Chemical Brothers, the Orb and three more added to Coachella lineup

Coachella festival producers Goldenvoice are beefing up the dance offerings this year with a few notable additions to the 2009 lineup. The Chemical Brothers, Etienne De Crecy and the Orb are all now confirmed as late additions.

Additionally, Devendra Banhart and Murder City Devils will join the three-day annual fete in the desert next month.  The Chemical Brothers appearance is a DJ set only, meaning they will be playing other material besides their own catalog of dance-floor staples in a more casual performance devoid of all the bells and whistles.

Speculation that the Chemical Brothers would return to the festival (they last performed at Coachella in 2005) reached a fever pitch earlier this year when television spots featuring the band's "Block Rockin' Beats" started airing on local cable television. Message boards on the official Coachella site lit up accordingly with rumors that the band would return to Indio, along with, of course, plenty of riffing from fans that the TV spots might imply that ticket sales were slow.

Coachella head Paul Tollett confirmed the additions today to a new magazine that Goldenvoice is sponsoring dubbed coachelladigital.com.

-- Charlie Amter

Ed Simons, left, and Tom Rowlands from the Chemical Brothers. Picture courtesy Astralwerks

Prince partners with Target, sets release date for 3-disc set

Forget purple -- Prince’s favorite colors are likely to be red and white this spring.

The musician has selected Target as the sole retail outlet for his three-disc album, which is set to be released March 29 at the big box retailer's nearly 1,700 outlets nationwide, and online at target.com.

The offering will come as a three-disc bundle: two original studio albums -- "LOtUSFLOW3R" and "MPLSoUND" -- and a third disc by Prince’s latest protégé, Bria Valente (Prince also contributed music to Valente's debut).

The entire collection will retail for just $11.98.

Prince first revealed he was in talks with a “major retailer” earlier this year during a chat with The Times’ Ann Powers. Some had speculated that he might go with Best Buy for the exclusive, but the “Purple Rain” purveyor must have seen something he liked in Target’s proposal. Both Target and Best Buy share something in common with the multi-instrumentalist: roots in Minnesota. 

Retail exclusives were major news in 2008. Best Buy gained headlines for its exclusive for Guns & Roses’ anticipated “Chinese Democracy” release, and AC/DC had one of the year's top-selling rock albums in "Black Ice," a Wal-Mart exclusive. Not to be left out, Target handled Christina Aguilera’s greatest hits package in 2008.

It’s not yet known if Target will get behind Prince’s triple threat the same way it did with Aguilera last year, when it ran an aggressive television campaign for “Keeps Gettin’ Better: A Decade of Hits."

Regardless, Prince may not need commercials to sell his new material: He appears to be in the mood to gig lately (the artist has played two shows in the last week or so in the Los Angeles area).  Could a tour be in the works?

Expect hints of music from all three discs to possibly leak in the coming weeks at Prince's developing website, Lotusflow3r.com.

-- Charlie Amter

Photo of Prince at Coachella last year by Spencer Weiner/Los Angeles Times

Tears for Fears' Curt Smith checks into residency in the Standard's lobby

Earlier this month, I experienced a surreal evening at the Standard Hotel in West Hollywood. Sure, you say, pretty much any night inside what used to be one of the hippest hotels on the Sunset Strip might be described as surreal, but bear with me.

The less-hair-having half of former chart-topping English duo Tears for Fears, Curt Smith, played two sets of music inside the lobby of the Standard -- free. Oblivious guests walked by on their way to the pool, unaware of the pedigree of the English guy singing nearby. Fewer than 40 fans were in attendance (the room itself, the hotel’s wicker-furniture-laden Cactus Lounge, holds just about the same number). Smith has been in residency at the Standard for a few weeks now, performing every Wednesday, and hotel reps recently announced that they are extending the run all through March.

"I'm doing the residency because I enjoy performing," said Smith via e-mail earlier this week.  "It's intentionally an intimate show, in keeping with the nature of my solo record. Not having a cover charge means that people who only know me from Tears for Fears and aren't familiar with my solo work might take a chance and check it out."

Fans drove in from as far as Azusa to see Smith the night I was there, hoping no doubt to hear a little "Head Over Heels" or perhaps even "Mad World." And Smith, though oddly shy for a man who has performed in front of countless fans during the course of his career, was happy to oblige. He sang "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" in a semi-acoustic setting (with Doug Petty on keyboards and Charlton Pettus handling guitar/backing vocals duty), and performed songs such as “Aeroplane” from his solo record of the same name.

"My daughters prefer Tears for Fears songs as they're more upbeat and generic," Smith said. "Dad's songs are 'a little too sad' for them, which just means that they're harder to understand."

What's not hard to understand is Smith's enduring appeal for his small but devoted fan base. Tears for Fears remain a criminally underrated band that you seldom hear about these days from the current crop of British bands, acts that were clearly influenced by them (we're looking in your general direction, Coldplay).

FM talk radio format all talked out? KLSX-FM (97.1) going top 40 Friday [UPDATED]

Good news for local fans of Rihanna, bad news for older talk radio listeners in Los Angeles. 

Beginning Friday at 5 p.m., boosters of urban-skewing artists such as Beyoncé, Pink and Britney Spears will have another top 40/"CHR" (contemporary hit radio) station to sing along to in their cars, as L.A.'s only "all-talk" commercial FM station now appears to be all talked out.

KLSX (97.1 Free FM) will switch formats Feb. 20 to CBS Radio's latest concept, titled AMP Radio (not to be confused with the now-defunct Amp'd Mobile, a company that heavily pushed mobile radio to cellphone users in 2006 but filed for bankruptcy protection in 2007). 

A CBS Radio news release says the new station (its tagline is "all the hits") will "combine the power of its on-air position with myriad online and digital applications creating a full 360 degree audio and visual experience."

Translation? Listeners of KLSX were probably too old.

AMP Radio originally bowed early last year as an online/HD2 station affiliated with KCBS-FM in L.A.  Apparently, the test run was successful enough to convince CBS radio executives that young, texting-and-Twittering teens -- the ones who spend money at malls while listening to music via their cellphones -- just can't get enough of artists such as Kanye West and T.I. This is despite the fact that there is plenty of competition in the space -- see KPWR (105.9), KIIS (102.7) and KDAY (93.5) -- all of which mine similar musical territory in the same market.

"Creating a successful radio station not only means focusing on what you hear over the air -- it's that, yet it's so much more and as evidenced by what we're announcing today, the possibilities are endless," said Kevin Weatherly, senior vice president of programming for CBS Radio, in a news release announcing the format change today.

On-air talent at the new AMP Radio is expected to be announced in coming weeks. "They will be added after the station launches," said Karen Mateo, vice president of communications at CBS Radio in New York.

New Peaches music hits the Web; record coming May 5

A certain Peaches, only tangentially related to the music world, has been in the news lately (and for all the wrong reasons, some would say) but this Peaches hopes to reclaim her name with her anticipated follow-up to 2006’s “Impeach My Bush.”

Toronto-born Merrill Nisker, the original Peaches in our book, has announced the album title and date for her fourth XL record via her website. “I Feel Cream” drops May 5 in the U.S., and from early teasers it sounds as if the Berlin-based artist has returned to her electro roots after dalliances with a harder, guitar-based rock sound (she toured with a full live band for much of 2006 and 2007). Her new set features collaborations with Simian Mobile Disco and Scotland's Drums of Death. Other big name electronic music artists are also in the proverbial “Cream” mix (expect full details on the record soon from XL), but Peaches remains, as always, the principal songwriter on the new offering.

Big Stereo has posted an all Peaches mixtape made by Drums of Death on its website, which features snippets/remixed versions of two new Peaches tracks from the forthcoming disc (“Lose You” and “Buck You Like a Billionaire”) and the full album version of the title track. To hear “I Feel Cream,” the song, check around the 30-minute mark here. 

Is the album title a nod to Donna Summer?  I'm not sure, but I get the feeling that Giorgio Moroder would applaud both “Lose You” and “I Feel Cream” regardless.

-- Charlie Amter

Photo of Peaches at a gig in L.A. on New Year's Eve 2007 by Don Barletti/Los Angeles Times

Here we go (again): Jane's Addiction to play the Echoplex Monday

While Jane's Addiction had planned to play a last-minute secret show this past Monday, it appears the band has worked out the kinks and found the perfect-sized venue to once again tease fans this coming Monday. 

This time, however, more than 150 or so will be able to get in. The original lineup of the Los Angeles-bred foursome will play to the JA faithful who sign up at Jane's Addiction's recently re-launched website at the Echo Park club for just $10.  But, alas, there's a catch: They will only take the first 500 or so comers, so the window to get into the gig is basically today for those who sign up.

Eric Avery, the band's bassist, wrote on his blog Wednesday that the show is 18+, and that only the "first 500 folks" would be on some kind of guest list that will enable them to see the intimate gig.  Dave Navarro gave away tickets to the upcoming engagement on his radio show Wednesday evening on the "new" Indie 103.1.com.

Further, Jane's Addiction fan website xiola.org hints that the band, or at least certain members, might be in the studio with Trent Reznor working on new material. Pop & Hiss can't yet confirm this, but it's likely Jane's Addiction is working on writing at least a few new songs. The recent spate of shows in small venues goes beyond nostalgia, leading some to believe the band is perhaps working toward something bigger (a tour, at the very least?).

The band's manager, Peter Katsis, would only confirm today the band is "in the studio" and wouldn't comment on a tour or on the Reznor rumors.  He did confirm Monday's gig and that the forthcoming box set "Cabinet of Curiosities" is on track for a spring debut, although the release date has been pushed back once again, this time to April 28.

UPDATE 02/13: The confirmation email is going out to those who signed up to the website tonight, the band's management said late Friday afternoon. If you don't receive an email by Saturday, chances are you have not been selected as one of the chosen 500 or so to see the band Monday.

-- Charlie Amter

Photo by Kevin Casey / Los Angeles Times

Flight of the Conchords, Bruce Springsteen gigs nearly sold out

Sure, we're deep into a miserable economy that has already taken down one music festival so far this year, and yes, well-known ticketing agencies are merging to create one giant behemoth specially designed to swallow your entire paycheck in new and innovative ways, but a hot ticket is still a hot commodity in 2009, lest you forget. 

Case in point?

How about the upcoming Flight of the Conchords gig at the Greek Theatre. Tickets just went on sale Saturday and will likely sell out today. “There are about 95 tickets left,” says Janette Baxa, director of publicity for Nederlander Concerts. 

Baxa also mentioned that the second night, April 16, of Bruce Springsteen’s two-night stand at the Memorial Sports Arena is now selling well after brisk sales of the April 15 engagement over the weekend. (Nederlander is helping out Live Nation for the back-to-back Bruce dates this spring.)

Live Nation's SoCal director of publicity, Greg Terlizzi, confirms that the Springsteen shows are nearly sold out. "The 4/15 [show] is sold out with exception of single tickets," he said today, adding that the April 16 show is "over 90% sold."

Procrastinators, purchase thy tickets now ... or prepare to pay the hefty price later (or perhaps sooner, according to a lawsuit recently filed in Canada).

-- Charlie Amter
Photo: Flight of the Conchords. Credit: Craig Blankenhorn / HBO

He's a lot cooler now that he did: Matthew McConaughey launches record label

What do Creation Records founder Alan McGee and "Dazed and Confused" thespian Matthew McConaughey have in common? Both were seduced by roots reggae singer-guitarist Mishka.

And while McGee, who released a collection of the Bermuda-bred singer's songs in 1999 on Creation/Sony, has segued out of the record business, McConaughey is just getting started. The oft-shirtless actor (check out TMZ as of late) is ramping up his fledgling indie this month, mostly because he wants the world to hear Mishka, whose debut release, "Above the Bones," drops on the 17th. His record label, j.k. livin, a reference to a line delivered by McConaughey's stoner-sage character in the 1993 Richard Linklater film, is the latest addition to his lifestyle brand of the same name.

In an interview with Pop & Hiss last week, McConaughey talked about distribution, his 2009 release schedule and even a bit about his producing role on Mishka’s forthcoming release.

New year rising: Bob Mould on his new record and a busy 2009

2009 is shaping up to be Bob Mould’s kind of year. The former Hüsker Dü front man has a busy few months ahead of him, with teaser tour dates (including a solo acoustic show at the Hotel Café and a recently announced Coachella slot with his full band) culminating in the release of his new solo record, "Life and Times," due April 7.

“I got plenty going on right now,” he said last week via phone from his home in Washington, D.C.

No kidding. 

The singer-songwriter is writing a memoir, co-hosting a string of dance parties as a DJ in D.C., New York and San Francisco, not to mention playing a high-profile engagement at San Francisco’s Noise Pop festival later this month.

“I’m 55,000 words into the book right now,” he said of his forthcoming autobiography, which he is working on with Michael Azerrad.

“But what’s been taking up most my time [lately] is the Blowoff parties.”

Some casual Hüsker Dü fans might be surprised to know that Mould, along with collaborator Richard Morel, has been co-hosting parties under the name “Blowoff” in multiple cities over the last few years. Mould will DJ at four Blowoff parties this month alone, most of them on the East Coast.

On March 2, Mould will play an intimate local engagement at the Hotel Café (limited tickets go on sale today via the venue’s website), where he will play a set heavy on new material from “Life and Times.”

Songs off his latest solo work will likely translate nicely at the Cahuenga Avenue club, as most are guitar-driven offerings very much in the vein of his first solo record, “Workbook,” which was released 20 years ago this year.

“When I sat down and starting writing ‘Life and Times,’ I really wanted to try and get back to that deeper spiritual place [where I was with 'Workbook'] to write from that template,” he said.

“If the stories aren’t there, it’s pointless because it really has to have those stronger stories with a deeper spirit... it’s a really cool record, it moves by really quickly and it feels like a complete album.”

The Midwest heads West: 'Paid Dues' festival announces lineup heavy on heartland rappers

We know this is not the festival lineup you are waiting for, but the day-long, rap-centric “Paid Dues” fest has released its roster for its annual exercise in head nodding today.

Rapper Murs, who curates the Guerilla Union-sponsored indie rap event, has tapped Minneapolis’ Atmosphere and Brother Ali, as well as Kansas City’s Tech N9ne, to lead the bill. Others on the roster include Living Legends, B-Real, LMNO, Grouch & Eligh, Cage, Blu & Exile, DJ Val the Vandal, Eyedea & Abilities, Verbs and the Bayliens.

Paid Dues takes place at the NOS Events Center in San Bernardino on March 28.

Presale tickets are available starting today for registered Guerilla Union members. Ticketmaster jumps into the fray Saturday. Tickets will run between $35 and $100, excluding the applicable service fees.

-- Charlie Amter

Photo: Kansas City rapper Tech N9ne. Credit: Greg Bojorquez