Cymbals Eat Guitars’ sublime track “Keep Me Waiting” gets the youthful video it so deserves.

As I’ve said before, the way I decide what to use for giveaways is simple: would I be very excited to win a copy of this? And in the case of Gig Posters vol 2: Rock Show Art of the 21st Century I would be very excited.

To enter to win, Like YANP’s Facebook page and then leave a comment on the facebook page with your favorite gig poster artists from your area.

I’m picking a winner at the end of the day so that we can get this mailed out ASAP. I can’t promise you’ll have it before Christmas, but that’s my hope. Contest open to US residents only.

Sleeper Agent’s Celebrasion isn’t even a year old, but they’ve already followed it up with this new non-album track. “Not Never” was written to soundtrack a Nike commercial called “Always On.” It’s a great track — and I’d say that even if this group wasn’t from Kentucky.

MP3: Sleeper Agent – Not Never
At its most basic “you can’t hate this” level, Sleeper Agent are the blood that keeps music alive: young kids pumping their lifeblood into catchy guitar rock. The day that dies is the day the sun burns out and the human race calls it a day. But Sleeper Agent rise above that basic level by keeping their songs tight, melodic and full of energy.

Watch the Nike video “Always On” featuring Sleeper Agent’s new song “Not Never”

Here’s some awesome news that caught me by surprise today: The Magnetic Fields are releasing a new album on Merge Records entitled Love at the Bottom of the Sea. Not only that, but they’re going on a lengthy tour (by their standards) that takes them to SXSW. This is also the group’s first synth-inclusive album since 69 Love Songs.

Hit up Merge to preorder the album (and get it on “eggshell” vinyl).

Go to House of Tomorrow for ticket purchases.

Tracklist and tour dates after the break.

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If it’s December, then you know it’s Mixmas time at You Ain’t No Picasso! Each year I get a bunch of my favorite bands to contribute themed mixes and share their thoughts about each of the tracks.

MP3: Wooden Wand – The DNR Waltz (demo)

Let’s continue the local act section of Mixmas with a performer that’s a bit more global than he is local: Wooden Wand. James has lived in Lexington for a little while now. Hopefully he’s grown to like it because we sure do love having him around.

“Five Great Songs To Play Guitar Along To” by Wooden Wand

JJ Cale – Magnolia
I taught myself to play harmonica to Naturally by JJ Cale – such an intensely stoned and mellow record, and easy to play to. Really fun to sit back with a guitar and a tube-sizzlin’ amp and just jam along with this. It’ll make you better – you can’t help but think outside the (pentatonic) box while this expressive, gorgeous record is on.

CCR – Graveyard Train
Anything off Bayou Country, really, but the trick is that you need to switch the balance over to just the left channel so you’re only hearing the rhythm section, which totally cooks throughout. If you want to learn how to play an instrument, play along with this for a while.

John Lee Hooker – Burning Hell
Preferably the version on Hooker and Heat, which features the great Al Wilson on harp and John Lee doing his drone-trance-stomp thing. The whole song is one chord, but what a chord!!

Pink Floyd – Echoes
I’m not as big a Floyd fan as most, but I had to learn this song to cover it, and I found myself getting into the zone despite myself. Once you learn that weird circular lick that plays over that crazy “Phantom of the Opera” riff, things get spacey and strange.

MP3: Brightblack Morning Light – Past A Weatherbeaten Fencepost
This band’s second album, Motion To Rejoin, was way overlooked if you ask me. Slo-mo soul mixed with dub textures and unhurried Spacemen 3isms, this music SOUNDS like drugs. Or a bubblebath. Whichever your preference. The zonked feeling of this music is contagious and palpable – pick along and you’ll see.

In an interview with The BBC, Queen guitarist Brian May said that the group are looking into the possibility of releasing additional recordings with Freddie Mercury — including some duets with Michael Jackson.

From the BBC:
“We are not actually working on dredging loads and loads stuff up, we just find stuff now and again that is interesting.”

“There is a couple of very interesting tapes with Freddie singing with Michael Jackson that we’re looking at,” the guitarist explained.

Below you can hear a demo of “State of Shock,” featuring Mercury and Jackson.

Here’s DJ Shadow’s creative new video for “Scale It Back.” The narrative of the video is formed by the mnemonic story a guy uses to remember the order of a deck of cards. It’s silly, but that’s half the fun.

Normally I only post about tour dates if they somehow affect my live (translation: they come near Kentucky). For the Deerhoof/Of Montreal/Kishi Bashi tour, I’ll make an exception. If this whirlwind of a tour comes anywhere near you, buy your ticket as soon as you can.

Of Montreal / Deerhoof / Kishi Bashi
March 15 – Austin, TX – Emo’s East (Polyvinyl Records Showcase w/ of Montreal, Someone Loves You Boris Yeltsin, Owen, Casiokids, more)
March 18 – El Paso, TX – Tricky Falls
March 19 – Tucson, AZ – Rialto
March 20 – Los Angeles, CA – The Wiltern
March 21 – San Francisco, CA – Slim’s
March 22 – San Francisco, CA – The Fillmore
March 23 – Portland, OR – The Crystal Ballroom
March 24 – Seattle, WA – Showbox Market

According to The Vine, Nick Cave announced at the end of Grinderman’s show this weekend that the group would be calling it quits. It’s unfortunate news for anyone who enjoyed their two self-titled albums.

One bright side to the news is that Nick Cave will have more time to devote to the upcoming Bad Seeds record that he promised was near on the horizon.