just visit www.riotactmedia.com!

Jubilant happy new beginnings to you, friends. MUCH going down in the RA camp….read on for details, and contact Joan (at) riotactmedia dot com for any and all requests, questions, and/or life advice you may need! ONWARD, ALPHABETICALLY:

ALL SMILES: Grandaddy alum Jim Fairchild is back with not one, but TWO stunning follow-ups to 2007's critically-acclaimed Ten Readings of A Warning (quoth Pitchfork: "It is a deeply ruminative and powerful collection.") Fairchild will be playing some upcoming dates with Modest Mouse in advance of his new EP (title TBA), which will be available digitally worldwide and physically at his shows—his also-as-yet-untitled new LP is slated for an early April self-release. Look for themes of entropy, inequity, strong love, and hope! Review copies available soon; put your requests in now.

LEONARD MYNX: This April, our bro Leonard is self-releasing his stunning debut LP, Vesper; the thing was expertly produced and recorded in the world-renowned Type Foundry studios in Portland under the watchful eye of Adam Selzer (Norfolk & Western, M.Ward)—check his upcoming Cali, Oregon and Colorado dates on our TOURS PAGE, and hit us up for review copies asap.

LOCH LOMOND: The epic chamber cinema pop septet has been putting final touches on their upcoming LP, Little Me Will Start A Storm (label & release date TBA), and has shows in Seattle and Tacoma, WA later this month—the band is also touring out to SXSW this year, and rest assured that we here at the RAM will keep you mega-posted on that.

NICK JAINA: If you haven't seen new Riot Act family member Nick Jaina live, please do at least watch this video of his troubadoury tremendousness (courtesy of our pals at Hush Records): http://vimeo.com/2292788. The busking-prone legend and his myriad band of crackerjack musicians will be raging through the entire US this spring in support of '08's brilliant A Narrow Way, as well as for '08's Wool, which NPR called a "foreboding collection of acoustic songs that seem to drift in on the ether….haunting undertones made of bowed cymbals and resonating bells. It's a beautiful mix." Dates to follow.

ORIGAMI GHOSTS: Lucky Seattlites will get to see OG play the CD release show for the brand new Short Momentum LP (Hand to Media) on the 30th of the month at the High Dive! Songwriter Jean Paul Scesniak and co. are embarking on a big ol' west coast tour this February; there is still promo available, so let us know! Go, Origami Ghosts, go!

SCREAMING FEMALES: New Brunswick's favorite bombastic shredders are working on a highly-anticipated, sure-to-be-bananas-rad video for "Bell", the lead track on their upcoming Power Move LP (Don Giovanni Records.) Marissa Paternoster & co. have several upcoming dates in the northeast this January and February, and are psyched to announce their upcoming March dates with Throwing Muses---you want to request your promo of Power Move now, before those suckers are all gone!

THE LIFE AND TIMES: The Chicago Reader just summed up why you should be salivating in anticipation of TLAT's upcoming LP, Tragic Boogie (Arena Rock, out this April): "A power trio with an emphasis on the power, they make muscular, sprawling rock in the midwestern tradition, specifically the school of Husker Du and Slint. Fans of Shiner, front man Allen Epley's previous band, will recognize the music's seismic dynamic shifts, big hooks, and postgrunge crunchiness, all effected with big amps and numerous pedals." The band's got some Midwestern dates on tap this month, and are hot on the heels of their sold-out New Year's Eve show at Chicago's Double Door (reportedly, tickets were being eBayed for upwards of $300.)

THE RHOMBUS: New Riot Act pals The Rhombus are looking forward to a two week-long west coast tour this March, which will coincide with the rad release of their bonkers, catchy and tremendous-as-all-heck Ladders EP (Public School Records, out late March.) We'll keep you up to date on all things Rhombusesque until then!

RIGHT ON! PR: This month, former Riot Act publicist extraordinaire Sheila Breen Kenny is announcing the formation and launch of her very own superrad publicity firm, Right On! PR! Working with Sheila has been a total blessing and inspiration, and we are so psyched for her and her tremendous new venture—the Austin-based firm will represent the entire Olivia Wingate Artists comedy roster (look for Eugene Mirman's amazing new book!), Matt & Kim, Brasstronaut, and more! Her website is underway at www.rightonpr.com, and you can contact Sheila for all your publicity needs at Sheila@rightonpr.com. Madd love, and hi-fives galore!

THE TRADITIONIST: Everyone's chomping at the bit for the March 9th release of The Traditionist's Season to Season (Better Looking Records/Banter Records), but there's goodness to be had before then, in the form of a ton of great west coast shows this January! If you're in Cali, you're in the luck—check our tours page, and you'll be in the know as well. Promo available!

VALLEY OF THE VAPORS INDEPENDENT MUSIC FESTIVAL: Riot Act is so honored to announce that we're handling this year's VOV festival—for those not in the know, the Valley of the Vapors Independent Music Festival is one of the most unique and innovative fests going on in the 'States today---it takes place on March 17th-22nd, all in one small, volunteer-run venue in the unspeakably gorgeous Hot Springs National Park in Hot Springs, Arkansas. This year's lineup includes Monotonix (Drag City), The Queers (Asian Man), Pink Spiders (Geffen), AIDS Wolf (Lovepump United), Headlights (Polyvinyl), Poison Arrows (File 13), Teenage Bottlerocket (Red Scare) and more! Stay tuned for all things VOV-related.

WEINLAND: New Riot Act champions Weinland are almost done wrapping up their new LP (Title TBD, release date this April) for Badman Records, and they've got a bevy of Oregonian tour dates set up to support this incredible, luscious release. The songs are beyond stunning live, so if you're within, say, 300,832,922 miles of a Weinland show, for the love of all that is good in the world, GO. Start requesting your promo now, and best believe that we will keep you in the know about all things going on with master songwriter Adam Shearer and his madcap gang of master musicologists.

A BASKET OF HAPPY SUPERDUPER NEW YEAR TRIPLEWISHES TO ALL Y'ALL.

XO Joan Hiller Depper, Esq., LLC

HELLO​!​ Do you live in Portl​and,​ OR? Do you have a lapto​p?​ Are you rad? Are you colle​ge-​aged and wanti​ng to learn​ all about​ indep​enden​t music​/​comed​y/​film PR? Would​ you have 3-4 hours​ per week,​ one day a week,​ in which​ to bring​ yours​elf and your lapto​p to me and help me whils​t learn​ing a sweet​ skill​ in the meant​ime?​ GET IN TOUCH​!​

Riot Act'​s Portl​and offic​e is seeki​ng a PR inter​n-​-​the inter​nship​ is unpai​d,​ but you'​ll get guest​ list to Riot Act shows​,​ free CDs, exper​ience​,​ and a nice refer​ence for futur​e jobs.​

We'​re looki​ng for someo​ne to start​ the third​ week of Janua​ry,​ and the inter​nship​ spans​ until​ mid-​March​.​ Pleas​e do hit me up at joan (at) riota​ctmed​ia.​ com!

THANK​S!​
xo joan & riot act.

Merry yuletide, l'chaim and joyous mistlefruitcakes to you, chums! 2008's been a banner year for us here at Riot Act, and we couldn't be prouder or happier to have worked with all of the amazing bands, comedians and artists who've graced our roster this year (for a full list of '08 RAM-repped releases, pls check the end of this newsletter!) This December and into Winter 2009, there's much going on with our incredible new clients SCREAMING FEMALES, MODERNBOYS MODERNGIRLS, LEONARD MYNXand THE TRADITIONIST, as well as for comedians EUGENE MIRMAN, MATT MCCARTHY, JOHN ROBERTS, JACQUELINE NOVAK, KUMAIL NANJIANI and GRACE PARRA, AND AND AND for ace musicologists MATT AND KIM, AT THE SPINE, LOCH LOMOND, ORIGAMI GHOSTSand STARFLYER 59. Read on, and know that Riot Act Media is sending you the warmest of holiday fuzzies with our minds, telepathy-style.


Oh NYC, you are in luck! Modernboys Moderngirls have chosen you to host their US stage debut next month! MBMG released their hot debut, I Might As Well Break It in Canada this spring, but before they even had a record released, the band had gained so many fans and so much attention that they were invited to play alongside huge acts at NXNE and Canadian Music Week. Led by the songwriting of vocalist Akira Alemany, MBMG unleash a rock n roll that is part soul and part garage, a little Reigning Sound fury with Franz Ferdinand drive. I Might As Well Break It was mixed by Ryan Mils (Born Ruffians), the US release of the LP will see two bonus tracks added on to the already outstanding album which made its way into the CBC Radio Top 10 earlier this year. Get an early listen and make an appearance in the mini-documentary they are filming at their two shows: Jan 2 @ Arlene's Grocery and Jan 3 @ Trash Bar!
Contact Sheila (at) riotactmedia.com.


HOLY WOW, we get to work with Screaming Females! The band is currently in the studio recording Power Move, their new full-length for Don Giovanni. More news is on its way soon regarding the release, as well as an upcoming Don Giovanni showcase this spring and some sweet Screaming Females shows with Throwing Muses. Athens weekly Flagpole just summed up yr typical. Screaming Females show quite nicely: "The Screaming Females of New Brunswick, NJ are one of those bands that people watch with their jaws on the floor, only tearing their eyes away from the stage to look at each other to confirm they are seeing the same thing. So you've got a very Minutemen-y rhythm section (in their more straightforward moments) backing up a frontwoman named Marissa Paternoster. Let's get the insignificant details out of the way: Ms. Paternoster stands no taller than five feet. She is very much like Prince in this respect; also, she shreds like a motherfucker. We're talking old-fashioned, blues-based all-out wailing, with some Greg Ginn-inspired noise thrown in for good measure. And her voice? Forget it: quavering throaty moans punctuated by utter shrieks. The Screaming Females are the perfect cross pollination of guitar-god heroics and DIY basement fun, and they do a ripping Neil Young cover. If that's not enough for you, you are uninvited to my birthday party."

http://www.screamingfemales.com

http://www.myspace.com/screamingfemales

http://www.dongiovanni.com

http://www.myspace.com/dongiovanni

Contact Joan (at) riotactmedia.com.


Hot off their Fall headlining tour, Matt and Kim are taking a well-deserved yet short break before heading back out for more shows in December, all of which are a mere $5! To say that the response to their upcoming Grand full length has been awesome would be an understatement. The album is so very Matt and Kim - together they recorded it in Matt's childhood bedroom with Matt self-producing- and their fans as well as critics are loving it! FADER will release Grand early next year and a spring tour has been announced, but we'll have many more shows coming up so keep an eye on the tours page. And then go see Matt and Kim!
Contact Sheila (at) riotactmedia.com.


Seattle's At The Spine are kicking off a superrad west coast tour December 19th in Portland, and they'll be hurling jams at you from this year's Vita full-length (Global Seepej)…if you're in Oregon, Washington, Cali or Arizona, you're in luck. Get out to those shows, and chat with genius frontman Mike Toschi about his experiences teaching overseas!
Contact Joan (at) riotactmedia.com.


Wow, Leonard Mynx! Portland's got it going on like crazy-style these days, and Leonard Mynx is part of why. Dude recently finished recording his amazing debut full-length with Adam Selzer (Norfolk & Western, M. Ward) at Type Foundry in PDX; it draws from the history of American music and American history in general, and waxes poetic on the long tradition of communication through song. Shunning the graveyards, prisons and diseases that plague much of present society, the music of Leonard Mynx is a celebration of life! Stunning, rad. More news regarding the album and dates soon.
Contact Joan (at) riotactmedia.com.


Origami Ghosts' "Short Momentum" is getting some supercool critical praise (Synthesis calls the record "a contagious collection of well-crafted songs", and Boise Weekly notes that "singer and founder JP Scesniak's high, haunting voice stands out against a beautiful backdrop of cello, guitar and sparse drums"), and they're planning their next US tour as we speak—ye shall have all the news where that's concerned; just check this site!
Contact Joan (at) riotactmedia.com.


Just when you think you know about everything and everyone out there, you come across something like The Traditionist that reaffirms any doubts yr cynical mind may've had about there being new, great musicmakers yet to be discovered. Songcrafter Joey Barro is crazy prolific, and will have several releases throughout '09 and '10, the first of which is dropping hotly on Better Looking Records later this winter. Produced by the Mother Hips' Tim Bluhm, this batch of songs was brought to fruition over the course of a year with Bluhm's help. Barro is now in the studio recording the album's follow-up with Bluhm, and Superchunk/Mountain Goats/New Pornographers/Robert Pollard drummer extraordinaire Jon Wurster is slammin' down the beats.
Contact Joan (at) riotactmedia.com.


So many exciting things are happening for Portland's own Loch Lomond, who are hott off a US tour with The Decemberists. The new full-length is now titled Little Me Will Start A Storm, and the band will have release news before too long, along with upcoming touring updates. For now, lucky Portlanders can check the band as they play with Blind Pilot at The Aladdin on December 17th. Not only that, they've just recorded a Future Sounds session with WOXY, which you can here >right here!

visit Loch Lomond's MySpace page!
Contact Joan (at) riotactmedia.com.


Starflyer 59 has just released the gorgeous, somber, huge-sounding Dial M For Martin, and it's got the critics abuzz. The Blah Blah says the album "fires on all cylinders", and Copious Notes, err, notes that the band is "creating some of the most well-crafted, imaginative rock" of the past decade, and YouthWorker says that the album "clears the bar with room to spare".
Contact Joan (at) riotactmedia.com.


COMEDY ROSTER NEWS:


Eugene Mirman. What can't he do? First of all, he hosts the amazingly awesome Tearing The Veil Of Maya show every Sunday at Union Hall (don't miss the upcoming holiday show!!), he has an insanely funny book 'The Will To Whatevs. A Guide To Modern Life', coming out in February, will be performing a multitude of shows at Comix in January, and he has just relaunched his website with a ton of fun, new, original content, including "The Incidents of Eugene Mirman" blog, new videos, phone calls, Eugene's advice column, "The All Night Party Think Tank League", a place to pre-order the book and more!
http://eugenemirman.com
Contact Sheila (at) riotactmedia.com.


New York based artist/comedian/musician John Roberts has two upcoming NYC performances that you'll be sorry to miss. The John Roberts Holiday Show is set for Dec 17 & 18 at Comix, and his performance will include his original characters, many of whom are featured in his massively popular short films. If you haven't seen his brand new Jackie and Debra short, (which just recently went live and has over 23k views on YouTube alone) you should do it right now!

Jackie + Debra - Stephanie Berger: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Z3Ta(NC510&fmt=18
Contact Sheila (at) riotactmedia.com.


If you aren't familiar with Jacqueline Novak, it's high time you get that way! If you're in NYC, you have an opportunity every Sunday, when Novak co-hosts a comedy night at Piano's called President Johnson with Greg Johnson; each show starts at 7:30, and past guests have included Todd Barry, John Roberts, Jim Gaffigan, Lynn Shawcroft, Bonnie MacFarlane, Tom McCaffrey, Demetri Martin, Rob Cantrell, Hannibal Buress, Mike Birbiglia and more.
Contact Joan (at) riotactmedia.com.


Another great comedy night, Fatsmiles, is happening again on December 4th at Joe's Pub in NYC! This installment features Eugene Mirman, Hannibal Burress, Kumail Nanjiani and Robin Ince, and you DO NOT want to miss it.
Contact Joan (at) riotactmedia.com.


Matt McCarthy will be performing brand new, never before seen original stand up next month at The Upright Citizens Brigade Theater on Dec 18th at 8pm. What can you expect from Matt McCarthy? His sketches let loose original, unrelenting roller coaster performances that needs to be seen to believed. His routines are full of manic absurdity, inimitable deadpan, and scathing satires of convention, expectations, and the decorative fantasy stores in the mall. And it all feels like he's performing just for you.
Contact Sheila (at) riotactmedia.com.


Grace Parra has a side-splitting, hard-hitting new video investigating exactly what it takes to be (drumroll)….a soccer mom. Directed by NBC producer Chad Wollett and shot in California, Parra goes straight to the source. Moms are interviewed. Kids are interviewed. More moms and more kids are interviewed. And Grace, champion that she is, UNLOCKS THE SECRET OF THE SOCCER MOM! Watch! Share!
http://www.vimeo.com/2291788
Contact Joan (at) riotactmedia.com.


Kumail Nanjiani spent the first 18 years of his life growing up in Pakistan, then made the natural transition to Iowa where he attended Grinnell College. He was so excited to leave Iowa four years later that he moved to Chicago, where he immediately started performing comedy--and before long, he found himself hailed as one of Chicago's rising comic talents. After being spotted performing at Empty Bottle, Chicago's Lakeshore Theater commissioned Kumail's oustanding one man comedy performance "Unpronounceable" directed by Paul Provenza (director of The Aristocrats). After performing "Unpronounceable" through a successful New York run this spring, Kumail will bring his critically acclaimed one man show to The Upright Citizens Brigade Theater for an exclusive Los Angelesengagement on January 22.
Contact Sheila (at) riotactmedia.com.


There's more excitement to come…until then, frivolity and eggnogs to you!


Love,


Joan and Sheila

PS: DO NOT FORGET TO CONSIDER THE RELEASES WE WORKED ON FOR YR YEAR-END LISTS!

Adem, "Takes" (Domino)

All Girl Summer Fun Band, "Looking Into It" (AGSFB Music)

Alina Simone, "Everyone Is Crying Out To Me, Beware" (54/40 or Fight!)

At The Spine, "Vita" (Global Seepej)

The Bellrays, "Hot, Sweet & Sticky" (Anodyne)

Bird Names, "Open Relationship" (Unsound)

Brighton, MA, "Amateur Lovers" (Loose Tooth)

The Coast, "Expatriate" (Aporia)

Fences, "Ultimate Puke EP"

Glorytellers, "s/t" (Southern)

The Hard Lessons, "B&G Sides" (Quack)

The Interiors, "s/t" (54/40 or Fight!)

Little Pieces, "s/t" (One Eleven Records)

Love You Moon, "Waxwane" (Sargent House)

Maps and Atlases, "You and Me and the Mountain" (Sargent House)

Miss TK and the Revenge, "No Biterz"

Musee Mechanique, "Hold This Ghost" (Frog Stand)

Neva Dinova, "You May Already Be Dreaming" (Saddle Creek)

Origami Ghosts, "Short Momentum"

Polite Sleeper, "Seens" (Sabotage)

Say Hi, "The Wishes and the Glitch" (Euphobia Records)

The Seabellies, "Prairie"

Starflyer 59, "Dial M for Murder" (Tooth and Nail)

Stepsonday, "s/t" (One Eleven Records)

Women, "s/t" (Jagjaguwar)

The leaves are turning, the candy's on sale, and the many—splendored fruits of our artists' labors are being harvested this month at Riot Act! Holy stromboli, is there lots to talk about.

Portlanders are lucky, because on October 18th, ALL GIRL SUMMER FUN BAND is playing their record release show for their brand—new, self—released full length, Looking Into It, at Backspace! AGSFB aren't going to be playing many shows, so get yrself to this one in order to see jams from the record about which Pitchfork noted, "AGSFB are at their best when blowing through their songs with freight—train velocity, bouncing along with their plucky bass throb and joyously wild drumming". Contact joan [at] riotactmedia.com.

THE COAST just wrapped their US tour (which included shows with buddies Tokyo Police Club, Dressy Bessy and Born Ruffians ) in support of their amazing first full length, Expatriate, and now have their sights set on Europe where they are off to next! Fear not though, the four Toronto gents will be back for some more US shows, including CMJ and some early November dates. Contact sheila [at] riotactmedia.com.

Get ready, America. THE SEABELLIES are soon to make their debut on your shores! The six piece from New South Wales, Australia are anxious to
arrive in NYC for their first shows for US audiences. The Seabellies, who have played down under with the likes of Beck and Gnarls Barkley and who The Herald call "An incredibly entertaining live act" and Beat Magazine say play "Fevered pop with a fierce romantic heart" have a nice line up of shows during CMJ and will be sharing stages with Blackstrap and Radio 4. This is the band you will be talking about that you saw "back when". Promise. Contact sheila [at] riotactmedia.com.

Jagjaguwar artists WOMEN release their self—titled debut full—length on October 7th, and have a massive number of worldwide tour dates booked in support of the release! The band is set to tour the US this October and November, playing some dates with Dungen, King Khan & BBQ Show, The Pains of Being Pure at Heart and The Beets. Listen to their "Black Rice" single at Myspace , and understand why Pitchfork says of the band, "noisy jangle straddles the 1960s' divide between the Warhol crowd's speed—addled New York cynicism and the echoes of psychedelic San Francisco that bubbled up across the pond in the fey, catchy pop of UK groups like the Zombies." Contact joan [at] riotactmedia.com.

STARFLYER 59 are releasing their newest full—length, Dial M For Murder, on Tooth and Nail October 28th! Songwriter Jason Martin's newest is perhaps his most personal and introspective record to date; it's Starflyer 59 at its heart—on—sleeve—wearing finest. It's somber, reflective, mournful and hopeful, and is heavy on the analog keys and synths, with only sprinkles of acoustic guitar. Dates will be announced soon, so stay tuned! Contact joan [at] riotactmedia.com.

Happy Record Release Week, MUSÉE MÉCANIQUE! 'Hold This Ghost' is now available on Frog Stand Records and the Portland group is on tour now in support of it. Reports from the road find Musee Mecanique and their stageful of glockenspiels, accordions, pianos, musical saws, strings, woodwinds, and garage synthesizers inspiring awe from the audiences. A "Dreamlike" album (Venus) and equally breathtaking live show "Like the French duo Air, Musée Mécanique creates far—reaching songs out of a host of disparate instruments" (Willamette Week). Contact sheila [at] riotactmedia.com.

AT THE SPINE are about to play their record release show for Vita (Global Seepej) on October 10th at the Sunset in their hometown of Seattle! Seattle Weekly explains of the record, which was crafted after singer Mike Toschi experienced the trials and tribulations of living in Europe as a Bush administration—era American, "Just as the European lifestyle moves at a slower pace than Americans are accustomed to, crossing continents slowed things down for At the Spine frontman Mike Toschi as well. Vita is definitely the band's quietest record to date, and while the revolutionary, introspective lyrics and badass breakdowns are still present, they, too, travel at a more leisurely pace." More dates should be announced soon! Contact joan [at] riotactmedia.com.

POLITE SLEEPER are playing in Brooklyn at Southpaw on October 15th before heading off to Europe! You don't want to miss the band, a post—folk mess with a live reputation that shakes like Elvis. From folk to country and the proud scars of punk, the band turns soft lullabies and the occasional sing—a—long into a spectacle no one ever expects from an acoustic trio. Check our TOURS PAGE for more info! Contact joan [at] riotactmedia.com.

Hey NY peeps! Tune in to Good Day New York / Fox 5 Thursday, October 2 to catch the amazing John Roberts. You know him from his brilliant YouTube sketches, and I almost guarantee you have forwarded his videos to your friends, including Kelly "Let me borrow that top!" and "Shoes!" and his Emmy and Christmas Tree—proud Mom——now you'll see the brilliant talent behind the wigs. And joining him on—set? His Mom! Contact sheila [at] riotactmedia.com.

Comedian Reggie Watts was just featured in the "Genius" issue of Esquire, on newsstands 11/1! Look for him at Joe's Pub in NYC on October 12th with Kristen Schaal. More news on Reggie coming soon! Contact joan [at] riotactmedia.com.

FENCES are set to self—release their debut, "The Ultimate Puke EP", which is a hauntingly beautiful thing, expertly and effortlessly written. Conjured and recorded in songwriter Chris Mansfield's apartment, each song is plaintive and soulfully raw in the way the best spontaneous songs are—they're melodies with immediacy and urgency. You can hear just how close the mouth is to the mic on "The Knees": Mansfield is near whisper as his beloved slept in the adjacent room. Quiet and delicate though some parts of Fences' music may be, the music is a stark contrast to Chris's seemingly tough exterior. More shows will be announced soon—for now, their CD release show is October 2nd at Chop Suey in Seattle! Their powerful, intimate, tough live show is not to be missed. Contact joan [at] riotactmedia.com.

BRIGHTON, MA will be kicking off their tour on October 11 with a huge Record Release Show at Chicago's Metro! Led by the incredible Matt Kerstein (Scotland Yard Gospel Choir), who Chicago Innerview recently noted "has always been one of the most talented songwriters in Chicago,
bar none", Brighton MA have announced tour dates in support of their debut full length, 'Amateur Lovers' which includes a stop at the DayTrotter studios to record a session. Until the album's Oct 28 release, you can help yourself to a free download of the single "Underground" at the band's site and check out their Rhapsody Originals. Contact sheila [at] riotactmedia.com.

Funny lady Adira Amram is performing a one—woman show called "Adira Amram is: An American Idol" at Ars Nova in NYC October 8th! The show is a Pop Comedy spectacle featuring a live band and real live backup dancers! Donned in outfits that tip the scale of fabulocity, Adira Amram and her gang will rock you. Get ready to get leotarded. Contact joan [at] riotactmedia.com.

If you have not seen THE INTERIORS onstage yet, get thee to their shows! They are on tour now ripping it up on stages across the east and are heading south for their first time. The crowds just keep growing at every show as The Interiors fire through their sets with a guitar—driven ferocity. See for yourself here!
then get to their shows to see for yourself live! Contact sheila [at] riotactmedia.com.

HENRY OWINGS is announcing his first round of appearances on this fall's book tour in support of Chunklet Presents: Henry Owings' ROCK BIBLE (Quirk Books). Aside from having just published the latest (and 20th!) issue of Chunklet, releasing an incredible split 7" from Zach Galifianakis and Ted Leo, and all manner of other awesome endeavors, Henry's hitting Seattle, Portland, Philly, Baltimore, Chicago and other towns soon in support of the book! Also, Chunklet Magazine is throwing down this October for their 15th anniversary ——The 15th Anniversary Shindig Extravaganza Events are to be held October 10 and 11 at the fabulous 40 Watt Club in Athens, Georgia. The first event, on Friday the 10th, will feature comedian Brent Weinback and Deerhunter with special guests Twin Tigers (Athens, GA) and Gentlemen Jesse and His Men (Atlanta, GA). The second night will pair Brian Posehn with Atlanta's Mastodon with special guest LA's It's Casual. Check our TOURS PAGE for details, and order your copy of the Rock Bible now via www.quirkbooks.com! Contact joan [at] riotactmedia.com.

New York, you are lucky to be the host of an amazing concert! October 7th, The Music Hall of Williamsburg will host the BARACKROCK BENEFIT featuring a great number of comedians from Olivia Wingate Artists as well as some awesome music! Performing will be Eugene Mirman, Adira Amram, Kumail Nanjiani, Lizz Winstead, John Roberts, Martin Bisi, The Fiery Furnaces, ALINA SIMONE, Andrew Bird, Guster, Heather Lawless, Les Savy Fav Acoustic Spectacular, Josh Hamilton, and Super Special Secret Musical Guests (order of appearance tba). ALL PROCEEDS GO TO THE OBAMA CAMPAIGN! There'll be the Stage for Change, where 7 Musical Acts and 7 Speaking Acts will be Hyping the Hope. There'll be the Obama Room where you can watch the debate, register to vote, and sign up for Specific Volunteer Actions! Let's make these last days count! Buy Tickets at the Mercury Lounge or MHOW Box Offices, or online. COMEDY! MUSIC! ACTION! Contact sheila [at] riotactmedia.com.

INTIMIDNATION plush artist Laura Granlund has a show in San Francisco opening October 10th called "Monster Rally"! The show, which is at Gallery 1988, is (you guessed it) monster—themed, and is not to be missed. One of Ms. Granlund's pieces is an amazing six—legged plush alligatoresque monster. That same day, Granlund's work will be featured as a Seattle show called "Plush You!" opens. She's created a hilariously wonderful creature called Pucker Duck, which is a multicolored puckering duck made of fleece and felt. Contact joan [at] riotactmedia.com.

SAY HI, aka Eric Elbogen, is currently throwin' down on a full US tour! If you haven't caught him yet as he plays in support of his latest release, The Wishes and The Glitch (Euphobia Records), now's the time indeed. He'll be headed down the east coast, into the south and back up to the pacific northwest this fall! Harp Magazine online said of Say Hi live, "he mixture of electro beats, simple yet catchy sequences and hypnotic drumming combined with Elbogen's tongue in cheek lyrics (who else signs about meeting a girl in the Laundromat and commenting that her "soap technique is pretty ill"?) and flawless delivery made for a great performance." Contact joan [at] riotactmedia.com.

MISS TK AND THE REVENGE are also playing live this month—check our TOURS PAGE for details! If you haven't seen the powerhouse go—go goodness that is MTKR, we urge you to attend. Warning: bring yr dancing shoes; these shows will be total throw—downs. Contact joan [at] riotactmedia.com.

Greetings and Salutations, friends and compatriots! It's September (where did the summer go??), and as per always, we've got tons of news to report from across the roster, detailed below. Plus, we'd love to introduce our newest roster additions, Polite Sleeper, The Seabellies and boutique plush company Intimidnation! Check the Riot Act Blog for even more news--and please note that the Seattle office has now moved to Portland, Oregon!

Those Philly gents in GOOD OLD WAR continue their trek across the States selling out shows all over the place. 'Only Way To Be Alone' debuted in the top 75 in digital sales, the video for the album's first single "Coney Island" is hitting MTV2, MTVu and FUSE. Not to get ahead of ourselves, but last week they shot a video for "Weak Man" which features friend/fan/ tourmate Anthony Green on the record and in the video. You can pick up a copy of 'Only Way To Be Alone' at the show, online, and after Sept 16 you can pick it up in indie stores. Contact sheila [at] riotactmedia.com

Good news, West Coast! ALINA SIMONE is heading your way next month! Rest of the world, the gorgeous vinyl version of 'Everyone Is Crying Out To Me, Beware' will be available Sept 19 via Austin based label Topple Records. Adorned with stunning original artwork by Vladimir Zimakov with gatefold and includes bonus track not found on the cd. Also, look for her Daytrotter session on Sept. 9th! Contact sheila [at] riotactmedia.com.

Seattle's AT THE SPINE are working hard, gearing up for their CD release show for 'Vita' on October 10th at the Sunset in Seattle! The band's headlining the Reverb Fest, and is prepping for a string of dates later this fall. 'Vita', out on Global Seepej, documents singer Mike Toschi's time living and teaching in Europe, where he was assaulted by five males and felt the burden of being an American abroad during the Bush administration. Contact joan [at] riotactmedia.com

ALL GIRL SUMMER FUN BAND's 'Looking Into It' comes out on September 23rd, and boy, have they been getting the love! This is the band's first self-released full-length (it's self-recorded, too!), as well as their most ambitious and, dare we say, lyrically darker record. Still full of AGSFB jams at their rawest, 'Looking Into It' deals with themes of greed, death, getting fired, relationship dynamics and new love. Contact joan [at] riotactmedia.com

BRIGHTON, MA is a band from Chicago led by the magnificent songwriting of Matt Kerstein. They have a record release show happening at The Metro on Oct 11 and a debut lp called 'Amateur Lovers' hitting shelves on Oct 28. Check our tour page for all their dates which includes a stop at CMJ. In the meantime, you'll hear their music on the upcoming Limewire Chicago sampler and if you are an IGO car driver, you'll hear Brighton MA in their stereos alongside Neko Case and Wilco. Contact sheila [at] riotactmedia.com.

We are psyched to work with POLITE SLEEPER, a post-folk mess with a live reputation that shakes like Elvis. From folk to country and the proud scars of punk, the band turns soft lullabies and the occasional sing-a-long into a spectacle no one ever expects from an acoustic trio.

Imagine if John Darnielle of the Mountain Goats fronted Xiu Xiu. Imagine if your next pub fight came with three-part harmonies and jazz precision. It's what happens when a bedroom side-project from former punks develops on the road and in the moment in classic DIY fashion. And with only a keyboard, banjo and pedal steel to round out each record, the Brooklyn-based trio fills up the space with personality alone. It's authentic and honest, emotional and fun. The band has spent most of their touring lives in Europe, but look for them here soon. We'll keep you posted. Contact joan [at] riotactmedia.com

Portland's Musée Mécanique -not to be confused with SF's Musee Mecanique which is not a band- are also looking to the Fall as they map out shows in support of their gorgeous debut lp 'Hold This Ghost' including a record release show Sept 25 @ Holoscene. Early reviews are in and there is a lot of love out there for Musee! The lp drops next month, watch this space for tour dates! Contact sheila [at] riotactmedia.com.

THE INTERIORS just can't stop! They didn't let a thing like a bit of a missing finger stop 'em the day after they signed up to release their LP, and they sure aren't going to stop rockin' like there is no tomorrow! They joined fellow Chicagoans BRIGHTON, MA and Matt & Kim on a bill earlier this month and Rolling Stone was there to capture all of its furious glory. The Interiors are heading back out on tour and you need to go see them and then let us know how only three people can fill a stage with so much sound! Contact sheila [at] riotactmedia.com.

GROK is a band from London with no songs. Every time they perform, they hit the stage with no ideas except for a list of images and the Wheel of Chordal Destiny (no joke, an audience or band member spins said wheel, which determines the key the song is to be played in.) It is risky and there is the potential for it to all go badly wrong, but that is part of the fun, creating something on the spur of the moment. They have an amazing record, also all recorded off the cuff, called "Ruined Music For Everyone", and they are coming to the States soon, look out for dates. Contact joan [at] riotactmedia.com

On tour now in support of the amazing, just-released-in-the-US lp 'Expatriate', THE COAST continue to tear it up onstage on the radio where they are charting in the Top Ten across the States! But it's not all business for this Toronto band who were named by MTV as Canada's Best Kept Secret. Just ask them about playing Rock Band til the wee hours in a hotel parking lot in Des Moines, finding out what mayhem lurks in Denver around the DNC, or hitting the casinos in Vegas with their hard earned per diems. The Coast will continue touring all Fall including CMJ and Europe. Contact sheila [at] riotactmedia.com.

MAPS AND ATLASES continue to tour their behinds off in support of their new EP, "You And Me And The Mountain"; they're going out on their very own headlining tour with labelmates NURSES that kicks off with two shows (early and late, same night) at Schuba's in Chicago on September 6th. After that tour, they're heading to Europe to tour with Foals! See 'em now! Contact joan [at] riotactmedia.com

LA folks are psyched, because LOVE YOU MOON, aka Matt Embree of The Sound of Animals Fighting and RX Bandits, has a rad in-store scheduled for September 10th at Fingerprints. The band's debut, 'Waxwane', is out September 9th on Sargent House, and it's dubby, sociopolitically informed, and stripped-down to just Matt and his guitar. Contact joan [at] riotactmedia.com

SAY HI is going on tour in further support of "The Wishes And The Glitch", and you do not not not want to miss 'em if they're anywhere near you. Eric Elbogen jumps up and down when they play now, and you will, too. Check the tour page, as dates keep getting added! Contact joan [at] riotactmedia.com

MISS TK AND THE REVENGE are set to play some shows in the northeastern US in support of their "No Biterz" single; they'll be rippin' up the stage wherever they go, so stay tuned! Also, listen for the band's music on ABC's Samurai Girl September 5th. Contact joan [at] riotactmedia.com

Astounding Jajaguwar artists WOMEN are getting ready for the release of their eponymous debut, out October 7th. The band's debut was recorded by Sub Pop and Flemish Eye artist Chad VanGaalen over four months on ghettoblasters and old tape machines in his basement, an outdoor culvert and a crawlspace, and it is mindblowing. Tour news soon! Contact joan [at] riotactmedia.com

New band alert!! The Seabellies are planning to hit US shores in October so take note! This New South Wales six piece has been burning up stages across Australia and are looking forward to bringing their Scandinavian stylings to CMJ and beyond. You are destined to hear more from The Seabellies once they are Stateside, but for a head start on this sensational group, head here! Contact sheila [at] riotactmedia.com

Awesome boutique plush company alert!! Intimidnation, founded by Chicago-based plush artist Laura Granlund, is the vehicle through which Granlund has introduced her main creation, an adorably hirsute creature named Mr. Beardsley, amongst others. You may have recently seen her dolls of Portland band The Thermals featured on Pitchfork, or her Dinosaur, Jr. Dinosaur's adventures elsewhere on the interwebs. We're psyched to spread the word, and about her show at Schmancy in Seattle on October 10th! Contact joan [at] riotactmedia.com

Much Love, Joan & Sheila

It's AUGUST! The last month of Summer 2008! AND WE HAVE A BRAND NEW, FRESHLY-REDESIGNED WEBSITE, thanks to web geniuses Matthew Kopel and Michael Szczerban, AKA Doctor Sandwich. Our new logo, that nice owl with teeth designed by brilliant NYC artist Lauren Asta? His name is Ernie. And that handwriting font? That's my handwriting! I have the penmanship of a five year-old! You will note the easier-to-grab-stuff-from artist pages! You will enjoy reading the Riot Act blog, where news, like what Sheila and I are inundating you with below, will be superconstantly updated. In alphabetical order by band, the news starts now:

ALL GIRL SUMMER FUN BAND's forthcoming full-length, "Looking Into It", is out on the band's label, AGSFB music, next month, on 9/23! It's not only a stunning pop album filled with the band's signature crunch-fuzz guitars and dead-on melodic sense, but lyrically, AGSFB bravely confronts issues such as greed, death, getting fired, relationship dynamics, and new love. Get ready for it September 23rd.

ALINA SIMONE continues to blow up! Alina will be releasing her second LP, 'Everyone Is Crying Out To Me, Beware' August 5th, and the critical praise has already started to come in. Just before launching her US tour, Alina was featured on NPRs Second Stage and SPIN featured Alina as Buzz Of The Day. Time Out Chicago said "The words may be in Russian, but the emotions need no translation" while notable online LargeHeartedBoy called it "the most impressive record I have heard all year." Even Hilary Clinton's Communications Director Howard Wolfson noted Aline Simone as the artist he is listening to now in his recent interview with NY Magazine! Be sure to catch Alina on tour now and get one of her beautiful tour-only limited edition copies of 'Everyone.'

Seattle politico-rockers AT THE SPINE are gearing up to tour in support of their newest release, "Vita", on Global Seepej, The record is bananas; it was mostly written during singer Mike Toschi's time living and teaching in Europe, where he was jumped by five males and felt the burden of being an American trying to escape the Bush administration. Keep yr eyes on our tour page!

BRIGHTON, MA has finished their new full-length, "Amateur Lovers", which'll be out on Loose Tooth Records this November! It's an expansive thing, drawing from singer Matthew Kerstein's past. Keep your eyes peeled for BMA dates�

CHUNKLET PRESENTS: HENRY OWINGS' ROCK BIBLE is out on Quirk Books this October, and word is already spreading that the thing is brilliant and hilarious. "The Rock Bible" is gorgeous to hold, too�it's leather bound, and looks like, err, a Bible, complete with bookmarker ribbon. VICE says, "every single sentence in it is 100% dead on." It's THE word on rock music and culture from an insider's perspective, going waaaaay above and beyond those drummer jokes we all know and love. Order your copy now�not from us, from Quirk or yr rad local book/magazine/comics store. (www.quirkbooks.com)

THE COAST have more hot US dates coming up in support of their forthcoming debut! 'Expatriate' isn't out for a few wks yet, but The Coast keep US audiences warmed up with dates showcasing album tracks and the release of the Tightrope 7" with bside remix by Tokyo Police Club, with whom they'll share upcoming shows... Plus dates with Born Ruffians. We just love these guys and soon you'll also know why MTV calls The Coast "Canada's Best Kept Secret!"

We've just started working with genius Christian acoustic folk comedy duo GOD'S POTTERY; if you haven't seen them on Last Comic Standing or on Comedy Central, perhaps watch this YouTube clip of "Jesus I Need A Drink," or, better yet, if you live in LA, see them at Spaceland on August 9th.

GOOD OLD WAR, featuring former Days Away members Keith Goodwin and Tim Arnold with Daniel Schwartz of Unlikely Cowboy, have their awesome debut LP, 'Only Way To Be Alone', ready for release! Recorded with Rick Parker (Black Rebel Motorcycle Club), longtime friends Anthony Green of Circa Survive and Dave Davison from Maps & Atlases are also featured on the album. The result is a beautiful, back-to-basics affair that's sure to satisfy Days Away fans who have been anxious for this new band formation. At the Bamboozle Festival, the huge crowd that had gathered for GOW's set sang along to every word. Don't miss them on tour now! Many of the shows are sold-out, so be sure to get your tix so you're not left out!

GROK is a band we've just now started to work with, and boy, are we lucky to. Grok are from London, and are a band with no songs. Every time they perform, they hit the stage with no ideas except for a list of images and the Wheel of Chordal Destiny (no joke, an audience or band member spins said wheel, which determines the key the song is to be played in.) It is risky and there is the potential for it to all go badly wrong, but that is part of the fun, creating something on the spur of the moment. They have an amazing record, also all recorded off the cuff, called "Ruined Music For Everyone", and they are coming to the States soon¯look out for dates, and in the meantime, listen here!.

Last weekend, THE HARD LESSONS played the holy heck out of their record release show! It was a culmination of a year of touring, an explosive celebration, a complete Who's Who of Detroit rockdom with guests on stage and a venue packed with fans when they played the entirety of 'B&G Sides' front to back at the Crofoot Ballroom. Available now, the beautiful B&G Sides' box set of The Hard Lessons singles is a collector's item to be sure--it fits together like a big puzzle to display a poster-sized piece of art when all four volumes are laid out together. They even made a fun little video to show it off! Also available on limited edition hand-stamped vinyl. Lots more touring for THL, so visit the tour dates page!

Matt Embree's been on the road with punk/dub/rock outfit RX Bandits, but his debut release under the moniker LOVE YOU MOON is out now on Sargent House, and the throngs of Matt's fans are sure to double-triple freak. "Waxwane" is Embree at his purest and best. Get it!

MAPS AND ATLASES continue to tour their behinds off in support of their new EP, "You And Me And The Mountain"; their tour with Portugal The Man and Sargent House labelmates RX Bandits ends August 10th, but then they're going out on their very own headlining tour with labelmates NURSES that kicks off with two shows (early and late, same night) at Schuba's in Chicago on September 6th. After that tour, they're heading to Europe to tour with Foals! See 'em now!

MISS TK AND THE REVENGE are riding high on their single, "No Biterz", and have dates coming up soon—keep your eyes on the tours page, as you know you love neon pink, sick beats and party confetti.

Watch this space for MUSEE MECHANIQUE tour dates! They have announced a Portland record release show, so mark your calendars for Sept 25 @ Holoscene and stayed tuned for more! 'Hold This Ghost' is out Sept 30 on Frog Stand Records.

And, as mentioned before, NURSES are touring with Maps and Atlases, but they're also going out after that with Born Ruffians and Plants and Animals, which will equal Super Fun Times. They've also been recording new jams—don't miss these folks when they come through; you will be bummed if you do.

SAY HI is going on tour in further support of "The Wishes And The Glitch", and you do not not not want to miss 'em if they're anywhere near you. Eric Elbogen jumps up and down when they play now, and you will, too. Check the tour page, as dates keep getting added!

And finally, we are so thrilled to work with WOMEN, whose eponymous debut full-length is out October 7th on Jagjaguwar. The band's debut was recorded by Sub Pop and Flemish Eye artist Chad VanGaalen over four months on ghettoblasters and old tape machines in his basement, an outdoor culvert and a crawlspace, and it is mindblowing. Tour news soon!

Much Love, Joan & Sheila

RIOT ACT MEDIA, JULY 2008—MAKING IT HAPPEN.

And, by "it", we don't just mean barbecues peppered with illegally imported fireworks, although we do mean that, too. In lieu of mixing metaphors about how our hott summer releases will tan your backside with their stunning brightness, we'll just get on with what knowledge we have to drop on you this July. And by "knowledge", we mean "records", and a "publication." Perhaps you're chomping at the bit to hear about Maps and Atlases' You And Me And The Mountain EP (Sargent House, 7/15), The Hard Lessons' B&G Sides LP (Quack, 7/8), Love You Moon's Waxwane (Sargent House, 7/15), new Riot Act Family Addition Miss TK & The Revenge's No Biterz EP (Mr. Record, 7/8) or the Under The Radar Protest Issue 2008? My friend, you're in the right place. Likewise if you're curious about tour dates from our pals Alina Simone, Bird Names, The Coast, Good Old War, The Interiors, Little Pieces, Maps and Atlases, Neva Dinova, RX Bandits and Say Hi, all of which you can view HERE (insert hyperlink.)

About Maps & Atlases' You and Me and the Mountain: These are songs that wrestle themselves from flailing, algebraic fits of spazzy guitar notes and drum ruptures to lulling, voice-driven melodies that speak stories using lyrical images strung together like soup cans chasing a Cadillac. Mostly influenced by experimental and technically adept musicians such as Hella, Don Caballero, and Psych-Folkies Devendra Banhart and Six Organs of Admittance, Maps and Atlases create a distinctive blend of the intricate and organic. You can hear the title track for this EP on the band's MySpace page (www.myspace.com/mapsandatlases), and you can see them on the road as much as you want, because they are touring into infinity and beyond. www.riotactmedia.com/maps.htm

The Hard Lessons don't suck in a way that can make the most jaded cynic care about something new again. Their instantly memorable neurotic rock-indie (in The Hard Lessons case, "Rock" comes before "Indie") keeps the self-conscious singing and dancing well past last call--The Hard Lessons continue to out-work, out-rock and out-play expectations—they've killed it onstage in support of Iggy and the Stooges, Wolfmother, Rodrigo y Gabriella, Ok Go, Brendan Benson, The Dirtbombs, New York Dolls, The Killers, Von Bondies, Electric Six and Social Distortion, just to give you an idea. To get a better one, hear jams from their new LP, B&G Sides, on their MySpace Page (http://www.myspace.com/thehardlessons)Don't miss them on tour if you can help it.

There are those who are disciples of Matt Embree, and those who just haven't gotten it yet—if you're one of the latter, we're hoping that his new project, Love You Moon, will make you one of the former. The longtime RX Bandits/Sound of Animals Fighting frontman, studio owner and all-around songwriting genius' new full-length, Waxwane, is out on Sargent House on 7/15, and you can hear tracks on (you guessed it) Matt's MySpace page (http://www.myspace.com/loveyoumoondog). Embree's passionate notes on the human condition, love, struggle and the current sociopolitical battles we all face are stunning, immediate, poignant and spit with hot, furied frustration that is as poetic as it is urgent.

Speaking of politics, this month also marks the release of Under The Radar's 2008 Protest Issue. Using the time-honored connection between politics and music to promote political dialogue and awareness in a way that few print publications do in this day and age, The Protest Issue features two alternating covers: one with R.E.M.'s Michael Stipe and Isaac Brock of Modest Mouse, the other with Death Cab for Cutie's Chris Walla, The Decembrists' Colin Meloy, and Britt Daniel of Spoon. Inside the issue, you'll find in-depth interviews and photo shoots exploring the intersection of music and politics as artists tackle issues ranging from Darfur to the environment to the upcoming 2008 U.S. presidential election. This is a pivotal era in America's history and n ever has the time to utilize musicians' voices through the media been more apropos. Visit www.riotactmedia.com/undertheradar.htm for more info!

Finally, Riot Act is more than excited to announce the addition of Miss TK & The Revenge to its roster—their new EP, No Biterz, is available now via iTunes, and you can hear 'em here: www.myspace.com/misstk. A primer: Miss TK & The Revenge bring it. Like Blondie, Tom Tom Club, Missing Persons, Waitresses, Cyndi Lauper, Josie Cotton, or Toni Basil, MTKR come from the land of trouble funk, where go-go cowbells and dub party sounds reign. Comprised of New Jersey punk rock royalty--Ari Katz, vocalist of seminal hardcore legends LIFETIME (DecayDance) and ZERO ZERO (Jade Tree) steps back from the mic and onto the drum kit while wife Miss TK (also of Zero Zero) takes center stage, MTKR are anchored by razor-sharp J5 on guitar, Worrell prodigy Street Stylz ..s, Le Bobby Neutronique kickin' the bells, claps and whistles, and m. Groovesteau L'ingenieur du Bas on, well, bass. If "No Biterz" isn't yr new favorite summer jam, I don't know what I can do for you.

That's it for this month's output, compatriots---but worry not. In August and September, we've got buckets of news for you regarding The Coast, All Girl Summer Fun Band, Good Old War, Musee Mecanique, At The Spine, Nurses, Henry Owings' Rock Bible and more. Until then, please do visit our special Riot Act Blog (www.riotactmedia.blogspot.com) for updates.

Much love,
Joan & Sheila

RIOT ACT JUNE 2008

Holy bananas, do we have amazing things happening this June, friends, compatriots, and fans of the rock musics—and, we will have more exciting additions to the Riot Act roster to announce very, very soon (not yet, though--astrologically, Mercury is retrograde until June 19th, a positioning that can delay life a bit, if you buy into the concepts behind cyclic planetary theory.) We can and will, however, tell you all about this month's batch of new releases, and we can and will keep you fully, wholly updated via our BRAND NEW RIOT ACT BLOG, which lives at www.riotactmedia.blogspot.com. Starting on June 3rd, Adem releases Takes (Domino) and Little Pieces' s/t full-length is birthed (One Eleven). On June 24th, The Interiors' s/t (54-40 or Fight!) arrives as well. Oh, but that's not all! June also marks 2008's Noise For The Needy festivities in Seattle, including amazing shows from Talib Kweli, Matt and Kim, Black Angels, Two Gallants and more! Good Old War have just finished recording their debut full length with Rick Parker (BRMC, The Shore, Miranda Lee Richards) and will release it on Sargent House on August 26th .

About Adem's Takes: It's a stunning and evocative collection of Adem's interpretations of tracks that were released in the decade from 1991 - 2001, music that inspired and informed Adem while he was growing up. With 12 tracks ranging from covers of Bjork, Smashing Pumpkins and Yo La Tengo through to Tortoise and Aphex Twin. Takes, recorded at The Pool and Exchange studios, sees Adem step up from home-based to studio recording and sees him producing and playing every instrument himself. Says Mojo: "Impressively, he makes it all his own--at times it feels like the songs might have been written by, or for, him." We couldn't agree more.

About Little Pieces' s/t full-length: Herman Jolly (ex-Sunset Valley, current legend in the pacific northwest), Grant Badger and Rob Lloyd (Guitar Defamation League) recorded their debut at Jackpot recording studio in Portland, and sayeth SOUND Magazine: "In his new trio, Jolly's bouncy melodies and quirky lyrics have more room to roam and less sonic distractions to compete with, while his voice sounds stronger and more confident. Like those of Robyn Hitchcock and the Flaming Lips' Wayne Coyne, Jolly's authentic (and embedded in irresistibly catchy pop). There aren't a lot of folks who can make lines like "I'm a parasite without a host" sound both endearing and perfectly natural. This sprite debut is chock-full of gems, but check out the Pixies-ish "Featherweight Song" and the breathless "Wrote a Letter" for starters." Herman & co. are touring the western and Midwestern United States of America this June; check the TOURS page for details. www.littlepiecesmusic.com, www.riotactmedia.com/littlepieces.htm

About The Interiors' s/t full-length: Can You See The Sunset From The Southside said, "Let me make it simple. The Interiors are a guitar rock band. They are from Chicago. They are awesome." And, so is their debut--it infuses inventive songwriting with an emphasis on strong, pulsing rhythms. The drums eschew grandiose shifts in favor of subtle variations on constant themes that run the range from stripped down, Stax-influenced backbeats to an eccentricity inspired more by African music than prog rock. This musical framework is fleshed out by hook filled, Mike Mills-goes-to-Kingston bass lines, and an array of arpeggios, distorted drones, and Richards meets Santiago riffs on guitar. Visit www.myspace.com/theinteriors or www.riotactmedia.com/interiors.htm for more, and watch for them on the road!

And, there's Noise for the Needy! his May's Noise for the Needy festivities in Seattle will be bigger than ever before, featuring performances throughout the city from Two Gallants, Matt and Kim, Math and Physics club, The Stranger's David Schmader/Showgirls, Boat, The Maldives, Feral Children, Billy Joe and the Dusty 45s, The Girls, Ali Marcus, The Quiet Ones, Amateur Radio Operator, Lonesome Rhodes and the Good Company, Grand Hallway, See Me River and the Dead Horse Creek, Partman Parthorse, Strong Killings, The Oswald Effect, The Heavy Hearts, Goldie Wilson, Peter Parker, Facts about Funerals, Massy Ferguson, Carrie Clark and the Lonesome Lovers, Levi Fuller, Kate Tucker and the Sons of Sweden, Black Whales, Lesbian, Fucking Eagles, Unnatural Helpers, Mos Generator, New Faces, Talib Kweli, Greyskul, Black Angels and more. This year's chosen charity, Urban Rest Stop, provides a clean, safe and welcoming facility where individuals and families can come and use restrooms, shower and laundry facilities in Seattle. All services are provided at no cost to patrons. Visit www.noisefortheneedy.org for the complete schedule, along with donation and volunteer information. Also, www.riotactmedia.com/noisefortheneedy.htm.

BEYOND JUNE, INTO JULY: Maps & Atlases' You and Me and the Mountain is out July 16th (Sargent House): The thing that sets Maps and Atlases apart from their peers is the fact that they can take multiple musical ideas and create coherent song structures. Many bands that try to take from the spastic, free-form indie-rock Joan of Arc perfected end up focusing on the technical aspects and trying to sound overly quirky, and end up creating disjointed songs that lose the listener within a few tracks. Maps and Atlases are heads and shoulders above other bands in their genre and prove they are they are a band to watch out for in the years to come. They write pop music with wonderful convolutions to texture. The unique vocals and the folk-like drum tones constrained by a pop music paradigm is a dream come true.

You can hear the title track from You And Me And The Mountain from their upcoming EP on the band's MySpace page (www.myspace.com/mapsandatlases), and you can see them on the road as much as you want, because they are touring into infinity and beyond. www.riotactmedia.com/maps.htm

Keep your eyes peeled for more info on Riot Act bands like Alina Simone, The BellRays, Bird Names, The Coast and others on the road, as well as for other goings-ons next month, like the publication of and book tour surrounding Chunklet presents: Henry Owings' Rock Bible, as well as releases from At The Spine (Vita, out on Global Seepej this July), Alina Simone (Everyone Is Crying Out To Me, Beware on 54-40 or Fight! August '08), All Girl Summer Fun Band (Looking Into It, on AGSFB Music 9/9), The Hard Lessons (B&G Sides, out on Quack Media 7/22), Good Old War (out digitally via Sargent House on 7/1 and physically on 7/15), Love You Moon (Waxwane, out on Sargent House 9/9), and the Under The Radar Protest Issue.

As per always, if there's anything that we can get you, please let us know.

One love,
Joan and Sheila