You can now hear the final installment of the Sub Pop Singles Club Vol. 6, a new single by The Black Tones, out today worldwide on all DSPs from Sub Pop.
Simply put, The Black Tones are like a mixture of Kurt Cobain and cornbread. Consisting of founders/twin siblings Eva Walker on guitar/vocals and Cedric Walker on drums, the blues- and punk-based dynamo continuously project subversion, power and the potential for something new.
The Black Tones’ “The End of Everything” is about just that: the end of the world and, well, eventually the universe. Named after the book The End of Everything (Astrophysically Speaking) by Katie Mack, the song confronts the fact that, whether it’s the second coming of who or whatever you believe in, this will all end. “Mr. Mines,” named after a black tour-bus guide/driver from Eva and Cedric’s youth, is guided by the light yet hearty vocals of Ednah Holt (Talking Heads/Ritchie Family). The song is heavily influenced by Pink Floyd’s “Great Gig in the Sky” and Jackie Mittoo’s “Ghetto Organ”.
The Sub Pop Singles Club Vol. 6 series includes subscription-only 7” singles by John Waters, Kim Gordon/J Mascis, Jeff Tweedy, Duma, LIDS, Washed Out, Hand Habits, Porridge Radio, Sheltered Workshop Singers, TV Priest, BNH Deluxe, and The Black Tones. Hear music from the series via the Singles Club playlist, and grab one of the last remaining subscriptions here (we only made 1,000 and they’re almost gone!).
We’d also like to remind you that the Sub Pop Singles Club will continue for yet another year! Subscribe to the Sub Pop Singles Club Vol. 7 to get twelve exclusive, limited-to-1,000-copies, colored-vinyl 7” records that you will, undoubtedly, love and adore. Subscribers will get 7”s by Bartees Strange, Party Dozen, Matthew “Doc” Dunn, The William Loveday Intention (feat. Billy Childish!), The Shadracks (feat. the son of Billy Childish!), Sidney Gish, and more TBA. Vol. 7 runs from April, 2022 and ending February, 2023.
The Black Tones “The End of Everything” b/w “Mr. Mines”
We greatly encourage you to watch Built to Spill’s “Fool’s Gold,” a very official and funny new video, directed by Jordan Minkoff (who also directed the band’s “Gonna Lose” visual).
When the Wind Forgets Your Name featuring the aforementioned “Understood,” along with “Gonna Lose,” “Fool’s Gold,” “Spiderweb,” and “Rocksteady,” was produced by Doug Martsch, mixed by Martsch, Lê Almeida, João Casaes, and Josh Lewis, and mastered by Mell Dettmer. When the Wind Forgets Your Name is the first new Built to Spill album since the release of 2015’s Untethered Moon.
Built to Spill’s headlining and festival shows for the summer and fall of 2022 resumes Thursday, June 23rd at Calgary’s Sled Island Festival. The tour currently runs through Saturday, September 24 in Salt Lake City, UT at Metro Music Hall. The tour will feature songs from When the Wind Forgets Your Name along with fan favorites from the band’s catalog.
Support for these shows (select dates) will come from Oruã (the Brazilian band featuring When the Wind… collaborators Almeida and Casaes), along with Prism Bitch, Wetface, Blood Lemon, The French Tips, and Braided Waves. The live band for these Built to Spill tour dates will consist of Martsch, bassist Melanie Radford, and drummer Teresa Esguerra. For updated information on tickets, please visit builttospill.com.
Thu. Jun. 23 - Calgary, AB - Sled Island Festival Sat. Jul. 23 - Carnation, WA - Timber! Festival Sat. Jul. 30 - Stanley, ID - Sawtooth Family Gathering Sat. Aug. 06 - Happy Valley, OR - Pickathon Sun. Aug. 07 - Happy Valley, OR - Pickathon Thu. Aug. 11 - Spokane, WA - Lucky You Lounge ^ @ Fri. Aug. 12 - Bozeman, MT - The ELM ^ @ Sat. Aug. 13 - Billings, MT - The Pub Station ^ @ Mon. Aug. 15 - Fargo, ND - The Hall @ FBC ^ @ Tue. Aug. 16 - Minneapolis, MN - First Avenue ^ @ Wed. Aug. 17 - Madison, WI - Majestic Theater ^ @ Thu. Aug. 18 - Chicago, IL - Thalia Hall ^ @ Fri. Aug. 19 - Chicago, IL - Thalia Hall ^ @ Sat. Aug. 20 - Louisville, KY - Headliner’s Music Hall ^ @ Mon. Aug. 22 - Cincinnati, OH - Woodward Theater ^ @ Tue. Aug. 23 - Cleveland Heights, OH - Grog Shop ^ @ Wed. Aug. 24 - Toronto, ON - Danforth Music Hall % Thu. Aug. 25 - Montreal, QC - Corona Theatre # % Fri. Aug. 26 - Portland, ME - State Theatre # % Sat. Aug. 27 - New Haven, CT - College Street Music Hall # % Mon. Aug. 29 - South Burlington, VT - Higher Ground # % Tue. Aug. 30 - Holyoke, MA - Gateway City Arts # % Thu. Sep. 01 - Asbury Park, NJ - Stone Pony # % Fri. Sep. 02 - Baltimore, MD - Ram’s Head Live # % Sat. Sep. 03 - New York, NY - Irving Plaza # % Sun. Sep. 04 - Bethlehem, PA - Musikfest # % Tue. Sep. 06 - Columbus, OH - The Athenaeum Theatre * = Wed. Sep. 07 - Knoxville, TN - The Mill & Mine * = Thu. Sep. 08 - Wilmington, NC - Greenfield Lake Amphitheater * = Fri. Sep. 09 - Charleston, SC - Charleston Music Hall * = Sat. Sep. 10 - St. Petersburg, FL - Jannus Live * = Sun. Sep. 11 - Ft. Lauderdale, FL - Culture Room * = Tue. Sep. 13 - Orlando, FL - The Social * = Wed. Sep. 14 - Jacksonville, FL - Jack Rabbits * = Thu. Sep. 15 - Pensacola, FL - Vinyl Music Hall * = Fri. Sep. 16 - Birmingham, AL - Saturn Birmingham * = Sat. Sep. 17 - Memphis, TN - Growler’s * = Sun. Sep. 18 - Tulsa, OK - Cain’s Ballroom * = Mon. Sep. 19 - St. Louis, MO - Red Flag * = Tue. Sep. 20 - Columbia, MO - Blue Note * = Wed. Sep. 21 - Lawrence, KS - Granada Theater * = Fri. Sep. 23 - Denver, CO - Bluebird Theater * = Sat. Sep. 24 - Salt Lake City, UT - Metro Music Hall * =
When the Wind Forgets Your Name is now available for preorder on CD/LP/CS/DSPs through Sub Pop. LPs purchased through megamart.subpop.com, and select independent retailers in North America will receive the limited Loser Edition on Rainforest Green vinyl (while supplies last). Meanwhile, LP preorders in the U.K. and Europe through select independent retailers will receive the album on Misty Kiwi Fruit Green vinyl (while supplies last).
When the Wind Forgets Your Name’s cover art was designed by comic artist Alex Graham (Dog Biscuits; Fantagraphics Books), who also illustrated the fifty-panel comic strip for the album’s gatefold (available with the CD, LP, and cassette editions of the album).
Built to Spill When The Wind Forgets Your Name
Tracklisting: 1. Gonna Lose 2. Fool’s Gold 3. Understood 4. Elements 5. Rock Steady 6. Spiderweb 7. Never Alright 8. Alright 9. Comes a Day
Taken from their critically acclaimed debut album Observatory which was released December 3, 2021 via Sub Pop, AEON STATION are proud to premiere the video for “QUEENS,” which vocalist/songwriter Kevin Whelan explains, “is to celebrate Pride. The creation of this DIY video came organically with a few mutual friends brainstorming ways to bring the song to life. My wife Mary Ann and I reached out to Bill Shea [a.k.a. close friend and celebrated NYC drag queen MargOH! Channing] to help make the video, where he enlisted his friend, Jorge Urena to film it. The footage was carefully pieced together by our own Lysa Opfer from Aeon Station.”
Advocating self acceptance, the video for “Queens” focuses on the stunning transformation from Bill to the MargOH! and the joy that comes with personal truth. “I was so thrilled when Mary Ann reached out to me about the song ‘Queens’ and creating a video for it,” says MargOH! excitedly.
The origins of the video is one based on the history and friendship of Kevin, Mary Ann and Bill/MargOH! who had been coworkers while Kevin and Mary Ann were dating. After a breakup between the two, Bill proved to be the catalyst that initiated their ultimate reconciliation. “Bill was unknowingly part of Kevin’s plan to get us back together,” laughs Mary Ann. “Kevin asked Bill to deliver some gifts to me. I wouldn’t take them at first, but after some initial protest, I eventually accepted the gifts, and the rest is history.”
“I think the video has captured the inspiration of this song ‘The Winner Takes it All’ by ABBA - like a game of high-stakes poker and not being afraid to go all-in, taking that chance and betting on the real you,” says Kevin. “Thank you, MargOH!, for agreeing to make the video and delighting audiences for many years with your cabaret performances. Thank you also for helping me start the reconciliation process with my now wife all those years ago!”
Concludes MargOH!, “I’m so happy it’s being released during Pride because the song and video captures the past, the present and hope for the future and we all need that right now. It’s like Judy Garland once said, ‘Well, we have a whole new year ahead of us. And wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could all be a little more gentle with each other, a little more loving, and have a little more empathy, and maybe, next year at this time we’d like each other a little more’.”
“Queens” is taken from the album Observatory by Aeon Station. The band has also announced Summer tour dates below.
July 9 – Chicago @ Square Roots Festival August 12 – San Francisco @ The Independent (tickets) August 13 – Los Angeles @ The Echo (tickets) August 26 – NYC @ Le Poisson Rouge (tickets) August 27 – Boston @ Brighton Music Hall (tickets) September 23 – Portland, OR @ Mississippi Studios (tickets) September 24 – Seattle @ Tractor Tavern (tickets)
In 2021, CHAI made their Sub Pop debut with WINK, securing their position as “a professional purveyor of whimsy” (The New York Times). Tonight, Friday, July 8th (at 8 pm PT/ 11 pm ET) they are sharing the animated, 16-bit official video for “HERO JOURNEY,” their new single and collaboration with Domino Recording Company act Superorganism.
CHAI says of the Superorganism collaboration, “We held a mutual liking and love for one another’s music and eventually were invited to open for them on their UK and Europe Tour. From recording while on the tour bus to even joining in as guests at their shows in Japan! So many memories we share! Having played around with music together in the past makes this collaboration that much more special.
“This song is all about Hero’s coming in all forms! and how amazing that is! Superorganism has reached all nationalities and ages, recognizing those differences and embracing them. The perfect fit for this song. As a post-WINK release and at a time where a new CHAI is brewing, this song is nothing but perfect. It screams Summer! So stay tuned! More CHAI to come!”
YUUKI adds, “Is the job of a “justice-seeking” HERO only to defeat “evil”? Perhaps the opposite of “justice” isn’t “evil”, but rather “another form of justice”?! Me and mine, you and yours…what each of us calls “justice”, should be able to dance amongst one other! That HERO you all see, is who CHAI wants to be. Gather all your friends you love cus’ we’re going to fly again today! It’s that type of song!”
Superorganism’s Orono offers this, “Category is drag queen superhero realness… and you bet we served it on a big, fat platter for this one. Sugary explosion of nothing but pure and refined girl bossery! Anyway so stoked that we finally got to collab with our friends… more to come 🐸”
CHAI has added new headlining dates to their international tour schedule in continued support of WINK, which now spans Thursday, September 15th through Sunday, November 18th, 2022. The new dates will include Southern California shows in Anaheim (Sep. 15th) and San Diego (Sep. 17th), as well stops in Chicago (Sep. 22nd), and in New York (Sep. 26th). The group will also support Hippo Campus’s fall tour (Oct. 3rd-30th). Additionally, the band has added an appearance at Corona Capital in Mexico City (Nov. 18th), and will head to South America for appearances at Primavera Sound’s Sao Paolo, Brazil (Nov. 6th), Santiago, Chile (Nov. 12th) and Buenos Aries, Argentina (Nov. 13th). Please find a full list of tour dates below.
Thu. Sep. 15 - Anaheim, CA - The Parish at House of Blues Sat. Sep. 17 - San Diego, CA - Voodoo Room at House of Blues Sun. Sep. 18 - Los Angeles, CA - Primavera Sound LA Thu. Sep. 22 - Chicago, IL - Garfield Park Observatory Sun. Sep. 25 - Dover, DE - Firefly Music Festival Mon. Sep. 26 - New York, NY - Le Poisson Rouge Mon. Oct. 03 - Ann Arbor, MI - Michigan Theater * Tue. Oct. 04 - Grand Rapids, MI - 20 Monroe Live * Thu. Oct. 06 - Milwaukee, WI - The Riverside Theater * Sat. Oct. 08 - Omaha, NE - The Admiral * Mon. Oct. 10 - Louisville, KY - Old Forester’s Paristown Hall * Tue. Oct. 11 - Cleveland, OH - Agora Theater* Thu. Oct. 13 - Toronto, ON - Queen Elizabeth Theatre * Fri. Oct. 14 - Montreal, QC - Le National * Sat. Oct. 15 - Portland, ME - State Theater * Mon. Oct. 17 - Providence, RI - The Strand * Tue. Oct. 18 - New Haven, CT - College Street Music Hall * Fri. Oct. 21 - Raleigh, NC - The Ritz * Sat. Oct. 22 - Charlotte, NC - The Filmore* Tue. Oct. 25 - Miami, FL - North Beach Bandshell * Wed. Oct. 26 - Orlando, FL - House of Blues * Fri. Oct. 28 - St. Pertersburg, FL - Jannus Live * Sat. Oct. 29 - Mobile, AL - Soul Kitchen * Sun. Oct. 30 - Birmingham, AL - Iron City * Sun. Nov. 06 - Sao Paolo, BR - Primavera Sound Sao Paulo Brazil Thu. Nov. 10 - Santiago, CL - Mentronomonn (Primavera Sound Chile Side Show) Sat. Nov. 12 - Santiago, CL - Primavera Sound Santiago Chile Sun. Nov. 13 - Buenos Aires, AR - Primavera Sound Buenos Aires Argentina Fri. Nov. 18 - Mexico City, MX - Corona Capital * with Hippo Campus
This fall, METZ will celebrate the 10-year anniversary of their massively acclaimed self-titled Sub Pop debut with a series of North American shows where they will play the album in its entirety. “The 10 Years Anniversary Tour” will span two legs, the first starting October 13th in Toronto at The Opera House with stops in Pittsburgh, Baltimore, Brooklyn, Philadelphia, Birmingham, Atlanta, and Denton, and the second beginning December 7th in Phoenix and taking them through Los Angeles, Oakland, Seattle, Portland, St. Paul, and Chicago. Tickets for these shows go on sale Friday, July 22nd at 10 am (local).
Thu.Oct. 13 Toronto, ON - The Opera House Thu. Oct. 20 Pittsburgh, PA - Spirit Pittsburgh Fri. Oct. 21 Baltimore, MD - Baltimore Soundstage Sat. Oct. 22 Brooklyn, NY - Warsaw Mon. Oct. 24 Philadelphia, PA - Underground Arts Wed. Oct. 26 Birmingham, AL - Saturn Thu. Oct. 27 Atlanta, GA - The Earl Fri. Oct. 29 Denton, TX - Rubber Gloves (No Coast Fest) Wed. Dec. 07 Phoenix, AZ - Valley Bar Thu. Dec. 08 Los Angeles, CA - Teragram Ballroom Fri. Dec. 09 Oakland, CA - The New Parish Sun. Dec. 11 Seattle, WA - Neumos Mon. Dec. 12 Portland, OR - Doug Fir Lounge Thu. Dec. 15 St. Paul, MN - Turf Club Fri. Dec. 16 Chicago, IL - Metro
Upon the release of METZ’s self-titled debut in October 2012, the album was met with a flurry of praise from the likes of Pitchfork (“29 minutes of pure but artfully rendered chaos.” / “Best New Music)” and TheNew Yorker (“rude, severe, and excellent. They make rock music, all of it loud, most of it precise without feeling checked.”)
Later that month, METZ appeared at that year’s CMJ Festival in New York, earning even more raves for their cacophonous live show from New York Times (“a three-man band from Canada, steamrollered through the festival, blasting brawny punk and metal guitar riffs that generated the festival’s most enthusiastic buzz.”) and Stereogum (“What METZ managed this year deserves salute: The Sub Pop trio dialed into the spirit and muscular thrust of post-hardcore’s heyday so completely as to make a familiar sound feel fresh, sheerly by virtue of so perfectly recreating it. METZ’s sets were brutal and sharp, their movements about stage kinetic and crisp, their commitment to their moment so complete to be undeniable.”).
METZ remained on the road well into 2013 when they took SXSW by storm and then made stops at major European festivals such as Roskilde, Primavera, Oya, and OFF. Over the last decade METZ have come to be known for their high energy live shows and you can expect the anniversary dates to be as bombastic as ever.
Kiwi Jr. play ping-pong in the new lyric video for “The Extra Sees The Film,” a new highlight from Chopper, the group’s forthcoming new album.
Jeremy Gaudet says of the new single, “This song is quite literally a change of pace for us. It’s more chill and a bit darker than previous Kiwi Jr. recordings. It’s a song about whether or not you’re the hero of your own story, or a smaller part of something bigger. It’s bragging that you’re in a movie and inviting all your friends and family, but when it screens, you’re barely an extra in it. A lot of our songs deal with reckoning, this one in particular. It’s what happens after you’ve told your story and the truth comes out later, and everything unravels.”
On August 12th, 2022, Kiwi Jr. will release Chopper, their third album, worldwide on CD/LP/CS/DSPs through Sub Pop, with the exception of Canada through the band’s Kiwi Club imprint. The album was recorded and produced in Toronto by Sub Pop labelmate Dan Boeckner (Wolf Parade, Handsome Furs, Operators).
Chopper’s pre-release singles “Night Vision,” and “Unspeakable Things,” have earned Kiwi Jr. early praise for their new direction in sound.
Stereogum says “‘Unspeakable Things’ is a jaunty and synth-happy song, and it takes me right back to the mid-’00s blog-rock days,” and CLASH called it a “blaster” that’s “a dose of all-out fun.” Meanwhile, Brooklyn Vegan calls “Night Vision” “a slashing slice of post-punk…it finds them taking a darker turn that may put those annoying Pavement comparisons to rest for good.”
Kiwi Jr. resumes touring in support of Chopper this Friday, July 22nd, with a show in Montreal at Bar Le Ritz PDB. The live dates currently run through Sunday, September 25th in Amsterdam, Netherlands at Paradiso. Sub Pop labelmates Weird Nightmare will also co-headline Kiwi Jr.’s North American shows (through Sunday, July 31st, select dates). Additional live dates to be announced soon.
Fri. Jul. 22 - Montreal, QC - Bar le Ritz PDB * Sat. Jul. 23 - Ottawa, ON - SAW Gallery * Thu. Jul. 28 - Brooklyn, NY - Baby’s All Right * Fri. Jul. 29 - Rehoboth Beach, DE - Dogfish Head Brewing * Sat. Jul. 30 - Washington, DC - Songbyrd Music House * Sun. Jul. 31 - Philadelphia, PA - Johnny Brenda’s * Fri. Sep. 16 - Paris, FR - La Boule Noire Sat. Sep. 17 - Orleans, FR - Hop Pop Hop Festival Sun. Sep. 18 - Lille, FR - L’ Aeronef Mon. Sep. 19 - London, UK - Victoria Dalston [SOLD OUT] Tue. Sep. 20 - London, UK - 100 Club Wed. Sep. 21 - Brussels, BE - Witloofbar Botanique Thu. Sep. 22 - Nijmegen, NL - Merelyyn Fri. Sep 23 - Hamburg, DE - Reeperbahn Festival Sat. Sep. 24 - Eindhoven, NL - Stoomhuisje Sun. Sep. 25 - Amsterdam, NL - Paradiso * w/ Weird Nightmare
Chopper is available for preorder from Sub Pop. LP preorders from megamart.subpop.com and select independent retailers in North America will receive the limited Loser edition on crystal clear vinyl (while supplies last). Meanwhile, preorders through select independent retailers in the UK and EU will receive the limited Loser edition on clear vinyl (while supplies last).
Kiwi Jr. Chopper
Tracklisting: 1. Unspeakable Things 2. Parasite II 3. Clerical Sleep 4. Night Vision 5. The Extra Sees the Film 6. Contract Killers 7. The Sound of Music 8. Downtown Area Blues 9. Kennedy Curse 10. The Masked Singer
