Members of The Mars Volta tour together in Zechs Marquise and Free Moral Agents in November

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

October 19,2009

Members of The Mars Volta tour together in Zechs Marquise and Free Moral Agents this November

Considering how The Mars Volta's songs are so complexly intertwined, it would only make sense that the band's ever-expanding family of related projects are bound together as well. In November, two such groups, Zechs Marquise and Free Moral Agents take to the road to show us how this brood continues to grow.

Zechs Marquise features multi-instrumentalist Marcel Rodriguez-Lopez (who also plays in The Mars Volta) and bassist Marfred Rodriguez-Lopez, both siblings to legendary guitarist Omar Rodriguez-Lopez. Free Moral Agents is a collective of musicians founded by The Mars Volta's Grammy Award winning keyboardist Isaiah "Ikey" Owens. A new promotional video has been released courtesy of Rodriguez Lopez Productions (watch HERE.) Please see complete tour dates below.

While sharing The Mars Volta's penchant for expansive passages, Zechs Marquise takes a hazier, psych-laden approach to its songs, as evident on its 15-track debut album Our Delicate Stranded Nightmare which was released in Fall 2009 via Rodriguez Lopez Productions (listen to: "Chase Scene" and "Sirenum Scopuli"). Stream the entire album HERE.

Zechs Marquise formed in El Paso, Texas during the spring of 2003 when brothers Marfred and Marcel Rodriguez-Lopez came together with childhood friends Matthew Wilkson and Marcos Smith. The group soon named itself after a popular Japanese anime character and hit the studio to record its first album during the late summer months of 2004. That studio effort was later scrapped and in June 2006 the band instead released 34:26, a live improved set that showed its great range of talents and influences. By fall of 2006, Zechs was touring the west coast consistently, sharing the stage with such eclectic acts as Daedelus, Busdriver, The Album Leaf, (DJ) Nobody, Daddy Kev, The Gaslamp Killer, and Totimoshi.

July 2007 saw the band return to the recording studio. Having learned from the difficulties of their first attempt, the quintet decided to keep all of the recording in house, purchasing a mixing board, microphones, and Pro Tools in order to track all of the recordings themselves. After a few days in their studios, dubbed Castle Greyskull and El Morro, the members realized they had enough material for a full length album. The record, Our Delicate Stranded Nightmare, was completed in February 2008.

Zechs Marquise then spent time on the road, auspiciously touring with Free Moral Agents & Blank Blue. In March 2009, the band made its first adventure overseas to Europe, opening for the Omar Rodriguez-Lopez Group, in which Marcel -- then performing double duty -- is also a player. During the overseas tour, Our Delicate Stranded Nightmare was released in Europe by RLP/Willie Anderson Recordings on CD as well as the first pressing of the album on vinyl.

In May 2009, Zechs Marquise signed on to the prestigious management roster at Sargent House and released Our Delicate Stranded Nightmare in the U.S. on vinyl and CD on August 25th through Rodriguez Lopez Productions.

ZECHS MARQUISE w/ FREE MORAL AGENTS TOUR:
Nov 7 - Black Market - El Paso, TX
Nov 8 - The Mohawk - Austin, TX w/Trail of Dead, An Albatross
Nov 9 - The Star Bar - Beaumont, TX
Nov 10 - Sadies - Lafayette, LA
Nov 11 - Maxine's - Hot Spring, AR
Nov 12- Smoke & Barrel - Fayetteville, AR
Nov 13 - The Brick - Kansas City, MO
Nov 14 - Reggie's - Chicago, IL
Nov 15 - The Frequency - Madison, WI
Nov 16- Mixtapes - East Moline, IL
Nov 17 - Bourbon Theater - Lincoln, NE
Nov 18 - Old Curtis Tavern - Denver, CO
Nov 19 - High Mayhem - Santa Fe, NM

Artist: Zechs Marquise

Title: Our Delicate Stranded Nightmare

Label: Rodriguez Lopez Productions

01. In Strange Love

02. MagMar

03. Mistress Abyss

04. The High Anxiety Arkestra

05. Chase Scene (MP3)

06. Rotten Candy

07. Attack of the 40 ft Wave

08. Pigeon Shit

09. Lady Endless

10. Strapped to the Mast

11. Sirenum Scopuli (MP3)

12. The Sounds of El Morro

13. Wahaka Chop

14. Black Ark Dub

15. Our Delicate Midnight Opera

Hi-res cover art, photos and bio:

http://www.sargenthouse.com/zechs_assets.html

Stream entire album here:

http://zechsmarquise.bandcamp.com

Links:

www.myspace.com/zechsmarquise

www.rodriguezlopezproductions.com

www.sargenthouse.com

Good Old War plots CMJ show, winter tours and split EP

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

October 13th, 2009

Good Old War announces CMJ show, tour and split EP with Cast Spells, winter dates with Anthony Green

“Good Old War charms with a genuine feel-goodness. The album has no posing or forced trickery.” – Phil Ramone, Huffington Post

“Together as Good Old War the trio have mastered the art of three part vocal harmonies and their lively and intricate songs are a throwback to the days when Crosby, Stills, & Nash ruled the rock world” – Alternative Press

Acoustic folk trio Good Old War continues its busy schedule, announcing a CMJ showcase this month, followed in December by headlining tour dates and a split EP with fellow Sargent House artist Cast Spells. The group then caps off the year with winter west coast performances with songwriter Anthony Green, playing both as his backing band as well as their own full set. See full tour dates below.

Good Old War plays the CMJ Music Marathon on Wednesday, October 21st at the Studio at Webster Hall as part of the showcase hosted by Feedback, The Syndicate and Amnesty International.

In support of the Cast Spells (Dave Davison of Maps & Atlases) shows, Sargent House is releasing a 4-song EP comprised of two new tracks by each act. This new release is the first new music from the band that's seen a whirlwind of touring (including dates with RX Bandits, The Honorary Title and Gaslight Anthem) and radio appearances since the release of Good Old War's debut album in 2008.

Recently, Good Old War was among the top most added on the Triple A (Adult Album Alternative) radio charts for the single, "Looking For Shelter" (MP3 HERE.) While the band's lulling harmonies have already caught fire with younger listeners, the Triple A commercial & non-commercial radio attention is glowing testament to Good Old War's vast appeal. In fact, many fans were so inspired by the Pennsylvania group's Sargent House debut, Only Way To Be Alone they've posted cover versions of Good Old War songs to YouTube. Alternately, check out the official video for "Weak Man" HERE.

Seldom do band members rebound gracefully after their main musical effort falls apart, but Keith Goodwin (vocals/guitar) and Tim Arnold (drums/vocals), members of the once up-and-coming progressive rock band Days Away have managed to do just that, pulling a 180 with their sound to a great degree of success in their new acoustic folk project Good Old War. Rounding out the trio is Dan Schwartz (guitar/vocals) from the Americana tinged six-piece band, Unlikely Cowboy.

Unlike the recent trend among indie rock artists who have visited the country/folk genre, Good Old War makes no attempt to assimilate its music for the sake of novelty. There’s no fake twang in Keith Goodwin’s soft vocals, nor does the band try to overindulge itself by adding sounds by the harmonica or mandolin just for the sake of having them. Instead, this trio from Pennsylvania retains the intimate storytelling nature of folk-song structure, playing music for those who desire an emotive, lyrical experience without having to wade through pretentious or unnecessary musical gimmicks to get it.

Only Way To Be Alone, Good Old War’s debut full length, was produced by Rick Parker (Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Miranda Lee Richards) in Los Angeles in May 2008.

Good Old War tour:

10/21 New York, NY @ The Studio at Webster Hall (4pm -- FREE)

12/03 Brooklyn, NY @ The Knitting Factory *

12/04 Philadelphia, PA @ North Star Bar *

12/05 Boston, MA @ The Middle East Upstairs *

12/07 Syracuse, NY @ Westcott Theater *

12/08 Hoboken, NJ @ Maxwell's *

12/09 Baltimore, MD @ The Quarter *

12/11 Columbus, OH @ The Basement *

12/12 Pittsburgh, PA @ Smiling Moose Upstairs *

12/28 Pomona, CA @ The Glasshouse #

12/29 Los Angeles, CA @ The Roxy #

12/30 San Diego, CA @ Soma Side #

* with Cast Spells

# with Anthony Green

Hi-res cover art, photos and bio:

http://www.sargenthouse.com/gow_assets.html

The Happy Hollows release Spells, announce October east coast dates

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

October 6th, 2009

The Happy Hollows release Spells, announce October east coast dates and Spaceland residency in November. New MP3 single "High Wire" posted.

"The Happy Hollows have a lot of weapons in their arsenal, but chief among them is vocalist/guitarist Sarah Negahdari. 'Faces,' from the forthcoming Spells, gives Negahdari the perfect chance to show off her Polly Harvey-meets-Kim Deal croon." -- Magnet Magazine

“A killer hybrid of Kim Deal, PJ Harvey and Emily Haines. Negahdari has the guitar chops, explosive energy and winning sense of humor that should make The Happy Hollows one of the more interesting bands of our new millennium’s next decade.” -- Wired Magazine

"A pugilistic mix of stinging guitars, turbulent rhythms, and shouted vocals. Alternates between childlike experimentation and ferocious firestorm.” -- Los Angeles Times

The much-anticipated and highly acclaimed debut album by Los Angeles trio The Happy Hollows officially hits streets today, October 6th, 2009. The album, Spells (listen/order here) is a culmination of their work with producer and former Mighty Lemon Drops guitarist David Newton (The Little Ones, The Blood Arm), who also produced the group’s 2008 EP Imaginary. In support of the album, The Happy Hollows will be performing a string of East Coast dates surrounding their CMJ New Music Marathon showcases. The band will then headline a residency at Spaceland in Los Angeles throughout November. Please see complete dates below.

Click (HERE) for the new MP3 single "High Wire". For further listening, check out MP3s for "Faces" (HERE) and "Monster Room" (HERE). Stream the full album here.

The young group's infectious and irreverent noise-pop has earned considerable following up and down the west coast, with their energetic and charismatic performances. Vocalist/guitarist Sarah Negahdari wields ominous riffs and finger-tapped arpeggios while singing with a cherubic-yet-mischievous grin. Meanwhile, the agile rhythm section of Charles Mahoney (bass/vocals) and Chris Hernandez (drums/vocals) vault and lunge with precision.

Wired Magazine recently described Negahdari as “a killer hybrid of Kim Deal, PJ Harvey and Emily Haines” and added that “Negahdari has the guitar chops, explosive energy and winning sense of humor that should make The Happy Hollows one of the more interesting bands of our new millennium’s next decade.” The BBC picked them as a band to watch for 2009, the Los Angeles Times has described the group’s sound as a “pugilistic mix of stinging guitars, turbulent rhythms, and shouted vocals” that “alternates between childlike experimentation and ferocious firestorm.” AllMusic wrote that the band’s “appeal is immediate” and LAist has labeled them “a must see!”

The Happy Hollows' catchy yet dissonant sound is influenced by genres as disparate as 90's college rock, garage punk, art rock, and 80's pop. The band combines innovative song structures, surreal lyrics, and fiercely adept instrumentation to recreate reality into a jagged panorama of vibrant, kaleidoscopic collage. Listening to their music, one cannot help but see visions of a place oddly askew from the world we experience everyday, a parallel universe that is at once whimsical, demented, and ferocious.

Having born and bred their band in various corners of the L.A. music scene since forming 2006, The Happy Hollows played their first shows in Japanese restaurants, laundromats, and small local clubs. In their first year as a band, they snuck into a studio at night and, in two sessions, recorded Bunnies and Bombs, an EP that attracted the attention of the L.A.'s underground music scene. After seeing them play a show, established L.A. heroes Silversun Pickups asked The Happy Hollows to open for them at The Wiltern and The Fillmore. In 2008, fellow art-rock outfit Deerhoof invited the Hollows to open for them on their album release shows at The Avalon and The Great American Music Hall.

The Happy Hollows live:

Oct 10 Santa Barbara, CA @ Velvet Jones

Oct 16 Washington DC @ The Red and The Black

Oct 18 Boston, MA @ TT The Bears

Oct 20 New York, NY @ Lit Lounge (CMJ)

Oct 21 Brooklyn, NY @ Coco 66 (10 pm)

Oct 22 New York, NY @ Fontana's (Aquarium Drunkard showcase)

Oct 30 Santa Cruz, CA @ The Crepe Place

Nov 02 Los Angeles, CA @ Spaceland

Nov 09 Los Angeles, CA @ Spaceland

Nov 16 Los Angeles, CA @ Spaceland

Nov 23 Los Angeles, CA @ Spaceland

Nov 30 Los Angeles, CA @ Spaceland

Artist: The Happy Hollows

Album: Spells

Release Date: October 06, 2009

01. Faces (MP3)

02. Death To Vivek Kemp

03. Silver

04. We Will Find You

05. Lieutenant

06. Father Time

07. Monster Room (MP3)

08. High Wire (MP3)

09. Turtle and Hare

10. DeLorean

11. The Stein

12. Tambourine

13. A Man, A Plan, A Canal

14. Second Lieutenant

On the web:

http://www.happyhollows.com

http://www.myspace.com/thehappyhollows

http://thehappyhollows.bandcamp.com/

http://twitter.com/happyhollows

# # #

The Happy Hollows are available for interviews. For more information, please contact Dave Clifford at dave@usthemgroup.com

Mr. Gnome launches U.S. tour, previews new album Heave Yer Skeleton

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

October 1st, 2009

Mr. Gnome launches U.S. tour, previews tracks from forthcoming album Heave Yer Skeleton

Cleveland duo mr. Gnome launches a lengthy U.S. tour today that will keep them on the road until late December. The trek is in support of the November release of the band's sophomore album, Heave Yer Skeleton and the vinyl release of its previous disc, Deliver This Creature. Please see complete tour dates below.

Chan "Cat Power" Marshall fronting Queens of the Stone Age? Karen O leading Death From Above 1979? Mr. Gnome has been given many unusual comparisons, all of which seem to indicate the band's spectacularly unique sound. And, while none seem to fully capture the band's loftily heavy-beautiful music, mr. Gnome offers up two brand new tracks from its forthcoming album recorded at Josh Homme's Pink Duck Studios in Los Angeles. Follow the links to MP3s for "Slow Side" (CLICK HERE) and "Vampires" (CLICK HERE).

The endlessly touring pair of guitarist/vocalist Nicole Barile and drummer/vocalist Sam Meister is currently mixing at Butch Vig's Smart Studios in Madison, WI putting the finishing touches on its sophomore album, Heave Yer Skeleton, slated for release in November.

The psychedelically syncopated sounds of Cleveland's mr. Gnome draw on a visceral mix of contrasting textures. Masculine and feminine, soft whispers and shrill yelps, pounding drums and soothing lullabies combine to form a discursive indie-rock collage. The duo's jagged symphony of sound has them compared to a scattershot of artists ranging from Portishead, Cat Power, Massive Attack, and Joanna Newsom, to Death From Above 1979, Blonde Redhead, Sonic Youth, and Yeah Yeah Yeahs.

Heave Yer Skeleton, the follow-up to mr. Gnome's debut full-length, Deliver This Creature, promises to be no less a musical twist than the last offering. Returning with the same basic, minimalist ingredients; a soulful, feminine power and inventive, dynamic drumming, the two are suspended in a sea of drug-induced themes pouring from their simplistic set-up. The id, dreams, silver giants, hallucinations, flying horses, the devil, Armageddon, vampires, and ghosts are just a few of the hauntingly, hypnotic subjects floating between pleasure and pain in the soundscapes of Heave Yer Skeleton.

In April 2009 the duo received an invitation to record at Josh Homme's (Queens of the Stone Age) Pink Duck Studios located in Los Angeles. Studio manager and engineer Justin Smith (QOTSA, Eagles of Death Metal, Arctic Monkeys, Spinnerette) recorded the sessions and the location served as the perfect creative environment for mr. Gnome's sophomore effort. After returning to Cleveland, the album received last minute touches and additional tracking at Ante Up Audio with Adam Korbesmeyer.

The album was mixed at Butch Vig’s Smart Studios in Madison, Wisconsin by Beau Sorenson (Death Cab For Cutie, Sparklehorse, The Secret Machines, Garbage, Tegan and Sara). Extending and experimenting on elements only touched on in their first full-length, mr. Gnome’s Heave Yer Skeleton is scheduled for a November 2009 release.

mr. Gnome on tour:

10/1/09 - New Haven, Conn. @ Cafe 9

10/2/09 - Cambridge, Mass. @ All Asia

10/3/09 - Winooski, Vermont @ The Monkey House

10/4/09 - Philadelphia, PA @ North Star Bar

10/5/09 - Brooklyn, NY @ Union Hall (w/

10/14/09 - Nashville, TN @ The End

10/15/09 - Atlanta, GA @ The Drunken Unicorn

10/16/09 - Murfreesboro, TN @ Spring Hause (833 Spring St.)

10/17/09 - Birmingham, AL @ Magic City Wholesale

10/31/09 - Cleveland, OH @ The Sachsenheim Ballroom

11/11/09 - Indianapolis, IN @ The Melody Inn

11/12/09 - Madison, WI @ The Frequency

11/13/09 - Chicago, IL @ The Darkroom

11/16/09 - Lawrence, KS @ The Replay Lounge

11/17/09 - Denver, CO @ Hi-Dive

11/18/09 - Salt Lake City, UT @ Club Vegas

11/20/09 - Portland, OR @ Kelly's Olympian

11/21/09 - Seattle, WA @ The Sunset Tavern

11/23/09 - San Francisco, CA @ Elbow Room

11/24/09 - Los Angeles, CA @ Silverlake Lounge

11/25/09 - Long Beach, CA @ Alex's Bar

11/27/09 - Tucson, AZ @ Plush

11/28/09 - Albuquerque, NM @ Atomic Cantina

11/29/09 - Oklahoma City, OK @ The Conservatory

12/01/09 - Dallas, TX @ The Double Wide

12/03/09 - San Marcos, TX @ The Triple Crown

12/04/09 - Houston, TX @ Rudyard's British Pub

12/05/09 - New Orleans, LA @ Banks Street Bar

12/07/09 - Pensacola, FL @ The Handlebar

12/11/09 - Charlotte, NC @ Snug Harbor

12/18/09 - Cleveland, OH @ Beachland Tavern

On the web:

www.mrgnome.com

www.myspace.com/mrgnome

www.mr-gnome.blogspot.com