Bon Iver recently passed through Boston before heading over to Europe, where his tour begins tomorrow in the UK. While in Boston, the members of Bon Iver harmonized on the Jayhawks “Tampa To Tulsa” from their fantastic record Rainy Day Music.

If you attended last month’s Megafaun + The Rosebuds show in Milwaukee, you got a live audio preview of some of the material from the new Megafaun record Gather, Form & Fly. The record has since been one of the most anticipated releases here at Muzzle of Bees. Friends and fan can expect its proper release on July 21st via Hometapes.

We’ve got the first free and legal MP3 download from the forthcoming album for you below. Take a listen to “The Fade” and perhaps you’ll join us at the 7th St. Entry in Minneapolis on July 21st to help celebrate the album’s glory/release. More album details and back story here, and don’t forget to check the tour dates to see when they’ll be in your city. Not to be missed folks.

Previously: 5 Questions with Megafaun

Myspace: Megafaun
MP3: Megafaun – “The Fade”

The Rural Alberta Advantage were unknown to me prior to walking into the Central Presbyterian Church in Austin a couple months back. They were opening for Grizzly Bear and what a pleasant surprise they were. I picked up a copy of Hometowns recently and have since been pretty enamored with it.

A few weeks ago came news that they’d signed with Saddle Creek, which is great news as it means they’ll get the proper push (and eventual re-release) of Hometowns.

I’m thrilled to announce that they’re confirmed to play the High Noon Saloon in Madison on Sunday, June 21st. As always, we’ve got a ton of great shows coming through, but if you trust my recommendation, please go see these guys. You will not be disappointed.

Tickets: $8
Support: The Celebrated Workingman + Meridene

Photo: Mute Matthew

Buy: The Rural Alberta Advantage – Hometowns
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Myspace: The Rural Alberta Advantage
MP3: The Rural Alberta Advantage – “Don’t Haunt this Place”
MP3: The Rural Alberta Advantage – “Frank, AB”

After leaking late last night, Wilco followed suit by hosting a full album stream of Wilco (The Album). I’ve been through the album a half dozen times so far. I like it. Feel free to drop a comment with your thoughts and reviews as you’re taking your initial spins. Thanks to Wilco for (as always) being very, very cool! The proper physical release is June 30th via Nonesuch Records. Buy it if you dig it.

Update From The Band: “If you have downloaded the record, we suggest you make a donation to one of the band’s favorite charities, the Inspiration Corporation — an organization we’ve supported in the past & who are doing great work in the city of Chicago.

Pre-Order: You can now pre-order Wilco (The Album) in all your favorite formats, even vinyl or personalized shirts! The Muzzle of Bees order has been placed. Please consider supporting a band that’s always supported its fans.

Related: Wilco (The Album Art) taken right here in Milwaukee

One of my favorite records of the year was released yesterday. Do yourself a favor and place The Wooden Birds debut record Magnolia on your highly recommended by Muzzle of Bees list. I know you got one. It’s a record that arrives just as the weather is becoming perfect, and, if you’re like me, you’re looking for those go-to records to match sound track the season. This is that kind of record. I’m thrilled and honored to have Andrew Kenny join us today for our continuing 5 Questions with Muzzle of Bees feature.

Could you lend some information on the recording process of Magnolia? Where and how was it recorded, and were there any lessons learned that you’ll apply towards future recording sessions?

I feel like I should answer this question in reverse somehow. Or at least all at once. The Wooden Birds and the album Magnolia were basically the same thing for the entirety of the recording process. It all began as a recording project and the sound developed one instrument at a time. I recorded 6 of the 12 songs on Magnolia many times over and when I discovered a better bass sound, it was applied to the other five songs. Same for the guitars and even the percussion elements. It was very modular. Is the bass better? Apply to all. Does this mic work better for the percussion? Ok let’s redo it all. Those six songs more or less defined what The Wooden Birds would be about, at least for now.

Once those six songs were polished up, I trashed the recordings and started over again. But this time, I knew all the colors of the crayons in my box. When Chris and I finally sat down and started work on what would become Magnolia, we knew what it would sound like, we just concentrated on the performances. The guitar sounds like THIS.. the bass sounds like THIS.. now just sit in front of this microphone and throw some lightning bolts, brother.

It was an awkward recording process, but now that it’s completed the next album will go a lot more smoothly. The crayons are in the box. We’ll add a few more to reflect what has worked well on tour, and we’ll get to the fun part a little more quickly.

The percussion of this record is very forward moving. To me, it’s the driving force on the record. Was that your intention when you started writing or recording or was it the result of new collaboration?

I couldn’t agree more. Along with the maracas and tambourine that are essential to the sound, most of what you’re hearing as the “beat” is just me pounding out the rhythm on the top of an acoustic guitar. So yes… it’s ALL about percussion. Even the bass guitar is as much a rhythm element as it is a root for the songs. And it was very intentional. I wanted this project to be about rhythm and feel. I just didn’t want to use any drums to get it done. That’s why all the other instruments have to pitch in a bit, right?

You’re back in Austin, TX. How has it been being back, and, as a frequent visitor to the city, I was hoping you could share with us some of your favorite restaurants, hangouts, etc.

Have you tried the peach smoothies at a place called My Back Porch? Great for breakfast, though the menu is limited. They open again for beers around sundown. Sometimes it gets a little old so my wife and I will check out this spot called My Neighbor’s Back Porch? Also awesome. I’m joking. I don’t get out all that much.

Hmm.. ok how about Torchy’s Tacos? I’m a big fan of the fried avocado taco there. You can walk into almost any Tex-Mex restaurant in Austin and find something that hits the spot. Since my return to Austin, I’m excited to feel a little more San Antonio influence than when I left in 2002. You can get a great SAtown style puffy taco these days. I like the one at Vivo a lot. As for bars, I highly recommend staying the hell away from 6th street on the weekends. Longbranch is a great place to get a shot and beer, should you be in the mood for either.

The internet has dramatically altered the way artists can reach an audience. With things like blogs/myspace/etc, what are your thoughts on the power of the internet in terms of helping (or hurting) your music?

Well the few things you’ve mentioned have only helped MY music. Blogs? Myspace? Etc? Of course it’s great for tiny bands like mine. We’re not the best / loudest / meanest / quietest / slowest / weirdest / most-est band on the planet. But still.. I love us. Some people don’t need a band to be any of those things to appreciate their music. I’m those people. Whatever helps us connect with those people can only help, right?

To play the other side of the coin, however, I wonder what effect the internet is having on the culture of music in other ways? For instance, my younger years were all about waiting for things to come out and scouring magazine racks around the city for new music news. Most of my favorite records from the late 80′s and early 90′s began as favorite songs on mix tapes made by friends. I guess blogs are the modern day mix tape now and you don’t have to worry about someone grabbing the last issue of Pitchfork off the stand before you get there. But it all seems less personal to me than it did when I was younger. It’s easier to be educated, sure, but it’s less romantic maybe?

As for the mp3 downloading / file sharing / bit torrent issue, which I suppose is somewhat related, I can only be so suspicious or judgmental. Because (a) I’m listening to the new Phoenix album right now because the streets couldn’t wait and (b) if everyone that ever downloaded one of my songs ran out and bought a Wooden Birds album, or an AmAnSet album, the truth is I’d still have to put stuff back at the grocery store that I can’t afford right now. This is a life choice that I made. The internet didn’t create a generation of starving songwriters, it just put us in touch with one another and gave us something in common to complain about.

You’re currently in the middle of a European tour with Grand Archives and set to tour the Western United States on your return. Can we expect a swing through the Midwest as well?

We’re working on it now. We’re continuing our tour of the US through June and yes, you can count on a good showing in the Midwest. Check the Barsuk site and our website as well for dates. I believe they were announced today.

Buy: The Wooden Birds – Magnolia
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Myspace: The Wooden Birds
MP3: The Wooden Birds – “False Alarm”

Set: Badlands / Radio Nowhere / Outlaw Pete / No Surrender / Out In The Streets / Working On A Dream / Seeds / Johnny 99 / The Ghost Of Tom Joad / Raise Your Hand / Good Lovin’ / Prove It All Night / The E Street Shuffle / Waiting On A Sunny Day / The Promised Land / I’m On Fire / Kingdom Of Days / Lonesome Day / The Rising / Born To Run

Encore: Hard Times / Tenth Avenue Freezeout / Land Of Hope And Dreams / American Land / Bobby Jean / Rosalita

When The Boss tells you he’s gonna build a house combining all that’s good and all that needs fixing in the world these days, he certainly delivers. I could wax for paragraphs about all the accolades he and the E Street Band have earned themselves over the years and through my own eyes and ears. Instead, I’ll share a few of my highlights and encourage you to do the same. I’ve included links to three proper reviews below if that’s more your thing. Now, here’s what made the night special for me:

No Surrender Most recently known as a political campaign anthem, I still remember the days of my youth blasting this loudly on a boombox running on “D” batteries, trying to figure out how I was gonna win a little league game. It’s a tune that transports me right back to those days, obviously the meaning is deeper, but it’s all interpretive and that’s where it takes me.

Out In The Streets I feel in love with this song last summer when the Boss rolled through Milwaukee for the 105th anniversary of Harley-Davidson. I had my girl and my best friend in the crowd with me that night. The lyrics to this song stay in my head for days after just one listen. Love it.

The Ghost Of Tom Joad If anyone had any reservations about Nils Lofgren’s guitar playing ability, those were put to bed immediately at the conclusion of this song. I’ve seen him throw his weight around, but never like his performance during this song last night.

Good Lovin’ The Young Rascals may have made this song a hit in 1966, but the Grateful Dead introduced me to the song and made it a favorite. It was the first of three songs played by audience request via posters plucked by the Boss himself. He claimed this was their first time playing it live, but it sounded like they’d been doing it for years.

I’m On Fire Easily one of my top five songs as a youngster. I watched the video for this song hundreds of times. I knew every word to this song by age 7 and, as a child, had a tape of only this song, on repeat, through both sides of a cassette.

Born To Run

Bobby Jean I honestly thought the show was over when they wrapped up “American Land,” but it wasn’t quittin’ time yet. Another old favorite, which, on the way out of the venue people were saying had only been played sparingly this tour.

Rosalita One of my favorite Springsteen jams. Full of energy and people absolutely in love with the night despite being rocked for nearly three hours. I love when shows end on a high energy number and this was the absolute perfect song to say goodnight to. It was the only song I said I wanted to hear, I had to wait to the end to hear it, but that was just about perfect.

Once again, I have to thank my Dad for being my concert going companion, but most of all for raising me on Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band. Another great night, one I’ll never forget.

Review: A new vibe for Bruce Springsteen at the Xcel Energy Center
Review: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band @ Xcel Energy Center
Review: Energetic Boss channels youthful vibe