Orange Alert's Music Minute

"The Prairie Spies, were, once upon a time, called the Sharks. They formed in order to play a single show at Ronny's in February 2006. It was great fun - the bar's proprietor even roasted a pig! - and they decided to keep playing shows around the city. Three practice spaces later, they finally released their first EP, Bridget Quits, in October 2007. Since Bridget really had left the band, they decided to change their name to the Prairie Spies. They hunkered down in the basement of the house that three of them live in and recorded Surplus Enjoyment. It sounded better, but a lot stranger. They're quite proud of it and hope you enjoy it - even more than you should!"

Surplus Enjoyment was released on Friday (May 16th) on Comptroller Records. It is a fine addition to the already impressive catalog for this tremendous Chicago label.

Listen to: Murder, She Said (mp3)

On June 10th, Afternoon Records will release twenty-four year old Haley Bonar's fourth studio album. Big Star is an intimate album that packs a lot of power and truth. Haley embarks on a tour with Hayden in June.

6/03 - Buffalo, NY @ Town Ballroom *
6/04 - Boston, MA @ Great Scott *
6/05 - New York, NY @ Knitting Factory *
6/06 - Brooklyn, NY @ Southpaw *
6/07 - Philadelphia, PA @ North Star *
6/08 - Arlington, VA @ Iota *
6/10 - Chapel Hill, NC @ Local 506 *
6/12 - Minneapolis, MN @ Varsity Theater (CD Release Show)
6/13 - Apple Valley, MN @ The Minnesota Zoo ^
6/17 - Tucson, AZ @ Plush
6/18 - San Diego, CA @The Casbah *
6/20 - Los Angeles, CA @ The Troubadour *
6/21 - San Francisco, CA @ Cafe du Nord *
6/23 - Portland, OR @ Aladdin Theatre *
6/24 - Seattle, WA @ Tractor Tavern *
6/27 - Minneapolis, MN @ Cedar Cultural Center *
6/28 - Chicago, IL @ Schubas *
6/29 - Detroit, MI @ Magic Bag *

* = w/Hayden
^ = w/Amos Lee

Listen to: Big Star (mp3)

Known for their live performances, Iowa's The Poison Control Center hit the road in May.

5/18 – Iowa City, IA@ Yacht Club **
5/19 – Lincoln, NE@ Box Awesome **
5/20 – Omaha, NE@ Waiting Room **
5/21 – Denver, CO@ Benders Tavern *
5/22 – Salt Lake City, UT@ Kilby Court *
5/23 – Nampa, ID @Flying M Coffeegarage
5/24 – Portland, OR@ Towne Lounge
5/26 – Missoula, MT@ Badlander
5/27 – Bozeman, MT@ Filling Station
5/30 – Minneapolis, MN@ Nomad Pub
5/31 – Des Moines, IA@ Vaudeville Mews
** w/Heavenly States and Head of Femur
* w/Heavenly States

This July the wild antics will only continue as the Poison Control Center release the Make Love a Star EP featuring 4 stellar b-sides.

Listen to: Make Love a Star (mp3)

Mates of State have announced more dates in support of Re-Arrange Us, the duo’s fifth full-length album, due May 20th via Barsuk Records. Adding to the previously-announced May gigs, and a collection of summer festival appearances, Kori Gardner and Jason Hammel will take their show on the road throughout the Midwest, and up and down both coasts in June and July.

05-16 New Haven, CT - Toad's Place
05-22 San Francisco, CA - Slim's
05-24 Bend, OR - Les Schwab Amphitheater
05-25 Sasquatch Festival - Washington Gorge Amphitheater
05-28 Los Angeles, CA - Henry Fonda Theater
06-06 Lawrence, KS - Wakarusa Music Festival
06-07 Omaha, NE – The Slowdown
06-08 St. Louis, MO – The Bluebird
06-10 Oklahoma City, OK – Bricktown Ballroom
06-11 Dallas, TX – Granada Theatre
06-13 Austin, TX – Emo’s Alternative Lounge
06-14 Little Rock, AR – Rev Room
06-15 Memphis, TN – Hi-Tone
06-17 Newport, KY – Southgate House
06-18 Pittsburgh, PA – Mr. Small’s Theatre
06-21 Philadelphia, PA – Popped! Festival
07-25 Pemberton, BC - Pemberton Festival
08-01 Chicago, IL – Lollapalooza Grant Park
08-08 Liberty State Park, NJ - All Points West Festival
09-26 Austin, TX - Austin City Limits Festival

Listen to: My Only Offer (mp3)

cllct.com Musician of the Week: Dustin & The Furniture

It was last November when I first discovered Dustin's music, and with each new song I hear I am more and more impressed with this bedroom musician. It's that perfect blend of lo-fi electronics, acoustic guitar, and deep emotional vocals. Releasing six albums in the last three years (some split albums with other musicians), Dustin has perfected the DIY release. His covers are incredibly artistic and the quality is great. His latest release, In the Snow, is a "break-up" album written over the summer of 2007.

Recently touring Germany and the UK with Real Live Tigers, Dustin's music is fun and heartbreaking all in the same breath.

Listen to: No Secrets (mp3)