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Pat Metheny Announces Album and Tour

Seventeen-time Grammy Award-winner Pat Metheny once again explores new territory with his forthcoming project, Orchestrion. Following the album's January 26 release on Nonesuch Records (February 9 on vinyl), the genre-shattering guitarist/composer will embark on an extensive solo tour, performing in arts centers and concert halls nationwide (please see reverse for confirmed dates).

Orchestrion brings a musical idea from the late 19th and early 20th centuries�a large mechanical multi-instrument device that utilizes actual orchestral instruments of various types, called an "orchestrion"�to the technologies of today. Metheny's concept includes a large ensemble of acoustic instruments�including several pianos, drum kit, marimbas, "guitar-bots," dozens of percussion instruments and even cabinets of carefully tuned bottles. Through Metheny's guitar and compositional mind, five new original pieces showcase the instruments as they are struck, plucked, and otherwise played via the technology of solenoid switches and pneumatics. Metheny worked for months with a brilliant team of scientists and engineers to develop and assemble the "New Orchestrion" for this project.

"As the instruments started to trickle in from the various inventors," Metheny says, "the experience of writing for them and figuring out what might be possible with them provided a self-imposed challenge that proved to be difficult and time-consuming, but absolutely exhilarating. I am excited to share this project. If nothing else, this has turned out to be something unique. And in the process of developing all this music and these instruments and discovering what they can do and what they are good at, I learned so much. It feels like progress and has gotten some notes out of me that I didn't know were there. But the surprise was just how far I was able to go with it all. Within this new environment, I found something in there that took me to some new places." - more on this story

More on Pat Metheny - Pat+Metheny" >Pat Metheny CDs

Stroke: Songs for Chris Knox

On June 11, 2009, musician Chris Knox suffered a life-altering stroke at his home in Grey Lynn, New Zealand. Stroke: Songs for Chris Knox is a celebration of Chris and his music.

He was instrumental in bringing New Zealand punk and alternative music to international audiences with Tall Dwarfs, Toy Love, and his solo work. Artists from the U.S. (Jeff Mangum, Yo La Tengo, The Mountain Goats, Bonnie "Prince" Billy, Lambchop, Stephin Merritt, Portastatic, Bill Callahan, Lou Barlow, Jay Reatard), New Zealand (The Bats, The Verlaines, The Chills), and the world over have donated their time and talent so that all proceeds can go towards assisting Chris with his recovery.

Stroke: Songs for Chris Knox is available for download now from the Merge store and the usual digital outlets. The 2-CD limited-edition release will be available in stores on February 23, but you can pre-order it today and receive the digital download via email after your order is complete! [We assume the preorder deal is also at the Merge store] - more on this story

More on Chris Knox - Chris+Knox" >Chris Knox CDs

The Cubical Are Coming

Blues/garage heavyweights The Cubical are set to release Come Sing These Crippled Tunes on Dec 12th.

Produced by Dave Sardy, the digital only album was recorded in 4 days of blood sweat and beer at sunset sounds studio, Hollywood.

This ostensibly blues/garage band will provide the long overdue kick in the teeth that the music scene has been desperately crying out for. Drawing on influences from the world of blues, jazz, folk and good old rock n roll this band truly have done their homework. - more on this story

More on Cubical - Cubical" >Cubical CDs

Former Chiodos Vocalist Goes Peta2

On the heels of his launch of a new solo career in post-hardcore rock, Craig Owens stars in a brand-new ad for peta2�the world's largest youth animal rights organization�sporting the group's colorful "Animal Testing Breaks Hearts" T-shirt by Glamour Kills. The ad is part of peta2's campaign to end cruel product tests on mice, rats, rabbits, and other animals.

"There are certain things that a human being should just know [are] wrong," says Owens. "If it is something that you care about, then stand up and do something about it."

Rabbits, guinea pigs, and other animals used to test cosmetics and household products are blinded, burned, poisoned, and beheaded. These painful and deadly tests are not required by law. Hundreds of companies have listened to consumers and pledged not to test their products on animals. - more on this story

More on Craig Owens - Craig+Owens" >Craig Owens CDs

Madison Violet to Appear on NPR's Mountain Stage

True North Records duo Madison Violet is set to appear on this weekend's broadcast of the NPR-nationally-syndicated Mountain Stage radio program.

The show featuring Brenley MacEachern and Lisa MacIsaac was recorded before a live audience on November 15 and also includes performances from Sister Hazel, Vagabond Opera, Eric Bibb and Brett Dennen.

Most stations will air that episode during the weekend of Dec. 11-13. A complete list of stations that air Mountain Stage can be found here. The following week their set will be posted at NPR.org/mountainstage and archived for continued access. - more on this story

More on Madison Violet - Madison+Violet" >Madison Violet CDs

The Fallen Within Intoxicated Preview

Greek modern melodeath metallers The Fallen Within completed to shoot their first video for the song "Sound Of Destruction" included in their brand new album "Intoxicated" out on December 14th via Coroner Records.

The album, presented as an avant garde melodic death work with many dark atmospheres, was recorded and produced by Bob Katsionis from FIREWIND, mixed and mastered by Ahti Kortelainen at Tico Tico Studio in Finland.

Track List: 1. My Vanity 2. Sound of Destruction 3. Pain Right Under 4. I Am Hate 5. Extinction 6. Endless Reality 7. Intoxicated 8. Last Breath 9. The Great Fall 10. Timeworn

A video trailer of the forthcoming album "Intoxicated" can be seen - here

More on Fallen Within - Fallen+Within" >Fallen Within MP3s - Fallen+Within" >Fallen Within CDs

2010 Deep Blues Festival

(Submitted News) We're pleased to announce that our January 2010 Deep Blues Film Festival will be an official event of the St Paul Winter Carnival.

Please join us Saturday January 23rd and Saturday January 30th for several great films and also special live performances by some of the musicians featured in the films.

We're requesting a $5 donation at the door. Reserved advance admission is available with a Deep Blues Festival Membership $20. You can also help support the festival by purchasing additional memberships for your friends or sponsoring a membership for a musician. - details

More on Deep Blues Festival - Deep+Blues+Festival" >Deep Blues Festival CDs

Country Thunder USA 2010

One of country music's premier festival events, Country Thunder USA, is back in 2010 with the promise of kicking up more serious dust than a cattle drive headed west.

The outdoor staging held onsite at the sprawling Shadow Hill Ranch, in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, has rightfully earned its reputation as one of the nation's top music/onsite camping multi-day events. Music fans that come to party hardy can cowboy-up for a full 4-day general admission pass for $99.00 � with passes now on sale.

One-day event tickets will also be available closer to the event. VIP and sponsorship packages are also available with added perks of hospitality tent access, preferred parking, and premium concert seating. Organizers encourage early-bird tickets as the event is expected to sell out. - announced line-up

More on Country Thunder - Country+Thunder" >Country Thunder CDs

. Morningwood Interview

Chantal Claret is a brilliantly flippant twenty-something that makes up half of the main members of the spectacularly talented Morningwood band Peter Yanowitz (formerly of the Wallflowers). Dawn Marie tracked her down for a conversation. - Read the full Morningwood Interview

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