Friendly Fires Courtesy of Friendly Fires

1. Sufjan Stevens has come out saying that his plan to write an album for each state was a result of him becoming a “cliche” and in looking back on the project idea he has claimed that it is now a “joke”. This is after he released “Illinoise” in 2005 and “Greetings from Michigan: The Great Lake State” in 2003. He would go on to say the project seemed a bit silly. via (Paste Magazine)

2. According to the Matador Records‘ Web site they have acquired True Panther Sounds. This comes after Matador helped promote True Panther Sounds’ band Girls‘ new album. via (Matador Records)

3. In what seems to be a growing trend among band front men, Bloc Party‘s Kele Okereke has announce plans to release a solo album while the band is still on hiatus. Complete detalis on the record are yet to be released.via (NME)

4. Friendly Fires has announced the follow up to its self-titled debut album. The album, which has yet to be named, is planning on being released next May. Accoring to member Ed MacFarlane the band already has four tracks they have already completed for the album. Ed MacFarlane also said, “We’re going to hopefully have all the songs finished by the end of the year, record in January and have the album ready for May time, and do some festivals around then.” via (NME)

5. The side project of Art Brut‘s Eddie Argos and The Bloody Arm‘s Dyan Valdes called Everybody Was in the French Resistance…Now are set to release its debut album, “Fixin’ the Charts,” in January. The album was produced by David Newton, and the full track listing is available. via (NME)

 The Love Language will be in the studio today at 2pm to do an interview and a few live songs.  They are playing in Raleigh tomorrow, Saturday May 9, at The Pour House along with other Raleigh bands  Whatever Brains and Gross Ghost.   The line-up features a lo-fi cloud of Raleigh, audible debauchery.  

Quick facts about each act:

Gross Ghost- This is Mike Dillon’s new project.  If you live in Raleigh or Chapel Hill you likely know who he is.

Whatever Brains- These guys recently played WKNC’s Local Beer Local Band in March and were recently, as I like to say, “shopped,” or as others, including The Indy,  say kind of “picked up” by Matador Records.  

The Love Languge- Remember the band The Capulets who graced Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill with their infectious pop lyrics and handsome faces about four summers ago?  I do (eek, for being older than most other DJs).  Stu McLamb, a Capulet, went on to form The Love Language with two other Capulets and now, well now The Love Language is infecting the music scene on a national level, including a bit in Spin magazine.

The Love Language performing at SXSW09, product of Kelly Reid

Whatever Brains at WKNC's Local Beer Local Band, 3/26/09, product of Mike Gray

-hearts and guitars-