Simon Joyner’s songs are sometimes stories, streams of consciousness or yarns woven about the darkest parts of the human experience and so much more, usually forming a tapestry of hope. He’s been an influential figure from Omaha for a long time, affecting acts like Bright Eyes and Beck. A lot of people shrug when his name is mentioned, but Joyner kind of likes it that way. Nearly two decades, twelve albums, and now a revolutionary touring model and Simon Joyner still has time to be great Dad. He fit in a phone interview after his daughter’s dance recital.

The Toronto-based band Zeus is one of Arts & Crafts’ newest gems. The four-piece group originally backed another Toronto powerhouse, James Collett. Zeus’s recently released debut album Say Us was warmly welcomed within the indie music community. Carlin Nicholson gave us a few minutes to chat about his band, country, and recent happenings.

After a hugely successful run earlier this year, They Might Be Giants will play several dates over the spring and summer of 2010, including two benefit shows in the Boston area. The two shows at the Regent Theatre in Arlington, MA will be aimed at kids and proceeds from the show will benefit Boston By [...]

If you’re a fan of the UK folk scene (see: Johnny Flynn and Laura Marling), learn the name Matthew and The Atlas, ’cause this is surely a band on the rise.

After a three-year hiatus, Aqualung’s Matt Hales has finally announced that the new album, Magnetic North, will be released on April 20th. Magnetic North includes many guests including Sara Bareilles on tracks “Remember Us” and “New Friend,” as well as A Fine Frenzy’s Alison Sudol on “Time Moves Slow,” and Kelly Sweet on “Fingertip” and [...]

Kaiser Cartel, “Ready to Go” Boy-girl duo Kaiser Cartel will be following up their successful debut album March Forth with a darker, more experimental collection entitled Secret Transit (June 8th). Produced by Matt Hales (aqualung) and recorded in an old folkloric church around London, the styles and sounds explored on this album run the musical [...]

The Most Serene Republic has announced a Spring co-headlining tour with Annuals throughout the U.S. this May, and are offering up a new track, “PhotoCall”, which features a sample of Jon Brion from “Eternal Sunshine For The Spotless Mind”, for free download off their website here. Be sure to check it out! Tour Dates: 5/5/10 [...]

Mates of State confirms the completion and track listing of Crushes (The Covers Mixtape), a covers album to be released this summer and consisting of the following songs by some of the Mates’ personal favorites: 1. Laura (Girls) 2. Son et Lumiere (The Mars Volta) 3. Sleep the Clock Around (Belle & Sebastian) 4. Technicolor [...]

You’ve likely heard of them and now prepare to get to know them well in a city near you this summer as HARD officially announces the launch of the HARD Summer Tour! HARD is known for bringing some of the biggest names in the electronic, dance, hip-hop and rock scenes together under one roof and [...]

The visionary duo of Nick Zammuto and Paul de Jong, collectively known to the world as The Books, are pleased to announce their signing to Temporary Residence Limited and plans to release a new album this July! Their 2010 release will mark the band’s return to the studio after five years of work and touring [...]