The Voilà! Music Omnibus (II)

I try to stay on top of the music world, at least from my point of view, as thoroughly as possible. But I freely admit, sometimes the music scene gets carried away, and will unleash more stuff than I can keep track of, or have time for. It's not exactly hard work to keep a music blog up, but when one has to maintain a professional/social/family life as well, I must admit, sometimes I can't report everything to thee avid readers.

But don't fret, my friends! That loud engine is the sound of the renowned Voilà! Music Omnibus! Take a ride on our little transit system, reader, as we drive you down the streets of the music scene; a scenic tour for your eager ears of the little happenings here and there, or the mentionings that weren't mentioned. Be it band break ups, pre-album gossip, new songs, or new tours, you can find it all. Get your change together - we only accept CD and MP3, because sadly vinyl doesn't fit into our coin box. Here we go!



I See The Light
Ohbijou Release Beacons in Canada
Personally, most of my favourite music - no matter what genre - somehow ends up coming from Canada. One of those Northern ensembles of mine I mention was humbly featured here on Voilà!, and with their vibrant, miniature sonic orchestra, Ohbijou knows exactly how to liven up music. They have just announced that physical copies of their brand new album, Beacons, are available in Canada, particularly at their shows in the Toronto area. How is this relevant to non-Canadians? Well it means that the albums FINISHED! The rest of us can expect to hear the latest and from Ohbijou soon. Read it yourself on their Myspace blog.





It's All About Aesthetic
The Scene Aesthetic's EP Pre-Sale
Sure, some people get excited when the bands they follow announce new albums or music. But when the band hasn't put out any sort of material beyond covers in two year, what do you do but celebrate? Following The Scene Aesthetic's cover of a certain Taylor Swift song, they are now preparing to release their latest EP, The Type & The Shadow. Find out more on The Scene Aesthetic's Myspace blog, or get down to business and preorder the EP.




Swift and Successful
Taylor Earns More Accolades at CMT
Speaking of Taylor Swift... Okay, I admit, I did that article on Taylor Swift a couple weeks or so ago, and I'm still on a bit of an obsessive buzz from her lively pop-country-hybrid style. Seems her fans felt quite the same last night during the CMT award show, when Taylor Swift was awarded with both Best Female Video and Video of the Year, both awarded by votes from fans. Congratulations! Admittedly... This is probably just a better excuse for me to listen to "You Belong To Me" even more. Damn you, addictive pop tunes, and your delightfully magnetic qualities.




All Stars, Young Heroes
Ra Ra Riot join Death Cab, Bird, and New Pornographers' Tour
One car is traveling across New York. At the same time, three identical cars leave Washington, Illinois, and Vancouver. They all will travel at 70mph until they collide together: what will happen at the collision site? Well funtimes, of course! Apparently, Death Cab for Cutie, Andrew Bird, The New Pornographers, and Ra Ra Riot have all come together for a big tour. I hear something about Tegan & Sara too. Check out the dates from Ra Ra Riot's official website.




Flying South Before Winter
Foals Are Quiet, but Not Loafing
One thing that bothers me with a band is when they disappear without telling anyone. Wax On Radio was guilty until incredibly recently, and don't even get me started about Brand New pre-The Devil And God. Thankfully, Foals is kind enough to give us updates from their English abodes. Turns out our merry electrorockers - as featured on Skins - aren't just lounging around; Foals are cranking out the creative juices, working on the next album. Check their update straight off their Myspace blog. Or check out the mini-episode of Skins featuring Foals (and some other great musical nuggets as well).




Not Just...
Via Audio Live Via Tour
The website headline says, "is spending their time making music." But if you're in the know - if you follow closely enough - you'll see how tricky they're being. That's right, Via Audio is taking a short break from making music, and instead is going to be playing music. They're launching on a small summer tour that wanders them around the country, and will offer some performances you won't want to miss. Check out Via Audio's website for more info.




A Good Dream Of NOY
Tour and New Album info from Nightmare Of You
It's been a long time coming after the release of the BANG! EP, but finally, Nightmare Of You has their act together. Their brand new, full length LP, Infomaniac, is due out August 4th. As if that weren't exciting enough, Nightmare Of You is promising a wicked summer tour that will take them all across the United States. Find out the dates, ways to get tickets, and some album art on Nightmare Of You's Myspace blog.





Keep A Reservoir of Money
Buy Fanfarlo's Reservoir for $1
I'm in love with Fanfarlo. Love love love. Their style is great, all the members are eclectic - in person, they're pretty awesome folks - and their music is indesribeably awesome. I love to share their music as much as I can; turns out, Fanfarlo wants to share too. They're offering their debut album, Reservoir, for just one US dollar. That's it, no strings attached! They're even offering 4 exclusive songs, but only until July 4th. Why in the world would you pass this up? Head straight to Fanfarlo's website now.

The Voilà! Music Omnibus (Christmas)

I try to stay on top of the music world, at least from my point of view, as thoroughly as possible. But I freely admit, sometimes the music scene gets carried away, and will unleash more stuff than I can keep track of, or have time for. It's not exactly hard work to keep a music blog up, but when one has to maintain a professional/social/family life as well, I must admit, sometimes I can't report everything to thee avid readers.

The snow may be coming down, but can you here the sound? Hark! Are those jingle bells? Is Santa's sleigh coming our way? What is that deafening roar? Why none other than the Voilà! Omnibus, of course. It's decked out with snow chains for adequate speedy travel down these icy streets, as well as so many Christmas lights that it's probably breaking some sort of fire code, all to enliven your glorious Christmas spirit. There are gingerbread cookies and a slew of Christmas songs playing over here; please, couples, there is mistletoe in the back of the bus - we don't want to see all the snogging. Un... deux... trois... ALLEZ!

Astral Inter Planet Space Captain Christmas Infinity Voyage, Volume VIII

Sufjan's Christmas 2008 Compilation
There are tons of great holiday songs albums out there. Most people think of Nat King Cole, or Otis Redding, or Frank Sinatra. But as for contemporary music, you can't go wrong with the Yuletide folk renditions by Sufjan Stevens. Sufjan's annual tradition is to record a small collection of Christmas tunes (classics and original) strictly for family and friends as a Christmas present. Last year, a huge collection of his Christmas songs were put out. But that doesn't mean he's through! Run right over here to snag Sufjan Steven's 2008 Christmas record....... awkwardly titled Astral Inter Planet Space Captain Christmas Infinity Voyage, Volume VIII... I just report it and listen to the music guys, I swear.



"I Was Very Taken With The Turtle Dove."
Belle & Sebastian's Christmas Party for Peel Sessions
The best part for a music lover like me is to catch wind of all the amazing new Christmas music that filters in from all directions once December is upon us. Now, normally, it's just a band nobody's ever heard of trying to do a neat cover. But what if it's an ensemble like Belle & Sebastian? The indie-pop collective from Glasgow visited the Peel Sessions, and recorded a whole session, filled with old B&S favourites, as well as oodles of Christmas songs. C'mon, how can you pass up covers of James Brown and Elvis Christmas songs? Go check it and download the entire Peel Session here.


Who Wants To Be Picasso These Days, Anyway?
You Ain't No Picasso releases Christmas Mix
Matt Jordan knows how to value Christmas. On his blog, You Ain't No Picasso, it's easy to see this. I mean, between all the Christmas updates, and The Twelve Days of Mixmas, how can you doubt? Of course though, what Christmas would it be without a little free music? Mosey on this way, and you can catch You Ain't No Picasso's 2008 Christmas mix, filled to the brim with The Polyphonics Spree, The Boy Least Likely To, The Kinks, Frightened Rabbit, and many more. Go now!


The Perspective of Listening to Good Music
Rachel Lee Shares her Favourites of 2008
The days of "The Saddest Christmas" and "The Winter Rush," but lately, Rachel Lee of both Some By Sea and Ghosts & Liars has been busying herself with solo music, vacations, and writing away in her lovely little blog. Very recently, she decided to share her thoughts on the best music to grace 2008 with its delightful melodies. Please note you'll see the likes of Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson and Thao with The Get Down Stay Down making her list. Don't miss, check it out right here, right now.

A'Carolin' for Christmas in Texas
Green River Ordinance Releases Christmas Song
I recently took a trip up to Chicago. You can really get into the Christmas spirit with all the salt and snow layering the streets, along with all the crazy cab drivers. And let's not forget the -30 degree windchill. But home for me is in North Texas - Fort Worth, to be exact - not really a place known for snow drifts or ice. But hometown brethren Green River Ordinance are still in the holiday spirit! They are sharing a neat holiday video with their fans, along with their rendition of "O Holy Night." Go check it all out over yonder, y'all. Woops, my apologies - the Texan slang slipped out.

But It's Warm Indoors, At Least
Danger Radio Confides a Christmas Cover
If you're the type that likes to dance while tapping your feet to the beat-bumping rhythm of some indie-pop rock songs, then I'm betting you know who Danger Radio is. The dance rock compadres in Andrew de Torres (of The Scene Aesthetic) side project that has quickly built a reputation all their own loves Christmas time. Last year, they shared their version of Mariah Carey's "All I Want For Christmas Is You," featuring the talents of Gatsbys American Dream. This year, they're going for a cover of Frank Loesser's "Baby, It's Cold Outside," featuring their friend Kathryn Claus (as DR said, 'that's not a joke.'). You can stream their cover on their Myspace now, or snag it from any music digital outlet out there, iTunes included.

Christmas and A Cab Ride
Black Cab Session's Features Slow Club for Christmas
Sure, maybe it's a little weird. But Death Cab for Cutie did compliment the English oddity of the internet, Black Cab Sessions, saying "It is weird, yet reputable." Indeed it is, as the Black Cab Sessions busies itself around the busy London streets in the back of their cabs with famous musicians from all around. This time, they're featuring Slow Club, with a lovely little Christmas ditty just for your eyes and ears. Go check it out!

Well folks, we've seen the Christmas sights and sounds this year, and how can you not love all the Yuletide cheer? Hopefully you're spending your Christmas Eve day filled with family tradition and lots of tasty food! Bake them cookies - pour that milk - Santa's hitchin' up his sleigh, and he's going to be slamming on top of your roof soon, messing up your shingles. Happy holidays, folks.

The Voilà! Music Omnibus (I)

I try to stay on top of the music world, at least from my point of view, as thoroughly as possible. But I freely admit, sometimes the music scene gets carried away, and will unleash more stuff than I can keep track of, or have time for. It's not exactly hard work to keep a music blog up, but when one has to maintain a professional/social/family life as well, I must admit, sometimes I can't report everything to thee avid readers.

Which is why this new segment has spawned. Meet the Voilà! Music Omnibus. Take a ride on our little transit system, reader, as we drive you down the streets of the music scene; a scenic tour for your eager ears of the little happenings here and there, or the mentionings that weren't mentioned. Be it band break ups, pre-album gossip, new songs, or new tours, you can find it all. Just order up one ticket with the Omnibus! Here we go!

As Per The Usual
Nightmare Of You's Latest Demos
Now this is just silly, guys! Slow down! I can't keep track of all the new music; it's ridiculous. Nightmare Of You asked me to listen to them on Myspace before their signing to a label and the debut of their first album. Now, a BANG! EP later, they're preparing for their upcoming sophomore album by unloading a ton of new material on their Ourstage account. I can't keep up with it all! But you can: check out the latest NOY song by Nightmare Of You's page right here.




It's Official...
The American Dollar's Lastest Album Released
It's been a while for listeners, but FINALLY!, the post-rock duo The American Dollar have released their latest album, A Memory Stream. The band promises us some more new stuff soon as well, so I suppose we'll be patient and see. In the mean time, snag A Memory Stream for yourself on iTunes or on Amazon right about now. And drop by their Myspace for some of the new material, as well as a few other lovely tunes.



Welcome To The U.S. of A.
Lykke Li's Debut Album Is Stateside
You've anticipated... You've patiently waited...You've streamed countless performances and awesome indie-pop hits from the eclectic Swede, Lykke Li. And finally, all that patience has payed off for those of us USA'ians. Lykke Li's debut album, Youth Novels, has finally debuted in North America, and should be at fine retailers, as well as online outlets (like Insound!), as of yesterday. Let excitement ensue, please.




Demo's Galore
The Story of PlayRadioPlay! and the New Material
Maybe he's just trying to annoy me (unlikely). Maybe he's trying to humour me (possibly). Maybe he's just been busy lately (definitely). In any event, Dan Hunter, formally PlayRadioPlay!, has just released his latest demo, "The Newcomer Of Seven Years," for free download on his Myspace yesterday. That's on top of his current tour with Secondhand Serenade and My American Heart, which is just about to wrap up, right before his next tour with Family Force 5, lasting until Halloween. Drop by his Myspace, say hi, and check out PlayRadioPlay!'s music from their latest album, Texas, as well as a brand spankin' new demo!



You Say Wizards! We Say Justice!
Brand New Wizard Rock Compilation Aids Marriage Equality
Oh, those silly wrockers. As if it wasn't insane enough that some of the biggest names in Wizard Rock wrocked Chicago to its knees at the massive wizard rock festival, Terminus, two weekends ago, a shining beacon (AKA: Lumos) comes to light the way to brand new music. Wizards and Muggles Rock For Social Justice: Volume 2 has just been released to the public, and is available on iTunes. Hard copies won't be around 'til Christmas, but you should certainly snag this now. Not only does this compilation feature the likes of Harry and the Potters, The Whomping Willows, Gred and Forge, Oliver Boyd & The Remembralls, and The Nifflers, but all proceeds go to The Harry Potter Alliance and Marriage Equality Rhode Island, who are trying to make a difference in our silly world. Search "wizards and muggles" on iTunes, or head over here for more information!



Honestly Bored
Marry A Thief's Latest Demos
Marry A Thief have been busy cookin' up a meal for their listeners. As if it wasn't tasty enough to know they were whipping up brand new material, and performing locally around the Carolinas, Marry A Thief has deigned it fit that we hear a little. They remixed their song, "Every Little Star" with friend Aaron Robertson, and have also released a computer-electro new song, "Honestly Bored," both of which are up for your listening pleasure on their Myspace.

Last stop friends. That's it for the Omnibus' first go, and I say, it seemed to be quite a good one! Keep your ear to those speakers, but fear not! Next time something slips by the wayside, The Music Omnibus will be here to catch it to you, and show it off in style.