Philly vocal prodigy Kevin Michael is set to release his self-titled solo EP (out as a digital-only download April 10th via iTunes), which will feature all acoustic tracks from his forthcoming as-yet-untitled summer debut (to be released on Downtown / Atlantic Records ). The 22-year old's influences include legends Prince, Michael Jackson, and Stevie Wonder, and his album will feature Wyclef Jean, Lupe Fiasco, Q-Tip and Saigon . But what does he...

London art rockers the Noisettes are scheduled to tour America in May and June with Bloc Party , who are on the road supporting their new album A Weekend In The City . The Noisettes’ debut What's The Time Mr. Wolf? , to be released April 17th on Universal Motown , contains several knee-slapping winners, including "Sister Rosetta" and "Don't Give Up," which was a favorite down at London’s now defunct

The rise and fall of New York City establishments is a common topic of conversation among its residents. Feeding the lunchtime banter is a host of music venues in flux this month. Live Nation’s Irving Plaza is undergoing a name change to The Fillmore New York At Irving Plaza, technically becoming a branch of the famed San Franciscan concert hall, cosmetically receiving a makeover of its interior, including paint,...

Apple and EMI Group both announced today that they will be offering Digital Rights Management (DRM) free downloads that are higher quality than those previously made available. Finally, music files you can copy, save, and backup as if they were your own. The upgrade in sound quality (from 128kbps to 256kbps AAC ) without restrictions can be done at the click of a button in the iTunes store versions to come. "We are going to give iTunes customers a choice...

Abstract beat-conductor from Los Angeles, Flying Lotus has just signed with Warp Records . Previously on the cutting edge experimental “hip hop” label, Plug Research where he released the junkie acclaimed and DJ-caned album, 1983 , Steven Ellison , nephew of Alice Coltrane (R.I.P.) will release a 4 track 12” EP (out June). Blissfully enthusiastic over his label transition, Ellison oozed, "Warp is the absolute best home for my work. They've...

The majority of established music businesses have only become embittered by internet downloading, fighting an uphill battle with technology, staring miserably at dwindling numbers and enumerating dollars lost in fewer and fewer transactions. Well, the executives at Rough Trade have decided to throw aside their shields of wood and fight fire with fire with a colossal 5,000 square ft. East London storefront bent on building fervor and excitement for music rather than selling plastic....

Giant Step concocted a raucous promotions campaign for the Kaiser Chiefs down in Austin, TX for SXSW , March 15th to the 17th. The title of the indie band's latest album, Yours Truly, Angry Mob sparked an idea to create an entertaining street spectacle of 11 kids in Kaiser Chief t-shirts, causing a commotion by marching hand in hand, breakdancing, screaming, hollering, pumping the Chief's jams out of a boombox. In every possible way resembling an angry mob,...

Indie electro group, Hot Chip are providing the 29th installment in !K7’s genre defying DJ-KiCKS series this coming May 22nd. The tracklist hints at what you might expect from this band of the moment: a tightly mixed batch of eclectic influences, providing artistic credibility, and new exclusive productions, showcasing their trademark sound. But with songs by Tom Zé, Etta James, Wookie, and Ray Charles interwoven with modern pieces by Dominick...

Sa-Ra Creative Partners are set to release their first ever album, The Hollywood Recordings, April 24th on Babygrande Records . The list of featuring artists includes Erykah Badu, Talib Kweli, Bilal, Capone-N-Noreaga, Pharoahe Monch, Kurupt, Georgia Anne Muldrow, Lord Nes , and more. Since stepping out from behind the boards and carving a serious name for themselves as a group in 2004/05 with "Glorious," "Rosebuds," and "Double Dutch," the...

News of Jurassic 5’s breakup was confirmed on DJ Semtex’s BBC 1xtra show last Friday. The rumor began a few weeks back when the group’s spokesman, Soup conversed with the Golden Coast Bulletin on their tour to Australia and Japan, declaring, “after the tour, that's basically it. People see us as a harmonizing, loving group, but that's far from the truth. When it comes down to it, some people here want their own shine, their own thing.” Indeed, each...