Vice Records

Just when you were thinking, there can't possibly be more Bloc Party live tunage from their last pass through the country, we're here to say stop. Collaborate and listen. Or something. Amongst their accomplishments from their first US jaunt for A Weekend In the City you can now chalk up an exclusive interview and performance for AT&Ts blue room. Check out the site to see a packed house go crazy for "The Prayer." The countdown is on to when Bloc Party return - it's going to be a packed summer.

Tomorrow sees the digital only release of one of the jewels of Ed Banger Records, DJ Mehdi's Lucky Boy. You have heard DJ Mehdi's work on Ed Rec Vol 1 (check out "I Am Somebody feat. Chromeo" on our MP3 blog) and Ed Rec Vol 2 (the infectious "Stick It" and "Lucky Girl") and now he in stepping out on his own Stateside with Lucky Boy.

To celebrate the release of the record, DJ Mehdi is headed down to Coachella with Busy P and Justice bringing the Parisian dance party to the California desert. On his way back to Paris, Mehdi will be stopping in NYC to play Hiro Ballroom on May 2nd. On their way down to Coachella, Justice will be stopping in Chicago on Friday, April 27 at Smart Bar. Grab your glowsticks and we'll see you there.

We couldn't be more ready for this week. Charlotte Gainsbourg's lovely 5:55 drops on Tuesday and in honor of the momentous occasion, VBS.tv is doing a whole Gainsbourg extravaganza. Michel Gondry, who directed Charlotte in The Science of Sleep, had a delightful conversation with Charlotte when she was in NYC a few months ago, which is running every day this week on VBS Meets.... The Music Videos this week are also all Frenchie in Charlotte appreciation. Check out VBS.tv and fall in love with Charlotte.

The day we'd been waiting for has arrived. Panthers have officially unleashed The Trick on the unsuspecting world. Few records make us want to stomp, rail and fist pump like this new banger. Apparently being a band isn't like being on a Luge team. Loose a member and you gain speed! Check out "Uncertainly" from The Trick and "Goblin City" live and if you like what you hear and are NYC-inclined, swing by Europa in Brooklyn tonight for Panthers record release show. Come pour beer on us.

We're packing up and heading to Manchester! Tennesse, that is. It's been announced that our Brooklyn boys Favourite Sons are headed down to Bonnaroo this year and we're happy as a pig in shit. Favourite Sons will be playing in Bonnaroo's "intimate cafe tents" where they put all the up and comers they think are shaking things up. After holding hands with Voxtrot, ending with a sure-to-be epic show at Webster Hall, the fellas will pack it up and head south. Yee haw.

There's something about Charlotte Gainsbourg that makes us all fuzzy feeling inside. Maybe it's the heritage. Maybe it's the accented English. Maybe it's the sensual whisper of her voice. Maybe it's because she's a movie star. Maybe it's because she just makes us swoon. In any case, check out the title track to 5:55, out on VICE on April 24. You can watch the video, check out her MySpace, some pix, bio and interview information - this page is a veritable treasure trove of Charlotte jewels. Enjoy.

Bloc Party are all about giving you opportunities to see them play. They serenaded Carson on Friday with "I Still Remember." It was lovely. If you missed it cause you were out partying it up, you can check an encore presentation of the tune with additional never before seen performances on your cell phone, exclusively through Verizon wireless VCast Service. To find out how to rock Bloc Party on Carson on your phone, click here.

Bloc Party have announced a whole slew of live dates, a live EP recorded at SXSW at the legendary Stubbs BBQ and if you need more Bloc Party live, tune into Carson Daly tonight to rock "I Still Remember" and relive the magical days when they were among us Yanks. There will be more live TV performances coming in the next couple of weeks, so keep checking back for the good word.

Rolling Stone has cracked the code. The Ronettes - Girls + Distortion = The Black Lips. Perfection! Rolling Stone has declared the Black Lips an "Artist to Watch" and we couldn't agree more. When the fellas were in town a couple of weeks ago, RS talked to the fellas about touring, 9 to 5s and being a punk vs. a hippie. When the Black Lips were getting ready to shake the Bowery Ballroom's rafters, RS grabbed a video camera and took the fellas into the bathroom to get Cole to spill secrets on Jared, Jared to spew facts about Cole and Ian to detail what the tour has been like. (Getting loaded). Check out the vid and interview at RollingStone.com.

Spin.com went to see the Black Lips in Nashville and took some rad pix. Check those out at Spin.com and feel the magic.

After spending the weekend watching Bloc Party shake the dust out of United Palace Theater in Washington Heights, we woke up this morning feeling all sad. Bloc Party's on their way back to Europe and we're left here all alone with just our memories. But then we made the joyful realization that today is the delightful day when Bloc Party's Live at Stubbs EP recorded at SXSW is out - exclusively on URGE. When we put our headphones in and listen to the live version of "The Prayer," it's almost like we're back standing at that glorious outdoor stage, with the moon above us and our T-shirt covered bellies satisfyingly filled with BBQ and beer. Fire up the grill and head over to URGE to recreate the dazzling experience.

If you missed Bloc Party in March, fear not. If you know the band, you know they love the road. Just look at the joy on Kele's face from the United Palace show last weekend. The fellas have announced a whole string of dates through June. Check out the VICE Records tour page for all the dates, and get ready to party.