The Alternative Tone

Slingshot Dakota have announced tour dates with Talking Meds , Owen  and Allison Weiss. Check 'em out below!  Slingshot Dakota w/ Taking Meds: May 20, 2013 - Philadelphia , PA @ Golden Tea House May 21, 2013 - Arlington , VA @ The Lab May 22, 2013  Huntington , WV @ The Elimination Chamber May 23, 2013 - Nashville , TN @ The Owl Farm May 24, 2013 - Indianpolis , IN @ Hooser Dome May 25, 2013 - Howel, MI @ Bled Fest May 26, 2013 - Toronto @ TBA May 27, 2013 - Rochester , NY @ The Bugjar Slingshot Dakota w/ Owen: June 17, 2013 - Cleveland , OH @ Beachland Tavern June 18, 2013 - Pittsburgh , PA @ Smiling Moose June 19, 2013 - Richmond VA @ Church of Abraham (w/o Owen) June 20, 2013 - Raleigh , NC @ Kings Barcade June 21, 2013 - Greensboro , NC @ Tipsy Teapot June 22, 2013 - Wilmington , NC @ Soapbox Laundrolounge June 23, 2013 - Murrells Inlet , SC @ Rockin’ Hard Saloon (w/o Owen, w/ Hostage Calm) June 24, 2013 - Columbia , SC @ New Brookland Ta

Topshelf Records  will be releasing a 200-page, full-color hard-cover book with photos from Hilary Corts and an accompanying 7" from   Into It. Over It.  this summer.  Here’s Topshelf co-founder Kevin Duquette on the origins of the project: If my memory serves me correctly, my first ever interaction with Evan Weiss was over a Twitter DM in 2010.  Super  professional. Since then, we've become really good friends (you eventually get used to the smell). So, it was with equal parts necessity, obligation and friendship when I decided to jump in the van in Fall of 2012, as Into It. Over It. — more commonly known as the tirelessly touring, outgoing, short-shorts sporting, beard-wielding acoustic guy that everyone loves to love — took to the road for the first time with a full backing band to Fest and back. Along for the ride with the band and myself was Hilary Corts who diligently photographed the entire tour, capturing the great, hilarious, mundane and truly special along

Look Alive have announced the track listing and revealed the artwork for new album Mistakes & Milestones out July 2.  Track Listing: 01. Transitions 02. Anchored 03. Sink Or Swim 04. The Way I See It 05. Farewell 06. Inquisition 07. Over/Under

On Monday 1st July, A Grave With No Name  will return with a new album titled  Whirlpool   released on  Stare Records  – the debut release by the new London label. The album was recorded over the course of a year at Holy Mountain Studios in London with the help of an ensemble of musicians including Alanna McArdle (Ides), Akiko Matsuura (Comanechi) & Linda Jarvis (Echo Lake). 

L ong Island, NY ’s  NK  (featur ing  members of  Envy On The Coast, Dillinger Escape Plan)  have posted a lyric video for the song “Shoulder Gorilla”. Check it out below. 

Run For Cover Records  label mates  Koji  and  Turnover  will be launching a co-headline tour with support from Ivy League and  Have Mercy  starting June 7 in Altoona , PA.  The trek will mark Koji’s first full-band U.S. tour as he has typically performed as a solo artist. Read more for tour dates. 

Neutral Milk Hotel got back together. Which is somewhat unprecedented. But anyway, tour dates below and more to announce.  October 22 - Athens, GA @ 40 Watt Club* October 23 - Athens, GA @ 40 Watt Club^ October 25 - Asheville, NC @ Thomas Wolfe Auditorium^+ November 28 - Taipei, Taiwan @ Hostess Club Festival December 1 - Tokyo, Japan @ Hostess Club Festival *With Elf Power ^With Half Japanese +With Daniel Johnston

For the next 12 weeks beginning today,  American Opera  (aka the musical project and brainchild of  Saginaw ,  MI  and recent NYC transplant John Bee and friends) will reveal details for his upcoming EP due out this summer. Check the video below.  Tour Dates: GREAT LAKES  TOUR May 25 - Bled Fest 2013 -  Howell ,  MI May 26 - Studio Anatomy -  Traverse City , MI May 28 - house show/BBQ -  Mackinac Island ,  MI  (email  natedorough@gmail.com  for address) May 31 - Redamte Coffee - Madison, WI June 1 - House Cafe -  DeKalb ,  IL June 2 - Pyramid Scheme -  Grand Rapids ,  MI WARPED TOUR - ACOUSTIC BASEMENT STAGE July 17 - First Niagara Pavilion -  Pittsburgh ,  PA July 18 -  Blossom   Music   Center  - Cuyahoga Falls, OH July 19 - The Palace of Auburn Hills -  Auburn Hills ,  MI July 20 - First Midwest Bank Amphitheater -  Tinley Park ,  IL

Stream a new Koji song "Chasing A Ghost" here .

Close To Home Records have released a free compilation featuring Moose Blood , Crossings , Donovan Wolfington and many more. Download it here . 

No Sleep Records  have released a free Spring Sampler with 22 tracks including bands such as Braid, Into It Over It , La Dispute, Balance And Composure and many more. Download it here .

Caravels   have announced dates for a summer tour that kicks off with a hometown show on May 8. The tour runs through June 3 rd  and includes dates with Octaves , Frameworks , Old Gray and I Kill Giants . The band will make an appearance at Bledfest in Howell , MI on May 25.  Read more for dates. 

Noodly emo from New York  Download Here RIYL: Tiny Moving Parts; Midwest Pen Pals Highly Recommended

Emo gone indie Download Here RIYL: My Bloody Valentine Goes Emo

Check out the video for Man Overboard 's "Where I Left You" below.

McCafferty are one of those wonderfully quirky bands that manage to strike the right chord, even if it's somewhat by accident. Layering DIY beats over acoustic guitars with an underdog attitude, I Hate This Body  ticks all the right boxes. "Skeleton Bones" is a complete jam - catchy as hell and super addictive. "Real Adult" has some of the most endearing lyrics around, and McCafferty 's ability to create such heartfelt, real feeling tracks is something that must not be underrated. You know when you get super excited about a new band? Because you think they're about to inherit the world? Yeah. McCafferty are that band. Listen to this and anticipate more from these guys. If things go right, McCafferty will be the name on everyone's lips. RIYL: The Front Bottoms; Atom And His Package I Hate This Body by McCafferty

Download Here RIYL: Heavy alt rock that's actually good

Vinnie Caruana,  front man of punk icons  I Am The Avalanche  and seminal post-hardcore band  The Movielife,  has announced  a string of co-headline dates with former Thursday front man Geoff Rickly . The trek kicks off June 22 in Portland , OR and runs through June 29. Tickets for all shows will go on sale tomorrow, Friday, April 26. For more information visit:  www.facebook.com/vinniecaruanamusic . Tour Dates (w/ Geoff Rickly):   6/22 – Portland , OR @ Backspace Café   6/23 – Seattle , WA @ The Vera Project   6/25 – San Francisco , CA @ Thee Parkside   6/27 – Canoga Park , CA @ Cobalt Café   6/28 – Upland , CA @ The Wire   6/29 – Las Vegas , CA @ Backstage Bar   Vans Warped Tour July 7- August 4

This is the debut single from Missouri emo boys, Grammer ,.  It was recorded in the all-ages DIY venue the band works at.  It will be on an EP self-released in the coming weeks.  Grammer, is Thomas, Alexander, Halford, and Miles Keaton. Download the single here . 

  Filbert is a wonderfully oddball indie rock band from Stockton, CA. They dapple in an excellent combination of indie, folk, the odd touch of emo, and the occasional 90s hip hop touch. They sound slightly like if you threw Modest Mouse, The Front Bottoms, Modern Baseball and a bunch of eclectic influences all into one musical melting pot and piled the results high onto a slightly scratched record. Their new album Chronographic is a modern answer to The Lonesome Crowded West with a slightly lighter, more accessible edge. Tracks such as "Collections" and "Between Seams" are memorable in a highly natural manner, and throughout the entire release, the lyrics flow in a likable, "everyday poet" type of way. Chronographic is an album to soundtrack being young and a little aimless, and is a superb release from a relatively new band. And "Headphones" is perfect. Download here  as name your price and thank me later. Chronographic by Filbert

Just in case you have no knowledge of the fact, tomorrow is Record Store Day! Woohoo! Check out the full list of releases here . There's stuff getting out there from New Found Glory, A Place To Bury Strangers, Elliott Smith, Grizzly Bear and more. If you're looking for a re-release, something new or something crazily cool make sure you check out the list. Even if you don't see anything you like, visit your local record store. Because record stores are awesome and one of the reasons for independent music managing to keep it's head above water.

The Measure Of  - Is Nothing Sacred (Single) Release Date: April 17, 2013  Record Label: Self Released Rating: 8/10  For Fans Of: La Dispute, Old Gray Download Here Is Nothing Sacred by The Measure Of _________________________________________________________________________________ The Measure Of is a screamily angry five piece post-hardcore band from Austin, Tx. "Is Nothing Sacred" is their new single. And what a cracker of a single it is. Whilst The Measure Of have already managed to prove to us over the course of their last couple of releases that they're certainly renegades to watch out for, it's still a surprise when a band, so relatively new, pack such a punch. "Is Nothing Sacred" serves two purposes. Firstly, it lures us in with winding, reserved instrumentation that any post-rock band would be proud of, then it, y'know, melts our faces with all of the screaming, shouting and heaviness one could possibly desire from a band of The Me

Download Daylight 's "Around The Railing" taken from recent album Jar for free download here .

Horse Thief and The Flaming Lips have released covers of one another's tracks. Listen below!

Check out Veronica Falls video for "Waiting For Something To Happen" below.

Jimmy Eat World have posted a lyric video for "I Will Steal You Back". Check it out below.

Topshelf Records has announced the US vinyl release of ‘Embark, Embrace’ the new LP from Kilcoole , Ireland ’s   Enemies . The album will be released on August 20. Download their recent single "Executive Cut" feat Conor Adams, for free on their Bandcamp .  

On June 4,  Agony & Irony , the sixth studio LP from beloved Illinois punks  Alkaline Trio , will be available on vinyl as a 2XLP triple panel gatefold, with a 16-page music sheet/lyric booklet included, via Shop Radio Cast. Originally released through Epic Records in July of 2008, the album found the band setting out to record, according to vocalist and guitarist Matt Skiba, “an anthemic hard rock record .” 

Chicago ’s Stayposi Records have announced that  Lights Over Bridgeport   will enter the studio on May 6th to begin work on an EP scheduled to be released this summer. The band will track drums with Mark Michalik (The Swellers, Fireworks, Into It. Over It., Castavet) in Chicago , then head to Michigan to track guitars and vocals with Swellers’ guitarist/vocalist, Nick Diener.

Check out Iron And Wine 's video for "Joy" below.

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Post-hardcore Download Here RIYL: A more riffy version of screamo stuff

Harts has released the video for his new single "The Music". Check it out below.

Misser  has posted a new song off its upcoming Rise Records EP,  Distancing , which will be out on May 28. The track “Burn Out” can be viewed below. 

To Kill A King have revealed the first video from Ralph's Singalong Sessions .  Shot at The Queens Head pub in Islington, around 50 musicians take part in the rendition of 'Funeral' from To Kill A King's recently released debut album Cannibals With Cutlery . This includes members of Patch & the Giant, Richard Judge, Imperial Youth, Professor Penguin, Sophie Jameson, The Edmondsons, Fitz, Lazy Heart Parade, Alice James & We Were Evergreen. Check it out below! 

The World Is A Beautiful Place & I Am No Longer Afraid To Die   have revealed a June 18 th  release and album title for their long-awaited Topshelf Records debut LP, “Whenever, If Ever," which was recorded with Ryan Stack (My Heart To Joy, Now, Now) at Format Audio in MA.

The National have posted a new song "Don't Swallow The Cap". Check it out below. 

Check out Washington Irving's new single "Wandering Wits" below. Recommended for fans of The Pogues, Titus Andronicus et al.

New Jersey’s  Man Overboard  have  posted a new song called “Open Season” off their upcoming 3 rd  LP  Heart Attack , out May 28 on Rise Records/ Lost Tape Collective. Check out the track below.

Escapist Records is pleased to announce the forthcoming 7”/Digital EP release from Winnipeg hardcore outfit  Burn Your World .  The vinyl version will contain three brand new songs as well as a cover of Crowbar’s “Like Broken Glass.”  Meanwhile the digital version will contain the four songs from  Vicious Intent  as well as the band’s previous 7” release,  Forced to Hate , as bonus tracks. 

Cute is What We Aim For   headlining tour dates for this coming summer. The band is touring with The Dangerous Summer .  Cute is What We Aim For is also set to release a brand new EP titled  Real Eyes . Produced by Ace Enders (singer/guitarist of the Early November), Real Eyes will be released this summer.  Tour Dates: 6/6 — Boston , MA 6/7 — Providence , RI 6/8 — New York , NY 6/9 — Philadelphia , PA 6/11 — Washington D.C. 6/13 — TBD, VA 6/13 — TBD, NC 6/14 — Atlanta , GA 6/15 — Nashville , TN 6/16 — Columbus , OH 6/18 — Akron , OH 6/19 — Pitts, PA 6/20 — Buffalo , NY

You Blew It!  will be hitting the road this summer with  Mixtapes ,  Light Years ,  Modern Baseball  and  Last Call  — dates and info are below: 6/27/2013 - Richmond, VA @ Kingdom* 6/28/2013 - Philadelphia, PA @ Barbary* 6/29/2013 - Brooklyn, NY @ Webster Studio* 6/30/2013 - Bayshore, NY @ Evenflow Bar and Grill* 7/1/2013 - Boston, MA @ Middle East Upstairs* 7/2/2013 - Buffalo, NY @ The Waiting Room* 7/3/2013 - Detroit, MI @ Magic Stick 7/5/2013 - Tinley Park, IL @ Centennial 7/6/2013 - Minneapolis, MN @ Station 4 7/7/2013 - Rock Island, IA @ BlackHawk Room 7/9/2013 - Denver, CO @ TBA 7/10/2013 - Salt Lake City, UT @ Shred Shed 7/12/2013 - Seattle, WA @ El Corazon 7/13/2013 - Portland, OR @ Backspace 7/15/2015 - San Francisco, CA @ 1234 Go! 7/16/2013 - Canoga Park, CA @ Cobalt Cafe^ 7/17/2013 - San Diego, CA @ Che Cafe^ 7/18/2013 - Las Vegas, NV @ Eagles Hall^ 7/19/2013 - Mesa, AZ @ Nile Theater Underground^ 7/20/2013 - Albuquerque, NM @ Gasworks^ 7/21/2

SideOneDummy Records has announced  The Gaslight Anthem  Singles Collection: 2008-2011 , to be released on June 18, 2013.  The Singles Collection: 2008-2011  will include nine 7’’ 45’s featuring the band’s singles and rare acoustic & live tracks, a download card and a 45 RPM adapter, all packaged in a limited edition wooden collector’s chest. Order here . Read more for the tracklisting. 

Amos Slade shall be releasing their debut album "Hungry Earth" on May 21.

Toronto ’s  Liferuiner  has signed with InVogue Records. The bands highly anticipated sophomore album titled "Future Revisionists" will be in stores June 4, 2013. A music video for the first single "Vacant" can be seen below.

If you download/buy/stream/love any albums this week, make sure the following are included in that.  Villagers - Awayland (US release) Paramore - Paramore James Blake - Oblivion The Postal Service - Give Up (Reissue) M83 - Oblivion OST Kurt Vile - Walkin On A Pretty Daze Light Years - Parking Lots EP The Knife - Shaking The Habitual

The National have released a new single, "Demons". Check it out below. 

Light Years have signed to Paper + Plastik. They've released a new digital EP, Parking Lots , which can be downloaded here . Check out the video for "Parking Lots" below.  

Braid  have announced a one-off UK show in The Garage, London on Saturday 27th July .The band will be marking the 15th Anniversary of ‘Frame And Canvas’  . Tickets are sale 12th April.

Tomorrow evening Ralfe Band  will celebrate the release of their new single 'Come On, Go Wild' with a very special show at The Vortex in London before heading out on a UK tour with I AM KLOOT, who they recently toured with across Europe, before hooking up with Alessi's Ark for a handful of shows… both  perfect unions, especially as Alessi can be heard on 4 songs new Ralfe Band album,  Son Be Wise,  which is due for release on Monday 3rd June on Highline Records. All those dates below.  Tuesday 9th April – The Vortex, London UK Tour  Saturday the 13th – Leadmill, Sheffield w/ I AM KLOOT Sunday the 14th – Institute 2, Birmingham w/ I AM KLOOT Tuesday the 16th – Grand Opera House, York w/ I AM KLOOT Wednesday the 17th – Empire, Middlesbrough w/ I AM KLOOT Thursday the 18th – Liquid Rooms, Edinburgh w/ I AM KLOOT Saturday the 20th – Waterfront, Norwich w/ I AM KLOOT Sunday the 21st – O2 Academy, Oxford w/ I AM KLOOT T ues