
Bella Union is the U.K.-based independent record label run by Simon Raymonde, whom '80s children will remember for being the bass player with Cocteau Twins. Consequence of Sound caught up with Raymonde, back in London after a successful foray to SXSW in March. As an introduction, can you give us a brief rundown on the origins of Bella Union? I understand you originally set up the label to release Cocteau Twins material after the band split with a major… Yes, that is correct. Well to be precise, we’d had the idea [...]

Check out Anni Rossi's "Crushing Limbs," from her debut LP, Rockwell , released last year on 4AD . Recorded with legendary producer Steve Albini, the track is a buoyant slice of pop that sounds a bit like Laura Veirs fronting Of Montreal, if you're into that sort of thing. Download: Anni Rossi - "Crushing Limbs" Buy album at iTunes . Buy album on vinyl .

Let's talk a little bit about Laura Veirs , shall we? Perhaps the craziest thing I learned while looking up some info about her (since I don't really know anything about anyone ever) is that she was originally in an all-girl punk band back in the day. Which will be even more surprising when you hear the song below. In a somewhat less dramatic way, it reminds me a little of the history of Alex Ebert of Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros. But it's cool, because I am all for people exploring their artistry [...]
+לפני הכל: עקב הצטרפות מקרים שמחים ומשמחים, שכוללים בין היתר את ערב ההפתעה אמש, הגעתו של חבר טוב מחו"ל, ארוחות ארוכות וטעימות וההופעה של ארט ברוט הערב, זמן הכנת העונג שבת שלי הצטמצם השבוע ל-15 שניות, בקירוב. אבל גם מיני-עונג הוא טוב משום-עונג-בכלל-ל זאזל, אני מקווה. הזוכים בחלוקת הכרטיסים הזריזה (שנערכה בפייסבוק ובטוויטר של העונג) למופע של [...],

As Laura Veirs' July Flame , the follow-up to 2007's Nonesuch-released Saltbreakers, sat in label limbo last summer, the Decemberists' Colin Meloy Tweeted that it was his favorite record of the year and added, "Please pester @nonesuchrecords and tell 'em to PUT IT OUT!" Why they didn't is beyond me. July Flame is a terrific record, heartfelt and magnetic folk that recalls Michigan -era Sufjan Stevens and humble enough to include an ode to legendary session bassist Carole Kaye. It's clever without being quirky, as best shown on "Life is Good Blues," a mournful [...]
Enjoy today's magnificent performance of 'July Flame' in the feature below. MP3: Laura Veirs - I Can See Your Tracks
The first TV spot for Apple's iPad premiered last night at the Oscars. I know a lot of people have already written this device off mainly due to it's similarities to the iPhone / iPod Touch, but I'm still in the "interested" camp. I won't be lining up for this device, but I'd certainly love to get my hands on one. The iPad ad is a fairly simple but well-executed spot that shows off many of the capabilities with some fast-paced editing and angular guitar music (Side note: If you freeze the ad you can see the albums [...]

The Fresh & Onlys Play Spaceland on Saturday All in all there are a few solid options each night this week including many pre-SXSW shows as bands from Australia and the West Coast head towards Texas. I didn't get out a lot last week but did catch The Wooden Birds (really pretty stuff) and the Clientele (they've improved so much since their first US tour). Monday March 8, 2010 [Pick of the Night] Moonrats / Aska / Adanowsky / Soko [...]

I am wearing red tights. You will be able to see me coming all the way down the sidewalk. I am not following you. I am there on my own. When I walk away, you stop and stand under a tree. In one story, I run toward you and the moment never ends. We stay in a place where they believe in eating breakfast, in listening to music outside, in sugar, and where everyone plays poker while showing their cards. In another, the one that actually happens, I walk away. I hear my boots on the sidewalk. They are the [...]
Laura sat down with L.A. RECORD before soundcheck to discuss how desolation in Northwest China drove her to songwriting, her current favorite lullaby and her Buddhist connection to Leonard Cohen. This interview by Scott Schultz.
Hey! If you live in the twin cities, check out Cataldo and Laura Veirs at The Cedar Cultural Center tomorrow night . It's gonna be a great show, and I love the Cedar. Doors open at 7pm. Here's a video of Laura Veirs from NPR Music. Eric Anderson, lead singer of Cataldo and a Macalester grad, is the dude in the glasses. Enjoy! -Chris If the video doesn't load for you, here's a link to NPR .

Akron/Family - Woody Guthrie's America Woody Project (2010) www.akronfamily.com www.akronfamily.com/woodyproje ct Boca Chica - Lake Erie Valentine EP ( CD Baby - 2010) www.myspace.com/bocachica Quasi - Laissez Le Bon Temps Rouler American Gong ( Kill Rockstars - 2010) theequasi.com Judson Claiborne - Song For Dreaming [...]
Enjoy the entirety of her Tiny Desk session here. Last year, Laura Veirs performed on WNRN. Visit Laura Veirs on MySpace. MP3: Laura Veirs - I Can See Your Tracks
Looks like TSURURADIO fave, Laura Veirs got all pregnant and shit! Congrats! But that apparently isn't stopping her from promoting her masterpiece July Flame ! Here she is with 3 songs for this adorable little NPR series . *spoiler alert* They totally goof up in the first song! *end spoiler alert* Awesome! Tsuru
Here's a look at what is going down in the D this week, lots more action this week than last week. Tuesday, February 23rd, 2010 - Jay-Z: The BP3 Tour at American Airlines Center - [ Tickets ] - Yes at House of Blues - [ Tickets ] - Evan Dando of the Lemonheads at Prophet Bar - [ Tickets ] Wednesday, February 24th, 2010 - Keb Mo at Granada Theater - [ Tickets ] - Henry Rollins at Lakewood Theater - [ [...]

The new episode of the Kid Vinyl podcast is online now, featuring music from Sparrow and The Workshop, The Ropes, Laura Veirs, and Cataldo; as well as part of KV's interview with the great Laura Veirs herself. Please follow the 'Podcast' link to the right for more information, and the link to the Laura Veirs interview to read the complete transcript of the chat LV and KV had together. Direct Download (Right click and ‘Save As’) Subscribe in iTunes

It's that time of year again, Valentine's Day, the holiday that divides us all. A year ago today I made a mix for my friends to celebrate the joys of friend love (and beautiful music of course), and I'm at it again, only now I have a lot more people to share this with. So make the most of today, and never fear, regardless of whether or not you're in a relationship, always remember, Danger Loves You. Download the mix here . Track Listing 1 "Always Love U" - [...]
Feb 10, 2010, 5:58am
100b

Yeah, it's been a while since we Merry Merry Month-ed, but January started of 2010 right with some fantastic releases. The obvious, the one everyone talked about, the one that had people gathered around their website waiting for a hint of what was to come is, of course, Vampire Weekend . Kicking of the new year, Contra didn't quite knock my socks off on the first listen. Sure, "Horchata" was catchy-as-hell, but I wondered if perhaps their sound could really only sustain them for a short time. But it's grown on me over the few weeks and, [...]

Image found here Laura Veirs - July Flame two thirty nine am the middle of the night this is in repeat and i wish it was in fact july and i wonder why winter and cold can be ravishing and elegant up in the rocky mountains and yet in the city the sense of freedom and beauty is gone [...]

Op zondag 24 januari stond ik op het podium van de bovenzaal in Paradiso tijdens de Korendagen. Dat was een prachtige belevenis, om voor de verandering eens zelf actief met muziek bezig te zijn in plaats van te luisteren. Wij zongen vijf nummers:een Russisch lied (Ej uchniem), een Franse hit (Pour un flirt), een Nederlandse smartlap (Waarom), een Irving Berlin song en To know her is to love her. Een week later trad Laura Veirs met haar band op in dezelfde zaal en mocht ik opnieuw meezingen, samen met de vele andere bezoekers. Even was ik bang dat [...]