Today we share the bittersweet news that New York’s LVL UP will embark on their final tour this fall, and has released “Orchard” the group’s final single today on Sub Pop. The trek begins August 27th in Boston at Great Scott, and ends September 28th in New York at Bowery Ballroom. Full list of dates is below.
LVL Up have issued a statement on the farewell tour and “Orchard” single:
“We have decided to retire this project. It has been an extremely rewarding journey beyond anything we could have ever realistically imagined. The band began in a college dorm room in 2011 as a lighthearted recording project. We have since been lucky enough to tour nationally and internationally over the last seven years with the support of many lovely people, and will never be able to thank our friends, families, and loved ones enough for providing such warmth throughout this experience. Our deepest gratitude goes out to every label, band, and person who’s played a role in this wild ride.
“Here is our last single, “Orchard”, which we recorded early this year. As always, thank you to our eternal friend and fifth member Mike Ditrio for helping us with this and every other recording process we’ve had.
“Everyone in the band will continue to support each other while we release new material through different outlets.
“LVL UP will be performing live for a final stretch of time this coming fall.
“Thank you for everything, *_* Dave, Greg, Mike, Nick *_*”
Aug. 27 - Boston, MA - Great Scott Aug. 28 - Montréal, QC - Bar Le Ritz Aug. 29 - Toronto, ON - The Garrison Aug. 30 - Cleveland, OH - Mahall’s Aug. 31 - Chicago, IL - Beat Kitchen Sep. 01 - Minneapolis, MN - 7th St Entry Sep. 04 - Missoula, MN - Union Ballroom Sep. 05 - Seattle, WA - Barboza Sep. 06 - Portland, OR - Mississippi Studios Sep. 08 - San Francisco, CA - Cafe Du Nord Sep. 09 - Los Angeles, CA - The Echo Sep.10 - Phoenix, AZ - Rebel Lounge Sep.13 - Dallas, TX - Three Links Sep.14 - Austin, TX - Barracuda Sep.16 - Nashville, TN - High Watt Sep.17 - Asheville, NC - The Mothlight Sep.18 - Carrboro, NC - Cat’s Cradle Sep.19 - Richmond, VA - The Camel Sep. 20 - Washington, DC - DC9 Sep. 21 - Philadelphia, PA - Boot & Saddle Sep. 28 - New York, NY - Bowery Ballroom
LVL Up’s last full-length release, Return To Love, is also available now on CD/LP/DL/CS from Sub Pop right here.
On August 17th Cullen Omori will release his sophomore effort,The Dietworldwide via yours truly, Sub Pop Records. Omori has shared a brand new video for song, “Happiness Reigns” [as seen above here], which was directed by Sarah Strunin and is a charming slice of power pop with lyrics that combine fatalistic imagery (“flowers of uranium/ and the kids just play along”) and a wide-eyed apologia to a woman, is perhaps the closest Cullen gets to the classic love-song ideal onThe Diet.
“Reigns” was not only inspired by Omori’s current girlfriend—she was intricately involved in his vision for bringing this love song a la Beatles or Rolling Stones “into the 21st century.” “Seldom are songs actually about the women in my life, but when I choose to write them I try to act in conspiracy with my ‘muse,’” he says. “On ‘Happiness Reigns,’ I was consciously trying to prevent the song from lyrically falling into this one-way ode to an idolized muse. Of course some of my favorite artists like T-Rex or John Cale have albums chock full of them but my intention was never to be a rock classicist or to make something that was an extension of my influences. So I had her write it with me. If I was going to write this about someone, even in vague terms, I thought it would be interesting to intertwine their perception of themselves and of our relationship.”
Prior to the release ofThe Diet,Omori will embark on a seven date tour opening for the Japanese alternative rock band The Pillows. These shows are presented by Adult Swim to celebrate the highly-anticipated return of the channels cult-anime hitFLCL. The tour will kick off on July 10th in Boston, with shows in New York, Seattle, Portland, San Francisco and Los Angeles.
Jul. 10 - Boston, MA - Royale * [Sold Out] Jul. 12 - New York, NY - Gramercy Theatre * [Sold Out] Jul. 13 - New York, NY - Irving Plaza * [Sold Out] Jul. 15 - Seattle, WA - Neptune * [Sold Out] Jul. 16 - Portland, OR - Crystal Ballroom * Jul. 18 - San Francisco, CA - August Hall * [Sold Out] Jul. 19 - Los Angeles, CA - The Mayan * * w/ The Pillows & Noodles
Pre orders forThe Dietare available now through Sub Pop right here. LP pre orders throughmegamart.subpop.comandselect independent retailerswill receive the limited Loser edition on lavender swirl vinyl (while supplies last). There will also be a new T-Shirt design available.
Cullen Omori The Diet Tracklisting
1. Four Years 2. Borderline Friends 3. All By Yourself 4. Happiness Reigns 5. Master Eyes 6. Quiet Girl 7. Black Rainbow 8. Natural Woman 9. Millennial Geishas 10. Last Line 11. Queen 12. A Real You
Just days away from the release of their highly-anticipated debut album Hope Downs - out Friday June 15 via Sub Pop Records, Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever today announce their biggest headline tour to date. The monolithic Hope Downs World Tour will see the Melbourne outfit traverse the globe across four months playing to fans in the USA, Canada, Australia, the UK, and Europe and will include sets at Lowlands (Netherlands), Pukklepop (Belgium) with more to be announced. In celebration of the news, Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever have dropped a surprise slice from their album in the form of closing track, “The Hammer” to follow the already stellar tracks “Mainland,” “Talking Straight,” and “An Air Conditioned Man” we’ve been treated to so far.
It’s been an incredibly busy few months for Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever. Between taking out the coveted Australian Levi’s Music Prize and being announced on this year’s Splendour in the Grass, the five-piece have filled their time touring across North America, the UK and Europe playing sold out headline shows (many of which on their first time through the city) and performances at some of the world’s biggest music festivals including Coachella, The Great Escape, Primavera, Shaky Knees and more.
Current radio single “Talking Straight” is also shining at radio, with support from the likes of SiriusXM, KEXP, and KCRW in the States, triple j in Australia, and BBC 6 Music & BBC Radio 1 in the UK.
[Photo Credit: Maclay Heriot]
ROLLING BLACKOUTS C.F. TOUR DATES (New North American Dates in Bold)
Wed. June 6 - Birmingham, UK @ The Hare & Hounds
Thu. June 7 - Guildford, UK @ Boileroom
Fri. June 8 - Porto, PT @ Primavera Sound
Mon. June 11 - Harlden, DE @ Haldern Pop Festival
Sun. July 22 - North Byron Parklands, AU @ Splendour in the Grass
Sat. Aug. 4 - Katowice, PL @ Off Festival
Tue. Aug. 7 - Aarhus, DK @ Tape
Wed. Aug. 8 - Copenhagen, DK @ Pumperhuset
Fri. Aug. 10 - St. Gallen, CH @ Sur Le Lac Festival
Sat. Aug. 11 - Rees-Haldern, DE @ Haldern Pop Festival
Mon. Aug. 13 - Munich, DE @ Milla
Tue. Aug. 14 - Luxembourg, LU @ Rotondes
Thu. Aug. 16 - Trondheim, NO @ Pstereo Festival
Fri. Aug. 17 - Bigginghuizen, NL @ Lowlands Festival
Sat. Aug. 18 - Kiewit, BE @ Pukkelpop Festival
Sun. Aug. 19 - Brecon Beacons, UK @ Green Man Festival
Tue. Aug. 21 - Dublin, IE @ Whelans
Sat. Aug. 25 - San Diego, CA @ Soda Bar
Mon. Aug. 27 - Los Angeles, CA @ Teragram Ballroom
Tue. Aug. 28 - San Francisco, CA @ The Independent
Thu. Aug. 30 - Portland, OR @ Doug Fir
Fri. Aug. 31 - Vancouver, BC@ Fox Cabaret
Sat. Sep. 1 - Seattle, WA @ Bumbershoot
Mon. Sep. 3 - Salt Lake City, UT @ Kilby Court
Wed. Sep. 5 - Denver, CO @ Larimer Lounge
Fri. Sep. 7 - St. Paul, MN @ Turf Club
Sat. Sep. 8 - Chicago, IL @ Lincoln Hall
Mon. Sep. 10 - Detroit, MI @ El Club
Tue. Sep. 11 - Toronto, ON @ Horseshoe Tavern
Wed. Sep. 12 - Montreal, QC @ Le Ministère
Thu. Sep. 13 - Cambridge, MA @ The Sinclair
Fri. Sep. 14 - Philadelphia, PA @ Johnny Brenda’s
Sat. Sep. 15 - New York, NY @ Bowery Ballroom
Mon. Sep. 17 - Washington, DC @ Black Cat
Thu. Sep. 27 - Brisbane, AU @ Brisbane Festival
Fri. Sep. 28 - Sydney, AU @ Factory Theatre
Sat. Sep. 29 - Wollongong, AU @ Yours & Owls
Fri. Oct. 5 - Perth, AU @ Rosemount
Sat. Oct. 6 - Adelaide, AU @ Jive Bar
Fri. Oct.12 - Geelong, AU @ Workers Club
Sat. Oct.13 - Melbourne, AU @ Corner Hotel
Fri. Oct. 19 - Manchester, UK @ Manchester Academy 2
‘Lithium Zion’ will be available worldwide from Sub Pop on Friday, July 27th, with the exception of the UK on Friday, August 3rd
Melbourne’s Deaf Wish have returned with an official video for “FFS”, the propulsive and excellent lead single from Lithium Zion, their forthcoming album. “FFS” was directed by band members Jensen Tjhung and Daniel Twomey, is shot in glorious black and white, and stars guitarist/vocalist Sarah Hardiman delivering an intense and engaging performance of the song.
The music on Lithium Zion was collaboratively written by Deaf Wish, with each member taking turns on lyrical and vocal duties throughout the album. The album was recorded and mixed in Melbourne in April of 2017 with Nao Anzai, with additional mixing from Mikey Young of Total Control (who also mixed the group’s “St. Vincent’s” 7” single and Pain album, both released on Sub Pop).
Lithium Zion will be available on CD/LP/DL/CS worldwide on Friday, July 27th, except for the UK on Friday, August 3rd, through Sub Pop [pre-order here]. LP preorders of the album through megamart.subpop.com and select independent retailers will receive the limited Loser edition on hot pink vinyl (while supplies last).
Lithium Zion Tracklisting
1. Easy 2. FFS 3. Metal Carnage 4. The Rat is Back 5. Ox 6. Hitachi Jackhammer 7. Lithium Zion 8. Deep Blue Cheated 9. Birthday 10. Afraid For You 11. Smoke
[Photo Credit: Ela Stiles]
More on Deaf Wish’s Lithium Zion by Matt Korvette: There’s an inherent flaw in the perennially alternating “rock is back” and “rock is dead” arguments: they are based on the idea that rock music is a logic-based choice a person consciously chooses to make. Contrary to the critics who are looking to suss out cultural trends and movements (but have never actually lifted a greasy bass cab onto a stage in order to entertain a couple dozen people), the decision to play loud, distorted, unabashed guitar-rock isn’t a strategic move but a higher calling (or curse, depending on one’s point of view). Some might say the pursuit of rocking out via deafening amplifiers, crusty drums and a beer-battered PA is a spiritual one, an affliction that either strikes or doesn’t. Few groups today embody this sentiment like Melbourne’s aptly-named Deaf Wish.
They’re more likely to ask a fellow musician what they do for their “real” job (for one, guitarist Jensen Tjhung works as a builder) than talk shop about publicists, ticket counts and online promotions. They’re a grisly rock group and they’ve already signed to Sub Pop, which is to say they’ve already succeeded beyond their wildest dreams, so anything that comes after (performing in strange new cities, meeting like-minded souls, maybe even selling a t-shirt or two) is a bonus. And if they come to your town, you would be wise to clear your calendar: “I’ve started pouring a can of beer on my head every show. If that ain’t worth five bucks then I’m quitting show biz for good,” promises Tjhung.
Lithium Zion is their fifth full-length album (and second for Sub Pop following 2015’s Pain), and while it’s a rare case that a group’s fifth album is their best, particularly any band operating under a “loud fast rules” ethos, Deaf Wish make a strong case as the exception. Their previous albums were all recorded in makeshift studios (Is that a basement with some quilts stapled to the ceiling? Now it’s a “studio”!), which of course is a wise aesthetic choice for capturing the hazardous riffing, chemically-stained vocals and fiery rhythms conjured by a group such as this, but this step toward a slightly more professional sound only enhances their power - think of the difference between a tangled pile of firecrackers and a red stick of TNT lodged in a hornets nest. The record opens with “Easy”, a languid rocker in the rich Australian tradition of groups like X and The Scientists. From there it’s onto “FFS”, a moody downhill rocker sung by guitarist Sarah Hardiman (“I feel like a fool / out playing pool / hitting on you”) that confirms Deaf Wish’s relation to fellow Sub Pop employees like feedtime and Hot Snakes. “The Rat Is Back” is tense and epic; “Hitachi Jackhammer” pays a brief and noisy tribute to Hitachi’s second most notable device (you’d be forgiven for assuming this song is about vibrators). Lithium Zion is a veritable buffet of garage-punk energy, post-punk pathos, sardonic wit and the fearlessness that comes with Aussie rock, a natural consequence for anyone living on a continent teeming with grapefruit-sized spiders and man-eating mosquito swarms.
As has always been the case, the whole group shares vocal duties, even drummer Daniel Twomey (you know the band is slightly unhinged if they’re letting the drummer sing). Hardiman and Tjhung are as ragged and hairy as ever, chugging along as though krautrock was trying to speed past the late ‘70s but got caught in the sticky grasp of punk. Such is the way of Deaf Wish, a group destined to write songs that are simultaneously stupid and sublime, vulnerable and ferocious, and play them with the unbridled intensity they demand. Anyone serving a life sentence to rock will surely concur.
God’s Favorite Customer is out THIS FRIDAY, June 1st worldwide from Sub Pop/in Europe through Bella Union.
Father John Misty has delivered an official video for “Please Don’t Die”, a new offering and standout from God’s Favorite Customer, out this Friday on Sub Pop and Bella Union. The new visual was helmed by returning director Chris Hopewell (“Things It Would Have Been Helpful To Know Before The Revolution”).
Father John Misty’s tour dates in support of God’s Favorite Customer are currently underway with a show tonight, Wednesday, May 30th in Dublin at Vicar Street and running through November 18th in Lausanne, Switzerland at Les Docks. Father John Misty will also headline the Hollywood Bowl June 24th (with Gillian Welch and Big Thief), and Red Rocks August 15th (with TV on the Radio).
May 30 - Dublin, IE - Vicar Street Jun. 01 - Barcelona, ES - Primavera Sound Festival Jun. 02 - Nimes, FR - This is Not A Love Song Festival Jun. 03 - Paris, FR - We Love Green Festival Jun. 05 - Warsaw, PL - Palladium Jun. 07 - Porto, PT - Primavera Sound Festival Jun. 08 - Aarhus, DK - NorthSide Festival Jun. 10 - Hilvarenbeek, NL - Best Kept Secret Festival Jun. 12 - Oslo, NO - Sentrum Scene Jun. 14 - Bergen, NO - Bergenfest Jun. 15-17 - Hunter, NY - Mountain Jam Jun. 16 - Minneapolis, MN - Rock The Garden Festival! at Walker Art Center Jun. 24 - Hollywood, CA - Hollywood Bowl * Jul. 13 - Louisville, KY - Forecastle Festival Jul. 20 - Jacksonville, OR - Britt Pavilion ! Jul. 21 - Troutdale, OR - Edgefield Amphitheatre ! Jul. 22 - Seattle, WA - Capitol Hill Block Party Jul. 27 - New York, NY - Panorama Music & Arts Festival Jul. 28 - Newport, RI - Newport Folk Festival @ Jane Pickens Theater [Official Aftershow] Jul. 29 - Portland, ME - Thompson’s Point ^ Aug. 01 - Raleigh, NC - North Carolina Museum of Art Park Theater ^ Aug. 02 - Washington, DC - The Anthem *** Aug. 03 - Pittsburgh, PA - Stage AE *** Aug. 04 - Toronto, ON - Historic Fort York & Garrison Commons Aug. 10-12 - San Francisco, CA - Outside Lands Festival Aug. 12 - Boise, ID - Knitting Factory Concert House % Aug. 13 - Salt Lake City, UT - The Union % Aug. 15 - Morrison, CO - Red Rocks Amphitheatre ** Aug. 17 - Kansas City, MO - Uptown Theater @ Aug. 17-19 - Omaha, NE - Maha Music Festival Sep. 09 - Vancouver, BC - SKOOKUM Festival Sep. 20 - Milwaukee, WI - Pabst Theater $ Sep. 21 - Indianapolis, IN - MacAllister Amphitheater at Garfield Park $ Sep. 22 - Cleveland, OH - Agora Theatre $ Sep. 25 - Charlottesville, VA - Jefferson Theater $ Sep. 26 - Charlotte, NC - The Fillmore $ Sep. 28 - Miami Beach, FL - The Fillmore at the Jackie Gleason Theater $ Sep. 29 - Orlando, FL - Hard Rock Live $ Oct. 01 - Athens, GA - Georgia Theatre $ Oct. 03 - Birmingham, AL - Iron City $ Oct. 06 - New Orleans, LA - Civic Theatre Oct. 05-07 - Austin, TX - Austin City Limits Festival Oct. 09 - Knoxville, TN - The Mill & Mine Oct. 10 - Oxford, MS - The Lyric Oxford Oct. 11 - Oklahoma City, OK - The Jones Assembly Oct. 12-14 - Austin, TX - Austin City Limits Festival Oct. 26 - Gateshead, UK - Sage Gateshead ^^ Oct. 27 - Liverpool, UK - Olympia ^^ Oct. 28 - Portsmouth, UK - Portsmouth Guildhall ^^ Oct. 29 - Leicester, UK - De Montfort Hall ^^ Oct. 30 - Bath, UK - The Forum Bath ^^ Nov. 01 - Antwerp, Belgium - De Roma ^^ Nov. 02 - Eindhoven, NL - Effenaar ^^ Nov. 03 - Groningen, NL - TakeRoot Festival Nov. 05 - Amsterdam, NL - Paradiso ^^ Nov. 06 - Darmstadt, DE - Centralstation ^^ Nov. 07 - Berlin, DE - Huxleys Neue Welt ^^ Nov. 09-10 - Weissenhäuser Strand, DE - Rolling Stone Weekender Nov. 11 - Gothenburg, SE - Konserthuset ^^ Nov. 14 - Budapest, HU - Müpa Budapest, Béla Bartók National Concert Hall ^^ Nov. 15 - Vienna, Austria - Arena Wien ^^ Nov. 16 - Rust, DE - Rolling Stone Park Nov. 17 - Zurich, CH - Rote Fabrik ^^ Nov. 18 - Lausanne, CH - Les Docks ^^
! w/ Blitzen Trapper * w/ Gillian Welch ** w/ TV on the Radio *** w/ Bully ^ w/ Jenny Lewis % w/ Lucy Dacus @ w/ David Beeman $ w/ King Tuff ^^ w/ Bedouine
God’s Favorite Customer, his fourth album, will be available worldwide this Friday, June 1st through Sub Pop, with the exception of Europe through Bella Union. God’s Favorite Customer was produced by Tillman and recorded with Jonathan Rado, Dave Cerminara, and Trevor Spencer and was written largely in New York between Summer 2016 and Winter 2017.
