Robert Plant Confirms North American Tour Dates

Robert Plant and Band of Joy announced they will be hitting the road early 2011 for a North American tour. New Yorkers, Plant will be at the Beacon Theatre on January 29. Those of you not in the New York area, check below for dates near you.

Rounder Records is excited to announce that Robert Plant has confirmed a 15-date North American tour. Beginning January 18th in Asheville, NC, this will be the first tour on these shores since the triumphant release of his latest album, Band of Joy, which Rolling Stone magazine in its four-star review called "sweet, elegant folk that still swings like Satan's barn door." The touring band will once again be the same that made the record: Patty Griffin, vocals; Darrell Scott, multi instrumentalist/vocals; Byron House, bass/vocals; Marco Giovino, drums and percussion/vocals, and co-producer Buddy Miller, guitar/vocals. North Mississippi Allstars will be supporting on all the dates.

Tour Dates

January

• 18 Asheville, NC Thomas Wolfe Auditorium
• 19 Pittsburgh, PA Peterson Events Center (University of Pittsburgh)
• 21 Ann Arbor, MI Hill Auditorium
• 22 Toronto, ONT Sony Centre for the Performing Arts
• 25 Boston, MA House of Blues
• 26 Upper Darby, PA Tower Theatre
• 28 Mashantucket, CT MGM Grand Theater at Foxwoods Resort Casino
• 29 New York, NY Beacon Theatre

February

• 1 Washington, DC DAR Constitution Hall
• 2 Raleigh, NC Raleigh Memorial Auditorium
• 4 North Charleston, SC North Charleston Performing Arts Center
• 5 Atlanta, GA Fox Theatre
• 7 Charlotte, NC Ovens Auditorium
• 8 - 9 Nashville, TN War Memorial Auditorium

For more quirky ramblings, drop by Quirky NY Chick.

The Shearling trend... the origins

Ever wondered where J.Crew and the like got their basic materials for this season's uber cozy shearling vests? The Welsh mountains of course....

For more Notes from a Stylist take a peek here...

The Duke Spirit & Levi's Offer Free Download

The Duke Spirit are offering a free download of a new song "Procession," on Levi's Site. Check out the handy widget below. On a side note, I still have my sad face on over having to miss their show at Santos'.

After a triumphant return to NYC this week with a show at Santos Party House, The Duke Spirit played a captivating set at last night’s Levi’s Men's and Women's Spring 2011 Preview party. Fierce and magnetic frontwoman Liela Moss led the band through the bold new songs from their forthcoming album, due out in February on Shangri-La Music, including “Everybody’s Under Your Spell” (available as a free download at www.thedukespirit.com) and “Procession,” which is available as a free download on Levi’s site: http://us.levi.com/home/index.jsp.

Jack Wills hits Boston

I greet the news of Jack Wills opening in Boston with a sigh - what, the preppy wannabe that you can't escape in Surrey is now trying to break America? Puuleeeasse - what's wrong with Rugby, Vineyard Vines, J.Crew, Madewell, Urban Outfitters - do the Jack Wills folk not think that breaking into New England hasn't already been covered?

Apparently it's because their brand is not owned by them it's 'owned by their customers'  - yes right - that would be the teen girls from Guildford High School then have deemed that Boston is the next big nut to crack...

My experience of buying at Jack Wills for said Guildford High school girls is that it's bloody expensive and they should stick to their Aunt bringing Abercrombie back across the pond for half the price and twice the kudos.

Richard Ashcroft To Release New Record In 2011

Richard Ashcroft, the British rocker best known as frontman of The Verve, has signed with Razor & Tie. His upcoming release, The United Nations Of Sound, will be released early 2011 here in The States. The 12-song record was produced by hip-hop producer No I.D. "Are You Ready?," the single, was released last month and is available at your favorite digital outlets. I'm digging this track so I'm looking forward to checking out the upcoming release.

Ashcroft is expected to tour the US in 2011, his first solo trek in six years, to support the album.

"It's an honor to work with someone as esteemed as Richard," said Beka Tischker, Vice President of A&R at Razor & Tie. "Besides being one of the seminal figures of modern British rock music, his music has touched my life. It's the icing on the cake in this business when you get to work with someone who soundtracked important parts of your life."

Songs from The United Nations of Sound are already in great demand and enjoying massive worldwide exposure through television and film placements. The anthemic lead track "Are You Ready?" is featured in Volkswagen's new Jetta ad campaign (viewable here), had been in promos for the 2010 FIFA World Cup Finals and is currently being used in FOX's broadcasts of Major League Baseball's postseason games including the opening of the World Series. Another track, "She Brings Me the Music" was recently featured in NBC's hit series Chuck. The forthcoming Matt Damon sci-fi flick The Adjustment Bureau will include a new song written and performed specifically for the film's opening by Richard and ten-time Oscar-nominated composer Tom Newman. The film will also feature "Are You Ready?" over the closing credits.

"Are You Ready?" is available for purchase on iTunes at this link.

For more quirky ramblings, drop by Quirky NY Chick.