We will be giving away some amazing prizes at the After The Jump Fest including TWO passes to the CMJ Music Marathon worth nearly $500 each. We also will be giving away a ton of cd prize packs, signed posters and t-shirts so come to the show (see sidebar) on August 25th and donate for your chance to win.

In other news, the initial CMJ Lineup has been announced.

Also, check out CMJ’s article about the After The Jump Fest here.

Rilo Kiley

Singer and former child actor Jenny Lewis, (whose solo release Rabbit Fur Coat, was one my favorite albums of 2006), has a new record and tour coming up with her other band, Rilo Kiley. The band’s highly anticipated fourth full length, Under The Blacklight, is due out August 21 on Warner Bros. Jenny and her band will be playing two dates at Webster Hall September 22 and September 23.

Speaking of singers who also act, on September 15, the credibility challenged Mandy Moore is going to be at Irving Plaza with 1997’s Grammy Winning Best New Artist Paula Cole. Should be a lot of indie kids at that show!

All Rilo Kiley tour dates below.

“Rilo Kiley | New Record, Tour, Webster Hall” continued after the jump

Sure Brooklyn Vegan may be in Oslo right now, but was he personally invited by the French Minister of Culture to attend La Route Du Rock Festival in Saint-Malo, France? While I don’t know the answer to that question definitively, I think the answer is no. And if he wasn’t invited, then that would make two of us. Anyway, take a look at the lineup for La Route Du Rock Festival (Aug 15-17, Saint-Malo FR), it reads like a blogger’s wet dream.

La Route Du Rock Festival Lineup
August 15-17, Saint-Malo FRANCE

Farm Aid 2007 has added some more acts to the festival bill, here’s the announcement:

Willie Nelson, Neil Young, John Mellencamp, Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds to be joined by Gregg Allman, The Allman Brothers Band, Counting Crows, Matisyahu, Guster, The Derek Trucks Band, Warren Haynes, Supersucker, The Ditty Bops, and Montgomery Gentry.

September 9 at Randall’s Island
Doors open at 12 noon
Buy Tickets

Great Lake Swimmers @ Richard’s on Richards

Tony Dekker and band are hitting the road again starting in September for another set of dates in support the excellent Ongiara, (which, in my opinion, was criminally overlooked for the Polaris prize). Great Lake Swimmers will be headlining the Highline Ballroom with Richard Buckner and Seattle’s Arthur & Yu. (This gig is quite a step up from playing an 11:30 show at Joe’s Pub midweek, congrats Tony).

All Great Lake Swimmers tour dates after the jump.

“Great Lake Swimmers | More Tour Dates, Highline Ballroom” continued after the jump

The prolific Rob Crow and his band Pinback have a new record set to drop on September 11, 2007 entitled Autumn of the Seraphs (Touch and Go). Pinback are also embarking on an ambitious 35 date tour in support of the new release which will see them in NYC at the Nokia Theatre (of all places) on October 9th. I’ve just had myself a little listen to Autumn… and I can personally give it the ‘Shine seal of approval. I really and truly hope the tourists (and the locals) come out in full force for the Pinback show at the Nokia, I gotta admit the venue choice baffles me a little.

All Pinback tour dates below.

“Pinback | New Record, Tour Dates, Nokia Theatre” continued after the jump

Drake’s on vacation this week, (though I didn’t know that was possible with an infant and a 2 year old), but like a trooper, (or a postal worker if you prefer), he delivered us the roundup anyway. – ed.

I’m on vacation this week, and since I all my formative listening is centered around my work day (commute, background at work, etc.) I’m a bit behind again. But there are two releases this week that deserve call-out regardless of how much ear time I’ve been able to give ‘em. Okkervil River’s latest as well as the Sub Pop debut (EP) from the HBO stars Flight of the Conchords.

Playlist: New Releases 08.07.07

Album: Okkervil River – The Stage Names

Far less melancholy then 2005’s Black Sheep Boy, The Stage Names finds Will Sheff and the band more playful, making it an easier first listen. If the songs prove to be as dense as prior releases, then this will be their best (and most accessible) album yet, which is saying a lot. Given that Okkervil River’s songs become better with repeat listens, it’s safe to say this album will find itself on many end of the year lists (including mine.)

Album: Flight of the Conchords – The Distant Future

Quickly becoming an ‘insider’ cult classic, the HBO series Flight of the Conchords is a pop-culture dream. When ESPN’s Sportcenter starts quoting from it (“It’s Business Time,”) you know it’s made it (now let’s get that second season picked up.) Sub Pop releases their first US offering with this mixed-bag EP of comedic genius. “Business Time” hilariously cops the vibe of Prince’s “If I Was Your Girlfriend,” sexing up the mundane day-to-day life of a married couple.

You lean in close and say something sexy like “I might go to bed…I’ve got work in the morning.”
I know what you’re trying to say baby.
You’re tryin to say “Ooh yeah, it’s business time…”

The EP mixes in some live songs, which is good, because a song like “Robots” works so much better with a setup (which “Banter” helps provide,) and lets you know that Jemaine Clement’s robot voice is not done with effects (a more dead-on Stephen Hawking impression you’ll never ever hear.

Download: “Business Time” (Sub Pop)
Free album stream from AOL

More going (or already in) the Sansa
The Brunettes – Structure and Cosmetics
Art in Manila – Set the Woods on Fire
Augie March – Moo, You Bloody Choir
Peter Case – Let Us Now Praise Sleepy John
Benzos – Branches
Christy & Emily – Gueen’s Head
Simple Kid – 2
Tarentel – Ghetto Beats On The Surface Of The Sun