Following the release of the new album King by O.A.R., the band hit the road for their “Extended Stay Tour“. That tour hit smaller venues, multiple nights in selected cities, and it gave the band the opportunity to get back to an intimate, energetic setting. the fun part was they explored their catalog and played in-front of their longtime hardcore fans.

When they started the process for the album, they were in-between labels. Midway through, they signed with their new home, Wind-up Records. The intimacy continued in our studio as Marc, Richard and Benj gave us a special acoustic performance, featuring three songs from King and my chat with them. Click-thru for the fun.The Kings of King

Since first coming by our studio in February of 2010, a month before the release of their debut album Habits, Neon Trees have never stopped doing what it takes to get heard and seen. They toured relentlessly across the globe, which made me wonder if Tyler Glenn, Chris Allen, Branden Campbell and Elaine Bradley would ever find time to start album #2. Tyler spent the last few years writing in hotels, airports and airplanes and eventually would plan time in that busy schedule to get the band together to begin working on what would become the sophomore album, Picture Show. In my interview with them at our studio just a few weeks ago, despite the success of the debut album, especially the single “Animal,” they still weren’t a household name. They used that to their advantage. As we waited two years for the follow-up album, outside of their fans anxiously waiting for the next batch of songs, they really didn’t have “eyes on them” which relieved the pressure of getting that next record out. But believe me, with Picture Show out, the Provo, UT band are truly relieved!The Neon Trees Show

Civil Twilight is back with a new album, Holy Weather, and it finds the band focusing more on melody and rhythm a little more than the debut album. The previous collection was a bit more atmospheric. Lead singer and chief songwriter Steven McKeller also tells us that the new one has more concise songwriting. The album was recorded in both London (with producer Dan Carey) and in New York City and Hoboken, NJ (with producer John Congleton). This session marks the return of the band to our studio, last visiting us on January 25, 2010. (Watch that session here in Part 1 and Part 2).

Originally from Capetown, South Africa and based in Nashville, TN since before the debut album, the band is made up of brothers Steven and Andrew McKeller, Richard Wouters and touring member Kevin Dailey They took time out while during a promo visit to NYC to play live for us and chat about the new album. Following a spring and summer of playing festivals overseas, look for the band to hit the states in late summer/early fall. Click that mouse and check out this exclusive session!Civil Twilight Return To Last.fm

<> on April 17, 2011 in Indio, California.

Two weekends, six dates and well, a LOT of bands. That’s the Coachella Valley Music And Arts Festival in Indio, CA. For the first time it’s being spread out over two consecutive weekends, thanks to the demand by music fans to be there. It all gets started today, Friday The 13th, continues tomorrow the 14th and weekend #1 wraps up Sunday the 15th. Next week, the festivities are from the 20th through the 22nd. Visit the offical website here for the full schedule as well as the webcast schedule so you can watch it from anywhere! How cool is that? As you would expect, a bunch of the artists playing at Coachella have topped off at our studio over the past few years. Take the time to check out these exclusive, intimate performances and interviews by clicking through.Who Has Been To Our Studio?

(Photo by Karl Walter/Getty Images)

Coachella is here, kicking off a huge summer of live music from some of the biggest bands in the world.

But while we all know which headliners to hold on for, who else should fans catch on the bill? Last.fm Trends takes a look.Coachella’s Hidden Gems

Lollapalooza returns to Grant Park in Chicago, IL August 3-5. This year it features headliners Red Hot Chili Peppers, Black Sabbath, The Black Keys and Jack White. The full-lineup includes many artists who have stopped off at our NYC studio for exclusive performances: Florence + The Machine, The Shins, Passion Pit, The Temper Trap, Dawes, Dr. Dog, The Gaslight Anthem, The Black Angels, Dev, MONA, Oberhofer, Yuna and Bombay Bicycle Club. Click-thru to see some of the stripped down performances, and songs we hope they play at Lollapalooza this year.Lolla Artists At Last.fm

Good Old War was started by former Days Away members Keith Goodwin and Tim Arnold along with former Unlikely Cowboy member Dan Schwartz. They spent time as the studio & touring band for Anthony Green (Circa Survive / Saosin) and the logical next step was to get serious as a three-piece. They already knew the musical direction would be acoustic driven with the vocals being a major part of the sound. The three-part harmonies would fall into place as a “happy accident”.Good Young Trio

The West Coast synth-songstress Nite Jewel plays Bowery Ballroom on April 24th for the third installment of Last.fm Live in NYC. Nite Jewel (born Ramona Gonzalez) has steadily climbed our Hype Charts since her 2009 debut Good Evening, and now her position in the world of electronic pop has secured itself with a stellar new album – One Second Of Love. Stream the album after the jump and learn more details on our April 24th show at Bowery Ballroom.

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One of the bands that blew me away at South By Southwest a few weeks ago was Oberhofer. Led by Brad Oberhofer, the debut album out on Glassnote Records, Time Capsules II, is out now. It’s produced by the legendary Steve Lillywhite. They are currently out on the road and will be until the end of April. The tour includes stops in Indio, CA to play both dates of Coachella on 4/15 & 4/22.

A few weeks before heading down to SXSW, Oberhofer stopped by our studio for this Street Date & Last.fm Presents session. Watch them do three songs from the album and sit down chat with Brad. The band is tight, the kid’s a star!Playing & Chatting

Last week, Last.fm Live In NYC welcomed one of the biggest (literally!) and brightest discoveries of 2011 onto one of the most unique stages in the city: 17-piece disco Escort, a “disco orchestra,” lit up the dancefloor and bowling lanes of Brooklyn Bowl with a 90 minute set that entranced the sold-out crowd from start to finish. Watch live videos of the concert after the jump – then learn who’ll be playing at the next Last.fm Live In NYC show!

Watch videos from the concert inside