It’s been awhile since we’ve written about White Lies, who are still currently touring their debut album, To Lose My Life. Bassist Charles Cave (the band’s main lyricist) recently revealed to BBC Radio 6 that the band is under a bit of pressure to put out their sophomore album. In the interview he had this to say:

“The first album has done well enough that it enables us to be a bit more experimental, and do what we want really, and see where a whole year and half’s worth of new music and influences come in to effect.”

“It seemed like, ‘It will happen when it happens’, but now it seems that it’s got to happen in a window of about two months.”

Looks like fans will have a new White Lies album to obsess over soon enough! Check out our interview with lead singer Harry McVeigh earlier this year HERE.

MP3: White Lies – You Still Love Him or zShare

MP3: White Lies – Farewell To The Fairground (Disco Bloodbath Remix) or zShare

Last month Florence made her first New York appearances at the Fader Fort for CMJ and a headlining gig at Bowery Ballroom with Holly Miranda. The latest issue of NME includes a feature with Florence Welch titled “Florence Takes America” in which the magazine spends 72 hours with the songstress.

Florence opened up about her state of mind during the creation of Lungs, which she described as becoming a self-descructive Chaos Robot. The issue is on newsstands today and should make for an insightful read.

Also on November 30th, a special 4-disc expanded version of Lungs will be available. The set includes the original Lungs album, a live recording from Abbey Road, a disc of remixes and covers, and a DVD of her performance at Rivoli Ballroom gig in London this summer!

Also unveiled thanks to Stella Artois is the amazing 1960’s French Variety Show-themed performance of You’ve Got the Love below!

MP3: Florence + The Machine – You’ve Got The Love (Pitron & Sanna Mix) or zShare

Last night I was lucky enough to catch the Pixies first of four residing shows at New York’s Hammerstein Ballroom. The shows are a part of the Doolitle Tour, a 20th year anniversary tour of the band’s 1989 breakthrough sophomore album Doolittle. The album is heralded by many music writers as the most influential album ever and a staple on all greatest albums lists.

Following Doolitte, Pixies went on to release Bossanova and Trompe le Monde before the inevitable 1993 split. The band reunited 11 years later in 2004 for a world tour which was documented in the fantastic 2006 film LoudQUIETLoud. After the reunion tour, Pixies bowed out without sharing any solid plans for the future.

Earlier this year the band resurfaced with the announcement of a string of festival gigs, followed by the Minotaur boxed set and then the Doolittle Tour in the UK. It wasn’t until late summer of 2009 that plans to tour the US were revealed, of which included four shows in New York’s Hammerstein Ballroom! Unsurprisingly, the shows sold out almost immediately.

Last night marked the first night of these shows, with special guest Black Gold stepping in for Bad Lieutenant who encountered visa problems. The show kicked off with an eerie 7-minute silent film before the band stepped onstage starting their set with 4 B-Sides before kicking into the Doolittle tracks! The setlist covered all songs from Doolittle and included 2 encores with fan favorites Wave of Mutilation (UK Surf), Gigantic and a rather interesting take on Where is My Mind.

Today I’ve successfully crossed Pixies off of my “bands I must see before I die list,” although hopefully I’ll be able to experience this visual and musical feast again soon! Be on the look out for more elusive hints for 2010 as Black Francis was quoted as telling NME that Pixies have planned to release a Hollywood-themed album in 2010. Remaining tour dates for Doolittle and festival dates can be seen on the band’s official website.

More pictures can be seen HERE.

MP3: Pixies – Dig for Fire or zShare
MP3: Pixies – Wave of Mutilation (UK Surf) or zShare

Last month we announced the re-release of Fever Ray’s self-titled album along with DVD content and bonus tracks including the cover of Nick Cave’s Stranger Than Kindness (video.) Today a brand new music video for Keep The Streets Empty For Me has surfaced and we couldn’t be more pleased. Check out the video below and be sure to pick up the Deluxe Edition of the album available now. Check out my review of Fever Ray’s show at Webster Hall HERE.

MP3: Fever Ray – Stranger Than Kindness (Nick Cave Cover) or zShare

I’m lucky enough to be going to Pixies first of four NYC shows for the Doolittle Tour, which finally comes to town tonight! The tour is being pegged as a “cinematic extravaganza,” and just imagining myself at Hammerstein Ballroom tonight makes me squee! Tonight’s opening act is Black Gold, with Jay Reatard playing on the 24th and Rain Machine on the 25th.

I discovered Pixies as an angsty youngin thanks in part to the cult classics Pump up the Volume and David Fincher’s Fight Club starring badasses Ed Norton, Helena Bonham Carter and Brad Pitt. And here is that beautiful closing scene from the film (Thanks Finch!):

If you don’t already own the 20-year-old masterpiece Doolittle, make you add this staple to your collection. You can purchase the album digitally on iTunes but I highly recommend going with the vinyl. Can’t wait to share the experience with you on Tastes Like Caramel soon!

MP3: Pixies – Debaser or zShare

Wowowow! Kelis shared a brand new look and sound via her Twitter page today called Acapella, and it’s a BANGER! It’s a new direction for the singer, we’re so excited for this and the new material! Stay tuned…

Stream the track HERE. Follow Kelis on Twitter HERE.

MP3: Kelis – Bossy (Alan Braxe & Fred Falke Remix) or zShare

Sleigh Bells played yet another fantastic set last night, this time I caught them at Le Poisson Rouge. Derek mentioned LPR having a great sound system in our interview (Sleigh Bells: CMJ, The Hype and Beyond) especially for my favorite song Beach Girls, and I couldn’t agree more for those epic beat drops! It was a late night but worth the lack of sleep this morning. Check them out next time they’re around kids! Spotted at the show: Nick Zinner of Yeah Yeah Yeahs.

To listen to Sleigh Bells, check them out on MySpace or download one of our tracks from their demo HERE. Learn more about what’s in store for Sleigh Bells from our insightful interview last month HERE.

More pictures from the show HERE.

I literally just got back from seeing Kid Sister at MTV, it was a great midday break and worth not taking a lunch break at work for! KS played a few songs from her fantastic debut album Ultraviolet (out now!) including banging party anthems Right Hand Hi, Big N Bad and Pro Nails (sans Kanye.)

She was accompanied by two masked dancers and sported an awesome bedazzled Aaliyah T-shirt for the set. Unfortunately I will not be in town for her set at Webster Hall next friday with Flosstradamus but make sure you are, definitely will not be dissapointed! Make sure you pick up Ultraviolet ASAP, it’s an absolute must for any party! Spotted at the show: Maggie Horn.

More pictures HERE.

MP3: Kid Sister – Big N Bad or zShare

Wednesday night was my third MTVU Woodie Awards show at Roseland Ballroom and one of the most fun! We had a perfect spot near the artist lounge, enjoying a DJ set by Diplo and catching performances by Death Cab for Cutie, Passion Pit, Matt & Kim, The Dead Weather and more.

There was an interesting array of presenters including a ranting Zooey Deschanel, legendary Cyndi Lauper and Leighton Meester, Mary Louise Parker, 3OH!3 dressed like Lady Gaga, will.i.am in a snuggie, a drunk? Pete Wentz, and Janelle Monae channeling a robotic Grace Jones.

Friendly Fires post-Ninjasonik derailed interview

The day before the awards show we chatted with Friendly Fires at their Fred Perry party at SPiN NYC and they mentioned hoping that they didn’t get Kanye’d at the show. Well that didn’t exactly happen, but they DID get Ninjasonik‘d during their interview with Matt Pinfield which was totally derailed. Hilarious! Check out our pictures below and keep a look out for the broadcast of the show. Until then enjoy this video I snapped of the epic set by Dead Weather!

Dead Weather at the MTV Woodie Awards Originally uploaded by TLC Blog

More pictures can be seen HERE.

MP3: Matt & Kim – Daylight (Troublemaker Remix feat. De La Soul) or zShare
MP3: The Dead Weather – Treat Me Like Your Mother (Diplo Remix) or zShare

Collectively I’ve seen Saturday’s line up 8 times this year. Peaches: 3, Amanda Blank: 5.

Amanda Blank was first up and after having seen her set four times this year alone, it was clear that Amanda was bringing something bigger something better to the stage this time around. Her 45-minute set began after 9PM and included 2 DJ’s, a drummer, the obligatory Spank Rock guest spot AND a choreography section with background dancers!

Fans were promised a revamped show for the current leg of Peaches‘ tour, which worried/intrigued me after having seen the incredible shows in May and again in June!

Anticipation and excitement was at an all time high at 10PM when Terminal 5 filled up with smoke and 4 figures took the stage shrouded in hairy monster outfits to the Blade Runner theme song. The music then transitioned from Mud to Talk to Me, in which Peaches shed the monster shell to reveal a Rainbow Brite-like leotard before diving into the crowd for her obligatory crowd surf performance.

The absolute highlight (beside the incredible outfits) was the lazer show for Take You On, in which Peaches and her band Sweet Machine played 3 electronic lazers that produced the backing beat for the song. Monstrously epic. Peaches never ceases to amaze and continuously puts on a show that we will never bore of!

More pictures of Peaches HERE (some NSFW), more Pictures of Amanda Blank HERE.

Setlist:
Mud // Talk To Me // Billionaire //Serpentine // Show Stopper // Shake Yer Dix // I U She + Tombstone medley // More //Boys Wanna Be Her // You Love It // Lose You // I Feel Cream // Mommy Complex // Fuck the Pain Away

Encore:
Operate // Slippery Dick //Take You On // Kick It // Rock ‘n’ Roll // Set It Off

MP3: Peaches – I U She or zShare

MP3: Peaches – Shake Yer Dix or zShare

MP3: Amanda Blank – Make Up or zShare