The Glow, Pt. 2 will be released on CD and double-vinyl through K Records, and will feature basically the same line-up that produced, It Was Hot, which included singer/songwriter/producer Elvrum, Khaela Maricich, K Records songstress Mirah Yomtov Zeitlyn, Jenn Kliese, Anna Oxygen, Karl Blau, and Jason Wall.

In addition, the Microphones have just released a vinyl-only pressing of an album entitled Blood. That album, which is limited to a mere 300 copies, contains music Elvrum recorded during the sessions for The Glow, Pt. 2, some of which appears on the forthcoming K release in a much more refined form. Each of the 300 album covers were hand-painted by Elvrum, and all are different. The record is the first release for the Secretly Canadian-owned St. Ives Records, whose goal is to issue similar limited edition vinyl records by popular indie bands. Blood is presently in stores, but sure to sell out quickly. Run!

.: Pitchfork Review: Microphones: It Was Hot, We Stayed in the Water
.: K Records: http://www.kpunk.com

Alan Haworth reports:
The DIY punk attitude has reached hip-hop, and it's coming to your town. Two loose collectives of NYC indie rappers, Def Jux and RhymeSayers, are starting their first U.S. tour this September. Coming straight out of Queens (and Minneapolis), where they've been selling tapes on the street and packing the Bowery and Knitting Factory (and the Qwest), they've finally decided to take their indie rap to the rest of the nation.

For those not familiar with the hardcore rappers, here's a little background. The Def Jux label consists of Cannibal Ox, Aesop Rock, Mr. Lif and EL-P, and their sound is slightly reminiscent of old-school Public Enemy with hard-hitting beats and machine-gun lyrics. RhymeSayers Collective includes Eyedea & Abilities and Atmosphere. They have a new full-length LP coming out in the fall. It was previously reported that they were approached by P. Diddy to record with him, but they rebuked his offers of money and fame, saying that they will leave the covering of old white men's songs to him. Here's the dates:

09-04 New York, NY - Bowery Ballroom
09-05 Philadelphia, PA - TLA
09-06 Baltimore, MD - Fletchers
09-07 Boston, MA - Middle East
09-08 Northampton, MA - Pearl Street
09-10 Montreal, PQ - Cafe Campus
09-11 Toronto, ON - Lee's
09-12 Cleveland, OH - Beachland
09-13 Champaign, IL - High Dive
09-14 Columbia, MO - Blue Note
09-15 Iowa City, IA - Gabe's
09-16 Minneapolis, MN - First Ave.
09-17 Chicago, IL - House Of Blues
09-18 Milwaukee, WI - Globe
09-19 Los Angeles, CA - El Rey
09-20 Los Angeles, CA - Spaceland
09-21 Santa Ana, CA - Koo's
09-22 San Jose, CA - Cactus
09-24 San Francisco, CA - Great American Music Hall
09-26 Eugene, OR - WOW Hall
09-27 Portland, OR - B Complex (Monqui)
09-28 Seattle, WA - TBA
09-29 TBA
09-30 Vancouver, BC - Sonar

.: Pitchfork Review: Cannibal Ox: The Cold Vein
.: Company Flow: http://www.companyflow.com

Michael A. Cavagnaro reports:
Calling all hair fetishists, IDM fiends, and auction aficionados! In one of the more creative scams this side of black market kidney sales, an eBay entrepreneur has placed none other than µ-Ziq headman Mike Paradinas' ponytail up for grabs on the popular auction site. Along with a humorous description tracing the history of IDM ponytails, the item purports to also include a "certificate of authenticity" along with the hair samples. In examination of the picture included with the posting, the hair looks just nasty enough to be legitimate, but Lord only knows.

Some poor saps have already pledged nearly $80.00 for the item, which raises several questions, not the least of which is what the hell they plan to do with it if and when they actually receive it. Word on the street is that famously bald electro-musician Moby is willing to pay a pretty penny for the thing.

.: Ponytail: http://ebay.com

Michael A. Cavagnaro reports:
Arizona desert-rockers Reubens Accomplice are heading out on an East Coast tour from late August to early October. Fans of Calexico and Wilco who can also enjoy the rollicking fun of Archers of Loaf will apparently find their ears tickled by this group, which will soon release their debut album, I Blame the Scenery, on Better Looking Records. Joining them on tour in September will be Hey Mercedes and Jimmy Eat World. We love both those bands! Dates:

08-27 Denver, CO - 15th Street Tavern
08-28 Kansas City, MO - TBA
08-29 Peoria, IL - 1704 West Ayres
08-30 Lakewood, OH - Blind Lemon
08-31 Providence, RI - TBA
09-01 Boston, MA - Paradise
09-02 Providence, RI - Lupos
09-03 Boston, MA - Bill's Bar
09-04 New York, NY - Irving Plaza
09-05 New York, NY - Bowery Ballroom
09-06 New York, NY - TBA
09-07 Philadelphia, PA - Theatre of Living Arts
09-08 Washington, DC - 9:30 Club
09-10 Cleveland, OH - Agora
09-11 Detroit, MI - St. Andrews Hall
09-12 WI - TBA
09-13 Minneapolis, MN - First Avenue
09-14 Madison, WI - Barrymore Theatre
09-15 Chicago, IL - Metro
09-16 St. Louis, MO - Mississippi Nights
09-17 TBA
09-18 Dallas, TX - Gypsy Ballroom
09-19 New Orleans, LA - TBA
09-20 Dallas, TX - TBA
09-21 Houston, TX - TBA
09-22 Austin, TX - TBA
09-23 El Paso, TX - Wildhare's
10-03 Phoenix, AZ - Modified
10-04 San Diego, CA - TBA
10-05 Los Angeles, CA - UCLA Cooperage
10-06 Tijuana, Mexico - TBA
10-07 San Diego, CA - The Casbah (CD Release Show)

.: Slowdance Records: http://www.slowdance.com/