Vayden and Miniature Tigers Make Big Summer Plans; More Local Band News

Phoenix rock band Vayden has a busy summer ahead of them. The group's lined up a monthly gig at Los Angeles' famous Whiskey a Go Go, every fourth Friday from May through July, then they're heading to Germany for the Dithmarscher Festival. You can check out the globetrotting band when they play in the Valley, Friday, April 30 and Saturday, May 1 at Martini Ranch in Scottsdale.

And, if you're a lady who happens to be into Vayden, the group recently debuted new feminine-minded merchandise, including form-fitting tops--because, face it, it really sucks when you're a size 0 and have to wear a guy's huge-arse T-shirt. Check out video from Vayden's performance at last year's Dithmarscher Festival, and read more news from your fave local bands after the jump.

If you're a fan of Pandora, you also might want to check out www.last.fm, a site that's similar in that it creates custom radio stations based on who your favorite artists are, but also features music videos and photos to peruse while you're listening. Local funk band Black Carl recently got a profile on the site, which contains three tracks by the group, too. Other popular Valley artists, such as Digital Summer, The Maine and Anarbor, are also on the site.

If you plan on seeing the Country Throwdown tour, with Montgomery Gentry, Jamey Johnson and Jack Ingram when it hits Cricket Wireless Pavilion Friday, June 18, you can now score a free 7-song tour sampler on the website www.countrythrowdown.com through June 30. It includes tracks by Sarah Buxton, Eli Young Band and Jedd Hughes.

The formerly Phoenix-based-turned-New-York-based band Miniature Tigers, who are home to *Phoenix-based* label Modern Art Records (which is also run out of New York), announced giant news--they'll be playing this year's Lollapalooza in Chicago. The music festival runs from August 6-8.

The Love Me Nots continue their quest for world domination, recently having won over Spanish music site www.valladolidwebmusical.org, which reviewed a copy of their album, Upside Down, Inside Out. If you can't read Spanish, the reviewers said, "If you miss them in Spain this month, you will regret it forever." Sounds muy bueno.

If you're a local band with news to share, e-mail Nicki Escudero at nicki.escudero@villagevoicemedia.com or follow at Twitter at @nickialanoche.