It’s finally here. Though the months of anticipation, Outside Lands-related posts and Radiohead worship have been fun here at the Stranger Dance, it’ll be nice to get this bitch done with, so we can have some fun. So, in the spirit of community, good citizenship and milking this high-traffic cow one last time, we present the Stranger Dance Outside Lands Survival Kit. This will (hopefully) be everything you need to survive the day, minus the tickets, money, booze and drugs … if you’re into that type of thing.

Join us, won’t you, after the jump.

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So, exciting times around these parts. Not only are 5 bajillion cool bands playing at Outside Lands a mere nine days from now, but we’re also breaking out of our little shell and throwing a party to celebrate the release of Cousin Chris‘ debut album Moon Paper. We’re inviting all our readers and fellow bloggers to join us next Thursday, Aug. 21 at House of Shields downtown (New Montgomery b/w Market and Mission) between 6PM and 10PM to celebrate the release of a great album and prime the pump for a great weekend ahead.

For those who don’t know, Chris Schreiber, aka, Cousin Chris, is a local boy who wrote, sang and played every instrument on Moon Paper. Rooted heavily in a blues (but not at all derivative), bathed in slide guitar and accented with his unique voice, Moon Paper carves out an original sound that, while minimalist, is still compelling and – most importantly – interesting. The album was recorded at John Vanderslice’s Tiny Telephone studios where bands like Death Cab for Cutie, Spoon, Nada Surf and Mike Watt have all recorded. Cousin Chris sat down with me for a chat, which you’ll find – along with a sample of his music – after the jump.

And don’t forget to come out to House of Shields next Thursday and support a local musician (and bloggers!).

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Originally, Brendan Canning was going to release Something for All of Us on July 22. However, the web had other ideas and Canning was forced to release his album early via the Arts and Crafts online store. He issued the following statement via his MySpace blog:

“It has come to my attention that an unmastered version of my album has been leaked through the internet. With the retail release being six weeks away, I’ve decided to correct the situation by releasing the album digitally myself, because I can. So this is for all you early birds who just couldn’t wait for July 22nd. But you know, it won’t be like going to your favourite record shop and getting a copy in your hot little hands, or sitting in your basement downloading it to your iTouch phone while playing Grand Theft Auto, it merely corrects the situation that is… a messed up version of my record floating around on the internet, and this is not how I wanted my record to drop. Believe me, this is not a minor situation. We’re talking recall here folks… With all of this in mind, please note: ‘Something for all of us…’ will be available at all fine retail and digital outlets in North America July 22nd with some additional artwork inside and slightly later for the rest of the world.”

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OK, we’d really be remiss if we didn’t at least pay cursory attention to the (shudder) R. Kelly trial. The man who has inspired a brilliant Chappelle’s Show sketch, a brilliant South Park episode, and who can actually be a fairly brilliant artist himself (when not trying to write 926-part, thinly-veiled homoerotic, midget-obsessed mini-operas), is of course on trial for the infamous sex tape from what seems like ten years ago.

Anyhoo, the trial started last week and so far the highlights lowlights include the following:

• The jurors screened the sex tape in creepy mood lighting.
• A friend of the woman who is allegedly in the tape said her friend is in the tape.
• The woman who was allegedly in the tape said it’s not her in the tape.
• A juror succeeded in a desperate bid to escape months of torture. Yeah, mortgage problems … sure.

This trial will no doubt be months long and packed full of non-news that we all don’t need to know, so the Stranger Dance will do the dirty work for you and keep you updated … even though you don’t want to be. Besides, if there are enough of them, I may be able to post the entire “Trapped in the Closet” saga.

MP3s:

The lineup for Lollapolooza has been confirmed, and it looks like Perry Ferrel & Co. have thrown down the gauntlet, basically taking the Outside Lands Festival lineup, trimming some of the MoR-friendly fat, and mixing in more talent.

Word that Radiohead, Nine Inch Nails, Rage Against the Machine, The Raconteurs, Wilco and Kanye West would headline the six-day festival in Chicago’s Grant Park came a few days ago. The full lineup was announced today after being leaked by Jim DeRogatis of the Chicago Sun-Times (who Ferrell has since dubbed “Pepe le Pew”).

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