Hey gang! The Sub Pop Loser Scholarship is back for our 10th year (!) of supporting Losers in Washington and Oregon.
Sub Pop Records in Seattle, WA is offering a grand total of $15,000 worth of college scholarship money to three eligible high school seniors. There are three scholarships—one for $7,000, one for $5,000 and one for $3,000. As longtime and proud losers ourselves, we’re exceedingly happy to be able, in some small way, to help further the education of art-enthused misfits from the NW.
Applicants must be a resident of Washington or Oregon, and a graduating senior on your way to full-time enrollment at an accredited university or college. We are looking for applicants who are involved and/or interested in music and/or the creative arts in some way. However, you do not need to be pursuing an education in the arts.
To apply you must submit an essay, one page or less, using any combination of the following questions as a guide (or write something completely your own, be inspired and creative!). Please list the school you are graduating from and the school you plan to attend in the fall at the top of your essay along with your contact information.
- What are you doing in the arts/music field in your community?
- What does being a Sub Pop ‘Loser’ mean to you?
- What are your influences and/or who inspired you to become involved in the arts?
- Describe your biggest failure and explain how it has brought you closer to your goal(s).
- Discuss a special attribute or accomplishment that sets you apart.
- How has your family or community background affected the way you see the world?
- Why should you be the Loser winner?
Applicants are strongly (!) encouraged to send digital links and/or provide hard copies of their artwork, photos of community involvement, radio show links, videos, etc. along with their essay (we have never had a winner who submitted only an essay w/no extras). However, please be aware that Sub Pop will not return any of this material, so please don’t send originals. Sub Pop will give equal opportunity to all applicants who fit the criteria outlined above.
The deadline for applications is Wednesday, March 21st.
Please send all submissions and attachments to scholarship@subpop.com by Wednesday, March 21st. We will announce the scholarship winners during the first week of April.
“Artificial” is the new and very official video from Moaning’s forthcoming self-titled, debut album, helmed by the directorial team A Stranger. Guitarist Sean Solomon says of the shimmery, 120 Minutes-style visual, “The video mirrors the themes of insincerity and artificiality in the song. To shoot the video we used practical effects to warp the viewers perception of what’s happening. It was appropriately shot in Los Angeles on 35mm film much like other disingenuous Hollywood productions”
The FADER had this to say of the video, “The song is about what really lies beneath, and like the truth, “Artificial” is distressing, nuanced, and ultimately cathartic. In the video directed by A Stranger, Moaning’s members dress in all white and play in a tinfoiled house with lots of fake plants, with their faces occasionally distorted and mirrored in very cool fashions (see video premiere January 15th).”
Moaning will be available on CD/LP/CS/DL worldwide through Sub Pop. The 10-track album, featuring “Artificial” and “Don’t Go” along with highlights “Tired” “The Same,” and “Misheard,” was recorded and engineered by Alex Newport in Los Angeles.
Preorders for Moaning are available now through Sub Pop right here. LP preorders through megamart.subpop.com and select independent retailers will receive the limited Loser edition on pink vinyl (while supplies last). A new t-shirt design will also be available.
Moaning’s current tour schedule in support of the album begins March 9th, with a hometown release show in Los Angeles on March 9th at the Echo, and runs through March 23 in Salt Lake City at Kilby Court. The band will also appear at SXSW. Additional live dates will be announced soon.
Mar. 09 - Los Angeles, CA - The Echo ^ Mar. 14 - Austin, TX - SXSW Mar. 15 - Austin, TX - SXSW Mar. 16 - Austin, TX - SXSW Mar. 17 - Austin, TX - SXSW Mar. 18 - Hot Springs, AR - Valley of the Vapors Mar. 20 - Chicago, IL - Empty Bottle Mar. 23 - Salt Lake City, UT - Kilby Court * ^ w/ Froth * w/ Ed Schrader’s Music Beat
What The People are saying about Moaning:
“A spacious and dark post-punk rager” [“Don’t Go”] - Buzzbands LA
“A taut introduction, a snappy, cut-throat piece of punked out indie rock that makes its point in two minutes 56 seconds.” [“Don’t Go”] -CLASH
“‘Don’t Go’ is an abrasive, thrilling introduction that points towards a debut album without boundaries or limitations.” [“Don’t Go”] - DIY
“Solomon sings in a world-weary monotone. But his voice rushes through a weathered industrial filter that makes it sound like the air in his lungs is struggling to catch up with him, adding a layer of momentum to his post-punk stoicism. Behind him, bandmates Pascal Stevenson and Andrew MacKelvie keep time on bass and drums, respectively, their clipped tempos like a clock ticking down to the end of the affair. And then there’s that delightfully out of place guitar solo. The way Solomon’s fingers jitter across the frets betrays the dispassion in his voice. He sings like Ian Curtis, but he plays guitar like Billie Joe Armstrong wringing out notes in fits.” [“Don’t Go”] - Pitchfork
“It’s moody and on-edge, an energy that’s matched by the stylish black-and-white video” [“Don’t Go”] - Stereogum
“Don’t Go” is uproarious and unrelenting, a tremendous wall of noise hitting you from the start, its biting rage continuing throughout. Vocals cloaked in fuzz meld into the sounds projected seamlessly, creating a thick atmosphere against repetitious plea of, “don’t go.”…The single evokes the feelings of desperately holding on, clamoring to keep it together even when everything has fallen apart. This band is everything.” [“Don’t Go”] - The Grey Estates
“A product of their hometown’s DIY scene, this Los Angeles trio have spent the past couple of years creating moody guitar music that draws on shoegaze, slacker-rock and post-punk. They’ve already whetted appetites for their upcoming debut album with a series of driving, dirge-like, deadpan tunes.” [Top 40 Newcomers of 2018”] -The Guardian
Loma, the new project comprised of Jonathan Meiburg, best known as the singer of Shearwater, and Emily Cross and Dan Duszynski of Cross Record, will release their self-titled debut album on February 16th via Sub Pop, with their first North American tour to follow. (dates are below.)
After presenting singles “Black Willow” and “Relay Runner,” Loma shares the first song the trio wrote and recorded together, “Joy,” a song about the giddy, terrifying experience of falling in love, especially against your better judgment. Of that initial session, Meiburg noted “There was something special about the combination of the three of us, and very different from either of our bands. But I think we were afraid to say so out loud, for fear of jinxing it. I remember the hairs on the back of my neck standing up when Emily hit that high, screaming note on the clarinet on ‘Joy’; it sounded like a human voice.” That sense of discovery, stoked by the album’s urgent and searching lyrical themes, is felt throughout the entirety of Loma and extends to the listener.
May 26 - Amsterdam, NL - London Calling @ Paradiso
May 27 - Brussels, BE - Botanique
May 30 - Brighton, UK - The Hope
May 31 - London, UK - Lexington
Jun. 01 - Bristol, UK - Rough Trade
Jun. 03 - Manchester, UK - Gullivers
Jun. 04 - Leeds, UK - Headrow House
Jun. 05 - Glasgow, UK - Hug and Pint
Jun. 07 - Dublin, IR - Whelan’s (upstairs)
Jun. 08 - Liverpool, UK - Buyers Club
Loma is available for preorder from Sub Pop right here. North American preorders of the limited Loser edition from megamart.subpop.com will be available on clear vinyl with red and black swirlies (while supplies last). A new T-shirt design will also be available.
Bully has not stopped since the the release of their ferocious and powerful sophomore album Losing last Fall. The Nashville 4-piece is headed by Alicia Bognanno, who’s songwriting not only cuts to core but has a vocal snarl unlike any other.
The video for “Focused” is out today, directed by Rozalina Burkova, who tell us that the animated music video is “loosely based on the theme of coming of age and the ups and downs friendships and relationships.” Alicia went on to say, “I let Rozalina take the reins on this one. I am a huge fan of all her animation work and wanted her to do what she felt was best for this video.”
Bully will be embarking on a huge world tour, starting in the US later this month which features stops at Teragram Ballroom in Los Angeles, Aladdin Theater in Portland, Neumos in Seattle and many more. Bully will also perform at Shaky Knees Festival and Noise Pop Festival. Don’t miss your chance to see one of the most exciting live bands on the road right now.
Losing is available now from Sub Pop Records and from Bully’s webstore. The album was engineered and mixed by lead-singer Alicia Bognanno in Chicago at Electrical Audio.
2018 tour dates include headline shows (March 5th-4th), SXSW (March 12th-16th), and direct support for Dr. Dog (April 6th-20th)
“Unabashed odes to courtship, confusion and the timeless power of storytelling in song.” - NPR Music
Kyle Craft’s excellent new album Full Circle Nightmare is now streaming, in its entirety, worldwide through NPR Music’s “First Listen.” [Listen here.] That’s one full week before release next Friday, February 2nd!
“Craft may be a wordsmith at heart, but he doesn’t shirk on making Full Circle punchy and infectious on a strictly musical level. The folky sway and hushed tone of “Slick & Delta Queen” demand undivided attention, thanks to Craft’s cracked voice, gentle strumming, and euphoric choruses. “Fake Magic Angel” revs up a twangy hootenanny of Dylan-worthy Americana, only delivered with the slashing force of Bowie-era glam. And the piano-laden “Gold Calf Moan” is a ballad of lost — but hopefully one day recaptured — love that dissolves and reshapes itself around Craft’s entrancing troubadour spell…[His] moonstruck sentiments may seem downright old-fashioned. Then again, so are his compositions: unabashed odes to courtship, confusion and the timeless power of storytelling in song,” writes Jason Heller for NPR Music (see “First Listen” January 25th).
Kyle Craft previously announced 2018 tour schedule in support of Full Circle Nightmare spans March 5th in San Francisco at Cafe Du Nord through April 20th in Charlottesville at Jefferson Theatre. Highlights include a full headlining tour (March 5th-April 4th), appearances at SXSW (March 12th-16th) and a direct support slot opening for Dr. Dog (April 6th-20th).
Preceding the Spring tour schedule, Craft has scheduled two Pacific Northwest week of release shows including Seattle’s Tractor Tavern on February 1st and Portland’s Doug Fir on February 2nd.
Feb. 01 - Seattle, WA - Tractor Tavern Feb. 02 - Portland, OR - Doug Fir Mar. 05 - San Francisco, CA - Cafe Du Nord Mar. 07 - Los Angeles, CA - The Morroccan Lounge Mar. 08 - San Diego, CA - The Casbah Mar. 12 - Austin, TX - SXSW Mar. 13 - Austin, TX - SXSW Mar. 14 - Austin, TX - SXSW Mar. 15 - Austin, TX - SXSW Mar. 16 - Austin, TX - SXSW Mar. 17 - Shreveport, LA - Red River District Mar. 21 - Nashville, TN - The Basement Mar. 22 - Atlanta, GA - The Earl Mar. 23 - Carrboro, NC - Cat’s Cradle Mar. 24 - Washington, DC - Pearl Street Warehouse Mar. 26 - Philadelphia, PA - Boot & Saddle Mar. 27 - Brooklyn, NY - Baby’s All Right Mar. 28 - Allston, MA - Great Scott Mar. 30 - South Burlington, VT - Higher Ground Showcase Lounge Apr. 02 - Toronto, ON - Smiling Buddha Apr. 03 - Columbus, OH - The Basement Apr. 04 - Chicago, IL - Schubas Apr 06 - Louisville, KY - Mercury Ballroom* Apr 08 - Columbia, MO - Blue Note* Apr 09 - Fayetteville, AR - George’s Majestic Lounge* Apr 10 - Oxford, MS - Lyric Theater* Apr 12 - Mobile, AL - Soul Kitchen* Apr 13 - Orlando, FL - Plaza Theater* Apr 14 - Ft. Lauderdale, FL - Culture Room* Apr 15 - Ponte Vedra, FL - Ponte Vedra Concert Hall* Apr 17 - Charleston, SC - Music Farm* Apr 19 - Richmond, VA - The National* Apr 20 - Charlottesville, VA - Jefferson Theater* *w/ Dr. Dog
Full Circle Nightmare was produced by Chris Funk (of the Decemberists), with mixing by Trevor Spencer (Father John Misty) and Benjamin Weikel and Brandon Summers (of The Helio Sequence). The album is the follow up to Dolls of Highland, his acclaimed debut.
Full Circle Nightmare is available for preorder now from Sub Pop and select independent retailers right over here.
“When Kyle Craft’s heart breaks, it shoots glitter and confetti—by the time he hits the chorus, the song has erupted into a tempest of sassy brass, swirling organs, and hip-swiveling boogie.” [“Heartbreak Junky”] - Pitchfork
Full Circle Nightmare is earning Craft some of the best reviews of his career. “Unabashed odes to courtship, confusion and the timeless power of storytelling in song,” says NPR Music. And Pop Matters raves, “It blows away a debut album that was already damn near flawless.”
Kyle Craft’s previously announced 2018 tour schedule in support of Full Circle Nightmare spans March 5th in San Francisco at Cafe Du Nord through April 20th in Charlottesville at Jefferson Theatre. Highlights include a full headlining tour (March 5th-April 4th), appearances at SXSW (March 12th-16th) and a direct support slot opening for Dr. Dog (April 6th-20th).
Preceding the spring dates, Craft continues his Pacific Northwest week-of-release run with his sold-out show tonight at Portland’s Doug Fir (Feb. 2nd).
Feb. 02 - Portland, OR - Doug Fir [Sold Out]
Mar. 05 - San Francisco, CA - Cafe Du Nord
Mar. 07 - Los Angeles, CA - The Morroccan Lounge
Mar. 08 - San Diego, CA - The Casbah
Mar. 12 - Austin, TX - SXSW
Mar. 13 - Austin, TX - SXSW
Mar. 14 - Austin, TX - SXSW
Mar. 15 - Austin, TX - SXSW
Mar. 16 - Austin, TX - SXSW
Mar. 17 - Shreveport, LA - Red River District
Mar. 21 - Nashville, TN - The Basement
Mar. 22 - Atlanta, GA - The Earl
Mar. 23 - Carrboro, NC - Cat’s Cradle
Mar. 24 - Washington, DC - Pearl Street Warehouse
Mar. 26 - Philadelphia, PA - Boot & Saddle
Mar. 27 - Brooklyn, NY - Baby’s All Right
Mar. 28 - Allston, MA - Great Scott
Mar. 30 - South Burlington, VT - Higher Ground Showcase Lounge
Apr. 02 - Toronto, ON - Smiling Buddha
Apr. 03 - Columbus, OH - The Basement
Apr. 04 - Chicago, IL - Schubas
Apr 06 - Louisville, KY - Mercury Ballroom*
Apr 08 - Columbia, MO - Blue Note*
Apr 09 - Fayetteville, AR - George’s Majestic Lounge*
