Brian Williams’ new website BriTunes is all the rage right now- we already knew he was a funny guy, but who knew this guy had such great taste in music?

Here’s an exerpt from Rolling Stone’s interview with Williams where he gives a shoutout to not one, but two Beggars bands: Camera Obscura and The Veils!!!!  And that’s the reason why he’s this week’s Celeb Promo Person of the Week – stealing the spikey hat honor from Mr. Reznor.

Any other recent discoveries?
Camera Obscura. Been around a long time. I love the new stuff. It’s a jaunty California sound by way of Europe. I last listened to it on Saturday afternoon as I was getting ready for the Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington. I had it on my iPod. It’s great to have on in the background. Ditto the Veils. I know they’re always on the brink, but I think the song ?The House She Lived In” is a little gem.

Read the rest of the article here!

A little bird dropped a couple of hard-to-find vinyl releases off on our doorstep this week and want to let you know about them.

John Vanderslice and Mountain Goats- Moon Colony Bloodbath
We have a few copies of this tour-only collaboration 12″. Once we’re out they’re gone, so act fast. A few of them are on colored vinyl, color vinyl will be thrown into orders at random (sorry guys it’s the only fair way!)
Order HERE

Arthur Russell- Love Is Overtaking Me
We got a very limited number of this Record Store Day exclusive record in. This is the Rough Trade dbl. LP version of the new Arthur Russell compilation “Love Is Overtaking Me” available on CD from Audika.
This features a more mellow, country-western pop-minded Arthur Russell exploring his more straightforward impulses with his typical sensitivity and beauty.
We have a very limited number of these, so once the buy button disappears, they’re gone. Limit 1 per customer. Order HERE

We also have a few more copies of Mountain Goats’ Black Pear Tree 12″ available and The XX’s Crystalized 7“. Both are limited. Also, remember you get FREE DOMESTIC SHIPPING with orders of $50 or more so throw a few more things in your basket if you’re so inclined.

It seems like every time I log in to blog about Matt H’s in-office 360 flips or Dean’s new cumbia CD-R,
I’m interrupted (pleasantly, of course) by yet another Elvis Perkins in Dearland instore.
This time, the guys are hitting Good Records in Dallas, TX before their show that evening at The Pontiac Garage @ The House of Blues.
Do it. Twice.

(Elvis Perkins in Dearland playing inside a candy cane courtesy of www.soundonthesound.com)

Elvis Perkins in Dearland
Live instore performance 7:30pm at Good Records
1808 Lower Greenville Ave.
Dallas, TX (214) 752-4663

We lack two of those here in New York in the midst of this rainy, instore-less week.

But to all you soaking up the perpetual sun in SoCal, your weekend just got a whole lot better.
Alela Diane is playing a very special, very intimate instore this Saturday afternoon at Origami, the new vinyl-only rock-of-love-den on Sunset Blvd. in Echo Park.

(photo courtesy of concertandco.com)

Alela Diane
Live Instore
Saturday May 9 4pm
Origami Vinyl
1816 W. Sunset Blvd. LA

Oh, and if one show isn’t enough, she’s playing later that evening at McCabe’s in Santa Monica.

The lovely and talented Alela Diane will perform a special set for KEXP this evening. You catch her stripped down set on Greg Vandy’s Roadhouse show tonight at 7PM PDT (10PM EDT), as she showcases tracks off her latest album for Rough Trade, To Be Still. Tune in live in the Emerald City on 90.3 FM or online anywhere the interweb has its long tentacles at kexp.org.

Winner of such an esteemed honor gets to wear the spikey hat! Congrats Trent!

….that they’re playing 2…TWO…sets tomorrow night in the city that gave us the College World Series, Omaha Steaks and the Henry Doorly Zoo.

(photo courtesy of Brooklyn Vegan)

And be sure to check out the band later that evening at The Waiting Room…they’ll knock your socks off.

“Hey man, what are you doing tomorrow night?
Oh, that’s cool. I’m going to the St. Vincent instore at Virgin Union Square.
Yea, it’s free. And I can buy her new album ‘Actor.’ And get her to sign it after she plays.
Yea. It’s gonna be awesome…”

That’s what you should tell EVERYONE.

(Photo courtesy of www.sonicitchmusic.com

Come help St. Vincent celebrate the release of her latest album “Actor” with a free instore performance and signing tomorrow, Tuesday May 5 at 7pm at the Virgin Megastore Union Square.

Who: St. Vincent
What: Free Instore and signing
When: Tuesday May 5 7pm
Where: Virgin Megastore Union Square 52 E. 14th St. NYC NY
Why: Cause.