Strange Peace, the excellent new METZ album, is available now from Sub Pop Records (Worldwide, ex-Canada) and Royal Mountain Records (in Canada).

In METZ’s new video for “Drained Lake,” director Shayne Ehman (who also directed the band’s video for “Cellophane”) highlights no less than the transient nature of time and space, through cutlery and kitchen wares. “Drained Lake” is one of the standouts from new METZ album Strange Peace, and the song is a propulsive, jagged thing; heavy 21st-century post-post-punk, with an infectious sea-sick synth line added for good measure.

What “The People” Are Saying About METZ ‘Strange Peace’

“few contemporaries can match their twin gifts for aural blunt-force trauma and canny, gnarly hooks.” [Strange Peace] - Mojo 

“Laden with hypnotic riffs and Alex Edkins’ delightfully coarse vocals, the album has a basement-to-radio quality. METZ maintains the relentless punk energy from their first two albums, but with a more accessible play-through; Strange Peace could serve as a comfortable introduction to noise punk....Born out of political defiance, punk rock is a necessary retort at this juncture; it can’t be dead, especially if METZ has anything to say about it.” - Stereogum

“Hardcore fans can rest easy knowing that METZ haven’t skimped on the nitrous-fuelled angst that has inspired legions of us to smash windows with our faces since 2012.” - Under the Radar

”Strange Peace is an album that just sounds great from front to back, consistently knocking it out of the park with heavy guitars, concrete drums, and basslines that threaten speaker systems everywhere.” - Northern
Transmissions

Strange Peace is available now from Sub Pop (worldwide) right here. Canadian fans can purchase the new record from Royal Mountain Records here. 

METZ Tour Dates + Ticket Links

UK tour begins November 13th in Brighton.

Marika Hackman’s coming-of-age, sophomore album I’m Not Your Man is as sharp witted as it is riotous; and it’s out now in North America on Sub Pop and Europe from AMF Records. Hackman unveils the accompanying video for last single “Time’s Been Reckless,” which she worked on with Jackson Ducasse.
 
The video for “Time’s Been Reckless” follows in the footsteps of Hackman’s last single “My Lover Cindy” which has been nominated for ‘Vevo Must See Award’ at this years UK VMAs. “Time’s Been Reckless” video heavily references I’m Not Your Man’s artwork by artist Tristan Pigott, switching between 35mm film and glitchy, lo-fi FX around Marika and her live band.
 
Marika about the video: “I wanted to do a performance video to highlight the energetic nature of the music, but I also wanted more gruesome visuals to reflect the dark themes of death and decay within the lyrics.  We filmed maggots, snails and various other insects feeding on different foods from the album artwork, in a style that harks back to those old VHS tapes teachers would put on in biology lessons.”
 
I’m Not Your Man which features the singles “Boyfriend” and “My Lover Cindy” is not afraid to call out the big questions around femininity, sexual identity, millennial ennui, the pressures of living in a social media bubble and the perils of being young in a fast-paced world.

Marika Hackman Tour Dates + Ticket Links

After a non-stop Summer of playing festivals as well a co-headline US tour with The Big Moon, Hackman has announced a November UK headline tour taking in her biggest venues to date. South London four-piece Goat Girl have been confirmed as main support for the Shepherd’s Bush Empire date and Our Girl will be joining as support for all dates except Leeds.
 
Nov. 13 - Brighton, UK - The Haunt *
Nov. 14 - Oxford, UK - Bullingdon Arms *
Nov. 15 - Leicester, UK - The Cookie *
Nov. 16 - Manchester, UK - Gorilla *
Nov. 17 - Leeds, UK - Wardrobe
Nov. 19 - Glasgow, UK - King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut  *
Nov. 20 - Newcastle, UK - Think Tank  *
Nov. 21 -  Nottingham, UK - Bodega  *
Nov. 22 - Bristol, U - Thekla *
Nov. 23 - London, UK -  Shepherd’s Bush Empire  * ^
* w/ Our Girl
^ w/ Goat Girl

 
I’m Not Your Man is out now on CD / LP / DL / CS in North & South America from Sub Pop and the rest of the world via from AMF Records. The album, which includes the highlights “Boyfriend,” [see here], “My Lover Cindy” [see also here], “Violet” and “Cigarette,” and was produced and mixed by Charlie Andrew (Alt-J) at various locales throughout London.  

[Photo Credit: Steve Gullick]

What have “The People” been saying about Marika Hackman’s I’m Not Your Man? Glad you asked”

“Hackman’s greatest weapon is her words, and she uses her dark wit to lure you in while conveying strong messages about her life and society.” - Stereogum

“I’m Not Your Man is the proper arrival of a bold young British Force” - Pitchfork

“I’m Not Your Man…is not only a welcomed departure but also one that showcases Hackman’s ability to use a bevy of soundscapes. From road trip sing-a-long, “Time’s Been Reckless,” to the medieval Vashti Bunyan-esque “Apple Tree,” to the Spaghetti Western goth rock of “AM,” it’s evident that Marika pulls out all the stops on her sophomore effort, clawing her way out of a Brit-folk pigeonhole.” - Nylon
 
“Her follow-up reveals a funnier side of Hackman’s personality, one where she seems more at ease with talking about her sexuality. The album’s highlight, a Built to Spill–adjacent grunge song called “Boyfriend,” sees Hackman confronting men who sexualize queer relationships…I’m Not Your Man shines in its playful pronoun switching, stories of explicit sex, and the taut tightrope it straddles between what we might consider feminine sounds (Hackman’s voice is soft and airy) and masculine sounds (much of the record is inspired by her teenage years listening to Nirvana).” - The Cut   
 
“‘I’m Not Your Man is not afraid to call out the big questions around femininity, sexual identity, millennial ennui, the pressures of living in a social media bubble and the perils of being young in a fast-paced world.”- Vents Magazine
 
Witty, sexy, confident, and charged with live energy, I’m Not Your Man is the sound of Marika Hackman making the album she always needed to make.” [5/5 stars] - DIY
 
“I’m Not Your Man is, at times, a Marika Hackman that is almost unrecognisable and it’s exciting. She’s more open and frank, discarding the metaphors in favor of the straight-talking lyrics, accompanied by a more feral and energetic sound…This is the Marika Hackman she wanted us all to see and it’s one you should readily welcome with open arms.”“ [8.5/10, Album of the Week] - The Line of Best Fit

“It’s a statement that this album roundly contradicts, being warm-hearted and emotionally liberated throughout.” - Loud and Quiet

“…Their best yet,” ****  - The Guardian

“A dark and beautiful reunion record” - SPIN

9/10 - Drowned in Sound

[Photo credit: Shane McCauley]

Wolf Parade’s Cry Cry Cry, the band’s excellent fourth album, is available here now from Sub Pop, and in Canada from Universal Records via Wolf Parade’s webstore right here. Plus the album is streaming in all manner of digital services, including (but not limited to) Spotify / Apple Music / YouTube.

 
In celebration of the album’s release, Wolf Parade have scheduled a Reddit “Indieheads” AMA for Friday, October 6th at 1pm PT, and the band will also appear on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert on October 11th.

Wolf Parade Tour Dates + Ticket Links

Wolf Parade’s headlining international tour schedule resumes October 13th in Toronto at Phoenix Concert Theatre and now ends January 24th in Phoenix at The Van Buren. Barsuk Records act Charly Bliss, who are supporting the October 13th-27th shows (select dates), will also act as direct support, January 12th-28th (select dates).
 
2017 dates
Oct. 13 - Toronto, ON - Phoenix Concert Theatre* [Sold Out]
Oct. 14 - Toronto, ON - The Baby G* [Sold Out]
Oct. 15 - Buffalo, NY - Town Ballroom*
Oct. 16 - Cleveland, OH - House of Blues
Oct. 19 - Philadelphia, PA - Union Transfer*
Oct. 20 - Boston, MA - Royale*
Oct. 21 - Brooklyn, NY - Brooklyn Steel
Oct. 22 - Washington, DC - Black Cat*
Oct. 24 - Chicago, IL - Thalia Hall [Sold Out]
Oct. 25 - South Saginaw, MI - The Crofoot Ballroom
Oct. 26 - Milwaukee, WI - Turner Hall*
Oct. 27 - Minneapolis, MN - First Avenue*
Nov. 15 - Amsterdam, NL - Melkweg
Nov. 17- Paris, FR - Petit Bain
Nov. 18 - Bristol, UK - Thekla
Nov. 20 - Dublin, UK - Button Factory
Nov. 21 - Manchester, UK - Gorilla
Nov. 22 - London, UK - O2 Forum
Nov. 24 - Brussels, BE - Botanique (Orangerie)
Nov. 25 - Nancy, FR - L’ autre Canal
Nov. 26 - Basel, CH - Kaserne
Nov. 27 - Munich, DE - Hansa 39
Nov. 29 - Berlin, DE - Bi Nuu
Nov. 30 - Hamburg, DE - Gruenspan
Dec. 01 - Copenhagen, DK - Loppen
Dec. 02 - Stockholm, SE - Strand
 
2018 
Jan. 12 - Vancouver, BC - The Commodore Ballroom *
Jan. 13 - Seattle, WA - Showbox at the Market *
Jan. 14 - Portland, OR - Crystal Ballroom *
Jan. 16 - San Francisco, CA - The Fillmore *
Jan. 17 - Berkeley, CA - The UC Theatre *
Jan. 20 - Los Angeles, CA - The Fonda Theatre
Jan. 21 - Santa Ana, CA - The Observatory *
Jan. 23 - San Diego, CA - The Observatory North Park *
Jan. 24 - Phoenix, AZ  The Van Buren *
Jan. 26 - Austin, TX - The Mohawk *
Jan. 27 - Houston, TX - White Oak Music Hall *
Jan. 28 - Dallas, TX - House of Blues*
* w/ Charly Bliss
 
Cry Cry Cry is now available for purchase worldwide from Sub Pop, in Canada from Universal Records and Wolf Parade’s webstore [link here]. LP purchases through megamart.subpop.com, and select independent retailers in the U.S will receive the limited loser edition on creme colored vinyl (while supplies last). Wolf Parade will also have a special tour edition on transparent red vinyl available at shows (also while supplies last).  A new t-shirt design will also be available.


More on Wolf Parade’s Cry Cry Cry, “Valley Boy” and “You’re Dreaming”:

“Befitting the creative ambition of the group’s previous LPs, it serves as a full-throated burst of musical and thematic ideas. Goth-streaked album opener “Lazarus Online” pleads for survival and resiliency — “Let’s fight / Let’s rage against the night” — as its protagonists struggle to coexist with the darkness in their lives. “Valley Boy” storms and booms with glammy drama, referencing Leonard Cohen’s death as it waxes weary about the state of the world, while “Incantation” builds from a moody murmur to climactic cacophony. Cry Cry Cry is a big swing, artistically speaking, but it also dodges many of the pitfalls that face artists who try to chronicle an age of uncertainty and resistance without sounding ham-handed. Wolf Parade taps into the sound of modern disconcertment on Cry Cry Cry, but the album’s grandiosity is mostly restricted to the music itself — rousing, urgent, and always seeking out slivers of hope.” [“First Listen”] - NPR Music
 
“Cry Cry Cry is 21st century rock at its most delectably omnivorous [8/10].”  - Uncut
 
“Wolf Parade’s two singer-songwriters Spencer Krug and Dan Boeckner have returned to provide an answer to the lingering question of what might have been. Cry Cry Cry is their most cohesive work yet, a blend of Springsteenian bar-room rock and Sparks-style operatics that holds together surprisingly well. The optimistic chug of You’re Dreaming would slot neatly on to the recent War on Drugs album, while the twisty chord progressions of “Who Are Ya” and “Artificial Life” nod to the band’s chaotic first album Apologies to the Queen Mary. A compelling exception to the “diminishing returns” rule that usually governs most band reunions.” [4/5] - The Guardian
 
“Though energetic, their danceable chassis and sprawling melodies nevertheless feel weary, as if constantly grinding against some looming, countervailing force. It’s true that wearied, furtive anthems have always been Wolf Parade’s thing, but they feel especially right for these enervating times.” - SPIN
 
“Cry Cry Cry is fully and completely a Wolf Parade record. The band not only sounds like itself, it sounds as good as ever.” [8.5/10] - Under the Radar
 
“Wolf Parade have always stood apart from their peers: always weirder, more complex and artier than the others with their dissonant punchy pop and gnarled edges…” -  London in Stereo. 
 
“Packed to the brim with stray melodies locked between the foreground and background that brighten the surroundings without stealing attention from the main action. Every note is meticulously functional, but displayed with a style of craft that rings miraculous rather than mechanical....The band plays it sharper and straighter than when we last left them, emphasizing economy in their experimentation and a professionalism in their power. It’s a cleaner, clearer direction after those previous albums. Importantly, it feels like a sustainable start to something new, hopefully something that’s here to stay — something this band can hold onto now that they seem ready to charge against everything that at one time had them on the run.” - Stereogum
 
“A colourful and melodic musical expansiveness… it finds them in rejuvenated form [4/5].”  - Q Magazine  
 
“Wolf Parade’s latest effort re-emphasizes the contrast between Boeckner’s raspy, emphatic vocal and Krug’s forlorn warble. Nearly every track on Cry Cry Cry starts simply with guitar, piano, or organ and layers in additional textures—horn blasts here, a flurry of electronic effects there—until the songs swell to kinetic, instrumentally dense climaxes [4/5].” - Slant
 
“This quartet’s first material in six years is a shimmering, bombastic blast.” - MOJO

“Cry Cry Cry really has just about every kind of song you’d want from a great Wolf Parade album. “You’re Dreaming” is one of Dan Boeckner’s finest driving, Springsteenian rockers, with a two-word chorus that reminds you how much Dan can excel when he takes a less-is-more approach. “Valley Boy” is Spencer Krug’s most singalong-ready song on the album, and it comes with one of his tongue-twister choruses: “Are you still a lover boy? / Are you still on the cover or / Did you become a valley boy out there?” - Brooklyn Vegan

Chad VanGaalen’s Light Information is out now + 2017 international tour dates begin October 15th

“TARBOZ (translated log of inhabitants)” is the long-awaited, animated short film from creative polymath Chad VanGaalen, which premiered today with Pitchfork TV [see October 5th news story).  

Van Gaalen delivered this statement on the making of the film:  

“TARBOZ was planned as the first episode of “Translated Log of Inhabitants,” and was an experiment to see if I could make a long-form improvised animation and still get out alive. I barely did!

The “Translated Log of Inhabitants” was conceived as a guide to the origin story of many different species. I imagined myself doing dozens of these episodes, focusing on a new life form very time — very much like a page from “Barlowe’s Guide to Extraterrestrials.” It expands a universe that I had already been developing in my own music videos, as well as ones for other bands. The videos for “Peace on the Rise” as well as ones for Black Mountain and Shabazz Palaces all exist in the same world (at least in my head).
 
TARBOZ is stream of consciousness, dreams, and friends. Alternate versions of my own reality. Coming to terms with the fact that I will never play freestyle disc professionally, but wanting to pay homage to the peaceful energy of that sport. It also reflects my needing to score a sci-fi film so badly that I ended up making my own.
 
I TARBOZed myself for two years, through software transitions and computer wastelands, and slowly the physical realm slipped away. I learned a lot about why you should get into something with a clear idea in mind. I would never make another animation in quite the same the way I made this again. After two years of working on it in solitude, I just wanted my life back. Doing it alone was my biggest mistake. I was very lonely.

It didn’t really end up like any of these things, but I hope this might help people understand the spirit of the piece. Although I’m not sure I understand it entirely myself. Sometimes you need to just do it in order to know how not to do it?”

- - - - - - - - - - -

 
Chad VanGaalen recently released Light Information, which is available on CD / LP / DL / CS worldwide on Sub Pop and in Canada through Flemish Eye. The album features the highlights “Mind Hijacker’s Curse” [listen here], “Old Heads” [listen here] and “Pine & Clover” [watch here]. Light Information was written, played, and produced by VanGaalen (save Ryan Bourne’s bass part on “Mystery Elementals” and vocals on “Static Shape” from his young daughters Ezzy and Pip). The album emerged from the experimental instruments that fill his Calgary garage studio. Among them is a beloved Korg 770 monosynth, which VanGaalen coveted for years before fixing one up and devoting a lot of recent energy to recording “duets” with it. One of these, “Prep Piano and 770,” is the lone instrumental on Light Information, more atmosphere and chord bursts than the rest of the album’s hooky rock narrative.
 
Light Information can be purchased from Sub Pop and Flemish Eye. LP purchases of the album from megamart.subpop.com, select independent retailers and at Chad’s shows, will receive the limited Loser Edition on crystal clear vinyl (while supplies last). There is also be a new T-shirt design available.

Chad VanGaalen Tour Dates + Ticket Links

Chad VanGaalen’s previously announced international tour schedule in support of Light Information has been extended. The dates now span October 15th in Utrecht, Netherlands at EKKO through January 27th in Edmonton, Alberta at The Needle Vinyl Tavern. 
 
2017 European Dates
Oct. 15 - Utrecht, NL - EKKO ^
Oct. 16 - Rotterdam, NL - Rotown  ^
Oct. 17 - London, UK - Oslo ^
Oct. 18 - Leeds, UK - Brudenell Social Club ^
Oct. 20 - Hamburg, DE - Molotow (Sky Bar) ^  
Oct. 21 - Copenhagen, DK - Stengade ^
Oct. 22 - Berlin, DE - Kantine am Berghain ^
Oct. 24 - Düdingen, CH - Bad Bonn ^
Oct. 25 - Lyon, FR - Le Sonic ^
Oct. 26 - Amiens, FR - La Lune des Pirates ^
Oct. 27 - Paris, FR - Point Ephemere ^
Oct. 28 - Nantes, FR - SOY Festival ^
Oct. 29 - Tourcoing, FR - Le Grand Mix ^
Oct. 30 - Luxemburg, LU - Rotondes ^
Oct. 31 - Gent, BE - NEST  ^
 
2017 North American Dates
Nov. 09 - Vancouver, BC - The Biltmore Cabaret
Nov. 10 - Seattle, WA - Sunset Tavern *
Nov. 12 - Portland, OR - Doug Fir *
Nov. 14 - San Francisco, CA - The Chapel *
Nov. 15 - Los Angeles, CA - Satellite Club *
Nov. 16 - San Diego, CA - Soda Bar *
Nov. 17 - Phoenix, AZ - Valley Bar *
Nov. 19 - Denver, CO - Hi Dive *
Nov. 20 - Salt Lake City, UT - Kilby Court
Nov. 30 - Toronto, ON - Lee’s Palace
Dec. 01 - Detroit, MI - El Club **
Dec. 02 - Chicago, IL - Empty Bottle **
Dec. 03 - Indianapolis, IN - The Hi Fi **
Dec. 05 - Pittsburgh, PA - Club Cafe **
Dec. 06 - Brooklyn, NY - Rough Trade NYC **
Dec. 07 - Allston, MA - Great Scott **
Dec. 08 - Montreal QC - Fairmount **
 
2018 Canadian Dates
Jan. 19 - Winnipeg, MB - The Good Will
Jan. 20 - Saskatoon, SK - Winterruption! Festival
Jan. 25 - Calgary, AB - Commonwealth Bar and Stage
Jan. 26 - Red Deer, AB - Bo’s Bar
Jan. 27 - Edmonton, AB - The Needle Vinyl Tavern
 
*w/ NE-HI
^w/ Mauno
**w/ Un Blonde

Then watch METZ on Pitchfork Live this coming Thursday, October 5th at 12 noon EST/9am PST.

Toronto-based noise punk trio METZ have created a short film entitled Making Strange Peace, which captures the band during the recording process of their new album with engineer Steve Albini at Electrical Audio in Chicago. 

Entertainment Weekly premiered the film, and had this to say, “Strange Peace, is not only their best yet, but one of the year’s best rock releases. Now, in a new video EW is excited to premiere, you can go inside the feverish sessions that yielded the wild LP [see October 4th story].”

METZ also recently shared a new video for Strange Peace’s lead single “Cellophane.” As described by director Shayne Ehman, the visual depicts a sphere where “consciousness is split, and a world of contrast unfolds. The resulting disembodiment disperses one’s spatial awareness and new kinds of empathy develop. Two become three, and it’s only half the story [watch here].”

METZ Tour Dates + Ticket Links

METZ’s international tour schedule in support of Strange Peace is underway, with a show tonight, October 4th in Brooklyn at Music Hall of Williamsburg. The tour currently runs through December 16th in Houston at Warehouse Live. During that run, METZ will serve as direct support for Modest Mouse on October 10th and 11th.
 
Additionally, METZ will play shows with Uniform (October 2nd-8th), Protomartyr (November 2nd-8th), Brian Case (November 9th), Drahla (November 12th-24th), newly-signed labelmates Moaning (December 7th-16th), and Cherubs (December 15th). All of their current tour dates follow.
 
2017 METZ Tour Dates:
Oct. 04 - Brooklyn, NY - Music Hall of Williamsburg #
Oct. 05 - New York, NY - Bowery Ballroom #
Oct. 06 - Washington, DC - Rock & Roll Hotel #
Oct. 07 - Hamden, CT - The Ballroom
Oct. 08 - Montreal, QC - La Sala Rosa
Oct. 10 - Providence, RI - Lupo’s *
Oct. 11 - Sayreville, NJ - Starland Ballroom *
Oct. 18 - Halifax, NS - The Marquee (Halifax Pop Explosion)
Nov. 02 - Prague, Czech Republic - Futurum !
Nov. 03 -  Wroclaw, Poland - Klub Firlej !
Nov. 04 -  Warsaw, Poland - Klub Hydrozagadka !
Nov. 06 - Berlin, Germany - Bi Nuu !
Nov. 07 - Copenhagen, Denmark - Loppen !
Nov. 08 - Hamburg, Germany - Knust !
Nov. 09 - Zwolle, Netherlands - Poppodium Hedon  ^
Nov. 10 - Kortrijk, Belgium - De Kruen (Sonic City Festival)
Nov. 11 - Utrecht, Netherlands - Le Guess Who? Festival
Nov. 12 - Le Havre, France - Le Tetris %
Nov. 14 - Nimes, France - La Paloma %
Nov. 15 - Bordeaux, France - Theatre Barbey %
Nov. 16 - Toulouse, France - Club Metronum %
Nov. 17 - Barcelona, Spain - La (2) De Apolo %
Nov. 18 - Madrid, Spain - Moby Dick %
Nov. 20 - Nantes, France - Pole Etudiant %
Nov. 21 - Paris, France - Le Trabendo %
Nov. 22 - London, UK - The Garage %
Nov. 23 - Bristol, UK - The Fleece %
Nov. 24 - Leeds, UK - Brudenell Social Club %
Nov. 25 - Brighton, UK - The Haunt
Dec. 07 - Seattle, WA - Neumos **
Dec. 08 - Vancouver, BC - Cobalt **
Dec. 09 - Portland, OR - Doug Fir **
Dec. 11 - San Francisco, CA - Independent **
Dec. 12 - Los Angeles, CA - Teragram Ballroom **
Dec. 13 - San Diego, CA - Casbah **
Dec. 15 - Austin, TX - Mohawk & **
Dec. 16 - Houston, TX - Studio at Warehouse Live **
 
# w/ Uniform
! w/ Protomartyr
^ w/ Brian Case
% w/ Drahla
& w/ Cherubs
* w/ Modest Mouse
** w/ Moaning

Strange Peace is available now from Sub Pop (worldwide) right here. Canadian fans can purchase the new record from Royal Mountain Records here. Meanwhile, Sub Pop’s limited Loser Edition on clear vinyl with red and green swirls, can be purchased from the band at upcoming tour dates or at select independent retailers in the U.S.(while supplies last).