Of Mice and Girls

MARNIE STERN REVEALS NEW ALBUM DETAILS
Just when it seems that's the world's indie-rock guitarists, content with swirly rhythms and rudimentary string-plucking, Marnie Stern is back to teach these kids how to shred. That's right, the greatest guitarist of modern indie rock is back with her second album called (bear with me now) This Is It and I Am It and You Are It and So Is That and He Is It and She Is It and It Is It and That Is That and it's out Oct. 7th on Kill Rock Stars. If this album's anything like her last effort, In Advance of the Broken Arm, listeners are in for a real tour-de-force of intricate guitarwork, but according to this Pitchfork article Stern's prodigious instrumental mastery will be worked more fluidly into her song structures, creating perhaps a more pop-oriented album. Fine with us, can't wait to hear some tracks! Here's the tracklist:

01 Prime
02 Transformer
03 Shea Stadium
04 Ruler
05 The Crippled Jazzer
06 Steely
07 The Package Is Wrapped
08 Simon Says
09 Vault
10 Clone Cycle
11 Roads? Where We're Going We Don't Need Roads
12 The Devil's in the Details

Marnie Stern - "Precious Metal"
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NEW MODEST MOUSE SONG - "SATELLITE SKIN"
Apparently the Modest Mouse crew have been shopping this song called "Satellite Skin" around for a while. Heck, supposedly it's even going to be on their upcoming as of yet untitled EP. Still, sounds like a real crowd-pleaser and rocks with the same inspired poetry MM is famous for. Check it below.

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NEW BAND CHEER: VIVIAN GIRLS
We've been hearing about these girls for a while, from Brooklyn Vegan to Gorilla Vs. Bear and back again, but at Cannibal Cheerleader we usually reserve judgment until we've heard a full-length from a band and give them the opportunity to expand a unique sound into a whole album. Well color us impressed because the Vivian Girls more than deliver on their self-titled debut, ripping through ten lo-fi classics that scream equal parts indie rock sing-a-long, wall-of-sound guitarwork, and spacey, surfy atmospherics all around. Clocking in at just over 20 minutes the Girls have a knack for succinctness and directness, never overstaying their welcome but bringing the goods to each and every track. We'll be watching these ladies closely and hope to have them swing back through the ATX soon!

Vivian Girls - "All The Time"
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WHY? TOUR SWINGS THROUGH AUSTIN
An act that's receiving as much acclaim in my close circle of friends as it is on the blogosphere, WHY? will be swinging back down through Austin on their latest tour. Watch for them on Sept. 8th at Mohawk playing in support of their excellent new LP Alopecia. This is one band that's definitely going places.

WHY? - "The Hollows"
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BODIES OF WATER HAPPENINGS
Bodies of Water just posted a massive Myspace bulletin that explains all the current goings-on of the band. I'll post the full text below but to summarize: original drummer Jessie Conklin is quitting and will be replaced by two Texans, the band is selling their new LP A Certain Feeling on CD and vinyl, they're about to begin a continent-covering tour, they're making a music video, and hey look, free posters! Yikes! That's a lot to digest, so read the following at your leisure. Let the good times roll you BoW workaholics!

From the BoW Myspace:

"Hey guys - We recently sent this update out to our email list, but many of you may not be on it. If you'd like to be, send an email to mail@bodiesofwater.net and say that you'd like to be and then you will be.


This is what has been happening to us, and what is about to happen.

There are six things:

1. We have made a record called 'A Certain Feeling' that will be available to the public on July 22nd. The Secretly Canadian company is putting it out, and they are offering to sell it to you in advance of the release. They have CDs and vinyl records, and if you buy the vinyl you get a download code so that you can put it on your computer or some other little music playing machine. ALSO, they send you a poster if you buy something. Here is where you go to do it: http://www. scdistribution. com/cat/scd_catalog. php?usersearch=Bodies%20Of%20Water&pagerequest=

2. We are celebrating the release of this record by playing a show at the Echo on Thursday July 17th. Seasons and the Henry Clay People will be joining us that night. It costs 8 dollars, but if you want to only pay 5 dollars, tell us in an email and you will be added to a cheap list.


3. This show on the 17th will, sadly, be the last one that our beloved Jessie will play with us. Why? Because she decided a little while ago that the rock and roll lifestyle was not the kind she wanted to devote herself to. It can be an arduous one, and is certainly not for everyone! We're, naturally, very sad about this. Her singing, drumming, and personal charms will be sorely missed. Her too-large shoes will be filled for now by two pairs of our friends' feet; Jamie Pitts will drum to our songs, and Julie Carpenter will sing and play the guitar and violin. They are both from Texas.


4. In a month we are leaving to travel around the nation (and Canada) playing music in certain cities. There is a little map attached to this that shows you where and when we'll be in those certain cities. We will try to put on a good show in all of them - it is important to us that people feel that they get their money's worth. I am serious about this.


5. If you live in Los Angeles, it will be fun for you to look at the current issue of the L.A. Record magazine. There is a large poster in it depicting us pretending to be the Talking Heads. Have you seen the record 'More Songs About Building & Food?' We imitated it. I attached a picture of the poster to this bulletin so that you can look at how it is. The real poster is more monumental - it is 2 ft x 3 ft. The guy from L.A. Record took photos of us, and David collaged them together. There is an interview and some other pictures of us in there, too. It is free, so you WILL get your money's worth if you seek this thing out.


6. We are in the midst of making a music video. I don't know why I'm even telling you about this. It won't be done for a while - You'll see it when you see it. Anyhow, we will be cramming it through that tiny "pipeline" into your home or place of business via youtube and stuff. The themes of this video are: violence, dogs, nature, supernature, architecture, and lye. I know you are thinking "Great, another lye-themed video. Why do they even bother?" And I know what you mean; sometimes I ask myself the same thing.


EXTRA - We're probably going to play in England, Germany, and France in October. We will pass along more details as we learn them.

SEE YOU THERE.

OR NOT.


- BoW"

Bodies of Water - "Under the Pines"

Any comments? Who never wants to see a Quick Bite again?