Album release show at Zone One at Elsewhere (September 5th) & European dates (September 8th-13th).
“How I Love You” is the latest single from Mass Gothic’s cheekily titled forthcoming effort I’ve Tortured You Long Enough, available August 31st on Sub Pop. On the new track vocalist Jessica Zambri takes lead, delivering one of the album’s more immediate songs.
Mass Gothic previously announced international tour dates for 2018 in support of I’ve Tortured You Long Enough resume August 10th with a performance at Sub Pop’s Big 30th Anniversary Kick-Off Showcase with Afghan Whigs and Yuno at Seattle’s Mural Amphitheatre. Additional highlights include the band’s headline release show in Brooklyn at Zone One at Elsewhere (September 5th) and their European tour dates (September 8th-13th).
Aug. 10 - Seattle, WA - SPF30 at The Mural ^ Sep. 05 - Brooklyn, NY - Zone One at Elsewhere Sep. 08 - Tel Aviv, IS - Barby Sep. 09 - Berlin, DE - Monarch Sep. 10 - Hamburg, DE - Mojo Sep. 12 - London, UK - Sebright Arms Sep. 13 - Manchester, UK - The Castle ^ w/ The Afghan Whigs, Yuno
I’ve Tortured You Long Enough, which features the aforementioned “How I Love You,” the official video for “J.Z.O.K.” [watch here], and the lyric video for “Dark Window” [watch here], will be available on CD/LP/DL/CS worldwide through Sub Pop right here. Preorders of the album through megamart.subpop.com and select independent retailers will receive the limited Loser edition on marbled black and white vinyl (while supplies last).
2018 international tour schedule includes European dates October 26th-November 26th.
In Yuno’s official video for “Fall In Love,” from Moodie - his just-released debut - problems arise when a young couple can’t communicate. The new visual was directed by Mikey Alfred of skate brand and film crew Illegal Civilization and produced in conjunction with Apple Music [watch here].
Yuno has also added new, European dates supporting Unknown Mortal Orchestra to his 2018 tour schedule in support of Moodie. The trek begins October 26th at New Fall Festival in Stuttgart, Germany and run through November 26th at Glasgow, Scotland at SWG3. The tour will include shows in Antwerp, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Berlin, Hamburg, Copenhagen, Stockholm, Oslo, Vienna, Zurich, London, and more. From November 4th-26th, Yuno will act as direct support for Unknown Mortal Orchestra.
These newly added shows follow Yuno’s previously announced late summer/early fall headlining, festival and support trek, August 18th-September 26th. Highlights include Sub Pop’s 30th Anniversary Weekend kick-off with The Afghan Whigs and Mass Gothic at Seattle Center’s Mural Amphitheatre (August 11th) and supporting Superorganism (August 30th-September 26th).
Aug. 18 - Jacksonville, FL - Jack Rabbits Aug. 23 - St. Louis, MO - Ready Room Aug. 24 - Omaha, NE - Reverb Aug. 25 - Denver, CO - Larimer Lounge Aug. 27 - Salt Lake City, UT - Kilby Court Aug. 28 - Boise, ID - Funky Taco Aug. 30 - Portland, OR - Wonder Ballroom* Aug. 31 - Vancouver, BC - Imperial* Sep. 01 - Seattle, WA - Bumbershoot Sep. 04 - Kansas City, MO - Riot Room* Sep. 06 - Columbus, OH - A+R Bar* Sep. 07 - Detroit, MI - Underground at Dime Sep. 08 - Toronto, ON - The Garrison Sep. 10 - Brooklyn, NY - Brooklyn Steel* Sep. 11 - Boston, MA - The Sinclair* Sep. 12 - Washington, D.C. - Rock N Roll Hotel Sep. 13 - Philadelphia, PA - Union Transfer* Sep. 17 - Dallas, TX - Trees* Sep. 18 - Houston, TX - White Oak* Sep. 19 - Austin, TX - Emo’s* Sep. 22 - Los Angeles, CA - Fonda Theatre* Sep. 24 - San Diego, CA - The Casbah Sep. 25 - Pomona, CA - The Glasshouse* Sep. 26 - San Francisco, CA - The Independent* Sep. 27 - San Francisco, CA - The Independent* Oct. 26 - Stuttgart, DE - New Fall Festival Oct. 27 - Amsterdam, NL - London Calling Oct. 28 - Berlin, DE - Musik & Frieden Oct. 29 - Hamburg, DE - Molotow Sky bar Nov. 01 - Clermont-Ferrand, FR - La Coopérative de Mai^ Nov. 02 - Antwerp, BE - Trix Nov. 04 - Frankfurt, DE - Zoom^ Nov. 06 - Copenhagen, DK - Vega^ Nov. 07 - Stockholm, SE - Kagelbanan^ Nov. 08- Oslo, NO - Parkteatret^ Nov. 11 - Gronigen, NL - Ooosterpoort^ Nov. 13 - Vienna, AT - Flex^ Nov. 14 - Zurich, CH - Rote Fabrik^ Nov. 15 - Vevey, CH - Rocking Chair^ Nov. 16 - Amsterdam, NL - Melkweg^ Nov. 19 - Birmingham, UK - Institute^ Nov. 21 - London, UK - Royal Albert Hall^ Nov. 22 - Brighton, UK - Concorde 2^ Nov. 23 - Sheffield, UK - The Leadmill^ Nov. 26 - Glasgow, UK - SWG3^ * w/ Superorganism ^ w/ Unknown Mortal Orchestra
Moodie is available worldwide through Sub Pop here. The six-song effort features the breakout single ‘No Going Back’ along with the aforementioned ‘Fall In Love’ and ‘Why For.’ Moodie was written, performed, and produced by Yuno.
More dates added to Beast Epic world tour September - November 2018.
Iron & Wine are following up their 2018 Grammy-nominated full-length Beast Epic with the aptly titled EP, Weed Garden available worldwide on August 31st. Having gone over three years between releases prior to Beast Epic, Weed Garden arrives in short order, but right on time for Iron & Wine fans.
The six-song EP features material that was part of the writing phase for Beast Epic, but for various reasons went unfinished. The term “weed garden” could easily imply that which doesn’t belong, for principal songwriter Sam Beam, it was more about getting more “into the weeds” on a creative process to finish the material. Weed Garden serves as the perfect companion piece to last years full length.
While on tour last fall, the final pieces fell into place and a sense of urgency prevailed in bringing these songs to fruition. Space was created at the top of the year to return to The Loft recording studio in Chicago with the band behind Beast Epic - Joe Adamik, Jim Becker, Rob Burger and Teddy Rankin-Parker. The collection of songs range from urgent (“What Hurts Worse”) to fun (“Rock and Roll Heroes”) to personal (“Talking to Fog”). The tones and themes all feel part of the larger narrative that presented itself on Beast Epic bringing this collection of characters full circle. You can now listen (above) to lead off track “What Hurts Worse.”
Weed Garden also includes the fan favorite “Waves of Galveston”. Widely bootlegged, but never officially released until now, this track is the oldest song on the EP. It first appeared as an online performance video as part of The Onion’s AV Club “State Songs”. The Weed Garden artwork also features a series of original paintings from Iron & Wine’s principal songwriter Sam Beam. This cover joins the ranks of previous album covers, Endless Numbered Days, The Shepherd’s Dog, Kiss Each Other Clean and In the Reins that feature his paintings or drawings.
Weed Garden is now available for preorder on CD/LP/DL/CS through Sub Pop right here. LP preorders through megamart.subpop.com and select independent retailers will receive the limited Loser edition on Amber colored vinyl (while supplies last)
Weed Garden Tracklisting: 1. What Hurts Worse 2. Waves of Galveston 3. Last of Your Rock ‘n’ Roll Heroes 4. Milkweed 5. Autumn Town Leaves 6. Talking to Fog
Iron & Wine’s previously announce fall tour schedule 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.
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 [link here]. 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” review 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.”
On September 14th, Sub Pop will release 1 Time Mirage, the otherworldly debut long-player from the hermetic duo Knife Knights. The 11-track album features standouts “My Dreams Never Sleep,” and “Light Up Ahead (Time Mirage),” along with the previously released introductory single (+ official video) for “Give You Game [see here].” 1 Time Mirage 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.
In further exciting news, Knife Knights make their live debut on KEXP in Seattle today. Watch now [see interview & live stream July 19th; noon PST]!
Knife Knights 1 Time Mirage will be available on CD/LP/DL/CS worldwide from Sub Pop. Preorders of the album through megamart.subpop.com and select independent retailers will receive the limited Loser edition pressed on blue and white marbled vinyl.
Knife Knights 1 Time Mirage Tracklisting
1. Bionic Chords (feat. OCnotes & Darrius Willrich) 2. Drag Race Legend 3. Give You Game (feat. Marquetta Miller & Stas Thee Boss) 4. Light Up Ahead (Time Mirage) [feat. Porter Ray, Gerald Turner, Darrius Willrich, OCnotes & Shabazz Palaces] 5. Seven Wheel Motion 6. Low Key (feat. Shabazz Palaces) 7. My Dreams Never Sleep (feat. OCnotes, Marquetta Miller & Shabazz Palaces) 8. Light Work (feat. El Mizell) 9. Can’t Draw the Line (feat. OCnotes) 10. Come On Let’s Go (feat. OCnotes & Marquetta Miller) 11. Mr. President
[Photo Credit: Justin Henning]
Knife Knights were born of the love of mystery.
A decade ago, Ishmael Butler—the architect of the groundbreaking but long-disbanded hip-hop group Digable Planets—was preparing at last to emerge from years of near-complete silence. He unveiled his new outlet, Shabazz Palaces, in the summer of 2009 through a pair of self-released EPs, surrounding his hyperlinked verses with webs of psychedelic textures and refracted rhythms. From the start, confidentiality seemed essential: Butler wanted Shabazz Palaces to stand on its own strength, not his outsized reputation, so he adopted a nom de plume for himself.
As the project’s network expanded, though, he needed new monikers for his partnerships. Knife Knights is the name he gave to his work with Seattle engineer, producer, songwriter, and film composer Erik Blood, a vital force in the Shabazz Palaces universe. Now, after more than a decade of collaboration and the development into of a rich friendship, Butler and Blood have made a proper full-length record together as Knife Knights: 1 Time Mirage, an eleven-track odyssey that finds the pair and a cast of their friends weaving together a singular world of soul and shoegaze, hip-hop and lush noise, bass and bedlam. 1 Time Mirage represents a playground for Butler and Blood, a free space for unfettered exploration, and a radically adventurous start to something much more than a mere production duo or side project.
Butler and Blood met in 2003 at a Spiritualized show in Seattle, introduced by a mutual friend who was soon set to record Butler in his studio. A Digable Planets zealot, Blood was floored, passing a bootleg copy of Blowout Comb to his friend for an autograph (which Butler dutifully provided). For the next few years, they’d run into one another by chance and sometimes make small talk about working together. When Butler finally sent him a few tunes to mix, the kinship seemed obvious and immediate. Though Butler had grown up as a hip-hop student, he’d started absorbing shoegaze rock and ambient soundscapes, too. Blood, meanwhile, was an ardent hip-hop fan who had always been an inclusive listener. On every Shabazz Palaces album, Butler and Blood have delighted at that artistic intersection, constantly indoctrinating hip-hop in new worlds of sound. “He takes my ideas and clarifies and pronounces them, helps me realize them,” explains Butler. “He helps me get to the essence.”
Recorded in three fertile sessions interrupted by Shabazz Palaces tours and Blood’s recording projects, 1 Time Mirage is a profound fulfilment of that partnership, realized at the crossroads of Butler’s and Blood’s mutual enthusiasms. Their shared interests have been split into pieces and fused together with enviable imagination. Take “Give You Game,” where Butler and Blood weave their distant voices through a landscape of synthesizers and drums that bubble up sporadically, like geysers. Marquetta Miller and THEESatisfaction’s Stasia Irons soon join, their round tones lacing around those sounds and giving them shape. It is an abstract anthem to astral love.
“Low Key” suggests a radiant daydream, with kaleidoscopic synthesizers and faded harmonies pirouetting over puzzle pieces of dizzying percussion and understated funk. “Can’t Draw the Line” rushes headlong like some narcotized disco fantasy, with its four planted firmly on the floor but Butler’s breathy voice and an armada of synthesizers stretching skyward. They splice doo-wop harmonies to scattered dub rhythms during “Light Up Ahead (Time Mirage),” hard-edged verses to industrial din during “ Mr. President.” Colossal drums puncture walls of labyrinthine noise sculpted from deranged synthesizers and mutated guitars during “Seven Wheel Motion,” an absolute powerhouse. 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.”
In the decade since Butler launched Shabazz Palaces and first christened his partnership with Blood as Knife Knights, much of that project’s external mystery has, of course, fallen away. And 1 Time Mirage is a very public step forward for the pair. That early sense of secrecy has given way to a spirit of friendship and creative candor, to the doors of experimentation being thrown open by old pals thrilled by the prospect of testing new ideas.
Still, these eleven songs retain a core of intrigue and, indeed, mystery; each listen reveals yet another connection between infinite and interlocking pieces. To wit, Robert Beatty’s brilliant cover for 1 Time Mirage depicts a futuristic vehicle, being coolly steered with one hand into some great, mildly ominous unknown. That’s how these songs feel, too—confident conquests of the dark that unlock sounds and spaces you have yet to imagine.
In celebration of the bands impending tour dates, Frankie Cosmos have delivered a new video “Duet” which was directed by Eliza Doyle. The new visual stars Greta Kline and depicts a CPR Training video, one in which she becomes completely smitten with an object, and a one-sided romance is born.”
Road warriors Frankie Cosmos have spent the better part of 2018 on tour in support of their latest and greatest, Vessel, available now worldwide via Sub Pop. The band currently have a handful of overseas dates in August including an appearance at the UK’s Green Man Festival on August 19th.
Then on September 13th, Frankie Cosmos will then begin a 20-date North American run with shows in Baltimore, Durham, Atlanta, New Orleans, Austin, Detroit, Pittsburgh, returning to their hometown of New York, playing area shows at White Eagle Hall in New Jersey on October 5th, Music Hall of Williamsburg on October 6th and The Bowery Ballroom on October 7th. These shows will mark the bands first headlining dates in NYC since the release of Vessel.
Frankie Cosmos will follow the early fall run with a string of west coast dates, beginning on November 2nd at the Regent Theater in Los Angeles. They will make their way up the coast, with an appearance at Tropicalia Festival in Long Beach, Calif (Nov. 3rd), with shows at The Fillmore in San Francisco, Wonderland Ballroom in Portland, The Biltmore in Vancouver and The Neptune Theater in Seattle. Along the way, the band will be joined by Kero Kero Bonito (Nov. 2nd, 5th-10th).
Jul. 27 - Denver, CO - Underground Music Showcase
Jul. 28 - Denver, CO - Underground Music Showcase
Jul. 29 - Denver, CO - Underground Music Showcase
Aug. 17 - Paredes de Coura, PT - Vodafone Paredes de Coura
Aug. 19 - Brecon Beacons, UK - Green Man Festival
Aug. 21 - Belfast, UK - Voodoo Belfast !
Aug. 22 - Galway, IE - Roisin Dubh !
Aug. 23 - Dublin, IE - Button Factory !
Sep. 13 - Baltimore, MD - Ottobar *
Sep. 14 - Durham, NC - Motorco Music Hall *
Sep. 15 - Asheville, NC - Mothlight *
Sep. 16 - Atlanta, GA - Masquerade *
Sep. 17 - Birmingham, AL - Saturn Birmingham *
Sep. 19 - New Orleans, LA - Gasa Gasa *
Sep. 20 - Houston, TX - Satellite Bar *
Sep. 21 - San Antonio, TX - Paper Tiger *
Sep. 22 - Austin, TX - Barracuda *
Sep. 23 - Dallas, TX - Deep Ellum Art Company *
Sep. 24 - Oklahoma, OK - Tower Theater *
Sep. 26 - Minneapolis, MN - Fine Line Music Cafe *
Sep. 27 - Milwaukee, WI - Back Room @ Collectivo Coffee *
Sep. 29 - Champaign, IL - Pygmalion Festival
Sep. 30 - Detroit, MI - El Club *
Oct. 01 - Cleveland Heights, OH - Grog Shop *
Oct. 02 - Pittsburgh, PA - Cattivo *
Oct. 03 - Harrisburg, PA - Stage on Herr *
Oct. 05 - Jersey City, NJ - White Eagle Hall *
Oct. 06 - Brooklyn, NY - Music Hall of Williamsburg *
