ENTIRE COLLECTION FOR $179 UNTIL NOV. 8 AT MERGERECORDS.COM
Battles, Caribou, Jason Forrest, Kieran Hebden Confirmed for The Merge Remix Album
MRG Discography Cover Art Book To Be Included in Box

The November 8 deadline is looming for discounted pre-orders at mergerecords.com for SCORE! Merge Records: The First 20 Years, a deluxe subscription-only box set featuring 14 curated Merge compilations, an entire album of non-Merge artists covering their favorite tracks from the Merge catalogue, a remix collection featuring reinterpretations of Merge classics, MRG, the discography cover art book, and more.

Subscribers will receive the sixteen CDs, MRG, and other exclusive content in the mail throughout 2009, Merge’s 20th Anniversary year, as well as a special box to put them all in.

Quantities will be limited to the number of subscribers who enroll prior to the January 2009 delivery of the first two volumes (curated respectively by Peter Buck of R.E.M. and director Phil Morrison).

Those ordering before November 8 will receive the entire collection for $179. After that date, the price will be $199 until pre-orders close in January (exact date TBD).

The Merge Covers Album is nearing completion, with the following artists having contributed interpretations of their favorites from the Merge catalogue (and a few more expected):

Ryan Adams
Apples In Stereo
Bright Eyes
Bill Callahan
Laura Cantrell
Death Cab for Cutie
Dirty Projectors
Calvin Johnson
Ted Leo
Les Savy Fav
Barbara Manning
Mountain Goats
The National
New Pornographers
Okkervil River
Quasi
Times New Viking
Tracey Thorn & Jens Lekman

The Merge Remix Album is nearly finished as well, with mixes having been submitted thus far by:

Battles
Caribou
Jason Forrest
Hands Off Cuba
Kieran Hebden (Four Tet)
Junior Boys
John McEntire
Barbara Morgenstern
Mark Robinson
Trey Told ‘Em (Gregg Gillis & Frank Musarra)

As previously announced, the full list of curators for the next 12 volumes has been confirmed and is as follows: Amy Poehler, David Byrne, Miranda July, Jonathan Lethem, artist Marcel Dzama, Momofuku chef David Chang, Georgia Hubley of Yo La Tengo, Zach Galifianakis, New Yorker critic/The Rest Is Noise author Alex Ross, Persepolis author Marjane Satrapi, and artists Andrea Zittel and Kara Walker.

The entire SCORE! Merge Records: The First 20 Years project will benefit specific charitable causes handpicked by these curators.

To subscribe to SCORE! Merge Records: The First 20 Years: http://tinyurl.com/46ha7d

REMAINING BATTLEGROUND STATE DATES CONFIRMED

Beastie Boys and friends have confirmed the remaining dates of the Get Out and Vote 08 tour of the swing states crucial  to the upcoming election. Joining the band in various markets will be Sheryl Crow, Ben Harper, Jack Johnson, Norah Jones, Crosby & Nash, Santogold, Tenacious D, as well as representatives from Rock The Vote, who will be on hand to distribute information on local polling sites, including early voting locations where available.

The newly announced dates and lineups are:

Oct 27 Charlotte, NC Amos Southend
Beastie Boys / Sheryl Crow / Santogold

Oct 29 Youngstown, OH Chevrolet Center
Beastie Boys / Sheryl Crow / Ben Harper / Norah Jones

Oct 30 Dayton, OH Hara Arena
Beastie Boys / Sheryl Crow / Ben Harper

The Oct. 27 Charlotte date goes on sale THURSDAY via www.etix.com. Tickets for the Oct. 29 & 30  dates go on sale FRIDAY at 10 a.m. at venue box offices and at Ticketmaster locations.

The full Get Out and Vote 08 itinerary and on-sale info including the new and previously announced shows is as follows:

Oct 27 Charlotte, NC Amos Southend
Beastie Boys / Sheryl Crow / Santogold
ON SALE THURSDAY VIA ETIX.COM

Oct 28 Richmond, VA – Richmond Coliseum
Beastie Boys/Jack Johnson/Norah Jones/Santogold
ON SALE NOW VIA VENUE BOX OFFICE AND TICKETMASTER

Oct 29 Youngstown, OH Chevrolet Center
Beastie Boys / Sheryl Crow / Ben Harper / Norah Jones
ON SALE FRIDAY VIA VENUE BOX OFFICE AND TICKETMASTER
Oct 30 Dayton, OH Hara Arena
Beastie Boys / Sheryl Crow / Ben Harper
ON SALE FRIDAY VIA VENUE BOX OFFICE AND TICKETMASTER

Nov 1 St. Paul, MN – Roy Wilkins Auditorium
Beastie Boys/Ben Harper/Tenacious D
ON SALE FRIDAY VIA VENUE BOX OFFICE AND TICKETMASTER
Nov 2 Milwaukee, WI – U.S. Cellular Arena
Beastie Boys/Ben Harper/Crosby & Nash/Tenacious D
ON SALE NOW VIA VENUE BOX OFFICE AND TICKETMASTER
For further information, check beastieboys.com or www.getoutandvote08.org

RA RA RIOT NEW YORK SHOWS SOLD OUT
IN-STORE PERFORMANCE TONIGHT AT SOUND FIX
DECEMBER U.S DATES ADDED
LATE SHOW WITH DAVID LETTERMAN DEBUT TO STREAM AT
http://lateshow.cbs.com/latenight/lateshow/live/
NPR LIVE CONCERT SERIES PERFORMANCE STREAMING AT
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=95519776

RA RA RIOT’s “inevitable rise to prominence” (The WASHINGTON POST) continues with this week’s trifecta: The band made its debut on THE LATE SHOW WITH DAVID LETTERMAN last night (the performance will be up shortly at http://lateshow.cbs.com/latenight/lateshow/live/), both of this week’s New York shows–Oct. 16 at the Bowery Ballroom and Oct. 17 at the Music Hall of Williamsburg–completely SOLD OUT (a VERY LIMITED number of press/review tickets are still available–LAST CHANCE!), and another run of U.S. headline dates has been confirmed for December.

Released August 19, The Rhumb Line (Barsuk) entered the Top 200 U.S. album chart at #109, selling nearly 6000 units in its first week of release. The Syracuse NY-born band’s first full length has since generated some of the most positive response to any indie release of recent years, with ROLLING STONE featuring the band as a full page Artists To Watch and awarding the record a 4-star review, hailing it as “a blissful chamber-pop breakthrough” and “ultimately life-affirming.” ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY compared it to “Unforgettable Fire-era U2,” DETAILS noted its “indie-rock intensity” in a 4-star review, and PITCHFORK called it “a record that is at once grand and intimate.”

Finally, RA RA RIOT will embark on its first ever European tour in November, following an October return to the UK that features several dates supporting Vampire Weekend.

See below for dates. For further information, contact Steve Martin or Laura Eldeiry at nasty little man 212 343 0740 or laura@nastylittleman.com

Ra Ra Riot 2008:

10.14.08: Brooklyn, NY // Soundfix
10.15.08: Philadelphia, PA // Johnny Brenda’s
10.16.08: New York, NY // Bowery Ballroom // SOLD OUT
10.17.08: Brooklyn, NY // Music Hall of Williamsburg // SOLD OUT
10.18.08: Cambridge, MA // The Middle East Downstairs
10.25.08: London // Push @ Astoria 2
10.26.08: London // London Forum // SOLD OUT
10.28.08: Newcastle // Newcastle Academy // SOLD OUT
10.29.08: Glasgow// Glasgow Barrowlands // SOLD OUT
10.30.08: Liverpool // Liverpool Academy // SOLD OUT
10.31.08: Bristol // Bristol Academy // SOLD OUT
11.01.08: Leeds // Cockpit
11.03.08: London // Hoxton Bar
12.03.08: Burlington, VT // Higher Ground
12.04.08: Albany, NY // Valentines
12.05.08: Northampton, MA // Iron Horse Music Hall
12.06.08: Swarthmore, PA // Swarthmore College
12.09.08: Newport, KY // Southgate House
12.11.08: Louisville, KY // 930 Listening Room
12.12.08: Nashville, TN // Exit/In
12.13.08: Athens, GA // 40 Watt Club
12.14.08: Asheville, NC // Grey Eagle
12.16.08: Baltimore, MD // Ottobar

NOVEMBER 7-23 HEADLINE RUN ADDED W/ BROTHER READE

Having kicked off their fall tour schedule with an appearance at AUSTIN CITY LIMITS that elicited raves from the AUSTIN CHRONICLE (”an act that’s matured both personally and professionally”) and THE ONION (”the duo continues to save itself by producing albums that are better than the previous ones”), and currently on tour with Santogold, the indefatigable MATES OF STATE have added a November series of headline dates to their Re-Arranger tour.

The new dates begin November 7 in Asbury Park NJ and run through November 23 in Baltimore MD. All dates will feature LA hip-hop duo Brother Reade as main support – see below for a full itinerary.

The Re-Arranger tour is of course named for the MATES’ fifth album, Re-Arrange Us (Barsuk), which was released May 20, the same day marking the band’s network television debut on LATE NIGHT WITH CONAN O’BRIEN.

Re-Arrange Us has received the best critical (and public) response of MATES OF STATE’s career: NEW YORK magazine called the record “a bona fide breakthrough,” MAGNET praised it as “the best album of their career for a second straight time,” while DETAILS and ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY focused on individual tracks, the former raving “‘Now’ has summer anthem written all over it” and the latter featuring “My Only Offer” as a “Choice Cut.”

Gardner and Hammel will be joined on the upcoming dates by additional musicians Linnea Weiss (cello) and Chris Cosgrove (guitar, bass, electronics).

For further information, contact Steve Martin or Amy Grote at nasty little man 212 343 0740 amy@nastylittleman.com

MATES OF STATE
THE RE-ARRANGER TOUR
NEW HEADLINE DATES IN BOLD

10/04/08 SEATTLE, WA Showbox Sodo with Santogold, Low vs Diamond
10/05/08 PORTLAND, OR Crystal Ballroom with Santogold, Low vs Diamond
10/07/08 SAN FRANCISCO, CA Fillmore with Santogold, Low vs Diamond
10/10/08 SAN DIEGO, CA House of Blues with Santogold, Low vs Diamond
10/11/08 LAS VEGAS, NV House of Blues @ Mandalay Bay with Santogold, Low vs Diamond
10/13/08 ANAHEIM, CA House of Blues with Santogold, Low vs Diamond
10/14/08 LOS ANGELES, CA Wiltern with Santogold, The Ting Tings, Low vs Diamond
10/16/08 MARQUETTE, MI Northern Michigan University
10/17/08 GRAND RAPIDS, MI Calvin College
10/18/08 KALAMAZOO, MI Kalamazoo State Theater
10/19/08 DETROIT, MI Magic Stick

11/7 Asbury Park NJ @ Wonder Bar
11/8 Philadelphia, PA @ Trocadero
11/9 Morgantown, WV @ Mountainstage (NPR show)
11/10 Lexington, KY @ The Dame
11/11 Washington DC @ Black Cat
11/12 Charlottesville VA @ Gravity Lounge
11/13 Charlotte, NC @ Neighborhood Theatre
11/14 Lexington KY @ The Dame
11/15 Louisville, KY @ Headliners
11/16 Asheville, NC @ Grey Eagle
11/17 Nashville, TN @ Exit / In
11/19 Jacksonville Beach FL @ Freebird Live
11/20 Atlanta, GA @ The Loft
11/21 Greenville SC @ The Handlebar
11/22 Carrboro, NC @ Cat’s Cradle
11/23 Baltimore MD @ Ottobar

Selected Dates in Battleground States

Beastie Boys have confirmed selected dates through the crucial swing states of the upcoming election. Joining the band in various markets will be Sheryl Crow, Ben Harper, Jack Johnson, Norah Jones, Crosby & Nash, Santogold, Tenacious D, and special guests, as well as representatives from the Rock The Vote, who will be on hand to distribute information on local polling sites, including early voting locations where available.

The first three shows to be announced are:

Oct 28 Richmond, VA – Richmond Coliseum
Beastie Boys/Jack Johnson/Norah Jones/Santogold

Nov 1 St. Paul, MN – Roy Wilkins Auditorium
Beastie Boys/Ben Harper/Tenacious D

Nov 2 Milwaukee, WI – U.S. Cellular Arena
Beastie Boys/Ben Harper/Crosby & Nash/Tenacious D

Check www.beastieboys.com for on sale times and info.

The remaining shows will be announced shortly.

War Child and Astralwerks Records have moved the release of the album “Heroes” from November 2008 until early in 2009.

The “Heroes” album is a unique collaboration of music’s biggest acts, with all-time legends nominating both the classic track and modern artist to record an exclusive cover version.

Since the album was announced recently a list of huge names have come forward with offers to participate in the record. This new release date will allow War Child to add further to their historic roll call of musical legends and modern greats. The initial list of participants included such luminaries as Paul McCartney, Duffy, Brian Wilson, Rufus Wainwrigh, Joy Division and Hot Chip.

War Child say: “We have been over-whelmed and amazed by the response to the project. The wealth of talent who have contacted us wishing to support the charity and contribute to the album is humbling and we are delighted to have been able to change our deadlines to accommodate some of them. It was impossible to say no.”

War Child would like to thank everyone for their support and look forward to releasing a fantastic record in 2009.

ADDITIONAL TICKETS RELEASED FOR SOLD OUT NEW YORK SHOWS
SELECT UNDERPLAYS CONTINUING THROUGH OCTOBER 19 & 20 IN LOS ANGELES
FIRST SINGLE “OH NO” NOW STREAMING ON www.PITCHFORKMEDIA.com

Andrew Bird has confirmed that his new studio album Noble Beast will be released January 27, 2009 on Fat Possum Records. Noble Beast, currently in its final stages of mixing and mastering, is the follow up to Andrew’s critically acclaimed 2007 set Armchair Apocrypha which has sold over 100,000 copies to date.

Track listing for Noble Beast:
1. Oh No
2. Masterswarm
3. Fitz and the Dizzyspells
4. Effigy
5. Tenuousness
6. Nomenclature
7. Not a Robot, But a Ghost
8. Anonanimal
9. Natural Disaster
10. Confess
11. Souverian
12. On Ho!

The first single, “Oh No” is currently streaming in Pitchfork’s FORKCAST section, as well as dozens of other blogs who happened to pick it up over the weekend.

As a special treat, Andrew will be performing songs from the new record at a handful of intimate underplay shows this month in New York, Los Angeles and a few other select markets.

A small quantity of additional tickets has been released for TONIGHT AND TOMORROW’s shows (Oct. 6 and 7) at the HIRO BALLROOM. The limited additional tickets are available at the Mercury Lounge and Music Hall of Williamsburg box offices, ticketmaster.com, and Hiro Ballroom when doors open.

Following the conclusion of the second Hiro show, Bird will hightail it to the Music Hall of Williamsburg to appear at the October 7 BARACK ROCK fundraiser with Fiery Furnaces, Eugene Mirman and others.

The pre-release underplays wrap up Oct. 19 and 20 at the new Cafe Largo at the Coronet in Los Angeles.

The complete itinerary is as follows:
10/06/08 – New York, NY – Hiro Ballroom
10/07/08 – New York, NY – Hiro Ballroom
10/07/08 – Brooklyn, NY – BARACK ROCK Music Hall of Williamsberg
10/08/08 – Portsmouth, NH – The Music Hall
10/09/08 – Albany, NY – Swyer Theatre
10/10/08 – Northampton, MA – Calvin Theatre
10/19/08 – Los Angeles, CA – Largo at The Coronet
10/20/08 – Los Angeles, CA – Largo at The Coronet

For more information, contact Steve Martin or Laura Eldeiry at nasty little man t 212-343-0740 e laura@nastylittleman.com

SPOON TO PLAY HOMETOWN BENEFIT FOR TEXAS DEMOCRATS & MARK THOMPSON, DEMOCRATIC RAILROAD COMMISSIONER CANDIDATE
October 13 Show at the Parish with Special Guest Gary Clark Jr.
Tickets On Sale 10 a.m. CST Thursday, October 2

Austin hometown dudes turned international musician-types SPOON will play a rare intimate one-off date October 13 at the Parish, proceeds from which will benefit Texas Democrats and the campaign of Mark Thompson, Democratic candidate for the office of Railroad Commissioner.
Tickets for the show will go on sale 10 a.m. central time Thursday, October 2.

The benefit follows on the heels of last month’s finale’ of SPOON’s year-plus on and off the road. It is expected to be one of the band’s last few live appearances before they head into the studio to complete the follow up to 2007’s Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga.

For more information on tickets, go to Spoontheband.com.

Electric Arguments
U.S. Release Date: November 25, 2008

The Fireman has returned after a ten-year break with something to sing about. Electric Arguments, the brand new third studio album from the mysterious duo–out in the U.S. November 25 on MPL/ATO–is their first release to feature vocals.

“Ambient dreams in rainbow arches describe the circles of The Fireman” is how the duo described their music in a rare interview around the release of their last album ‘Rushes’ in 1998. Their first album ‘Strawberries Oceans Ships Forest’, released in 1993, was a solid ambient dance album heavy on electronics. Around this time the identity of The Fireman was unknown until the press exposed the duo as none other than Paul McCartney and Youth. The now defunct music bible Melody Maker heaped praise on the project, “Paul McCartney has discovered dance music – the results are staggeringly brilliant. They (The Fireman) take a melody and, with dexterous genre-hopping through ambient, trance and house, evolve a number of breathtaking variations.”

Last year The Fireman returned to work again to start work on what would become Electric Arguments, ultimately finding thirteen days and recording a song on each of those days over the course of a little more than a year. The results this time are entirely different from any previous Fireman release.

Earlier this year The Fireman donated a new track, Lifelong Passion (which appears on Electric Arguments) to the charity Adopt-A-Minefield. This new track marked a directional change for The Fireman, showcasing a more traditional song based sound with vocals, completely unlike anything on the previous two albums. Speculation increased as a ’studio source’ was quoted in The Times of London as describing their new sound ‘like Arcade Fire meets Led Zeppelin’. So what had The Fireman been up to and what does the album sound like?

Electric Arguments is an eclectic and varied album consisting of thirteen tracks, each written and recorded in the space of one day. McCartney and Youth went into the studio with no master plan or clear direction. Instead they let the project take a life of its own, with the results surprising them as much as anyone.

The record opens with a stylistically diverse trifecta: Nothing Too Much Just Out Of Sight is a classic rock attention grabber followed by a hairpin turn in the form of the acoustic driven Two Magpies and yet another direction with Sing The Changes, a euphoric upbeat song with an undeniable and instantly memorable melody. Electric Arguments continues in this fashion, each track with an entirely different personality yet all meshing perfectly. Other standouts include ‘Light From Your Lighthouse’, ‘Sun Is Shining’ and ‘Dance ‘Til We’re High’, all in keeping with the genre-hopping spirit of the first two Fireman albums and demonstrating Paul McCartney’s unending interest in pure musical possibilities. This is an album set to both surprise and delight the listener. Made with no record company restraints or a set release date to work to, Electric Arguments is a work of omplete artistic and creative freedom.

The Fireman
Electric Arguments

Track listing:

1) Nothing Too Much Just Out Of Sight
2) Two Magpies
3) Sing The Changes
4) Traveling Light
5) Highway
6) Light From Your Lighthouse
7) Sun Is Shining
8) Dance ‘Til We’re High
9) Lifelong Passion
10) Is This Love?
11) Lovers In A Dream
12) Universal Here, Everlasting Now
13 Don’t Stop Running

Produced By Paul McCartney & Youth / All tracks written by Paul McCartney