing the country. The last two times we were here, we only got to see a few places but this time around we've managed to see a lot of cities. 

What is it like touring in a relatively new country and being unknowns?

It's very exciting. There's no expectations on the shows. The crowds so far have been really great. It's weird seeing people singing along. We're so far from home. 

How is CMJ?

We played our last show last night at Aussie BBQ. It's a show full of Australian bands so it was great catching up with a few familiar faces. CMJ was pretty busy for us. We played eight shows in four days so it was pretty hectic at times. There was a good vibe throughout CMJ and all the punters really got into it, which is great!

Do you have anything like this back home?

We have a music conference in Brisbane called Big Sound that goes for a few days where bands get to showcase their music. I think that would be very similar but we haven't played that yet. 

Do you feel like this is the Olympics and you are representing Australia and looking to make them proud back home?

I guess you could say that? Not too sure how much of what happens here actually gets filtered through back home. Our family and friends are very supportive and hopefully we're making them proud.

How are American audiences different from Australian Audiences? 

It seems that Americans warm to us a bit quicker but we think it's just because we have weird accents. 

How are NYC audiences different from everyone else?

It seems like people in New York really love their music and like to support bands so its good for young musicians like us to be able to perform in front of them. 

 Is it intimidating to play a festival that got international bands like U2, Arcade Fire, Oasis, The Verve, and many others put on the musical map?

It's more surreal than anything. 

After CMJ what is next for you? 

Our tour with Diamond Rings starts this Friday (26th) in Chicago. Excited to get on the road again and see more of the country and play more shows.

EXCLUSIVE! Frankie Rose INTV!

After being an original member of Dum Dum Girls, Crystal Stilts, and Vivian Girls, instrumentalist and singer, Frankie Rose decided it was best she went on her own in 2010. The plan, thus far seems to be working, it also seems that whatever the Brooklyn musician gets involved in seems to attract acclaim. Rose, who releasing one of this years most praised albums, Intersteller, has lit up stages and wowed audiences at SXSW and this week at CMJ. We spoke to Rose about her work, being a Brooklyn artist and being on her own. Take a look at our interview with Rose below:

What did you do differently on “Interstellar,” than on your debut?

I worked with a wonderful producer that helped me to make decisions in the studio that I might not have made on my own...

Being this is your second album, are you finding your groove more as a solo artist?

 Yes. It is a position I am very comfortable with.

Being based in Brooklyn, has the borough inspired any of your work?

 Not so much. I dont think my surroundings have an influence on me.

With so many artists hailing from the borough now, do you feel that there is camaraderie among the artists or everyone is battling each other and fighting competition?

I dont spend much time thinking about what other musicians are doing. There is not enough time in the day. I have many friends that play music and I support their musical endeavors as they support mine!

Your first single from “Interstellar” hit the internet and straight away caused a nice buzz. Now that music is so accessible and so fast as to how people get it, as an artist do you still put time into crafting the album art and packaging in the age of digital music and blogs?

I dont make music for other people. I make records because it is enjoyable for me. I am lucky because some people like it. How long it takes people to get it  or weather it is regarded as disposable has nothing to do with my process as an artist/ musician.

What was the one song from “Interstellar” that you just absolutely loved and could not wait to record and release?

I feel the same way about all the songs on the record.

Hailing from three acclaimed bands, what was it like for the first time making music on your own?

Much easier, as it is my own, one single vision. Much less decision making.

Do you ever miss working in any of those bands?

Dum Dum Girls sometimes.

Given the success that you had with the other bands you were in, now on your own and starting all over again, does it bring back early memories of the road and pounding the pavement making it in an indie band?

I think I had a very good foundation when i started so it was not so hard to pick up where I left off..

Has anyone from any of your former bands work with you on your solo music?

No.

You released your first album under the moniker – “Frankie Rose and the Outs,” and now it is all just your name, why did you choose to drop the moniker? Does it signify that you are really stepping out more and more on your own?

I just didnt like the name. Its much shorter now. The records were recorded give or take in the same fashion.

Your music is very unique and has a throwback sound to the 80’s, who are some of your influences?

Pale Saints, Old 4AD , The Smiths

What has been the best thing about being Miss Frankie Rose?

I am  Truly Blessed. Thank you!

Live Review - New Order @ Roseland

After seven years, a few legal battles with a former member, an addition to an original member and some replacement players, New Order returned to New York City. After a few years of battling it out in the press with former bassist, Peter Hook - who left in 2007, the 80's new wave and elecronica legends were welcomed back with open arms to the Big Apple for the first of two sold-out gigs at the historic Roseland Ballroom in Midtown.

Arriving after 9p.m. on stage, it was a heroes cheer and thunderous applause as Bernard Sumner, Stephen Morris, Gillian Gilbert, Phil Cunningham and new bassist, Tom Chapman walked out to Sergio Leone's theme to The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly. "Obviously we are New Order. Sorry for the delay, got held up by your president. If I was American, I would vote for Barack Obama, he is one cool guy," Sumner said and divided the room into cheers and jeers before even playing a single note. "But, I am not American," Sumner cheekily then said, and grabbing his guitar and the band broke out into the opening song, the instrumental electronic waltz, "Elegia," it was then directly into "Crystal" that began the dance party of the Autumn. As the band performed under a massive screen that projected their music videos, and various graphics, it was the video for "Crystal" that gained much buzz around Roseland, at it was the video that inspired Brandon Flowers of The Killers to name his band after the fictitious band in that video. It was then the band broke out into their first single, "Ceremony," that had then turned Roseland into Manchester, England's, Hacienda club that the band helped launch and played many nights when they formed from the ashes of Joy Division. In between songs Sumner would thank all the fans for waited for New Order to return, he would also talk about the events they had encountered on the road and all of their years together as a band. Thanks to a brilliant light show and a catalogue of songs that outdoes the last, for the 105 minutes they were on stage, it was a reminder why their music is timeless and why everyone in the room was starting their weekend early. Hit-after-hit from "Age of Consent,""Bizarre Love Triangle," "True Faith," "The Perfect Kiss," and "Blue Monday," New Order were gone for a long time, but not forgotten, in fact cemented the reason why they were worth the wait.

As the first set ended with "Temptation," the band retreated to the wings and took a brief break before coming back for an encore that paid tribute to Ian Curtis, the late singer of Sumner, Morris and Hook's first band - Joy Division, who took his own life on the eve of their first U.S. tour. "It would be discourteous for us to not pay tribute to Joy Division," Sumner said to the crowd before the band broke out into the haunting and somber Joy Division track, "Atmosphere." As they played on, images from that song's music video were shown and images of Curtis were spliced in. While the mood in the room changed, it was then back to the near-perfect and closest thing Joy Division had to a pop song, "Love Will Tear Us Apart," that brought the room back to raging dance party it was previously.

As brilliant as New Order were, the one thing that kept coming to mind was the sense of nostalgia. No new songs were played, despite the fact that a new EP called Lost Sirens, which are outtakes and B-Sides from their last record, Waiting for the Sirens Call, will be released and their attachment still to Joy Division. As amazing was it all was, one of the reasons they and Hook allegedly do not work together anymore is over the Joy Division songs, Hook tours with his new band, The Light, and performs the tracks from that band and will now do it with New Order songs and gets criticized for it, while Sumner and Morris do it with the members of New Order and get praised. It is an interesting juxtaposition, however, as it happens separately, it just means double the fun for the fans, until they hopefully get back together again.

New Order Roseland Set List 10/18/12

Elegia
Crystal
Ceremony
Age of Consent
Love Vigilantes
Here to Stay
Your Silent Face
1963
Close Range
Bizarre Love Triangle
5 8 6
True Faith
The Perfect Kiss
Blue Monday
Temptation

ENCORE
Atmosphere
Love Will Tear Us Apart

Live Pix - Pig Destroyer @ Public Assembly

The always brutal Pig Destroyer ravaged through CMJ on Thursday night at Public Assembly in Brooklyn and our very own RICH D SMOOV took his life into his own hand to witness it all. Take a look at some live pix of the event.