It’s the first time Dear Hamlyn will be available outside of Australasia. The band’s UK, European, and Ireland tour dates for 2019 begin tomorrow in London.
On March 8th, Luluc’sDear Hamlyn, the duo’s debut album, will be available for the first time worldwide (outside of Australasia) on vinyl and through all DSPs from Sub Pop. This gives fans the first opportunity to discover the minimalist folk sound from which the band grew. A long player in the tradition of Nick Drake, you can see (above) the Lucy Dyson animated video for “The Wealthiest Queen”.
Luluc released Dear Hamlyn in Australia in 2008. After her father passed away, Zoe Randell reevaluated her life and came to the conclusion that it was time to focus her energy on music. What resulted was a starkly simple yet dramatically moving work which slowly but surely began to make waves in Australia and beyond. Early advocates and tours with artists like Lucinda Williams, Fleet Foxes, and José Gonzàlez got the band on their way to cult acclaim.
Dear Hamlyn, over the following years, became cherished by fans who had discovered it upon independent release, some of whom were more marquee names in music: like The National and Aaron Dessner (who would go on to produce Passerby and appear on Sculptor, the bands subsequent albums), Nick Drake producer Joe Boyd and No Depression co-founder Peter Blackstock. “The most beautiful record I have heard in 10 years,” wrote Blackstock, who then put the band in contact with Sub Pop co-founder Jonathan Poneman. Poneman was immediately won over. He arranged a meeting, and signed Luluc.
Dear Hamlyn is now available for preorder from Sub Pop. LP preorders through megamart.subpop.com and select independent retailers in North America and Europe will receive the limited Loser edition on pearlescent vinyl (while supplies last).
Dear Hamlyn Tracklisting 1. I Found You 2. Little Suitcase 3. The Wealthiest Queen 4. Black Umbrella 5. Body on the Water 6. Warm One 7. Gillian 8. One Day Soon 9. Abigail & the Whale (The Blue Queen of the Deep) 10. A Whisper 11. My Midnight Special
Luluc Tour Dates
Luluc has scheduled a series of UK, European, and Ireland shows in support of Dear Hamlyn and Sculptor that begin tomorrow, February 5th in London at the Lexington and end February 14th in Dublin at Grand Social.
Feb. 05 - London, UK - Lexington Feb. 06 - Amsterdam, NL - Paradiso Feb. 08 Leffinge, BE - Cafe De Zwerver Feb. 09 - Köln, DE - Die Wohngemeinschaft Feb. 10 - Berlin, DE - Privatclub Feb. 12 - Manchester, UK -Gullivers Feb. 13 - Glasgow, UK - The Hug & Pint Feb. 14 - Dublin, IE - Grand Social
[Photo Credit: Charlotte Demezamat]
Luluc recently shared a new video for “Sculptor,” the title track from their latest album. Directed by Emmy Award winner Katie Mitchell using archival footage, some of which was sourced from NASA. “The clip touches on themes of mortality, memory and our place in the universe”, says Mitchell. And Randell offers this on the collaboration, “We’re in awe of Katie Mitchell as a director and artist. The video she has made for the song “Sculptor” is deep and stunning. As a writer, there is no greater thrill than someone understanding and articulating your work visually like you are of one mind.”
On the heels of their critically acclaimed 2018 album, Double Negative, Low have shared a remix of “Fly,” one of the album’s many stand-out tracks, by famed Philadelphia producer/DJ King Britt, who had this to say about their collaboration:
“As a longtime Low fan, a huge amount of respect went into the mix. I loved their new sonic direction, which spoke to my Fhloston Paradigm project. My mix was a response and continuation in a way of a magical space they already created. Mimi Parker’s vocals were some of her best. A true honor.”
You can listen to King Britt’s remix of “Fly” by clicking here.
The band recently played an electrifying set at this year’s Glastonbury Festival in the UK, which was streamed live on BBC Music. Low’s live Glastonbury performance of “Fly” aired on BBC 2 TV and is also now available on the BBC Music Youtube channel here. Next up, Low will perform at this weekend’s Pitchfork Music Festival in Chicago, IL.
Jul. 19 - Chicago, IL - Pitchfork Music Festival Aug. 16 - Duluth, MN - Bayfront Festival Park (Wild Waters Music Fest to Save the Boundary Waters) Aug. 24 - Turin, IT - TOday’s Festival Aug. 27 - Madrid, ES - Veranos de la Villa Aug. 29 - La Tour de Peilz, CH - Nox Orae Festival Aug. 31 - Wiltshire, UK - End of the Road Festival Sep. 10 - Columbus, OH - Wexner Center for the Arts Sep. 11 - Baltimore, MD - Metro Gallery Sep. 13 - Hudson, NY - Basilica Hudson Sep. 14 - Brooklyn, NY - Murmrr
What “The People” are saying about Double Negative:
“…the most important, devastating album of the year.” [5/5] - The Guardian
“Low have never made a record quite so jarring and jagged, but Double Negative pushes beyond their own catalogue. Low have made what might be their most relevant album, one that holds a mirror up to the world.” [“Album of the Month,” 9/10] -Uncut
“…an ambitious, modern wonder of an album, an exploration of the song as an imperfect conduit of feeling..” [Best New Music, 8.7/10] - Pitchfork
“With their latest, Double Negative, they’ve gone full-on impressionistic, smearing and distorting sounds to create beautiful songs from distant moments playing on a radio that’s fallen down a wormhole.” - New York Times
“Low are back with a vital-sounding, politically-urgent record that’s perhaps the best of their career.” - The Quietus
“It’s an extraordinary and entirely successful reinvention.” - Sunday Times
Sub Pop welcomes Richmond, VA’s Minor Poet who will release The Good News, his label debut on LP/DL on May 17th, 2019. The six-song collection, which features the ebullient lead single “Tropic of Cancer,” was produced by Andrew Carter and Adrian Olsen (Natalie Prass, Foxygen) at Montrose Recording in Richmond.
After spending years writing and recording music by himself in various bedrooms and basements, Andrew Carter hit his stride with the debut Minor Poet album, And How!. Made on a creative whim with no outside expectations, the eleven-song collection combined Carter’s love of carefully-crafted pop with a loose, fun, off-the-cuff recording aesthetic. The album was released in 2017 and developed a small but loving fan base, and Minor Poet has grown from a passion project into a cross-country touring band with write-ups in publications such as American Songwriter, Magnet, The Wild Honey Pie, Impose, and more.
Minor Poet’s second album, The Good News, is a six-song collection that expands the boundaries of what constitutes the band’s sound. In just twenty-two minutes, the songs take apart the standard formulas of guitar-based rock and infuse them with vibrance and energy. On opener “Tabula Rasa,” interlocking guitars and a Farfisa organ carry the song through until everything drops suddenly into a doo-wop section that wouldn’t be out of place on a 1950’s greatest hits compilation. Warped noise envelops a tropicalia-flavored Casio beat in “Tropic of Cancer” before a slick groove and sliding bass line lead into the chorus’ pure pop bliss of horns and vocal harmonies. “Museum District” begins with a drum intro reminiscent of an off-kilter “Be My Baby,” and “Bit Your Tongue/All Alone Now” features a midsection with a glam-rock guitar solo amidst trumpet fanfare. These are just a few of the infectious moments on an EP filled with many more.
The Good News was made over four days at Montrose Recording, in Minor Poet’s hometown of Richmond, Virginia. In the past, Carter played all the instruments and handled all the production, but he knew that he had to reach outside himself to do justice to these songs. “I couldn’t capture the sounds I heard in my head,” Carter explains. “I wanted something that was vast and expansive but that at the same time could hit you immediately in the gut.” Paying homage to the “wall of sound” techniques made famous by Brian Wilson and Phil Spector, Carter and co-producer Adrian Olsen (Natalie Prass, Foxygen) overdubbed layer after layer of Carter playing an array of guitars, pianos, organs, synths, and percussion, as well as singing all the harmonies. The members of Minor Poet’s touring band were brought in to perform the core rhythm section, and local musicians stopped by to add crucial flourishes, such as the harmonizing guitar riffs in “Reverse Medusa” and the saxophone solo that closes out “Nude Descending Staircase.”
At the center of everything is Carter’s voice, singing lyrics that seamlessly mix allusions to religion, mythology, art, and philosophy as he questions himself, his place in the world around him, what he owes to his relationships, and, in turn, what he needs to ask of others in order to stay healthy. “Tabula Rasa” is a concept that argues that humans are born blank slates, shaped through experience and environment. The last two years couldn’t have felt more applicable for Carter, who started out as a fresh face with little-to-no experience in the music industry and slowly grew into himself as a stage performer and bandleader through both good and bad times. During this period he began to come to terms with lifelong struggles, such as the depression that permeates “Tropic of Cancer” and the social anxiety that runs through “Museum District.” Rather than be one-dimensional, however, Carter dives deeper into himself and his motivations, such as in “Reverse Medusa” when he sings, “Hide my love in poetic half-truths/never was one to dwell on my issues.” Carter’s ability to balance emotional honesty with a tongue-in-cheek self-awareness adds to the richness and originality of the music. Short but memorable, catchy yet meaningful, The Good News is another promising step forward for Minor Poet.
The Good News Tracklisting
1. Tabula Rasa 2. Tropic of Cancer 3. Museum District 4. Reverse Medusa 5. Bit Your Tongue / All Alone Now 6. Nude Descending Staircase
Seattle’s Sub Pop Records is extremely proud to announce the return (for our 13th year!) of The Sub Pop Loser Scholarship. Further details on the scholarship are below, and even further below is some clarification on what we mean by “Loser.”
Sub Pop Records is offering a grand total of $15,000 in 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, 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 residents of Washington or Oregon, and graduating seniors on the 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 20th, 2019.
Please send all submissions and attachments to scholarship@subpop.com by Wednesday, March 20th. We will announce the scholarship winners during the first week of April.
What we talk about when we talk about “Loser.”
Here at Sub Pop Records, we use the word “loser” a lot. You may have noticed. We’ve printed it on things we sell (hats, shirts, stickers, mugs, and more!), we call the first, colored-vinyl, limited-edition pressings of the records we release the “Loser Edition,” and every year since 2007 we’ve awarded tuition money to college-bound NW high school students through the “Sub Pop Loser Scholarship.” And, it’s possible we take for granted that you guys catch our drift and understand what we mean when we’re all “loser this,” and “loser that.” So! The following…
Sub Pop’s use of the word “loser” goes back to the foundation of the label and is meant as a celebration of unabashedly being ourselves without conforming to any preconceived ideas of “normal.” To be a loser is central to the very idea of underground art and culture - all of it happening and thriving outside of the mainstream, and not necessarily looking for a way in. Bruce Pavitt’s “New Pop Manifesto” in the 1st issue of Subterranean Pop included, “The important thing to remember is this: the most intense music, the most original ideas… are coming out of scenes you don’t even know exist… Only by supporting new ideas by local artists, bands, and record labels can the U.S. expect any kind of dynamic social/cultural change…” And, since 2007, with the Loser Scholarship, we’ve been adding students to that list, and putting our (or, our co-founder, big boss and biggest loser ever, Jonathan Poneman’s…) money where our mouth is. Sub Pop Records strives to bring attention to music and art from the fringes that might otherwise remain marginalized. And, in that same spirit, through our annual Loser Scholarship, we’re looking for art-enthused misfits in NW high schools, losers like us, to help them pay for college. We stand proudly with and support the misfits, weirdos and losers, because we believe that when we’re able to proudly be nothing other than our true selves, we have the ability to make the world stronger, smarter and better.
So, good luck, Losers! And, again, please send all submissions and attachments to scholarship@subpop.com by Wednesday, March 20th.
On November 19th Hot Snakes released a new single entitled “Checkmate,” which you can listen to now through all digital service providers. The band will have a very limited number of “Checkmate” 7” singles available at their upcoming UK & Ireland shows that kick off tonight, December 3rd in Nottingham. This 7” will also include the exclusive b-side “Not in Time.”
To celebrate their new single and impending tour, the band has shared a new video for “Checkmate,” which was directed by Hot Snakes’ own John Reis, and longtime friend of the band Craig Oliver. Watch as digital representations of the band invade and infest a house by clicking play on the video above, and/or also by clicking here.
“…Hot Snakes has historically been one of the world’s most reliable purveyors of angry, pulverizing rock ‘n’ roll. That pattern recurs today.” - Stereogum (Nov. 19, 2019).
Full list of dates is here:
Dec. 03 - Nottingham, UK - Bodega Dec. 04- Manchester, UK - Deaf Institute Dec. 05 - Newcastle, UK - Cluny Dec. 06 - Glasgow, UK - Broadcast Dec. 07 - Belfast, UK - Black Box Dec. 08 - Dublin, IE - Grand Social Dec. 10 - Birmingham, UK - Hare & Hound Dec. 11 - Leeds, UK - Brudenell Social Dec. 12 - London, UK - Garage Dec. 13 - Bristol, UK - Thekla Social Dec.14 - Brighton, UK - Patterns Dec. 15 - Cambridge, UK - Portland Arms
The most recent Hot Snakes album, 2018’s Jericho Sirens is available everywhere from Sub Pop here and through all DSPs. And the band’s reissued catalog - Automatic Midnight, Suicide Invoice and Audit in Progress - is also available from Sub Pop.
In a wildly entertaining interview, filled with exciting Marc-on-Mark action, Mudhoney’s Mark Arm appeared on WTF with Marc Maron on Thursday, April 18th, 2019 (aka TODAY!). You can (and should) listen here.
Plus, REJOICE, for there are many upcoming Mudhoney shows in North America throughout the remainder of the year!
May 04 - Seattle, WA - KEXP Gathering Space (Sonic Reducer’s 15th Anniversary Celebration) @ May 10 - Walla Walla, WA - The Dacres # May 11 - Spokane, WA - Lucky You Lounge # May 24 - Green Bay, WI - Green Bay Distillery May 25 - Minneapolis, MN - Fine Line Music Cafe * May 26 - Chicago, IL - Lincoln Hall (SOLD OUT) ? Jun. 14 - Tacoma, WA - The Elks Temple & Jun. 15 - Portland, OR - Wonder Ballroom Sep. 27 - Dana Point, CA - Ohana Festival Sep. 28 - Dana Point, CA - Ohana Festival Sep. 29 - Dana Point, CA - Ohana Festival Oct. 04 - Jersey City, NJ - White Eagle Hall ^ Oct. 05 - Allston, MA - Brighton Music Hall % Oct. 06 - Philadelphia, PA - Union Transfer % Oct. 07 - Richmond, VA - The Broadberry % Oct. 08 - Durham, NC - The Pinhook % Oct. 09 - Atlanta, GA - Terminal West % Oct. 10 - Asheville, NC - Grey Eagle Tavern & Music Hall % Oct. 11 - Knoxville, TN - The Concourse $ Oct.12 - Nashville, TN - The Basement East $ Oct.14 - St. Louis, MO - Off Broadway ! Oct.15 - Detroit, MI - El Club ! Oct.16 - Cleveland, OH - Grog Shop ! Oct.17 - Pittsburgh, PA - Mr. Smalls ! Oct.18 - Baltimore, MD - Baltimore Soundstage ! Oct.19 - Brooklyn, NY - Market Hotel !
@ w/ Control Test, Dark Smith # w/ The Derelicts * w/ METZ and Black-Eyed Snakes ? w/ METZ & w/ The Fucking Eagles, The Drove ^ w/ Shut Up % w/ Pissed Jeans $ w/ Pissed Jeans, Kings of the Fucking Sea ! w/ Kid Congo Powers + the Pink Monkey Birds
What people are saying about Mudhoney’s Digital Garbage: “Cometh the hour, cometh the band”- MOJO
“With Digital Garbage, Mudhoney have provided the noise-escape of the year. The war may never be won, but at least now we’ve got somewhere to hide when it all gets a bit much.” - Drowned in Sound
“The Seattle scuzz-punk pioneers deliver a grave diagnosis of a festering societal condition.” Pitchfork
“…raw and irreverent as ever.”- Uncut
“They simply sound like a better, defter, maybe even snottier version of their younger selves on their 10th album.”- Rolling Stone
