It wasn’t enough that Drag City rescued the scant recorded output of 1970’s Detroit’s African-American proto-punks Death; it wasn’t enough that the tunes turned out to be flat-out awesome; it wasn’t enough that For The Whole World To See has proven to be so popular that Drag City has had to repress the vinyl at least 4 times since the album’s release in Feburary. Nope, it wasn’t enough… so just to push the amazing story of Death’s return just one level higher, the band has booked shows for September. Only 2 dates so far, one on 9/25 at the Magic Stick in Detroit, and one on 9/26 at the Empty Bottle in Chicago– but this is a pretty rare opportunity. If you get the chance to go, go.

MP3: Death – “Politicians In My Eyes”
MP3: Death – “Keep On Knocking”

(h/t to Renton, thx)

I know I mentioned it that France’s excellent Talitres label had taken up Forest Fire’s Survival for a European release, but I somehow neglected to mention that the equally excellent Broken Sound had also picked up Survival– for a UK release! It’s due out on July 20th, but there’s a great “extra” coming out on the 6th: a hand-stamped, numbered 7″ featuring “Fortune Teller” b/w “I Make Windows.” It’s limited to just 250 copies; order here now!.

MP3: Forest Fire – “Fortune Teller”

My enthusiasm for Explode Into Colors knows no bounds, so it is with great pleasure that I say, “hey look! 2 new Explode Into Colors MP3s!”

MP3: Explode Into Colors – “Paper” (Hot Sax Version)
MP3: Explode Into Colors – “Wooden Ghost” (Live)

Today I’m listening to some old stuff that’s new again alongside some new stuff that sounds a bit like old stuff. Mexican Summer’s release of a Bobb Trimble 7-inch reminded me of the Secretly Canadian Trimble releases that came out awhile back. I was shocked to look back and discover that I never posted a damn word about these when they came out, because I really did enjoy them. And going back and listening again now, I can say that I still do.

MP3: Bobb Trimble – “Premonitions – The Fantasy”
MP3: Bobb Trimble – “One Mile From Heaven” (Short Version)

But I’m also listening to some brand new music that sounds very old. Simon Joyner has been kicking around the indie music world since the early ’90s– you may know him as a member of the Jagjaguwar stable; they released 4 of his records between 2004-06. His newest record (his tweflth), titled Out Into The Snow, is due out on 9/15 from Team Love. Here’s a track:

MP3: Simon Joyner – “Roll On”

And here’s one of my old favorites from 2006’s Beautiful Losers collection:

MP3: Simon Joyner – “One for the Catholic Girls”

This is what I’m listening to today.

Explode Into Colors – “How Adee Got Her Groove Back”

So good. My excitement for this band continues unabated.

Jeff Hanson: a wonderful singer-songwriter who released 3 excellent albums for Kill Rock Stars, including last year’s Madam Owl, and my personal favorite, 2005’s self-titled Jeff Hanson.

Jeff was found dead in his home in St. Paul, Minnesota yesterday. He was 31 years old, and he will be missed.

MP3: Jeff Hanson – “This Time It Will”

Here’s the new Catbirdseat Mix for you; as always, grab ‘em below or go thru the mix link in the sidebar.

• Kurt Vile – “Freeway”
• Apollo Ghosts – “Scott, Painter”
• George Washington Brown – “A Good Year”
• Apollo Ghosts – “Little Yokohama”
• Little Girls – “What We Did”
• Sisters – “Glue”
• Jail – “No Mindless Love”
• Kurt Vile – “Beach On The Moon (Recyc’d Lyrics)”
• Sharon Van Etten – “Consolation Prize”
• Apollo Ghosts – “Palm Of My Hand”
• Akron/Family – “River”

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