John Lennon’s Toilet Auctions for $15K

A toilet that was formerly in the home of music legend John Lennon was sold at auction for $14,740, ten times the expected sale amount.  The story behind the toilet is that it was in John Lennon’s Berkshire, England home until he had the toilet removed and replaced.  The bathroom renovator stored the toilet in his shed for the past 40 years.  The organizer of the Beatles memorabilia auction, Anne-Marie Trace of The Beatles Store in Liverpool, stated that the toilet was “the most unusual item we’ve ever had in our auction.”  I would hope so…  more info

New Bruce Springsteen Set Out in Novemeber

Bruce Springsteen is releasing a box set of music titled “The Promise: The Darkness On The Edge Of Town Story” on November 16. There will be both a two disc set released as well as a 3-disc, 3 DVD version of the remastered release available through Columbia Records on November 16. For more information and ordering information, head to The Boss’s official site. To hear a new track from the upcoming release, check below. more info

Listen To Matt & Kim’s New Single

Planning on seeing Matt & Kim when they arrive in Madison on September 21? Whether you are or not, Matt & Kim are releasing their new album Sidewalks on November 2 and have prepped the upcoming album by releasing the first single off the album titled “Cameras” this week. The band allows fans to stream the new single via their Facebook page by “Liking” the track and spreading the word. Brilliant idea Matt & Kim. Check out the new single at their page here or stream it below. more info

Matt & Kim – Cameras

New Sufjan Stevens The Age of Adz Album On The Way

Only days after singer-songwriter Sufjan Stevens released his All Delighted People EP, the mysterious musician announced that he will be releasing a new album on October 12.  The new release will be released on Stevens’ Asthmatic Kitty Records and will be titled The Age of Adz (pronounced ‘odds.’)  The album is inspired by the art of schizophrenic artist Royal Robertson.  Robertson illustrated space aliens, monsters, futuristic automobiles and signs of the “Last Judgment” on poster boards.  It should not really surprise anyone that Sufjan would announce an album release only weeks prior to the release date after years of no new material.  Leave it up to Stevens to release an album inspired by an obscure artist that features heavy electronic use as well as heavy orchestration.  more info

Arcade Fire Create New Interactive Video with Google Maps

Canadian indie rockers Arcade Fire have been working with the good people at Google to create an interesting video.  The video promoted by Google’s web browser Chrome features Google Earth inserting the image of a given location (i.e. your home) into the video.  Head over to an official Arcade Fire site to check out the interactive film by Chris Milk.  more info

Watch the New Ben Folds and Nick Hornby “Things You Think” Video

The first video from the upcoming Ben Folds/Nick Hornby collaboration has been released.  The album titled Lonely Avenue is scheduled for a September 28 release date.  To get a glimpse of the work these two have been working on, check out the video below.

Stream The Weepies New Album Be My Thrill In Whole

Husband and wife duo The Weepies are preparing for the release of their new album Be My Thrill by allowing fans to listen to the entire album through Paste Magazine.  The Weepies are a songwriting duo originally from Cambridge, MA who have five releases to their name so far.  Be My Thrill is the duos first release since having their first child in 2007.  The single from the album “I Was Made For Sun” is simple, catchy and worth a listen.  Stream the track and album below.  more info

Bon Iver helping Kanye West

Wisconsin native Justin Vernon (Bon Iver) is taking a step (or two) away from his typical indie rock scene and helping out Kanye West.  West will be releasing a new album on November 16.  Officially, the only track released that features Bon Iver is titled “Monster.”  Considering Vernon spent a couple weeks in Hawaii recording with Kanye, more Bon Iver vocals are expected on future Kanye releases.  If you are a Bon Iver fan, check out this interview with Pitchfork Media in which Vernon discusses how his Kanye collab came to be as well as his future musical plans.  We will have to wait to hear exactly what the two songwriters have in store.  To listen to and download Kanye’s track “Monster” featuring Bon Iver, Rick Ross and Nicki Minaj , head over to Kanye’s blog.

-Sam Ryan

Ray LaMontagne is a quiet, non-fame seeking musician.  Or as LaMongatne says, “Simply put, I have no interest in fame. My self worth is not tied to other people’s opinions of me—I have a strong sense of self. Music for me is not a vehicle for fame; I just love music.”  Despite this lack of a need for commercial fame, LaMontagne has risen to musical prominence with his most recent release God Willin’ and The Creek Don’t Rise.

God Willin’ and The Creek Don’t Rise is Ray LaMontagne’s fourth studio album and the highest charting album of the raspy-voiced singer-songwriter.  The album was released on August 17, 2010 and has already sold over 74,000 copies.  This is quite an accomplishment for a man who worked at a shoe factory for years before quitting and establishing a music career.

Musically, the album is tight and well organized.  Although the musical style is  acoustic-blues/country, which can often head off in rifts and jams, the sounds are crisp, clean, and well placed.  The first single off God Willin’ and The Creek Don’t Rise is the track “Beg Steal or Borrow” is a slow rolling track that features a brilliant slide guitar.  The combination of LaMontagne’s  gravelly voice and the smooth twang of southern guitars creates a fantastic balance.

From the music side, God Willin’ and The Creek Don’t Rise is a very strong record yet lacks tracks that grab the listener and force them to listen over and over.  There is a tendency of tracks to blur together and lack individuality after multiple listens.  I am sure I will listen to God Willin’ and The Creek Don’t Rise on occasion in the future, but there are no individual tracks on the album that will rise on my “Most Played” playlist on iTunes.

This fact should not take away from the strength of the album.  Yes, it may lack the individual tracks to gain radio airplay or tracks that soar on charts, but God Willin’ and The Creek Don’t Rise is still worth listening to and appreciating.  I mean really, should we expect a string of radio chart toppers from a guy who has zero ambition for fame?  Ray LaMontagne writes and records music because it is what he loves to do, not for commercial appeal.  Therefore, LaMontagne has succeeded in staying true to his musical style and desires while still creating a great album.

Before you grab yourself a copy of Ray LaMontagne and the Pariah Dog’s God Willin’ & The Creek Don’t Rise, check out some older Ray LaMontagne!

-Sam Ryan

Hey folks!  Do you like music?  Will you be voting this November?  Do you need a reminder from a famous musician to remember to vote?

Well if yes is the answer to (hopefully) all of these questions, then here is something for you.  Headcount is offering free music from a whole list of artists for you offering a commitment to vote.  Some of the artists included include Radiohead, The National, Phish, The Flaming Lips, Widespread Panic, Umphrey’s McGee and many many more.

So, what exactly is Headcount?

Headcount is a nonpartisan organization that works with musicians to promote participation in democracy.  Headcount registers voters at concerts and events as well as promote civic participation as part of the music experience.  For more information about Headcount, check out there “About Us” page here.

To access tons of free downloads and other fun goodies from your favorite bands, head to Headcount and register.  One cool thing Headcount will do is have a famous musician of your choice call you on or before election day to remind you to vote.  I will be getting a call from ?uestlove of The Roots this fall.

Sign up yourself for access to tons of fun stuff here.

Here is an interview with Bob Weir presented by Headcount.  He discusses Headcount and other fun stuff.

Bob Dylan to Release Witmark Rarities Collection in October

Legendary songwriter and musician Bob Dylan is set to release the ninth volume of his “Bootleg Series” on  October 19.  The Columbia Records release will feature 47 tracks recorded between 1962 and 1964 including early versions of “Blowin’ in the Wind,” “Mr. Tamborine Man” and “The Times They Are A-Changin’.”  Dylan recorded fifteen tracks exclusively for the ninth volume of the “Bootleg Series.  more info

Neil Young New Album Le Noise Details

Neil Young is embracing modernity.  Young will be releasing a new album titled Le Noise on September 28 on CD and digitally, but later the album will be released on Blue-ray and as a free iPhone application with an interactive “album cover.”  The album will not only be released embracing modernity, but producer Daniel Lanois told Rolling Stone the new release will be “very electric” and not the typical Neil Young acoustic album.  more info

Le Noise Tracklist

1. Walk With Me
2. Sign Of Love
3. Someone’s Gonna Rescue You
4. Love And War
5. Angry World
6. Hitchhiker
7. Peaceful Valley Boulevard
8. Rumblin

Kings of Leon Disco Dance Off

Kings of Leon are enjoying being rockstars and headlining festivals around the world.  The guys from Tennessee took part in an alcohol-induced “Dance-off 2010″ according to Nathan Followill.  Check out the smooth dance moves of frontman Caleb Followill and company here.  The best part of the video is the fact they are dancing to the groovy sounds of Chromeo.  Classy.  more info

REM, My Morning Jacket, and Tom Morello of Rage Agianst the Machine Add To Dear New Orleans

Five years ago, Hurricane Katrina destroyed much of New Orleans, LA as well as much of the Gulf.  To remember the horrific event, musicians have put together a compiliation album filled with great music to help a number of New Orleans non profits.  The compilation is titled Dear New Orleans and was released digitally August 24.  The album features My Morning Jacket, REM’s Mike Mills, Tom Morello of Rage Against the Machine, Ok Go, Steve Earle, Indigo Girls with Brandi Carlile and many more.  Grab your copy here while helping a great cause.  more info

New Brian Eno Album, Small Craft On a Milk Sea, Details

Brian Eno will be releasing his newest album Small Craft On a Milk Sea on November 2, 2010.  The album will be Eno’s first album on his new record label Warp Records and will be released in physical CD format, digitally, as well as a special collectors’ edition box set.  Only 250 collectors’ editions will be released which will each include a silkscreen print made by Eno himself.  For more information and images of the visually pleasing collectors edition box set design, head to BrianEno.net.

New MGMT “Congratulations” Video Released

Check out the boys from MGMT in their new video for their track “Congratulations.”  It is a very interesting video to say the least. Poor dinosaur/camel creature…

Twenty years ago this week (August 27) Stevie Ray Vaughan sadly passed away here in Southern Wisconsin. On August 26, Vaughan was performing at the Alpine Valley Music Theatre for 30,000 plus spectators, which likely included many Triple M fans and listeners. Vaughan’s final show included an encore performance featuring Eric Clapton, Buddy Guy, Jimmie Vaughan and Robert Cray. Early on the morning of August 27, a helicopter carrying Stevie Ray Vaughan crashed shortly after take-off, killing all people on board. Despite the sadness of this anniversary, it is best to celebrate Vaughan’s musical legacy through listening to his smooth sounds and guitar licks.

Triple M remembers Stevie Ray Vaughan this week – for setlists, a timeline of his life, concert ticket stubs and more, check out our Stevie Ray Vaughan page.

On July 27, one month prior to the twentieth anniversary of Vaughan’s death, Epic records and Legacy Recordings released the Legacy Edition of Vaughan’s 1984 album Couldn’t Stand The Weather. Couldn’t Stand The Weather was Vaughan and his band Double Trouble’s second studio album. The original 1984 album contained 8 songs and later in 1999 a remastered album version was released containing 5 additional tracks. The newly released Legacy Edition adds to the remastered edition an additional 6 tracks, three of which are recently discovered studio outtakes, along with a second disc from a live show at the Spectrum in Montreal on August 17, 1984.

On the first disc of the new release the original Couldn’t Stand The Weather is fun to relive as well as hear some previously never before released material. It is clear Stevie Ray Vaughan was a Jimi Hendrix fan, as he included his version of “Voodoo Child (Slight Return)” on the original Couldn’t Stand The Weather, but also a version of Hendrix’s song “Little Wing” makes an appearance late on the first disc. Stevie Ray Vaughan’s “Little Wing” version was originally released on the album The Sky is Crying in 1991. A previously never before released alternate version of the original album’s final track, “Stang’s Swang,” is included on the first disc. The two other never-before released tracks are “The Sky is Crying” and “Boot Hill.” Fans of Stevie Ray Vaughan will truly enjoy this “new” material on the Legacy Edition.

The second disc of the Legacy Edition was recorded at a live show in Montreal in August of 1984. All the live recordings on the second disc were previously unreleased and being heard by the public for the first time off this album. One highlight of the live performance is the nearly 12 minute rendition of “Voodoo Child (Slight Return).” Vaughan takes his guitar magic even further on these live tracks as he adds more jamming and guitar play onto each track. Sadly, it is impossible to see Stevie Ray Vaughan rock out live today, so listening to a previously unreleased show is as close as it can get. Let’s hope that video from a never before released show surfaces soon to get a step closer to the feel of being at a live Stevie Ray Vaughan performance. Until then, grab your copy of Couldn’t Stand The Weather (Legacy Edition) and feel the smooth groove of Stevie Ray Vaughan.

Check out video of Stevie Ray Vaughan working the guitar strings below in a version of “Voodoo Child.”

-Sam Ryan

New Releases for August 24, 2010

	Dandy Warhols
	The Capitol Years: 1995-2007
	Charlie Musselwhite
	The Well
	JJ Grey and Mofro
	Georgia Warhorse
	JP, Chrissie & The Fairground Boys
	Fidelity!

Top 5 Movies Last Weekend

1. The Expendables  16.9 Mil  (65.3)
2. Vampires Suck   12.2 Mil  (18.5)
3. Eat Pray Love  12.1 Mil  (47.2)
4. Lottery Ticket  10.6 Mil (10.6)
5. The Other Guys  10.1 Mil  (88.2)

Eric Clapton To Release New Album On September 28

Guitar legend Eric Clapton has announced he will be releasing a new solo studio album on September 28th titled Clapton.  The release will be Clapton’s nineteenth studio album and will be released on Reprise Records.  The fourteen track release features guest appearances by Steve Winwood, Wynton Marsalis, Sheryl Crow, Allen Toussaint and Derek Trucks as well as being co-produced by Doyle Bramhall II.  more info

Clapton Tracklist

“Travelin’ Alone”
“Rocking Chair”
“River Runs Deep”
“Judgement Day”
“How Deep Is The Ocean”
“My Very Good Friend The Milkman”
“Can’t Hold Out Much Longer”
“That’s No Way To Get Along”
“Everything Will Be Alright”
“Diamonds Made From Rain”
“When Somebody Thinks You’re Wonderful”
“Hard Times Blues”
“Run Back To Your Side”
“Autumn Leaves”

Weezer To Take Re-Release of Pinkerton On Tour?

Good news for 1990’s Weezer fans… The band may be planning a tour centered around the playing of their 1996 release Pinkerton.  The band will be releasing a new album titled Hurley on September 13 as well as re-releasing Pinkerton on October 5th.  A tour coinciding with the re-release of Pinkerton is the rumor.  Weezer fans would likely agree that Pinkerton was one of the bands best efforts, but planning a tour focused on 15 year old material when a new album just hit the stores is not a great sign for the quality of the new material.  Maybe Hurley will be great and Weezer and their fans just prefer the Weezer classics live.  more info

Springsteen Doc Scheduled For October HBO Release

A documentary focused on the 1978 Bruce Springsteen album Darkness on the Edge of Town will be premiering this October on HBO.  The film is titled The Promise: The Making of Darkness on the Edge of Town and features never before seen black and white footage of The Boss and company in the studio working on the 1978 release.  The film also features modern day interviews with members of the band reminiscing about the ups and downs of the recording process.  Check your listings and tune in this October to see the documentary.  more info

Preview 5 New Brandon Flowers Solo Tracks Before His Flamingo Release

Anyone anticipating the release of Brandon Flowers’ solo album Flamingo on September 14, your wait just got a bit easier.  Thanks to the good folks at SPIN magazine, you can preview five Flamingo tracks right now!  Check out the new tracks and then figure out where you can check out Flowers in a live solo set when he tours for his release.  Flowers performed a ten song solo set in Las Vegas on August 15, giving fans an early and intimate showcase of his new solo work.  The rest of us will just have to wait until September 14th for the full experience.  Until then, get a bit more info and preview tracks here.

New Blondie Album To Be Out In 2011

Believe it or not, Blondie is back and prepping a new album for a 2011 release.  The album will be titled Panic Of Girls and was originally set for a late 2010 Australian release.  The album has been pushed back and will instead be released next year in the US and UK.  The follow-up to Blondie’s 2003 release The Curse of Blondie will feature a more “organic” feel with less programming according to drummer Clem Burke.  Blondie has played a few of their new songs at shows recently and have received good feedback.  more info

Celebrate John Lennon’s 70th Birthday and Pre-Order “The John Lennon Box of Vision”

To commemorate John Lennon’s 70th birthday, the powers that be will be releasing “The John Lennon Box of Vision.”  The “Box of Vision” will be released in a very limited manner, individually numbered and only 7500 copies released, and can be pre-ordered at www.BoxOfVision.com.  The “Box of Vision” is officially licensed by Yoko Ono Lennon and is a fantastic box of goodies for any Lennon fan.  For a full list of what is contained in the “Box” and more info, click here or head to www.BoxOfVision.com.

Delta Spirit Release New “Bushwick Blues” Video

San Diego based American/Soul band Delta Spirit have officially released a new video for their song “Bushwick Blues” off their June 2010 album History From Below.  Check out the album if you haven’t and watch the new video below.

-Sam Ryan

Elvis Costello Releases New Release Details

Details about the soon-to-be released new Elvis Costello album have surfaced.  Costello’s most recent release will be titled National Ransom and is scheduled for a November 2 US release.  National Ransom was recorded in both Nashville and Los Angeles and was produced by legendary producer T-Bone Burnett.  Check out the tracklist and cover art below.  more info

‘National Ransom’
‘Jimmie Standing In The Rain’
‘Stations Of The Cross’
‘A Slow Drag With Josephine’
‘Five Small Words’
‘Church Underground’
‘You Hung The Moon’
‘Bullets For The New-Born King’
‘I Lost You’
‘Dr Watson, I Presume’
‘One Bell Ringing’
‘The Spell That You Cast’
‘That’s Not The Part Of Him You’re Leaving’
‘My Lovely Jezebel’
‘All These Strangers’

Jack Johnson Joins Gulf Oil Spill Relief Effort

Chilled-out surfer, singer and environmentalist Jack Johnson is heading “To The Sea” to help out with oil spill relief effort on the Gulf.  Johnson and his “To The Sea” tour has joined the “All At Once” campaign to encourage volunteerism and direct-donation in aiding the Gulf spill relief efforts.  Jack Johnson’s charity The Johnson Ohana Charity Foundation has donated money to help the people of the Gulf.  Keep up the fantastic work Jack!  more info

My Morning Jacket Recording New Album

My Morning Jacket are hard at work recording new material in a church in their hometown of Louisville, Kentucky.  The band has recorded five new tracks and expects the album out mid-2011, likely May or so.  MMJ frontman Jim James talked to Rolling Stone Magazine about the new material and said, “It’s all live, so the vibe is really, really good, really wholesome.  There’s something about it. We’ve done stuff mostly live but then you do some overdubs, some vocals, or whatever. But we’re trying to do everything other than maybe strings live. There’s just something old and dirty about it.”  more info

Mumford & Sons Announce North American Fall Tour

British folk rockers Mumford & Sons will be hitting the road on a North American tour this fall and have scheduled one Wisconsin date.  The guys from London will be in Milwaukee on October 30 as well as Minneapolis the 29th and Chicago the 31st.  If you are unfamiliar with Mumford, I highly recommend their first album Sigh No More as well as checking them out this October.  For more information and the complete tour schedule, check here.

Reese Witherspoon To Play Peggy Lee in New Film

Actress Reese Witherspoon won an Oscar for her portrayal of country singer June Carter Cash in the Johnny Cash bio-pic “Walk the Line.”  Her success with the musically important role has put her in position to play jazz singer/songwriter/actress Peggy Lee in an upcoming film based on the entertainer’s life.  Witherspoon obtained the story from Lee’s estate and will act as an executive producer for the film.  Additional details have yet to surface.  more info

Arcade Fire Take Over The Daily Show

Arcade Fire have been very busy the last couple weeks.  The band released their latest chart topping album The Suburbs this week, headlined last weekend’s Lollapalooza and recently joined John Stewart on The Daily Show for a two song performance.  Check out video from their Daily Show performance below.

New Robert Plant Album Band of Joy Out Soon!

Fans of Robert Plant and Led Zeppelin listen up!  The legendary Robert Plant will be releasing his ninth studio album on September 13, 2010.  The album will be titled Band of Joy and features twelve tracks that feature a classic 60’s rock sound.  I have yet to hear the album, so I will let Robert Plant himself give you an album preview!

Dave Matthews and Taylor Swift Set T0 Kickoff NFL Season

As training camps draw to an end and the preseason schedule is in full swing, only one thing can be true.  The NFL season is nearly here!  For the past few years the NFL has kicked off the season with a Thursday night matchup that is surrounded by parties and celebration.  This year will be no different when Dave Matthews and Taylor Swift head to New Orleans to perform prior to the kickoff of the Saints and Vikings game on Thursday, September 9.  Be sure to tune in for the start of the season as well as see Dave and Taylor Swift rock the night away.  more info

Professor Steve Miller?
Rock n’ Roll legend Steve Miller will try his hand at a new career, a faculty member at the University of Southern California’s Thornton School of Music.  Steve Miller will work as an “Artist in Residence” at USC, working with undergrad students enrolled at the Thornton School of Music and working in the Popular Music and Music Industry fields.  ”Professor” Steve Miller will advise and help students with first hand experience and knowledge to help the students understand the field.  That would be an entertaining course to say the least, “The State of Music with Steve Miller.”  more info

Sufjan Stevens Schedules North American Tour
Indie singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist and all around good guy Sufjan Stevens has announced a North American tour starting in early October.  Sadly no Wisconsin show has been scheduled, but you can catch Sufjan in other midwest cities including Chicago on October 15 and Minneapolis on October 16.  If you have any opportunity to see Sufjan live do not pass it up.  No word on new studio material by Sufjan has surfaced for a while.  More tour info

Sara Bareilles Covers “Single Ladies”
I’m really happy for you Beyonce, Imma let you finish, but Sara Bareilles just covered your song and made it into a happy piano pop tune.  Sara Bareilles recorded a cover of Beyonce’s single “Single Ladies” for Billboard.com.  Bareilles took the hip-pop tune and put her touches to it and turned the track to a pop-piano ballad.  Beyonce’s version of the song was extremely popular both radio and video wise and was the video that lead to Kanye West’s interruption of Taylor Swift at last year’s MTV Video Music Awards.  Check out Sara Bareilles cover below.  Hopefully Kanye is a fan…

Lollapalooza 2010 Photo Recap

Did you make it down to the Windy City this weekend for Lollapalooza?  If you didn’t, or did but want to relive the magic, check out SPIN magazine’s “Best of” photo recap of the weekend.  Clearly, Lolla looked like a great weekend filled with fantastic music.  Check out some of the great photos here!

-Sam Ryan

You may already know that I got to host a Live from Studio M with Trey Anastasio during the period when we thought Phish had broken up for good, and I’ll get to that story later this week.  But what you might not know is that I met him and Mike Gordon once before.

My BFF is NPR Weekend Edition host Liane Hansen. Every year we used to have a girls weekend in NYC. Sometimes I got us tickets to a show, sometimes she did. Several years before Phish had graduated from venues like the Barrymore to Alpine Valley, she did an interview with them. They told her they were fans of HER show as well, so when she asked to interview them again in the late 90’s they jumped at the chance.

Of course, we got tickets to see the show at Madison Square Garden. After the show, we got in line for a meet and greet so we could thank the guy from the Phish organization that got us the tickets. As we were waiting, a kid turned and asked us, “Are you the band’s Moms?”  Oh man…LOL

Anyway, the next day we headed to the NPR studio in NYC for her interview. Trey and Mike showed up. First Trey shared a story that just happened. As he was getting out of the cab to come to the studio, a 14 year old boy recognized him and came running up to tell Trey that his mother had given him tickets to the show for his birthday and was SO excited to see him!!! Trey spent a few minutes  chatting with the boy. What a nice guy!

I can’t remember much about the interview with Liane, but I remember sitting in the control room listening with THE BIGGEST grin on my face.

Oh yeah, the same grin I have in the photo we took afterwards!