Communion launches new show on Xfm

Communion further expands its reach with a new weekly show on Xfm, Communion Presents. Hosted by all-around rad dude Maz Tappuni, the show launches today and takes place Sundays at 10pm. The inaugural episode (which you can hear here) features music by Deap Vally, Frightened Rabbit, The Staves, Public Enemy (obviously), and more. And, as all good radio shows do these days, Communion Presents has its own psychic: Mr. Kev Jones. In other news, Communion band To Kill a King have released a new video for 'Cold Skin', the single from upcoming debut LP Cannibals With Cutlery. I'm not sure I totally 'get' the film, but watch it for yourself and analyze away. There's a bit of a Waiting for Godot-meets-Lord of the Flies vibe, if you ask me.


News: Summer Camp Release New Video, Michael Kiwanuka Teams with Dan Auerbach, Daytrotter Crosses the Pond

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lWcMEyFOA1g&w=590&h=300] I do exist, I swear! I've been working--that's right, working. I've been on blog hiatus this past month or so as I've started my job at Synthetic, the company behind the Hipstamatic iPhone app. (Guess all those gig photos paid off, eh?) I'm still woefully behind on blog duties, but I'll be rolling them back in over the next few weeks. After all, I still owe you an Andrew Butler review.

If anyone is interested in doing a guest post, please comment on this post, tweet me, or shoot me an email. I'd love for you to fill readers in on all the new-folk awesomeness that I've missed over the past month or so. There's been a lot!

Not least of which: congratulations to Daughter for being signed to Glassnote (home of Communion friends Mumford & Sons), Michael Kiwanuka for recording with the Black Keys' Dan Auerbach (track below), and Summer Camp for releasing this super awkward video for "Losing My Mind" (especially loving the cat).

[soundcloud url="http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/37661704" iframe="true" /]

BREAKING NEWS: Daytrotter has just announced that they're teaming up with Communion and heading to London. From The 405:

We're so excited to be working with Sean and the Daytrotter team here at Communion. We're long time admirers of the ethics and integrity that they display, and we feel as champions of new artists and musical discovery it's a perfect fit for us," said Communion's Jones. Added Lovett, "Daytrotter are the godfathers of alternative music in America, and we're very happy to be entering into this marriage, as Kev said we just love everything they do."

The first batch of sessions recorded here included 4-song sets by Bombay Bicycle Club (the first to be posted on Thursday), Metronomy, Big Deal, Lucy Rose, Niki & The Dove, Nathaniel Rateliff, Admiral Fallow, Slow Club, Simone Felice, Bear Driver, Duologue, Jesca Hoop, Folks, Kyla La Grange, Boxer Rebellion, Tribes and Channel Chairo. Read more at the 405.

Communion Announce 'Austin to Bostin' Tour

Even though my SXSW status is still tentative, I'm buying a ticket for Communion's 'Austin to Bostin' tour. They're getting Ben Howard, the Staves, Nathaniel Rateliff, and Bear's Den to hop in VW campers and cross the eastern half of the United States--and they're filming the whole thing. I'm glad Marcus Haney is documenting the tour, but I'd rather catch it live; this stellar lineup makes my SXSW envy hit a new high.

This festival is the place to see up-and-coming bands, and I have no doubt that these four acts are just that. So check out the dates below, and secure your spot at what's sure to be a fantastic gig. And hopefully I'll see you in Austin!

March 15-18 Austin, TX SXSW Communion Shows March 19 Oklahoma City, OK The Blue Door March 21 Kansas City, MO The Record Bar March 22 Minneapolis, MN Varsity Theater March 23 Evanston, IL SPACE March 24 St. Louis, MO Old Rock House March 27 Philadelphia, PA World Café Live March 28 Vienna, VA Jammin’ Java March 29 New York, NY The Mercury Lounge March 30 Woodstock, NY Bearsville Theater March 31 Boston, MA The Red Room @ Café 939

[soundcloud url="http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/28076246" iframe="true" /] Bear's Den, "Pompeii". (Not gonna lie, I've had a thing for Andrew Davie for years.)