news

Mindy White leaves Lydia

Alternative Press - Tim Karan on 3/10/10 @ 10:56 PM - altpress.com

Lydia vocalist/keyboardist Mindy White has announced that she's leaving the Arizona indie rock outfit. White posted a blog entry on Tumblr saying, "Hi all,

I'm writing to announce something that seems to have been slowly circling around the last few weeks. To those who've been wondering; I am, in fact, parting ways from Lydia. I have to say how INCREDIBLY hard this is for me to do. It feels more like losing my own child than just an occupation, but when you have such a passion for something and the path you're on to pursue that is filled with difficult obstacles, or has no heart behind it, you have to question it. I must say that there are no hurt feelings between the band and I. Those guys are like my brothers and honestly, I can't wait to see the things they will go on to do. I am GENUINELY sorry to those friends who might be upset about this, but please do understand that it's something I merely have to do at this time. I hope you can moreso go on to support this decision and know that you guys are the only reason I've even made it this long. I can also assure you that I am not, by any means, done playing music! I guess everything eventually runs it's course, and for me with Lydia, that time has come.

I love you all more than I can even explain."

Lydia released one album with White, 2008's Illuminate.

Exclusive: Bayside sign to Wind-Up Records

Alternative Press - Scott Heisel on 3/10/10 @ 3:05 PM - altpress.com

They're free agents no more: Alternative Press has exclusively learned that Long Island-based punk quartet Bayside have signed a comprehensive recording, merchandising, publishing and artist development contract (more commonly known as a "360 deal") with New York City-based indie Wind-Up Records, home to Cartel, Hawthorne Heights and others.

"[Wind-Up's employees] are genuine fans of our band and share the same vision that we have for the future of our sound and career," explains frontman Anthony Raneri. "We are so glad to have found a home where they share our passion for creating music and not a product."

"When Bayside became available, I immediately went out to see a live show and I was blown away by their creativity and energy," says Wind-Up president Ed Vetri. "This is a band that has done the heavy lifting, put in the time and effort needed to build a strong core fan base, and has consistently delivered to that core base over the years. We share the same vision as Bayside, and within our business model, we will be able to provide the platforms necessary to allow the band to do what they do best, create great music and perform live!"

The band, formed in 2000, signed with Victory Records in 2003 and released four studio albums through that label, the most recent of which being 2008's Shudder. They will release their Wind-Up debut this fall.

OK Gone: OK Go leave EMI; create their own label

Alternative Press - Tim Karan on 3/10/10 @ 12:33 PM - altpress.com

OK Go have announced that they've parted ways with EMI and that they have created their own company, Paracadute. All of the band's distribution and promotion will be handled through Paracadute beginning April 1.

We covered the band's recent struggles with EMI in a web cover story that stemmed from an opinion column by frontman Damian Kulash that was published in The New York Times. Kulash and the band--who rose to fame through viral videos of their songs--disagreed with EMI's decision to stop letting their artists' videos be embeddable.

A statement released on behalf of the band reads, "Just as the band saw an opportunity to do something different with their homemade videos, OK Go see untapped potential in the sea change that the music industry is experiencing and believe there are tremendous opportunities for artists capable of managing their own promotion and distribution. The band, who have always controlled their publishing, merchandise, touring, and all other non-recording rights, are parting by mutual agreement with EMI Music."

Paracadute already has an extensive promotional campaign in place surrounding OK Go's latest full-length, Of The Blue Colour Of The Sky, which was released in January. Kulash said, "We'd like to thank the people who have worked so hard on our behalf. And we'd like to thank our fans for making this choice an easy one for us."

OK Go's video for "This Too Shall Pass", which debuted on YouTube last Monday, has already garnered more than 6 million views and is the No. 1 top rated music video of all-time on the site.

What do you think? Smart move by OK Go?

The Maine/We The Kings co-headlining tour dates revealed

Alternative Press - Tim Karan on 3/10/10 @ 10:10 AM - altpress.com

Dates have surfaced online for this spring's the Maine and We The Kings co-headlining tour. Joining them will be Cartel, Stereo Skyline and Artist Vs. Poet. Check out dates below.


Apr 11 2010 Nashville, TN - Rocketown
Apr 14 2010 Charleston, SC - The Music Farm
Apr 18 2010 Pensacola, FL - Phineas Phogg’s
Apr 20 2010 Raleigh, NC - Lincoln Theatre
Apr 24 2010 Pullman, WA - Washington State University
Apr 25 2010 Lancaster, PA - Chameleon
Apr 27 2010 Baltimore, MD - Bourbon Street Ballroom
Apr 28 2010 Erie, PA - Gannon University - Hammermill
Apr 29 2010 Pittsburgh, PA - Altar Bar
May 2 2010 Providence, RI Lupo’s Heartbreak Hotel

Deftones unveil "Rocket Skates" video

Alternative Press - Tim Karan on 3/9/10 @ 10:09 PM - altpress.com

Deftones have unveiled their video for "Rocket Skates," the first single from the band's upcoming full-length, Diamond Eyes. Check out the video (complete with acting turn by frontman Chino Moreno) along with the album's tracklisting below:

1. Diamond Eyes
2. Royal
3. CMND/CTRL
4. You've Seen the Butcher
5. Beauty School
6. Prince
7. Rocket Skates
8. Sextape
9. Risk
10. 976-EVIL
11. This Place Is Death

The Used plan more dates with Chiodos, Jaguar Love

Alternative Press - Scott Heisel on 3/9/10 @ 12:17 PM - altpress.com

When we first brought you news of the Used and Chiodos touring, only a few dates were confirmed; but now, we've gotten the whole routing, which you can find below. Those with eagle eyes will spot that this tour overlaps with Chiodos' other announced tour with Bullet For My Valentine. For those shows, Chiodos will be replaced by Jaguar Love. (New Medicine will still open all shows.) Dates:

w/Chiodos
4/13 Blue Note, Columbia, MO
4/14 Spin, Louisville, KY
4/16 Bogart’s, Cincinnati, OH
4/17 Orbit Room, Grand Rapids, MI
4/18 Club Zoo, Pittsburgh, PA
4/20 Chameleon Club, Lancaster, PA
4/21 Northern Lights, Clifton Park, NY
4/23 The Cannery, Nashville, TN
4/24 Canopy Club, Champaign, IL
4/25 Tom Dick & Harry’s, Green Bay, WI
4/27 The Shrine, Billings, MT

w/Jaguar Love
4/28 Wilma Theater, Missoula, MT
4/29 Knitting Factory, Spokane, WA
5/1 Knitting Factory, Boise, ID
5/2 Roseland, Portland, OR