Ellington

Yo La Tengo - new album. We're giving you plenty of time to get ready. On September 12,(September 4 in places other than North America) we'll be releasing a new CD / double LP by a trio we've creatively nicknamed "America's Best Band."

Where do Yo La Tengo get off, delivering the most focused, wildly
entertaining album of their longer-than-long tenure? Where does the record
label get off, using catchphrases like "putting the 'oomph' back in
'eclectic'"? Where do you YOU get off, looking for greater details, like
the sort of person who insists on knowing how the cliffhanger ends
before the trailer even starts?

Ira, Georgia and James --- aided by longtime recording associate Roger
Mountenot, have made a habit of blowing us away and confounding
expectations time and time again, but with 'I Am Not Afraid of You and I Will
Beat Your Ass' (title culled from Kurt Thomas' words of warning to
Stephon Marbury) the trio have raised their game to unparalled heights,
creating a multi-genre masterpiece certain to win Nobel Prize
consideration. Or would you believe the Plug Awards? Either way, the believing's
in the hearing.

An early mp3 of "Beanbag Chair" can be found on at:

http://matadorrecords.com/yo_la_tengo/music.html

Belle and Sebastian

In addition to some huge open air July gigs in New York, Los Angeles
and Bethesda, MD we're happier than Rutger Hauer's gardener to announce
that Tuesday June, 13 marks the video premiere of "White Collar Boy" on
Yahoo Launch. To commemorate this event, we're giving away autographed
copy of 'The Life Pursuit' to the first fellow prisoner to punch Ken
Lay in the head (please note we haven't said who is autographing the CD
--- the members of Belle & Sebastian might be unavailable). An iTunes
single of "White Collar Boy" will be available on June 26 with four non
album b-sides.

Coming on July 6, Belle and Sebastian will be appearing on KCRW's
"Morning Becomes Ecelectic", the same day as their massive Hollywood Bowl
gig with the Shins.

It's been called to our attention that Columbus, OH's CD101 has been
playing "White Collar Boy" at every available opportunity. Given the
inability of the Columbus Blue Jackets to advance to this year's Stanley
Cup Playoffs, cynics might say the station has many more hours of
programming to fill. Since we're not cynical however, we'll chock it up to
quality being recognized.

Cat Power

After Chan and the Memphis Rhythm Band's series of triumphant gigs at
Coachella and the rest of the West Coast, the all-new-super-fine Cat
Power revue hits the East Coast next week for a series of sold out shows.
Chan and Teenie Hodges will be performing on CBS' "Late Night With
David Letterman" on Tuesday, June 13.

UK residents should be thrilled to learn that Chan Marshall and the
Memphis Rhythm Band will be performing at London's luxurious Barbican on
June 21, followed by a television broadcast of two songs during BBC2's
"Later With Jools Holland" on June 23. A download-only single of the
"Lived In Bars" will be released on June 26.

Early Man

Though you might think things have gone a bit quiet for Mike and Adam
as of late, you'd be mistaken. In addition to preparing for a massive US
tour in support of Three Inches Of Blood (link for tour dates below),
Early Man received the following correspondence:

"So a few months ago I went to one of your shows. At the show you guys
gave out free condoms in a matchbook-esque package. I thought 'bitchin'
souvenir!' But last night I had run out of condoms and all i had was
the Early Man Condom. at first i thought "I'm not gonna use my Souvenir"
But then I thought "Hey My girl's fuckin' hot! Early Man would want me
to do this." And so quiet as is kept I did the deed. BEST TIME EVER.
Thank you for your high quality profilactic that enabled me to achieve a
performance of olympic proportions!!!!!! Next time you're in Dallas, a
12 pack of Guiness on me."

http://www.matadorrecords.com/tours

Matmos

As terrific press continues to roll in worldwide for Martin & Drew's
tremendous 'The Rose Has Teeth...') CD/LP (currently no. 2 on CMJ's RPM
chart --- there we go with that NASCAR stuff again, the duo will be
hitting NYC this weekend as part of the annual Bang On A Can Festival this
Sunday, followed by a couple of French dates:

La Villette Electronique 24 June / Paris
Scopitone 30 June / Nantes

Mission Of Burma

Roger, Peter, Clint and Bob recently returned from the UK where they
did-the-business at the Dinosaur Jr. curated All Tomorrow's Parties, made
additional friends at a London gig in support of Broken Social Scene,
and now can prepare for their forthcoming US tour by basking in the glow
of some sterling notices for their 3rd album proper, 'The Obliterati':

"Last time, the surprise was that after 20 years of hiatus, the band
was just as good as ever. This time, they're even better, more cohesive
and confident, louder and funnier. " - Dusted

"The Obliterati succeeds in proving that Mission of Burma is not only
capable of a comeback and a return to form, but also has exponential
potential to evolve and thrive as a working band." - Stylus

"the best American rock record of the year so far." - Cokemachineglow

"Two albums into its second life, Mission Of Burma is making its
legendary early days seem like a prelude." - Kyle Ryan, The Onion

If you're among the many who missed the boat on Burma's recent series
of one-sided 12"'s comprising 'The Obliterati', one of your final
chances to acquire the outside of eBayville comes courtesy of this Newbury
Comics contest:

http://www.newburycomics.com/rel/v2_home.php?storenr=103&deptnr=183

Jennifer O'Connor

It's come to our attention that in our rush to stare at our own
reflections bouncing back from a stack of 'Antics' gold records, we neglected
to give you a substantial bit of background regarding one of our more
recent signings, Jennifer O'Conner. As her new CD/LP, 'Over The
Mountain, Across The Valley and Back To The Stars' is dropping on August 22,
the following is an attempt to do said album justice:

In Matador's storied history, we've had the pleasure of working with
some ridiculously talented people. The latest name we're happy to add to
the pantheon is the direct, evocative NYC-based vocalist/guitarist
Jennifer O'Connor.

Jennifer's career began in Atlanta, where after college she joined
Violet, a band compared to X and the Pixies. She started playing solo after
quitting Violet and moving to NYC. Her influences are other artists
with a fresh take on self-awareness, from Destroyer, Silver Jews, Aimee
Mann, and Smog, to Dylan and Petty, as well as Jay Z, Kanye West, and
Dizzee Rascal.

Jennifer released her debut EP, Truth Love Work, in 2000. 'Time Out'
wrote, "O'Connor is another Liz Phair or Elliott Smith waiting to happen.
Her understated guitar-based songs lack the primping, preening and
obviousness of Phair and the sad-sack whining of Smith. Rather, her
matter-of-fact lyrics tell stories that us regular joes can relate to." Her
self-released, self-titled debut followed in 2002, and Red Panda released
the acclaimed 'The Color And The Light' in May 2005.

'Over The Mountain' is her 3rd full-length, but it has the immediacy of
a debut. The past year saw many personal upheavals which informed it
more than she expected. "It's been so tumultuous, I think that inevitably
crept into my songs," she says. "I wouldn't say that I always write
from experience, but I did a lot of it on this record." For her most
emotional songs yet, she self-produced and got rid of reverb and extraneous
sounds, giving them an urgency that her other records didn't always
have. She explains, "There's a lot of space; we purposefully pared
everything down to what was necessary for the song."

While Jennifer writes (and often performs) alone on guitar, each song
here (save the acoustic single-take "Today") is fleshed out with a band
that includes her longtime drummer Jon Langmead, James McNew (Yo La
Tengo) on bass, Kendall Meade (Sparklehorse) on keyboards & vocals, and
other friends including Britt Daniel (Spoon) on vocals, and Al
Weatherhead, who produced 'Color...' & plays guitar on many tracks.

upcoming live action:

sun june 4 todd p presents: springtime unamplified acousic bbq at the
southern tip of roosevelt island
enter at corner of Main St & Road 3

Jun 6 2006
Boston, MA
Abbey Lounge w/ Choo Choo La Rouge, The Silver Lining, Tony Goddess &
Thedowhatshewants (Papas Fritas)

Jun 21 2006
New York, NY
Sin-e w/ The Mendoza Line

Jul 15 2006
Greensboro, NC
Flying Anvil w/ Hotel Lights & Pleasant

Jul 17 2006
Tallahassee, FL
Beta Bar w/ Hotel Lights

Jul 18 2006
Atlanta, GA
The Earl w/ Hotel Lights and Liz Durrett

Jul 19 2006
Athens, GA
Caledonia Lounge w/ Hotel Lights & Liz Durrett

Jul 20 2006
Asheville, NC
Grey Eagle w/ Hotel Lights

Jul 21 2006
Richmond, VA
Gallery 5 w/ Hotel Lights & Prabir & The Substitutes

Jul 22 2006
Chapel Hill, NC
Local 506 w/ Hotel Lights

Aug 24 2006
Joe's Pub, 9:30 PM
RECORD RELEASE PARTY
with band

A solo performance of Jennifer's will air on Jon Solomon's WPRB program
(http://www.keepingscoreathome) on June 28 (http://www.wprb.com)

Mogwai

The North American release of the new Mogwai single, 'Travel Is
Dangerous' is an iTunes exclusive (OLE-719-6), available on Tuesday, June
20. The UK version on the lovely PIAS label will be available in hard,
shiny physical form on June 26.

track listing

1. Travel Is Dangerous
2. Auto Rock - Errors Remix
3. Friend Of The Night - Acid Casuals Remix
4. Like Herod (Live in Tokyo)
5. We're No Here (Live in Tokyo)

The video for "Travel Is Dangerous" can be found here:

http://www.hornetinc.com/mogwai/flash_mogwai.html

Pretty Girls Make Graves

As the first leg of U.S. touring on behalf of 'Elan Vital' comes to a
close with a set at the Sasquatch Festival, we can finally present the
new and improved official Pretty Girls Make Graves website
(http://www.prettygirlsmakegraves.com), with the band's tour diary
podcast forthcoming. If you can't wait, Derek Fudesco's Cave Singing will
have to suffice (http://cavesinging.blogspot.com/)

Pretty Girls Make Graves play Europe on the following dates

24-Jun - Germany, Neuhausen Ob Eck, Southside Festival
25-Jun Germany, Scheessel, Hurricane Festival
27-Jun Belgium, Brussels, Botanique/Rotonde
28-Jun Holland, Utrecht, Helling
29-Jun Holland, Amsterdam, Melkweg
1-Jul, UK, Aberdeen, Tunnels
2-Jul, UK, Sheffield, Leadmill
3-Jul, UK, Newcastle, Academy
6-Jul UK London, Islington Academy
7-Jul UK Manchester, Academy
8-Jul UK Scotland T In The Park
9-Jul UK Ireland, Punchestown Racecourse, Oxegen festival
11-Jul, UK, Cardiff,Barfly

Finally, visit the youtube site to see the winning Pretty Girls Make
Graves video, and also a new video of the winners picking up their $1000
check at the Matador offices:

http://www.youtube.com/t/prettygirlswinners

Brightblack Morning Light:

PEACE DOSE

Leonard Peltier has been on our minds again lately. When will they free
Leonard Peltier?
In these times when people focus on the foreign Wars or their own
struggles, it's important to keep in touch with issues occuring on our own
land, including the release of Leonard Peltier. If you don't know about
the American Indian Movement or how the US Government framed Peltier,
then educate yourself, sign some online petitions, and spread the know.
www.freepeltier.org

ONLY A BEAUTIFUL TENT PLACE

We are set to be traveling around this summer, asking folks to tote
crystals to our shows.
We'd also like input on any STELLAR LUMINATIONAL camping spots within
or nearby the outer areas of your city.

If you have a spot in mind,
send us a full description/directions to:
[e-mail missing]

CRYSTAL TOTEM TURR

All dates with Mariee Souix opening, who will also be singing with the
band. Other openers appear as marked or are TBA

Jun 3 - Missoula, MT Higgens Alley Upstairs
Jun 4 - Whitefish, MT - Grouse Mountain Lodge
Jun 7 - Minnepolis, MN - Triple Rock w/ Lights
Jun 9 - Chicago, IL - Empty Bottle w/ Lights
Jun 10 - Louisville, KY - Headliners Music Hall w/ Lights
Jun 11 - Indianapolis, IN - Birdys w/ Lights
Jun 12 - Morgantown, WV - 123 Pleasant St w/ Lights, Feathers
Jun 15 - South, VT - Higher Ground w/ Lights
Jun 16 - Somerville, MA - Pas Lounge w/ Espers
Jun 17 - Amherst, MA - Amherst Unitarian Meetinghouse w/ Espers,
Feathers, Jesse Sparhawk, and James Blackshaw
Jun 18 - Providence, RI - AS220 w/ Espers
Jun 21 - Brooklyn, NY - South Paw w/ Espers
Jun 23 - New York, NY - Mercury Lounge w/ Espers
Jun 24 - Baltimore, MD - Talking Head w/ Espers
Jun 25 - Philadelphia, PA - First Unitarian Church w/ Espers
Jun 26 - Washington DC - DC9 w/ Espers
Jun 29 - Wilmington NC - Soapbox Laundrolounge
Jun 30 - Asheville, NC - Harvest Records
Jul 1 - Athens, GA - Caledonia Lounge
Jul 2 - Atlanta, GA - Drunken Unicorn
Jul 3 - Birmingham, AL - Bottletree
Jul 6 - Saint, FL - Cafe Eleven
Jul 7 - Gainesville, FL - Common Grounds
Jul 8 - Orlando, FL - Wills Pub
Jul 11 - New Orleans, LA - One Eyed Jacks
Jul 12 - Austin, TX - Emos Jr. w/ Daniel Higgs
Jul 13 - Denton, TX - Dans Silverleaf w/ Daniel Higgs
Jul 15 - Denver, CO - Hi Dive w/ Daniel Higgs
Jul 20 - Albuquerque, NM - Launchpad w/Daniel Higgs
Jul 23 - Phoenix, AZ - CANCELLED
Jul 21 - Tucson, AZ - Plush w/ Daniel Higgs
Jul 22 - Phoenix, AZ - Trunk Space *
Jul 24 - San Francisco, CA - Fillmore Auditorium w/ Os Mutantes
Jul 28 - Los Angeles, CA - Troubadour w/ Daniel Higgs
Jul 29 - Berkeley, CA - Starry Plough w/ Daniel Higgs
Jul 30 - San Francisco, CA - Cafe Du Nord w/Daniel Higgs
Aug 13 - Saratoga, CA - Bleeding Edge Festival

Though 'Brightblack Morning Light' LP/CD (OLE 671-1/2) has an official
release date of June 20, you can find it right this very moment at
terrific record stores that sell serious musics (but somehow neglect those
customers wishing to purchase an HD widescreen TV at the same time).

We also are honored to reproduce this review from the Other Music
newsletter (www.othermusic.com):

This astounding and extraordinarily chill, confident debut album from
Northern California duo Brightblack Morning Light saunters along like
some shaman from afar, gathering influence and followers in legion while
reinventing the past. It's the kind of record that stands up to
countless sonic references and actually succeeds in combining them so
completely that it seems simple and off-handed, like people have been making
music like this for years. And, in ways, they have: early Royal Trux, Ry
Cooder, Can, Opal, the Stones' quieter moments on Beggars Banquet
...all of these groups have contributed to the pond of influence in which
Brightblack Morning Light suggestively wades. Long-form blues drones that
don't forget the bell-shaped electric piano chord clusters that make us
all smile, are presented, primed to seduce with the kind of understated
rhythmic constancy that was thought to be lost in a haze of smoke in
Jack Nitzsche's studio setup. This is the kind of record that has been
threatening to drop for years, if only someone could find the right
threads and tie them together. Fortunately, that moment is now, and the
effort so unbelievably complete, that to call the album any less than a
benchmark for modern underground music would be to lie to yourself.
Brightblack Morning Light will burn hot and slow all summer long, and well
beyond. [DM]

The New Pornographers: Wave Their Hair In The Open Air

July 2-Detroit, MI at Comerica TasteFest
July 16-Ottawa, ON at Ottawa Bluesfest

August 3-New York NY at Central Park Summerstage
August 5-Chicago IL at Grant Park, Lollapalooza 2006

September 15-Colonia Mixcoa, Mexcio at Bulldog with Porter and Nina
September 17-Austin TX at Zilker Park, Austin City Limits

We've been informed there's a broadcaster in Amarillo, TX that claims
to showcase "the Rick Dees' of Tomorrow" that's been playing "Sing Me
Spanish Techno" some 200 times a week. If only every town in the world
had such a radio station.

Laura Cantrell writes:

"I'm hosting a one-hour radio show for WNYC's American Music Festival
this weekend, "Laura Cantrell's American Voices", Sunday May 28, 4-5 PM.
I'll also be a guest on Soundcheck with John Shaefer on June 2 to talk
again about the special, which will air again July 4 weekend.

"I'll also be posting a couple of special web only archives at WFMU for
their summer schedule, a Bonnie Owens tribute show etc. People can
check www.lauracantrell.com or www.radiothriftshop.com to see when those
are posted, mid June."

Spoon

After a quick trip to Europe to play ATP and entertain a sold out crowd
at London's Koko, Spoon are preparing for US summer dates supporting
Death Cab For Cutie (http://www.spoontheband.com). Ryan Junell's video
for "The Two Sides Of Monsieur Valentine" is now available for your
viewing pleasure:

http://www.matadorrecords.com/mpeg/spoon/spoon_mr_valentine.mov

The Matador Video Podcasts Continue:

http://biglnk.com/fw

Episode 2 is Part One of the Early Man Demolition Derby.

Listening (and other habits) of the talented (and the people who
attempt to profit from them)

Roger Miller, Mission Of Burma

Comparison of rain in Boston and rain in southern England:

Persistence - Boston: 85. Southern UK: 45.
Soaking capabaility - Boston: 56. Southern UK: 77 on a good day.
Thunder sound effects: Boston: low resolution. Southern UK: excellent
frequency response.
Dreariness quotient: Boston: 89. Southern UK: 89.
Variation in cloud cover: Boston: 45. Southern UK: 63.
Usefullness in aquafier rejuveniation: Boston: 87. Southern UK: 50.

Jenn Lannchart, Beggars Group

I'm watching a lot of HBO & Showtime On Demand these days. I'm
addicted to Huff. It's really good!
I'm reading the NY Times Mag article on the war on contraception.
Crazy religious freaks scare me.
Listening to a lot of Durruti Column, Brightblack Morning Light, & the
new Yeah Yeah Yeahs.
Some good times were had at the Coachella... Highlights were: The
YYYs, Cat Power, Mogwai, & Massive Attack.
Also, The Secret Machines at the El Rey in LA RULED!

Fermin Garcia, Everlasting Records, Mallorca

Top Five Tapas Bars in Barcelona

1 Quimet & Quimet. C/ Poeta Cabanyes (Poble Sec) De lo mejorcito de
Espana, seguro.

2 Los Pinchitos. Paseo Pi i Molist (Nou Barris) Si estuviera en el
Borne o El Raval, saldria en todas las guias de Barcelona.

3 Los Morenitos C/ Mina de la Ciudad (Nou Barris). Bienvenidos a la
Andalucia que no sale en las postales.

4 Jaica C/ Ginebra (La Barceloneta) ideal para un dominguito por la
manana antes de ir a la playa.

5 Los Toreros C/ Xucla (El Raval) Con el nombre, ya te puedes imaginar
por donde van los tiros. Guiris cobardicas, abstenerse.

Stewart Green, Beggars Group

New Pornographers & Spoon - Koko, Camden - gig of the year until...
Radiohead - Hammersmith Apollo - stunning
Green Wing series 2 despite the lame ending
Lost series 2. More of the same. Televisual crack.
Invasion - please make it end. I know it's not great but I need
closure.
Lilac Time re-issues - pastoral English pop? You got it. It's the
summer for goodness sake.
The Early Years - new single and album tracks sounding great
The garden - almost time to harvest the lettuces
I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue - back for a new series on Radio 4 - about
time too.

Alex Moreno, Beggars Group

Top 10 things I currently give a crap about
10) Getting all riled up every time the NY Met's Carlos Delgado comes
up to the plate on PS2's MLB 2K6
9) Getting all riled up every time the NY Met's Carlos Delgado comes up
to the plate in real life
8) Captain Sig Hansen and the Northwestern:
http://www.crab-northwestern.com
7) Tommy Boy Greatest Hits
6) The National @ Webster Hall 5/21/06
5) The Iron Sheik's tirades on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cn8EXLolskM&search=iron%20sheik
4) The lovely staff at Corner Billiards:
http://www.cornerbilliards.com/
3) The Miami Dolphins 2006 Draft (not bad!)
2) The Miami Heat tearing through to the NBA Finals!
1) Thom Yorke "The Eraser"

Euvin Weeber, Beggars Group

Scott Walker - The Drift - 4AD
Scott Walker - 2 - Fontana
LOST - ABC
Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds - Abattoir Blues - Mute
The Big Sleep - Unsigned
Stephen Colbert
Aereogramme - Seclusion - Sonic Unyon
Dim Sum ala Hangover

Matt Harmon - Beggars Group

Oakley Hall "Gypsum Strings" (Brah Records)
Glenn Kotche "Mobile" (Nonesuch)
Beirut "Gulag Orkestar" (Ba Da Bing)
MV & EE with the Bummer Road "Mother of Thousands" (Time Lag Records)
Built To Spill "You in Reverse" (Warner Brothers)
Awesome Color s/t (Ecstatic Peace)
Home "Sexteen" (Brah Records)
Brightblack Morning Light (Matador Records)
Liars "Drums Not Dead" (Mute)

Dave Martin, Matador Direct

Leather Uppers "Bright Lights"
Easy Action Live
Negative Approach "Fair Warning Vol. 1." DVD
Boys From Nowhere - everything
Espers "Espers II"
Mecca Normal "The Observer"
Mind Controls S/T
www.myspace.com/hotmachines
Submarine Races S/T
Black Time "Midnight World"
The Country Teasers "The Empire Strikes Back"
Time Flys "Reality is a Rock Band" 7"
Jay Reatard "Hammer I Miss You" 7"

Joel Hunt, Matador Direct

1. Scott Walker, "The Drift" 4AD CD/LP
2. William Gaddis, "Carpenter's Gothic" BOOK
3. Mets still in first
4. Endless Boogie bootleg, 5/6/05 at Cakeshop (thank you WW) CDR
5. Frode Gjerstad/Lasse Marhaug, "Red Edge"
Breathmint/Carbon/Gameboy/Little Mafia/Sunship CD
6. Kieran Hebden and Steve Reid, "The Exchange Session Vol. 1" Domino
CD
7. Blues Control, s/t White Tapes CASS
8. Dan Higgs and Wzt Hearts 5/23/06 at Cakeshop SHOW
9. Michael Moynihan and Didrik Soderlind, "Lords of Chaos: The Bloody
Rise of the Satanic Metal Underground" BOOK
10. Potuznik, "Amore Motore (...Autobahn)" Mego CD

Ruairi Gilmore, Matador Records

a whole bunch of Magik Markers CDRs
Hold My Hand I'm Dying "Hold My Hand I'm Dying"
Yellow Swans "Psychic Secession"
TV On The Radio "Return To Cookie Mountain"
Venetian Snares "Cavalcade Of Glee & Happy Hardcore Pom Poms"
David Ackles "David Ackles"
Cam'ron "Killa Season"
In other news, ATP was fucking fierce.

Mike Holdsworth, Matador Records

Howe Gelb - Like You
The Neville Brothers - With God On Our Side (from Bob Dylan Chroniques
compilation)
Blind Willie McTell 1927-1940 The Classic Years
Sound Of the Shebeen - Volume Two
Vetiver - To Find Me Gone
King Tubby - Bag A Wire dub
Rodney Graham - Never Tell A Pal A Hard Luck Story

Gerard Cosloy, Matador Records

Sonic Youth - Rather Ripped (Mutha)
Killer Mike & Grind Time - Home Alone Wit Dat Crack (GTO)
Eleventh Dream Day -Zeros and Ones (Thrill Jockey)
Dredd Foole - A Long, Losing Battle With Eloquence And Intimance
(Ecstatic Yod)
Alejandro Escovedo - "Sacramento & Polk" from 'The Boxing Mirror' (Back
Porch)
Country Teasers - The Empire Strikes Back (In The Red)
Thom Yorke - The Eraser (XL)
Boris - Pink (Southern Lord)
Couch - Figur 5 (Morr Music)
Boxcutter - Oneric (Planet Mu)
Adolf Satan
Stephin Merritt's Inalienable Right To Like Or Dislike Whatever The
#### He Wants
watching several re-runs of "First Watch" on JetBlue ---how'd they pack
so many cliches and so much overacting into a mere hour? The Snow
Patrol of TV cop/paramedic/firefighter dramas.

Keep listening!

Matador Records
http://www.matadorrecords.com