Optical Atlas

Fox Pop Recordings has released a new cassette (!) of Von Hemmling material, entitled You (Being My Body Whole).  This full-length, “an experimental pop explosion,” collects Jim McIntyre recordings circa 2004, and features contributions from John Ferguson (Apples in Stereo, Big Fresh, Ulysses).  You can have it for $3.00 (cheap!), plus shipping ($2 US, $4 international), and you can order via Paypal here.  Thanks to Alex for the link.

Here in Wisconsin, we got the first major winter snowstorm of the season yesterday.  So the lack of updates is because I was either (a) stuck in traffic on the way to and from work, or (b) shoveling.  But I’m back, and dug out, and here with some of Montreal interviews for you:

Kevin, BP, and Dottie discuss Skeletal Lamping for The Current (video).

David, Ahmed, and Dottie are interviewed at XYZTV (video).

Jamey is interviewed at the Salmon of Rock blog.

I haven’t posted a Neutral Milk Hotel video in ages, it seems, so here you go.  Thanks to jared7 for linking to this video of NMH performing at EJ’s in Portland, OR in 1996. Note that Jeremy Barnes is wearing an Apples tee-shirt.

The Optical Atlas streaming jukebox continues its holiday theme this week with another set of 10 seasonal tracks, including the latest from The Instruments (from the Last Winter We Didn’t Sing compilation, out December 8th on Thor’s Rubber Hammer), plus older favorites from Marbles, of Montreal, The Music Tapes, Elf Power, The Olivia Tremor Control, The Sixth Great Lake, Gwens, Calvin, Don’t Jump!, and Je Suis France’s heartwarming “Baby, Please Don’t Get Stoned (It’s Christmas).”

 

The Instruments are featured on the new holiday compilation CD Last Winter We Didn’t Sing, with the song “Last Holiday.”  More info, including track listing and pre-order information, are at Thor’s Rubber Hammer.  You can stream the Instruments track now at the label’s MySpace; it’s perfect winter listening, with Heather McIntosh’s trademark gorgeous cello work.  The release date is December 8.

of Montreal’s EP of remixes by Jon Brion now has a release date (1/27/09) and pre-order information up at Polyvinyl Records.  According to Polyvinyl’s website:

An Eluardian Instance AKA The Jon Brion EP is Brion’s most recent masterpiece and finds him reinterpreting two cuts from of Montreal’s most recent album Skeletal Lamping. These are by no means remixes as Brion literally reinterprets the songs by taking the basic tracks and adding more instrumentation and backing vocals – including the work of Nickel Creek vocalist and mandolin-player Chris Thile.

The EP will be available on 180 gram black vinyl and CD, and the track listing is as follows:

1. First Time High (Reconstructionist Remix of “An Eluardian Instance”)
2. First Time High (Of Chicago Acoustic Version)
3. Gallery Piece (Remix)
4. Gallery Piece (Long Version)
5. Gallery Piece (Instrumental)

Japan’s new label Heartfast Records has begun releasing combination 7″ picture discs and DVDs in collector-ready packages.  Two of the latest entries in the series spotlight of Montreal and The Apples in Stereo.

The Apples in Stereo picture disc single, “Stephen Stephen,” was released this Tuesday.  Side A features Robert Schneider’s homage to Stephen Colbert (as featured on The Colbert Report and The Apples in Stereo album Electronic Projects for Musicians), while Side B is “Same Old Drag” from New Magnetic Wonder.  The DVD features footage from The Colbert Report. 

The of Montreal single Cause We Were Virgins to Your Kisses features their M.I.A. cover “Jimmy” on the A-side, and the exclusive track “Middle Class Ghetto” on the B-side.  The DVD contains behind-the-scenes footage from their 2007 tour, as edited by of Montreal.  The handsome picture disc and DVD feature artwork is by Nina Barnes and David Barnes.

Heartfast will host an Apples in Stereo listening party at Brooklyn’s Supercore (305 Bedford Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11211) on Tuesday, December 9th, from 7-9pm.  The label will also be present at the of Montreal show in Brooklyn’s Music Hall of Williamsburg on December 16, so you can expect they’ll have copies for sale.  You can order these discs through various online vinyl retailers, including Darla.

Some more of Montreal news.

Paste Magazine follows up their David Barnes interview with a Nina Barnes interview, both falling into the category of “not interviewed nearly enough,” so it’s most welcome. 

Kevin Barnes, meanwhile, talks about iPhone apps, Jimmy Stewart movies, and the Cleveland Browns in this piece for Drowned in Sound. Illuminated has kindly scanned this Venus Zine article covering a Kevin & Nina shopping trip to Athens’ Wuxtry Records.

Finally, the band has added some U.S. dates to their ongoing tour schedule. Only two weeks until their Letterman appearance.

December 4 – Tallahassee, FL – The Moon 18+ ^
December 5 – Gainesville, FL – The Venue 18+ ^
December 6 – Fort Lauderdale, FL – Revolution Live AA ^
December 8 – Tampa, FL – The Ritz Ybor AA ^
December 9 – Lake Buena Vista, FL – House of Blues Orlando AA ^
December 16 – Brooklyn, NY – Music Hall of Williamsburg 16+
December 17 – Brooklyn, NY – DJ List Christee @ The Bell House 21+
December 18 – New York, NY – Late Show with David Letterman AA
December 30 – Athens, GA – 40 Watt Club 16+ (with guardian)
December 31 – Athens, GA – 40 Watt Club 16+ (with guardian)
January 3 – Nashville, TN – The Cannery 18+
January 4 – Asheville, NC – The Grey Eagle AA
February 19 – Pomona, CA – The Glass House AA
February 21 – Honolulu, HI – Loft Gallery And Lounge 21+