Loma, the new project comprised of Jonathan Meiburg, best known as the singer of Shearwater, and Emily Cross and Dan Duszynski of Cross Record, will release their self-titled debut album on February 16th via Sub Pop. A product of a joint pilgrimage around the globe by fellow touring musicians, it’s a beautifully detailed and emotionally rich album that reveals a band obsessed with songs as sound. Today, the trio presents the video for the album’s final song and lead single, “Black Willow.”
[Photo Credit: Bryan C. Parker]
Meiburg, Duszynski and Cross became friends when Cross Record, on their first-ever tour, supported Shearwater throughout America and Europe in 2016. “I couldn’t believe all that sound was coming out of two people,” he says. “They were mesmerizing.” In the van or at soundchecks, they shared their musical knowledge and love of nature and animals, and after an especially memorable show in Belgium, Meiburg approached Cross and Duszynski about working together. “I fell in love with their music,” he admits, “and I wanted to know how they did it.”
The trio convened in a house in the Texas hill country to see what would happen, and quickly realized an album was imminent. “There was something powerful about the combination of the three of us,” Meiburg says, “and very different from either of our bands. But I think we were afraid to say so out loud, for fear of jinxing it.” For the next few months, Loma met for two weeks at a time, shaping and revising new songs and casting others away.
It was also a strangely charged time. When the album began, Cross and Duszynski were a married couple, but their relationship ended during the sessions—an atmosphere Meiburg found both challenging and inspiring—and the isolated house became the album’s muse. Dogs wander by the microphones; the sounds of birds and wind in junipers and live oaks hover at the borders of the songs, and a close listen reveals cicadas and frogs from a nearby stream. Except for Cross’s translucent voice in the foreground, there were no assigned roles on the album; each member of the trio played every instrument as needed.
This feeling of freedom let buried energies find expression. Cross wrung catharsis from Meiburg’s lyrics and melodies, while Duszynski immersed himself in the sonic details of engineering and mixing. In the end, the record became a document of an urgent and ephemeral place and time, and the strength that comes with letting go of something precious. It closes, fittingly, with the subtly defiant marching anthem of “Black Willow,” in which Cross’s voice, backed by a hypnotic bass and drums, offers a lesson in survival. “When I walk,” she sings, “I carry a diamond blade.” She means it.
The time is now to follow Loma everywhere in the known universe, on subpop.com and also Instagram | Twitter | Facebook.
Loma is now available for preorder from Sub Pop and select independent retailers right here. North American preorders of the limited Loser edition will be available on clear vinyl with red and black swirlies (while supplies last), and a lovely new t-shirt design will also be available.
Loma Tracklisting:
1. Who Is Speaking? 2. Dark Oscillations 3. Joy 4. I Don’t Want Children 5. Relay Runner 6. White Glass 7. Sundogs 8. Jornada 9. Shadow Relief 10. Black Willow
Dinner Party Download performance at The Moore Theatre in Seattle on Thursday, November 16th
Kyle Craft’s Full Circle Nightmare [preorder here], his highly anticipated second album, will be released worldwide on February 2nd, 2018 from Sub Pop. The 10-track album was produced by Chris Funk (of the Decemberists), with mixing by Trevor Spencer and the Helio Sequence’s Benjamin Weikel and Brandon Summers. Full Circle Nightmare is the follow up to Dolls of Highland, his acclaimed debut.
Album highlight “Heartbreak Junky” is the first offering (and cinematic lyric video) from Full Circle Nightmare. Directed by the One Hundred/Swanson Studio team, the visual brings an already vivid album cover to life.
The Full Circle Nightmare front and inside gatefold images were shot by brothers Peter and Laki Karavias. The cover art concept was born from an idea Craft had that incorporated imagery from the lyricism found throughout the album. “Once everyone all piled into the room, it took a different turn,’ Craft says. “Some of the lyrical elements stuck around on the cover and on the inside fold, but for the most part it just turned into a small party and my pals Peter and Laki caught some perfect moments.”
The Louisiana-bred, Portland, Oregon-based Craft has earned notices for his observational storytelling talents, his incredible stage performances, and his uniquely compelling voice. Since the release of Dolls of Highland, he and his band have toured the US multiple times, both as headliners and supporting the likes of Fruit Bats and Drive-By Truckers, and Kyle has made repeat guest appearances at Newport Folk Fest.
Between the extensive touring and working on Full Circle Nightmare, he’s delivered both new material (the politically-charged “Before the Wall”) and beautifully earnest covers (the recently-released Girl Crazy covers series; Leonard Cohen’s “Chelsea Hotel No. 2”).
Full Circle Nightmare is a straight-up, rollicking rock’n’roll album; it traverses all the different nuances of the genre; it’s a timeless piece that could exist in any of the past five decades. All the songs were written over a year, and eventually, Craft took them into a studio run by Chris Funk. It was the first time he worked with a proper set-up. He was used to making all his music in his room with the aid of a laptop. “I always wanted to go to a legitimate studio and do what my all my old heroes did,” Craft says. “We did it live with the band.” The joy of the experience is palpable. It evokes a never-ending night out in a sweaty saloon bar: bottomless rounds, endless packs of cigarettes and hours dancing to the jukebox (read full bio at Sub Pop).
Full Circle Nightmare is now available for preorder from Sub Pop and select independent retailers [see here], and will be available in the following formats:
LP gatefold jacket with custom dust sleeve
CD digipack with poster insert
Cassette
Digital
North American preorders of the limited Loser edition will be available on maroon vinyl with a black swirl (while supplies last), and we also have a new T-shirt design with this release.
Kyle Craft has scheduled his first appearance in support of Full Circle Nightmare at the Dinner Party Download’s live event at Seattle’s Moore Theatre on Thursday, November 16th, 2017. For more information on tickets, please visit STG Presents website [link here]. Craft has also scheduled two Pacific Northwest week of release shows for 2018: Seattle’s Tractor Tavern on February 1st and Portland’s Doug Fir on February 2nd.
Nov. 16 - Seattle, WA - The Moore Theatre Feb. 01 - Seattle, WA - Tractor Tavern Feb. 02 - Portland, OR - Doug Fir
What “The People” have said about Kyle Craft: “Sounds like: A swamp bar jukebox loaded with British glitter and Seventies Southern rock; a crawfish boil aboard ELO’s spacecraft…it’s Craft’s vocal intensity that outlasts all else” - Rolling Stone
“His voice carries southern cadences, and his songs revolve around distinct characters and situations that could only be from that town by the Mississippi. But you also hear the influences of David Bowie, under whose spell Craft fell at a young age, and of Craft’s adopted hometown of Portland, Oregon.” - World Cafe
“…Craft’s music is so full of its own weird singularity that he’s onto something far beyond idol worship. “- Billboard
“His songs illustrate how the intense religiosity and voodoo-infused mythology of the South make it fertile turf for the sort of colorful characterization and freak-scenery on which glam rock was founded.” - Pitchfork
Craft displays the full prowess of his vocal range, hitting high notes that hark back to glam rock vocals of the ’70s” - American Songwriter
“…a head-turning mix, a sort of pop-art take on Southern gothic, and highly infectious.” - Uncut
“One of the most distinctive new voices in rock.” - SPIN
+ European Tour Begins This Friday November 10th in Groningen, NL.
2017 was an incredible year for Jesca Hoop. She released the stunning Memories Are Now, her Sub Pop debut and best reviewed album to date.Hoop released videos for the beautifully stark “The Lost Sky” and the album’s ebullient title track. She’s embarked on wildly successful US and European tours, and appeared on the Prairie Home Companion and Charlie Rose.
To close out the year, Jesca has shared her new video for “Pegasi” which was directed by Rachel Blumberg. Love is written in the stars and sky, in this delicately crafted multi-plane video which is comprised of cut paper and illustrated stop motion footage.
Jesca Hoop Tour Dates + Ticket Links
Jesca Hoop and bandmates’ European tour begins Friday, November 10th in Groningen, NL at Lutherse Kerk and currently ends December 9th in Leeds, UK at Brudenell Social Club. The European tour will include stops in Germany, Belgium, Norway, Ireland, and multiple cities throughout the Netherlands, Sweden, France and U.K. (including London’s Union Chapel on December 1st). Please visit jescahoop.com/tour for updates.
Nov. 10 - Groningen, NL - Lutherse Kerk Nov. 11 - Utrecht, NL - Le Guess Who? Festival (Theater Kikker) Nov. 12 - Ghent, BE - Minard Nov. 13 - Haldern, DE - Haldern Pop Bar Nov. 15 - Lund, SE - Mejeriet Nov. 16 - Oslo, NO - John Dee Nov. 18 - Gothenburg, SE - Pustervik Nov. 21 - Angers, FR - Joker’s Pub Nov. 22 - Pau, FR - La Ferronnerie Nov. 23 - Paris, FR - Chorus Festival Nov. 26 - Guildford, UK - Boileroom Nov. 27 - Birmingham, UK - Hare & Hounds Nov. 28 - Manchester, UK - The Stoller Hall Nov. 30 - Bristol, UK - Thekla Dec. 01 - London, UK - Union Chapel Dec. 02 - Brighton, UK - The Haunt Dec. 03 - Milton Keynes, UK - The Stables Dec. 06 - Dublin, IE - The Workmans Club Dec. 07 - Belfast, UK - The Strand Arts Centre Dec. 08 - Glasgow, UK - King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut Dec. 09 - Leeds, UK - Brudenell Social Club
Memories Are Now, featuring the highlights “The Lost Sky” [link here], the aforementioned “Pegasi” and the title track [link here], was recorded at NRG Studios, produced by Blake Mills (Alabama Shakes), engineered by Eric Caudieux, mixed by Greg Koller and mastered by Ian Sefchick at Capitol Mastering. Memories Are Now is available on CD / LP / DL / CS worldwide from Sub Pop [link].
What have “The People” been saying about Memories Are Now? Well, since you asked… “Hoop has been a free spirit, but with Memories Are Now, she understands exactly when to use the bridle and bit on these wild, wise songs.” [4/5] – MOJO
“Her most complete and refined statement yet, a boisterously declarative album that’s urgent and at times seditious.” - Pitchfork
“One of her best albums to date. Stunning.” - The Sunday Times
“This project has an air of rebirth to it. Hoop and her producer, Blake Mills, have worked to minimize her trademark lush arrangements to make Memories more reminiscent of a live setting. The spare “Animal Kingdom Chaotic” is built around fingerpicked string-work and typewriter clicks. Its Americana-leaning follow-up, “Simon Says,” relies only on a lightly distorted six-string, an upright bass and Hoop’s layered harmonies.” - PASTE
“In both content and construction, Jesca Hoop’s songs practically burst with ideas: They’re as strange and smart and heartfelt as they are gorgeous, and that’s saying something.” [Memories Are Now, “First Listen”] - NPR Music
“…A raw representation of Hoop’s formidable songwriting talents.” [Memories Are Now] - MAGNET
“Memories Are Now is built on stacked voices, sparse rhythm and twisted folk shapes, but the execution varies pleasingly, from the Native American blues of “Cut Connection” to the autumnal bucolia of “Songs Of Old.” [Memories Are Now, 8/10] - Uncut
“Past, present, and future rest patiently before Hoop, and she’s weaved them all into her most endearing album yet.” [Memories Are Now, 10/10] - Drowned in Sound
“Memories Are Now is a gorgeously delivered elegy to heartbreak and loss; powerful, perfectly executed songs to bring comfort and strength to the weary, broken and scorned.” [Memories Are Now, 5/5] - The Skinny
“There is something compellingly unique and hard to pigeonhole here.” - [Memories Are Now, 4/5 ‘Album of the Week’] - The Guardian
Listen: “So We Did” [from “Buyer’s Remorse” Oct. 17] Spotify / Apple
Listen: “Brokenomics” [from “The Filibuster” Oct. 10] Spotify / Apple
Listen: “Right Here” [from “Pilot” Oct. 3rd] Spotify / Apple
New episode airs tonight at 9:30/8:30c on ABC, and new songs will be available every Friday preceding each new episode… through Apple Music and Spotify
Sub Pop is releasing music from The Mayor, the new hit TV show starring Brandon Micheal Hall, Lea Michele, and Yvette Nicole Brown, created Jeremy Bronson and executive produced by Daveed Diggs (of Sub Pop’s own, Clipping.).
The Mayor airs Tuesdays at 9:30pm | 8:30pm CT on ABC. Songs will be available every Friday, preceding each Tuesday night episode, throughout the season.
Songs from The Mayor soundtrack are performed by Brandon Micheal Hall (aka Courtney Rose) and members of the cast, and written by Diggs, William Hutson, and Jonathan Snipes (of the group Clipping).
About The Mayor:
Young rapper Courtney Rose needs his big break. For years, he’s toiled away in a small inner-city apartment, making music in his junk-filled bedroom closet. Tired of waiting for opportunity to knock, Courtney cooks up the publicity stunt of the century – running for mayor of his California hometown, Fort Grey, to generate buzz for his music career. But his master plan goes wildly awry, ending in the most terrifying of outcomes: an election victory.
The series stars Brandon Micheal Hall as Courtney Rose, Lea Michele as Valentina Barella, Bernard David Jones as Jermaine Leforge, Marcel Spears as T.K. Clifton and Yvette Nicole Brown as Dina Rose.
Executive producers of the series are Daveed Diggs, Jeremy Bronson, Jamie Tarses and James Griffiths. “The Mayor” is produced by ABC Studios.
The US leg of Hot Snakes tour begins tomorrow night, November 8th
On Friday, January 19th, 2018, Hot Snakes entire discography – Automatic Midnight, Suicide Invoice, and Audit in Progress – will be reissued worldwide through Sub Pop. The first pressing of the LP reissues of these albums will be on colored vinyl (Automatic Midnight on orange, Suicide Invoice on yellow, and Audit in Progress on pink) and each album will come with its own, new set of 6 stickers designed by the band’s Rick Froberg. And January 19th will be the first time any of these albums have been available on cassette.
These influential post-hardcore all-stars – boasting members of Pitchfork, Rocket From the Crypt, Drive Like Jehu, Earthless, Obits, Burning Brides, OFF!, The Delta 72, and more –released three of our favorite rock records of the past 20 years: Automatic Midnight in 2000, Suicide Invoice in 2002 and Audit in Progress in 2004. And now, finally, they’re ours! As we await the somewhat-later-in-2018 release of their first new album since 2004, please make these Sub Pop reissues yours…
Automatic Midnight, Suicide Invoice, and Audit in Progress are now available for preorder in the below listed formats (plus there’s an updated Hot Snakes T-shirt design) [preorder them all here]
CD digipack with custom dust sleeve
LP in a single-pocket jacket with custom dust sleeve and new sticker sheet
Automatic Midnight, Hot Snakes’ first studio album, originally came out in 2000. Both the band and the album began as a side project for John Reis in June 1999, during time off from his main band Rocket From the Crypt. Reis wrote and recorded a batch of songs in San Diego with Delta 72 drummer Jason Kourkounis. To provide vocals for the tracks Reis called in Rick Froberg, whom he had played with in Pitchfork and Drive Like Jehu from 1986 to 1995. Most of the material from these sessions was used to create Automatic Midnight, which became the first release for Reis’ newly formed Swami Records label. The band’s sound represented a return to the unrealized past of its members: direct, undraped and rock ‘n’ roll while still maintaining the dense and turbulent character of the members’ previous work. In April or May of 2000, Hot Snakes added bassist Gar Wood, found their live sound and established themselves as primo, down-stroke warlords.
Automatic Midnight Tracklisting 1. If Credit’s What Matters I’ll Take Credit 2. Automatic Midnight 3. No Hands 4. Salton City 5. 10th Planet 6. Light Up the Stars 7. Our Work Fills the Pews 8. Past Lives 9. Mystery Boy 10. Apartment 0 11. Let It Come
Suicide Invoice, their second album, was originally released in 2002. It was recorded at San Diego’s Drag Racist Studios in 2002 with engineer Ben Moore. The album exhibits Hot Snakes’ slightly larger palate in mood and dissonance. People enjoyed the shows and listening to the recorded music. But, strain from controversy and fame would reveal cracks in the seemingly impenetrable hide of Hot Snakes. A year after the album’s release, drummer Jason Kourkounis left to focus on other music.
Suicide Invoice Tracklisting 1. I Hate the Kids 2. Gar Forgets His Insulin 3. XOX 4. Who Died 5. Suicide Invoice 6. Paid in Cigarettes 7. LAX 8. Bye Nancy Boy 9. Paperwork 10. Why Does It Hurt 11. Unlisted 12. Ben Gurion
Audit in Progress is their third studio album, originally released in 2004. The band recorded the album with new drummer Mario Rubalcaba at San Diego’s Big Fish Recording with engineer Ben Moore. An increased attraction to dissonance surfaced on Audit in Progress. The album was well-received by critics and fans and was named “best punk album” at the 2005 San Diego Music Awards. More shows were played and enjoyed and the band visited many cities all over the world. By 2005, the band spiraled into a mid-life punk crisis and stopped performing.
Audit in Progress Tracklisting 1. Braintrust 2. Hi-Lites 3. Retrofit 4. Kreative Kontrol 5. Think About Carbs 6. Audit in Progress 7. Hatchet Job 8. This Mystic Decade 9. Lovebirds 10. Reflex 11. Hair and DNA 12. Plenty for All
Lucky for all of us here in the present, Hot Snakes are charging back, renewed, recording new music and playing shows with both drummers, and planning for the release of a new album in 2018 on Sub Pop Records. Read more on Hot Snakes by Swami John Reishere.
Hot Snakes have added new UK headlining dates to their 2017/18 international tour schedule. These UK dates begin January 25th, 2018 in Manchester at Gorilla and end February 3rd, 2018 in Bristol at Thekla. The tour includes stops in London, Leeds, Glasgow, Brighton, Nottingham, Newcastle, and Cambridge. Tickets on sale to general public today at 3pm GMT.
Hot Snakes’ previously announced U.S. shows begin tomorrow night, November 8th, 2017 in Long Beach at Alex’s Bar and run through November 18th, 2017 in Philadelphia at Underground Arts.
Nov. 08 - Long Beach, CA - Alex’s Bar [Sold Out] Nov. 09 - Los Angeles, CA - The Troubadour [Sold Out] Nov. 10 - San Francisco, CA - The Chapel [Sold Out] Nov. 11- Portland, OR - Star Theatre [Sold Out] Nov. 12 - Seattle, WA - Chop Suey [Sold Out] Nov. 15 - Washington, DC - Rock and Roll Hotel Nov. 16 - Brooklyn, NY - Bell House [Sold Out] Nov. 17 - Boston, MA - Middle East - Boston Nov. 18 - Philadelphia, PA - Underground Arts Jan. 25 - Manchester, UK - Gorilla Jan. 26 - Glasgow, UK - Broadcast Jan. 27 - Newcastle, UK - The Cluny Jan. 28 - Leeds, UK - Brudenell Social Club Jan. 30 - Nottingham, UK - Rescue Rooms Jan. 31 - Cambridge, UK - The Portland Feb. 01 - Brighton, UK - Sticky Mikes Feb. 02 - London, UK - The Dome Feb. 03 - Bristol, UK - Thekla (Early Show)
