Album release show at Zone One at Elsewhere (September 5th), Tel Aviv & UK Dates (September 8th-13th)

Mass Gothic’s I’ve Tortured You Long Enough, their new album, is out today and to celebrate its release, they have delivered a new video for the song “Keep On Dying”, co-directed by the band and Nira Burnstein. You can also stream the album in its entirety now on Spotify and Apple Music.

I’ve Tortured You Long Enough features “Keep On Dying,” “How I Love You,” “J.Z.O.K.” [watch here], and “Dark Window”[watch here], and is available on CD/LP/DL/CS worldwide through Sub Pop [buy here]. Purchases of the album through megamart.subpop.com, select independent retailers will receive the limited Loser edition on marbled black and white vinyl (while supplies last). 

Mass Gothic Tour Dates + Ticket Links

And next week, Mass Gothic have scheduled a headlining release show at Brooklyn’s Zone One at Elsewhere on September 5th. On September 8th the band heads overseas for their live debut in Tel Aviv, followed by two UK shows on September 12th (London) and September 13th (Manchester). 
 
Sep. 05 - Brooklyn, NY - Zone One at Elsewhere
Sep. 08 - Tel Aviv, IS - Barby
Sep. 12 - London, UK - Sebright Arms
Sep. 13 - Manchester, UK - The Castle 

[Photo Credit: Shawn Brackbill]
 
Even when you’re married and you’re best friends and you’ve spent a lifetime collaborating with each other, it’s not often obvious what’s staring you right in the face. I’ve Tortured You Long Enough is the tongue-in-cheek title of Mass Gothic’s second album for this reason, among several others. Husband/Wife duo Heroux and Zambri have always dipped in and out of each other’s creative spaces, advising on their respective outputs and supporting one another. But never had they before completely committed to doing an entire album as a duo, sharing an equal load. The time had come. And thank goodness. They have dreamed up a record packed with the tension, chaos and beauty of a fluid and cathartic two-way conversation. In a universe increasingly threatening our abilities to work hard on communication and coexistence, their creative union isn’t just inspired but important. “Why did it take us so long?” laughs Heroux.
 
Live, Mass Gothic expands to a four-piece with multi-instrumentalist Cristi Jo Zambri and drummer Joe Stickney, who also play on the album. ITYLE was co-produced by the band and Josh Ascalon, mixed by Chris Coady and mastered by Heba Kadry.  

What The People are saying about Mass Gothic:

“Backed by luminous synths and chugging momentum, the intimacy of the hook is blown up to thrilling proportions, and their love is scattered large across the soundscape.”[J.Z.O.K.] - The 405 

 
“Essential…Their earworm-ready songs are made to fight for their right to party.” - Loud and Quiet
 
“Mass Gothic’s identity is nearly undefinable, with the pair blasting through genres and ideals with a sort of unsettled energy. Whether losing yourself to the starry synths and complimentary vocals found in the spacey fuzz of “J.Z.O.K.” or floating off in the dazzling airiness, throbbing rhythms and vast instrumental expanse of the album’s title track, the release is one sure to keep you enraptured.” - The Grey Estates

“A compelling listen…a record worthy of your time.” - Bristol Live

Iron & Wine’s Weed Garden arrives as a six-song collection of all new material, whose roots were planted during the making of last years Grammy-nominated, Beast Epic.  The release is being made available worldwide from Sub Pop and joins the ranks of his previous EP’s -The Sea and Rhythm, Woman King and In the Reins which contains some of Iron & Wine’s most beloved material.
 

[Album Art Paintings by Sam Beam]

Recorded earlier this year at The Loft in Chicago, Weed Garden features the single “What Hurts Worse” and the fan favorite, “Waves of Galveston,” which first appeared as part of The Onion’s AV Club “State Songs” and is finally making its official release. Galveston is just a short trip from Austin where Sam Beam lived for a number years, and its coastal beauty is brought to life in this late summer breezy acoustic number that harkens back to some of Iron & Wine’s earliest material.  
 
Beam recently stated that “‘Waves of Galveston” was one of those songs that had a more reflective feel and I knew I wanted to do it as an acoustic thing.  I guess it pointed me in the direction of where the rest of Beast Epic went.” He also touched on the EP format and noted that he “really like(s) short records. The more concise the better. Anytime you have fewer things to absorb you observe and listen to it differently. It’s a concentrated statement”. 
 
The Associated Press had this say of Weed Garden, “Beam’s surprise gift is the exquisite “Waves of Galveston,” a fan favorite getting its first official release. Its very 70’s-sounding refrain caresses the eardrums and Nick Drake may have sounded like this if singing about Texas….There are plenty of references to nature — the sea, butterflies, serpents, rain, clouds, flowers, winds and waves — but it’s all related to the human experience and the final three songs sustain the theme. Especially affecting are the gorgeous “Autumn Town Leaves” and the increasingly intense and desperate closer “Talking to Fog.” Weed Garden is both a wonderful bonus in relation to Beast Epicand an enchanting collection that deserves to be valued for its own plentiful merits.” 
 
And NPR Music offers this, “Not only is Weed Garden a consistently powerful extension of Beast Epic, but it also marks the first studio release of one of Beam’s live staples: “Waves of Galveston.” That outtake has been cropping up in performances…but it benefits enormously from a new full-band arrangement that’s crisp and lovely, spare but sweet.”

 
Weed Garden is available on CD/LP/DL/CS through Sub Pop over here. LP purchases through megamart.subpop.com and select independent retailers will receive the limited Loser edition on Amber colored vinyl (while supplies last).

Iron & Wine Tour Dates + Ticket Links

Iron & Wine’s previously announced fall tour schedule in support of Weed Garden and Beast Epic resumes on September 21st in Kansas City, MO at Arvest Bank Theatre at the Midland and runs through November 17th in Memphis, TX at the Orpheum Theatre.  Support for the fall tour dates will come from Erin Rae, Carl Broemel, and Ohmme. 
 
Sep. 21 - Kansas City, MO - Arvest Bank Theatre at the Midland*
Sep. 22 - Denver, CO - Paramount Theatre*
Sep. 23 - Salt Lake City, UT - Capitol Theatre*
Sep. 24 - Boise, ID - Revolution Center*
Sep. 26 - Eureka, CA - Arkley Center for the Performing Arts*
Sep. 27 - Sacramento, CA - Crest Theatre*
Sep. 28 - Anaheim, CA - House of Blues*
Sep. 29 - Tucson, AZ - Rialto Theatre*
Sep. 30 - Sante Fe, NM - Lensic Performing Arts Center*
Oct. 2 - Tulsa, OK - Cain’s Ballroom*
Oct. 3 - St. Louis, MO - The Pageant^
Oct. 4 - Milwaukee, WI - The Pabst Theater*
Oct. 5 - Bloomington, IL - Castle Theatre*
Oct. 6 - Columbus, OH - Southern Theatre*
Nov. 2 - Ann Arbor, MI - Michigan Theater**
Nov. 3 - Toronto, ON - Queen Elizabeth Theatre**
Nov. 4 - Montreal, QC - Corona Theatre**
Nov. 6 - Portland, ME - State Theatre**
Nov. 7 - Huntington, NY - The Paramount**
Nov. 8 - Glenside, PA - Keswick Theatre**
Nov. 9 - Norfolk, VA - NorVa**
Nov. 10 - Raleigh, NC - Meymandi Concert Hall**
Nov. 12 - Nashville, TN - Ryman Auditorium**
Nov. 14 - Augusta, GA - Miller Theater**
Nov. 15 - Tampa, FL - Tampa Theatre**
Nov. 16 - Atlanta, GA - Buckhead Theatre**
Nov. 17 - Memphis, TN - Orpheum Theatre**
*w/ Erin Rae
** w/ Ohmme
^ w/ Carl Broemel

Beast Epic, the deeply personal sixth proper full-length album from Iron & Wine, received universal praise upon its release in the fall of 2017. Rolling Stone said it was “Beam’s most dynamic and convincing record in years”, while Pitchfork noted that it was reminiscent of “the warm acoustic instrumentation of his early work”.  The AV Club perhaps summed it up best with its A grade when they wrote “Beam has written his most affecting, impressive set of songs in a long time—maybe ever…scaling back the lavish orchestration while maintaining a sense of brightness and verve.”

Band to perform ’Furr’ in its entirety on tour this fall.

You may now feast those ears on the Blitzen Trapper rarity “Booksmart Baby” from the forthcoming Deluxe Edition of Furr. The song was the B-side of the limited edition “War Is Placebo” Record Store Day single, originally released in 2009.

Eric Early says of the song, “One of those weird haunting songs I wrote in the middle of the night in the telegraph building on the poppy couch, those lyrics are some kind of riddle I think.

Blitzen Trapper released Furr its breakthrough and label debut for Sub Pop in 2008. The album was met with universal acclaim, earning praise from the likes of The Guardian, Pitchfork, Paste, AV Club, and Rolling Stone, who in it’s 4 star review called it “an engaging album full of rootsy beauty.” The album would go on to earn the no. 13 spot on Rolling Stone’s “50 Best Albums of 2008,” later that year.

For the newly expanded deluxe edition of Furr, Blitzen Trapper have compiled two LPs worth of material: The original album and twelve rare and previously unreleased tunes. All of these songs were from the same recordings that became Furr, with the exception of the “Live at KCRW “ tracks, which were recorded during the Furr tour.

The reissue features updated cover art, and a new liner note from Earley reflecting on the album and what it means now, as well as a track by track description of the bonus songs, and a Q&A with the stage & screen actor, and Blitzen Trapper fan, Rainn Wilson (of The Office, Six Feet Under and The Blitzen Trapper Massacre fame).

Furr: Deluxe Edition will be available on 2xLP/CD/DL/CS (Furr only) on September 14th through Sub Pop and is available for preorder now here. LP preorders through megamart.subpop.com and select independent retailers will receive the limited Loser edition on clear vinyl with gold swirl (while supplies last).

[Photo Credit: Tyler Kohlhoff]

Blitzen Trapper Tour Dates + Ticket Links

Blitzen Trapper will support the release of Furr: Deluxe Edition with a massive fall North American tour, beginning September 14th at Victoria’s Rifflandia Festival and ending November 17th-18th with a two-night stand at Portland’s Doug Fir Lounge. These fall shows will find the band playing Furr in its entirety, followed by a set of fan favorites from throughout the band’s discography. Sub Pop labelmates Luluc will also join Blitzen Trapper as direct support November 8th-18th (select dates). For up-to-date information on tickets, please visit the band’s official website.

Furr Fall 2018 Tour Dates
Sep. 14 - Victoria, BC - Rifflandia Festival
Sep. 15 - Vancouver, BC - The Commodore
Sep. 16 - Nelson, BC - Spiritbar at the Hume Hotel
Sep. 17 - Calgary, AB - Festival Hall
Sep. 18 - Edmonton, AB - Starlite Room
Sep. 19 - Saskatoon, SK - Amigos
Sep. 20 -  Toronto, ON - RBC Echo Beach**
Sep. 21 - Minneapolis, MN - Fine Line Music Cafe
Sep. 22 - Indianapolis, IN - Holler On The Hill at Garfield Park
Sep. 24 - 25 - Chicago, IL - Schubas
Sep. 27 - Hamilton, ON - Mills Hardware
Sep. 28 - Ottawa, ON - The 27 Club
Sep. 29 - Montreal, QC - Le Ministère
Oct. 01 - Allston, MA - Great Scott
Oct. 02 - Brooklyn, NY - Music Hall of Williamsburg
Oct. 04 - Philadelphia, PA - The Foundry at The Fillmore
Oct. 05 - Washington, DC - Rock and Roll Hotel
Oct. 06 - Carrboro, NC - Cat’s Cradle
Oct. 07 - Atlanta, GA - The Earl
Oct. 08 - Nashville, TN - The Basement East
Oct. 10 - St. Louis, MO - Blueberry Hill Duck Room
Oct. 11 - Kansas City, MO - Record Bar
Oct. 12 - Lincoln, NE - The Royal Grove
Oct. 13 - Boulder, CO - Fox Theatre
Nov. 08 - Chico, CA-  Sierra Nevada Brewing Company *
Nov. 09 - Reno, NV - Offbeat Music Festival
Nov. 10 - Novato, CA - Hopmonk Tavern*
Nov. 11 - Sebastopol, CA - Hopmonk Tavern*
Nov. 12 - Solana Beach, CA - Belly Up Tavern
Nov. 13 - Los Angeles, CA - Lodge Room*
Nov. 14 - San Francisco, CA - The Independent*
Nov. 16 - Seattle, WA - The Crocodile*
Nov. 17 - Portland, OR - Doug Fir Lounge*
Nov. 18 - Portland, OR - Doug Fir Lounge*
** w/ Shaky Graves, The Sheepdogs

The band celebrates the album’s 10th anniversary with North American tour dates in November and December; Keep Your Eyes Ahead: Deluxe Edition features the remastered original album, plus demos, alternate versions, and outtakes from the same era

• CD 
• 2xLP housed in a double-wide embossed jacket with custom dust sleeves
• Digitally

The Helio Sequence will celebrate the 10th anniversary of Keep Your Eyes Ahead playing the album in its entirety on tour, beginning November 14th in San Francisco at the Chapel and ending December 14th in Portland at the Doug Fir. Tickets for these dates are on sale now. Preceding the tour, the band will appear at McMinnville, Oregon’s Walnut City Music Festival on September 1st, and Rainier Day along Airport Way in Seattle’s Georgetown neighborhood on October 6th.

Sep. 01 - McMinnville, OR - Walnut City Music Festival
Oct. 06 - Seattle, WA - Rainier Day / Airport Way (Georgetown)
Nov. 14 - San Francisco, CA - The Chapel
Nov. 15 - Los Angeles, CA - Lodge Room
Nov. 16 - Phoenix, AZ - Valley Bar
Nov. 17 - San Diego, CA - The Casbah
Nov. 18 - Sacramento, CA - Harlow’s
Nov. 28 - Chicago, IL - The Empty Bottle
Nov. 30 - Philadelphia, PA - Johnny Brenda’s
Dec. 01- Brooklyn, NY - Elsewhere
Dec. 02 - Allston, MA - Great Scott
Dec. 04 - Washington, DC - Songbyrd Record Cafe and Music House
Dec. 05 - Atlanta, GA - The Drunken Unicorn
Dec. 07 - Austin, TX - Barracuda
Dec. 08 - Plano, TX - Legacy Hall
Dec. 11 - Denver, CO - Globe Hall
Dec. 12 - Salt Lake City, UT - Urban Lounge
Dec. 13 - Boise, ID - Neurolux
Dec. 14 - Portland, OR - Doug Fir

For more information on tickets please visit https://www.heliosequence.com.

North American tour dates with labelmates Blitzen Trapper November 7th-18th) and J Mascis (November 20th-December 15th) also announced

In Luluc’s official video for “Kids,” a standout from Sculptor, their just-released, gorgeous third album, director Katie Mitchell wanted to capture “an intimate portrait of the band and their collaborators in Brooklyn.” With beautifully shot performance footage, Mitchell subtly renders the defiance of the protagonist of the song and the camaraderie she has forged. Watch now [see NPR Music August 23rd].

Luluc Tour Dates + Ticket Links

Luluc will also hit the road this fall performing songs from Sculptor, acting as direct support for labelmates Blitzen Trapper (November 7th-18th) and J Mascis (November 20th - December 15th). Headline dates in Australia, Europe and North America will follow in early 2019.
 
Nov. 08 - Chico, CA-  Sierra Nevada Brewing Company*
Nov. 10 - Novato, CA - Hopmonk Tavern*
Nov. 11 - Sebastopol, CA - Hopmonk Tavern*
Nov. 13 - Los Angeles, CA - Lodge Room*
Nov. 14 - San Francisco, CA - The Independent*
Nov. 16 - Seattle, WA - The Crocodile*
Nov. 17 - Portland, OR - Doug Fir Lounge*
Nov. 18 - Portland, OR - Doug Fir Lounge*
Nov. 20 - Chicago, IL - City Winery^
Nov. 21 - Chicago, IL - City Winery^
Nov. 27 - Atlanta, GA - City Winery^
Nov. 28 - Nashville, TN - City Winery^
Nov. 29 - Louisville, KY - Zanzabar^
Nov. 30 - Detroit, MI - El Club^
Dec. 01 - Toronto, ON - Great Hall^
Dec. 04 - Philadelphia, PA - World Cafe^
Dec. 05 - Washington, DC - City Winery^
Dec. 07 - Brooklyn, NY - Rough Trade^
Dec. 08 - New York, NY - Public Arts^
Dec. 09 - Hamden, CT - Space Ballroom^
Dec. 12 - Providence, RI - The Met^
Dec. 13 - Boston, MA - The Sinclair^
Dec. 14 - Northampton, MA - The Academy of Music^
Dec. 15 - Portland, ME - Port City Music Hall^
Jan. 11 - Melbourne, AU - Howler
Jan. 12 - Castlemaine, AU - Theatre Royale
* w/ Blitzen Trapper
^ w/ J Mascis

Sculptor is available worldwide from Sub Pop, with the exception of New Zealand and Australia through Mistletone. In addition to “Kids,” the album features standouts “Spring” and “Heist,” and was produced and recorded by Luluc. The album also includes guest appearances from J. Mascis, Aaron Dessner (The National), Jim White (The Dirty Three), Dave Nelson (The National, Beirut) and Matt Eccles (Weyes Blood, Connan Mockasin). LP purchases from megamart.subpop.com will receive the limited Loser edition on magenta vinyl (while supplies last).

 
What The People are saying about Luluc’s Sculptor:

“Quietly devastating....when Luluc really want your attention they don’t shout, they whisper. The strongest and most assured record of their career. The songs dig deep emotionally – but critically their aesthetics are well-balanced, the voice and instruments perfectly calibrated. While its predecessors had a tendency for introspection, Sculptor is wide open.” [8/10] - Uncut
 
“…Sculptor, the Australians’ self-produced follow-up to 2014’s wonderful Passerby, also broadens Luluc’s palette and subject matter in rewarding ways.” [First Listen] - NPR Music
 
“Ultimately, the album repays careful and repeated attention, its varied qualities cohering effectively with a measured sense of control that, simultaneously, offers positive indications of the considerable potential for future even more diverse arrangements.” [8/10] - The Line of Best Fit
 
“Zoe Randell and Steve Hassett are back with an album that complicates their modest aesthetic. The lyrical wrestling and sonic exploration nearly betrays their earliest work yet elevates their catalog—already so celebrated—to another level… Sculptor is an album that feels important.” [8/10] - Under the Radar
 
“Sculptor is a small gift coming at the right time, a 36-minute reverie that nonetheless remains rooted in waking life.” - PopMatters
 
“Sculptor yields center-stage to Randell’s haiku-like celebrations of human spirit and suburban transcendence.” [4/5] - MOJO
 
“Randall and Hassett have made a record that boldly turns a corner while still slotting neatly into their already sterling catalog.” [4/5] - All Music

“Randell’s lyrics reveal subversiveness too, telling of teenage insurrections and small-town upsets. Steve Hassett’s backing, meanwhile, is characterized by enough strange impulses and pleasing deviations to whirr and rattle through the stillness. The band’s third album is filled with such quirks and quiet rebellions.”  [4/5] - Q Magazine