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I’m always nervous when a band I love announces their next release; I get anxious, thinking that it could be the best one yet, or the one that loses me. This sense of uncertainty is especially present when it’s an eclectic group like of Montreal, who debuted in ’97 with joyful, 60s obsessed twee pop which quickly evolved into overstuffed psychedelic storytelling (The Gay Parade) before becoming the glam-y, funky, schizophrenic soul-punk of Hissing Fauna… and False Priest.After the solid modern classical experiment that was 2012s Paralytic Stalks, Kevin Barnes (the brains and creative life blood of the band) took […]...

Compiled by Bella Elbaum, Ethan Goodman and Kieran MacIntyreWhat’s better than music And lists? When they come together! Every month the M&C Music staff will make a lists of the music we have been listening to. For February we have a lot of new, old and everything in between!Bella ElbaumOf Montreal – Wraith Pinned to the Mist and Other GamesIf that groovy ass bass line does not entice you from the second you hear it, you don’t deserve your ears. This is an all around happy song, and the first time we are really hearing Kevin Barnes start using more […]...

Gotta love the 80s.

“Ping Pong Summer” is a good tribute movie to those moviegoers who remember growing up in the 80s. It’s about a teenager who spends a summer at the beach in Ocean City in 1985. It combines the tributes of arcade games, young teen love, hip hop and of course—ping pong.

The film has great veteran actors like Susan Sarandon, Lea Thompson, Amy Sedaris and John Hannah. It also features the young actors of Marcello Conte, Myles Massey and Emmi Shockley.

Latino-Review had an extended exclusive phone interview with director Michael Tully. We discussed in significant detail about the production, the actors, the music and the love of the 1980s.

“Ping Pong Summer” is currently in limited release in certain theaters and also available on VOD.

Read the interview below.

Latino-Review: First of all, I want to thank you for doing this type of movie. I...

Kevin Barnes has a gift for producing provocative lyrics that are both arresting and poetic. The Athens-bred of Montreal frontman demonstrates this rare talent well in “Belle Glade Missionaries,” the track the band just released off the forthcoming album lousy with sylvianbriar. The band will release lousy with sylvianbriar, their 12th studio album, on Oct. 8 via Polyvinyl Records. Take a listen to “Belle Glade Missionaries” below. ...

Of Montreal's latest album, lousy with sylvianbriar, is scheduled for release Oct. 8. To commemorate that, frontman Kevin Barnes has gathered a new band to hit the road for the following month, beginning with a show in Barnes’ hometown of Athens, Ga. The Seattle ladies of La Luz will join Of Montreal halfway through the tour and remain until the final show, also in Georgia. No word yet whether Barnes plans to perform naked again, but gratuitous costume changes are all but guaranteed. A full list of dates is below. Of Montreal tour 2013 Oct. 18—Athens, Georgia—40 ...

Of Montreal has announced a new record, its twelfth. lousy with sylvianbriar (all lower case, of course) is due out Oct. 8 via Polyvinyl and promises a return to the group’s more pure and straightforward roots, with no computers used in its recording. Instead, sylvianbriar was recorded mostly live in frontman Kevin Barnes’ home studio, with a number of parts composed on the spot. It’s not exactly a novel idea, but for fans of the band's older stuff, it could be a return to form. Some of the album’s tracks also sound promising: “raindrop in my ...

of Montreal released a track from their rarities collection, Daughter of Cloud, today for download. The track is titled “Feminine Effects,” which appears as the ninth track in the collection. “I wrote the song many years ago, and for a long time I was searching for the right girl to sing the lead vocals,” frontman Kevin Barnes told Rolling Stone. “I tried a bunch of different people before I discovered Rebecca Cash. She helped me realize the old school honky tonk vibe I was envisioning.” You can take a listen to the track right here (Via Rolling Stone). The track...

If you're not already hip to the name Kishi Bashi, it's only a matter of time before you get there. The solo project from indie violinist and master sonic looper Kaoru Ishibashi (who goes by K) has been sending critics into raptures since even before the release of the debut Kishi Bashi album 151A this April. NPR's Stephen Thompson called the Virginia native's “one-man orchestra” of violin, beatboxing and English and Japanese vocals a breakout of South By Southwest. The Washington Post reported at least one woman openly weeping at a Kishi Bashi concert, and Andrew Bird comparisons are already piling on like so many violin loops.

Which is why we’re excited to premiere the first official music video for 151A, for the track “I Am The Antichrist To You.” The stop-motion video has been a long time coming -- Ishibashi originally intended to set it to a track...

Since 2007’s ambitious, masterful Hissing Fauna, Are You The Destroyer?, absorbing an Of Montreal album has become a feat akin to eating Thanksgiving dinner for four—then going out for fusion tacos. There’s a lot to take in. Paralytic Stalks finds frontman Kevin Barnes once again attempting to exorcise his personal demons through a dizzying pop whirlwind. It’s a further refinement of his defiantly complex sound, which this time reconciles the naiveté of his ’60s psych-pop roots with his recent post-Prince sex jams. The hi-fi sonic retrofitting that producer Jon Brion gave False Priest extends here, though ...

of Montreal have prepped their eighth album in 10 years, "Paralytic Stalks," and now a month out from its release have another taste from the set. "Dour Percentage" is at least 50 percent Steely Dan, though the band has never shied away from those 7ths and 9ths and unabashed '70s pop sound. Kevin Barnes' bouncy voice remains strong as always. Stream and download of Montreal's "Dour Percentage" below. You can also check out "Wintered Debts" on the band's website. "Stalks" will be out on Feb. 7 through Polyvinyl, and for you supernerds, 500 cassettes through Joyful Noise/Polyvinyl will also be available. Below...

Congrats to Lucas Malvacini, who is the new Mister Brazil.

Lawmakers could move on the Ugandan "Kill The Gays" bill at any time, and allout.org asks that you sign and share this petition demanding that Ugandan President Museveni publicly vow to veto it. Brett Berk talks to Glee star Josh Sussman about his character Jacob's awesomely bewildering hair, and what male character Jacob would take to the prom. EW.com asks the question, "'The Voice has openly gay singers: Where are they on American Idol?" Below you can see The Daily Show's Jason Jones with an in-depth report on why Minneapolis has surpassed San Francisco as "the gayest city in America."

On May 12th, photographer Ukmcbo will release The Men of Gaga, a project that interprets Lady Gaga songs using male images. You can see a better explanation below from the artist himself.

His documentary Becoming Chaz debuts on Own tonight,...

For more than 10 years, Kevin Barnes has labored alone at molding Of Montreal’s kaleidoscopic recorded vision. This arrangement has its benefits—Hissing Fauna, Are You The Destroyer? would lack a crucial element of claustrophobia if it had been recorded in a proper studio—but it also meant there was no one around to rein in the wilder digressions of 2008’s Skeletal Lamping. Enter cult producer/film composer Jon Brion, who expands False Priest into a widescreen affair of freaky, funky psychedelia by splashing lively strings and synthesizer textures across Barnes’ songs, while also giving them a fat ...

Of Montreal's music video for their single "Coquet Coquette" has made its way out for fans viewing pleasure. Directed by Jason Miller, the clip features a bunch of people who get cannibal and violent as they are fighting each other in a barbarian battle.

Explaining about the bloody video, Kevin Barnes said as quoted by Idolator, "[It was] inspired retroactively by M.Houellebecq, and certain unauthorized visions of the daughter of Cloud." He added, "This short film is, in part, an attempt to animate the profoundly sagacious quote of WvB."

The lead singer of the band further said, "Nature does not know extinction; all it knows is transformation. .. and the shared consciousness dream we had concerning the inherent savagery of choosing sides."

"Coquet Coquette" is lifted from Of Montreal's new studio project "False Priest" which is expected to arrive in United States on September 14.

Of Montreal's "Coquet Coquette" music...

A coquette is a woman who desires mens' affections without having to surrender any true intentions. of Montreal's "Coquet Coquette" is a music video that seemingly has nothing to do with coquettes. However, it is a good excuse to feature ritual violence, loincloths and cannibalism. (And,perhaps, a very brief peek of Les Savy Fav's Tim Harrington, but that's probably just my eyes playing tricks on me.) Frontman Kevin Barnes makes a cameo himself, as a sort of survivor of the slaughter. I'm not sure if this tale is based on a historical incident -- of an island of mostly white people...

Of Montreal is prepping the release of something like its 12th album "False Priest," and has unleashed at least two tracks for advanced listening. "Hydra Fancies," the latest of these, will be featured on lit magazine The Believer's song compilation disc as part of its music issue, streaming below. A slightly alterered version will appear on "False Priest," due Sept. 14. The track is on the less-flouncy side of Kevin Barnes and Co.'s output, though still with the signature synth slurs and doubled vocals. The first available (free!) single, "Coquet Coquette," has a more jammy, adrenaline rush to it, much more...

Janelle Monae and Of Montreal like each other. They're both like the kids that get most freaky at the party, when all bets are off post-3 a.m. The two acts have collaborated with each other a few times on stage, last year's Lollapalooza not being the least of these. Musically, they have a lot to lend each other and stylistically, they're a lot to look at. Here, on "Make the Bus," though, its more like Monae is under the bus and the bouncy-ball vocals of Kevin Barnes and the warped outerspace sound of the band completely dominate. Strange, considering it's technically...

Actress Susan Sarandon stunned fans of rockers Of Montreal at a concert in New York on Tuesday night, January 26, by spanking a man dressed up as a pig onstage. The Oscar winner strided out from the wings at the Highline Ballroom gig, bent a masked man over her knee and started pretending to beat him with a ruler.

Sarandon said nothing but wagged her finger at fans before walking off. She appeared again later in the show and showered the audience with multi-colored streamers, according to RoillingStone.

The actress wasn't the only special guest at the show - Solange Knowles, who appears on Of Montreal's new album, also took to the stage to perform a rendition of Jackson Five's "I Want You Back" with frontman Kevin Barnes.

Actress Susan Sarandon stunned fans of rockers Of Montreal at a concert in New York on Tuesday night by spanking a man dressed up as a pig onstage.

The Oscar winner strided out from the wings at the Highline Ballroom gig, bent a masked man over her knee and started pretending to beat him with a ruler.

Sarandon said nothing but wagged her finger at fans before walking off.

She appeared again later in the show and showered the audience with multi-coloured streamers, according to RoillingStone.com.

The actress wasn't the only special guest at the show - Solange Knowles, who appears on Of Montreal's new album, also took to the stage to perform a rendition of The Jackson 5's I Want You Back with frontman Kevin Barnes.

[Photo by Rob Inderrieden] Last year, Solange Knowles, sister of that little-known pop singer of the same last name, got the ball rolling on a collaboration between Of Montreal’s Kevin Barnes and his would-be PartyDrug. Solange, with a Soul Train Award nomination for Best New Artist last year, is a quite a singer herself, and she joined Of Montreal last night at the Highline Ballroom in New York for a cover of the Jackson 5’s “I Want You Back.” Check it out:...

We live in strange and wonderful times, these, when a former Paste cover artist (in this case, the now-bearded Of Montreal frontman Kevin Barnes) can sit at his piano with a video camera, work on a song fragment (“Enemy Gene”) and share it immediately with his fans via Twitter (“Working on something new. ”http://tinyurl.com/yb24n2j">http://tinyurl.com/yb24n2j“). It’s a lovely tune and interesting glimpse into what Barnes is up to musically these days, other than a ”http://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2009/12/kevin-barnes-working-on-song-for-b-beyonce-that-is.html">song for Beyonce. We haven’t heard “He’sMyPartyDrug” yet, but we imagine it sounds nothing like this:...

Solange has reportedly recorded a song with Of Montreal. The 'Sancastle Disco' singer, who is the younger sister of Beyoncé, contributed a track to the Us rock group's upcoming new album. According to reports, the five-piece also expressed their desire to work with Beyoncé after she was introduced to them by Solange. Meanwhile, the band's singer Kevin Barnes revealed that the album will either be called False Priest or The Controller Sphere and is scheduled (more)...

Are you in search of a way to build up your hipster cred? Are you too broke to afford any kind of musical festival tickets because you spent a fourth of your paycheck on the latest Ray-Ban Wayfarer Squares, or that pair of nylon tricot high-waist leggings in light copper? (After all, there is always a time and place to channel our inner Kevin Barnes. Always.)...

Will Roan of Amazing Baby performs onstage during the 2009 Lollapalooza Music Festival at Grant Park on August 7, 2009 in Chicago.

You may be thinking "did we flashback fiffteen years? Lollapalooza?" Actually, one of the great pop culture touchstones of the 90's was revived a few years ago, and plays at Grant Park in Chicago for two days every August (and just signed a deal with the city to keep it there through 2018). If nothing else, it's a chance to catch some hot new upcoming alternative bands like ... Depeche Mode.

Seriously though, take a look at this year's festival, and enjoy the fashion, and talent, and ... unique looks.

Krispy Kream and Rah Al Millio of The Knux

Andrew Bird poses backstage after his performance Robin Pecknold of Fleet Foxes

Kevin Barnes, Dottie Alexander, Jamey Huggins, and Bryan Poole of the band Of Montreal

Janelle Monae

Perry Farrell and LeeAnn Rimes  

Becky Stark...

French pop group gets edgy

The title of Phoenix’s latest album obviously references composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, and the song title “Lisztomania” describes the old-school Beatlemania that surrounded 19th-century Hungarian composer and pianist Franz Liszt. But don’t judge this record by its name—the Parisian pop group’s music is decidedly un-classical. Following up 2006's It's Never Been Like That, Phoenix has veered ever so slightly from catchy to chaotic, and it works. Thomas Mars sings with the urgency of Of Montreal’s Kevin Barnes, and his band plays with a Killers-like accessibility. The mostly uptempo Wolfgang slows down midway with instrumental “Love Like A Sunset Part I,” which is half mood-setter, half mood-killer—its climax isn’t so climactic. The album's lyrics don’t always make sense (still pondering this one from “Lisztomania”: “Romantic not disgusting yet / Darling I’m down and lonely / When with the...

Kevin Barnes has explained that MP3s purporting to be demos by Blikk Fang are actually fakes. The Of Montreal frontman, who established Blikk Fang as a side project with Mgmt's Andrew Van Wyngarden, told BBC 6music that the tracks are old demos that the pair recorded individually. He said: "It's total garbage, it's a total lie, those songs aren't even Blikk Fang songs. The one song is a Misfits cover that I did as a B-side four years (more)...

Last year, Of Montreal's Kevin Barnes unleashed Skeletal Lamping, an overlong, often indigestible brick of sexual and musical panic, with Barnes (as "Georgie Fruit") spinning out horny fantasies over spazzy musical threads whiplashing against each other with Girl Talk-like rapidity. The Jon Brion Remix Ep is just two Lamping songs in five different versions (some of which, as the title suggests, have been reworked by producer-composer Jon Brion), but it's much more productive overall. The main item of business is "An Eluardian Instance." Brion's "reconstructionist remix" of the song (now renamed "First Time High") blisses out on ...

[Above: Detail of illustrated tote bag by Nina Barnes' Gemini Tactics for Of Montreal's limited-edition Skeletal Lamping swag.]

Of Montreal frontman (and Paste's November 2008 cover subject) Kevin Barnes and his wife Nina have been through a lot together since they met at a music festival in Oslo, Norway in 2001: A few amazing nights in Europe, months of long-distance email correspondence, flights across the Atlantic, a tour, plenty of musical and artistic collaboration, a wedding, a child, struggling to pay the bills, a painful breakup and a joyful reunion. In this exclusive Paste interview, Nina Barnes sheds some light on her husband and his work, and tells her side of the Of Montreal story.

Kevin Barnes is responsible for the music of Of Montreal, but his brother, visual artist David Barnes is a major factor in the band's aesthetic concept. David has worked on everything from T-shirts and posters to the band’s mind-boggling stage show and trippy album art, including the groundbreaking packaging for Of Montreal’s latest release, Skeletal Lamping (pictured above). While working on our November cover story, Paste associate editor Steve Labate sat down with David for some insight into his work and relationship with his brother.

After toiling in relative obscurity for nearly a decade, Kevin Barnes’ constantly mutating indie-pop project Of Montreal is finally poised to breach the mainstream. On new album Skeletal Lamping, Barnes navigates a choppy sea of sexuality while shining a spotlight on the strange beasts and angels lurking just beneath his soul’s surface.

As the early-March sun sets on the Langerado Music Festival, a ninja and a half-dozen masked, body-suited drones—all brandishing heads impaled on spears—dance in ecstatic mystery across the stage, the menacing pulse of “The Past is a Grotesque Animal” undulating over the dusk-lit swamps of Florida’s Everglades. In a grand climax to this bizarre ritual taking place on the Big Cypress Seminole reservation, Of Montreal frontman Kevin Barnes emerges from a coffin almost entirely naked—albeit covered head-to-toe in shaving cream—and steps to the mic to finish the set’s final song.

-- always a sense of a language that you don't quite know, like Of Montreal leader follows break-through with less-danceable kaleidoscope of freakideakiness; declares self black she-male

A consciousness set to shuffle, of Montreal’s Skeletal Lamping pours in wave after wave of sudden layered harmonies, disco-McCartney basslines, glammy confessions and impenetrable twin-talk too intense to characterize any one song as any one thing. “I’m just a black she-male, and I don’t know what you people are all about,” mastermind Kevin Barnes frets on “Wicked Wisdom.” Though far from hookless, Skeletal Lamping dispenses with the easy choruses of last year’s Hissing Fauna, Are You the Destroyer? in favor of overload and come-ons like “you’re the only one with whom I’d role-play Oedipus Rex.” Barnes experiments ruthlessly, usually via the short-attention span jumps that characterized his pre-liberation work. Amid its admirably complex compositional compressions, Skeletal Lamping feels like a triple-lp sprawler,...

As the title suggests, Of Montreal's latest finds Kevin Barnes shining a light on the skeletons in his closet, and as expected, they come out to dance all over Skeletal Lamping. There's the inner queer, the outward straight, the hopeless romantic, and the backward bondage freak, along with Barnes' heretofore closeted white rapper, as well as alter ego Georgie Fruit, a fortysomething transsexual black soul singer. Much will be made of this album's overt sexuality (filled with lines like, "Lover-face, I want to make you ejaculate until it's no longer fun"), but the subject matter isn't surprising, especially after Mr. Fruit let the banana out of the basket in Las Vegas last year. What's truly at stake here is identity. Last time, Barnes documented his mental breakdown; in Lamping, he pours his mixed-up marbles onto the table to take stock. Naturally, the music is tailor-made for such insanity....