K-OS – I Wish I Knew Natalie Portman

trevor — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 18:32:36 +0000

MTV just added K-OS’s new video for “I Wish I Knew Natalie Portman“. Hot girls, fast cars, police chases, Saukrates, a VJ cameo and K-OS’s unmistakably cool hip-hop rhymes – what more do you need to convert the masses! We just released Kheaven’s opus Yes! in the US. Although initially it’s only available digitally, we are putting the puzzle pieces together and will release the physical CD and vinyl February 23rd in the US. With the help of friends Ren, Leigh and everyone at ADA and Shock, Europe and Australia will follow in early 2010. Yes! will mark the first truly global release for Last Gang, thanks to newly minted distribution deals and the enlistment of staff in the UK and Europe. We are proud to walk the line with Kheaven and help to introduce such an incredible Canadian talent to music fans around the world. 2010 will be epic!

Check out the video here.

….And thanks to our friend Rick Campanelli, check out Natalie’s reaction………

Crystal Castles – NME Albums of the Decade

trevor — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 18:02:39 +0000

Britain’s NME mag has highlighted beloved Ethan and Alice’s debut “Crystal Castles” among the Top 50 Albums of the Decade. Very cool. NME has been a huge supporter of the group and we are proud that their brilliant record is continuing to inspire people (critics and fans alike). Wait till you hear the new stuff!…..

Check out the full story here.

Presidential Pontification: March

trevor — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 19:42:33 +0000

There has been a lot of discussion of the long tail artist over the past few years. It is a concept brought to attention by Chris Anderson’s book, “The Long Tail: Why the Future of Business Is Selling Less of More”. The Long Tail artist is typically a catalogue or niche artist in a hard to find record bin. At Last Gang we are focusing on a new type of act: the Torso Artist. The Torso artist doesn’t fit absolutely in the niche world of long tail acts. They aren’t wood flute purists from India or yodelers from the Swiss Alps or long out of print folk artists who sell 10 albums a year; Torso Artists don’t exist on the outer fringes of a digital aggregators’ collection, they are more important and substantial than that. They may not reach the sales heights of lofty major recording artists, but they cultivate a dedicated and eager fanbase that sustains a current career and also feeds a record label’s bottom line. Sign enough of these Torso Artists and you build yourself a formidable base. Sign enough of these acts and you might change the world in some small way.

Fuck we’ve done a good job at this.

Someone should give us an award.

Your President

_________

We’ve been building the foundation of Last Gang with Torso Artists since Day 1. This month we welcome Magneta Lane and Montreal’s, Mothers Fathers. Their new albums (to be released in the months ahead) continue the legacy of Last Gang as a home of exceptionally inspiring artistry that will make an impact around the globe and put food on the table.

We are also proud to announce the coming out party for our distributed labels division – Last Gang Labels – as we celebrate freshly minted deals with Nelly Furtado’s new label “Nelstar Music”- she’s awesome and so is her group. We will release Nelly’s favorite new band, Fritz Helder & The Phantoms very soon in North America (and some other places too). Go to their website NOW and marvel at THE most spectacular package we have ever been affiliated with. Moda Cinque any one?

Montreal massive and beyond welcome Tremendous Recordings to our distributed labels roster. Jesper, Peter and the Team Canada DJ guys are like proud parents bringing birth to The Wong Boys on this side of the pond. In partnership with Tremendous, we just released their debut EP “Get Ur Fuk On” through, Beatport, iTunes and other fine digital shops. Stayed tuned for a Team Canada DJ’s album in ’09 full of original tracks.

Finally, but not least at all, Tiga’s Turbo Recordings have entered into a longer term deal with us as a distributed label partner. Together, we are working to bring you a retrospective compilation called OMNIDANCE, featuring music from Chromeo, Boys Noize, Zyntherius, Moby and more, as well as a new record from Proxy and the long-awaited new album from Tiga – all in 2009. Tiga’s record, “Ciao!” is destined to be one of the Best Dance Albums of the Year. See you at the 2010 Grammy Awards.

Terry Lynn has a smokin’ new video for her song “Kingstonlogic”. We actually had to take out some of the smoking for the MTV version, but you can see the street edit right here – debuted through our good friends at Discobelle. There are so many exciting things going on for this young woman right now. On the tail end of Mr. Marley’s 60^th birthday, it’s time a new leader rose from Jamaica and the Caribbean to speak the truth and change the world. Phree dem!

Mother Mother has a new video for, “Body of Years” – currently in rotation at Much. They are on tour with Sam Roberts and play our SXSW parties March 18^th and 19^th. Please join us in welcoming a fabulous new member to the band, Jasmin Parkin. Best wishes to Debra Jean (xo).

MSTRKRFT hits the streets this month (Mar. 17^th digital / Mar. 24^th physical – Canada). Check out their video for “Bounce” – currently spinning for the third straight week through MTV’s Subterranean. Catch them with their bottle of Crown on their private jet with briefcases full of cash touring like the rock stars they are. You see? Last Gang makes you rich.

Speaking of rich….and beating like a hammer, Metric are rich with airplay up here in Canada, currently with a #1 song at Alternative Radio. After many years in the making, we are so happy to finally be bringing this record to you all. The digital album releases March 31^st globally through an exclusive partnership with iTunes; physical follows April 7^th in Canada and April 14^th in the US and internationally. Check www.ilovemetric.com for the latest details. Topspin has stepped up to provide next level distribution support for those of you that would like to pre-order the album today. Check www.lastgangrecords.com for more info on special appearances and spring/summer tour dates.

Crystal Castles are signing on for every major North American festival known to mankind. If you didn’t witness them last year when we were crying wolf about the group, now is your chance. Have you checked out their new Toshiba commercial and the “Making of” vid?

Speaking of gentlemen, AC Newman has a new album out – Get Guilty – that Paste Magazine called a “Baroque-Pop Gem”. AC recently recorded a live set at the Apple store in Montreal which we are excited to release for you very soon. He and his all-star band recently swept through Toronto for Canada Music Week and are now back touring the US through the end of March.

Speaking of gentlepersons, we just love Lindi Ortega…. and she loves us. She is on our management roster and signed to Cherrytree/Interscope around the world. She’s making the trip with us to Austin and will be on our Wednesday night showcase at Habana Calle 6. Hope to see you there for all of it!

Finally, but certainly not least at all, we are very honored to have esteemed rocker/visual artist/filmmaker Melissa Auf Der Maur (aka MAdM) joining us in Austin as part of the extended Last Gang family. We are very excited to be working with Mellissa and to be playing a part in sharing her musical and artistic vision with the world. Melissa is playing four shows in Austin, including the “M for Montreal” party at El Sol y Luna on Friday @ 12AM (Mar. 20) – check our listing for full details. Have you seen her film “OOOM” yet?…..it recently screened at Sundance – watch for more info here.

Last Gang Entertainment » 2009

K-OS – I Wish I Knew Natalie Portman

Crystal Castles – NME Albums of the Decade

Presidential Pontification: March