MATT AND KIM KICK OFF HANGOUT FEST THIS THURSDAY

Matt and Kim are set to kickoff Hangout Music Festival 2016 with a set this Thursday at 10pm. The duo known for infectious, beat-driven anthems and explosive live shows return to Hangout on the heels of two weekends of Coachella domination and the digital release of their new EP WE WERE THE WEIRDOS out now on FADER Label.

The four-song EP was recorded between the two weekends of madness and Matt and Kim surprised fans and critics alike by releasing it during their weekend 2 mainstage performance at Coachella. The band announced the surprise release right before launching into brand new EP track “Please No More” for the first time ever. WE WERE THE WEIRDOS is now available to stream and download on all digital music services.

In addition to multiple album releases, Matt and Kim have become the go-to live band for raw exuberance and dance-ready anthems. The band has performed sold-out headlining tours across North America and wowed fans around the globe. They’ve performed to thousands upon thousands at many major music festivals including Lollapalooza, Bonnaroo, Coachella, Firefly, Summerfest, Big Day Out, Fuji, V, Pukkelpop and Ultra. This summer, Matt and Kim will be hitting summer festivals and touring with Ellie Goulding. 

COMEDIAN DAVE HILL RELEASES NEW BOOK AND NEW VIDEO + BOOK TOUR ANNOUNCED

“truly one of the funniest writers around” – Tom Papa
“a warm and witty storyteller” – Andy Richter

Comedian Dave Hill releases his new book “Dave Hill Doesn’t Live Here Anymore” today via Blue Rider Press. A follow up to Dave’s critically acclaimed debut “Tasteful Nudes” which is currently in development with Comedy Central, the book is painfully funny collection of nonfiction personal essays centered around the relationship between Dave and his dad, in the wake of his mother’s death, as father and son redefine their relationship. Stories include: going to prison in Mexico, the mean streets of Cleveland, OH, Dave’s hometown, male bonding in a big rig, an unexpected “message in a bottle” on a NYC subway platform, working with Donald Trump, and much more.

“Dave Hill Doesn’t Live Here Anymore” is available in hardcover, ebook and audiobook forms. Go to: http://bit.ly/1T76MCz

Dave will be on a book tour in support with reading & signing events in NY, Boston, Cleveland, Austin, Denver, Portland, LA, Milwaukee, Indianapolis and Chicago.

Comedian, writer, actor and musician Dave Hill grew up in Cleveland and has been on-scene in NYC since moving there in 2003. Currently, he hosts The Goddamn Dave Hill Show on WFMU, performs stand up all over NY, on tour with Janeane Garofalo and everywhere in between, and plays guitar with his band Valley Lodge whose song, “Go!” is the theme song on Last Week Tonight with John Oliver.

Dave has appeared on Comedy Central, BBC America, MTV and Adult Swim, is a regular host on HBO and Cinemax, a regular contributor to “This American Life” and starred in his own TV series, “The King of Miami” on the MOJO Network. He has written for The New York Times, Salon, Huffington Post, NY Daily News, and Guitar World among others. His debut comedy album ‘Let Me Turn You On’ is available on aspecialthing Records.

Dave Hill has been lauded by Malcolm Gladwell as his “idol,” Dick Cavett as “hilarious,” and John Hodgman as a “mad genius.”   

PRAISE FOR “DAVE HILL DOESN’T LIVE HERE ANYMORE”

“It’s completely insane and hilarious.” – Simon Doonan

“He’s one of today’s most skilled purveyors of walking the line between hilarious and heartbreaking.” – Kelly Oxford

“In this time of cynical sarcasm, Dave Hill’s magical humor shines like a light. If you love David Sedaris and Augusten Burroughs, Dave Hill Doesn’t Live Here Anymore belongs on your shelf.” – Damien Echols

“Dave Hill is the real deal; a genuine character in a world full of posers, and his book is one of the smartest, funniest, most original collections of fucked-up-guy essays I’ve ever read.” – Adam Resnick

“The next president’s first official act should be to declare Dave Hill a living national treasure. He is a major figure among American comic writers, past and present. When reading his stuff, I laugh so loud the neighbors complain.” – Dick Cavett

“Dave Hill Doesn’t Live Here Anymore will smack you straight across your stupid funny bone, but then turn around and stroke your wretched heart with such gentle grace and goodwill that you may find yourself, as I did, choking back both laughter and tears.” – Michael Ian Black

Dave and his dad Bob Hill made a special video to celebrate the book release and their mutual love of “Stairway To Heaven”. Watch it here: https://youtu.be/tZXYrr_d3Jw

W. KAMAU BELL STOPPED BY COLBERT TO TALK UNITED SHADES OF AMERICA, RACISM V PREJUDICE, THE KLAN

Comedian and host of CNN’s “United Shades Of America,” W. Kamau Bell explains what it was like to go to a cross burning and answers every black person’s favorite question. Watch his Colbert appearance: https://youtu.be/rnHg4NWnpZI

Kamau’s new Morgan Spurlock-directed stand-up special “Semi-Prominent Negro” is now available on Showtime. Kamau also performs a benefit show for Housing Forward on Friday, May 20 in Chicago.

W. KAMAU BELL @ MERLE RESKIN THEATER
FRIDAY MAY 20, 7pm
A Benefit for Housing Forward (100% proceeds) with Hari Kondabolu
Tickets and more info: http://www.housingforward.org/events/housing-forward-presents-w-kamau-bell-and-hari-kondabolu

BIOGRAPHY ON COMEDY LEGENDS THE STATE OUT TODAY, READ AN EXERPT VIA VULTURE

“For comedy nerds like me, it’s essential reading” – “Weird Al” Yankovic

“One of the undisputed heavyweights of televised sketch comedy, right up there with greats like Mr. Show with Bob and David, Monty Python’s Flying Circus, and The Kids in the Hall, is The State” – Brooklynvegan

“THE UNION OF THE STATE”, the oral biography of THE STATE, is one of the most-unique, untold tales in the history of show business. It’s the story of eleven teenagers who met in college and formed one of the most prolific and impactful comedy troupes of all-time as told by members of The State, their collaborators and colleagues. The 600-page book chronicles The State from NYU to MTV and beyond and features never-before published stories and photosfrom the entire group including Kevin Allison, Ken Marino, Michael Showalter, David Wain, Robert Ben Garant, Michael Ian Black, Kerri Kenney-Silver, Thomas Lennon, Joe Lo Truglio, Todd Holoubek and Michael Patrick Jann.

“The Union Of The State” is available today in hardcover, softcover or digital plusbook events announced in Los Angeles, Brooklyn and Maplewood, MO – dates below.

Order your copy of “The Union Of The State” in hardcover, softcover or digital or find it at a bookstore near you, go to: http://www.coreystulce.com/

“The Union Of The State” follows the members of The State from their time as classmates at New York University in the late 1980s to their quick ascent to fame via their three-season, sketch-comedy TV series on MTV and through their post-MTV projects. It also includes histories of the movie-turned-Netflix-series, “Wet Hot American Summer;” the Comedy Central hit, “Reno 911!;” and cult favorite comedy show/series, Stella.

“The Union Of The State” also includes commentary from State collaborators including  Keegan Michael-Key, Chris Meloni, Janeane Garofalo, Mo Willems, Rob Corddry, A.D. Miles, Doug Herzog, James Dixo, Craig Wedren, the cast and crew of “Wet Hot American Summer,” “Reno 911!” and more.

“The Union of The State” will appeal not only to The State’s extensive fan base but also to comedy aficionados, showbiz biography fans and those who love an underdog success tale. Read a book excerpt via Vulture:  http://bit.ly/1W4Eg5f

“The members of The State are my heroes, my peers and my friends. Individually and collectively they are responsible for an impressively large percentage of everything funny that currently exists in the world.” – “Weird Al” Yankovic

“I have to tip my cap to “The State” because when I was in graduate school, they were what I watched. They were the thing.” – Keegan Michael-Key

“It takes some pretty spectacular people to form a comedy group in college, eleven people strong, and still want to work together and still [remain] friends. It tells you something about their grace. I’m sure they have their own inner challenges, like anybody, but they legitimately enjoy each other’s company. They legitimately make each other laugh, and every single one of them are just awesome people.” – Paul Rudd

UPCOMING BOOK EVENTS:

May 7 – LA, CA: A Evening With The States at UCB Sunset, 7pm – SOLD OUT

May 20 – Brooklyn NY: RISK! The State Book Release Show at The Bell House, 9pm, with Kerri Kenney-Silver, Kevin Allison, Janeane Garofalo and more. Tickets and more info: http://bit.ly/risktixhttp://bit.ly/risktix

June 25 – Maplewood, MO @ Planet Score Records: Book signing with author Corey Stulce and Kevin Allison (The State, Risk!), 4pm. More info: http://bit.ly/planetscore