Porter Ray’s ”Arithmetic” is the 2nd single off Watercolor, his forthcoming full-length debut, available worldwide March 10th from Sub Pop. The vibe-worthy track features guest performances from Stas THEE Boss (formerly of THEESatisfaction and current host of KEXP’s Street Sounds) and the legendary Infinite (of Narkotik and Tribal Productions).
Gorilla vs. Bear premiered the track today (see here) and said of the track, “Seattle rapper Porter Ray shares another hazy and seductive gem from his forthcoming LP Watercolor…“Arithmetic” showcases Porter’s golden voice and effortlessly vivid flow over a dreamy, immersively narcotic beat, elevated by spectral siren calls from the great Stas Thee Boss and anchored by a crucial assist from revered Seattle MC Infinite.”
Porter Ray is also the subject of a feature in the new edition of Crack Magazine, of which you can read more here.
Watercolor is now available for preorder on CD / 2xLP / DL / CASS. LP pre-orders through the Sub Pop Mega Mart and independent retailers will receive the limited Loser Edition on translucent vinyl with magenta swirl in North America & Translucent vinyl in Europe, while supplies last.
Watercolor features original production from B-Roc, Dez Anthony, and Kmtk, and was mixed by Erik Blood. Guest appearances include Cashtro, Nate Jack, Jus Moni and Black Constellation elders Palaceer Lazaro and Fly Guy Dai of Shabazz Palaces.
Feb. 17 - Seattle, WA - Sole Repair* Feb. 26 - Seattle, WA - Crocodile** Mar. 08 - Seattle, WA - Barboza (Watercolor release party) Mar. 15-19 - Austin, TX - SXSW May 26 - Quincy, WA - Sasquatch Music Festival * w/ Sisters ** w/ Pickwick
Father John Misty’s “Ballad of the Dying Man” is the gorgeous new single and standout from Pure Comedy, his forthcoming third album.
As it also happens, Beats 1’s Zane Lowe just named “Ballad of the Dying Man” his “World Record” on today’s show. Tune in later this morning (10amPST) to hear the track, as well as the first installment of Tillman’s two-part interview with Lowe, where they discuss the making of the album [link here].
“Ballad of the Dying Man” follows the release of “Pure Comedy,” the prescient title track released late last month, a surreal, 30-minute film about the making of the album, and the thought provoking “Two Wildly Different Perspectives”, earlier this week.
Pure Comedy’s front/back covers and gatefold feature a gargantuan original piece (his first ever commission of its kind) by Ed Steed (The New Yorker) and cover variations for the standard LP and CD will be randomly distributed. Collect them all! Please!
A Deluxe 2xLP version on aluminum & copper vinyl, a die-cut customizable jacket with 4 interactive “background” sleeves (so you can have whatever sky you damn well feel like as the cover), all encased in a clear slipcase. Includes a fold-out poster and an exclusive holographic tarot card by Ed Steed.
A 2xLP gatefold version also available in 4 cover variations on black vinyl
A CD gatefold digipak with slipcase available in 4 cover variations
Digital
Cassette
TAKE NOTE: LP orders through Father John Misty’s Official Store, megamart.subpop.com, Bella Union and select independent retailers will receive a limited 7” single featuring the first physical release of fan favorite “Real Love Baby” on the A-side and the as yet unreleased track, “Rejected Generic Pop Song, March ‘15 #3” on the B-side (while supplies last). A new t-shirt design will be available from Sub Pop (white or black) and Bella Union, in addition to a new line of merch from Father John Misty’s online store.
[Photo Credit: Guy Lowndes]
Read some (well, a veritable fuck ton) words from Josh over here, then follow him just about everywhere in the universe via Facebook.
This one’s not for the faint of heart, people. Masters of making you squirm, Clipping have teamed up with director Anna Zlokovic for the disturbing new “Back Up” video [feat. Antwon and Signor Benedick the Moor], a highlight from the group’s Wriggle EP.
Zlokovic says of the visual, “Through the perspective of an unnamed filmmaker, we stumble upon an accidental and horrifying discovery. What begins as a curious exploration of an abandoned warehouse quickly devolves into the uncovering and filming of an underground, cult-like society—one where adults have baby faces and milk is the drug of choice.”
The “Back Up” video marks another collaboration between Anna, Aporkalypse and Clipping’s members (most specifically, Jonathan Snipes recently contributed sound design for the film, Shorty). Additionally, Zlokovic’s films (based in the psychological sci-fi, psychological horror, body horror genre) and music videos have screened internationally at festivals including SXSW, Santa Barbara Int’l Film Festival, and Fantasia Int’l Film Festival. Her perspective often finds itself joining the cerebral and humanistic, hanging out in a realm where a more fantastical reality meets the mundane.
“Back Up” was also filmed at The Smell––an all-ages DIY music venue in Los Angeles. The Smell has remained a pillar of the LA underground music scene since its founding in the 90’s and is now set for demolition––which has incited a bevy of support for the venue amongst LA musicians/fans. Clipping has played at the The Smell many times & has a long-standing relationship with co-founder Jim Smith. It seemed like a particularly apt place to film––both for aesthetic and sentimental purposes, and in service of the current #savethesmell campaign.
[Please find a full list of production credits below.]
Clipping’s previously announced 2017 North American headline and support dates begin February 17th in Santa Ana, CA at The Observatory runs through April 4th in St. Petersburg, FL at Jannus Live. Highlights for the tour include headline shows (February 17th-24th; March 10th, March 16th, April 3rd), appearances at the Noise Pop Festival (February 24th-25th) and a direct support run opening for the Flaming Lips (March 3rd-14th; March 29th-April 4th). Tour dates are below.
Splendor & Misery is available on CD/LP/DL/CASS worldwide from Sub Pop right over here and Deathbomb Arc here. The album features the highlights “Baby Don’t Sleep,” “A Better Place,” and “Air ‘Em Out,” was produced by the band, and mixed by Steve Kaplan in Los Angeles. The Wriggle EP is also available from Sub Pop, here.
Tour Dates Feb. 17 - Santa Ana, CA - The Observatory^ [Sold Out] Feb. 18 - Los Angeles, CA - The Broad^ [Sold Out] Feb. 20 - Portland, OR - Holocene^ [Sold Out] Feb. 21 - The, Seattle, WA - The Crocodile^ [Sold Out] Feb. 22 - Vancouver, BC - Biltmore Cabaret^ Feb. 24 - Oakland, CA - Starline Social Club (Noise Pop!)^ [Sold Out] Feb. 25 - San Francisco, CA - Brick & Mortar Club (Noise Pop!) ^ [Sold Out] Mar. 03 - Boston, MA - House of Blues * Mar. 04 - Philadelphia, PA - The Fillmore * Mar. 05 - Washington, DC - 930 Club * Mar. 06 - Washington, DC - 930 Club * Mar. 09 - New York City, NY - Terminal 5 * Mar. 10 - Brooklyn, NY - Rough Trade NYC ^^ Mar. 11 - Westbury, NY - The Space at Westbury * Mar. 13 - Toronto, ON - Rebel * Mar. 14 - Royal Oak, MI - Royal Oak Theater * Mar. 16 - Chicago, IL - Subterranean Mar. 29 - Nashville, TN - War Memorial Auditorium * Mar. 30 - Charlotte, NC - The Fillmore * Mar. 31 - Raleigh, NC - The Ritz * Apr. 02 - Atlanta, GA - Tabernacle * Apr. 03 - Orlando, FL - The Social ** Apr. 04 - St. Petersburg, FL - Jannus Live * * w/ The Flaming Lips ^ w/Baseck
** w/ They Hate Change
^^ w/ Jason Forrest
*“Back Up” credits: Directed by Anna Zlokovic Produced by Simona Kessler, Alex Familian & Anna Zlokovic AD: Rene Gannon-O’Gara Cinematography by Powell Robinson VFX by Alex Familian Production Designed by Devin Cheney Set Decorator: Sydney Marquez Costuming and HMU by Nadine Sondej-Robinson Editing by Anna Zlokovic & Powell Robinson Sound Design by Jonathan Snipes Additional Casting by Luka Fisher 1st AC: Carter Ross Colorist: Powell Robinson Production Manager: Alex Lark Production Coordinator: Chase Niesner PAs and Costuming Assistants: Andy Riviera & Jordan Vazcones
Starring the bodies of: Daveed Diggs, Antwon, Signor Benedick the Moor, Andrew Varenhorst, Dani Goffstein, Evita Castine, Patrick Robert Young, Evanne Friedmann, Yazmin Watkins, Nadine L. Robinson, Daniel Crook, Jared Michael Degado, Ivo Buhles, Genevieve Munroe, Peter Kalisch, Devin Cheney, & Carter Ross.
Special thanks to all the baby parents & chaperones: Jill Fogel, Karla Garcia, Amyre Rachal-Carter, Adriana Benvenuto, Emily Rubio, Natasha Oiye, Dorian Gray, Ena Fleming, Afton Adams, & Leslie Adams.
A very special thanks to: Jim Smith & Michael Fierstein of The Smell, Jack Kovacs and Ember the cat, Theo Pappas at Santa Monica Video, Youth Talent Connection, Sasha Venn, Jules Bruff, Sage Lewis, Spitz, The Blue Cube, Co-Opportunity Market + Deli, & Jeremy McLennan.
Please to feast your eyes on “Memories Are Now,” Official Video for the title track off Jesca Hoop’s critically acclaimed new album which is available February 10th, throughout the known universe. This mesmeric visual was directed by multi-talented animator / illustrator AnnlinChao.
Memories Are Now is Hoop’s best reviewed album to date:
Drowned in Sound gave the album a 10 out 10 rating, and said, “Past, present, and future rest patiently before Hoop, and she’s weaved them all into her most endearing album yet.” The Skinny also gave the album a perfect score (5/5), calling it a “gorgeously delivered elegy to heartbreak and loss; powerful, perfectly executed songs to bring comfort and strength to the weary, broken and scorned.”
Meanwhile, Loud & Quiet named Memories Are Now it’s “Album of the Week,” and raved, “One of the most engagingly idiosyncratic and refreshingly broad collections of solo singer songwriting in recent memory.” And NPR Music added, “In both content and construction, Jesca Hoop’s songs practically burst with ideas: They’re as strange and smart and heartfelt as they are gorgeous, and that’s saying something.”
Jesca Hoop appeared on Lauren Laverne’s BB6 show earlier today to discuss the album and delivered stellar performances of “The Lost Sky” and “Songs of Old” [listen here]. Additionally, Hoop has scheduled radio US sessions including Prairie Home Companion (February 18th, 5-7pm CT), KUTX in Austin (February 16th) along with WXPN’s World Cafe in Philadelphia, WERS in Boston, and WFUV in New York (air dates TBD).
Coming to a town near you…
Jesca Hoop’s forthcoming international tour dates in support of Memories Are Now span January 28th through April 6th, 2017. The U.S. shows begin February 26th in Austin, TX and include stops in Philadelphia, Atlanta, Boston, New York City, Seattle, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. The EU shows begin March 28th and include stops in London [Sold Out], Leeds, Bristol, Leicester, Norwich, Manchester, Brighton, Cambridge, Liverpool, Copenhagen, Aarhus, Berlin, Hamburg and Thirsk (Deer Shed Festival).
Hoop has also just confirmed her largest London show to date at the Union Chapel on December 1st. Tickets on sale tomorrow, Friday, February 10th. (find tour dates + ticket links below).
Memories Are Now, featuring highlights “The Lost Sky” [hear here], “Pegasi” and the title track. The album will be released on CD / LP / DL and is available for pre-order now over here. LP pre-orders through megamart.subpop.com will receive the limited Loser Edition on Robin’s Egg Blue Swirl colored vinyl (while supplies last). The Loser Edition will also be available in finer independent record stores around the globe, and directly from the artist on tour (also in a ‘while supplies last’ situation).
What people are saying about Memories Are Now:
“Hoop has been a free spirit, but with Memories Are Now, she understands exactly when to use the bridle and bit on these wild, wise songs.” [4/5] - Mojo
“Memories Are Now is built on stacked voices, sparse rhythm and twisted folk shapes, but the execution varies pleasingly, from the Native American blues of “Cut Connection” to the autumnal bucolia of “Songs Of Old.” [8/10] - Uncut
“One of her best albums to date. Stunning.” - The Sunday Times
“An admirably sharp and focused collection of songs.” [4/5] - Record Collector
“This project has an air of rebirth to it. Hoop and her producer, Blake Mills, have worked to minimize her trademark lush arrangements to make Memories more reminiscent of a live setting. The spare “Animal Kingdom Chaotic” is built around fingerpicked string-work and typewriter clicks. Its Americana-leaning follow-up, “Simon Says,” relies only on a lightly distorted six-string, an upright bass and Hoop’s layered harmonies.” - PASTE
Tour Dates
Feb. 26 - Austin, TX - 3TEN @ Austin City Limits Live Feb. 28 - Atlanta, GA - Terminal West Mar. 02 - Vienna, VA - Jammin’ Java Mar. 05 - Philadelphia, PA - Boot & Saddle Mar. 06 - Allston, MA - Brighton Music Hall Mar. 08 - New York, NY - Mercury Lounge Mar. 12 - Chicago, IL - Beat Kitchen Mar. 13 - Mineral Point, WI - Mineral Point Opera House Mar. 14 - Minneapolis, MN - Cedar Cultural Center Mar. 17 - Seattle, WA - Fremont Abbey Arts Center Mar. 18 - Portland, OR - Aladdin Theater Mar. 20 - San Francisco, CA - Great American Music Hall Mar. 21 - Los Angeles, CA - The Roxy Mar. 28 - Leeds, UK - Brudenell Social Club Mar. 29 - London, UK - The Lexington [Sold Out] Mar. 30 - Bristol, UK - Exchange Mar. 31- Leicester, UK- The Musician Apr. 01 - Brighton, UK - Patterns Apr. 02 - Norwich, UK - Epic Studios Apr. 03 - Cambridge, UK - Portland Arms Apr. 05 - Liverpool, UK - The Magnet Apr. 06 - Manchester, UK - Gorilla May 13 - Amsterdam – Bitterzoet May 14 - Hamburg, DE - Nochtwache May 16 - Aarhus, DK - Atlas May 17 - Copenagen, DK - Vega Jnr May 18 - Berlin, DE - Gruener Salon Jul. 21 - Thirsk, UK - Deer Shed Festival Dec. 01 - London, UK - Union Chapel
REAL NEWS: Sub Pop has signed the politically charged Downtown Boys to a universe-wide record deal! The Providence, RI-based band is currently at work on their label debut, which will be released later this year. While we wait for details on the new album, the band will play a series of U.S. tour dates beginning March 6th in Baltimore at Ottobar and ending March 24th in Brooklyn at Baby’s All Right.
Highlights for the tour include a series of shows at SXSW March 14-17. These dates are bookended by two stand-alone performances: February 3rd in Washington, DC at the Black Cat and a sold-out April 20th show at Philadelphia’s First Unitarian Church. (Current tour dates listed below.
About Downtown Boys: Now that the United States has a despot instead of a president, Downtown Boys are that much more driven to use their anger and their joy to drill away at the walls of white supremacy’s brain. Based in Providence, RI, the band released their acclaimed debut album, Full Communism, in 2015, and they have been touring their powerful live show throughout North America and Europe since 2012. They bring an aggressive dissonance to make a harmonious message against the erasure of people of color, queer people, femmes, and those of us who have always been in the center of the pit whether you knew it or not.
The band is currently working with Greg Norman and Fugazi’s Guy Picciotto on their second LP, and they join the countless people filling streets and airports around the country to loudly proclaim #NoBan, #NoRegistry, #FuckWhiteSupremacy.
“Those who still defend the supremacy of white male hetero-patriarchy had better watch out.” – Angela Davis, inauguration day speech, 2017.
Feb. 03 - Washington, DC - The Freedom Fair @ Black Cat* Mar. 06 - Baltimore, MD - Ottobar** Mar. 07 - Raleigh, NC - Duke Coffeehouse** Mar. 08 - Nashville, TN - Third Man Records** Mar. 09 - New Orleans, LA - Siberia** Mar. 10 - Houston, TX - Walter’s** Mar. 11 - McAllen, TX - Yerberia Cultura** Mar. 13 - San Antonio, TX - Paper Tiger** Mar. 14-17 - Austin, TX - SXSW Mar. 18 - Dallas, TX - Not So Fun Weekend @ Club Dada # Mar. 19 - Hot Springs, AR - Valley of Vapors** Mar. 20 - Chattanooga, TN - JJ’s Bohemia** Mar. 21 - Asheville, NC - The Mothlight** Mar. 23 - Philadelphia, PA - Everybody Hits** Mar. 24 - Brooklyn, NY - Baby’s All Right** Apr. 20 - Philadelphia, PA - First Unitarian Church [SOLD OUT]^
* w/ Two Inch Astronaut, Loi Loi, and Kosi & Free Thyme ** w/ Sneaks # w/ Chastity Belt, Weaves, and Flasher ^ w/ Paint It Black, Praise, Gouge Away, and Soul Glo
At last, winter is finally nearing
its conclusion! After what feels like an eternity (can you believe the Summer
Olympic Games were less than a year ago? Me neither…), spring is finally close
enough to talk about without sobbing. While reasonable people may know spring as the time
when temperatures rise, plants bloom, and insects reemerge from Hell where
they belong, we here in the bowels of the music industry know it exclusively as
the beginning of “festival season.” During this time, seemingly every city
around the world sets aside a weekend or two for great gaggles of wide-eyed music fans to gather to watch and listen to as much music as possible, and also pay too much for bottled water. In addition to all that music and predatorily-priced potable water, there’s the eating, the drinking, the art appreciating and, of course, so many sunburns.
“This is all too much,” you might
hypothetically say, “there are just too many festivals.” If you are inexperienced
with the full wonder of music festivals, you might even say, “I don’t know if I’ll survive even one
of these.” And though, clearly, that is hyperbolic, I am not here to judge you. No,
instead, I am here to help. And, to that end, I’ve prepared a pseudo-survival guide for your
trek to one (or all!) of the very cool festivals listed below, complete with a
brief summary of each, a list of cool bands to see, other things to do in the area, and
some optional, recommended items to make your festival experience a truly
luxurious, Sub Pop-approved one.
Bands to see: Washed Out, Clams Casino, Run the Jewels,
Young Thug
Situated between the Mississippi river and some railroad
tracks, BUKU is an intimate music and arts festival with plenty of great
electronic and hip-hop music. One of the stages is located inside a warehouse used
to build Mardi Gras floats, and it’s only a short walk from the French Quarter,
ensuring that there’s plenty to do while you’re in town. I’d
highly recommend some sunglasses, however. Protecting your eyes is
important - not only from the sun, but also from the flying cockroaches I’ve been told
exist in the southern parts of the United States.
A yearly tradition during which downtown Austin, Texas is overrun for 9 (nine!) whole days, SXSW is a smorgasbord of music and pop
culture, where you can take in practically innumerable performances by bands, plus art, informational panels, comedy, and just about anything else you might want to see. You
will almost certainly need a very
attractive bag to carry all the swag you acquire.
Bands to see: Beach House, Bjork, James Blake, M.I.A.
Is there a better way to welcome spring back into your life
than by going to Mexico? I’ve yet to hear a compelling opposing argument, and
set for only one day in the beautiful city of Toluca, the Ceremonia Festival
boasts an impressive lineup full of heavy-hitters. Fun fact: Toluca is the
region from which Chorizo originates. so I’d suggest something
to keep your drink cold while you’re busy stuffing your face.
Coachella is a huge festival, occupying two weekends in an
otherwise scarcely populated valley in central California. There isn’t a whole
lot to do in Indio, but the organizers of this festival have you covered, as
every year they seem to try to go even bigger than they did the prior year.
More bands than you can name, food, art, and interactive exhibits abound at
this staple of the festival scene. You’re probably going to be camping if you
go. Please
bring soap.
Fortress is a brand spankin’ new festival marking its
inaugural edition. Presented by the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth, it also
includes a boatload of art by multidisciplinary artists across several venues.
I’d recommend that you bring a
water bottle that won’t let you down, as you’ll need to stay hydrated for
all three days. Fort Worth is also home to the renowned Kimbell Art Museum and
the world’s first and largest indoor rodeo, if such things tickle your fancy.
Some festivals seek to find a location off the beaten trail,
removed from the city and the hustle and bustle. Shaky Knees is not that festival,
as it takes place smack-dab in the middle of Atlanta’s Centennial Olympic Park.
Food is a big draw at this festival (it’s in the South, so this is to be
expected). And, should you seek respite from the sun beyond that provided by this
hat that I dutifully recommend as a source of shade, the excellent Center
for Civil and Human Rights is a short walk away (as is the World of Coca-Cola museum and the Georgia Aquarium).
Is there anything more picture-perfect than a white sand
beach? This is a question asked by many Washingtonians (mostly out of
ignorance, as our beaches feature no sand, only rocks, driftwood, and
disappointment), and attending Hangout Festival, located directly on the
beaches of Gulf Shores, would provide the obvious answer. What
could possibly be better than listening to your favorite bands WITH the ability
to jump straight into the ocean at any time you choose? Bring a
towel, no one likes being wet once they’re done swimming.
And so we arrive at the end of spring, the beginning of June
and the barrier I have arbitrarily decided on for this survival guide.
Sasquatch takes places at a venue called The Gorge, and it is hands-down the
most beautiful place to see live music in Washington. There’s a breathtaking
view behind the main stage, it’s a not-too-long drive from Seattle, and there are plenty of lakes to swim in before you hit the festival. Room for camping is ample
and comfortable; just make
sure to bring a blanket, because it cools off pretty quickly at night and
you don’t want to be the chump freezing your ass off on the lawn.
