It's been four years since the last Radio Dept album (a statistic that no one--especially you, me and the band--are pleased with), but thankfully the band has made sure the wait is worth it. The result is Clinging to a Scheme, an album that has been greeted with a flurry of hipster's jumping up and down like they just got an American Girl doll (I think even Pitchfork squealed with joy) and catapulted the band onto the official Top 5 of Most Blogged About Artists list.

Of course this new album is more important than the hype surrounding it. The album builds on the signature Labrador Records stamp of high quality swirls of vocals and C86 orchestration over the lush backdrop of keyboards, beats and sassy tambourine. Songs like "This Time Around" and "Never Follow Suite" will bring back memories of Saint Etienne, Pet Shop Boys and your dream of what would have happened if the Stone Roses and My Bloody Valentine would have joined forces.

One of the more beguiling things about the album is that one of this year's most important indie pop releases will be available on vinyl in a strictly limited edition batch of 500 copies... and we've got one of those 500 records to give away! There's also a *slight* chance that we'll be able to get it autographed for you (no promises, but all hands in the air if it happens!).

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I have the major hots for just about anything with the Labrador Records stamp. Although I can't verbalize it as well as Steve Thornton, imaginary staffer who objectively and positively swooned over the comprehensive Labrador compilation, Labrador 100 - A Complete History Of Popular Music, in 2007, the label's decade plus of solid releases has cemented them as a staple conversation topic in any indie-pop thinkthank... and therefore, recipient of my lustful gazes from across the crowded dance floor.

On April 25th, Labrador Records' The Mary Onettes will be in Seattle at the Sunset Tavern in support of their new album Islands with Hotels and Erik Blood opening.  The Mary O's new full length is a dreamy set of modern day anthems fit for any John Hughes soundtrack. The songs are exceptional pieces of beautiful orchestrated indie-pop that flows with pretty angst ("Now I dared to think I'm something that I'm not " from the song "Dare" which you can sing along to in the video below).

In short, if you like your mix tapes chock full of Jesus and Mary Chain, Cure, New Order, and Pains of Being Pure at Heart you'll kick yourself for missing this show.

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If you're like me, and summer is not just the promise of good weather, but also amazing summer jams, then you're in luck: Ames, IA's The Poison Control Center have a brand new record coming out! Their Pavement-for-a-less-slacker-generation laid back indie rock always translates much mellower on record than live, but in this video for the brand new "Being Gone" (from the upcoming Sad Sour Future out May 18th on Afternoon Records) gives quite a hint at how goofy these guys can really get.

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This is the second part of the first installment of Portrait of an Artist.  D. Crane will interview musicians and artists who blow his mind.  Read along and see him sharpen his interview skills to that of a slightly sharp pencil.  Fred Schneider was the inspiration for the song “(do the) Magic Centipede,” off of BOAT’s  Setting the Paces LP.  His new band is called the Superions.  They make the most ridiculous surreal/silly dance music around. Read part 1 here.

Fred,  here is my attempt to ask you some clever/wacky/personal questions.  The level of cleverness/wackiness/personal-ness seems more minute now that I know that you appeared on Howard Stern, last week!  But here I go anyway!

Assuming you go to Totally Nude Island, what piece of clothing would you miss the most?

My wallet!  To buy all the fabulous things at the gift shop!

Are you vegetarian?  How long?

Since ’72.  A friend talked me into it after I dropped out of college.  I never liked fish anyway!

Where should I eat when I visit Athens for the Popfest?

In Athens there is a great vegetarian restaurant called the Grit, and a lot of other places that are really vegetarian friendly.

What happened with the ham in the video?

We bought the ham and were gonna donate it, but it fell on the floor during the video.

Do you like the song "Monster Mash"?  It’s maybe my favorite song of all time.

Yes!  I love everything Halloween.  I love old school Halloween.

What is Sprechstimme?

Talk singing.  When I started I am just singing as I go along.  If you listen closely there is hesitancy.  It is not for dramatic effect.  I’m trying to think of what to say next.

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Or:  How I Got to Interview Fred Schneider for 25 Minutes---SPONTANEOUS—BASIL LOVER—HERO OF THE SILLY AND ABSURD

This is the first part of the first installment of Portrait of an Artist. D. Crane will interview musicians and artists who blow his mind.  Read along and see him sharpen his interview skills to that of a slightly sharp pencil. Fred Schneider was the inspiration for the song “(do the) Magic Centipede,” off of BOAT’s Setting the Paces LP. His new band is called the Superions, and they have a brand new self-titled EP/LP on Athens, GA's Happy Happy Birthday to Me Records. They make the most ridiculous surreal/silly dance music around. Stay tuned for the second part later this week.

How did you get in touch with Mike from Happy Happy Birthday to Me Records (HHBTM)?

I am a record nut and he runs a record store, so naturally we hit it off. I heard that he runs a label with two of my favorite acts, Cars Can Be Blue and the Lolligags. I knew he was an honest guy and a hard worker, so  I suggested to the Superions, “Hey, let’s put this out on a small label.” Originally, it was going to be a single, but there were some remixes that I thought turned out great, and I couldn’t be happier.

How long ago did the Superions start?

We started about 5 years ago as the Del Morons.  The first song we did was a song called “Totally Nude Island.”  Dan and Noah came up with the music and I just went in the bathroom and came up with the words off the top of my head.  We thought it was fun.  People said they liked it and told us to put it on Itunes, and that they’d buy it. Most of the HHBTM recordings were recorded soon after.

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You know how some records are just impossible to find in stores, due to small distribution and tiny awesome labels? Well, Chris Mac does too. And that's why he decided to open Jigsaw Records (5459 Leary Ave NW, 2nd floor, right above Resolution Audio). "We deal directly with bands and labels around the world (many of which have little or no distribution) to help them get more exposure", says Mac, also the creator of the wonderful indie pop haven Indiepages.

Mac's got the tiny store (14x14) stuffed to the gills with only the highest quality indie pop and rock records, cds, and tapes, and with his encyclopedic knowledge of indie pop is the type of guy who loves making suggestions, even to the point of putting descriptor stickers on every new release he carries (you know, so if you're looking for twee pop, you don't accidentally buy a pop punk album).

Not only is he supporting DIY music, but the shop itself follows a strict DIY aesthetic, with wonderful hand-built shelves, made with love, carrying your new favorite records.

The shop opens this Saturday, March 13th with the greatest possible opening party imaginable, featuring the first Math and Physics Club show in 2 years! Also appearing will be the fabulous D. Crane of BOAT. The show starts at 7 and is all ages and free! Come browse records and walk away with a new favorite band or five.

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It is my pleasure to present a brand new video from Athens, GA's Casper & the Cookies for the song "Sharp!" from 2009's Modern Silence (one of my favorite albums of last year).  I just love this 70's glam influenced song that's really funkier than it has any right to be. Shake it!

And, if that wasn't enough, they have a bunch of tour dates coming up (including a lot of SXSW awesomeness and a TBA Seattle date)!

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{Robert Schneider from the Apples In Stereo from Athens Popfest 2008}

We here at TIG have been crushing out over Athens Popfest for years. I've been every year since 2006 and Liz went in 2005 and 2007. It's pretty much always the best week of the year, fusing together amazing indie pop, delicious food (seriously, Athens has the best!), and wonderful community. I look forward to the lineup announcement all year long, and the wonderful popfest folks have given us just a taste of what's to come, featuring some of my current favorite bands and lots of TIG favorites (and as always, some newbies I'm so excited to hear)!

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{photo from gold-bears myspace}

Sometimes the worst days bring the best music. Aint it the truth? There's nothing that can cure a bad day like obsessing over a new band. And thus, let me present Atlanta's gold-bears, the sort of new incarnation of the wonderful Magic Marker band Plastic Mastery. Ever wanted to know what it would be like if John Darnielle fronted a Tommy-era Wedding Present? Ever dream for a combination of early-mid period Superchunk and Boyracer? Do you miss the Faintest Ideas as much as I do? If jangly guitars, beautiful melodies, and full on fuzzy feedback assualts are your thing, then gold-bears are your dream band. The two songs posted on their myspace page "Tally" and "Jezzer" already are in the running for favorite songs of the year, and the best news is that they have a single coming out on Magic Marker soon, followed shortly by another on Cloudberry. And, if you do it quickly, you can download these two songs on indiepages. Play and repeat all night.

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{photo via last.fm page}

There are few things I love more than taking indie pop related trips, and thankfully, Slumberland Records have gifted me with the perfect indie pop daydreamer's vacation complete with bands I never thought I'd get to see. To celebrate their 20th anniversary, they're throwing two identical shows, one in San Francisco and one in LA at with some of my favorite bands ever.

March 27th - The Rickshaw Stop, San Francisco/March 28th - The Echo, LA

Henry's Dress
The How
Go Sailor
Brown Recluse
Summer Cats
Pants Yell!
Devon Williams
Neverever
Brilliant Colors
Boyracer

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