"Music like this is rare. It addresses us kindly, directly, without pretense or irony. It is not cool or hip or self-contained. It is unabashedly vulnerable, open to encounter. It's not often anymore that you hear the music of young people. Not just young people, but anyone who is still engaged in becoming who they are. Ortolan includes us in the family, encouraging us to grow along with them..." -Dan Zimmerman

We're VERY excited to let you know about the debut full-length from our favorite wonder-quartet from South Jersey, Ortolan!

Take a listen to the fantastic single, "Sticky Situation", and then click on the album cover below to order your copy.

ORTOLAN VIDEO!

Our dear friend Marc Brodzik of Woodshop Films, spent an afternoon with Ortolan baking cookies.  The result was this incredibly charming video.  See below:

SEE ORTOLAN LIVE!!

As you may have noticed from the last few posts, this March, a whole lotta touring will be going on. Ortolan will be hitting the road with Ben + Vesper and Danielson. All (updated) tour dates are as follows:

If you would like to join our street teams and help spread the word, just click on the image below to download and print. Post as many posters as your city will allow--and then some!  The artwork (by Ben) is already formatted to fit on 8.5" x 11" paper, so you should be good to print right out of the gate.

Spread the news, everyone! Bring a friend! Bring three!

We'll see you all very soon!

February 9th is also just a few days from Valentine's Day, and in eager anticipation of that holiday for honeys, eMusic has compiled a list of "first musical crushes" from some of indie-music's leading lights. Make sure to visit eMusic tomorrow to find out the lovely scoop from B+V, Dan Zimmerman, and others.

ALSO...

Sounds Familyre is now offering A Bundle of LUV. Get all three Ben + Vesper records (one for 'L', one for 'U', and one for 'V'), for only 22 smackers! Click here to order!

Of course, if you already have More Questions and All This Could Kill You, you can forgo the bundle and get an individual copy of LuvInIdleness. Take a listen to the title track, and then click on the album cover below to get your copy.

SEE B + V LIVE!!

Don't forget that Ben + Vesper will be hitting the road this March (with Ortolan and Danielson)! All tour dates are as follows:

2010-03-07, Philadelphia, PA - Kung Fu Necktie
2010-03-08, Brooklyn, NY - Knitting Factory
2010-03-10, Baltimore, MD - Ottobar
2010-03-11, Chapel Hill, NC - Local 506
2010-03-12, Athens, GA - 40 Watt
2010-03-13, Orlando, FL - Stardust
2010-03-13, Elkton, FL - Harvest of Hope Festival
2010-03-15, Tallahassee, FL - Club Downunder
2010-03-17, Austin, TX - Beauty Bar (SXSW)
2010-03-18, Austin, TX - SXSW
2010-03-19, Denton, TX - Hailey's
2010-03-20, Memphis, TN - Hi Tone

If you would like to join our street teams and help spread the word, just click on the image below to download and print. Post as many posters as your city will allow--and then some!  The artwork (by Ben) is already formatted to fit on 8.5" x 11" paper, so you should be good to print right out of the gate.

More exciting news coming soon, but in the meantime,

Take good care, good folk.

This record began in Ben + Vesper’s kitchen so many years ago over three bowls of vegetarian chili, a pan of cornbread, filtered water, and an agreeable dinner guest by the name of Sufjan Stevens. The occasion was an invitation to play at a house-concert series that Ben + Vesper hosted in their living room (which resulted in Sufjan’s first live show ever). This unlikely start to Sufjan’s performing career also resulted in an ongoing friendship and musical dialogue that has recently inspired Ben + Vesper to dish out another dollop of ambrosial pop songs titled LuvInIdleness. Here is the new EP that finally brought the dinner party full circle as Sufjan, in turn, invited the Jersey-based couple across state lines, harrowing train connections and two great rivers to record 16 minutes of listening glee.

Take a listen to the title track, and then do yourself and your honey a favor for Valentine's Day and pick up a copy.

Stay tuned for news on the aforementioned new releases--it's gooood music!