I didn’t write about it at the time, but Los Campesinos! had a pretty big moment recently. They made their US TV debut on David Letterman’s show. For those of you who don’t quite realise what that means – it’s huge.

Watch them perform “By Your Hand” below! It’s heart-warming to see a band I’ve followed for so long look so ecstatic at this important point in their career, and despite a slight timing issue and a couple of vocal hiccups, they do the studio version complete justice.

More recently, they also did a session for 89.3 The Current – a radio station based over in Minneapolis, who have done videos featuring some very talented artists, like Doomtree and Phantogram!

Check out the video of “By Your Hand” below, and get on over here to stream the full set and interview!

Anthemic Aussie prog-rockers Dead Letter Circus have just announced their “Sleepwalker Australian Tour” for 2012, and they’re bringing with them locals Twelve Foot Ninja, and Fair To Midland – all the way from the USA! They’ve scheduled 20 shows around the country, and if we’re lucky, we might get to hear some new material.

Whether or not that happens though, these guys are a force to be reckoned with, and their live show is one of the best around.

Check out the video for “Reaction” below, alongside all of the dates!

Thursday 10th May 2012
Prince of Wales
41 Stephen Street, Bunbury, WA.
w/ Fair to Midland and Twelve Foot Ninja.
Tickets: http://deadlettercircus.oztix.com.au/
Phonecharge: 1300 762 545. All usual outlets.

Friday 11th May 2012
Metropolis
58 South Terrace, Fremantle, WA.
w/ Fair to Midland and Twelve Foot Ninja.
Tickets: http://deadlettercircus.oztix.com.au/ or www.moshtix.com.au
Phonecharge: 1300 762 545. All usual outlets.

Saturday 12th May 2012
The Capitol
393 Murray Street, Perth, WA
w/ Fair to Midland and Twelve Foot Ninja.
Tickets: http://deadlettercircus.oztix.com.au/ or www.moshtix.com.au
Phonecharge: 1300 762 545. All usual outlets.

Wednesday 16th May 2012
CSU (Charles Sturt University)
Boorooma Street, Wagga Wagga, NSW 2012
w/ Fair to Midland and Twelve Foot Ninja.
Tickets: CSU student sales only.

Thursday 17th May 2012
Ferntree Gully Hotel
1130 Burwood Highway, Ferntree Gully, VIC
w/ Fair to Midland and Twelve Foot Ninja.
Tickets: http://deadlettercircus.oztix.com.au/
Phonecharge: 1300 762 545. All usual outlets.

Friday 18th May 2012
The HIFI
125 Swanston Street, Melbourne, VIC
w/ Fair to Midland and Twelve Foot Ninja.
Tickets: http://deadlettercircus.oztix.com.au/ or www.moshtix.com.au
Phonecharge: 1300 762 545. All usual outlets.

Saturday 19th May 2012
The Gov
59 Port Road, Adelaide, SA
w/ Fair to Midland and Twelve Foot Ninja.
Tickets: http://deadlettercircus.oztix.com.au/ , www.moshtix.com.au orwww.venuetix.com.au
Phonecharge: 1300 762 545. All usual outlets.

Wednesday 23rd May 2012
The Patch
Princes Highway, Fairy Meadow (Wollongong), NSW
w/ Fair to Midland and Twelve Foot Ninja.
Tickets: http://deadlettercircus.oztix.com.au/
Phonecharge: 1300 762 545. All usual outlets.

Thursday 24th May 2012
Zierholz @UC
7/19-25 Kembla Street, Canberra, ACT
w/ Fair to Midland and Twelve Foot Ninja.
Tickets: http://deadlettercircus.oztix.com.au/
Phonecharge: 1300 762 545. All usual outlets.

Friday 25th May 2012
The HIFI
Building 220, 122 Lang Road, Moore Park, Sydney, NSW
w/ Fair to Midland and Twelve Foot Ninja.
Tickets: http://deadlettercircus.oztix.com.au/ or www.moshtix.com.au
Phonecharge: 1300 762 545. All usual outlets.

Saturday 26th May 2012
The Entrance Leagues Club
3 Bay Village Rd, The Entrance, NSW
w/ Fair to Midland and Twelve Foot Ninja.
Tickets: http://deadlettercircus.oztix.com.au/
Phonecharge: 1300 762 545. All usual outlets.

Sunday 27th May 2012
The Cambridge
789 Hunter Street, Newcastle, NSW
w/ Fair to Midland and Twelve Foot Ninja.
Tickets: http://deadlettercircus.oztix.com.au/ or www.moshtix.com.au
Phonecharge: 1300 762 545. All usual outlets.

Wednesday 30th May 2012
The Hoey Moey
90 Ocean Parade, Coffs Harbour, NSW
w/ Fair to Midland and Twelve Foot Ninja.
Tickets: http://deadlettercircus.oztix.com.au/
Phonecharge: 1300 762 545. All usual outlets.

Thursday 31st May 2012
Hotel Great Northern
35-43 Jonson Street, Byron Bay, NSW
w/ Fair to Midland and Twelve Foot Ninja.
Tickets: http://deadlettercircus.oztix.com.au/
Phonecharge: 1300 762 545. All usual outlets.

Friday 1st June 2012
The Spotted Cow
296 Ruthven Street , Toowoomba, QLD
w/ Fair to Midland and Twelve Foot Ninja.
Tickets: http://deadlettercircus.oztix.com.au/
Phonecharge: 1300 762 545. All usual outlets.

Saturday 2nd June 2012
The HIFI
125 Boundary Street, West End, Brisbane, QLD
w/ Fair to Midland and Twelve Foot Ninja.
Tickets: http://deadlettercircus.oztix.com.au/ or www.moshtix.com.au
Phonecharge: 1300 762 545. All usual outlets.

Thursday 7th June 2012
Brothers Leagues Club
99/105 Anderson Street, Manunda, Cairns, QLD
w/ Fair to Midland and Twelve Foot Ninja.
Tickets: http://deadlettercircus.oztix.com.au/
Phonecharge: 1300 762 545. All usual outlets.

Friday 8th June 2012
The Venue
719 Flinders Street , Townsville, QLD
w/ Fair to Midland and Twelve Foot Ninja.
Tickets: http://deadlettercircus.oztix.com.au/
Phonecharge: 1300 762 545. All usual outlets.

Saturday 9th June 2012
Magnums
366 Shute Harbour Road, Airlee Beach, QLD
w/ Fair to Midland and Twelve Foot Ninja.
Tickets: http://deadlettercircus.oztix.com.au/
Phonecharge: 1300 762 545. All usual outlets.

Sunday 10th June 2012
Kings Beach Tavern
43 Burgess Street , Caloundra, QLD
w/ Fair to Midland and Twelve Foot Ninja.
Tickets: http://deadlettercircus.oztix.com.au/
Phonecharge: 1300 762 545. All usual outlets.

I am stunned. I truly am.

I began watching this video under the impression that I’d quickly bookmark it in favour of sleep. It’s now 3.30am, and I watched the whole damn thing.

This is real art. This is two people sitting down at a couple of pianos, making music that speaks to the heart. Music that makes you feel something. Justin Vernon and Sean Carey reinterpret these Bon Iver songs (and a Bonnie Raitt cover) with such poise and artistry – in such a genuine manner – that it’s impossible to not be captivated by their performance.

I don’t care how many generalisations I’m about to make – no matter what I say, there will always be an exception and someone to argue it. But it doesn’t matter how many “fans” any superficial dance-floor “Yeah-I’m-out-getting-smashed-off-my-face-and-trying-to-have-sex-with-everyone” popstar has. It really doesn’t. It’s one thing to make people dance and give in to basic primal urges, but it’s another thing entirely to make people feel. It’s another thing to stir emotions so complex and diverse, so powerful and evocative, that no two people ever respond in quite the same way. Which is why artists like Bon Iver, who can do just that, will always be valued – even if it may not be by the majority. This music will mean much, much more, to Bon Iver’s fans, than any of that other music ever will. Because at the end of the day, this is music that makes a real connection. It speaks to something more lasting in all of us.

Do yourself a favour. Shut out any distractions, dim the lights, and spend 25 minutes watching this. You won’t regret it.

Setlist:
1. Hinnom, TX
2. Wash.
3. I Can’t Make You Love Me
4. Babys
5. Beth/Rest

The Drums just released the video for “Days” – the third single from Portamento, the well-received 2011 follow-up to their debut. The moody black and white aesthetic suits it perfectly. About halfway through it starts to fill out with more layers – building upon that basic foundation The Drums so often lay down – and it’s here that the repetition starts to work.

Vocalist Jonathan Pierce explains the track below:

“The song is about that moment when you realize that you are someone different from what you once were. Different needs, different desires. Different hopes and fears.”

Check out Danish producer Trentemøller’s remix of it below as well! Trentemøller has always seemed like a fairly talented guy in my books, and this remix only supports that view. I’m not even sure which version of the track I like more!

You thought “Simple Man” was good? Daniel Merriweather sure did an excellent job on the guest vocals for that one, but wow – take a listen to this!

Hearing “Running It” for the first time is almost akin to the first time I heard Underworld’s “Scribble” - it’s a pretty special feeling. The production sounds so crisp and balanced, thanks to the work from Styalz Fuego. The composition lands on this beautiful divide between toe-tapping dance and a subtle melancholy. This has so much potential to be a hit for 2012 – and if it isn’t remixed the hell out of by the end of the year, I’ll eat my metaphorical hat. You’d do well to get on it now.

They’ve also announced the “Running to Shine Tour”, alongside Joelistics (also of renowned hip-hop group TZU!), and will be going all around the country in March! Check out the dates below.

Friday 9 March – The Annandale, Sydney (18+)
Tickets from www.annandalehotel.com / 02 9550 1078

Saturday 10 March – Great Northern, Newcastle (18+)
Tickets www.oztix.com.au

Sunday 11 March – Transit Bar, Canberra (18+)
Tickets from www.moshtix.com.au

Saturday 17 March – Corner Hotel, Melbourne (18+)
Tickets from www.cornerhotel.com

Saturday 24/25 March – The Hills Are Alive Festival, Victoria (Aa)
Tickets from www.thehillsarealive.com.au

Thursday 29 March – Prince Of Wales, Bunbury (18+)
Tickets from www.heatseeker.com.au & www.oztix.com.au

Friday 30 March – Bar 120, Hillarys, Wa (18+)
Tickets from www.heatseeker.com.au & www.oztix.com.au

Saturday 31 March – Hyde Park Hotel, Perth (18+)
Tickets from www.heatseeker.com.au & www.oztix.com.au

Sunday 1 April – Norfolk Basement, Fremantle (18+)
Tickets from www.heatseeker.com.au & www.oztix.com.au

Thursday 5 April – The Gov, Adelaide (18+)
Tickets from www.thegov.com.au & www.venuetix.com.au

Sunday 8 April – Republic Bar, Hobart (18+)
Tickets from www.republicbar.com.au & www.moshtix.com.au

Thursday 12 April – Beach Hotel, Byron Bay (18+)
FREE SHOW

Friday 13 April – Alhambra Lounge, Brisbane (18+)
Tickets from www.oztix.com.au

Saturday 14 April – Sol Bar, Maroochydore (18+)
Tickets from www.oztix.com.au

It may not be my favourite track from Hello Sadness, but it’s undeniable that “Songs About Your Girlfriend” was the perfect choice for the next single. It has a brilliant guitar hook, a shout-along chorus, and is the stereotypical 3.5 minute length for a single.

The video is one of their best as well. It does a great job of creating that seedy nightclub atmosphere, and the band look really quite professional in it. Let’s be honest though – Tom’s mask is a piece of art. That creepy smile adds a small dab of humour to make it all work. Kudos to director David Spearing (and the others who worked on it!) for doing such an excellent job.

And of course, the band decided to release it on Valentine’s Day – the cheek! Check it out below.

Today the video for Childish Gambino’s latest single – “Heartbeat” – was released. The dance-floor kicks give the track a club atmosphere, but it’s hard to imagine any DJ touching this one. “Heartbeat” talks of rekindling flames with an ex who has moved on, and the jealously and mind-games that go with the territory.

It’s shot nicely, and while the concept might not be as captivating as the video for “Bonfire”, it does a good job of telling the story.

Check it out below. If you want to watch it without the dirty lyrics, you can try this video, but we all know how VEVO like to be difficult with regional restrictions.

It’s been a busy few months for Birmingham punx Johnny Foreigner. Between all of the work put into their latest album – Johnny Foreigner Vs Everything - they’ve played launch shows, released singles and an EP, and visited Japan. But that isn’t going to slow them down one bit.

Recently it was announced that their label, Alcopop, will be releasing a double 12″ vinyl of Vs Everything! The album itself will take up 3 sides of it, while the 4th side will bring together all of the b-sides from the singles. Pre-orders will be available from March, and what’s potentially the most exciting thing about all of this is:

“… the first 100 preorders will recieve a totally unique present and an some instructions on what to do with it. This is going to be most grandiose/stupid interactive art thing we’ve ever done, will tell more soon.”

Jump over here to check out the upcoming gigs they’re playing. They’re kind of redoing their launch parties too, and from what I heard, they’d be well worth getting along to.

On top of all of this, they’ve recently thrown a new track up on SoundCloud called “(small fraud)”. It’s from the Vs Everything album sessions, and it’s a spoken-word piece against a busy, whirring, electronic back-drop. Most bands can’t pull this stuff off, but Alexei’s ability to turn a phrase can’t be rivalled by many, and it kind of works for them.

Take a listen below! And if the SoundCloud downloads are all gone, grab it for free here!

Michigan post-hardcore rockers La Dispute are heading over our way for a full-scale tour in… well, to be honest they’re here right now! They’re playing a number of shows around the country, and will no doubt be bringing out material from their latest record Wildlife.

Tickets are pretty cheap, and from what I hear, their live shows are impeccable. Full of energy and raw emotion, I don’t think you’ll want to miss these shows – even if their unique style of screamo isn’t your kind of thing.

11/02/12 – Sydney, Annandale Hotel (supported by: Between The Devil & The Deep + Perspectives). Matinee performance. All ages. Tickets.

11/02/12 – Sydney, Annandale Hotel (supported by: Animal Shapes + Making). 18+. Tickets.

13/02/12 – Canberra, The Basement (supported by: Life & Limb + Mornings). 18+. Tickets.

15/02/12 – Perth, Amplifier (supported by: Vanity + The Love Junkies). 18+. Tickets.

16/02/12 – Perth, YMCA HQ (supported by: Only Hope + Statues). All ages. Tickets.

17/02/12 – Adelaide, Fowlers Live (supported by: Paper Arms + Weightless). Licensed/All ages. Tickets.

18/02/12 – Melbourne, Corner Hotel (supported by: Harmony + Hoodlum Shouts). 18+. [SOLD OUT]

19/02/12 – Melbourne, Corner Hotel (supported by: Infinite Void + White Walls). Matinee performance. Under 18′s only. Tickets.

20/02/12 – Melbourne, East Brunswick Club (supported by: The Smith Street Band + Palisades). 18+. Tickets.

21/02/12 – Brisbane, Between The Walls (supported by: Little Shadow + Make More). All ages. Tickets.

Listen to “The Most Beautiful Bitter Fruit” from Wildlife below!

Almost surprisingly, I’ve always had a bit of a soft spot for this Rihanna tune. It probably has something to do with Calvin Harris being on board, because as far as musicians that can hit a beat go, he’s well and truly up there.

So I jumped at the chance to check out a remix of the track, by none other than Star Slinger – the UK producer who’s been making waves since mid-2010 – and who it’s taken me far too long to notice. This glitchy reinterpretation (not a remix, but a “refix” according to his SoundCloud page) singles out Rihanna’s chorus while putting a much more dominating beat behind it – one of those exciting beats that encourages dancing, but still has that dangerous edge that could throw you.

Check it out and grab a download below!

Also worth checking out is his Childish Gambino remix!