Thin Mind, Wolf Parade’s fifth album is out now worldwide through Sub Pop, with the exception of Canada through Royal Mountain Records. The album, which features the singles “Forest Green,” “Julia Take Your Man Home,” and “Against the Day,” was produced by John Goodmanson at Risque Disque on Vancouver Island, BC, mixed by Goodmanson at Bogroll Studios in Seattle, and mastered by Noah Mintz at Lacquer Channel Mastering in Toronto. The album packaging features artwork from comic book artists Simon Roy and Hayleyglyphs throughout.
LP orders through megamart.subpop.com and select independent retailers in the U.S. will receive the limited Loser edition on clear vinyl with red and green swirls (while supplies last). Meanwhile, LP orders in the UK and Europe through select independent retailers will receive the limited Loser edition on yellow vinyl (while supplies last).
Sub Pop Records is extremely proud to announce the return (for our 14th 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. Individuals from all cultures and communities are encouraged to apply. 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 Thursday, March 19th, 2020. Please send all submissions and attachments to scholarship@subpop.com by Thursday, March 19th. 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 Thursday, March 19th.
Wolf Parade is sharing official video for “Julia Take Your Man Home,” directed by multi-disciplinary artist and Sub Pop labelmate Chad VanGaalen. The song is from Thin Mind, the group’s forthcoming fifth album available tomorrow, Friday, January 24th worldwide through Sub Pop, with the exception of Canada through Royal Mountain Records.
Wolf Parade’s international headlining touring schedule in support of Thin Mind begins Monday, January 27th in Portland, Oregon at Crystal Ballroom and runs through Sunday, March 15th in Dublin, Ireland at The Button Factory. Support for these shows will come from Land of Talk (January 27th-February 11th), Sub Pop/Royal Mountain label mates Jo Passed (February 12th-24th), and Joensuu 1685 (March 2nd-15th). Preceding the tour, the band has scheduled an instore performance at Sonic Boom Records in Seattle on January 26th. For more information on tickets, please visit WolfParade.com.
Thin Mind, which features the singles “Forest Green,” the aforementioned “Julia Take Your Man Home,” and “Against the Day,” was produced by John Goodmanson at Risque Disque on Vancouver Island, BC, mixed by Goodmanson at Bogroll Studios in Seattle, and mastered by Noah Mintz at Lacquer Channel Mastering in Toronto. The album packaging features artwork from comic book artists Simon Roy and Hayleyglyphs throughout.
LP orders through megamart.subpop.com and select independent retailers in the U.S. will receive the limited Loser edition on clear vinyl with red and green swirls (while supplies last). Meanwhile, LP orders in the UK and Europe through select independent retailers will receive the limited Loser edition on yellow vinyl (while supplies last). There will also be a new T-shirt design available.
Wolf Parade Tour dates
Jan. 26 - Seattle, WA - Sonic Boom Records Instore Jan. 27 - Portland, OR - Crystal Ballroom * Jan. 29 - San Francisco, CA - The Fillmore * Jan. 30 - Los Angeles, CA - The Regent Theater * Jan. 31 - Solana Beach, CA - Belly Up Tavern * Feb. 01 - Tucson, AZ - 191 Toole * Feb. 03 - Austin, TX - Mohawk * Feb. 04 - Dallas, TX - Trees * Feb. 05 - Oklahoma City, OK - Tower Theatre * Feb. 07 - Santa Fe, NM - Meow Wolf * Feb. 08 - Englewood, CO - Gothic Theatre * Feb. 09 - Salt Lake City, UT - Urban Lounge * Feb. 11 - Seattle, WA - The Showbox * Feb. 12 - Vancouver, BC - Commodore ** Feb. 16 - Chicago, IL - Thalia Hall ** Feb. 17 - London, ON - London Music Hall ** Feb. 18 - Toronto, ON - Mod Club ** [Sold Out] Feb. 21 - Philadelphia, PA - Union Transfer ** Feb. 22 - Washington, DC - 9:30 Club ** Feb. 23 - Boston, MA - Paradise Rock Club ** Feb. 24 - Brooklyn, NY - Brooklyn Steel ** Mar. 02 - Utrecht, NL - Tivoli Vredenburg ^ Mar. 03 - Hamburg, DE - Knust ^ Mar. 04 - Berlin, DE - Gretchen ^ Mar. 06 - Cologne, DE - Club Volta ^ Mar. 07 - Zurich, CH - Bogen F ^ Mar. 08 - Luxembourg, LX - Rotondes ^ Mar. 09 - Paris, FR - Petit Bain ^ Mar. 10 - Brussels, BE - Orangerie @ Botanique ^ Mar. 11 - London, UK - The Dome ^ Mar. 13 - Bristol, UK - Thekla ^ Mar. 14 - Manchester, UK - YES (Pink Room) ^ Mar. 15 - Dublin, IE - The Button Factory ^
* w/ Land of Talk ** w/ Jo Passed ^ w/ Joensuu 1685
Weyes Blood is announcing international tour dates for 2020 in support of Titanic Rising, her massively acclaimed album recently named one of the “Best Albums” of the 2010s and 2019.
Her “A Lot Has Changed Tour,” which includes new shows in the U.S., U.K., Europe, Australia, and New Zealand, spans February 23rd in Perth, AU as part of Perth Festival and runs through August 14th in Nashville, TN at The Basement East.
A special fan presale for U.S. headlining dates begins Thursday, January 23rd at 10 am (local), with tickets on sale to the general public (all territories) this Friday, January 24th at 10 am (local). Please visit WeyesBlood.com for more info.
A Lot Has Changed Tour Australia/New Zealand 2020 / Winter Feb. 23 - Perth, AU - Perth Festival Feb. 25 - Brisbane, AU - The Zoo Feb. 26 - Melbourne, AU - Melbourne Recital Hall Feb. 28 - Melbourne, AU - Melbourne Zoo Twilights ** Feb. 29 - Wollongong, AU - Farmer & The Owl Festival Mar. 03 - Sydney, AU - The Factory Theatre Mar. 04 - Hobart, AU - Odeon Theatre Mar. 05 - Adelaide, AU - Adelaide Festival Mar. 07 - Castlemaine, AU - Theatre Royal Mar. 08 - Victoria, AU - Golden Plains Festival Mar. 13 - Wellington, NZ - New Zealand Festival of the Arts / Michael Fowler Centre * Mar. 14 - Auckland, NZ - Auckland Town Hall * Mar. 15 - Christchurch, NZ - Christchurch Town Hall * * w/ Aldous Harding ** w/ Julia Jacklin
US 2020 / Spring Apr. 11 - Indio, CA - Coachella Apr. 18 - Indio, CA - Coachella May 01 - Felton, CA - Felton Music Hall May 02 - San Francisco, CA - Regency Ballroom May 04 - Salt Lake City, UT - Urban Lounge May 05 - Denver, CO - Bluebird Theater May 08 - Dallas, TX - Trees May 10 - Austin, TX - Scoot Inn May 11 - Houston, TX - White Oak Music Hall (Downstairs) May 12 - San Antonio, TX - Paper Tiger May 14 - Albuquerque, NM - Launchpad
Europe 2020 / Spring Jun. 03-07 - Barcelona, ES - Primavera Sound Jun. 08 - Tourcoing, FR - Le Grand Mix Jun. 10 - London, UK - O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire Jun. 14 - Hilvarenbeek, NL - Best Kept Secret Festival Jun. 16 - Cork, IE - Cork Midsummer Festival Jun. 17 - Dublin, IE - Vicar Street Jun. 19 - Istanbul, TU - Zorlu PAC Jazz Festival
US 2020 / Summer Jul. 31 - Louisville, KY - Headliners Music Hall Aug. 01 - Milwaukee, WI - Pabst Theater Aug. 04 - Columbus, OH - Skully’s Music Diner Aug. 05 - Philadelphia, PA - Theatre of The Living Arts Aug. 07 - Washington, DC - 9:30 Club Aug. 08 - Carrboro, NC - Cat’s Cradle Aug. 10 - Charlotte, NC - The Underground Aug. 12 - Asheville, NC - The Orange Peel Aug. 13 - Atlanta, GA - Variety Playhouse Aug. 14 - Nashville, TN - The Basement East
Weyes Blood’sTitanic Risingappeared on over 100 “Best of 2019” lists and readers polls, earning “Album of the Year” honors from Brooklyn Vegan, FLOOD, Magic (France), PASTE, and Uncut, and additional placement from outlets including The AV Club, BBC News, Consequence of Sound, Dazed,Double J (Australia), Exclaim, GAFFA (Sweden), Genius, God is in the TV, Gorilla vs. Bear, GQ (France), The Guardian, Idolator, The Independent, Les Inrocks (France), The Line of Best Fit, Loud & Quiet, Magnet, MOJO, Musikexpress (Germany), The Needle Drop, NME, Northern Transmissions, No Ripcord, NPR Music, Passion of the Weiss, Pitchfork, Q, Record Collector, Rolling Stone (Germany), Rough Trade, The Skinny, Slant, Stereogum, The Independent, The Observer, The Sunday Times Culture, The Times, Thrillist, Treble Zine, Under the Radar, Uproxx, and Vice. Titanic Rising also spent 4 weeks atop the NACC 200 College Chart.
Titanic Rising was also named one of the “Best of the Decade” from the likes of All Music, Aquarium Drunkard, The AV Club, Brooklyn Vegan, Pitchfork, PASTE, Treble Zine, and Uproxx.
Weyes Blood’s Titanic Rising, which features the highlights “Movies,” “Everyday,” “Andromeda,” “Something to Believe” and “Wild Time,” is available everywhere from Sub Pop.
Supports Sudan Archives March 3rd-13th, 2020 (select dates)
South Indian rap group Cartel Madras have just announced their first-ever U.S. shows in support of the Age of the Goonda EP, their Sub Pop debut, available now on all DSPs. The duo will support Stones Throw recording artist Sudan Archives beginning March 3rd in Minneapolis at 7th Street Entry and ending March 13th in Philadelphia at Johnny Brenda’s (select dates). Preceding the tour Cartel Madras will also headline Barboza in Seattle on January 16th. For updated information on tickets and live performances, please visit subpop.com/artists/cartel_madras/tours.
Jan. 16 - Seattle, WA - Barboza Mar. 03 - Minneapolis, MN - 7th St. Entry * Mar. 04 - Chicago, IL - Sleeping Village * Mar. 05 - Detroit, MI - Deluxx Fluxx * Mar. 06 - Toronto, ON - Longboat Hall * Mar. 07 - Montreal, QC - Bar Le Ritz Mar. 09 - Allston, MA - Great Scott * Mar. 11 - Washington, DC - Union Stage * Mar. 12 - New York, NY - Bowery Ballroom * Mar. 13 - Philadelphia, PA - Johnny Brenda’s *
* w/ Sudan Archives
Cartel Madras’ Age of the Goonda EP, featuring the singles “Goonda Gold” and “Lil’ Pump Type Beat,” is available now worldwide through all DSPs from Sub Pop (with the exception of Canada through Royal Mountain Records).
What people are saying about Cartel Madras’ Age of the Goonda: “They’ve got an absolutely wicked flow — think M.I.A. meets Cardi B. Hints of traditional Tamil music are sprinkled throughout.” [“Goonda Gold”] - Stereogum
“Age of the Goonda is an invigorating five-track blast…More, please.” - The Wire
“At its core, Age of the Goonda is trap music: it’s brash, it’s rowdy and it’s fun. But laced throughout are nods to South Asian culture, Hinduism, race and queer identity that speak specifically to people who see themselves in one or more of those spaces.” - Exclaim!
“Comprised of six tracks, the EP possesses layered bass lines pumped with adrenaline, a range of Indian classical instruments weaved in and hooks that stay in your brain for days.” [Age of the Goonda] - NME
“Age of the Goonda provides an electrifying burst of the duo’s live show energy in concentrated form.” - Loud & Quiet
“There’s a lot more to come from the duo, with Eboshi and Contra firing together trap and their South Indian heritage with an almost punk-like relish for DIY. New EP Age Of The Goonda..is an explosion that should resonate in all corners of the globe. The EP is led by fiery new hymn ‘Goonda Gold’ and it emphasizes their pan-continent mosaic of sound - ‘goonda’ means thug, a word used across India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan.” [“Goonda Gold”] - CLASH
“In pop analogy, this hip-hop duo comprising Calgary-bred, Chennai-born siblings Bhagya and Priya Ramesh is somewhat like a Tamil Pulp Fiction-meets-MIA. With a carousel of bad-ass, no-fucks-given, brown girl anthems, Cartel Madras is brought to life by two sisters who don’t shy of braggadocio (you can’t miss their stack of gold jewelry) as they spout songs about feminism, empowerment and inclusivity.” [“12 New Musicians Set to Breakthrough in 2020”] - Vogue India
