Video Wednesday: Friends

Friends' debut single “Friend Crush” was recently released on limited edition 7” vinyl and instantly sold out on pre-orders alone. Spilling over the edge with the party-starting enthusiasm of ESG and Tom Tom Club, Friends perform a self-described concoction of ‘weird pop’ and ‘tropicool.’ “Friend Crush” is the perfect introduction to the band, a visually ethereal psychedelic gem of a video to get your summer weekend started right.

New Single from Wilco Out Today

The first single from Wilco’s forthcoming album, and the first release on their own dBpm Records, will be a limited-edition clear vinyl 7” of the new Wilco tune “I Might” b/w a cover of Nick Lowe’s “I Love My Label.” The limited-edition single will be available at the band’s Solid Sound Festival, which takes place in North Adams, MA June 24 – 26, 2011.

Two additional versions of the single are available today; a limited-edition blue vinyl version available through Wilco's store and through -ANTI Records store. A classic black vinyl version will be available through traditional retail outlets. All editions come with a complimentary digital download of both tracks. "I Might" will also be available through all digital stores on the same day.

Wilco’s eighth studio album is due for release in Fall 2011. The band’s only North American appearance this summer is at the aforementioned Solid Sound Festival – three days of music, comedy, art and community envisioned by Wilco and featuring two performances by Wilco, plus the Levon Helm Band, Sonic Youth’s Thurston Moore, Syl Johnson, Dave Douglas, John Hodgman, Wyatt Cenac, Wilco side projects, live falconry, world-class art, local food and drink and more from the scenic Berkshire Mountains. Three-day festival passes, single-day tickets and bus transportation from New York and Boston are still available. For full details visit solidsoundfestival.com.

Stream Nikki Lane’s EP Gone Gone Gone

One glorious day some years back, a teenage high school dropout Nikki Lane (née Nicole Lane Frady) packed a trailer with her worldly possessions. With one hand firmly gripping a steering wheel and the other flipping the bird, she said so long to her home, Greenville, South Carolina, The South and any sort of life it had suggested she should live. Western bound, she was headed to Los Angeles for no other reason than just because.

And so Lane settled in L.A. Without clear direction, she worked various day-to-day jobs and dabbled in fashion, getting shoes manufactured in China and painting them to sell under the Nikki Lane moniker. Five years passed and she started writing music but forsook that path after just two promising shows for a corporate job offer across the country in New York City.

But like any good country singer, heartbreak brought her back to music when her boyfriend left her to record an album in Atlanta. She started learning Waylon Jennings, Loretta Lynn, John Prine and Merle Haggard tunes, the sort of classic country songs that have steeped her own writing now, trying her best to strum along and building her confidence along the way.

Empowered, in February, 2009, Nikki went to Nashville, recorded an album she self-released titled "No Room for Cowboys", and returned to New York a musician. That's essentially where IAMSOUND found her. Impressed with her bold vocal chops and wildly infectious personality, the flourishing indie label signed her, Nikki moved to Nashville and started flying in and out of Los Angeles to write and record with producers David Cobb (Shooter Jennings, The Secret Sisters) and Lewis Pesacov of Fool's Gold. The first result of these efforts is a four-song EP titled Gone, Gone, Gone after the opening track, a forceful farewell to The South.

Lane now lives in Nashville where she also owns and operates a vintage boutique called High Class Hillbilly, selling pieces she has collected while touring the country.

The Gone, Gone, Gone EP will be released on IAMSOUND July 19, 2011.You can listen to the stream below.
Gone, Gone, Gone by paultao

Update: Nikki Lane's EP Gone, Gone, Gone is now available on iTunes.

AE in the News

Cameron Diaz can be seen wearing a pair of our denim cutoff shorts in the hit movie "Bad Teacher" via NextMovie.com

Bags from FEED, through a partnership with AE, were featured on MSN.com

Karolina Kurkova can be seen wearing our plaid camp style shirt on WhoWhatWear.com

Friday Giveaway: The Submarines

THE SUBMARINES have announced that they’ll join EELS on their US summer tour, starting with the Austin, TX show on Wednesday, July 20 at Stubb’s and wrapping in their home city of Los Angeles on Friday, August 12 at the El Rey. Additionally, the band just unveiled a brand new video for standout album track “Fire,” which was directed by Maximilla Lukacs and premiered on MTV’s Buzzworthy Blog

The indie-pop duo have barely taken a break from the road since the release of their third studio album Love Notes/Letter Bombs in April. After a successful headline tour across North America, the band headed over to the UK as support for The Mountain Goats. Upon their return, The Submarines immediately headed to the Midwest to join Brett Dennen on a handful of June dates, of which they are currently in the midst.

ENTER HERE for your chance to win a limited edition silk screen tour poster and a signed copy of the album Love Notes/Letter Bombs.

Watch the video for “Fire”:


See The Submarines on tour with Eels:

Wed, July 20 Austin, TX – Stubb’s
Thur, July 21 Dallas, TX - Granada Theater
Fri, July 22 Houston, TX - The Studio @ Warehouse Live
Sat, July 23 New Orleans, LA - House of Blues
Sun, July 24 Atlanta, GA - Variety Playhouse
Mon, July 25 Chapel Hill, NC - Cats Cradle
Wed, July 27 Washington, DC - 9.30 Club
Thur, July 28 Boston, MA - Paradise
Fri, July 29 Brooklyn, NY - Williamsburg Music Hall
Sat, July 30 Brooklyn, NY - Williamsburg Music Hall
Tues, Aug 2 Toronto, Ontario - Lee's Palace
Wed, Aug 3 Cleveland, OH - Beachland Ballroom
Thur, Aug 4 Columbus, OH - Newport Music Hall
**Sat, Aug 6 Escape to NY Festival - Southampton, NY
Tues, Aug 9 Seattle, WA - Showbox Theater
Wed, Aug 10 Portland, OR - Aladdin Theater
Thur, Aug 11 San Francisco, CA - Great American Music Hall
Fri, Aug 12 Los Angeles, CA - El Rey Theater

** Festival Date (No Eels)

www.thesubmarines.com
www.facebook.com/thesubmarines
www.myspace.com/thesubmarines
http://twitter.com/thesubmarines

Get to Know: Lissie

Lissie is a folk rock artist taking the musical scene by storm. Her debut album "Catching a Tiger" came out in 2010, the same year she was named Paste Magazine's Best New Solo Artist. Lissie also appears in our "We the People" video series singing her song "Little Lovin'." Watch the video after the interview, and if you like what you hear, check out Lissie on Facebook.

Who are your musical inspirations?
Lissie: There was never one ultimate inspiration. Growing up it ranged from musical theatre to Metallica to Fiona Apple to Outkast to Dixie Chicks! I pick up a little perspective from all types of artists. Currently I like Laura Marling, Dire Straits and Womack & Womack!

What's the one item of clothing that you can’t live without?
Lissie: A comfortable, versatile and flattering pair of blue jeans!

Tell us a little bit about filming on location with AE in Nashville.
Lissie: It was a total pleasure and complete blast! I love Nashville! We filmed at The Basement, which is a somewhat famous music club under Grimey's record shop. Everyone was friendly and in good spirits. My band and I were happy to be involved!

What advice do you have for aspiring musicians?
Lissie: Get to know yourself and figure out what you believe in, then stick to it. If you work hard, believe, and create from emotion, you can't go wrong!

What is your current favorite, must-listen-to song on your iPod?
Lissie: "Walk Of Life" by Dire Straits

We know your touring schedule is crazy. What’s life on the road like?
Lissie: Busy! Constant motion! Fun and exciting! It's inspiring to see that people are excited about my music and watching the crowds grow is gratifying. It's tiring, but thrilling!

Lissie's debut album "Catching a Tiger" is available on iTunes.

Photo credit: Valerie Phillips