Legendary composer and producer Brian Eno will release a new album through Warp Records later this year. According to Exclaim, the project is a collaboration with guitarist Leo Abrahams and electronic composer/producer Jon Hopkins. Sign up for more details at Eno's website. [brian-eno.net]
According to Rolling Stone, Al Jardine thinks The Beach Boys will perform "at least one [reunion] show" for the group's 50th anniversary next year. Jardine reported Brian Wilson will indeed be a part of the festivities, but Wilson's manager is "unfamiliar with reunion plans." We shall see who's right. [www.rollingstone.com]
Michael Gira has decided to "[revivify] the idea of" Swans in order to move in a "new direction" musically. The new group is a mishmash of original, former and new members, but "is not a reunion." A new album, My Father Will Guide Me Up A Rope To The Sky, is expected September 27th on Young God. Stream "Eden Prison" and find US tour dates on Stereogum. [younggodrecords.com]
Adam Haworth Stephens, better known as one half of Two Gallants, will release his solo debut, We Live On Cliffs, through Saddle Creek on September 28th. In the meantime, stream or download "The Cities That You've Burned" and view show dates on his website. [adamhstephens.com]
Brandon Flowers (The Killers) has announced a handful of warm-up shows around the US this month. Flowers' solo debut, Flamingo, is due out September 14th. He recently talked to Electronic Musician about the new album. [www.spin.com]
As hinted at earlier this year, Of Montreal will release a new album, False Priest, on September 14th via Polyvinyl Records. The band will hit the road on September 13th and won't stop until late in the year. Janelle Monae will support on various legs of the North American trek. [consequenceofsound.net]
Wintersleep will join The Hold Steady for a three-week stint, beginning September 20th in Richmond, VA. The band is out supporting its latest album, New Inheritors. Stream five album tracks on the band's website. [www.wintersleep.com]
Ted Leo & The Pharmacists never ever stop. The quartet will hit the road in September and October to make sure everyone in the United States and Canada has heard The Brutalist Bricks. [www.matadorrecords.com]
Musical renaissance man Chilly Gonzales will release Ivory Tower on September 14th via Arts & Crafts. The album was produced by Boys Noize and accompanies a film of the same name "starring Tiga, Peaches and Gonzo himself." Watch the video for "Never Stop" on Vimeo. [www.arts-crafts.ca]
British singer-songwriter Beth Orton has parted ways with longtime label Astralwerks and signed on with Anti- Records. Orton is currently at work on her fifth full-length. [www.antilabelblog.com]
Avenged Sevenfold released their new album, Nightmare, this week. The band has scheduled an extensive North American tour in support of the record, kicking off tomorrow in Syracuse, NY and running through September. Watch the title track's video on YouTube. [www.avengedsevenfold.com]
New York's Budos Band will release their third album, Budos Band III, on August 10th. They're taking their afrobeat show on the road in August. [www.myspace.com]
Torche, who will release Songs for Singles on September 21st, kicked off some shows in support of the new album last night in Nashville, TN. The trek continues into mid-August and includes dates with Baroness and Boris. [www.myspace.com]
Seefeel will return with a four-track single, Faults, on September 20th (UK) via Warp Records. Listen to the title track on SoundCloud. [warp.net]
Gorillaz has announced a North American tour throughout October and into November supporting their latest album, Plastic Beach. [gorillaz.com]
As hinted at previously, John Legend and The Roots will release Wake Up, their collaborative album on September 21st. Stream "Wake Up Everybody" on SoundCloud and "Hard Times" on YouTube. [www.johnlegend.com]
As reported, Ben Folds teamed up with writer Nick Hornby to work on songs (a la Elton John and Bernie Taupin). On September 28th, the resulting album, Lonely Avenue, will be released by Nonesuch. Folds handled the music and vocals, while Hornby penned all the lyrics. Veteran arranger Paul Buckmaster (Miles Davis, Elton John, David Bowie) contributed his talents, as well. [www.nonesuch.com]
The inaugural Moogfest is being planned for Halloween weekend in Asheville, NC. The three day festival in honor of creator Robert Moog currently includes Massive Attack, Thievery Corporation, MGMT, Big Boi, Jonsi and Caribou. The full lineup will be revealed on August 10th. [www.moogfest.net]
In October, Battles will perform selections from their forthcoming album at two special shows in New York and London. Earlier this year, guitarist Dave Konopka told NME the band planned the album in a "really seedy" area of Times Square, which may have influenced the album's sound. The band described the new songs as "magnanimous," which is saying a lot considering the band. [warp.net]
You can download "SuperImposer," the first track from the forthcoming Oceansize album, Self Preserved While The Bodies Float Up, over on Superball Music. You'll have to do a little social marketing for them, but it's probably worth it. Said album is slated to drop on September 14th. [www.superballmusic.com]
