M.I.A. to Appear on Tavis Smiley Tonight!

If you missed the airing of the Tavis Smiley show earlier today at 7PM EST, be sure to catch the repeat at 12AM EST (US)!

This will be M.I.A's first live interview since announcing her pregnancy, the release of Slumdog Millionaire, as well as the Grammy and Oscar nominations. Lots to discuss, don't miss it!

More info about the episode HERE. Check your local listing HERE.

Update: Very intriguing interview, seizing the opportunity to shed light on the ongoing genocide of Tamils in Sri Lanka. Check out M.I.A.'s blog update on this and upcoming appearances HERE, M.I.A. I.Y.F! A podcast of the interview can be found HERE.

MP3: M.I.A. - Come Around or zShare

TLC vs. The Metros: The New Year Interview

Over the course of 2007-2008, The Metros emerged as one of the most promising young bands in London. TLC made no bones about the fact that we've become quite enamored with this rabblerousing Peckham 5-piece and their infectious debut album, More Money Less Grief.

After a year of touring up and down the UK (including a stint supporting The Streets) and a detour to Japan, vocalist Saul Adamczewski chatted to us in true good-humored Metros fashion about what the band is looking forward to in 2009 like growing up a bit and not letting their hometown confine or define them.

With no current plans to release the album in the US, they recently made a small splash with a track featured on Gossip Girl. Watch out for The Metros this year!

> Happy New Year! Congratulations on a busy and successful 2008! The first time I heard of The Metros was when you played the BBC Electric Proms in '07. You've certainly come a long way since then. What moments stand out as highly significant for you from the past year?

SA: Playing Japan was wicked, the girls all dressed like school girls. Also Glastonbury was fun and all the rest of the festivals and obviously putting a record out.

> How did you meet Baxter Dury? As a producer, how much of an influence did he have on your sound and the overall direction of the album?

SA: I bet Baxter he couldn't swallow a huge lump of cheddar cheese for a tenner and the rest is history. He brought a raw blues sound to the album and kept it feeling as close to live as possible.

> Your songs are mostly about the experience of being young in London – particularly South East London. How important is it to you to represent and bring attention to where you come from, considering how much attention is paid to the scenes in North and East London?

SA: When I wrote the songs, South London was quite important to me, I grew up there but now it doesnt really matter to me and we are writing songs about other things, more interesting things like boneless human beings.

> I lived in SE London for a time myself and was lucky enough to witness the growth of the music scene there, especially in and around New Cross. How do you feel about being lumped into that scene? Who are some of your favorite fellow SE London bands and is there a sense of camaraderie amongst you?

SA: Most of the bands I hung around with have now disbanded. There isnt much of a scene anymore but it was a blast and it lives on in my kitchen on Thursday nights. The bands I like now include soon to be smash hit Koran Koran and Rum Shebeen, The Coolness, oh and The Pepys are a shower of shit...!!!

> Mike Skinner is a veteran of rock n roll indulgence and excess, did he impart any wisdom to you while you were on the road together?

SA: He came into our dressing room once and I was locked in the fridge so he left and I think he may have rightly thought that we were a bit juvenile.

> Now that you've been through the process of recording and releasing an album and touring rigorously, what kind of advice would you give to a band just getting started in the music industry?

SA: Touch the leather, open the limit, come on out to play and enjoy it (something I almost forgot how to do but have recently remembered!) sniff sniff

> Are you working on any new material? How will your experiences as a successful band be reflected in your songwriting from now on?

SA: Yes we are going into the studio tomorrow - it's all a bit top secret, but yes all our experiences are reflected in our songs.

> If The Metros were showing us around SE London, where would you take us?

SA: Brixton or my dad's house for partridge

> We're hoping to see The Metros play in NYC at some point in the near future! What are your plans for 2009?

SA: Overcoming my fear of flying, making a record I am proud of and generally just opening the limit. I would like to marry Anna and have skinny babies.

MP3: The Metros - Live a Little or zShare
MP3: The Metros - Robbin Hood or zShare

Bat for Lashes Announces US Tour Dates!

I caught Bat for Lashes at Bowery Ballroom during the promotional tour for Fur & Gold in 2007, and have since been eagerly awaiting her return. The wait finally over as tickets go on sale this Friday for Bowery Ballroom and Music Hall of Williamsburg! Make sure you catch the eclectic songstress as she promotes her new record Two Suns which will be released on April 6th. (I snapped the picture to the left at the 2007 Bowery gig.)

April 30 Bowery Ballroom
May 2 Music Hall of Williamsburg

MP3: Bat for Lashes - Sweet Dreams (Eurythmics Cover) or zShare

M.I.A. Gets an Oscar Nomination!

Although I usually disagree with the skewed and out-of-touch American music award ceremonies that award the same artists every year, I got really excited for M.I.A.'s Record of the Year Grammy nomination for Paper Planes! Actually I was quite impressed by the nominees announced toward the end of 2008, check out the full list of nominees HERE.

But it doesn't end there. The pregnant M.I.A., who is due on February 8th, 2009 - the night of the Grammys, has also been nominated for an Oscar for her work on the Slumdog Millionaire soundtrack! The film was one of our favorites of 2008 racking up much-deserved nominations and wins at every turn, we've got our fingers crossed for these.

The 3 music nominations are for Best Score and Best Song: M.I.A. and A.R. Rahman's O...Saya, and Jai Ho performed by A.R. Rahman. It would be amazing to see O...Saya peformed live at the ceremony on February 22, although she is ready to go into labor at any moment it hasn't stopped her before.

In a statement, M.I.A. said this of the prestigious nomination: "This is a great honor. Thank you to all the people who are supporting us and the making of a real story of a 'Slumdog Millionaire.' Maybe I can afford to book Dave Chappelle at the baby shower now. Thank you again; my mum wants everyone to know what wonderful news this is for her."

MP3: M.I.A. - Galang (Hot Chip Remix) or zshare

Missy Elliott's Featured Playlist

The world is still highly anticipating Missy Elliott's long delayed Block Party, but to hold us off in the mean time Missy has put together a playlist as a part of Myspace's Celebrity Playlist. These are the songs that got Missy Elliott through her wonder years until now.

1. Sade - No Ordinary Love
2. Anita Baker - Caught Up in the Rapture
3. Janet Jackson - The Pleasure Principle
4. Prince - When Doves Cry
5. Whitney Houston - Saving All My Love For You
6. Madonna - Like A Virgin/Hollywood (Live at 2004 MTV VMA's)
7. Stacy Lattisaw - Love on a Two Way Street
8. Michael Jackson - Rock With You

MP3: Missy Elliott - Lose Control (Jacques Lu Cont Mix) [alt]

Peter Bjorn and John Spring Tour Presale!

Peter Bjorn and John have just announced their US tour for 2009 in support of album #4 Living Thing. The album will be released March 31st (US), but if you PRE-ORDER the album now you will receive an instant download of Nothing to Worry About and a unique ticket code for the concert ticket pre-sale.

4/29: NY, NY @ Webster Hall
4/30: Brooklyn, NY @ Music Hall of Williamsburg

MP3: Peter Bjorn & John - Young Folks (Phones Remix) or zShare

Anya Marina Record Release at Mercury Lounge

DJ turned singer-songwriter Anya Marina played a special record release gig for Slow & Steady Seduction: Phase II at Manhattan's Mercury Lounge this past Tuesday.

Digested as a storybook, Anya's lyrical content and live performance often reflect upon her Russian/Irish upbringing as well as life in Los Angeles. The foundations of SSSPII, a follow up to the 2006 debut Miss Halfway, are folky acoustics which are then layered with Anya's soft and grainy delivery.

The albums 12 tracks include production by Brian Karscig (of Louis XIV) and Britt Daniel (of Spoon), a combination that rounds out an impressive sophomore effort.

Anya was a pleasant and hilarious host for a light and celebratory evening, it was also the historical Inauguration Day in the United States. Our favorite moments included her deadpan impersonation of Rachel Zoe and her experience trying to assimilate to New York's cold and distant disposition. Anya will continue touring the US with The Virgins and Lissy Trullie and play several dates for Austin Texas' SXSW festival in March.

«More Photos of Anya Marina's Record Release Gig»

MP3: Anya Marina - Move You (SSSPII) or zShare

Win Tickets for The Whigs w/ Kings of Leon!

Still scouring the internet for tickets for the sold out January 29th Kings of Leon gig with The Whigs at Madison Square Garden?

Tastes Like Caramel teamed up with Red Music to bring you the following opportunity to win tickets for Kings of Leon's USA stadium tour stop at Madison Square Garden with the Whigs. If you miss them this time around, The Whigs are returning to New York on March 7th to play Bowery Ballroom with Dead Confederate and Trances Arc.

To enter the contest, follow the link below. One lucky winner will win tickets to the Madison Square Garden gig on our behalf. Good luck!

http://www.redmusic.com/whigsredeem/

MP3: The Whigs - Right Hand on My Heart or zShare
MP3: Kings of Leon - On Call (Grum Disco Remix) or zShare

Ida Maria Declares Independence, Re-releases LP

Making quite the new years' resolution, as of January 1st, 2009 Ida Maria shed the constraints of being signed to the RCA record label and took her career into her own hands. Ida's first matter of business as a newly independent artist is the re-release of 2008's Fortress Round My Heart with brand new artwork, three additional tracks, and a new tracklisting -- the way she wanted it to be.

She had this to say of the upcoming release, "Now it sounds, looks and feels like I want it to feel, and I am so excited again."

Interestingly enough, we here at TLC were just discussing that the original packaging for the record is misleading and doesn't represent Ida as an artist. For argument's purpose I've posted the new artwork (above) and old artwork (below) for you to compare. Thoughts? Also available on January 26th is the Oh My God single, which includes an acoustic version of Drive Away My Heart and a remix of Oh My God by the Manhattan Clique. Ida rounds out an amazing bill supporting select dates for Glasvegas' US Tour, including The Music Hall of Williamsburg!

Fortress Round My Heart is released February 9th:
1. Oh My God
2. Morning Light
3. Queen Of The World
4. Stella
5. Forgive Me
6. Leave Me
7. I Like You So Much Better When You´re Naked
8. Louie
9. Drive Away My Heart
10. Keep Me Warm
11. In The End
12. We´re All Going To Hell (Live)

MP3: Ida Maria - You Keep Me Warm or zShare

New Glasvegas Video: Flowers and Football Tops

The Glaswegian band premiered the video for their latest single Flowers and Football Tops, one of my personal favorite tracks from their 2008 self-titled debut album. The band follows up their glorious January 6th New York debut performance at Bowery Ballroom this March with gigs at Webster Hall and The Music Hall of Williamsburg. If you're lucky enough to be in Louisiana in March, TLC favorite Ida Maria supports the band on March 23rd at The House of Blues. Here's to hoping that she'll join for the remainder of the tour! [UPDATE: Ida is confirmed for The Music Hall of Williamsburg]

Enjoy the band's take on Everybody's Got To Learn Sometime by The Korgis, most recently made famous by Beck on the Eternal Sunshine of a Spotless Mind soundtrack. Check out our coverage of their gig at Bowery earlier this month HERE.

MP3: Glasvegas - Everybody's Got To Learn Sometime (The Korgis Cover) or Zshare

Lily Allen Takes on The Clash

Lily Allen will appear on the War Child: Heroes charity album due out February 24th. No worries this time around, Lily was granted permission to cover The Clash's Straight to Hell unlike the trouble she got into for covering Britney Spears' Womanizer last year.

The set includes Hot Chip covering Joy Division, Duffy singing Paul McCartney, Beck taking on Bob Dylan, and the Kooks reinterpreting the Kinks among others. Sounds like a great compilation to me! Click HERE for more info.

Enjoy Lily's interpretation of the classic tune by The Clash below.

MP3: Lily Allen - Take What You Take or zShare

Oh My God: Ida Maria at Mercury Lounge

Ida Maria is the consummate performer; she somehow manages to hit that sweet spot of absolutely adorable and totally badass. TLC was lucky enough to catch her US debut show at Mercury Lounge on Thursday night. Having been a fan of Ida for about a year as her popularity grew in the UK, I am really happy that she's getting the buzz and hype over here in the States that she deserves.

She tore through her 7 song set with passionate delivery and built a charming rapport with the packed audience. Highlights included the crowd sing-a-long favorite, I Like You So Much Better When You're Naked, Stella, and raucous closer, Oh My God.

Check back for our upcoming interview with Ida!

Openers, Those Darlins, are gaining speed in the alt-country realm of indie rock. Although they weren't really TLC's cup of tea, there's no denying they played an engaging and confident set.

«More photos of Ida Maria at Mercury Lounge 1/15/09»
MP3: Ida Maria - I Like You So Much Better When You're Naked or zShare

Those Darlins

Lissy Trullie Debut EP and Show at Mercury Lounge

2008 bubbled up to this point for Lissy Trullie. TLC caught the songstress at various events in 2008 including: Cake Shop, CMJ, Santo's w/ Mark Ronson, Rumble Strips and Adam Green and lastly supporting The Teenagers. It's been exciting to see her confidence and stage presence evolve with each show!

The Debut EP will be released on February 17th, and be preceeded by a special EP Release show at Mercury Lounge on February 11th.

Self-Taught Learner Tracklisting
1. Boy Boy
2. She Said
3. Self-Taught Learner
4. Money
5. Forget About It
6. Ready For The Floor (Hot Chip Cover)

MP3: Lissy Trullie - Self-Taught Learner or zShare