Georgian rippers Arbor Labor Union have shared their self-directed, official video for “Volume Peaks” - an illuminating track from I Hear You, their Sub Pop debut - watch it now by way of The A.V. Club.
The band had this to say of their surreal new visual: ”Four elemental entities take human form and instinctively set out in search for one another. Once the merry band is together, they fall deep into a dream of shared vision. They awake again with clear purpose and directive. They set out to attain their grandiose mission (see video premiere May 18th).”
Arbor Labor Union’s U.S. tour in support of I Hear You, is currently underway, with a show tonight, May 18th in Philadelphia, PA at Kung Fu Necktie. The tour ends Friday, June 17th in Athens, GA at the 40 Watt. Highlights for the tour include: New York’s Mercury Lounge on Thursday, May 19th; Chicago at Schubas on May 24th; Minneapolis at 7th Street Entry on May 26th; And June 8th at Bootleg Hi-Fi in Los Angeles. (complete dates below.)
Arbor Labor Union’s I Hear You is available right this very minute via Sub Pop Mega Mart, iTunes, Amazon, Google Play, Bandcamp and independent record shops near you, and we still have a few copies of the limited “Loser” edition on pink vinyl for you in the Mega Mart.
Tour Dates
May 18 - Philadelphia, PA - Kung Fu Necktie
May 19 - New York, NY - Mercury Lounge
May 20 - Cambridge, MA - Club Bohemia
May 21 - Buffalo, NY - The Leopard Lounge at Town Ballroom
On this fine Wednesday we are beyond pleased, blissed out even if you catch us at the right moment, to share news about Phase Zero, the Sub Pop debut full length from Morgan Delt.
Phase Zero is the follow-up to Morgan’s acclaimed self-titled release that caught our eyes and ears back in 2014. It was performed entirely by Delt and recorded in his Topanga Canyon studio, with mastering by JJ Golden at Golden Mastering.
Phase Zero will beavailable worldwide on CD / LP / DL / CASS on August 26th and is available right now for preorder from the Sub Pop Mega Mart and other fine online retailers. As per usual these days for our Sub Pop releases, all LP pre-orders placed through Sub Pop Mega Mart (and most independent retailers near you) will receive a limited Loser Edition vinyl, with Phase Zero’s Loser Edition being on red vinyl. Please remember that all Loser Editions are available only while supplies last so this isn’t something that will be around for long. Order soon, is what we are saying.
Also, Morgan will be going on tour. We’ve included all the dates that have been confirmed so far below and it’s probably a good idea to stay tuned for more. Morgan’s Facebook or Sub Pop Artist Page will have you covered in that regard.
As the days get warmer, and the airport gets busier, I can’t help but think about all of the Sub Pop bands tearing it up on tour and crushing the summer music festival circuit. While many great festivals have already occurred this year, such as Coachella, Sasquatch, and Bonnaroo, there are still plenty more to discover, some in your own backyard, others in far-off locales. You might be saying to yourself, “Sure, I want to get my fest-vibes on this summer, but how do I distinguish between all of these authentically-curated music festivals?” Well, I have taken it upon myself to synthesize some of the information located at https://www.subpop.com/tours and compile a list of 10 music festivals worth attending this summer. For each festival, I’ve included information on current and former Sub Pop recording artists on the bill, other notable musicians to see, and a unique Festi Fun Fact™. Starting with two festivals right here in Seattle, followed by eight others around the world, let’s dig in!
Other Artists I’d Check Out: Clams Casino, DoNormaal, Dude York, Nail Polish, Mommy Long Legs
Festi Fun Fact™: This three day music festival takes place in Seattle’s funky and hip Capitol Hill neighborhood. (If you want to talk like a local when you visit, be sure to call it ‘Cap Hill.’) MTV’s The Real World is currently filming its newest season in Cap Hill, and locals are excited at the prospect of even more people filling up their bars and restaurants every weekend, hoping to see the cast members in-action.
Sub Pop Bands to See: So Pitted, Father John Misty
Other Artists I’d Check Out: Tame Impala, Run the Jewels, Kamasi Washington, Anderson Paak and the Free Nationals, Chastity Belt
Festi Fun Fact™: This annual Labor Day weekend festival has been running in Seattle Center every year since 1971. The word ‘Bumbershoot’ is a dated and humorous term for an umbrella, and the festival gets its name from the large wooden effigy of a bumbershoot that is constructed every year, and then burned to the ground, in a ritualistic sacrifice to the rain gods.
Sub Pop Bands to See: Father John Misty (solo set), the Head and the Heart
Other Artists I’d Check Out: M83, Twin Peaks, Mac DeMarco
Festi Fun Fact™: With this year’s special solo performance by Father John Misty (aka Josh Tillman), Mo Pop continues its legacy of hosting talented male performers, as previous festivals have seen the likes of Brandon Flowers, Andrew Bird, and J Roddy Walston grace the West Riverfront Park stage.
Other Artists I’d Check Out: Grimes, Kurt Vile, Vince Staples, Radiohead
Festi Fun Fact™: While many famous musicians have called Montreal, Canada, home, members of the indie-rock band Of Montreal are not, in fact, from there. They are proud Americans from the city of Montreal, Wisconsin.
Sub Pop Bands to See: Heron Oblivion, Beach House, Rogue Wave, Foals
Other Artists I’d Check Out: Chance the Rapper, Lana Del Rey, Third Eye Blind, Radiohead again.
Festi Fun Fact™: With their top-billing at this year’s Outside Lands festival, local San Fran band Third Eye Blind will be celebrating their 20th anniversary of opening for Oasis at the Frisco Civic Auditorium, by playing an identical song-for-song setlist.
Sub Pop Bands to See: Beach House, Wolf Parade, Fruit Bats
Other Artists I’d Check Out: Julia Holter, Thee Oh Sees, BADBADNOTGOOD, La Luz, Protomartyr
Festi Fun Fact™: La Luz and Protomartyr have both released albums on Hardly Art, everyone’s favorite scrappy upstart record label in Seattle, who will soon celebrate 10 years of being a scrappy upstart record label in Seattle.
Sub Pop Bands to See: Shabazz Palaces, Beach House, Melvins
Other Artists I’d Check Out: Bon Iver, Erykah Badu, James Blake, Jenny Lewis, William Tyler
Festi Fun Fact™: If you go to the Eaux Claires festival by yourself, one way to make a lot of friends would be to walk around the grounds saying, to no one and everyone in particular, “For an éclairs festival, I thought there’d be more pastries haha.” Repeat as necessary until people start recognizing you as the really funny éclair guy.
Sub Pop Bands to See: Beach House, Father John Misty, Wolf Parade
Other Artists I’d Check Out: Kendrick Lamar, Sheer Mag, AIR, Anohni, Charles Bradley
Festi Fun Fact™: Despite repeated excavations at the historic Los Angeles Sports Arena and Exposition Park, in Los Angeles, California, F.Y.F Fest organizers have failed to recover the original tableaus that contain the translation, and meaning, of the initials “F.Y.F.” This year, it was decided that festival goers would vote for a new original backronym, and “Family friendlYFun” was recently declared the top vote getter.
Sub Pop Bands to See: Sam Beam & Jesca Hoop, GOAT, the Shins, Kelley Stoltz
Other Artists I’d Check Out: Animal Collective, Cat Power, Broken Social Scene, Savages
Festi Fun Fact™: If you are from the U.S. and plan on going to the festival, be mindful that many attendees from the surrounding area might be sensitive about the recent ‘Brexit.’ It would be unwise to ask the nearest person with an unfamiliar accent about their thoughts on the U.K. leaving the European Union, but if you still want to be informed, be sure to stop by the End of the Road official ‘Brexit Information Tent presented by Tesco’ where volunteers are eager to fill you in on this unprecedented development in global politics.
Sub Pop Bands to See: METZ, Iron and Wine, Melvins
Other Artists I’d Check Out: The Specials, Sylvan Esso, Living Colour, De La Soul, Warpaint
Festi Fun Fact™: Synesthesia is defined as “a sensation produced in one modality when a stimulus is applied to another modality, as when the hearing of a certain sound induces the visualization of a certain color.” Studies have shown that 86% of people who claim to regularly experience synesthesia are liars.
This Saturday and Sunday (7/16-17) Team Sub Pop starts biking from Seattle to Portland in support of the Northwest Parkinson’s Foundation, and we need YOUR help!
Since being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in January of 2013, our Co-Founder and fearless leader Jonathan Poneman has done everything he can to show others that there is life beyond Parkinson’s. In a 2013 Seattle Times article, he states, “I accept that I have this disease, but that doesn’t give me the right to be passive.” 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,” and he explains further that, “My love of life and its precious elements became more vivid at the thought of seeing them fade away.” You can read more from Jonathan Poneman here, as he describes a very personal side to his Parkinson’s story.
In support of the many individuals and families affected by PD every year, Sub Pop Records employees will be raising money for the Northwest Parkinson’s Foundation (NWPF) by undertaking the fabled 204-mile Seattle to Portland (STP) Bicycle Classic. We hope you’ll take a moment to donate, and to spread the word about our fundraising efforts.
Donate to our team and we will enter you in a drawing for a hand-picked selection of Sub Pop greatest hits and rarities. From Nirvana’sBleach to Band of HorsesEverything All The Time to rare colored vinyl editions, Sub Pop fans are in for a treat. And, this week only, we will be throwing in mega-rare test pressings of Let’s Be Still by The Head and the Heart!
Your donation will benefit the Northwest Parkinson’s Foundation, which does great work on behalf of people suffering from Parkinson’s Disease. Please take a moment to visit our Sub Pop Team page and make a donation. Under ‘Honour Roll Options’ please select ‘Other (Custom)’ and enter “Sub Pop Giveaway (7/15/16)” in the note field. Winners will be notified shortly after 7/18.
Late last night, Clipping dropped their official video for “Wriggle,” the title cut from their just-released EP. (Which is out now and available for your purchasing pleasure here.) Hear the full EP here; see more of Clipping’s eye-assaulting visuals here.
The frantic clip - directed by Rodney Ascher - pairs performance footage of Clipping’s Daveed Diggs edited into a barrage of GIFs and we CAN’T STOP WATCHING.
There are at least five good reasons to ride your bike all the way from rainy Seattle to Portland, OR, and the number one reason is to raise money for a worthy cause.
Next month, Sub Pop Records employees will join in the 204-mile Seattle to Portland (STP) Bicycle Classic held on July 16 -17, 2016. Now in its 37th 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.
Since being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in January of 2013, our Co-Founder and fearless leader Jonathan Poneman has done everything he can to show others that there is life beyond Parkinson’s. In a 2013 Seattle Times article, he states, “I accept that I have this disease, but that doesn’t give me the right to be passive.” 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,” and he explains further that, “My love of life and its precious elements became more vivid at the thought of seeing them fade away.”
This year, as we prepared to begin this fundraising effort, JP decided to share a more personal side of his story. Here, in his own words:
“I was sitting in a New York City recording studio, having completed listening to final mixes of Beach House’s then-new album, Bloom. It was getting time to mosey, but I couldn’t get up off of the couch. I mean, literally: my body refused to follow very simple, familiar commands. It was weird, it was embarrassing. Most of all, however, it was frightening. As I look back to that time now, I clearly recognize the mounting indicators that something was very wrong with me: rigidity in my body, a generalized, unshakable slowness that was accompanied by tremor. I thought that I was losing my marbles. Up until that point in my life, I had figured that I could bluff my way in or out of any situation. The voice in my head started trying to bullshit the rest of me. “Maybe it’s a food allergy, or stress or a curse from a past life!” Yeah, well maybe. But this time, I wasn’t buying it. I went to three different neurologists. They all told me basically the same thing: each diagnosed me with Parkinson’s Disease (PD). In their respective ways, they all gave me hope. They were also able to prescribe drugs that, for me, reduced the symptoms of the condition to a manageable state. Yay, drugs! As I learned more about PD, I also discovered an underground community that rivals anything that I’ve known in nearly 30 years of peddling Indie Rock. It’s “underground” in that we, the diagnosed, walk (albeit sometimes slowly) among you with something that binds us together, even though PD can vary dramatically in how it’s expressed from individual-to-individual. That variable quality makes finding a uniform cure much more challenging. And like any community, we take care of each other. But we also need your help. On July 16th and 17th, Team Loser will join Team Parkinson’s in the annual 204 mile STP bike ride from Seattle to Portland, to benefit the Northwest Parkinson’s Foundation (NWPF). NWPF is a resource and a lifeline, not just to the Northwest Parkinson’s community, but to those who seek comfort and reliable, upbeat information about lifestyle options and the breakthroughs that will one day make PD yesterday’s news.”
- Jonathan Poneman
In response to this, and in support of the many individuals and families affected by PD every year, Sub Pop Records employees will be raising money for the Northwest Parkinson’s Foundation (NWPF) by undertaking the fabled STP bike ride.
[Sub Pop Team Photo, STP 2015]
What We Need & What You Get
Our goal is to raise $25,000 for the foundation. We need your help! Please donate today, and help us by spreading the word.
In appreciation of your generous support, we’ll be giving away five incredible prize packages that include a wide assortment of new releases and rare collectible albums on colored, limited edition vinyl, a classic Sub Pop Logo T-shirt and a navy canvas tote to carry it all in style.
Newbury Comics is one of the most notable and highly recognized music distributors from New England. Founded in 1978, Newbury Comics has been a music platform for CDs, LPs, DVDs, and our very own Sub Pop releases. Not only does Newbury Comics carry a unique collection of its own, but has for years been a special part of Sub Pop history with our limited edition Newbury x Sub Pop vinyl collaborations.
This year, our STP Team is giving FIVE lucky people an exclusive collection of Newbury x Sub Pop vinyl as part of the super special prize package. Each was limited to 1000 copies and is now sold out: we are including Nirvana’s Sliver/Dive Single, Band of Horse’s Everything All The Time, and the Fleet Foxes acclaimed self-titled album in addition to some of our hand-picked favorites from Sub Pop. With a donation of $100+ towards Parkinson’s care and research you will be qualified and entered to win this one-of-a-kind collection.
Remember, your contribution makes a big difference as we continue our journey to offer care to people suffering from Parkinson’s Disease (PD). Your support is needed now more than ever before. Please take a few minutes now to visit our Sub Pop Team page and make an online donation. Under ‘Honour Roll Options’ please select ‘Other (Custom)’ and include in your donation “Sub Pop Giveaway (6/30/16).” Winners will be notified soon after the STP weekend. Thanks for being a part of our team!
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, and 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. The organization 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 (please) 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.
