Things got political at The Yard this year. Thanks to everyone who came out and got super weird. Relive it all in our 90 second recap video below!

And if you want to see some raw, uncut B-roll from the final song of the final performance of the week, where Andy Frasco & the U.N. covered Killin In the Name of, then click here. Video Credit: Bandon Bogajewicz / Vinyl Moon

The Yard | March 16-18 2016
Pictured: Andy Frasco & The U.N.
Credit: George Grogan

and peep the California Girls video here…

The Nashville, TN by way of South Africa four-man band’s video for “Holy Dove” hit this week, premiering on the indie-prestigious pages of Nylon. Directed by Daniel Gomes, a long-haired dancer moves fluidly and unassumingly in parallel to the band through the dark, deep and dank tunnels of a subway platform to the LACMA’s Urban Light installation. Of the story’s plot and theme, Civil Twilight notes, “’Holy Dove’ is that of seeing things from a completely unique perspective and seeing something that few others see. You may look crazy, but are you really? In this video, we are playing around with the idea of being possessed by freedom and being unafraid to express it in the world. It is not safe or popular or common, but it is liberating.”

Civil Twilight’s latest album, Story of An Immigrant, hits July 10th, and you know I’ve been doodling Steve’s name all over my notebook in anticipation.

They’ll be LIVE across our river at Bowery Ballroom July 22nd — come join for a night of whiskey drinks and dancing, and witness me falling deeper in love with the group’s intellectual and delicate rock — I’ll be the one in the front row, unable to wipe a stupid smile from my face. Full tour schedule after you press play.

July 12 at Radio 104.5 Block Party (with Nate Ruess and MS. MR.) in Philadelphia, PA
July 16 at 3rd & Lindsley in Nashville, TN
July 21 at Jammin Java in Vienna, VA
July 22 at Bowery Ballroom in New York, NY
July 23 at LC Pavilion (with Cake, Matt & Kim, Bear Hands, and more) in Columbus, OH
July 24 at Upstate Concert Hall (with The Gaslight Antehm, Cake, Airborne Toxic Event, and more) in Clifton Park, NY
July 25 at Canalside Buffalo with WLKK (with Cold War Kids) in Buffalo, NY
July 27 at Rivoli (with Delta Rae) in Toronto, ON
July 28 at Grog Shop in Cleveland, OH
July 31 at Turf Club in Minneapolis, MN
August 1 at Shank Hall in Milwaukee, WI
August 3 at Slowdown (with Lord Huron) in Omaha, NE
August 6 at Black Sheep in Colorado Springs, CO
August 7 at Larimer Lounge in Denver, CO

If you’re immersed within the world of electro-pop music, it’s likely that ASTR is a household name. As long time fans of the NYC-based duo, which is comprised of female vocalist Zoe Silverman and producer Adam Pallin, we are thrilled to share the video for their latest single “Activate Me.” 

With a knack for mixing genres, ASTR’s sound falls on a unique spectrum of pop-inspired R&B with a taste of electronic, indie alternative. “Activate Me” is a dark dance track inspired by 90s house music. ASTR explains:

“‘Activate Me’ is definitely a different sound for us, something heavily inspired by New York’s legacy when it was the center of house music in the 90s. It’s moody and dark like some of our older songs but with a more upbeat and dance twist.”

Steering away from shimmery pop, “Activate Me” is filled with ASTR’s signature bright synths and bouncy beats, creating an immediate dance club anthem.

So turn up the volume, dance away with Zoe and her killer dance moves, and be on the lookout for their sophomore EP, Homecoming.

Tell us about the process of writing and creating Crystal Stills, what inspired you? How did you build upon each other’s strengths to produce this song? 

The process was very natural, and similar to how most of the songs on the ‘Future Protocol’ EP were written. I walked into the studio to hear a beat Theo began, there was a steady drum groove and piano undertone. I sat in for a while listening and eventually started singing the main melody for the verses. From there, we built the infrastructure for the whole piece and shortly after roped in the full band to track their instruments.

The lyrics indicate a potential heart break, do the healing powers of crystals play a role in the poetic license? 

You could say so, I believe that was the creative interpretation our animator derived from the lyrics. We gave her a lot of space in regards to the visuals save for the very apparent hand our manager, Mr. Michael Delle Donne, played. Both Abi and Mike bounced several ideas off each other throughout the story-boarding process.

Is there anything else in particular you want me to highlight?

We have a Residency in July at the famous Pianos, in NYC. We will be playing every Thursday of the month. We could not be more excited about it, as we are also officially moving into the area! Trey Schibli and Theo Klein

Don’t be surprised if you catch ’em in the streets before you catch ’em on a stage. I hear now that the city has turned to Spring, these guys are out to play — literally:

April 29th: The Living Room, BK [10pm]
May 2nd: The Elbow Room, Chicago
May 23rd: The Knitting Factory, BK [11pm]