Words: Aliza Feder | Photos: Ed Oliver

The University of Wisconsin-Madison opened the latest incarnation of its Union South with the fittingly ever-evolving (but not actually Canadian) artsy/soulful/poppish indie rock group, of Montreal.

The brand-spanking-new Varsity Hall’s acoustics proved fitting for Of Montreal’s intricate musical arrangements. The performance opened with “Slave Translator,” a tasty preview of the soon to drop EP, “The Controller Sphere.” The show then bounded through some favorites from the band’s latest album, False Priest, and saved some perennial favorites such as “St. Exquisite’s Confessions” and “Labyrinthian Pomp” to keep everyone spastic and rapturous, ending with the obligatory and much beloved “For Our Elegant Caste.” The people of Madison were also treated to a lovely interlude of drummer Jamey Huggins singing an old jazz tune.

The performance flaunted a delightful mix of grotesque and cerebral performance art with unabashed fun. Human/rooster creatures in spandex bodysuits boldly presented themselves for audience groping. Most memorably, David Barnes, brother of the band’s front man and major part of of Montreal’s aesthetic concept, embodied the pent rage of “She’s a Rejector” by thrashing his way out of a straight jacket with blood spewing from his mouth.

In essence, an appalling good show transpired.

Buy: Of Montreal – False Priest
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MP3: Of Montreal – “Coquette Coquette”

Tonight’s the night. Roadside Graves are back in town. Conrad Plymouth’s playing too. Make sure to arrive in time for Jeremy Benson’s opening set.

Roadside Graves :: Aquarium Drunkard Lost Session (August, 2009)

MP3: Roadside Graves – “My Father Sat Me Down” (Aquarium Drunkard Session, 2009)
MP3: Roadside Graves – “Liv Tyler” (Aquarium Drunkard Session, 2009)
MP3: Roadside Graves – “Ruby” (Aquarium Drunkard Session, 2009)
MP3: Roadside Graves – “Wooden Walls” (Aquarium Drunkard Session, 2009)

Buy: Roadside Graves – You Won’t Be Happy With Me EP

[photo: Tim Griffin]

Futurebirds “Megachills” by: wino-strut from HYMNAL on Vimeo.

MP3: Futurebirds – “Dirty D”

MP3: The Antlers – “Every Night My Teeth Are Falling Out”
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Pre-Order: The Antlers – Burst Apart (Frenchkiss, May 10th)

New artwork plus audio teaser. Is it June yet?

Josh T. Pearson performs “Woman, When I’ve Raised Hell” live on Later with Jools Holland. We can’t recommend his album, Last Of The Country Gentlemen enough.

We’re thrilled to welcome Breathe Owl Breathe back to the Cactus Club Milwaukee on Tuesday, April 19th. Check out this gorgeous video of them performing “Lake Light” for The Pickathon Pumphouse Sessions.

The National’s Mat Berninger lends his voice to a remix of Nick Cave’s “Evil.”

Vinyl Deal Of The Day: Deerhoof – Apple O’

Pitchfork and Aquarium Drunkard review Bill Callahan’s fantastic new album Apocalypse. The New Yorker also profiles Callahan.

I got turned onto Unknown Mortal Orchestra this morning and only a few hours later got word they’ve signed to Fat Possum. Catch them on tour with Smith Westerns and Portugal. The Man.

DeVotchKa stops by for a session with World Cafe.

Interesting insight into Amazon’s cloud based storage/player and how it relates (or doesn’t) to labels.

Stereogum has a new track from Man Man.

No joke, John Stamos appears in Low’s new video for “Try To Sleep.”

I’d never listened to Son Lux before streaming his new album, We Are Rising today at NPR. Good stuff.

“How to Avoid Pissing Off Music Bloggers (and Several Other Handy Tips for Artists)” via Culture Bully.