Orange Alert's Music Minute

1. Announcing the first ever Orange Alert Ticket Giveaway Contest: Do you want to see The Photo Atlas play, Saturday June 16th at The Empty Bottle (1035 N. Western Ave Chicago, IL)? Then here is what you need to do:

Send your most creative orange or orange alert related pictures to orangealert31@gmail.com. All entries must be received by Saturday, June 9th. The winner will be notified via e-mail and address information will be collected at that time. The runner-up will receive a copy of The Photo Atlas' latest release "No, Not Me, Never". The show is 21+, but if you are under 21 you can still qualify for the CD. The winning photos will be posted in next week's "Music Minute". The tickets are courtesy The Photo Atlas and Sneak Attack Media.

The Photo Atlas - Handshake Heart Attack (mp3)

So have fun, be creative and think orange! Here is a little something to get you started:

2. Antoine Bedard aka Montag has taken his sound in a new direction for his third album "Going Place" to be released June 5th on Carpark. Not only has he added additional instrumentation to standard electronic soundscapes, but he has also enlisted the talents of some of the most interesting talents in indie music today. Whether it is Amy Milan (Stars), M83, Victoria Legrand (Beach House), Final Fantasy, or Ghislain Poirier, this album is packed with talent and incredible sounds alike. One interesting fact is that the title track (mp3) on the album contains samples recorded by people from 15 different countries, including Isan, E*Rock, Ghislain Poirier, Vitaminsforyou, Ckid, etc. Also check out: Best Boy Electric (mp3)

3. The New Pornographer's have released a track from their upcoming release "Challengers" due out Aug. 21st on Matador, My Right Versus Your (mp3). However, what is more surprising is the efforts bring back the moustache, check out the albums cover art.

4. Of Montreal stopped by the The DL's Interface this week and recorded a couple acoustic songs. The first is an incredible version of Bowie's "Starman". Check it out here. You can also download the podcast.

5. Lollapalooza Band of the Week: Bound Stems
Last fall, Chicago's Bound Stems released their full-length debut on Flameshovel Records and received a lot of attention from different media outlets as a new up and coming band. However, these high school friends, Dan Fleury (guitar), Bobby Gallivan (vocals, guitar), Janie Porche (vocals, guitar, sampler, violin, etc.), Dan Radzicki (bass, keys, vocals) and Evan Sult (drums, tapes), have been writing songs together since 2002, and working on Appreciation Night for the last two years. Their effort and dedication has really paid off and resulted in a very polished album full of great indie pop with an urgency to be heard. Following the release of the album the band felt confident enough to quit their day jobs and hit the road. Don't miss them at Lollapalooza this year, as they play to the hometown fans. Check out: Andover (mp3) Western Biographic (mp3)