King Tuff (aka Kyle Thomas) presents a remix by Peaking Lights of the preening funk jam “Raindrop Blue” from the 2018 King Tuff album The Other.
King Tuff had this to say of the remix: “Another remix! I sent ‘Raindrop Blue’ to Peaking Lights and they put it thru their astral deli slicer and projected it through a frosty prism out onto the hot floor of a Venusian nightclub. Enjoy!” [And you might also enjoy it on Spotify or Apple Music.]
This new remix follows Tune-Yards recent take on “Psycho Star,” the psychedelic, day-glo-pop single from The Other hear here.
King Tuff’s previously announced fall North American tour in support of The Other begins on September 12th. Headlining shows include September 12th in Las Vegas at Bunkhouse Saloon, September 15th in Fort Collins at Hodi’s Half Note, September 17th in Kansas City at The Riot Room, and October 5th in Mobile at The Merry Widow.
Then, from September 18th-October 10th, King Tuff joins Sub Pop-labelmate Father John Misty for a 17-date tour. See below for a complete list of dates.
King Tuff’s The Otheris available on CD/LP/DL/CS worldwide from Sub Pop [link here].
Sep. 12 - Las Vegas, NV - Bunkhouse Saloon Sep. 15 - Fort Collins, CO - Hodi’s Half Note Sep. 17 - Kansas City, MO - The Riot Room Sep. 18 - Madison, WI - Orpheum Theatre * Sep. 20 - Milwaukee, WI - Pabst Theater * Sep. 21 - Indianapolis, IN - MacAllister Amphitheater @ Garfield Park * Sep. 22 - Cleveland, OH - Agora Theatre * Sep. 23 - Pittsburgh, PA - Smiling Moose Sep. 25 - Charlottesville, VA - Sprint Pavilion * Sep. 26 - Charlotte, NC - Fillmore Charlotte * Sep. 28 - Miami, FL - Fillmore Miami * Sep. 29 - Orlando, FL - Hard Rock Live * Oct. 01 - Athens, GA - Georgia Theatre * Oct. 02 - Athens, GA - Georgia Theatre * Oct. 03 - Birmingham, AL - Iron City * Oct. 05 - Mobile, Alabama - The Merry Widow Oct. 06 - New Orleans, LA - Civic Theater * Oct. 09 - Knoxville, TN The Mill & Mine * Oct. 10 - Oxford, MS - Lyric Theater * Oct. 12 - Greenville, SC - Fall for Greenville Oct. 13 - Lexington, KY - Burl * w/ Father John Misty
Stream Double Negative in its entirety via NPR Music’s “First Listen” September 6th-14th.
[Photo credit: Paul Husband]
Low have extended their international tour schedule in support of Double Negativewith the announcement of new U.K. and European dates for 2019. The newly added dates begin January 29th, 2019 in Glasgow at Tramway and run through February 14th in Stockholm in Kagelbanan (Small Room). The 15-date U.K. and European run will include stops in Brighton, London, Hamburg, Oslo, Cologne, Frankfurt, and Gothenburg. These dates follow Low’s previously announced 2018 North American, U.K. and European tour schedule, which begins with a three-night stand at National Sawdust in New York City on September 19th-21st and ends November 17th in Madison at the High Noon Saloon. (full listing is below.)
And starting today, September 6th, NPR Music’s “First Listen” is now streaming Double Negative in its entirety right over here.
NPR Music’s Stephen Thompson offers this on the band’s new album, ”For a band so often defined by apparent strictures on its sound, Low has proven incredibly versatile. Throughout a catalog that spans 12 studio albums, another dozen or so EPs, a Christmas record that’s justly become a classic, and countless one-offs, it’s upended its formulas constantly while still sounding unmistakably like itself. On the new Double Negative, those patterns hold true amid Low’s most radical reinvention yet…Low throws itself into what often sounds like an inversion of its classic sound. “Quorum” opensDouble Negative with static-scarred loops that curdle and crunch menacingly, setting a fresh scene with maximum efficiency: This is the sound of beauty as it’s distorted to the point of disintegration [listen here].”
[Album Cover Image by Peter Liversidge]
Pre-orders of Double Negative through megamart.subpop.com and select independent retailers will receive the limited Loser Edition on crystal clear vinyl with an enclosed full-color flat of the album’s front cover artwork (while supplies last).
2018 Tour Dates Sep. 19 - New York, NY - National Sawdust Sep. 20 - New York, NY - National Sawdust Sep. 21 - New York, NY - National Sawdust Sep. 29 - Lisbon, PT - Lisboa ao Vivo Oct. 01 - De Compostela Santiago, ES - Sala Capitol Oct. 02 - Madrid, ES - Sala But Oct. 03 - Barcelona, ES - Fabra i Coats Oct. 05 - Milan, IT - Teatro Dal Verme Oct. 06 - Zurich, CH - Bogen F Oct. 08 - Leipzig, DE - UT Connewitz Oct. 09 - Berlin, DE - Festsaal Kreuzberg Oct. 10- Bochum, DE - Christuskirche Bochum Oct. 11 - Brussels, BE - Orangerie (at Botanique) Oct. 12 - Amsterdam, NL - Paradiso Oct. 13 - Paris, FR - La Gaîté Lyrique Oct. 15 - Bristol, UK - Trinity Oct. 16 - Manchester, UK - Manchester Cathedral Oct. 17 - Dublin, IE - Vicar Street Nov. 02 - St. Paul, MN - The Fitz Nov. 05 - Detroit, MI - El Club Nov. 06 - Toronto, ON - Great Hall Nov. 08 - Montreal, QC - La Sala Rosa Nov. 09 - Boston, MA - Brighton Music Hall Nov. 10 - Philadelphia, PA - Underground Arts Nov. 12 - Washington, DCU Street Music Hall Nov. 13 - Pittsburgh, PA - The Funhouse Nov. 14 - Cleveland, OH - Grog Shop Nov. 15 - Grand Rapids, MI - Pyramid Scheme Nov. 16 - Chicago, IL - Rockefeller Chapel Nov. 17 - Madison, WI - High Noon Saloon
2019 Tour Dates Jan. 29 - Glasgow, UK - Tramway Jan. 30 - Birmingham, UK - Birmingham Town Hall Jan. 31 - Brighton, UK - St. George’s Church Brighton Feb. 01 - London, UK - Barbican Feb. 02 - Kortrijk, BE - De Kreun Feb. 04 - Groningen, NL - Vera Feb. 05 - Erlangen, DE - E-Werk (Erlangen) Feb. 06 - Cologne, DE - Kulturkirche Köln Feb. 07 - Frankfurt, DE - Sankt Peter Feb. 08 - Hamburg, DE - Uebel & Gefährlich Feb. 09 - Aarhus, DK - Voxhall Feb. 11 - København, DK - The Koncerthuset - Studie 2 Feb. 12 - Gothenburg, SE - Pustervik Feb. 13 - Oslo - Norway - Parkteatret Feb. 14 - Stockholm, SE - Kagelbanan (Small Room)
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).
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 Gardenarrives 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 Kingand In the Reinswhich 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’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
