No Fly List: Notes from Sub Pop’s Airport Store, June 2015
The Sub Pop Airport Store: A World of Musical Discoveries
If you read the airport store sales clerk hiring post from last year, you’ll see that one of the primary qualifications for the job is “Knowledge of the Sub Pop catalog.” While the staff is comprised of diverse music fans with a deep appreciation for the label, let’s be real, not all of us can say we have listened to every single Sub Pop release from 1988 to today. But by working in the store, and playing lots of Sub Pop music, we are beginning to chip away at our blind-spots in the catalog and discover killer albums that are effectively ‘new-to-us.’ So, next time you’re in the store, we all might be listening to a record we’ve never heard before. Neat-o!
When I think about bands that I first heard at the Sub Pop store, I’m immediately drawn to Lee Bains III & the Glory Fires. Their Sub Pop debut, Dereconstructed, came out within the first month of the store opening, and one year later I’m still trying to wrap my head around it. It’s an insane, distorted, Southern punk rock record that only improves when I follow along with the lyric sheet. But in terms of an older band that I had heard of, but never listened to, it’s only since I’ve started working at the store that I’ve become familiar with the Murder City Devils. Preface: I moved to Seattle in 2007. Listening to a local institution like Murder City Devils (original run: 1996 to 2001) for the first time, in 2015, is like communing with ghosts from Seattle’s past that I never got a chance to experience first-hand. Raucous, alcohol-soaked, and bleary-eyed ghosts that get eroded by new condos every year.
I could go on-and-on with these, but let’s see what my esteemed retail colleagues have to say about music that they’ve discovered after working at the airport store. (You’ll find all these selections, and more, in a Spotify playlist down below.)
Kane:
“Chad VanGaalen: My introduction to the institution that is Mr. VanGaalen was his most recent record, Shrink Dust, which I loved and listened to quite a bit since its release. Exploring the rest of his discography alerted me to the fact that he’s one of the best musicians around today; each of his 5 albums are varied in sound, excellent, and unmistakably his.”
(I can attest that Kane puts on at least one Chad VanGaalen album per shift. I have no problem with this whatsoever. –ed.)
Carly:
“The Ruby Suns are a band I’m thankful to have discovered through this job. Their album Sea Lion first caught my attention with its multicultural influence (see “Tane Mahuta” and “Kenya Dig It?”) and bright joyous gang vocals (“Oh Mojave”), but it’s the album Christopher that is the closest to my heart. Singer Ryan McPhun sounds more independent (and maybe a little lonely) on this record, and his melodic sensibility and tendency towards synthesizers create a stark contrast to Sea Lion, in a good way.”
(Christopher is the leading cause of impromptu dance party outbreaks in the store. –ed.)
Olivia:
“While cramming for my Sub Pop interview and combing through the roster, one name eluded me. Beach House. This was a band I was well aware of, yet I had never actually listened to them! WTF!? Maybe I had read a description somewhere and thought I was too much of a ‘rocker’ for this dreamy shit! In any case, I loaded up their video for ‘Wishes’ and was absolutely mesmerized! I instantly felt as though all of my hopes and dreams were within reach! (I was gonna get this job!) And I did!”
(The lesson here: Keep those horizons open or you might miss out on your next favorite band. Also, ignore music critics who overuse meaningless words like ‘dreamy.’ –ed.)
Josh:
(Only the the most hardened soulless person can deny the emotional resonance of Sade + Beachwood Sparks. –ed.)
Javier:
(Javier is new here. I think this means he’s gotten really into GOAT, so much so that part of his brain is permanently warped and he can now only communicate via Emoji. –ed.)
I didn’t get a hold of Audrey or Rachel for their submissions, (presumably they spend their days ‘working’ and don’t have time for my pestering emails) but from listening to their musical choices in the store, I’m pretty sure they’ve recently gotten into Shimmering Stars (reverb-heavy pop from Hardly Art in 2011) and Male Bonding (infectious and rollicking punk-rock, with 2 albums on Sub Pop), respectively.
Jacob:
I would have written about the Obits (from which this blog gets its title), who captured my interest immediately with their updated punk-classic competing electric-guitar-enthusiast, layered rhythm twang-a-surf-a-billy-garage tone attack, thumpin’ bass, graphic design sensibility, and howlin’ vocals, but then they broke up (RIP Obits, may they rest in scattered pieces of newer, older bands).
So, the time is now! Something new: Daughn Gibson, who I wasn’t very familiar with. The album: Carnation. It’s striking some chords I couldn’t place right away on the first few listens. A friend immediately told me he loved the album because it reminded him of Depeche Mode, and David Sylvian’s post-Japan music direction, to which I then remembered when I first heard the lead off track (Shatter You Through) I was reminded of The Cure somehow, production wise, I suppose? So, there is a definite 1980’s noir at the core of the album.
Next, the guitar’s clanging desert-fried reverb’d bursts, and leave-you-hanging-lead, paired with the deep vocal croon, finally hit me. I was subconsciously enjoying being reminded of Simon Bonney and Rowland S. Howard’s group, Crime and the City Solution, which I think thus far the online critical response has completely missed as a great recommendation point of reference. So, Carnation is evoking and reminding me of some great music from the past, while remaining interesting listen after listen.
Also, I must mention that the backing band is great collision of minds, consisting of some major names in jazz, such as Matt Chamberlain from Bill Frisell’s Floratone (and much more) on drums, Skerik’s Syncopated Taint Septet’s very own Skerik on saxophone, the prolific Eyvind Kang’s haunting string arrangements and performance, not to mention Milky Burgess from Master Musicians of Bukkake (and Record Store Day extravaganza super-tribute-group: Koes Barat), as well as a dash of pedal steel by Jay Kardong (known for his work with Grand Archives, Sera Cahoone). This gives me the impression that the album was assembled from sessions similar to what produced Talk Talk’s final album; improvisation, to form structure through sculptured loops and overlays. I think this is the best yet I’ve heard from Daughn Gibson, and I hope he will continue to head in this direction with open-minded jazz and rock musicians to get at sounds decades lost, refreshed.”
This coming weekend, Sub Pop Records employees will join in the 202-mile Seattle to Portland (STP) Bicycle Classic held on July 11 -12, 2015. Now in its 36th year, the STP is the largest multi-day ride in the Northwest with up to 10,000 riders making the journey through Western Washington and Oregon.
In January of 2013, Sub Pop Records Co-Founder Jonathan Poneman was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. In a 2013 Seattle Times article, Poneman states, “I accept that I have this disease, but that doesn’t give me the right to be passive.” In response, Sub Pop Records employees will be raising money for the Northwest Parkinson’s Foundation (NWPF) by doing the infamous STP bike ride.
What We Need & What You Get
Since being diagnosed, our President has done everything he can to show others that there is life beyond Parkinson’s. He actually explains it as sort of a blessing. Parkinson’s has allowed him to “recalibrate” important values.
“As ironic as it sounds, I am truly grateful to the disease.” Poneman explains further that, “My love of life and its precious elements became more vivid at the thought of seeing them fade away.”
Our goal is to raise $20,000 for the foundation. We are SO close to reaching our fundraising goal and we still need your help! This week we added a few stellar perks for donating:
* Autographed Sleater-Kinney “Start Together” box set on COLORED vinyl (limited to 3000 copies). Includes hardcover photobook of never before seen pictures from their personal collection, all seven LP’s, and 7” of single “Bury Our Friends” from their new album No Cities to Love
* Autographed Postal Service “Give Up” Anniversary Re-issue on COLORED vinyl. 3xLP deluxe version
** 2 pairs of VIP passes to Bumbershoot Festival in Seattle on Labor Day weekend 2015 (Sept 5-7th).Lineup this year includes: The Melvins, Ellie Goulding, Flying Lotus, Ben Harper, Dead Moon, Mikal Cronin, Neko Case, and more. VIP admission to the 3 day festival includes: Special VIP entrance to festival, Exclusive viewing areas (21+ ONLY) at Memorial Stadium, Fisher Green and Mural Amphitheater, and an official 2015 poster and water bottle.
SOLD OUT : 2 VIP passes to Capitol Hill Block Party in Seattle July 24-26. Lineup this year includes: The Kills, Father John Misty, RATATAT, TV on the Radio, Built to Spill, Wye Oak, Shabazz Palaces, and more. VIP passes are good for all three days (July 24th-26th, 2015) and also include: access to outdoor and indoor VIP lounges (21+ ONLY), complimentary drinks and food throughout weekend, Silk Screen Poster, T-shirt, other swag, and Sponsor Swag
The Impact
Your donation will go directly to the Northwest Parkinson’s Foundation. NWPF is the only independent regional Parkinson’s organization serving Washington State. NWPF aims to establish optimal quality of life for the Northwest Parkinson’s community through awareness, education, advocacy and care. Located in Seattle, NWPF proudly invests every dollar in local programs to support the Northwest Parkinson’s community. NWPF plays a vital role in helping people with Parkinson’s live meaningfully with the disease. In addition, NWPF provides information that gives patients and their families the tools they need to find quality medical care, better manage their disease and take charge of their daily lives.
Sub Pop has a long history of supporting non-profit organizations around the globe but prefers to focus on local organizations in the Pacific Northwest. We have been involved in fundraisers for the uncompensated care for Seattle Children’s Hospital, donated food and funds to Northwest Harvest, given time, support, and funds to the all-ages music venue ‘The Vera Project’, supported the campaign for marriage equality in Washington state, among many more. We believe in supporting the community that has always supported us. The Northwest Parkinson’s Foundation is an organization we feel proud to be riding for.
Other Ways You Can Help
You can also go to the Northwest Parkinson’s Foundation main website (www.nwpf.org) and give directly to the foundation through a gift at a different time if you are not able to help now.
Or simply get the word out about our campaign! Share our story and spread some awareness for Parkinson’s Disease. While science looks for a cure, the NWPF is looking out for the Parkinson’s community. We are grateful for anything you can do to help.
Set your alarms for later today when Beach House will share new single “Sparks” from Depression Cherry on Sirius XMU. The premiere happens live on-air today at 5:30 pm EST, so don’t sleep!
Yesterday we learned that The Supersuckers’ Eddie Spaghetti has been diagnosed with stage 3 oropharynx cancer and will undergo surgery and radiation treatments this summer. Though it’s been a little while since we have worked together, we consider Eddie and The Supersuckers family, and today we’d like to encourage all of you to read more about all of this here, and then please consider donating to the fund that’s been set up to support his recovery.
Father John Misty’s I Love You Honeybear, his critically acclaimed new album, has earned the singer his highest chart position in the US to date, entering at #17 on the BillboardI Love You, Honeybear also entered at #14 on the UK sales chart.
At radio this week, I Love You, Honeybear is the #1 most added album at CMJ, debuting at #32 on the Top 200 albums chart. Additionally, the album is also #1 album at alternative specialty, #3 at NonComm and Top 20 with Triple A reporters. On a related note, Father John Misty’s takeover of iHeartRadio’s
Father John Misty’s fast-selling 2015 world tour in support of I Love You, Honeybear has been extended through October 29th, which includes his just announced headline performance New York’s Central Park SummerStage on August 5th.
I Love You, Honeybear
featuring the highlights “Bored In The USA,” “Chateau Lobby #4 (in C
for Two Virgins),” “True Affection,” and the title track, was produced
by Josh Tillman and Jonathan Wilson, mixed by Phil Ek, and mastered by
Greg Calbi at Sterling Sound. I Love You, Honeybear is available now on CD / LP / 2xLP / Deluxe 2xLP to purchase via Father John Misty.net, Sub Pop Mega Mart, iTunes, and Amazon. The album is also available in Europe via Bella Union.
What are people are saying about Father John Misty? Great things: “This
warped, lovely album suggests that a true longtime partnership isn’t
two people who love each other even for their flaws, but of two people
accepting decay–their own and each other’s–and choosing to ride it out
nonetheless.” - New York Times
“The
artist born Josh Tillman aims for grandiosity in his Father John Misty
disguise, and his second album for Sub Pop repeatedly reaches such
heights. A musical genie bottle with the spirits of Phil Spector, Lee
Hazlewood and Brian Wilson corked within, Tillman and co-producer
Jonathan Wilson seem to revel in letting these sounds seep out and
intermingle.” - Los Angeles Times
“Upping the spectacle from Fear Fun his 2012 debut, I Love You, Honeybear is an autobiographical set about love, marriage and derangement that’s both ironic and empathic.” [4/5] - Rolling Stone
“His beloved Father John Misty debut was Fear Fun, issued in 2012. The new album, out now, is I Love You, Honeybear….and it is as good as, though quite different from, its predecessor.” - Wall Street Journal
“I Love You, Honeybear,
an album by turns passionate and disillusioned, tender and angry, so
cynical it’s repulsive and so openhearted it hurts.” [8.8 / 10, “Best
New Music”] - Pitchfork
“If
there’s a funnier, stranger and more touchingly bizarre album released
this year, it will be a very good year indeed.” [4/5] - Billboard
“This is a gorgeous album.” [10/10] - Exclaim
“For all the layers of irony on I Love You, Honeybear,
the biggest irony of all might be that such an ostensibly knotty and
confusing album’s real strength lies in something as prosaic and
transparent as its author’s ability to write a beautiful melody.” [5/5] -
The Guardian
“Album of the Week” - Stereogum
Tour Dates
Feb. 21 - Dublin, IE - Whelans [Sold Out]
Feb. 22 - Glasgow, UK - King Tuts [Sold Out]
Feb. 23 - Manchester, UK - Gorilla [Sold Out]
Feb. 26 - London, UK - Village Underground [Sold Out]
Feb. 27 - Leeds, UK - Brudenell Social Club [Sold Out]
Feb. 28 - Bristol, UK - Thekla [Sold Out]
Mar. 03 - Paris, FR - La Maroquinerie
Mar. 04 - Brussels, BE - Botanique - Orangerie
Mar. 05 - Amsterdam, NL - Paradiso
Mar. 07 - Berlin, DE - Heimathafen
Mar. 08 - Hamburg, DE - Nochtspelcher
Mar. 25 - Nashville, TN - Marathon Music Works**
Mar. 26 - Atlanta, GA - Variety Playhouse** [Sold Out]
Mar. 27 - Asheville, NC - The Orange Peel** [Sold Out]
Mar. 28 - Washington, DC - 9:30 Club** [Sold Out]
Mar. 31 - Boston, MA - Paradise Rock Club** [Sold Out]
Apr. 01 - Philadelphia, PA - Union Transfer** [Sold Out]
Apr. 03 - Chicago, IL - Vic Theater** [Sold Out]
Apr. 04 - Minneapolis, MN - First Ave** [Sold Out]
Apr. 05 - Iowa City, IA - Mission Creek Festival @ The Englert
Apr. 07 - Lawrence, KS - Granada**
Apr. 08 - Omaha, NE - Sokol Auditorium**
Apr. 09 - Denver, CO - Ogden Theater
Apr. 11 - Indio, CA - Coachella [Sold Out]
Apr. 13 - Pomona, CA - The Glasshouse [Sold Out]
Apr.14 - San Diego, CA - North Park Theatre [Sold Out]
Apr. 16 - San Francisco, CA - The Fillmore [Sold Out]
Apr. 17 - San Francisco, CA - The Fillmore [Sold Out]
Apr. 18 - Indio, CA - Coachella [Sold Out]
Apr. 22 - Dallas, TX - Granada Theater^
Apr. 23 - Houston, TX - Fitzgerald’s^
Apr. 24 - Austin, TX - Stubb’s^
Apr. 25 - New Orleans, LA - Civic Theater^
May 16 - Gulf Shores, AL - Hangout Music Festival May 22 - Portland, OR - Crystal Ballroom
May 23- George, WA - Sasquatch Festival
May 24 - Vancouver, BC - Commodore Ballroom [Sold Out]
Jun. 04 - Columbia, MD - Merriweather Post Pavillion ^^
Jun. 07 - Toronto, ON - Field Trip Festival
Jun. 27 - Killarney, IE - Killarney Food & Music Festival
Aug. 5 - New York, NY - Central Park Summerstage #
Aug. 11 - Oslo, NO - Oya Festival
Aug. 13 - Gothenburg, SE - Way Out West
Aug. 20 - Paredes de Coura, PT - Pauredes de Coura Festival
Aug. 21-23 - Beacon, UK - Green Man Festival Oct. 24 - Dublin, IE - Vicar Street
Oct. 29 - London, UK - O2 Shepherds Bush Empire
* w/ Guy Blakeslee
** w/ King Tuff
^ w/ Luluc
^^ w/ The Decemberists
# w/ Angel Olsen
This just in: Listen to Deaf Wish’s “They Know,” the second offering from the band’s forthcoming album, Pain as premiered by Noisey this morning.
Pain will be available on CD/ LP/DL worldwide August 7th on Sub Pop. The album was recorded & produced by the band at Reservoir, Victoria, mixed by Mikey Young and mastered by April Golden at Golden Mastering. Pain is the follow up to their label debut, the 4-song St. Vincent’s 7” single, released last October.
Noisey had this to say of the band and “They Know”: “From
the start, the foursome (consisting of bassist Nick Pratt, drummer
Daniel Twomey and guitarists Sarah Hardiman and Jensen Tjhung) have
shared a basic philosophy; keep it loud but simple. Their live
performance bleeds with genuine charisma. It’s a tenacious and
aggressive approach to creating music that has an almost disdain for
predictability and code…“They Know” taken from the album clocks in at
just under a minute-and-a-half but is indicative of the Deaf Wish
spirit. Two guitars play at max volume, a drum sets getting a trouncing
while Hardiman effortlessly coos, “What do they know (see premiere June 29th).)?”
Pain is now available for preorder from Sub Pop Mega Mart, iTunes, Amazon, and Bandcamp. LP preorders from megamart.subpop.com
will receive the limited Loser edition on clear, black marbled vinyl
(while supplies last). There will also be a new T-shirt design,
available individually and as part of a bundle with purchase of the new
record.
