(by Dawn Reed) Auckland New Zealand new wave duo Kids of 88 are back with their sophomore album Modern Love due out later this summer. The first single off it "Tucan" is a fun worldly mix of native chants, hand claps, serene lyrics, and gorgeous synths.  I'd nominate it as the chill anthem of the summer of '12. And this kaleidoscopic nature/city video (directed by Levi Beamish) blends beautifully with the track produced by Jordan Arts and Sam McCarthy. And the lyrics "I want to go to a place that I know is real. I need to find a new place for my mind to heal" just make me want to do the same. And that would be the shores of Oahu to surf...

Wakefield England's the Cribs are back with their 5th indie garage rock album In the Belly of the Brazen Bull, and it's their 2nd album to make Top 10 in the UK! The trio of brothers originally formed in 2002 and with sold out shows around the world since then, it's no shocker that Q Magazine had pegged them as the "biggest cult band in the UK." May brit-rock reign supreme again with the Cribs leading the way.

The Cribs US tour starts June 5th in Philly (see all dates after the jump), and they've got giveaways galore going on via their Facebook page.  And we've got a couple passes to give out to their June 7th DC show at the Black Cat!  All you have to do is email us by 3 PM on June 6th, and tell us what your favorite Cribs song is and why.  Please include your first and last name for guestlist requirements.

The Cribs US Tour:
06/05 - Johnny Brendas - Philadelphia, PA
06/06 - Irving Plaza - New York, NY
06/07 - Black Cat - Washington DC
06/08 - Motorco Music Hall - Durham, NC
06/09 - Masquerade: Hell Stage - Atlanta, GA
06/11 - Fitzgerald's: Upstairs - Houston, TX
06/12 - The Parish - Austin, TX
06/15 - El Rey Theater - Los Angeles, CA
06/16 - Great American Music Hall - San Francisco, CA
06/18 - Venue - Vancouver CA

(by Dawn Reed) Ballet has now made a grand entrance into the cosmos in this beautiful kaleidescopic video for the song "Chin" by the Danish dream pop project Sleep Party People.  SPP was created by multi-instrumentalist Brian Batz, and now has accumulated into a quintet of bunny masked shoegazers who've got 2 albums out thus far.  Seriously gorgeous stuff, that basically is the "soundtrack for your dreams." They are currently touring through Europe and will be announcing US dates ASAP.

Video created by Obscura
Dancer: Caroline Baldwin

Influenced by the Stooges and Joy Division, and having been classically trained on piano and violin since the age of 4, French avant musician Yann Tiersen has been creating unique scores of music since 1993 before getting more global recognition from his score for the indie film hit Amelie. He is currently on tour in support of his 7th studio album Skyline (released April '12 in the US.) On it, Tiersen full on showcases his multi-instrumental knowledge with contributions from a mellotron, bouzouki, marimba, and many others to create a unique fusion of alt. folk and indie rock. Check out the stellar track "The Trial" below.

Joining him on tour is the amazing one man French post-punk machine Piano Chat, who layers and loops his vocals, guitar, and drums commonly on the floor amongst the crowd that's ready to get down.  His first EP ours molaire is now available and worth the click.

Saturday 5/26 in DC will be the last stop on their US tour, and the 9:30 Club wants to make sure you see these guys, so we've got a couple passes to give away!  All you have to do is email us and tell us what your favorite Yann Tiersen or Piano Chat song is by 3 PM on Friday May 25.  Please include your first and last name for guestlist requirements. The winner will be emailed back Friday afternoon.

Don't wanna risk not winning and the show selling out? You can still get your tickets here!

Synth-driven love songs and decadence for the weekend, that is Class Actress. A trio based out of Brooklyn and fronted by the captivating singer/songwriter Elizabeth Harper, (who once upon a time pursued acting in LA, as well as honing a more acoustic sound) went the electronic route once Mark Richardson and Scott Rosenthal teamed up.  They are currently on tour in support of their late 2011 debut release Rapprocher, one of the best indie pop albums of 2011 IMO! (See more dates after the jump.) 

Class Actress will be co-headling along with Penguin Prison and joined by DC's own Outputmessage this Saturday 5/19 at the Rock & Roll Hotel in DC.  And they want to make sure you are there, so we've got a couple passes to give away!

All you have to do us is email us and let us know what your favorite Class Actress song is and why, by 3:00 PM on Friday 5/18!  Please include your first and last name for guestlist requirements.

May 17 - Philadelphia, PA   -  Johnny Brenda's
May 19 - Washington, DC  - Rock N Roll Hotel
May 20 - Durham, NC - Motorco Music Hall
May 21 - Athens, GA - Georgia Theatre
May 22 - Atlanta, GA - The Earl
May 23 - New Orleans, LA - Maison
May 24 - San Antonio, TX - The Korova
May 26 - El Paso, TX - Neon Desert Music Festival
May 27 - Austin, TX - Red 7
May 28 - Dallas,TX - Club Dada
May 29 - Kansas City, MO - The Riot Room
May 31 - Saint Louis, MO - Firebird
June 2  - Minneapolis, MN - 7th Street Entry
June 4  - Indianapolis, IN - Radio Radio
June 5  - Chicago, IL - Lincoln Hall
June 7 - Toronto, ON - Wrong Bar
June 8 - Montreal, QC - Cabaret Mile End