Holy blue Marcus picture Batman!

This has to be new, right? If not, well, I’m not sure I can be friends with you anymore since y’all didn’t send it to me. I feel like my life as a Marcus fangirl has been divided in 2… pre-blue picture and post-blue picture. Gah.

So, where did this come from? Well, the people over at For Folk’s Sake rolled 10 questions past Marcus and this pretty little thing was attached.

Let’s talk about the MOST important thing from the article, at least in all the U.S. fans opinions.

We’re doing a stack of dates in April around UK. We’re playing loads of festivals and then hopefully head back to U.S. later in the year.

U.S. tour? Yes please!! It’s been a long time baby. A very long time. I need uninitiated hugs and short pants back in my life STAT!

And if you are wondering, I am totally ignoring the question on that certain movie and U.S. fans, cause honestly, I think that’s one of those answers that just comes out all wrong. I get what he’s trying to say, but some will probs take offense when really, he’s right. There. I said it.

Go and read the whole interview over at For Folk’s Sake. I love all the good press coming out as of late about Marcus and it can only get BETTER as we get closer to the full album release date (rumored for June 13). I should add this, to Marcus or any of the Team Foster peeps, LiLi and I would be happy to review said album before it comes out. Just sayin’.

And don’t forget y’all…. Tumble Down EP is OUT! If you haven’t ordered your copy yet, well, we are going to shame you. SHAME!!!

Here are the links to get on it:

• Download on iTunes (UK)
• Purchase the CD on Amazon (UK), Amazon (US) or Roughtrade
• Purchase the vinyl on Roughtrade

And please join me in laughter as we see Marcus is wearing THE SAME shirt while riding in the tour van today!

Thanks to XMAAS for this gem! Srsly adorbs that boy is!

HAPPY MARCUS FOSTER EP DAY!!!

or as those of us in the states may like to refer to it….

HAPPY  ’MY MARCUS FOSTER EP WAS PUT ON A BOAT TO CROSS THE OCEAN AND HOPEFULLY GET HERE IN AN EXTREMELY TIMELY MANNER OR ELSE I WILL CRY’ DAY!!

Oh, you lucky peeps in the UK. Not only does Marcus do like a bazillion and one shows over there, but now you get the EP to experience at least a week (maybe longer) then the rest of us. BOO on you!

Feel free to rub it in though. I would if it were me.

All I can hope for is that LiLi and my EP’s are traveling together, holding hands and enjoying the trip across the pond which I have not been lucky enough to take. Yes, I am jealous of a vinyl album. I hope I can still smell the sea on it when it arrives to my landlocked home in the middle (literally) of the United States.

UK peeps…. you MUST tell us what you think. Now. In the comments. Go. Now. ———————->

US peeps…. go and grieve with me about the fact that your EP is not here right now.

And if you HAVEN’T ordered your EP yet? First, picture a stern, Serious Sam face from LiLi and I.

Next, you better get on it. We don’t want our faces sticking like this.

From Rough Trade:

10″ vinyl - http://www.roughtrade.com/site/shop_detail.lasso?search_type=sku&sku=336742

CD - http://www.roughtrade.com/site/shop_detail.lasso?search_type=sku&sku=337877

From Amazon:

US (released on 4/12) - http://www.amazon.com/Tumble-Down-P-Marcus-Foster/dp/B004OR10EU/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1301930617&sr=1-1

UK - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Tumble-Down-Marcus-Foster/dp/B004OR10EU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1301930664&sr=8-1

From iTunes (UK only):

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Tumble-Down-Marcus-Foster/dp/B004OR10EU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1301930664&sr=8-1

February Mixtape by i-D

Source Via MattStayLoose

But no worries if you are still trying to remember everything that happened in the world of Marcus. I have decided to dedicate this week’s fangirl report to all of goings on of Marcus cause the boy was on FIRE this week!

Enjoy!

get yo tickets!:

Live at Leeds 2011 —  April 29- May 1 — Marcus Foster

NME Shockwave Music Awards w. Mumford & Sons and Marcus Foster — SOLD OUT

from the blogs:

Timber and Steel – Spotlight On: Marcus Foster

Stay Loose Digital Group - Marcus Foster // Exclusive free download and in-the-studio teaser documentary

from the wide world of Twitter:

TONS of new videos (including the teaser doc):

Same song… different angle.

Vids courtesy of CommunionRecords, kyndldestroyer and katieh101 aka MadAboutVampires.

great pics to frame and love forever:

Screencaps from doc vid courtesy of @BobbyMarcus_ita

Pic courtesy of @joelfarland

free tunes to download:

I Don’t Mind – Marcus Foster

Tumble Down – Marcus Foster

I think I got it all… Did we miss anything? Tweet us and let us know! Or better yet, shoot us an email. And remember, if you are at ANY of these shows and caught some amazing pics, great video or just have a really good story to tell, please let us know! We love to share!

Of course, we were walking on air for you! I mean, I literally squeed out loud and did a happy dance. So then, yesterday, Chris Maas (XMAAS on the Twitter) tweeted this:

LiLi was excited. I said WTF. Because back in June, you tweeted this:

Now, here is my question… is the new EP still coming? Or are you ::gasp:: starting over since you got the record deal? Cause let me tell you, I’ve been eagerly awaiting this EP and I don’t know how much longer I can wait.

Since it’s what we do, LiLi and I had a little chat about this. Here is my reaction, in real time:

So there. See what you are driving me to Marcus? Not only am I thinking about pulling out Harold & Kumar this weekend, watching, laughing, and then being all sad panda about not having a White Castle near me, but I’m also getting impatient and am THIS close to pulling the emergency handle.

Give us a little update. Do it for Sam, cause trust. He does not want to be on the receiving end of that awkward DM.

P.S. I just saw and rememebered I mean to ask you about this tweet:

Srsly. Dude. I will blow your ass out of the water on Words with Friends. I am this close to just searching for MarcusFoster1 and starting with this battle royale of word play. Oh, and don’t cheat and use your English words on me. I only can write in American.

P.P.S. For any of you wondering… I would NEVER pull the emergency handle. Ever. And I stay away from that mofo when I am drunk, cause I don’t trust Drunk Amber with the emergency handle. At all.

Download (yes, I said DOWNLOAD, as in you can put it on your iPod and listen FOREVER!) at Fearless Radio!

Unfortunately, real life has been kicking both me and LiLi’s behind lately, and, um, we haven’t gotten to listen yet. We are SO going to, as soon as either of us can stick our heads up out of the water for more then 3.25 seconds and breathe. So, in the mean time we decided you all should listen to it, write a brief summary (500 words or less) on what Bobby said and be sure to include at least 3 quotes that equate awesomeness from the Bobster.

Please and thank you!

Oh, can’t forget this! Best summary gets a superly awesome prize… this VIDEO of Bobby on Fearless!

Wait, I guess I shouldn’t have given you the prize before you did the homework. DAMN!

Turns out, we have a really awesome excuse for our absence. You see, we were abducted by aliens. Yes, true. And we had to fight an epic battle to escape, and I DO mean epic. There was badass music playing in the background and everything. And it turns out, you should never doubt LiLi’s mad ninja skills. For serious. Then on the way back we got stuck in traffic. And regardless of all of my road rage, it didn’t get us home any faster.

Okay, I’m sensing that you don’t believe me. Probably a good thing since I am lying hard core. We have no good reason for disappearing, and we sure don’t plan to do that again. While we were gone, we did make some changes, as you may have noticed!

So, it’s time to get back to the business of loving our Brit guys. It’s is officially…. BUSINESS TIME!!

While we were off doing battle, here is what has been happening in the world of Sam, Marcus and Bobby…

Sam released his Manila Diaries Documentary!

From Sam’s MySpace:

Sam Bradley embarks on one of the most unique tour experiences of his young career when given the opportunity to play a series of concerts in the Philippines.

Coincidentally, Bradley’s appearances were scheduled in the midst of the grueling aftermath of Typhoon Ondoy that ripped through the Philippines a week prior to his arrival. The reality of this tragedy sets the tone for the tour that is both revealing and introspective in nature.

The tour diary explores the interest in seeing the real surface of an unknown place while balancing the excitement of opportunity and attempting to maintain creative integrity.

You can download the documentary here! Remember proceeds from your download go to UNICEF, so download it cause its for a good cause!

Marcus rolled out a new MySpace page with the most awesome picture at the top (#shortpants) AND more importantly, made an appearance on The Communion Compilation album for this year, with my FAVE Marcus song, Circle in the Square! You can buy the vinyl (oh yeah, totes old school!) right here! It also comes with a digital download, just in case you no longer own your record player from the 80s.

And Bobby, well Bobby’s been out running amuck and touring! No, the boy never stops! But, we did find a free mp3 you can download from Bobby! Go and get it. It’s so worth it!

::LiLi grabs mic Kayne style::

Hey, Amber, that whole explanation/news catch up was great and Imma let you finish but….I just wanted to say that I am glad to be back. Sorry for that whole take-over-a-month-off-and-not-tell-anyone-thing. Um, whoopsy daisy!

Also, what do y’all think of our new digs?? Tell us how much you missed our nonsense you like our new look. And now, back to Amber…..wait…..she’s gone. Oh, I forgot. It’s Business Time ::sigh:: I love me some Jemaine.

Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter too, as we will be back to posting there as well.

And do you have anything news worthy about the guys that you think we missed out on? Drop us a line via comment or email and let us know! We’ve been out of the loop fighting those damn aliens so chances are we need to be caught up!

First on the list, Bobby blogged! And not just a little bit, I mean a massive blog that is so full of win it’s kind of hard to believe. Here is just a little taste…

I have some really good shows in front of me. I have a big run in Texas which should be a lot of fun and to see Texas from the perspective of a car should be really interesting. Not that im

Source: K. Thruston

gonna start to don myself in cowboy gear but I really liked Dallas when I was there and its rare when im on tour to actually see the make up of the city or state. Im hoping to walk or drive away from Texas educated and ready to hit Detroit, Chicago and New York with enough southern vigour to brand a bull! Im also heading to Portland which was one of my favourite places last time I visited. I didn’t get to a try a doughnut from voodoo doughnut so that’s the first thing im gonna do followed by another Elliott smith memory lane trip. I recently did a cover of his song Between The Bars in Kansas, which was another great crowd.Im always too scared to touch his stuff because I love it so much but a friend of mine and me were singing it in the car on the long trip from beautiful Minneapolis so I played it and it went down really well. Im not sure if ill do it again however some things should be looked at and not touched or as my Nan defines it “you look with your eyes not your hands” so not to disappoint an old lady ill stick to her philosophy. Im gonna dip my hands in the Mississippi river when im in New Orleans and grab a flask and send it home to my great uncle Charlie as he is now wheelchair bound and cannot go. He first played me some of the jazz I love and on my christening wet my head with water from the Thames as he could not get any from the Mississippi. It’s surprising my head did not dissolve but he loves and still sings those songs with the famous river in the title. He also gave me a puff on a cigar when I was eight as he thought it may of helped the cough I had. A year later when my Mam smelt smoke on me he was banned from all of my birthday parties until I was sixteen!

Go and read the whole thing on Bobby’s MySpace page! You will not regret it!

Also out there… a really great review of Bobby’s show at the Hotel Cafe!

Playing selections that included tracks from his self-released Dirty Pond Songs album, hair strewn across his face, Long offered some wry yet also self-effacing intros (including commenting on his problem with a “bulging disc” bringing severe discomfort if he sat, so he stood for the night). He came across as quite personable in a nice, boyish way — a contrast to the often heart-on-the-sleeve, dramatic nature of the material, such as “Left to Lie” and “The Bounty of Mary Jane.”

Other key numbers included the kiss-off of “Dead and Done” (“For the dusk falls to dawn, I’ll have you banished from my mind/I just need a moment’s rest to make it mine”) and the waltz tempo carried “Penance Fire Blues.” He also featured songs that will likely appear on his next release, planned for 2010, “Only You,” among them.

The influences were obvious at times, but they’re good ones, like Dylan and Neil Young. Can’t go wrong there. His way with wordplay and imagery also recalled Conor Oberst a few years back. But unlike Oberst’s early work, Long has already found a fine singing voice to match that imagery. Plus, he’s also an impressive guitarist as a picker and more; it would be interesting to hear him with a little band at some point.

Oh, I like the idea of Bobby with a band! I think that could be really cool!! Anyway, read the rest of this review at the Buzzine and be sure to get to see Bobby tonight at The Mint if you are in the area!

And I have more Bobby, right after the jump…

Even my hometown has caught the Bobby Long bug!! I was hoping they wouldn’t miss him. Unfortunately, for now, I can only link you to the story. The damn thing won’t let me copy any text to post here. So read it here! I will, however, be updating this post later today with a scan of the article. I will tweet once I have it!!

Bobby Long on OKGazette.com

Update!! Here is the scan from the paper! You still need to click the link to read the text, but I’m sure you all will dig the picture!

Click to see full size!! Please source SoS if you post!!

And I know we got mad representation in the big OKC, and I (Amber) will be at the Conservatory on 12/7 for the Bobby show, so be sure and come say hello to me! LiLi will be at the Dallas show on 12/8 at Poor David’s Pub. Go and ask her for her autograph!!

There can’t possibly be more, can there… oh yes there can!!

My good Twitter friend Krista (@AccentOnLife) who works for The Times of Arcadiana had the opportunity to conduct a Q&A with Bobby:

ToA: Talk a little bit about the differences between recording and playing live. Do you prefer one or the other?

Long: Being in the studio is hugely refreshing. It’s great to play with other people, especially when they’re very different. Recording is the epitome because you’re putting something down. But you have to be able to perform live. There’s a lot more freedom performing live. I change songs all the time live but try to find the mean in the studio. They both have their differences.

ToA: What is your favorite song to perform?

Long: It changes all the time. There’s a song I wrote with my sister, Only You, but other than that, it changes.

ToA: Take us through the process of recording your EP, Dirty Pond Songs.

Long: There wasn’t one. I walked into my bedroom, put a microphone on my pillows and played into it for an hour. One take. It was just sitting down and doing it. I do try to bring aspects of my live performance into recording. There is some security in recording because you have enough takes.

ToA: What do you hope audiences take from both your live performances and your EP?

Long: I want people to know what I’m about and sit on it for a couple of days. I want them to think about it. First, I want to put on good show. I want people to be respectful of what I’m trying to do. And they are. People come up and say, “Yeah, that’s really cool.” That’s the most anyone can ask for.

Read the entire interview right here! Krista did a fantastic job, as always, spreading the love in New Orleans!!

Phew!! That was a lot of good stuff, right? Are you all hyped up to see Bobby now? Be sure to check his tour dates on our tour date page and get your butt to a show!

Pic by myria101

are there!

Apparently Donna was at Sam’s concert at the Mercy Lounge in Nashville and she writes an incredible record of her time:

Red and blue lights sparkle around the stage like the moons that weren’t outside tonight. Elizabeth and the Catapults are the first to perform. They’re quite good – folksy and rock’n’roll and I enjoy them. After 30 minutes or so, they tell the audience that Sam Bradley and the Men will perform next and that they’re great. I already know this. My new friends smile in anticipation. They trust what I tell them.

Mark Kerry on drums wearing his signature eyeglasses, Jeff Riedlinger on bass wearing a dark v-neck sweater, and Dave Meszaros in a white t-shirt on lead guitar, gather on stage and set up their equipment. And, then Sam comes out with his guitar. Wearing a grey, red and white striped woolen shirt that’s as soft as a baby blanket, he smiles, takes center stage and begins playing. Sam’s personality is pure sunshine. He is a troubadour of the anodyne. His lyrics and voice are soothing, relieving the pain in one’s heart. He sings some of the fans’ favorites like Too Far Gone, Wide Open, Sea Blue, Whiskey and a wonderful new jazzy blues song written by Mark Kerry, his percussionist.

As Sam sings Wide Open, I am immediately transported into my other worlds – ancient worlds – where I am wandering through medieval lands. I gather my long skirts around my ankles and run through dark passageways made of stone until I burst out of a tunnel’s end into a crisp, beautiful twilight. He stands there, tall, blonde and gallant. I fall into his wide open arms and breathe a sigh. “It is good to see you again, my love,” I whisper to him.

Sam’s voice comes back to me in song. My new friends lean over and in my ear tell me they love Sam. “I know,” I say quietly. Sam’s voice is smooth as ice and as melodic as a meditation. After each song, the audience screams and woo-hoos. Sam giggles, smiles and exudes a happiness that not many performers ever express. He talks to the audience between songs, thanking his band mates, thanking Nashville. He thanks Justin Nozuka, the “next” performer for the opportunity to be on the road with him. Sam says he loves Nashville and in fact, has moved to Nashville and the audience claps and yells for him again. Sam makes the crowd feel as though he’s your friend and they embrace him as a neighbor in Nashville. But, it’s not just Nashvillians at this event. People have driven from the north and south to hear Sam Bradley and his band.

Sam’s intelligence permeates his songs. His wisdom shines through his personality as he dances with his guitar and looks into the souls of his audience. His band mates smile and never once falter in their support of Sam.

Read the whole article here. Seriously, you do not want to miss it!