UNKNOWN MORTAL ORCHESTRA + DEAD GAZE @ CATS PURRING DUDE RANCH 5/1

Just when we thought UPPER DECKER 2011 was doomed, we got a call from our absolute favorite band in the universe UNKNOWN MORTAL ORCHESTRA. Good news for Oxford, MS: the Questlove-approved Portland/New Zealand trio will make a surprise appearance at the Cats Purring Dude Ranch this Sunday 5/1, fresh off their tour with the great SMITH WESTERNS. If you haven't heard UMO's irresistible psych-funk tunes, stream this delicious 4-song sampler, and look for their debut LP on FAT POSSUM this summer.

Opening the show will be local heartthrobs DEAD GAZE, and Cats Purring DJs will be spinning party tunes all evening. Doors open at 8pm. Bands start at 9pm. Cover charge is $7. Directions to the Dude Ranch are HERE. BYOB, but please DO NOT DRINK & DRIVE!

MP3:

UNKNOWN MORTAL ORCHESTRA - "HOW CAN U LUV ME?"

DEAD GAZE - "TAKE ME HOME OR I DIE ALONE"

BASS DRUM OF DEATH + WOODSMAN + TJUTJUNA @ PROUD LARRY'S 4/28

BASS DRUM OF DEATH play their first Oxford, MS show since the release of GB CITY, their instant classic debut LP via FAT POSSUM this Thursday 4/28 at Proud Larry's. Two great Denver, CO bands will open the show. Many of you remember kraut-influenced shredders WOODSMAN from their legendary surprise show at the Cats Purring Teen Wing last year, and this time they're bringing along heavy space psych purveyors TJUTJUNA, who share a drummer with Denver favorites TENNIS. Doors at 8pm, $10.

MP3:

BASS DRUM OF DEATH - "YOUNG PROS"

WOODSMAN - "INSECTS"

TJUTJUNA - "MOSQUITO HAWK"

DENT SWEAT - "MORE THAN A FRIEND (LESS THAN A LOVER)"

Dent just tweeted this DENT SWEAT archival audio nug "More Than A Friend (Less Than A Lover)," recorded at the Cats Purring Teen Wing in 2008. Scope the MP3 below.

MP3:

DENT SWEAT - "MORE THAN A FRIEND (LESS THAN A LOVER)"

[UPDATE: Here's the screwed mix as well.]

DENT SWEAT - "MORE THAN A FRIEND (LESS THAN A LOVER) SCREWED MIX"

SOFT HEALER + HATCHET WOUND + WINTER SPORT @ RED STAR 4/20

Our favorite day of the year is coming up, and we've recruited two great female-fronted Austin, TX bands to join the celebration this Wednesday 4/20 at The Lyric's Red Star Bar.

SOFT HEALER combine kraut-y rhythms, droning nu age synths and smoky saxophone grooves into a delightful bubblegum psych sound. HATCHET WOUND deliver addictively minimal proto-pop nuggets, and local favorites WINTER SPORT open the show with their syrupy synth-funk. Doors at 8pm, bands at 9pm. $5 cover.

MP3:

SOFT HEALER - "GRAND ISLE"

HATCHET WOUND - "BABY TO BED"

DEAD GAZE 7" OUT NOW

DEAD GAZE has a new 7" out co-released by excellent French labels LA STATION RADAR and ATELIER CISEAUX. Stream all three songs below, and buy it HERE. Artwork by JHERI.

MP3:

DEAD GAZE - "FISHING WITH ROBERT"

MICHAEL BIBLE - COWBOY MALONEY'S ELECTRIC CITY

Michael Bible's new book COWBOY MALONEY'S ELECTRIC CITY is out now! Read excerpts and order it HERE from DARK SKY BOOKS or pick it up at Oxford's SQUARE BOOKS where Michael will be reading and signing 4/12.

"Michael Bible may have hit what a lot of us were trying, a singular new voice for CEO’s to slackers. He’s so open, so easy, so fluid, you’ll smile with joy turning every page." — Barry Hannah

THE BOOKS @ THE LYRIC THEATRE 4/5

Collage pop experimenters THE BOOKS perform at THE LYRIC THEATRE in Oxford, MS tomorrow 4/5. Learn about them via THIS super interesting NPR piece, then go ahead and buy your tickets HERE.

MP3:

THE BOOKS - "BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE"

BASS DRUM OF DEATH TV DEBUT

Oxford, MS's BASS DRUM OF DEATH make their national TV debut tonight 4/4 on Fuel TV's THE DAILY HABIT (airs 10pm central). Then, catch them tomorrow night 4/5 performing as MELLOWHYPE's backing band on the same show, same time. Oxonians, come watch with us both nights at TWO STICK on the square.

While you're at it, pick up BASS DRUM OF DEATH's new LP "GB CITY" at OFF SQUARE BOOKS or order it HERE from FAT POSSUM.

MP3:

BASS DRUM OF DEATH - "GET FOUND"

MELLOWHYPE - "CHORDAROY [FEAT. EARL SWEATSHIRT & WOLF HALEY]"