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
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
On October 12th, 2018, Sub Pop will reissue The Helio Sequence’s landmark album Keep Your Eyes Ahead for its 10th anniversary as a deluxe edition.The newly remastered set will be available on CD/2xLP/DL and includes the original 10-song effort along with a second album of demos, alternate versions, and outtakes from the same era. Keep Your Eyes Ahead: Deluxe Edition was mastered by The Helio Sequence at Helio Sound studio in their hometown of Portland, Oregon. You can listen to “Lately” and an acoustic version of “No Regrets” and pre-order the record today.
Upon its release in 2008, the record was warmly received from critics and fans alike. MAGNET named it one of the “Top 25 Albums of 2008,” and raved, “Keep Your Eyes Ahead is a shining example of how to go retro while still moving forward.” Washington Post offered this, “Trading its former album’s dense keyboard compositions for a more expansive and organic sound, Keep Your Eyes Ahead is the work of a band commanding its audience’s attention. Stand out tracks like “Hallelujah” and “Can’t Say No” show the band flexing its melodic muscles, branching out into grandiose guitar rock territory without sacrificing the nuance and keyboard flourishes of its early work.” And Drowned in Sound, in its 8/10 review of the album, had this to say, “And now, at last, the protracted silence is broken by the surging scream of Keep Your Eyes Ahead, an album that feels as vital as the first, gulping breath of the near drowned. What this record means to Summers and partner Benjamin Weikel is apparent in the intense force of feeling.”
Keep Your Eyes Ahead: Deluxe Edition is now available for pre-order through Sub Pop and will be available in the following formats:
CD
2xLP housed in a double-wide embossed jacket with custom dust sleeves
Digitally
LP preorders of Keep Your Eyes Ahead: Deluxe Edition through Sub Pop and select independent retailers will receive the Loser edition on blue vinyl. There will also be a new t-shirt available at this time.
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
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 MusicAugust 23rd].
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
Watch KEXP live performances of 1 Time Mirage tracks “Seven Wheel Motion,” “Give You Game,” and “My Dreams Never Sleep”
Knife Knights have shared “Seven Wheel Motion,” a new offering from 1 Time Mirage,
their forthcoming debut album for Sub Pop. Colossal drums puncture
walls of labyrinthine noise sculpted from deranged synthesizers and
mutated guitars throughout and is an absolute powerhouse of a song.
Ishmael Butler seems to rap in dialogue with himself, detailing a
threatening streetscape and shaping the experience into personal
realizations. “Smooth landings, queens in tandems, cash in grand sums,”
he declares at one point. “Life is random/I roll the dice and bet on me.”
Knife Knights recently premiered the aforementioned “Seven Wheel Motion” with additional 1 Time Mirage standouts “Give You Game,” and “My Dreams Never Sleep” live for KEXP. [see July 19th session.]
1 Time Mirage will be available worldwide September 14th from
Sub Pop. The otherworldly long-player features guest appearances from
labelmates Shabazz Palaces and Porter Ray, along with Stas THEE Boss, OCnotes, Thaddillac, El Mizell, Marquetta Miller, Gerald Turner, and
Darrius Willrich. The album was produced by Ishmael Butler and Erik
Blood at Protect and Exalt: A Black Space in Seattle.