Jens Lekman and Marla Hansen!

Seriously people... MY TWO FAVORITE MUSICIANS EVER WILL BE TOURING THE WORLD TOGETHER THIS SPRING. I apologize for the all caps, which no one likes, but I think I almost peed my pants with excitement and I just really needed to articulate just how excited I am. Jens has a knack for selecting super talented bands to tour with him (see: Frida Hyvonen, Beirut, Hello Saferide, etc.) and I'm just so very glad that he saw what we at the 'Hive saw in Marla.

Dates:

02-14 Istanbul, Turkey - Babylon
02-15 Copenhagen, Denmark - Vega
02-16 Berlin, Germany - Lido
02-18 Turin, Italy - El Barrio
02-19 Ravenna, Italy - Teatro Rasi
02-20 Geneva, Switzerland - PTR-Usine
02-21 St. Gallen, Switzerland - Palace
02-22 Florence, Italy - Viper Club
02-23 Munich, Germany - Atomic Café
02-24 Frankfurt, Germany - Mousonturm
02-25 Nijmegen, Netherlands - Doornroosje
02-26 Amsterdam, Netherlands - Paradiso
02-27 Paris, France - Nouveau Casino
02-28 Brussels, Belgium - AB Club
02-29 Antwerp, Belgium - Trix
03-01 Cologne, Germany - Gebäude 9
03-02 Hamburg, Germany - Molotow
03-13 Austin, TX - Mohawk (Secretly Canadian SXSW showcase)
03-14 Dallas, TX - Granada
03-21 Los Angeles, CA - Henry Fonda Theater
03-22 San Francisco, CA - Bimbo's 365 Club
03-23 San Francisco, CA - Bottom of the Hill
03-24 Portland, OR - Berbati's Pan
03-25 Seattle, WA - Neumos Crystal Ball Reading Room
03-29 Milwaukee, WI - Pabst Theater
03-30 Madison, WI - Music Hall
03-31 Chicago, IL - Logan Square
04-01 Columbus, OH - Wexner Center for the Arts
04-02 Washington, DC - Black Cat
04-04 Boston, MA - Paradise
04-05 New York, NY - Webster Hall (!!!!! YAY !!!!!)
05-09-11 Rye, England - Camber Sand Holiday Centre (ATP vs. Pitchfork) *
05-16-18 Minehead, England - Butlin's Holiday Centre (Explosions in the Sky ATP)

Biirdie Takes Flight

Since Sam dropped Biirdie knowledge back in September the band is about ready to fly from their nest (I hope they're ready for the flock of bird puns they're gonna get hit with—why do critcs, writers, journalists, et al. frequently rely on such sophomoric puns?? What can't I help myself?? AAAAGGGHH!!) and drop their debut album, Catherine Avenue from lofty heights on January 22nd. Here's a new MP3 from the album, along with a link to their recent performance on KCRW, and another MP3 courtesy of Spin.com.

Estelle [MP3, 8.1MB, 192kbps]
Biirdie on Spin.com
Biirdie on KCRW.com

Daft Punk Giveaway

I don't expect Daft Punk to start dropping freebie MP3s anytime soon, but they are kind enough to give a lucky 3hive reader a copy of their new live album, Alive, along with a limited edition poster. If you were otherwise occupied on July 14th of last year and missed out the French duo's first hometown show in 10 years, then you may be very interested to get a taste of what 18,000 sweaty, Daft Punk fans were bumping to.

Email your mailing address to suggestionbox [at] 3hive [dot] com by midnight Sunday (1/13/08) if you'd like to get your hands on the goods. We'll draw one random email as the winner.

For more Daft Punk than you can shake a glow stick at, hit these:
Buy from iTunes
daftpunk.com
daftalive.com
myspace.com/daftpunk
youtube.com/daftpunkalive

Getting Hitched? Check This:

Do you know any gentlemen who are engaged to be married? If yes, let me turn your attention to a gift that will keep on giving. THE GROOM'S INSTRUCTION MANUAL: How to Survive and Possibly Even Enjoy the Most Bewildering Ceremony Known to Man by 3hive's own Shandon Fowler.

Now, I have yet to read the book (I didn't even know Shan was working on it—the sly devil) so I can't give it a proper review, but his publisher, Quirk Books, calls The Groom's Instruction Manual "an irreverent guide to everything guys need to know about:

* Getting Engaged (popping the question, finding a ring)
* Wedding Planning (choosing a location, drafting a guest list)
* The Big Day (rehearsal dinner, toasts, what to do if you start crying)
* Post-Wedding (honeymooning, thank-you notes, newlywedding)"

I cried at my wedding. It would've been nice to have Shan throw a few pointers my way, back when. Congrats on the book Shan!