popwreckoning

Ha Ha Tonka are showing their Missouri home some love with their new video for “The Usual Suspects.” Mandolin-driven song is available on Death of a Decade, out now on Bloodshot Records.

Follow the band down some train tracks in this beautifully shot video, then follow them down to Austin in the late Summer. They just announced they’ll be playing at the Austin City Limits music festival.

As part of the Grand Opening for McMenamin’s new Crystal Hotel in downtown Portland, M. Ward played a three-day series of shows at the Crystal Ballroom, each day with different openers. The Corin Tucker band opened on Tuesday, David Bazan opened on Wednesday, and on Thursday, the day I attended, Built to Spill frontman Doug Martsch took the opening slot.

On the clear night, people slowly crowded into the upstairs ballroom with its bouncy floors and cherub designs that lined the walls. The crowd for Doug Martsch’s set was surprisingly small, but his acoustic songs of an often-melancholy and sometimes-morbid were quite enjoyable. “5 on 3,” a song about a five-year-old on three hits of acid was one that stuck out as particularly “wtf,” as it was upbeat in melody – a song that you wanted to dance to.

After Martsch’s set, M. Ward took the stage with his band, and the room filled up quite a bit more.

Ward’s sultry swagger translated tremendously on stage – he’s low-key but also full of attitude. That plus his retro blues rock feel made for a wondering Thursday night in downtown Portland.

He started out with “Poison Cup,” “4 Hours,” and “Poor Boy,” and then my favorite – his cover of David Bowie’s “Let’s Dance.” I almost like it more than the original version. Nothing against David Bowie, but Ward’s version is so much sexier.

For the next hour and a half, Ward played through twenty more songs from his repertoire, including one that someone requested that wasn’t originally on his set list.

My favorite part of the evening came during the latter half of the set. Ward’s guitar went out completely in the middle of a song, and as he and his roadies began to try and get the plugs working again, Ward just went over to the piano and played his guitar solo on the piano. It was a perfectly improvisational and sincere moment, which made the crowd go wild.

One thing’s for sure, because Ward doesn’t tour much outside of She & Him, and he rarely gives interviews, it was nice to see him in his element surrounded by hometown love.

SET LIST
1. Poison Cup
2. 4 Hours
3. Poor Boy
4. Let’s Dance
5. Never had nobody
6. To save me
7. Rave on
8. Howlin’
9. Post-war
10. Roller coaster
11. Paul’s song
12. Chinese translation
13. Requiem
14. Sad Sad
15. Right in the head
16. Whole lotta losing
17. Helicopter
18. Big boat
Encore no. 1
1. Fahey
2. Walking the floor over you
3. To go home
Encore No. 2
1. Beethoven

Released in the fall of 2008, Friendly Fires‘ self-titled album had me at hello. It was the sonic equivalent to the boy next door: a bit naive, a little rough around the edges, a tad tentative, yet completely unpretentious. It winked with the wide-eyed naivete able to win your heart but was sexy enough to make you feel like you were the prettiest girl in the room. Having had a love affair with its predecessor, I knew Pala had to really wow me like a knight in shining armor to even stand a chance against my darling Friendly Fires. Basically, it was an impossibly tall order.

The album was named after the fictional setting of the Aldous Huxley novel Island, and based on that alone, you can tell this album was conceived, written, and recorded with much thought. This time around, lead singer Ed Macfarlane took advantage of writing songs not just in their hometown of St. Albans like for those on Friendly Fires but also Rye in Sussex, the little village Yvetot in France, and New York. He’s talked about wanting to break out of the stereotypes that the media tried to pin on them after their first album, and certainly, no one can accuse them of writing a Friendly Fires pt. 2 with this effort. The problem? Pala is an example of how (usually) less is more. Despite the great care taken to make every sound on this album resonate beautifully (no doubt with producer Paul Epworth‘s help), there is so much going on here and in so many different directions that it’s hard to find continuity.

Having said that, there are some real winners on here. “Live Those Days Tonight,” the album’s first single, is a carnival. The first time I heard it, I hated it. I had already worried based on the “Kiss of Life” single released in the summer of 2009 that Edd Gibson‘s guitar work was going to be muted on their future recordings in favor of a heavier dance sound; for this song and most of Pala, I was right. But the song grew on me: it’s kind of hard to not eventually fall in love with it, because it’s so damn catchy. And if you’ve ever seen Macfarlane dance when the band performs live, the mental image of him swiveling his hips around to the music pops into your mind and is pretty mesmerizing. A good friend of mine just saw the band play at London’s intimate club venue Heaven on May 9 and assured me that the Friendly Fires live performance is better than ever and completely “lush,” and I take his word for it.

Let’s talk about the good. “Show Me Lights,” having a sensual r&b groove, is the stand out track on the album. Interestingly, when you compare this song’s chorus of “take me back / take me back / take me back in the darkness” to “Strobe” from the first album, which begins with the words “I see you / you come out of the strobe / you come out of the strobe,” you notice both songs are about winning back a love, just in opposite lighting situations. Comparing the new track to the old one side by side is like comparing apples and oranges, and in this case, I approve of the newer apple. “Pull Me Back to Earth” lets guitarist Gibson flex his musical muscles – thank goodness. Title track “Pala” is a fantastic slow jam; with Macfarlane’s dreamy vocals, it would have felt completely out of place on Friendly Fires. But it’s a perfect example of my “less is more” argument.

Less successful are the songs that sound like they’re from an earlier time. “Hurting” would have felt at home in the ’70s, and you almost feel compelled to do the hustle to it. The ’80s sounding “Hawaiian Air” has video game-like bleeps. Both this track and “True Love” (guest starring Holy Ghost!‘s Alex Frankel on clavinet) buzz along with Jack Savidge‘s relentless drumming leading the way, and for some reason, they just don’t ring true with me. I’m going to assume that these translate better live than on record, and I hope when the live Pala and I are formally introduced next week in Washington, we’ll get on like a house on fire.

Pala by Friendly Fires will be released in America on May 24 on XL Recordings.

Tracklisting
01. Live Those Days Tonight
02. Blue Cassette
03. Running Away
04. Hawaiian Air
05. Hurting
06. Pala
07. Show Me Lights
08. True Love
09. Pull Me Back to Earth
10. Chimes
11. Helpless

Tour Dates:
May 25 – Webster Hall / New York City
May 26 – 9:30 Club / Washington, DC
May 27 – Paradise / Boston
May 28 – Corona Theatre / Montreal
May 30 – Phoenix / Toronto
May 31 – Lincoln Hall / Chicago
Jun 01 – Varsity Theater / Minneapolis
Jun 04 – Venue / Vancouver
Jun 05 – Neumo’s / Seattle
Jun 06 – Doug Fir / Portland
Jun 08 – Independent / San Francisco
Jun 10 – Music Box @ Henry Fonda / Los Angeles
Jun 11 – Teatro Chino De Six Flags / Mexico City
Jun 12 – Escenica / Monterrey, Mexico

Friendly Fires: website | myspace | Friendly Fires review | Remix Monday: “Skeleton Boy” | @ Black Cat | @ Dot to Dot Festival | interview with pt. 1, pt. 2, pt. 3 | Mercury Prize Nominations Announced | New Video on MTV, To Play Jimmy Kimmel and Winter Nylon Tour, Release Expanded Version of Debut Album | @ Lollapalooza 2009 | @ le poisson rouge | @ Music Hall of Williamsburg | on Jimmy Kimmel | Remix Monday: “Paris” | @ Paradise | Friendly Fires / Holy Ghost! – 12″ Split Single | Friendly Fires to Release Mix CD Including New Collaboration with Azari & III | Friendly Fires Announce Appearance at South by Southwest and Spring North American Tour, Album Due Out Soon

I was working at WUPX, the college radio station at Northern Michigan University in Marquette, Michigan during the 2000-2001 school year.  In addition to being the Classical Music Director, I also had a mid-day show where we had to play the songs in rotation.  I remember when Kid A first came out and our station director was really pushing multiple tracks in rotation, especially the title track “Kid A”.

Many of the college DJs were kind of scratching our heads at the song and the album as a whole; I mean we were all familiar with OK Computer, but where had Radiohead turned this time?  I remember the DJ before me was finishing up his show, and the last song he played was “Kid A” and he said something that stuck: “If you thought OK Computer was Radiohead experimenting, then explain to me what this is?”

In fact, even the experimentation on OK Computer, which I will call “pseudo-experimentation” compared to Kid A, pales in comparison to this album.  The closest song to the previous album would be “Optimistic,” but even then that had its alt-rock and early experimentation elements stripped from it.

While I compared OK Computer to U2’s Zooropa in terms of its experimentation and departure from anthem rock, then Kid A would be akin to U2’s Passengers. The only difference is, this was much more successful and not as pretentious.

Like Passengers, lyrics are stripped way back on Kid A, and are mostly instrumental, combining classical, techno, and just a hint of house-beats, as found in “Idioteque.”  The complete instrumental “Treefingers” always reminds me of “An Ending (Ascent)” from Brian Eno’s Apollo: Atmospheres and Soundtracks album, which appeared in the film Traffic. The trippy “The National Anthem,” and the somewhat depressing “How To Disappear Completely” and the swirling  “Motion Picture Soundtrack” are definite standouts on this thoroughly constructed and artfully mastered experimental album from Radiohead.

The second disc contains live tracks from the BBC Radio One Evening Session on November 15, 2000, LAMACQ Live In Concert at Victoria Park in England on October 2, 2000, Canal+ Studios on April 28, 2001 and I Might Be Wrong live recordings.

The DVD is more of a let down than the one on the OK Computer deluxe edition.  This time, we are given three songs from the Jools Holland performance.  I realize that the DVD was limited since there were no official singles, and thus, no official music video promos, but surely they could have found more than three songs recorded on video for this album.

For instance, where was the video for “Motion Picture Soundtrack” that contained all of the 30-second films to promote Kid A originally seen on MTV?  After doing some searching on YouTube, I found the video that Radiohead released for this.  It appears that the poster changed some things in the video,  but it contains all of the original “blips.”  You can watch it here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7RKakVGvPc

Since there were no official singles released, there are no sleeve covers in the deluxe edition.  However, in addition to the original CD insert, it also includes the hidden booklet that was in the original pressing.

Kid A (standalone album) – 5 out of 5 stars
Kid A (2 CD/1 DVD) – 3 out of 5 stars (For only 12 minutes of playing time on the DVD)

Disc 2 Tracklist:
(BBC Radio One Evening Session – 15/11/00)
1.  Everything In Its Right Place
2.  How To Disappear Completely
3.  Idioteque
4.  The National Anthem

(LAMACQ Live in Concert: Victoria Park, Warrington, England – 28/04/01)
5.  Optimistic

(Canal+ Studios – 28/04/01)
6.  Morning Bell
7.  The National Anthem
8.  How To Disappear Completely
9.  In Limbo
10.  Idioteque
11.  Everything In Its Right Place
12.  Motion Picture Soundtrack

(I Might Be Wrong – Live Recordings)
13.  True Love Waits

DVD Tracklist:
(Later…With Jools Holland -   09/06/01)
1.  The National Anthem
2.  Morning Bell
3.  Idioteque

Editors’ Note: PopWreckoning has one unopened copy of this special edition of Kid A to be given away to a resident of the United States. To win, all you have to do is comment with your favorite song from the album Kid A and explain why the song stands out to you. The comment that stands out to the Editors the most, wins.

Please remember to include a working email address so we might contact you for mailing information. Contest will run until June 10.

It was evident on Radiohead’s 1995 sophomore release The Bends that the musical style was beginning to shift gears with songs like “Planet Telex,” and “Street Spirit (Fade Out),” even with its heavy alt rock-laden singles “Fake Plastic Trees” and “High and Dry.”  While other bands, such as U2, were trying their hand with experimentation in the critically successful Zooropa, they failed to generate that same success with Passengers: Original Soundtracks I, and thus ditched the experimentation in favor of commercial success.  Radiohead, influenced by the soundscapes that U2 created on Zooropa, took their own stab with electronica and synth textures in their effort to ditch the anthem rock mastered on The Bends.

Still considered in the alt rock genre, “Paranoid Android” was released as the lead-off single to OK Computer in late may of 1997.  With an anti-alt rock groove that begins the song, it is almost a a plea to forget everything you had ever known about Radiohead on Pablo Honey and The Bends. As it grooves along for the first couple of minutes, Thom Yorke suddenly jolts us awake as he belts “you don’t remember!” with scorching guitars and heavy drums.  After a short guitar solo, the third section of “Android” begins, much slower, solemn, before returning back to the scorching guitars for rockin’ outro truly making the listener paranoid – are we really hearing our beloved Radiohead in this A.D.D. of a song?  But it’s that sheer brilliance within the A.D.D. and paranoia that forces one to get the album upon its release.  And the album doesn’t fail; instead, if anything, OK Computer is Radiohead’s first complete thought and true album.

It is so hard to say which song is my favorite, as they are all great in their own right.  Take any of them away, and OK Computer is an incomplete album.  From the opening guitar strums in “Airbag,” to the mellow and laid-back “Subterranean Homesick Alien” and “Exit Music (For a Film),” the first third of the album leaves you wanting more, to see what other wondrous sounds they have created.

“Let Down” is far from being a letdown in itself, instead it’s the perfect bridge from “Exit Music” into probably one of the most popular and liked songs on the album “Karma Police.”  Even today, the song still gets regular play on alternative and college radio.  As a classically trained pianist, I can’t help but immerse myself in Jonny Greenwood‘s piano playing.  ”Electioneering” pays homage to early Radiohead, as if to say “yea, we’ve changed our sound, but still have our roots.”

If I had to pick two songs that would be standouts and my favorites, they would be the slow-building, heavy climatic “Climbing Up the Walls” and the slow waltz-like closer “The Tourist.”

Admittedly, my reviews on Pablo and Bends didn’t go into this much detail with the original release, but they didn’t hit me as much as OK Computer. In the many years of listening to Radiohead, OK Computer has gotten far more plays on my iTunes than the first two albums combined.

CD Two contains b-sides from the “Paranoid Android,” “Karma Police” and “No Surprise” singles, including some remixes and live tracks, in addition to the BBC Radio One Evening Session from May 28, 1997.

The DVD is where I feel that this Deluxe Edition fell short.  The previous Deluxe Editions for Pablo Honey and The Bends had plenty of videos and live footage on the DVDs, but the OK Computer Deluxe Edition only has the music videos for the singles and live footage from Later…With Jools Holland with three songs.  Only live footage of three songs on the DVD for this masterpiece of an album?  If there was a time to say it, now is it – what a “Let Down”.

The Deluxe Edition also contains the sleeve covers for the three singles, and the booklet from the original CD release.

OK Computer (standalone album) – 5 out of 5 stars
OK Computer (2 CD/1 DVD) – 3 1/2 out of 5 stars (due to the limited live footage on the DVD)

Disc 2 Track list:
(Taken from “Paranoid Android” single)
1.  Polyethylene (Parts 1 & 2)
2.  Pearly
3.  A Reminder
4.  Melatonin

(Taken from “Karma Police” single)
5.  Meeting in the Aisle
6.  Lull
7.  Climbing Up the Walls (Zero 7 Mix)
8.  Climbing Up the Walls (Fila Brazillia Mix)

(Taken from “No Surprises” single)
9.  Palo Alto
10.  How I Made My Millions
11.  Airbag (Live in Berlin)
12.  Lucky (Live in Berlin)

(BBC Radio One Evening Session – 28/05/97)
13.  Climbing Up the Walls
14.  Exit Music (For a Film)
15.  No Surprises

DVD Track list:
(Music Videos)
Paranoid Android
Karma Police
No Surprises

(Later…With Jools Holland 31/05/97)
Paranoid Android
No Surprises
Airbag

Editors’ Note: PopWreckoning has one unopened copy of this special edition of Ok Computer to be given away to a resident of the United States. To win, all you have to do is comment with your favorite song from the album Ok Computer and explain why the song stands out to you. The comment that stands out to the Editors the most, wins.

Please remember to include a working email address so we might contact you for mailing information. Contest will run until June 10.

Los Angeles, California indie rock band The Airborne Toxic Event traded lesser known label for a major for their sophomore release. They hired Dave Sardy (Band of Horses, Oasis) to handle production and it turned out to be a solid decision. The album All At Once has an epic, orchestral feel and doesn’t disappoint. This album is ambitious and it’s a wonder the band isn’t more well known.

Their influences stand out boldly and I can appreciate them each for their attributions to the band’s sound. There are notable leanings towards The Cure, The Talking Heads, and all things classic rock. Lead singer Mikel Jollett tells a sweeping narrative with bold lyrics which should be no surprise coming from a published novelist. And let’s be honest. Isn’t that how all albums should be written?

The album starts with the title track as if making a statement about what’s to come. “This is it, this is what I’m about to say” are the whispers I hear in my subconscious. The band takes a risk by putting in out there all at once and it works. It’s somber at times, but makes you want to dance. The lyrics are honest and sometimes eerie, but there are lighthearted moments as well. The album is anthemic, yet still has its intimate moments. “Changing” is easily the single of the album whether you’ve heard anything from the band previously or not. It has that tempo that makes your head bob and the right hooks to make it memorable. “All For A Woman” is blissful power ballad and Jollett could probably woo any woman he wanted with it. “It Doesn’t Mean A Thing” and “The Kids Are Ready To Die” capture a stifled sort of excitement that finally comes to life in the punkish, upbeat tune that is “Welcome To Your Wedding Day.” There’s a great organ that blares on, and strings are a welcome part all throughout the album. “Half Of Something Else” sounds somewhat similar to the band’s hit song “Somewhere Around Midnight” with its intro, but the song takes on a life of its own as it goes on. “All I Ever Wanted” has a sense of urgency with rushing strings, and the album ends on an eerie and somewhat morbid note with “The Graveyard Near The House.” Listening to the lyrics of each an every song is a real treat though, and it gets better with every listen. They’re dark, yet sweet and really capture the scope of human emotion.

This is album is worth your time. The orchestral leanings of the band are a refreshing take on traditional rock music that we’ve heard time and time again. And I’ll admit it: I’m a sucker for strings. I’m a self-proclaimed band and orchestra geek, but don’t less my bias sway you. As a sophomore effort, The Airborne Toxic Events has successfully avoided the slump.

Track Listing:
1. All At Once
2. Numb
3. Changing
4. All For A Woman
5. It Doesn’t Mean A Thing
6. The Kids Are Ready To Die
7. Welcome To Your Wedding Day
8. Half Of Something Else
9. Strange Girl
10. All I Ever Wanted
11. The Graveyard Near The House

Two years after the radio-friendly release of Pablo Honey, Radiohead changes gears slightly as they begin their transformation into the band that fans and critics alike have grown to love. If Pablo Honey was their respectful rookie attempt at alternative rock of the early 90’s, then The Bends was their confident and ambitious application to steal away anthem rock from bands like U2 and R.E.M.

“Fake Plastic Trees” and “High and Dry” were the well-charting singles from the album that have continued through today on alternative radio stations, but The Bends is complete and loaded with meticulously and masterfully created songs that challenge the listener. “Planet Telex” opens with spacey and dream-like effects and echoey keys, teasing us that Radiohead may have suddenly shifted musical gears, which seems to be the case with the rest of the opening track.

But as soon as we are teased with a slightly different sound, the title track “The Bends,” brings us right back to the Pablo Honey days. The only difference is the sound is matured.

“Just” shows influences of the Pixies, while the reflective “Bullet Proof…I Wish I Was” reaches to the future for that new style. “Street Spirit (Fade Out)” is the perfect closer to The Bends, as it too looks ahead for something new.

The beauty about The Bends is that it is one of those “on the fence” albums, meaning Radiohead has honed in on their alt-rock sound, but are also unsettled and wanting something new, more challenging and satisfying. And with songs like “Planet Telex,” “Bullet Proof” and “Street Spirit,” it is clear the experimentation has begun.

The 21-track bonus CD contains b-sides from “My Iron Lung,” “High and Dry/Planet Telex,” “Fake Plastic Trees,” and “Street Spirit (Fade Out)” singles, as well as four tracks from the BBC Radio 1 Session recording in September of 1994.

The DVD contains music videos from four singles, including both the UK and US version of “High and Dry,” the remaining eight songs from the May 27, 2994 Astoria Theater performance in London, the February 27, 1995 2 Meter Session from Holland, their May 27, 1995 performance on Later…With Jools Holland and three different appearances from Top of the Pops.

In addition to the 1995 album re-release, the Deluxe Edition includes a 6-page booklet with lyrics from The Bends, and the sleeve covers of the five singles.

The Bends (standalone album) – 4 out of 5 stars
The Bends (2CD/1 DVD) – 4 ½ out of 5 stars

Disc 2 Track list:
(Taken from “My Iron Lung” single)
1. The Trickster
2. Punchdrunk Lovesick Singalong
3. Lozenge of Love
4. Lewis (Mistreated)
5. Permanent Daylight
6. You Never Wash Up After Yourself

(Taken from “High and Dry/Planet Telex” single)
7. Maquiladora
8. Killer Cars

(Taken from “Fake Plastic Trees” single)
9. India Rubber
10. How Can You Be Sure?
11. Fake Plastic Trees (Acoustic)
12. Bullet Proof.. I Wish I Was (Acoustic)
13. Street Spirit (Fade Out) (Acoustic)

(Taken from “Street Spirit (Fade Out)” single)
14. Talk Show Host
15. Bishop’s Robes
16. Banana Co.
17. Molasses

(BBC Radio One Session – 14/09/94)
18. Just
19. Maquiladora
20. Street Spirit (Fade Out)
21. Bones

DVD Track list
(Music Videos)
High and Dry – UK Version
High and Dry – US Version
Fake Plastic Trees
Just
Street Spirit (Fade Out)

(The Astoria, London – 27/05/94)
Bones
Black Star
The Bends
My Iron Lung
Maquiladora
Fake Plastic Trees
Just
Street Spirit (Fade Out)

(2 Meter Session, Holland – 27/02/95)
My Iron Lung
High and Dry
Fake Plastic Trees
Street Spirit (Fade Out)

(Later…With Jools Holland – 27/05/95)
The Bends
High and Dry

(Top of the Pops)
High and Dry 09/03/95
Fake Plastic Trees 01/06/95
Street Spirit (Fade Out) 01/02/96

Editors’ Note: PopWreckoning has one unopened copy of this special edition of The Bends to be given away to a resident of the United States. To win, all you have to do is comment with your favorite song from the album The Bends and explain why the song stands out to you. The comment that stands out to the Editors the most, wins.

Please remember to include a working email address so we might contact you for mailing information. Contest will run until June 10.

Austin, Texas based singer-songwriter Brandon Kinder has made quite a name for himself. Not only is he the front man for the indie folk rock band The Rocketboys, but he’s ventured out into the solo world as well, under the moniker The Wealthy West. He used SXSW to his advantage to debut some new tunes of his own and though I wasn’t even in attendance, I can tell you they were well-received.

I was lucky enough to experience The Rocketboys firsthand in a live setting, and let me tell you, it was fantastic. I have always held the belief that when a band is better live than they are on the album, that’s when you’ve found a true gem. When a recording can’t express everything that a band is, that’s how you know. That’s the real music; those are the passionate ones. And though I only briefly met them on a college town stop in the middle of Missouri over a year ago, I bought two albums on the spot and don’t regret a dime of it.

Brandon Kinder’s solo material released under the name The Wealthy West definitely sounds like the material I’m so familiar with, but it has a more intimate and acoustic feel to it. Kinder’s songs are accessible and he has a knack for heartfelt storytelling. His music has a touch of an Americana feel that I’m sure is thanks to his Austin roots. It’s simple and that’s why I think I’m so drawn to it. The first song “Love Is Not Enough” is simply an acoustic guitar, a keyboard and Kinder’s soulful voice singing earnestly and honestly. “Another Bad Idea” features touches of banjo and tinkling percussion; the steady tempo and bright percussion balances nicely with the melancholy lyrics. “Give Me Resurrection” is quiet and intimate with whispered vocals. “You cannot take my love away” is repeated over and over throughout the song with subtle backing vocals to create a truly beautiful piece. “Home” picks up in tempo slightly and features a more hopeful sound with plucked guitars, harmonica, accordion, and banjo as well as female vocals which really add character and warmth. The short and sweet EP wraps up nicely with the now-familiar melancholy musical and lyrical sounds in “Not A Pretty Pair”. It’s a small sample of what’s to come in future volumes, clocking in at a mere fifteen minutes. But I assure you it’s a fifteen minutes well spent.

Be sure and give Brandon Kinder’s music a listen. It’s passionate and simple, and you can’t go wrong with a sweet voice and an acoustic guitar.

Casey kidnapped the Republic Tigers and got a quick interview between sets at the Atlantic Records/Chop-Shop Showcase. Listen!

. “Interview with: The Republic Tigers

Their EP, No Land’s Man, was released on April 18. Pick up a copy at your local record store or hit up iTunes.

Featuring music scene meet-ups across the country with local band showcases each night, this is a not-to-be missed tour giving fans, bands, and industry players an all-new approach to networking and community building.

Presented by Vans Warped Tour, the EIY tour will bring together bands, fans and music promoters to strengthen local scenes all across the country in this two-part event.

Sarah Saturday, founder of the EIY movement and website, will host a free, all-ages scene meet-up at each stop on the tour bringing people from all walks of the music industry together to network and hear special guests share their stories. Attendees will have the opportunity to join the Warped Tour Street Team and engage with bands and fans from their region.

Following the meet-up, the EIY Tour will host a local band showcase, consisting of standout bands nominated by each community’s other bands and fans. One band from each date will earn a spot on this year’s Vans Warped Tour, at their hometown date.

Sarah Saturday first cultivated the idea of the EIY Scene Meet-Ups during last year’s Warped Tour, building a new platform for fans, bands, promoters and other music industry personnel to come together in an exciting and unprecedented way.

For more information and dates of local area showcases, check out both www.earnityourself.com and www.warpedtour.com.