Courtney Barnett and Kurt Vile performing onstage

Courtney Barnett and Kurt Vile

Courtney Barnett Photo: Gus Stewart/Getty Images, Kurt Vile Photo: Rick Kern/Getty Images

News

Kurt Vile, Courtney Barnett announce new album and tour

Facebook Twitter Email
All-star indie collaboration grows organically from a single collaboration into something much bigger
Nate Hertweck
GRAMMYs
Jun 7, 2017 - 4:59 pm

Something special is brewing in the indie rock cauldron. Courtney Barnett, Australian songwriting prophet and former Best New Artist nominee, and Kurt Vile, American leader of lo-fi, have joined forces for a new album and tour. 

The as-yet untitled album has not received an official release date. The LP was recorded in a mere eight days of studio sessions spread out over a 15-month period. According to Consequence of Sound, the project started small and grew over time into a full-length album.

"It started out as, maybe we'll do a split 7" together but then I figured let's make it a 12" so it doesn't get lost in the world, shoot for five songs," Vile explained, "It wasn't until I had another KV tour booked for the following summer in Oz that we thought we should record as much as we can, just see what happens, no major goal to make it a full length, but it came together that way 'cause the vibe was so strong with everyone."

Perhaps even more exciting, Barnett and Vile have recruited an all-star band, the Sea Lice, to tour the United States in support of their new album. The stunning live lineup is far from "Pedestrian At Best," including Sleater-Kinney's Janet Weiss, Warpaint's Stella Mozgawa, Sky Larkin's Katie Larkin, and Vile's longtime partner and member of his backing band, the Violators, Rob Laakso.

Fans looking to see this collaboration come to life onstage will have much to look forward starting with the tour's kickoff in San Diego in October.

More Courtney Barnett: Watch the Aussie's first interview on the GRAMMY red carpet

Sam Smith

Sam Smith

Photo: David M. Benett/Getty Images

Poll

Nicki Minaj, Taylor Swift, Sam Smith: Most Anticipated Fall Album?

Facebook Twitter Email
New albums from Miley Cyrus, Demi Lovato and St. Vincent also on the way this fall — which release are you most excited to hear?
Nate Hertweck
GRAMMYs
Sep 12, 2017 - 1:16 pm

2017 has been a big year already in music, especially for streaming, festivals and Latin pop. With summer sneaking into the rearview and stores filling up with Halloween paraphernalia, we want to know which upcoming fall album release you're looking forward to the most.

Sam Smith Wins Record Of The Year

So here's your chance to be heard: From Miley Cyrus, Demi Lovato and Taylor Swift to in-the-works new offerings by Sam Smith and Nicki Minaj, what's album are you looking forward to the most in fall 2017?:

Polls

What's your most anticipated album for fall 2017?

 

Sheet music and ear buds
News

Universal language: Why humans need music

Facebook Twitter Email
Learn why music is truly a common language that is key to human development and evolution
Renée Fabian
GRAMMYs
Jul 3, 2017 - 12:51 pm

There's no doubt music finds a way into nearly every moment of our daily lives, whether it's marking milestones such as a first dance at a wedding, the soundtrack to our favorite movie or singing in the shower for fun. In fact, it's hard to imagine times when we are more than an ear-length away from hearing another song.

But why does music mean so much to us? A powerful form of communication that transcends all barriers — music is our common language, but why?

A composer and educator with a lifelong fascination for music, Adam Ockelford has traced our connection with music back to infants and caregivers. Infants are unable to follow words, but they are developmentally primed to trace patterns in sound, such as through the songs a caretaker sings to them. Therefore, understanding music is intuitive for humans, even at a very young age, and it encourages healthy development.

In addition, there may be another evolutionary purpose for music. Music provides a sense of sameness between humans — if you can copy the sounds someone else makes, you must be an ally. This synergy plays a role in human survival because it evokes empathy and understanding, a lesson we still learn from music in today's culture.

"Music is central to the notion of what it is to be human, and spans cultures, continents and centuries," writes Ockelford. "My music, your music, our music can bind us together as families, as tribes and as societies in a way that nothing else can."

Need a playlist? Check out our favorite songs of summer 2017 

Khruangbin

 Khruangbin

Photo: Mauricio Santana/Getty Images/Getty Images

News

Primavera Sound 2021 Full Lineup: Kim Gordon, Khruangbin, Kurt Vile, Slowthai & More Join Massive Booking

Facebook Twitter Email
The 20th edition of the major Spanish music festival is set to return to Barcelona's Parc del Fòrum on June 2-6, 2021 after the 2020 edition was canceled due to the COVID-19 crisis
Ana Monroy Yglesias
GRAMMYs
Jun 9, 2020 - 1:05 pm

Today, June 9, Primavera Sound announced the full lineup for their 20th edition flagship Barcelona music festival, adding 45 more artists in its third and final round of artist announcements. The open-air Spanish fest is set to return to its home at Parc del Fòrum on June 2-6, 2021, after the 2020 edition was canceled due to the COVID-19 crisis.

Sonic Youth co-founder Kim Gordon and lo-fi rocker Kurt Vile, who were slated for the 2020 event, officially join the 2021 lineup today, along with British punk rapper slowthai and Texan psych rock trio Khruangbin. These acts join the likes of Bad Bunny, The Strokes, Massive Attack, Tyler, The Creator, Honey Dijon, Bikini Kill and Pavement—all of whom were previously confirmed for the 2021 event and originally booked for 2020.

Learn More: Primavera Sound 2019 Features A "New Normal" Equal-Gender Lineup

Essential Read: Want To Support Protesters And Black Lives Matter Groups? Here’s How

Techno heavy-hitter Ben UFO, Argentinian rockers Él Mató a un Policía Motorizado, Catalan singer Marina Herlop and minimal techno hero Terrence Dixon also join the lineup today. In addition to unveiling the complete billing, Primavera shared the breakdown by day, so fans can take advantage of the day passes that go on sale this Thurs., June 11.

Related: Bye Bye Plastic: BLOND:ISH, Annie Mac, Eats Everything & More Advocate For Eco-Friendly Parties

Additionally, to close out the event on Sunday, the inaugural Brunch On The Beach party will include all originally slated DJs. BLOND:ISH, Chaos in the CBD, Black Coffee, Amelie Lens, Disclosure, Nina Kraviz, and more will all bring the day rave to the Sant Adrià Besòs beach.

Previously added 2021 artists who were not a part of the original 2020 booking include Charli XCX, Tame Impala, the Gorillaz, FKA twigs, Jamie xx, Jorja Smith, Doja Cat and others. For the full list, see the tweet above and visit the fest's website.

Weekend tickets are currently on sale at a discounted price of 165 Euros until tomorrow, Wends. June 10, after which the price increases to 195 Euros. Day tickets, including for Brunch On The Beach, go on sale on Thurs. June 11 at 11:00 a.m. CET. Find complete ticket info here.

Run The Jewels Are Ready To Pierce Your Heart Again

GRAMMYs

Kevin Parker 

Photo: Daniel Knighton/Getty Images

News

Music From The Home Front Will Bring Together Kevin Parker, Courtney Barnett, Vance Joy & Others

Facebook Twitter Email
The music event will celebrate the COVID-19 frontline workers in New Zealand and Australia on their Anzac Day
Jennifer Velez
GRAMMYs
Apr 23, 2020 - 1:47 pm

Tame Impala's Kevin Parker, Courtney Barnett, Vance Joy, The Wiggles and more will perform during Music From The Home Front, a televised event in Australia and New Zealand honoring those on the COVID-19 frontlines, on April 25.

The music show falls on the day both countries celebrate Anzac Day, or Australian and New Zealand Army Corp Day. The holiday, which can't take place as past years due to the pandemic, commemorates people who have served in war and remembers those lost. James Morrison, Ben Lee, Missy Higgins, and Birds of Tokyo are among other performers at the broadcast airing 7:30 p.m. AEST / 9:30 p.m. NZST on Nine in Australia and Three in New Zealand.

"On an Anzac Day like no other, the Australian and New Zealand music community will join together to pay its respects and celebrate the mateship between two great neighbouring nations. While recognizing and acknowledging the Anzac message, we also turn our attention to those that are currently fighting on the COVID-19 frontline and say, ‘thank you,’" a statement on the event's website said.

One of the event's organizers, Mushroom Group/Frontier Touring leader Michael Gudinski, told Billboard after the recent brush fires in Australia, the pandemic was another blow for the country. 

"Our countries are so far away," he said. "And our musicians are always there [to help]. Australia has just been through fire and floods. This is the third knockout."

But Gudinski said the event will send a message of hope:

"We've got iconic songs with some different versions. Some huge stars, obviously, and some surprises on the night. It's going to be warm. It'll send a strong message, it'll honor the Anzacs and the frontline workers who are risking their lives every day. This is about hope."

AWOLNATION's Aaron Bruno Discusses Sarcasm, Quarantine & Organic Creations