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.
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.”
The band will perform Our Endless Numbered Days in its entirety (and with an orchestra) in Cincinnati, Los Angeles and Washington, D.C.
Sub Pop and Iron & Wine will celebrate the 15th anniversary of Our Endless Numbered Days with the release of a newly expanded deluxe edition on CD/2xLP/DL worldwide on March 22nd, 2019. This version will feature eight previously never before heard demos, new artwork, and a 12-page booklet including liner notes from author Amanda Petrusich. You can now hear the demo version of ”Passing Afternoon” here.
Iron & Wine received its second Grammy nomination in two years as “Best Folk Album” for 2018’s Weed Garden. Their previous nomination was for “Best Americana Album” for 2017’s Beast Epic.
Our Endless Numbered Days (Deluxe Edition) is now available for preorder from Sub Pop. LP preorders in North America through megamart.subpop.com and select independent retailers will receive the limited Loser edition on opaque pea green vinyl (while supplies last). There will also be a new T-shirt design available. For LP preorders of Our Endless Numbered Days (Deluxe Edition) in Europe and the UK from select independent retailers will receive the limited Loser edition on opaque dark green vinyl (while supplies last).
Iron & Wine Our Endless Numbered Days (Deluxe Edition) Tracklisting:
1. On Your Wings 2. Naked as We Came 3. Cinder and Smoke 4. Sunset Soon Forgotten 5. Teeth in the Grass 6. Love and Some Verses 7. Radio War 8. Each Coming Night 9. Free Until They Cut Me Down 10. Fever Dream 11. Sodom, South Georgia 12. Passing Afternoon 13. Naked as We Came (demo) 14. Cinder and Smoke (demo) 15. Teeth in the Grass (demo) 16. Love and Some Verses (demo) 17. Free Until They Cut Me Down (demo) 18. Fever Dream (demo) 19. Sodom, South Georgia (demo) 20. Passing Afternoon (demo)
[Photo Credit : Kim Black]
Sam Beam, aka Iron & Wine, released Our Endless Numbered Days, his second album, in March of 2004. It followed his seemingly out of nowhere debut arrival, The Creek Drank the Cradle (2002) which was a quiet word of mouth treasure. Our Endless Numbered Days was recorded in Chicago and was the first in a string of releases to be produced by Brian Deck (Red Red Meat, Modest Mouse, Ugly Casanova, etc.).
Our Endless Numbered Days, which has sold over 556,000 copies, marked many firsts for Beam both professionally and personally and as Petrusich so rightly calls it in her liner notes “Our Endless Numbered Days is a timeless record about the passage of time.”
Upon its release SPIN called the record a “masterwork” one that is “self-assured, spellbinding, and richly, refreshingly adult.” Pitchfork, which gave the original album “Best New Music,” had this to say, “An astoundingly progressive record: Beam has successfully transgressed his cultural pigeonhole without sacrificing any of his dusty allure.”
Iron & Wine Tour Dates + Ticket Links
In conjunction with the re-issue, Iron & Wine will team up with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the National Symphony Orchestra and the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra to perform the record in its entirety. Arrangements are being handled by noted composer David Campbell (Adele, Michael Jackson, Beck), whom will also conduct the LA Philharmonic.
These shows will include two sets – one with the orchestra and one solo acoustic – and feature songs from throughout the nearly 20-year career of Iron & Wine. These are the only scheduled performances of this nature planned around the anniversary of Our Endless Numbered Days.
Mar. 22 - Cincinnati, OH - Taft Hall w/ Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra Mar. 24 - Los Angeles, CA - Disney Hall w/ Los Angeles Philharmonic TBA - Washington, DC - Kennedy Center w/ National Symphony Orchestra
Live in London will be available on 2xCD/3xLP/DL/CS and was taped before a live audience at the Eventim Apollo. The album features the Conchords performing new songs from the sold-out UK and Ireland edition of “Flight of the Conchords Sing Flight of the Conchords Tour.”
You heard right, ladies and gents: Flight of the Conchords will release Live in Londonon 2xCD/3xLP/DL/CS worldwide via Sub Pop on March 8th, 2019. This past October and ten years after the launch of their hit HBO series, musical comedians Bret McKenzie and Jemaine Clement returned to the network for an all-new comedy special. Live in London was taped before a live audience at the Eventim Apollo and features the Conchords performing new songs from the sold-out UK and Ireland edition of “Flight of the Conchords Sing Flight of the Conchords Tour.”
The Live in London album features 7 new songs including “Iain and Deanna,”“Father and Son,”“Summer of 1353,” “Stana,” “Seagull,” “Back on the Road,” and “Bus Driver.” The album also features performances of fan favorites “Inner City Pressure,” “Bowie,” “Foux du Fafa,” “Mutha’uckas - Hurt Feelings,” “Robots,” “Carol Brown” and “The Most Beautiful Girl (In The Room)’ (the latter two bonus tracks edited out of the broadcast due to time constraints).
Live in London is now available for preorder from Sub Pop.
LP preorders in North America through megamart.subpop.com and select independent retailers will receive the limited Loser edition on clear w/blue and yellow high melt vinyl (while supplies last). Additionally, LP preorders of Live in London in Europe and the UK from select independent retailers will receive the limited Loser edition on clear vinyl (while supplies last).
Flight of the Conchords Live in London Tracklisting: 1. Father and Son * 2. Band Reunion 3. Iain and Deanna * 4. Inner City Pressure 5. New Zealand Symphony Orchestra 6. Summer of 1353 * 7. Complimentary Muffin 8. Stana * 9. Stuck in a Lift 10. Foux du Fafa 11. Seagull * 12. Mutha’uckas - Hurt Feelings 13. One More Anecdote 14. Back on the Road * 15. Thank You London 16. Bowie 17. Bus Driver * 18. Tuning 19. Robots 20. Shady Rachel 21. Carol Brown ** 22. The Most Beautiful Girl (In The Room) ** * = new song ** = bonus track not included in the TV special
[Photo credit: Colin Hutton/HBO]
New Zealanders McKenzie and Clement debuted on HBO in 2005 in an edition of the comedy series “One-Night Stand,” returning to the network in 2007 for the debut season of their acclaimed, Emmy-nominated series “Flight of the Conchords,” which followed fictionalized versions of their lives in New York City. The duo also signed a worldwide deal with Sub Pop Records for their recorded music, going on to release the Grammy-winning EP, The Distant Future in 2007, followed by two full-length albums - their self-titled debut in 2008, and I Told You I Was Freaky in 2009.
The Conchords have also enjoyed individual success. Clement’s film credits include the “Rio” movies, “Men in Black 3,” “What We Do in the Shadows” and “The BFG,” and he’s also been seen in his role in FX’s “Legion.” McKenzie was the music supervisor for “The Muppets,” which won him an Academy Award® for Best Original Song for “Man or Muppet,” and “Muppets Most Wanted.”
Weyes Blood’s new song, “Andromeda,” her first recording of original material since 2016’s acclaimed Front Row Seat To Earth, is now available worldwide from Sub Pop in all the digital places.
“Andromeda” plays on a few themes (mythology, astronomy, technology), and is ultimately a love song about finding something long-lasting in an ever-changing world full of distractions, unrealistic expectations (“looking up to the sky for, something I may never find”) and past disappointments.
“Andromeda” was written and composed by Weyes Blood’s Natalie Mering, co-produced by Mering and Jonathan Rado, and mixed by Kenny Gilmore in Los Angeles. “Andromeda” will be found on her highly anticipated fourth album, due out later this Spring worldwide from Sub Pop.
[Cover Art Photo by Brett Stanley]
Weyes Blood Tour Dates
Weyes Blood has scheduled four California shows this spring, beginning April 1st in Fresno at Strummers and currently ending April 4th in Los Angeles at the Masonic Lodge. Tickets for these shows go on sale Friday, January 18th at 10 am PST. Additional dates will be announced soon.
Apr. 01 - Fresno, CA - Strummers Apr. 02 - Santa Cruz, CA - The Atrium at The Catalyst Apr. 03 - Santa Barbara, CA - Velvet Jones Apr. 04 - Los Angeles, CA - Masonic Lodge
