Stevie Wonder Wins Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song

"It's an immense privilege to join such a remarkable roster of musicians and composers," Wonder said. "I am touched to receive this honor, and look forward to creating music for the celebration." A concert gala celebrating the award is currently being planned for the following evening. - more on this story

Swing Out Sister Make A Beautiful Mess

Noble PR reports: Swing Out Sister release their ninth studio album, "Beautiful Mess" on Monday 8th September. The album includes the new single 'Something Every Day'. The band will follow up the release of the album with UK concerts in October.

Lead singer, Corinne Drewery, will be special guest on BBC Breakfast News (BBC 1 TV) on Monday 8th September. The single is currently getting airplay on BBC Radio 2's Wogan Show, and Smooth FM has added the single to their play list.

Their unique blend of cinematic jazz pop earned them several chart singles, including 'Breakout', a UK No.4 hit, 'Surrender' and 'Twilight World', resulting in their 1987 debut album, 'It's Better To Travel', hitting the number one spot in the UK. - more on this story

Another Caps Locked Band Name Recording and Touring

Addicted to Caps Lock Records reports: Fast-rising British death metal band IGNOMINIOUS INCARCERATION entered the studio this Monday (1st September) to begin recording their debut album, titled THE LEGACY.

The talented young five-piece - who deliver instantly recognisable, crushing, modern death metal, whilst being unmistakably rooted in tradition death metal - have entered Grindstone Studios in Suffolk with producer SCOTT ATKINS (GAMA BOMB, SYLOSIS) to record their highly-anticipated debut full-length album.

IGNOMINIOUS INCARCERATION have been moving fast since forming in 2006, quickly being tipped as one of the best new British death metal acts, and have already toured with the likes of TRIGGER THE BLOODSHED, BLEED FROM WITHIN and BRING ME THE HORIZON. - more on this story

LoveLikeFire ink Deal

PR reports: LoveLikeFire are proud to announce their signing to UK label Heist or Hit Records. Over the past month they've been busily recording songs for their debut full-length at Tiny Telephone studios in San Francisco with producer Bill Racine (Mates Of State, Rogue Wave). Upon finishing up work in the studio they take off on a 35 + date tour that sees them crossing the country as they make their way to and from CMJ 2008.

Heist or Hit Records is an inventive forward thinking UK indie set up by music loving entrepreneurs. The label has wasted no time in providing the San Franciscan act the tools to go about recording their debut L.P. LoveLikeFire decided to stay close to home, and have begun putting down tracks at Tiny Telephone; the revered studio owned by fellow San Franciscan John Vanderslice. The record is being produced by Bill Racine, who's credits include Rogue Wave, Mates of State, and work assisting David Fridmann with the likes of the Flaming Lips, Sparklehorse, Mogwai and more. - more on this story

Thrashing Like A Maniac Addition

PR reports: Sworn Amongst have officially been confirmed as openers for the Gama Bomb and Bonded By Blood European tour!

After a successful tour which stormed cities across the US, European metalheads can now look forward to their very own Gama Bomb and Bonded By Blood Thrashing Like A Maniac Tour!

With a large number of dates fully confirmed, there's no excuse for thrashers across Europe not to come out and see Irish thrashers Gama Bomb and young LA shredders Bonded By Blood, along with new openers Sworn Amongst. - more on this story

Santogold Tour

PR reports: Hot on the heels of her critical and commercial smash debut album, Santogold is announcing her first headlining US tour, the Goldrush Tour.

Santogold, AKA Santi White, just finished a string of North American arena dates with Coldplay. Downtown/Lizard King released Santogold's self-titled breakthrough CD in April.

For this tour she will be performing with a full live band and dj. Wow a real live band at a live music performance! Pretty sad they have to make a point of it in the PR. The DJ think kind of spoils it though. - more on this story

Another Digital EP from Jack's Mannequin

PR reports: Jack's Mannequin is set to release a second iTunes exclusive EP on September 9th titled In Valleys EP.

In Valleys, released exclusively on iTunes, will feature two b-sides from The Glass Passenger recordings and two new tracks from The Glass Passenger as well.

An updated tracklisting can be seen below.
Swim (Track From The Glass Passenger)
Cell Phone (B-Side From The Glass Passenger)
Sleazy Wednesday (B-Side From The Glass Passenger)
Annie Use Your Telescope (Track From The Glass Passenger)

- http://www.jacksmannequin.com/

Music For Gossip Girls

PR reports: Atlantic Records has announced the upcoming release of "Omfgg Original Music Featured On Gossip Girl No. 1," the first companion soundtrack to the hit CW series, Gossip Girl. The album features an array of tracks from a range of today's most intriguing new artists, including the Virgins, the Republic Tigers, Phantom Planet, the Kills, and the Ting Tings.

"Omfgg – Original Music Featured On Gossip Girl No. 1" arrives digitally today, September 2nd – one day after the hugely anticipated Season 2 premiere of Gossip Girl. The soundtrack will then arrive in stores everywhere on October 28th.

Gossip Girl follows series creators Dork Schwartz & Stephanie Savage's previous smash drama, The O.C., which was widely regarded for granting mainstream exposure to the work of such modern rock icons as Death Cab for Cutie, the Killers, and Modest Mouse. Compiled by The O.C.'s music supervisor extraordinaire Alexandra Patsavas (Chuck, Mad Men), "Omfgg – Original Music Featured On Gossip Girl No. 1" gathers together a remarkable selection of forward-thinking young bands, such as Crystal Castles, Oppenheimer, and the Teenagers. Among the soundtrack's many highlights is a booming cover of Siouxsie & the Banshees' classic "Cities In Dust," performed by the one-and-only Junkie XL. - more on this story

Black Diamond Heavies Going Out On The Streets For A Living

PR reports: Southern punk-ass blues duo Black Diamond Heavies hit the road beginning September 9 in Kansas City. The band close out the first leg of their US tour with a two-night stand, September 28 and 29, at Chicago's Riviera Theatre with Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds before heading overseas for both a European and Australian tour.

The Black Diamond Heavies new album "A Touch of Someone Else's Class," was recorded with producer Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys at his Akron Analog studio.

Black Diamond Heavies are a two-piece consisting of John Wesley Myers aka James Leg on bass keys, fender rhodes, organ, and vocals (left hand of rhythm, right hand of soul) and Van Campbell completing the lineup on drums and vocals. With a family pedigree that includes Myers' father being a Baptist preacher and Campbell coming from a family of bourbon distillers (seriously, "Old Rip Van Winkle"), the Heavies pound out a raucous southern style punk take on the blues and soul. - more on this story

. The Verve - Forth

It is of course the wonderment-filled singing that makes the album special but the other Verve hallmarks are on full display too. Forth stops short of masterpiece but as to an hour spent with long-lost old friends it's a pleasure hard to match. (4 stars) - Read the full The Verve - Forth review

. Marduk - Nightwing

Out of every release Marduk has puked forth, Nightwing is the CD new fans are recommended to purchase. For something so praised, I am completely displeased by these little ankle-biters, pitiful contributions I can only laugh at this effort. - Read the full Marduk - Nightwing review

Wait there is more!

Read Day In Rock Reports From Other Days
 

Submit news or a press release to the Day In Rock report