Liam Finn Announces New EP

Phonograph Going Soph

PR reports: Phonograph, the Brooklyn based alt-country band whose self-released and self-titled debut album surprised critics and radio programmers in 2007, return with their [overused cliche removed] new full length, OKNO, on Sept. 29.

Phonograph will be performing songs from the new album, as well as their self-titled debut, at The Living Room in New York City on Wednesdays at 10:00 pm throughout July.

Recorded at The Bunker Studio in Brooklyn New York over the first few months of 2009, OKNO includes guest performances from Grace Potter, David Amram, Jeremy Turner of the New York MET, and Charlie Hunter Trio member, Erik Deutsch. - more on this story

DeeExpus DVD

MMP reports: "Far From Home", the first DVD from British prog rock band DeeExpus, is finally set for release on 6th July in Europe and 16th June in USA (via MVD) in 3 different formats: DVD, limited DVD+CD edition, including bonus audio CD with songs recorded during the gig at the theatre, and CD digipak (limited to 1000 copies)..

Andy Ditchfield: "Greed was written specifically as the opening track for Half Way Home and it seemed fitting that we should play it to open our third ever live performance and the second night of Prog-Rock 2009. The song is a particular band favourite and we hope you enjoy the taster."

DeeExpus - this talented band from UK has so far released only one studio album entitled "Half Way Home" but with their superb performance at the first edition of Prog Rock Festival at the Wyspianski Theatre in Katowice, Poland, they proved that they do have much to say on the prog rock scene. DeeExpus's music constitutes a modern approach to the genre, more rock-oriented and catchy, yet formed with undeniable finesse and attention to sound and musical nuances. Currently, DeeExpus is writing and recording the follow up to their debut album. The band has also recently undergone a lineup change with the position of the drummer now being filled by the very talented Henry Rogers, also known from the band "Final Conflict". - more on this story

Are You The King of the Blues?

Girlie reports: Guitar Center is pleased to announce the return of King of the Blues, the nationwide search for the next great undiscovered blues guitar player. With sign-ups launching July 1, Guitar Center's King of the Blues will feature competitions in over 200 Guitar Center locations across the country, culminating with the Grand Finals in Los Angeles this November. In addition to showcasing the top five finalists, the King of the Blues Grand Finals will also feature performances by renowned blues guitarist Joe Bonamassa and Grammy Award winner Pete Anderson.

King of the Blues is part of Guitar Center's ongoing mission to provide emerging artists and musicians with career-altering opportunities and vehicles to achieve success. Other Guitar Center programs include Drum-Off and On-Stage. Now in its 21st year, Guitar Center's Drum-Off has been a launching pad for numerous professional drummers, including Cora "CC" Dunham (Prince), Eric Moore II (Suicidal Tendencies), Tony Royster Jr. (Jay Z) and Thomas Pridgen (The Mars Volta). In 2008 Guitar Center also added On-Stage, a search for America's next great rock band, with close to 8,000 bands vying for an opening slot on Mötley Crüe's 30+ city North American arena tour. The winning band, The Last Vegas, not only toured with Mötley Crüe, but was also awarded a record deal with Eleven Seven Music and a management contract with Tenth Street Entertainment (Mötley's management company).

Introduced in 2006, Guitar Center's King of the Blues is designed to offer similar life-changing opportunities for unsigned guitarists. More than just a competition to find the most technically skilled players, King of the Blues is designed to seek out the most passionate, innovative and authentic undiscovered guitar players and give them a shot at stardom. Some of today's most iconic and groundbreaking artists, including BB King, John Mayer, The Black Crowes and Kenny Wayne Shepherd have participated at past King of the Blues events, and the winner of Guitar Center's 2007 King of the Blues, Aaron Loesch, was invited to perform at Eric Clapton's Crossroads Festival in front of over 25,000 attendees. - more on this story

St. Vincent Teams With Andrew Bird For Tour And TV Special

PR reports: St. Vincent will team up with Andrew Bird for a month of US tour dates this fall, starting September 29 in Indianapolis.

The two critically acclaimed artists will also be paired for an episode of Austin City Limits, scheduled to air on PBS stations nationwide on October 24 (check local listings).

Before touring with Bird, St. Vincent will play the All Points West and Virgin Mobile festivals, and make a short run of northeast and Canadian headlining dates. - dates

Wow what timing! A New Michael Jackson DVD Announced

MVD reports: Rock City Entertainment, Elbow Grease Productions and MVD Visual are pleased to announce the release of Michael Jackson The Trial and Triumph of The King of Pop for worldwide distribution on August 11, 2009.

With the world still reeling from the unexpected and tragic passing of Michael Jackson, a forthcoming DVD will focus on the bright side and explain some of the complexities in this musical icon's life. Titled The Trial and Triumph of The King of Pop, this 76-minute documentary will examine (and go behind the scenes) of when the singer went to trial on child molestation charges, and was eventually proven not guilty by the court of law.

Wilson Ebiye, President and CEO of Rock City Entertainment states, "Michael Jackson was the greatest entertainer of all time. We want to help preserve his legacy of love and kindness that is evident in his music. Our goal with The Trial and Triumph of The King of Pop was to clearly establish the fact that Michael was found not guilty of child molestation in a court of law. The King of Pop will continue to live through his music." - more on this story

Old Crow Medicine Show Announce Live DVD and Tour

Nettwerk reports: Old Crow Medicine Show (OCMS) will release their first live concert DVD, Live at the Orange Peel and Tennessee Theatre, on August 18.

Directed by Lee Tucker (who also directed the band's videos for "Wagon Wheel" and "Tell It To Me"), Live at the Orange Peel and Tennessee Theatre was recorded over two nights last December and features performances of 20 songs—15 of which are from the band's three studio albums (OCMS, Big Iron World, Tennessee Pusher)—including "Tell It To Me," "Down Home Girl," "Alabama High-Test," and "Wagon Wheel."

The DVD also includes five tracks from their live repertoire not found on their three studio albums: "Wheeling Breakdown," "Raise A Ruckus," "Reuben's Train," "Sally Anne" and "Shack #9." - tracklisting and tour dates

. Devin Townsend - Ki

In short, Im adding this to the list of if I could ever record one CD like this, Id be content (which, for the curious reader, otherwise mostly features Porcupine Tree and Opeth albums). (5 stars) - Read the full Devin Townsend - Ki review

. Absu / Rumpelstiltskin Grinder / Sothis / Afterlight Live

The June 17 gig at Peabody's of Cleveland is Absu's first Ohio concert date in over eight years. As a tepid crowd of 40 enters, however, it becomes apparent Texas' mythological occult metalheads will not get the respect they deserve. - Read the full Absu / Rumpelstiltskin Grinder / Sothis / Afterlight Live review

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