EBONY BONES

Ebony Bones is hot!!! This firecracker from the UK is a former soap star, turned riotous femme glam-pop star. Sure, her breakout song's title will make you want to cringe ("Don't Fart On My Heart"), but have you heard the track? Killer music!!

Check it out...

Ebony Bones - Don't Fart On My Heart (music video)


Thanks to MorrisBrown for the heads up!

LADYTRON - 'Black Cat'

A new track from the forthcoming Ladytron album has emerged..."Black Cat" is the first track to be revealed from the upcoming Velocifero LP, due this June. According to the tracklist, "Black Cat" will also be the first song on the album, leaving quite a mystery as to what the rest of the album will really sound like.

Ladytron - Black Cat (mp3) (via Pitchfork Media)

For old times sake, here's the video for "Destroy Everything You Touch" from Ladytron's 2005 album The Witching Hour.

Ladytron - Destroy Everything You Touch (music video)

(NOT SO) NEW VIDEO FRIDAY (Classic Electro-Synth Edition)

This one is all about the music. Some of the videos here are less than impressive (especially the slideshows), but the music is great, sometimes amazing. Take a little trip through the seventies and very early eighties with some of the artists that played seminal parts in what we know as electronic music today.

Kraftwerk - Trans Europe Express


Can - I Want More


Neu! - Isi (promotional slideshow)


David Bowie - Be My Wife


Gary Numan - Down in the Park


Suicide - Cheree

A Certain Ratio - Shack Up


ESG - Moody (fan video)


The Slits - Typical Girls


Cluster & Eno - Fur Luise

THE B-52'S - New Video for "Funplex"

Funplex

There are many funny things about this video. But the funniest thing of all is the juxtaposition in energy between Kate and Cindy. While Kate is as bouncy and cheerful as ever, Cindy looks nearly comatose.

For anyone who has ever liked The B-52's, you must check out their new album. I would describe it in more detail, but Eric Harvey's review over at Pitchfork sums it up perfectly. The highlight track for me is 'Eyes Wide Open'.

THOSE DANCING DAYS

Here we go with Sweden again! Those Dancing Days are a girl-pop five piece from Nacka, a suburb of Stockholm. They have already made a huge splash in their native country and with a debut LP on its way, these girls are destined for some success on this side of the pond. The Hammond organ is put to great use on feel good tracks like "Hitten", "Discho'" and "1000 Words". Did I mention these are teenage girls? Wow!

Those Dancing Days are currently signed to Wichita Recordings, who have released two singles from the band, the lastest of which is the tremendously catchy "Hitten". Check out the video...

Those Dancing Days - Hitten (music video)

M83 - Saturdays = Youth

M83 will release the new album Saturdays + Youth April 15th on Mute Records. The disc was produced by Ken Thomas, Ewan Pearson and Anthony Gonzalez (aka M83). The first single "Couleurs" has been circulating around the web for a few months now. If you haven't already heard the 8 minute plus electro-opus, check it out now at Myspace. The track is also now available at iTunes.


M83 will also be touring North America this spring. All dates below:

Tue 5/20 - Los Angeles - Echoplex
Wed 5/21 - San Francisco - Great American Music Hall
Fri 5/23 - Portland, OR - Doug Fir Lounge
Sat 5/24 - Vancouver - Richards on Richards
Sun 5/25 - Seattle - Neumos
Wed 5/28 - Minneapolis - Triple Rock Club
Thu 5/29 - Chicago - Empty Bottle
Fri 5/30 - Toronto - The Mod Club
Sat 5/31 - Montreal - Cabaret Music Hall
Mon 6/2 - Cambridge, MA Middle East Downstairs
Tue 6/3 - Brooklyn - Music Hall of Williamsburg
Wed 6/4 - NYC - Bowery Ballroom
Fri 6/6 - Philadelphia - First Unitarian Church
Sat 6/7 - Washington, DC Black Cat

New GIRL TALK Album on the Way

Billboard.com reports that the follow-up to Girl Talk's breakthrough album Night Ripper has been completed and should be released this year. The new album has the tentative title of Wild Peace IV: Feed the Animals, Raise the Dead, which immediately makes me ask WTF?? The album is said to be born out of his live shows.

Girl Talk is slated to perform at the inaugural All Points West Festival in Liberty State Park, NJ this August.

Girl Talk - Bounce That (fan video)

LE CASTLE VANIA

I've been a fan of Le Castle Vania since his incredible remix of Snowden's "Black Eyes" back in 2006. The talented remixer from Atlanta has been busy in the last year with loads of remixes and his collaboration with Blake Miller of Moving Units on a new project, Lies in Disguise. In fact, Lies in Disguise are playing tonight (and every night this week) at the Winter Music Conference in Miami.

Le Castle Vania has an ep in the works, but in the meantime check out his brand new remix of "Hey You" by Kill the Noise, an electro killer for the dancefloor.

Kill the Noise - Hey You (Le Castle Vania remix) (mp3) (NSFW!!!)

NEW VIDEO FRIDAY (Dark Electro Edition)

At long last, new Portishead...

Portishead - Machine Gun


Telepathique are from Sao Paulo, Brazil. They sound like what would happen if Bonde do Role (pre Marina's departure) were to make a late night club record.

Telepathique - Eu Gosto


The new Presets video is what I would definitely define as homoerotic. Not the most complex video in the world, but I definitely like the song a lot better than their previous single "My People".

The Presets - This Boy's in Love

The Presets - This Boy's In Love
Uploaded by victorstan

Kleerup produced Robyn's "With Every Heartbeat". Fans of that track will definitely hear a similarity in production here. Titiyo is Neneh Cherry's little sister. The intricate yarn that is Swedish pop music continues to unfurl.

Kleerup ft. Titiyo - Longing for Lullabies


I love Crystal Castles music, but this video is flat out weird and momentarily disturbing. WATCH AT YOUR OWN RISK.

Crystal Castles - Magic Spell

THE DODOS - Visiter

Following a mountain of critical hype and an appearance at SXSW last week, San Francisco duo The Dodos jave just released their third album Visiters on Frenchkiss Records. These guys make psychedelic folk music that is simply best described as good music. Download the excellent "Fools", as well as the new single "Jodi" below.

The Dodos are currently on a mammoth tour of the US. They will also be joining Les Savy Fav and The Big Sleep on very select dates before joining Akron/Family for a performance at Coachella next month. Full tour itinerary and more info about The Dodos here.

The Dodos - Fools (mp3)
The Dodos - Jodi (mp3)

fools - dir. by Matt Amato

YELLE - Pop-Up

It has taken me some time to get into the funky French electro pop of Yelle. But the video for "Je Veux Te Voir" has me hooked. Here, the gorgeous and quirky Yelle struts and poses before leading a couple pals in a wildly colorful cardio workout. Not only does Yelle looking jarringly sexy, but she really sells a song that had previously been lost on me. Let the French pop revolution begin!

The album Pop-Up was released last year internationally but will hit these shores on April 1st.

Yelle - Je Veux Te Voir (music video)

CHROMATICS - 'Killing Spree'

Chromatics have a new video for the track "Killing Spree", taken from last year's Night Drive LP. The avant-spooky clip was directed by Johnny Jewel, the mastermind behind both Chromatics and Glass Candy. What we have here is a beautifully dark cinematic interpretation of the beautifully dark instrumental track. Spook out.

Chromatics - Killing Spree (music video)

LCD SOUNDSYSTEM - 'Big Ideas"

LCD Soundsystem have a new one-off single, taken from the soundtrack to the film 21. The video for "Big Ideas" incorporates sailors, pole dancing, nuns and guitar-playing vampires. Of course! The new song stays true to LCD fashion, tiding us over until the follow-up to Sound of Silver graces us with its inevitable brilliance.

LCD Soundsystem - Big Ideas (music video)

PORTISHEAD - 'Machine Gun'

Portishead are back and in a big way. After previewing the new album Third I can comfortably say that the trip-hop pioneers haven't lost their edge in all these years past, but have actually matured and created a stunning new album. Third will be released in the US on April 29 via Mercury Records, preceded by the first single "Machine Gun", available now. You can purchase the "Machine Gun" mp3 at 7Digital.com.


This limited edition box set is also available to the first 10,000 people who snag it from the official Portishead website.

CUT COPY, PINK SKULL Played Studio B, In Ghost Colours Full Album Stream

CUT COPY wowed a packed house at Studio B on Saturday night, delivering a high energy dance party with their new wave, electro-rock sound. After kicking off the set (after 1am) with the new track "So Haunted", the band pleased the late night crowd with favorites like "Going Nowhere", "Saturdays", and "Future", as well as newer tracks "Hearts on Fire" and "Lights and Music". The new stuff sounded fantastic live.


Cut Copy are releasing their new album In Ghost Colours April 8 on Modular Records. You can now stream the entire album at Myspace.


Philadelphia's Pink Skull opened the show for Cut Copy. Knowing nothing about these guys prior to the show, I can say that I was thoroughly impressed. So much so that I bought their latest album Zeppelin 3. They kind of remind me of early !!! (Chk-Chk-Chk) - solid art-dance tracks that really come alive in a live setting. Definitely check these guys out if you ever have the chance.

-Pink Skull

-All photos by Scot Bowman

WOLFKIN - Brand New Pants

Wolfkin are the Copenhagen duo consisting of Lars Vognstrup (Junior Senior) and Kristian Godtfredsen. The pair have created a compelling debut in the form of Brand New Pants, an album that is densely layered with complex lyrics and musical arrangements. Their sound is entrenched in 60's psychedelia with a modern twist. Check out the videos for "These Are All Illusions" and "A Vacant Heart" below.

Wolfkin play SXSW today at BD Riley's, followed by a one-off gig in Los Angeles at Spaceland on March 19th.

Brand New Pants is available now via RYKO Distribution.

STREAM - Wolfkin - These Are All Illusions

Wolfkin - These Are All Illusions (music video)


Wolfkin - A Vacant Heart (music video)

GOLDFRAPP, APHEX TWIN Added to Coachella

According to Billboard.com, electronic pioneer Aphex Twin and our beloved Goldfrapp are joining this year's Coachella line-up, which already includes Portishead, Kraftwerk, Love & Rockets, Spiritualized, M.I.A., Hot Chip and many, many more. Kate Nash, Redd Kross, Adele, and Serj Tankian have also been added to the roster.

The 2008 Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival will be held at Empire Polo Fields in Indio, CA - April 25 - 27.

CUT COPY, THE PRESETS Invade the States

Cut Copy will release their 2nd album In Ghost Colours on April 8, with an iTunes pre-release two weeks earlier on March 25. If you happen to be in Austin this week for SXSW, don't miss tomorrow night's Modular showcase. Cut Copy will headline, with support from The Tough Alliance and The Black Ghosts. The Bang Gang Deejays and DJ Remy Mac will also be on hand for the party. Wish I was there!!

Cut Copy will also be playing a pair of dates here in NYC starting this weekend - Studio B (Sat) & Mercury Lounge (Mon). Both dates are sold out, but limited tickets will be available at the door for the Studio B show.

*****************

THE PRESETS are also set to release their 2nd album on Modular. Apocalypso comes out May 13. The first single "My People" is available now. The Aussie duo will kick off a US tour in May...all dates below.

SANTOGOLD - 'L.E.S. Artistes'

Santogold has already taken the blog world by storm. Now she is preparing to step it up a notch with the April release of her debut album on Downtown Records. With a slot at Coachella next month and a recent Fader cover, Santogold now has a new music video for the awesome track "L.E.S. Artistes". The video is bizarre and "artistic" indeed. Check it out below.

Santogold - L.E.S. Artistes (music video)

The 2008 Plug Awards

The Sky Report will be on hand for tonight's 2008 Plug Independent Music Awards, featuring a headline performance from Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds. Cave is the recipient of this year's Plug Impact Award (awarded to Stephen Malkmus in 2007). The event will take place at Terminal 5 in NYC, with St. Vincent, Jose Gonzalez, and Dizzee Rascal also slated to perform. Swedish disco princess Sally Shapiro (nominated for two Plug Awards) will serve as the guest DJ.

Even though we weren't nominated for Music Blog of the Year (hey, maybe next year!), this does mark the first time we've ever attended an awards show. Exciting indeed. View a full list of this year's nominees here.

You can watch the awards simulcast live tonight at 8:00PM at www.delllounge.com/music/plugawards.

ELECTRIC TUNNELSThis Saturday Night in Brooklyn

Hey Bushwick! The Sky Report presents Electric Tunnels, Bushwick's only (as far as I know) 80's/electro/new wave dance party. The fun goes down this Saturday, March 8th at the Northeast Kingdom Lounge - 10:15 - 2am-ish. DJ's Paleboy (yours truly) and C-Section (aka Amos Mac) will be on hand to fulfill your every retro desire. Come play!

Northeast Kingdom Lounge
18 Wyckoff @ Troutman
Brooklyn
Take the L train to Jefferson

THE LK - 'Stop Being Perfect'

The LK are a duo from Malmo, Sweden and today marks the release of their album Vs. The Snow.

Fusing musique concrète-style collages of sound with iconic pop arrangements, the typical LK song is both gradually mind-invading and comfortingly direct. Recorded with a minimum of equipment, VS. the Snow was built largely by gluing pieces of Lindefelt's abstract sounds, lyrics and voice to Fredrik's simple, beautiful melodies and chords. -LK press release

More about The LK here.

The LK - Stop Being Perfect (music video)


Check out The LK on their upcoming US tour:

03.08.08 - DC - House of Sweden
03.09.08 - DC - The Kennedy Center (free show at 6pm)
03.10.08 - Atlanta - Park Grounds
03.11.08 - Houston - Super Happy Fun Land
03.13.08 - Austin - Homeslice Pizza Day party
03.14.08 - Austin - Justin.TV Day Party at Peacock Lounge
03.15.08 - Austin - official SXSW kora showcase - Habana Calle 6
03.16.08 - Dallas - Good Records
03.17.08 - Little Rock - Easy Street Theater
03.18.08 - Urbana - UC Interactive Media Center
03.19.08 - Chicago - Darkroom
03.20.08 - Detroit - Scrummage University
03.21.08 - Pittsburgh - U of Pitt - W. Pitt Union's Assembly Room
03.22.08 - Cinci - Contemporary Arts Center
03.23.08 - Alfred, NY - Terra Cotta Coffee Shop
03.24.08 - Carlisle, PA - The 25-27 Space
03.25.08 - New York - Club Midway
03.27.08 - Baltimore - tba
03.31.08 - DC - Black Cat

The Sky Report Endorses Hillary Clinton

And so does Jack Nicholson...


In case you missed it, here is Hillary's appearance on last weekend's SNL...