Spoon's latest album, Transference, is out now via the Merge label, and it has proven itself a worthy follower of 2007's Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga. Gearing up for what's shaping to be a busy summer for the guys- SXSW appearances, a full North American tour- they took time of their schedule to record a gritty studio video for "Written In Reverse." The video, courtesy of Pitchfork, features frontman Britt Daniel's signature wail, and leads in with a little taste of what the indie rockers are like in the studio.

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If you only associate the word okapi, with the blue-tongued zebra-striped cousin of the giraffe, let me reintroduce you to Filippo Paolini - the Italian turntablist and recent Illegal Art signee.  Paolini, also known as Økapi, utilizes his turntables and laptop to create atmospheres that range from orchestral pauses, breakbeat nostalgia, 8-bit melodies and the occasional Hawaiian soundscape.

Økapi is set to drop his Illegal Art debut, Love Him, on February 23rd.  The record, which celebrates notorious Kyrgyz composer Aldo Kapi (with over a 100 musical elements), delicately maintains a balance of elemental turntablism with quirky innovation. 

Download the FILTER exclusive below. 

l  Økapi - "Love Him"  l

Sigur Rós frontman Jónsi Birgisson will release his solo debut, Go, April 6, via XL, and he'll head out on some North American tour dates shortly thereafter. Thankfully, though the album is a little under 2 months away, the Icelandic frontman has released a video, via Pitchfork for "Go Do," his first clip as a solo act.

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Vampire Weekend covered Rancid's 1995 hit "Ruby Soho" during a trip to BBC radio's Maida Vale studio to record a session for Radio 1’s Zane Lowe last week, via Abeno.

The guys have been busy lately, with their sophomore effort Contra bringing them to the top of the charts, and tour dates nationwide keeping them on the road. Check out the Ivy League quartet's take on the punk classic below.

| Vampire Weekend | "Ruby Soho" | MP3 |

The new video for The Kissaway Trail's "SDP" consolidates the over 6-minute lead track from the band's forthcoming album SLEEP MOUNTAIN into about half its original length, without losing any of its impact. The track showcases the band's signature dual, ethereal vocals from Søren Corneliussen and Thomas Fagerlund alongside the supercharged layers of keyboards and guitars, reminiscent of a few fellow favorites hailing from those same Scandinavian headquarters, and also providing the evidence of Peter Katis' (Interpol, The National, Sigur Rós’ Jónsi) production presence during the two weeks the band spent in Sweden recording the album.

SLEEP MOUNTAIN will be released in the US on April 20th via Bella Union/Yeproc. The Kissaway Trail will return to the States for the first time in 2 years this March to perform at FILTER's SXSW party in Austin - stay tuned here for more details.

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DC-based brother duo Bluebrain will release their debut, entitled Soft Power February 9 via Lujo Records. Brothers Ryan and Hays Holladay wrote, recorded and produced the lush, electronic-tinged songs at their home in Washington DC after relocating from Brooklyn a year earlier. But what began as a plan to quickly document the songs they'd been crafting quickly changed when Hays awoke one morning, physically unable to move. It was a temporary paralysis, but the months that followed were defined by a battery of tests, frightening misdiagnosis and, ultimately, spinal surgery. Throughout the process (and the full recovery that followed), the songs evolved as the two continued to record what would become their debut LP.

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In a futuristic world where everything appears mechanical, sleek and haunting, Massive Attack appear to be comfortably at ease.  Directed by Edouard Salier, the duo's new video for "Splitting The Atom" relates such a world with striking black-and-white imagery of gun-toting robots, floating shards and a giant, demon rabbit.  Amidst it all, a red glow unclouds the sky and change seems imminent.  Enter the darkness of Massive Attack (courtesy of PitchforkTV) below.

The countdown continues, Heligoland drops February 9th.

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Brooklyn based duo, Black Gold, spent most of 2009 on the road, winning fans across the country with their indie pop melodies and lush songwriting.  Now in the new year, the duo comprised of Eric Ronik and Than Luu, are looking to grab more of the spotlight and have fittingly released the video for new single, "Shine".

The video takes the song's lyrics and sweetly personifies them with paper lanterns that eloquently illuminate the night.  Black Gold's debut, Rush, is available now courtesy of Red Bull Records and don't miss the guys as they head back out on the road this Month with California indie outfit, Sherwood.

Tour Dates:
February
17 Los Angeles, CA - The Roxy
21 San Diego, CA - SOMA
22 Phoenix, AZ - The Clubhouse
23 Amarillo, TX - Common
24 Austin, TX  - The Mohawk
25 Houston, TX - House of Blues Houston
26 Dallas, TX - The Door
28 Oklahoma City, OK - The Conservatory
 
March
3 Nashville, TN - Exit/In
4 Knoxville, TN - The Square Room
5 Atlanta, GA  - The Masquerade
6 Jacksonville, FL - Jack Rabbits
8 Orlando, FL - BackBooth
9 Tampa, FL - Crowbar
11 Greenville, SC -  The Handlebar
14 Somerville, MA - The Armory
15 Vienna, VA - Jammin’ Java
16 S. Hackensack, NJ - School of Rock
17 New York, NY - Highline Ballroom

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New York six-piece, Linfinity are gearing up to release their debut, Martian's Bloom, on April 27th via upstart indie label, American Myth Recordings. Led by frontman Dylan Von Wagner, the outfit integrate rolling drums, layered violin arrangements and elements of chamber pop.  Enter Von Wagner's bellowing vocals and it's slightly reminiscent of a time where saloons, moonshine and lassoed transportation were abundant.

Check out the FILTER exclusive of new single, "MSG".

l  Linfinity - "MSG"  l

British Electronica outfit New Young Pony Club have been given the remix treatment. Chaos comes courtesy of Rory Phillips. This remix will be featured on the single alongside other remixes by Melé and the Manic Street Preachers. The Optimist, the latest full length from The New York Pony Club is out March 1 via Modular.

| New Young Pony Club | "Chaos (Rory Phillips Remix)" | MP3 |