U.S. shows April 24th-May 22nd, 2020. Dream Hunting in the Valley of the In-Between isout May 1st worldwide from Sub Pop.
Man Man is announcing the first U.S. dates in support of Dream Hunting in the Valley of the In-Between, his forthcoming new album and Sub Pop debut. The 18-date, late-spring tour now begins April 24th in Salt Lake City at Metro Music Hall and currently ends May 22nd in Los Angeles at The Roxy. The trek will include stops in Denver (CO), St. Louis (MO), Cincinnati (OH), Louisville (KY), Indianapolis (IN), Pittsburgh (PA), Asheville (NC), Durham (NC), Charlotte (NC), Baton Rouge (LA), Houston (TX), Austin (TX), Dallas (TX), Norman (OK), Albuquerque (NM), Phoenix (AZ), and San Diego (CA). Tickets for these shows are on sale now and links are here. There will be additional live dates soon.
Apr. 24 - Salt Lake City, UT - Metro Music Hall [NEW DATE] Apr. 26 - Denver, CO - Bluebird [NEW DATE] Apr. 28 - St Louis, MO - Old Rock House Apr. 29 - Cincinnati, OH - Urban Artifact Brewery May 01 - Louisville, KY - Zanzabar May 02 - Indianapolis, IN - HiFi May 03 - Pittsburgh, PA - Club Café May 05 - Asheville, NC - The Grey Eagle May 06 - Durham, NC - Motorco May 07 - Charlotte, NC - Amos Southend May 09 - Baton Rouge, LA - Mid City Ballroom [NEW VENUE] May 10 - Houston, TX - Continental Club May 12 - Austin, TX - The Mohawk May 13 - Dallas, TX - Club Dada May 15 - Norman, OK - Opolis May 16 - Albuquerque, NM - Sister Bar May 17 - Phoenix, AZ - Crescent Ballroom May 21 - San Diego, CA - The Casbah May 22 - Los Angeles, CA - Roxy
“Cloud Nein,” the first offering from Dream Hunting in the Valley of the In-Between, is earning praise for its ebullient, melancholic pop. Consequence of Sound says the track “is the perfect Man Man comeback song. It’s got everything we’ve been missing in the band’s absence: simple horn slides, parade-like percussion, fantastical vocal harmonies, and an undeniably catchy chorus. It also marks the return of frontman Honus Honus’ life lessons veiled under theatrical delivery.” Brooklyn Vegan called the lyric video “joyous” and noted the track for its “70s style pop.” And Rolling Stone offered this, “despite the characteristic negativity of the song, the music belies its darker side, finding Kattner wailing on the chipper-sounding chorus.”
Dream Hunting in the Valley of the In-Between is now available for preorder from Sub Pop. LP preorders through megamart.subpop.com will receive the limited Loser edition on white vinyl with a pinkish swirl (while supplies last). After street date a limited supply of the Loser edition LP will be available at select independent retailers in North America and at Man Man’s live shows. Meanwhile, in the U.K. and Europe, preorders through select independent retailers will receive the limited Loser edition on pink vinyl (also, while supplies last). There is also a new T-shirt design available through megamart.subpop.com.
The Homesick has extended its international touring schedule for 2020 in support of The Big Exercise out now on Sub Pop. The dates, which resume tonight, March 4th in Oberhausen, Germany at Gdanska, now runs through August 25th in Washington, DC at DC9. Highlights for this announcement include new EU/UK dates from April 13th through June 13th and The Homesick’s first-ever North American tour, July 30th through August 25th. Ticket links are here.
Mar. 04 - Oberhausen, DE - Gdanska Mar. 05 - Amsterdam, NL - Paradiso Mar. 06 - Rotterdam, NL - WORM Mar. 07 - Utrecht, NL - EKKO Apr. 18 - Genk, BE - Little Waves Festival Apr. 19 - London, UK - Shacklewell Arms Apr. 20 - Liverpool, UK - Shipping Forecast Apr. 21 - Leeds, UK - Oporto Apr. 22 - Brighton, UK - Prince Albert Apr. 25 - Esch-sur-Alzette, LU - Out of the Crowd Festival Apr. 26 - Offenbach, DE - Hafen 2 May 02 - Paris, FR - Supersonic Jun. 13 - Hilvarenbeek, NL - Best Kept Secret Festival Aug. 03 - Seattle, WA - The Sunset Tavern Aug. 05 - Oakland, CA - Starline Social Club Aug. 06 - Costa Mesa, CA - The Wayfarer Aug. 08 - Los Angeles, CA - The Echo Aug. 09 - San Diego, CA - Space Bar Aug 10 - Tucson, AZ - Club Congress Aug. 12 - Austin, TX - The Mohawk (Inside). Aug. 13 - Dallas, TX - Deep Ellum Art Gallery Aug. 14 - Memphis, TN - The Hi-Tone Cafe Aug. 16 - Chicago, IL - The Beat Kitchen Aug. 17 - Detroit, MI - Outer Limits Lounge Aug. 18 - Toronto, ON - The Monarch Aug. 19 - Montreal, QC - L’ Esco Aug. 21 - Boston, MA - The Middle East Aug. 22 - New York, NY - Mercury Lounge Aug. 23 - Brooklyn, NY - TV Eye Aug. 24 - Philadelphia, PA - Kung Fu Necktie Aug. 25 - Washington, DC - DC9
The Homesick’s The Big Exercise is out now on CD/LP/DL worldwide through Sub Pop. The album, which features the singles “I Celebrate My Fantasy,” “Male Bonding,” “Kaïn,” and the title track, was produced by the band at Schenk Studio in Amsterdam, mixed by Casper van der Lans, and mastered by Mikey Young (Total Control, Eddy Current Suppression Ring).
LP purchases of The Big Exercise through megamart.subpop.com, select independent retailers and the Homesick’s shows in North America will receive the limited Loser edition on bright yellow vinyl (while supplies last). Meanwhile, LP purchases of the album in the UK and Europe from select independent retailers and the band’s live shows will receive the limited Loser edition on opaque yellow vinyl (while supplies last).
What “The People” are saying about The Homesick:
“The Homesick like a good tune. Fans of self-possessed art-pop are directed here.” [The Big Exercise, ★★★★] - MOJO
“In my humble opinion though, only a few acts have really transcended local industry mores and enlightened amateurism to make something of truly wider, lasting appeal. And maybe none more so than The Homesick with this record, which should surely sneak through the gates of classic pop heaven.” [The Big Exercise] - The Quietus
“An oddity, a triumph brimming with personality.” [The Big Exercise, ★★★★★] - NARC
“On their first LP for Sub Pop, the Netherlands trio double down on the infectious blend of melodic, whimsical pop and itchy post-punk rhythms laid out on their debut album.” [The Big Exercise] - Uncut
International touring extended through August 23rd, w/ SXSW performances March 16th-21st.
Corridor has delivered an official video for “Grand cheval,” directed and animated by Chad VanGaalen, and a standout from Junior, their acclaimed debut of 2019.
Corridor’s Jonathan Robert says of “Grand cheval,” “The song is inspired by a grumpy old man who came to bother us in a park once. He talked about mediocre poetry and philosophies of life while asking us for cigarettes and beers. When we asked him to leave us alone, he became angry, climbed on his high horse (“Grand cheval”) and became this old demagogue belittling the youth.”
And VanGaalen offers this, “I sewed a jacket, pants, and hat to rotoscope myself as this alien gatherer. Everything was drawn onto a malfunctioning 15-year old Cintiq. You can buy them for $20 on eBay, although I wouldn’t recommend it. The music made the snow fall up and not down. No matter what I did on Final Cut, it would always fall up. I filled my body and mind with many ingredients in order to go from monocular to trinocular, now my vision is blurry but my tailored clothing feels amazing. I can’t believe it is finished.”
Corridor Tour Dates + Ticket Links
Corridor has extended its headlining international tour schedule for 2020 in support of Junior which kicks-off this Wednesday, March 4th in Brooklyn at Rough Trade NYC and now ends Sunday, August 23rd in Wales at Green Man Festival. The band will also appear at the 2020 edition of SXSW in Austin, Texas. For more information on tickets, visit Corridor’s Sub Pop tour dates page.
Mar. 04 - Brooklyn, NY - Rough Trade NYC * Mar. 06 - Savannah, GA - Savannah Stopover Mar. 07 - Orlando, FL - Will’s Pub * Mar. 08 - Tampa, FL - Hooch and Hive * Mar. 09 - Miami, FL - Gramps * Mar. 10 - Gainesville, FL - The Atlantic Nightspot * Mar. 13 - San Antonio, TX - Paper Tiger * Mar. 14 - Houston, TX - Satellite Bar * Mar. 16 - Austin, TX - SXSW/Hotel Vegas (Do512+Strange Brew Party / 6:45 pm) Mar. 17 - Austin, TX - SXSW/Lazarus Brewery (Music For Listeners showcase/3 pm) Mar. 17 - Austin, TX - SXSW/The Venue ATX Outdoors (Telefilm CAN + Bonsound showcase/9 pm) Mar. 18 - Austin, TX - SXSW/Hotel Vegas (Desert Daze showcase/10:15 pm) Mar. 19 - Austin, TX - SXSW/Hotel Vegas (Levitation Fest showcase/8 pm) Mar. 20 - Dallas, TX - Nasher Sculpture Mar. 21 - Austin, TX - SXSW/Hotel Vegas (Burger Records showcase/2 pm) Mar. 22 - Hot Springs, AR - VOV Festival * Mar. 23 - Nashville, TN - DRKMTTR * Mar. 24 - Atlanta, GA - 529 * Mar. 26 - Richmond, VA - Poor Boys * Apr. 30 - Brussels, BE - Botanique May 01 - Vlieland, NL - Here Comes The Summer Festival May 04 - Lille, FR - L’Areonef May 05 - Mainz, DE - Schon Schon May 06 - Amiens, FR - La Lune May 07 - Caen, FR - Le Cargo May 09 - Utrecht, NL - Ekko May 11 - Bristol, UK - The Old England May 12 - Leeds, UK - Brudenell Social Club May 13 - London, UK - The Victoria Dalston May 15 - Nancy, FR - Bon Moment @ Autre Canal May 16 - Paris, FR - Le Beau Festival May 17 - Dijon, FR - MV Festival @ Consortium Jul. 10 - Quebec City, QC - FEQ Festival Aug. 23 - Brecon Beacon, UK - Green Man Festival *w/ Deeper
[Photo Credit: Caroline Desilets]
Corridor’s Junior, their Sub Pop debut, is available now on CD/LP/DL/CS worldwide through Sub Pop with the exception of Canada through Bonsound. The album was produced by Emmanuel Éthier, engineered by Samuel Gemme, mixed by Éthier and Gemme in Montreal at ReelRoad Studios, and mastered by Josh Bonati at Bonati Mastering in New York.
LP purchases of Junior through Sub Pop Mega Mart, select independent retailers and the band’s live shows in North America will receive the limited Loser edition on Soft-Boiled colored vinyl (while supplies last). Meanwhile, LP purchases of Junior throughout the UK and Europe from select independent retailers and the Corridor’s live shows, will receive the limited Loser edition on Egg Yolk colored vinyl (while supplies last).
Today, LA’s Moaning have released ”Make It Stop,” the latest single from their anticipated sophomore album, Uneasy Laughter. Paste Magazine, who premiered the song (see here) and profiled the band today, is calling it “a return to the partly raucous, partly precise guitars of their first album. Lyrically, however, it’s a dramatic turn from their dejected self-titled-it almost comes off as an inner monologue between lead singer Sean Solomon’s past self and newly improved self.”
Uneasy Laughter is available for pre-order and due March 20th via Sub Pop.
Of the song, Solomon says “The song is about questioning negative thoughts but struggling to find a solution. Being stuck in your head. There was a period of time where I thought everyone hated me and was out to get me. Now I realize no one actually is putting that much energy into thinking about me at all. Depression can be extremely narcissistic. I encourage people who relate to this song to call someone and ask for help.
The whole band made a collage for the video. It was really fun piecing different elements together. We also added some extra surprises. The dimensions of the collage are 1920 by 40,000 pixels. It’s a big ass thing!”
Moaning is hitting the road this Spring on a run supporting Black Marble that includes at Austin, TX’s SXSW Music Festival.
Shabazz Palaces new full-lengthThe Don of Diamond Dreams will be available April 17th, 2020 worldwide on Sub Pop. The 10-track album includes the highlights “Fast Learner (ft. Purple Tape Nate),” “Chocolate Souffle,” “Bad Bitch Walking (ft. Stas THEE Boss),” and “Thanking The Girls,” with additional contributions from singer/keyboardist Darrius Willrich, percussionist Carlos Niño, Knife Knights collaborator OCnotes, saxophonist Carlos Overall, and bassist Evan Flory-Barnes.
Stream the lead track “Fast Learner (ft. Purple Tape Nate)” here now.
Shabazz Palaces will tour extensively in 2020 in support of The Don of Diamond Dreams. Live dates will be announced soon.
The Don of Diamond Dreams was recorded throughout 2019 and produced by Shabazz Palaces at Protect and Exalt: A Black Space in Seattle, mixed and engineered by Erik Blood with mixing assistance from Andy Kravitz at Studio 4 Labs in Venice, California, and mastered by Scott Sedillo at Bernie Grundman Mastering in Los Angeles.
The Don of Diamond Dreams is now available for preorder from Sub Pop.
Preorders of the LP through megamart.subpop.com and select independent retailers in North America will receive the limited Loser edition on clear vinyl with a silver swirl (while supplies last). All LP preorders through the Sub Pop Mega Mart will also receive The Mushroom, a 90-page, 8x8 inch zine from the elusive author TTT, inspired by The Don of Diamond Dreams (the book will also be available for purchase at Shabazz Palaces live shows).
[Pictured above: The Mushroom zine]
Meanwhile, LP preorders through select independent retailers in the U.K. and Europe will receive the limited Loser edition on sky blue vinyl (also, while supplies last). There will also be a new T-shirt design available.
Shabazz Palaces The Don of Diamond Dreams Tracklisting: 1. Portal North: Panthera 2. Ad Ventures 3. Fast Learner (ft. Purple Tape Nate) 4. Wet 5. Chocolate Souffle 6. Portal South: Micah 7. Bad Bitch Walking (ft. Stas THEE Boss) 8. Money Yoga (ft. Darrius) 9. Thanking The Girls 10. Reg Walks By The Looking Glass (ft. Carlos Overall)
[Photo Credit: Patrick O’Brien-Smith]
About Shabazz Palaces The Don of Diamond Dreams: Cruise the city in a night ship, dressed to kill in the Seville. Float down waterfalls and fountains, reclined on some pimp shit. The time zone ghost returns to paint a picture that echoes through infinity. The sun is put to rest, the soliloquy is killer bee. A diamond purpose lying beneath the surface. Nothing is ever what it seems, but forever is the theme. It’s time. Shabazz Palaces are back with yet another classic of divine mathematics design. More dazzling Afrofuturist sutras to illuminate distant constellations with sacred abstractions. Enter The Don of Diamond Dreams, raw and uncut, but glowing with 10,000 karat shine.
If you adhere to the corporeal limitations of space and chronology, it’s been roughly a decade since Shabazz Palaces first shook the ramparts with their debut stylistic revolution, Black Up – which Pitchfork named as one of the Best of the 2010s, hailing it as an “album of impossible vision.” But the project masterminded by vocalist and producer Ishmael Butler has never conformed to gravitational consideration or terrestrial measurement. They are heirs to the astral imagination of Sun Ra and George Clinton, Octavia Butler and Alice Coltrane. If they technically claim residence in Seattle, their sound emanates much closer to Alpha Centauri than Alki Beach.
In his unstinting drive to reimagine hip-hop, Butler remains one of the preeminent visionaries of the last quarter-century. His first album with Digable Planets, Reachin (A New Refutation of Time and Space), nodded at Miles Davis in the first half of its title, but 27 years later, he has become one of the most vaunted inheritors of the trumpet deity’s rarefied legacy – still innovating as he enters his fourth decade as a working musician – splintering, rebuilding, and expanding the possibilities of sound. He has collaborated with like-minded visionaries Flying Lotus and Thundercat, Battles and Animal Collective. While all-timers like Radiohead and Lauryn Hill have invited him to join them on tour.
It remains impossible to accurately describe a Shabazz Palaces album without lapsing into cosmic tropes. Yet sometimes clichés are stand-ins for eternal truths. Therein, The Don of Diamond Dreams embodies a futuristic manifestation of ancient myth, full of robotic vocoder and warped auto-tune, Funkadelic refracted into different dimensions, weird portals and warm nocturnal joy rides alongside the coast (a reflection of it being mixed near the beach in California). The synthesizers are alien but the drums speak a universal language. It is hip-hop, dub, jazz, R&B, soul, funk, African, experimental, and occasionally even pop. But over the course of five albums, Shabazz Palaces have conceived the fluid boundaries of their own one-band genre.
Even though the construction of the album is meticulous, it’s a startling masterpiece of improvisation and instinct. It’s both cerebral and automatic, with Butler jotting down phrases and ideas in his phone and eventually shaping them into amorphous abstract expressionist canvasses. If anything, their latest illustrates Butler’s gift for being a conduit of sounds and experience. It’s partially shaped by his own reflection on being a parent and watching his son, Jazz, become internationally renowned as the artist, Lil Tracy. If you listen closely, you can hear the interplay between father and son, as Butler does what is impossible for most veteran artists: he absorbs the sounds of today’s youth, but filters it through his own fractured lens, spitting back convex poems with wild cadences, freestyling with the wisdom of age and the frenetic passion of someone still trying to show and prove. It’s confident and suffused with the thing that defines almost all great art: the willingness to risk attempting something new.
There is “Ad Ventures,” a shout out to Butler’s crew, The Black Constellation. The beat operates like a melodic free jazz hymn, with Ish boasting about Ethiopian carats and watching lakes from a theological terrace. It’s an imagistic rendering of their tours through Europe in sprinter vans, blitzing from place to place and absorbing every detail. Featuring Purple Tape Nate, “Fast Learner” offers odd splendor, spoken word reveries and flexes that wriggle through a wrinkle in time. The synthesizers sound like New Age from the 37th century crossed with 90s R&B, the drums are slow and seething. On top of that, Butler laid a guitar line down and auto-tune harmonies that instantiate the feeling of driving along PCH at night.
“Wet” is a freestyle of sorts with Ish offering his own twist on contemporary rap cadences but making it sound like an underwater Atlantis symphony. There are Based God shoutouts and fuzzy guitars that wouldn’t sound out of place on an Ariel Pink album. “Chocolate Souffle” is some god-level shit-talking in the way that only Butler could do: replete with Maurice Chevalier allusions and admissions of being an “elitist at the zenith of slick demeanor.” While “Thanking the Girls” might be the most poignant song in the Shabazz catalog, a song that acknowledges the myriad positive ways in which women have shaped Butler’s life. The second verse is dedicated to his two daughters and the pride which they engender. Of course, this is a Shabazz Palaces song so the beat sounds like a riff on Panda Bear distilled through a bent futuristic boom-bap prism.
In some respects, it’s difficult to consider the possibility that this might be the best Shabazz Palaces album yet. Very few musicians have ever peaked in their fifth decade on earth, but whoever said they were actually from earth? It’s wrong to say that Shabazz Palaces have gone beyond the looking glass. This time they’ve shattered it entirely and created a brilliant new universe in each one of the shards.
