Amidst a certain amount of mystery and perhaps a bit of aloofness, Alvin Band’s 2nd album has finally seen the light of day. We’re excited and relieved that this day has finally come. The 11 song album, entitled Rainbow Road, makes use of a wide range of instruments that marks a bit of a departure from the previously released Mantis Preying that relied solely on Rick’s voice as it’s guide. In homage to the video game entrenched generation Rick a/k/a “Alvin Band” has grown up in, the album is riddled with the mythology of Super Mario Brothers. In fact, the title of the record is derived from the “Rainbow Road” racecourse that appears in the Super Mario Kart version of the series. Rainbow Road is meant to give the listener the multi-sensational experience of actually living vicariously within the game.

Rainbow Road will officially be released on January 24th, 2012. For now, you can pre-order the album and get the digital copy immediately. This offer is only available direct through alvinband.com.

We’re happy to announce that Lex Land’s anticipated 2nd album, “Were My Sweetheart To Go…” is available now for pre-order/purchase on her website — www.lexland.net.  There are nifty packages with hoodies, t-shirts and other assorted goodies available.  The actual “street” date is 8/16/11, but you can grab it now direct from her and get “Oh My!”, and “Havana” instantly.  The rest of the record will be delivered on 8/16.

Ms. Land will also be performing at the Swan Dive in Austin on Saturday, August 13th for an album release shindig to highlight the occasion.  A great night of music with the Vintage 15 and Danny Malone on the bill as well.  Lex will also be performing live on KUT in Austin at 2:00 PM on Thursday, August 11th and on Fox Morning News earlier on the 11th.

Also stay tuned for a West Coast run and a KCRW / Morning Becomes Eclectic performance in Sept. Dates are posted on Lex’s site and Facebook page, etc.

Getting ready for some camping and non-stop music in Manchester, TN this year.  Joshua James will be performing 2 shows at Bonnaroo on June 10th and 11th.  For those headed to Great Stage Park this year, plug it into your “Zoltaroo”.
June 10th - Troo Music Lounge - 1:00 AM
June 11th - Solar Stage - 8:00 PM

Joshua is embarking on a run of dates in March and April in support of his current Record, “Build Me This”. He will make a quick stop in Austin, TX for SXSW. Check out the dates here: TOUR

Joining him at SXSW will be Austin’s own Lex Land. Be sure to check out her dates here: SHOWS

We’re proud to announce that Joshua James’ “Build Me This” has debuted at #1 on the iTunes Singer/Songwriter charts! The Record is also climbing the iTunes Top 100 Albums @ #43!

You can buy it HERE

We are happy to report Joshua James’ 2nd record, “Build Me This” is officially in the pipeline set for imminent release. Joshua and crew start a National tour tonight in Seattle, WA and will be out on the road for the better part of 2009 visiting you good folks. Check here and Joshua’s website for tour dates.

“Build Me This” will be released on iTunes September 8th and is available for pre-order now. The iTunes version will include the video for “Weeds” and also comes with bonus tracks and a digital booklet. The vinyl edition was originally scheduled for a September 8th release, but due to some technical issues with the vinyl manufacturing process it will now be closer to September 22nd. The vinyl version comes with 2 LP’s, and a physical cd featuring all 18 songs! There is a bonus side on vinyl which Joshua is calling the “Sing Songs EP”.

The CD will be available in stores on September 22nd and comes with a 24 page booklet with lyrics and other goodies. The packaging is quite striking indeed! The updates will be coming frequently now, so keep checking in for the latest info.

Paste Magazine gave Joshua’s new record a 92 out of 100 “Phenomenal” review! Check it out here.

“Mantis Preying”, the first “official” release by Alvin Band, will be available on iTunes September 8th and is available for pre-order now. The album will be in stores on September 22nd! The record includes a bonus 6 song EP from an earlier bedroom recording that has come to be known as “Lady Portrait”.

While stationed in Phoenix, AZ during the recording of Miniature Tiger’s “Tell It To The Volcano”, (Rick is also a member of Modern Art/Epic act Miniature Tigers it should be noted) Rick holed up in a friend’s bathroom with a microphone and a Powerbook and went to town. The end result is the 9 song “vocal composition” coined “Mantis Preying”. By limiting the recording to body parts and vocal gymnastics, Rick began his first journey working with unlimited multi-track arrangements via Digidesign’s Pro Tools. Bjork’s “Medulla” served as the predominant inspiration behind Rick writing and layering vocals without the use of instruments.

The songs on “Mantis Preying” feature dense, layered, complicated arrangements that somehow weave a central melody and structure throughout the cacophony of ideas. This complex blend of rhythms and harmonies cannot seemingly come from one voice and one microphone. Though recorded under the constraints of “vocals only”, it projects a sum much larger than it’s parts, making use of the full sonic spectrum. The record is completed with the song “Mystery of the Yellow Room” paying tribute to Andrew Lloyd Webber by combining a medley of themes from the “Phantom of the Opera”.

Vocal powerhouse Miss Lex Land and her band will be performing 3 songs on NBC’s “Last Call with Carson Daly” on Friday, June 26th. Set your DVR’s, TiVo’s, digital thingy’s, etc!

Her music has already graced the television airwaves on shows such as “Private Practice”, “Brothers and Sisters”, and “One Tree Hill.” Earlier this Spring on April 7th, Land made another notable appearance on KCRW’s venerable “Morning Becomes Eclectic”. This performance was recently released on May 5th as a “Live From KCRW” EP digitally on iTunes.

Lex and her band will perform “Could’ve Had Me”, “As Much As You Lead”, and “All We’ve Ever Done” on the Friday night edition of Carson Daly.

WHO: Lex Land
WHAT: Performing “Could’ve Had Me”, “As Much As You Lead”, and “All We’ve Ever Done” on “Last Call with Carson Daly”
WHEN: Friday/Saturday June 26th at 1:35 am

For those of you in the So Cal area: Venture up to the great, vibe-centric, little spot called Zoey’s Cafe in the beachside town of Ventura, CA.  Lex is playing there every Monday in May, and has some cool folks opening up for her.  Also check out this article about Lex in the Ventura County Star!