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Not the best of weeks for up and coming New Zealand popsters RYAN MCPHUN & THE RUBY SUNS. After a fantastic SXSW appearance, the band were halfway through their US tour when, en route to Seattle, their RV (nicknamed Harvey) burst into flames. A passing motorist flagged the band down, and they were able to get the RV to the side of the road and escape unharmed before the RV became engulfed.

The bad news, however, is that every worldly possession the band had with them on the road -- equipment, instruments, clothes, food, passports -- all burned up, leaving them basically stranded stateside, waiting to see what if anything their insurance will cover.

The band are one of our new favorites, and this couldn't have happened to a nicer bunch of people. The group's label, Lil Chief Records, has set up a donation page here.

We strongly urge anyone with a few extra Paypal bucks to give what you can to help these guys out. In the meantime, you can check out the group's MySpace page to hear their music and see some pics of the blaze.

Oh you know you can't resist those Swedish Pop stylings... well the Consulate General of Sweden wants to give you a present. They've put together a CD compilation called "Made in Sweden" to give you, me and everyone an overview of what's going on in the Swedish pop scene. This magical (and FREE) disc contains some of the artists you might know, and some new... The Ark, The Soundtrack of Our Lives, Moneybrother, Melody Club, Mando Diao, Andreas Tilliander, Elin Sigvardsson, Peter Nordahl Trio and many more. Again, the CDs are complimentary... but limited to first come, first serve so Act Now! Offer only open to US residents.

Giant Drag have quickly become one of my favorite new bands and this week they re-released their debut album, "Hearts and Unicorns". The new version includes a cover of "Wicked Game". From the press release: "If you've seen this song performed live, it's usually prefaced by a rather scandalous tale of seduction and heartbreak at the age of, um, eight-years-old by front woman Annie Hardy. But when the laughter dies down and they rip into the chorus - "No, iiieeeee don't want to fall in love"".

You can check out the latetst addition to the album in a couple of streams: Real - Windows Media.
 

Wow, what a week. That had to have been one of the best South by Southwest festivals EVER. When I can breathe a few minutes and get my bearings again I'll bring a recap of who rocked my socks off and who I could do without. In the meantime check out SxSW diarys from Pitchdork, Ross, or Torr.

There's a reason why I donate money to NPR every year. KCRW's "Morning Becomes Eclectic" is one of the greatest things in the world... and their website is even better, as it's got TONS of archived live performances that you can check out via streaming video. Name the band and if they're cool, they've played on the show (and likely have the whole set archived!) OF MONTREAL, THE GO! TEAM, and MARK GARDENER are among the recent acts to be featured. Check out their website - if you've got a few hours to kill.

It's not often that big Hollywood types get involved in the world of indierock, then again Mike Myers has never been a typical Hollywood type. Myers has recently added "music video director" to his impressive actor, producer, cartoon voicer credits with the new release of a video for New Yorker Mark McAdam. The singer-songwriter (formerly of LA band Sumack) has a new record, Cavalcade, coming out in April that is already being highly praised and his music has recently appeared on ABC's TV show 'Grey's Anatomy'. You can check out the video now for "Almost Always" at YouTube or listen to some of Mark's music at MySpace.

I guess the pressure was too much. I guess? The NME is reporting today that new UK sensations TEST ICICLES have split. On the eve of their first US tour and a slot at the NME Awards show, they issued this statement:

"The band have just come off a European tour and are exhausted from the constant pressures of touring, subsequently they have cancelled their show at the NME Awards and US tour.
The band will play their UK tour in April. Details of a final single to be taken from the album to announced. There are currently no plans to make another album or tour beyond this."

There aren't any statements up on the band's site, so is this a joke? They've just barely gotten started?

I'll stop posting about this eventually (really i'm quite excited for the festival this year so it probably won't be til April that I shut up), but The Schedule has gone up for the SxSW Music Festival. Even if you have no plans to attend the festivities in Austin this year, you can still get a taste of some of the new music that will be overwhelming the ears of festival-goers. If you peruse the 5-day schedule the lil cassette tape icons indicate a downloadable (or streaming) mp3.

Today's Chicago Tribune ran an article by Greg Kot announcing that festival organizers are doubling their efforts this year. 2005 saw Lollapalooza's return to the festival circuit with 60 bands take to four(ish) stages spanning a two day affair in Chicago's Grant Park. While the festival had a great run last year (despite the abysmal heat in the triple digits), they want to return to a bigger and better festival. After all, if it's only a one time event, why not do it up right? So this year, August 4-6 expect over 130 bands to have the run of 8 stages. Organizers estimate this could help double the attendance. (I, for one, didn't get the vibe that too many out of towners had come in for the shows). Always a plus, the additional money that will be brought in will go towards a complete restoration effort Hutchinson Field and spur a new addition of a new garden near the Art Institute.

In support of the January US release of Tales from Turnpike House, Saint Etienne are headed back to America for a *quick* US Tour. The four (yes, only four) dates can be found on our Tour Page but I thought I'd alert you to a few extra events going on...

Sunday, January 12...

Film screenings of Finisterre & What Have You Done Today, Mervyn Day?
Galapagos Art Space, 70 N. 6th Street, Williamsburg, Brooklyn

Monday, January 13...

Le One Night Stand
SAINT ETIENNE AFTER-PARTY
Joe's Pub, 425 Lafayette Street, NYC, 11 pm - 4 am
Special Guest DJ: Bob Stanley with Resident DJs: Melody Nelson (Calling All The Kids), Sheila B. (BUST + Cha Cha Charming), Josh Styles + Peppermintwist (Smashed! Blocked!), Plus go-go girls: Anna Copacabanna + Kamila