Strange Wilds begin ripping their way across North American in support of their debut album, Subjective Concepts, tomorrow night, Thursday, September 25th at Black Lodge in Seattle. The tour keeps on rolling until November 21st, and takes the band throughout the continental U.S.
Newly added tour dates include: October 10th in Athens, OH at Galbreath Chapel; October 14th in Annondale, NY at SMOG at Bard College; October 15th in Brooklyn, NY at the Knitting Factory for Sub Pop & Hardly Art’s CMJ showcase; November 8th in San Diego, CA at the Soda Bar; and November 12th in Bakersfield, CA at Temblor Brewing Company; November 20th in Tacoma, WA at Real Art. (details below)
New to (or already obsessed with) Strange Wilds? Find their YouTube playlist (feat. the official “Pronoia” video) right
here.
Strange Wilds’ Subjective Concepts is available now on CD / LP / DL at the Sub Pop Mega Mart, iTunes, Amazon and Bandcamp. All customers who order the LP version of Subjective Concepts from megamart.subpop.com and Bandcamp will receive the limited “Loser Edition” on white vinyl while supplies last. (There’s a new T-shirt design available too)
[ Photo courtesy of the band ]
What do ‘They” say about Strange Wilds? Here are some good words:
“Pronoia is the opposite of paranoia, essentially the happy delusion that there is a conspiracy that exists to help people. It’s also the name of the hellish four-minute blast of noise that’s the best song on this debut album by Seattle trio Strange Wilds. The follow-up to 2014’s four-track ‘Wet’ EP, Subjective Concepts sounds like it was raised on ‘Bleach’-era Nirvana and aligns the band with their Washington peers Milk Music and Naomi Punk. They build a monumental wall of hardcore noise on ‘Egophillia’, before taking a wrecking ball to it and screaming wildly into the mess. Elsewhere, there are tight grooves on ‘Disdain’ and ‘Terrible’, and the guttural riffs on ‘Starved For’ offer plenty for bleeding gums to gnaw on.” -NME
“Touch And Go-style post rock with early grunge.” - The AV Club
“Northwestern American trio tap into grunge’s collective unconscious, channelling crushing riffs and ancestral memories of hardcore.” MOJO
“Loud, sneering, and heavy-set, Subjective Concepts could come wrapped in a rain-soaked plaid shirt.” - LOUD & QUIET
“Taut, virile hardcore punk with a seething intelligence… It’s an absolute gem.” - CLASH MUSIC
“An undeniably exciting listen.” - UNCUT
“With their excellent full-length debut, this savage young trio offers a stiff reminder of those bygone halcyon days when Chad Channing drummed for Nirvana instead of Dave Grohl.
But while the barbed, razor-sharp riffs and tightrope bass thuds of Bleach largely inform the scrappy nature of key tracks like caustic opener “Pronoia” and the pensive “Oneirophobe,” there is an influential undercurrent of the signature sounds of their own city back in the day as well. Shades of K Records classics from Beat Happening and Some Velvet Sidewalk additionally factor into the more melodic elements of Subjective Concepts, particularly within the structures of college radio-ready songs like “Don’t Have To” and “Lose and Found.” - PASTE
“They are a powerful outfit, and Subjective Concepts is cohesive and fierce.” - Pitchfork
“Toggles between a coiled-snake groove and the kind of full scream-along ferocity that makes you want to thrash around in a small, dark room with a bunch of sweaty strangers. This is noisy, heavy, grimy music, and it’s great.” [“Pronoia”] - Stereogum
“A sludged-out mess of hardcore that slam dances with the Seattle label’s past and it wouldn’t be surprising at all to see them on a tour run that’s stacked with Mogwai, METZ, or Pissed Jeans” [“Pronoia”] - BLARE
“‘Starved For’ sounds exactly like what you’d want to be listening to if you lived inside of a Tony Hawk Pro Skater game.” - Noisey
Tour Dates
Sep. 25 - Seattle, WA - Black Lodge
Sep. 26 - Vancouver, BC - The Biltmore
Sep. 27 - Portland, OR - They Know
Sep. 30 - Olympia, WA - Old School
Oct. 01 - San Francisco, CA - Hemlock
Oct. 02 - Los Angeles, CA - The Smell
Oct. 03 - Tempe, AZ - Time Out Lounge
Oct. 04 - Albuquerque, NM - Sister
Oct. 05 - Denver, CO - Rhinoceropolis
Oct. 06 - Omaha, NE - West Wing
Oct. 07 - Columbia, MO - Cafe Berlin
Oct. 08 - Milwaukee, WI - Riverwest Public House
Oct. 09 - Chicago, IL - Empty Bottle
Oct. 10 - Athens, OH - Galbreath Chapel
Oct. 11 - Detroit, MI - Marble Bar
Oct. 12 - Cleveland, OH - Now That’s Class
Oct. 13 - Pittsburgh, PA - Spirit
Oct. 14 - Annondale, NY - SMOG at Bard College
Oct. 15 - Brooklyn, NY - Knitting Factory (Sub Pop / Hardly Art CMJ Showcase)
Oct. 16 - Brooklyn, NY - Union Pool (Strange Victory Touring CMJ Party)
Oct. 17 - New York, NY - Aviv
Oct. 18 - Montreal, QC - Turbo Haus
Oct. 19 - Toronto, ON - Smiling Buddha
Oct. 20 - Rochester, NY - Bug Jar
Oct. 21 - Albany, NY - The Low Beat
Oct. 22 - Providence, RI - Aurora
Oct. 23 - Philadelphia, PA - Kung Fu Necktie
Oct. 24 - Washington, DC - The (sea) Lab
Oct. 26 - RIchmond, VA - Strange Matter
Oct. 27 - Asheville, NC - Tiger Mountain
Oct. 28 - Atlanta, GA - Drunken Unicorn
Oct. 30 - Miami, FL - Kill Your Idol
Oct. 31 - Gainesville, FL - Fest 14 / The Atlantic
Nov. 01 - Jacksonville, FL - Rain Dogs
Nov. 02 - New Orleans, LA - Siberia
Nov. 03 - Houston, TX - Walter’s Downtown
Nov. 04 - Austin, TX - Beerland
Nov. 06 - Tucson, AZ - Hotel Congress
Nov. 08 - San Diego, CA - Soda Bar
Nov. 09 - Fullerton, CA - Continental Room
Nov. 10 - El Centro, CA - Strangers
Nov. 11 - Los Angeles, CA - All Star Lanes
Nov. 12 - Bakersfield, CA - Temblor Brewing Company
Nov. 13 - Oakland, CA - 1-2-3-4 Go Records
Nov. 14 - Santa Rosa, CA - Atlas Coffee Company
Nov. 16 - Reno, NV - The Holland Project
Nov. 17 - Salt Lake City, UT - Diabolical Records
Nov. 18 - Boise, ID - Neurolux
Nov. 19 - Portland, OR - Bunk Bar
Nov. 20 - Tacoma, WA - Real Art
Nov. 21 - Seattle, WA - The Highline
For more tour information + ticket links, please go here.
Lee Bains III & The Glory Fires deliver their distinct brand of Southern Rock to the people as their U.S. tour kicks off this week in support of recent single “Sweet Disorder” and Dereconstructed the group’s acclaimed 2014 album.
Got yer tickets but you just can’t wait for the show? Have a listen to the album right over here.
Their trek begins tomorrow night, September 25th in Lexington, KY at Cosmic Charlies and has been extended through Saturday, November 7th in Whitesburg, KY at Appalshop. The group will also be joined by Saddle Creek recording artists Pujol for select dates (as you’ll see below).
Single “Sweet Disorder!” was produced by Tim Kerr, cut by Jeremy Ferguson, mixed by Bains and Ferguson at Battletapes in Nashville, TN. The b-side, “Stars,” a Primitons cover, was recorded by Lee on Lee’s phone in Atlanta, GA and shined up by Ferguson, also at Battletapes.
Both “Sweet Disorder!” and Dereconstructed are available for purchase from Sub Pop Mega Mart, iTunes, Amazon, and your friendly neighborhood record shop.
What do The People have to say about Dereconstructed?
“Dereconstructed, the band’s second album, ponders Southern identity in a welter of cranked-up guitars, bristling drums and rasping, hollering vocals. It’s pandemonium with a conscience.” - New York Times
“A terrific album.” [4/5 Stars] - The Guardian
“If there’s one tradition Bains and the Glory Fires unquestioningly uphold, it’s the Friday-night custom of burning down the house.” - NPR Music
“It’s a dirty-sounding album, full of scuzzy red-line guitars and overdriven vocals, but even all that speaker-busting grit doesn’t hide the alluring melodies Bains threads among the mayhem.” - Paste
“Bains likes to rock. He and the Glory Fires wrap his commentaries, ruminations, and invective in what he calls “real Alabama rock ’n’ roll,” a raging burnpile of garage and Southern rock, dirty, supercharged blues and soul, Stonesy groove, Crazy Horse howl, and punk slam. With these songs, Bains surely wants to make you think; he surely will make you shake.” - The Boston Globe
Bains hails from Birmingham, a city torn apart by some of the South’s most tragic events, and the singer isn’t shy about assailing the shortcomings and flaws, while also delivering a dose of don’t-forget-where-you’re-from pride. It’s fiercely intelligent stuff with a raucous sound.” [Best Album of 2014] - Garden & Gun
Tour Dates:
Sep. 25 - Lexington, KY - Cosmic Charlies*
Sep. 26 - Louisville, KY - Zanzabar*
Sep. 27 - Champaign, IL - Pygmalion Festival
Sep. 28 - Chicago, IL - Empty Bottle *
Sep. 29 - Grand Rapids, MI - Pyramid Scheme *
Sep. 30 - Detroit, MI - UFO Factory *
Oct. 01 - Pittsburgh, PA - Smiling Moose *
Oct. 02 - Lancaster, PA - Lizard Lounge *
Oct. 03 - Brooklyn, NY - Baby’s All Right *
Oct. 04 - Providence, RI - Aurora *
Oct. 05 - Philadelphia, PA - Kung Fu Necktie *
Oct. 06 - Morgantown, WV - 123 Pleasant Street
Oct. 07 - Washington DC - Black Cat (Backstage)*
Oct. 08 - Harrisonburg, VA - Clementine Cafe *
Oct. 09 - Charlotte, NC - Milestone
Oct. 10 - Greenville, SC - Fall For Greenville
Oct. 20 - Oxford, MS - Proud Larry’s
Oct. 21 - Little Rock, AR - White Water Tavern
Oct. 22 - Dallas, TX - Three Links
Oct. 23 - San Antonio, TX - Paper Tiger
Oct. 24 - Austin, TX - Mohawk
Oct. 25 - Houston, TX - Walter’s
Oct. 26 - Baton Rouge, LA - Chelsea’s
Oct. 27 - New Orleans, LA - Siberia
Oct. 28 - Tallahassee, FL - Club Downunder *
Oct. 29 - Orlando, FL - Will’s Pub *
Oct. 30 - Tampa, FL - Crowbar
Oct. 31 - Jacksonville, FL - Burro Bar *
Nov. 01 - Gainesville, FL - The FEST
Nov. 05 - Raleigh, NC - Slim’s
Nov. 06- Richmond, VA - The Extravaganza @ Broadberry
Nov. 07 - Whitesburg, KY - Appalshop
* w/ Pujol
For more information + ticket links, please go here.
Sub Pop is currently accepting resumes from energetic, responsible, detail-oriented, and dependable candidates for a full-time Sales Clerk position at our new and (let’s not be coy about it…) terribly impressive store at the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. This guy.
Responsibilities include:
• Greeting and assisting customers in a friendly manner.
• Full compliance with Sea-Tac operation rules and strict TSA regulations and restrictions.
• Efficient handling of cash and credit card transactions.
• Ability to work collaboratively and communicate effectively.
• Availability to work nights, weekends, and holidays.
• Assist in organizing and restocking the store.
• Maintaining the general appearance of the store.
• Contributing to the team retail effort by accomplishing related tasks as needed.
Qualified candidates will have:
• Previous experience in the retail environment.
• Knowledge of the Sub Pop catalog, Pacific Northwest music, the Seattle music community, and the City of Seattle.
• A friendly and enthusiastic disposition with customers and staff.
• Strong and clear communication skills.
• A general understanding of retail Point of Sale systems.
• Flexibility in schedule and willingness to work early or late hours.
The Sub Pop Airport Store at Sea-Tac is open unusually long hours, generally 6am - 10pm, and 365 days a year. We are accepting resumes at airportstore@subpop.com.
Low’s Alan Sparhawk & Mimi Parker hosted a Reddit AMA, fielding questions from fans about the band’s career including their forthcoming record Ones and Sixes. The AMA happened on Tuesday, August 18th [read it here].
Low also shared new track “Lies,” the third offering from Ones and Sixes, which premiered earlier today via Spotify [listen here].
- - - - -
Low’s previously announced North American and European tour in support of Ones and Sixes, begins September 18th in Madison, WI and ends November 21st in Seattle, WA. They’ll also play their largest headlining date in London’s iconic Roundhouse on October 10th. [For up to date information on tickets please visit http://chairkickers.com/shows.]
Sub Pop releases Low’s Ones and Sixes on CD / LP / DL worldwide on Friday, September 11th, and is currently available for pre-order from the Sub Pop Mega Mart, iTunes, Amazon, and Bandcamp. The limited “Loser Edition” of the LP on yellow vinyl will be available from select independent record stores and of course megamart.subpop.com (while supplies last).
Tour Dates
Sep. 03 - Bergen, NO - Perfect Sounds Forever
Fest @ Landmark
Sep. 04 - Wiltshire, UK - End of the Road
Festival
Sep. 05- Stradbally, IE - Electric Picnic
Sep. 18 - Madison, WI - High Noon Saloon*
Sep. 19 - Chicago, IL - Thalia Hall*
Sep. 21 - Toronto, ON - The Mod Club*
Sep. 22 - Montreal, QC - Bar Le Ritz PDB*
Sep. 23 - Boston, MA - Brighton Music Hall*
Sep. 24 - Brooklyn, NY - Music Hall of
Williamsburg*
Sep. 25 - Hamden, Connecticut – The Ballroom
at The Outer Space*
Sep. 26 - Washington, DC - Black Cat*
Oct. 07 - Manchester, UK - Cathedral ^
Oct. 08 - Glasgow, UK - Art School =
Oct. 10 - London, UK - Roundhouse ^
Oct. 12 - Koln, DE - Gebaude 9 =
Oct. 13 - Hamburg, DE – Knust =
Oct. 14 - Copenhagen, DK – Vega =
Oct. 15 - Stockholm, SE – Kagelbanan =
Oct. 17 - Berlin, DE – Lido =
Oct. 19 - Munich, DE – Ampere =
Oct. 20 - Bologna, IT - Teatro Antoniano =
Oct. 22 - Zaragoza, ES - Las Armas =
Oct. 23 - Barcelona, ES – Bikini =
Oct. 24 - Valencia, ES - Deleste Festival
Oct. 26 - Madrid, ES - Teatro Lara =
Oct. 27 - Santander, ES – Escenario =
Oct. 29 - Amsterdam, NL - Paradiso ^
Oct. 30 – Tourcoing, FR – Le Grand Mix =
Oct. 31 - Brussels, BE – AB +
Nov. 02 – Paris, FR – Le Divan du Monde =
Nov. 11 - Minneapolis, MN - First Avenue*
Nov. 12 – Omaha, NE – Reverb Lounge*
Nov. 13 - Denver, CO - Larimer Lounge*
Nov. 14 - Salt Lake City, UT - The Complex*
Nov. 16 - Los Angeles, CA - The Troubadour*
Nov. 18 - San Francisco, CA - Great American
Music Hall*
Nov. 20 - Portland, OR - Doug Fir*
Nov. 21 - Seattle, WA - The Crocodile*
Feb. 01 – Philadelphia, PA – Johnny Brenda’s
* w/ Andy Shauf
^ w/ Two Gallants
+ w/ Chelsea Wolfe
= w/ Mike Noga
Folks, we are stoked to announce the imminent reissue of The Album Leaf’s 2004 classic In A Safe Place on vinyl, worldwide September 25th, 2015. This vinyl edition of the album, which has been out of print since 2007, will be repressed both on black and a limited “Loser” edition colored vinyl (while supplies last). This fine LP is in production as we type, and is now available for preorder at megamart.subpop.com.
But wait, there’s more: Later this fall, The Album Leaf will perform In A Safe Place in it’s entirety at All Tomorrow’s Parties “Nightmare Before Christmas” weekender, to be held at Prestatyn Holiday Centre, North Wales, UK, November 27th-29th, 2015. Event info lives here: https://www.atpfestival.com/events/atpnbc112015/view/eventinfo.
In A Safe Place’s songs “On Your Way,” “Eastern Glow,” “Window,” “Over the Pond,” TwentyTwoFourteen,” “The Outer Banks” and “Another Day” have been featured in a variety of TV shows and films over the years, including The OC, CSI Miami, Brotherhood and more. Additionally, “Window” was used in a fanmade, mashup video [view here] featuring Charlie Chaplan’s speech from The Great Dictator, which has amassed over 15 million views.
About The Album Leaf:
Jimmy LaValle has released critically-acclaimed solo work as The Album Leaf (the name comes from a Chopin piece) since 1999’s mellow An Orchestrated Rise to Fall (Linkwork). During the realization of 2003’s Lifetime or More (Arena Rock) and Seal Beach (Acuarela) EPs, he prepared himself to take on a new direction by founding his rich, textural documents on minimalist beats. At the time of 2003’s recording sessions, however, nothing could have prepared LaValle for the experience he had in Iceland.
LaValle befriended Sigur Ros on their first U.S. tour, and they encouraged him northward to Iceland. With the help of his hosts, including members of Sigur Rós and Múm, LaValle was able to craft an album that ventures into new territory. Chillingly delicate and more pop-based than ever before, In A Safe Place masterfully negotiates the spaces between minimal electronic music and melancholy instrumental neo-rock. The inclusion of vocals from The Black Heart Procession’s Pall Jenkins, Sigur Rós’ Jon Thor Birgisson, and LaValle himself is one of the striking results from this newly collaborative process.
