Chad VanGaalen’s fantastic new album Light Information is out now on on CD / LP / DL / CS worldwide from Sub Pop and in Canada from 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 the creative polymath’s 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.
On Monday, September 11th, Chad VanGaalen will participate in the Reddit Indieheads AMA at 1pm ET [more info on that is here].
Light Information can be purchased from Sub Pop and Flemish Eye. LP pre orders of the album from megamart.subpop.com and select independent retailers will receive the limited Loser edition on crystal clear vinyl (while supplies last). There is also be a new T-shirt design available.
Also out today is the repress of VanGaalen’s Infiniheart, his beloved and long out of print (on vinyl) 2005 debut on 2xLP and Turquoise vinyl. And Chad VanGaalen’s entire discography (Shrink Dust, Infiniheart, Skelliconnection, Soft Airplane, and Diaper Island) is also now available through Bandcamp.
Chad VanGaalen’s previously announced fall 2017 international tour dates in support of Light Information span October 15th in Utrecht, Netherlands at EKKO through December 8th in Montreal, Quebec at The Fairmount. Full list of dates + ticket links are here.
After Kyle Craft wrapped up the recording of his upcoming (all originals) 2018 album, he decided to record a cover of a Jenny Lewis song for fun. This quickly spiraled into a full fledged project with Kyle recording a slew of songs by his favorite female singers. Working with his bandmate, Kevin Clark in their home studio after hours, Craft multi-tracked all the parts himself, and what started as an idle aside became a labor of love.
Now Sub Pop and Craft have picked ten favorites from the sessions to release as Girl Crazy, a series of 2-track singles rolling out weekly starting today, September 7th. Focusing on Craft’s acclaimed interpretive talents – his version of Bowie’s “Heroes” stole the show at Newport 2017 – Girl Crazy introduces audiences, who may know Craft from his Sub Pop debut Dolls of Highland, to another side of the artist. New tracks from the Girl Crazy series will be released every Thursday through October 5th, and will also feature covers of songs by artists like Sharon Van Etten, Jenny Lewis, Cher and Patsy Cline.
The first installment in the covers series are Kyle’s interpretations of Karen Dalton’s ‘Something On Your Mind” [listen here] and Patti Smith’s “Distant Fingers” [listen here].
Kyle Craft and his band will hit the road for a short Northwestern U.S. trek, beginning September 16th in San Francisco at Cafe Du Nord and ending September 21st in Seattle at the Crocodile Cafe.
Sep. 16 - San Francisco, CA - Cafe du Nord Sep. 17 - Williams, OR - Rascal’s Bar & Grill Sep. 18 - Eugene, OR - Fathoms Bar Sep. 19 - Portland, OR - Mississippi Studios Sep. 21 - Seattle, WA - The Crocodile
What “The People” have said about Kyle Craft: “…Undeniably unique: Kyle Craft is a strong contender for outsider of the year. An unlikely hero of the year. An unlikely hero of rock music, he’s nonetheless created a noteworthy, potentially groundbreaking debut album in Dolls of Highland.” - PASTE
“If Dolls of Highland has a basis in autobiography—the title references the Shreveport neighborhood where it was made—Craft spends the album imagining himself as Ziggy Sawdust, a flamboyant fop working the barrelhouse piano in the front room of the seediest bayou bordello. 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
“Just enough of Ziggy’s stardust gives “Pentecost” its musical sheen, but it’s Craft’s vocal intensity that outlasts all else.” [“10 Artists You Need to Know”] - Rolling Stone
“…hurls together Craft’s Dylan-meets-Brett Anderson holler with rollicking ragtime stomp, reminiscent of vintage Cockney Rebel or early Suede. The instantly singable likes of “Berlin” and “Lady of the Ark” are peopled by “girls and ghosts” from Craft’s hometown of Shreveport each depicted with a mix of empathy, humour and occasional savagery. And behind these tragicomic nightlife tales is a top-notch songwriter who has been fired by the sting of romantic betrayal.” [Dolls of Highland] - The Guardian
“Paired with his knack for great melodies, it demonstrates Craft’s emotional power as a songwriter.” [“Pentecost”] - NPR
“Craft, who grew up in Louisiana but now lives in Portland, brings an authentic southern blues sensibility to glam and folk rock but what makes Dolls one of the best albums of the year is his ability to transform his influences into a sound that’s all his own.” [Dolls of Highland] - Huffington Post
“…The 27-year-old’s debut album, Dolls of Highland, earned almost exclusively positive reviews, following a simple formula: Bob Dylan’s Blonde on Blonde crossed with David Bowie’s The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars. Despite the transparent approach, he produced not a familiar sound but rather a cryptic sort of glam Americana that defies expectation…” - Village Voice
“…Craft’s music is so full of its own weird singularity that he’s on to something far beyond idol worship. ” - Billboard
Craft displays the full prowess of his vocal range, hitting high notes that hark back to glam rock vocals of the ’70s” - American Songwriter
Wolf Parade just announced 2018 dates for the western U.S. and Canada in support of Cry Cry Cry, their forthcoming album. The newly added dates span January 12th in Vancouver at The Commodore Ballroom and run through January 24th in Phoenix at The Van Buren, and will include stops in Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, Berkeley, Los Angeles, Santa Ana, and San Diego. Barsuk Records act Charly Bliss, who are supporting the October 13th-27th shows (select dates), will now also act as direct support, January 12th-24th (select dates).
Tickets on sale to general public Friday, September 8th at 10am (local time), and fan pre-sale starts here tomorrow September 6th at 10am (also local time).
Preceding these headlining shows, Wolf Parade will also act as direct support for Arcade Fire, September 5th through September 28th.
Wolf Parade Tour Dates
Sep. 05 - Quebec City, QC - Videotron Center* Sep. 06 - Montreal, QC - Bell Centre* Sep. 08 - South Burlington, VT - Higher Ground Sep. 09 - Ottawa, ON - Canadian Tire Center* Sep. 21 - Duluth, GA - Infinite Energy Arena* Sep. 22 - Tampa, FL - USF Sun Dome* Sep. 23 - Coral Gables, FL - Watsco Center* Sep. 24 - St. Augustine, FL - St. Augustine, FL Amphitheatre* Sep. 26 - New Orleans, LA - UNO Lakefront Arena* Sep. 27 - Austin, TX - Frank Erwin Center* Sep. 28 - Dallas, TX - American Airlines Center* Oct. 12 - Guelph, ON - Peter Clark Hall Oct. 13 - Toronto, ON - Phoenix Concert Theatre** 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 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 **
*w/ Arcade Fire ** w/ Charly Bliss
Early last week (August 29th), Wolf Parade released “You’re Dreaming,” a second offering and politically-charged standout from Cry Cry Cry [listen here]. “You’re Dreaming” is urgent power pop with lyrics inspired by the shock and confusion following the 2016 election (“All these scenes of shattered glass / All your systems in collapse”). Irreverent new animations from returning collaborator and visual artist Scorpion Dagger (“Valley Boy”) accompany the track.
Wolf Parade’s Cry Cry Cry will be available from Sub Pop on Friday, October 6th, 2017 and is now up for pre-order on CD / 2xLP / DL / CS worldwide from Sub Pop, and in Canada from Universal Records via Wolf Parade’s webstore right here. LP pre-orders 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), and a new t-shirt design is also available for your bundling pleasure.
Father John Misty has collaborated with British musician and producer The Haxan Cloak for a remix of “Things It Would Have Been Helpful To Know Before the Revolution,” from Pure Comedy. The rework strips the song of its lush instrumentation and glib tone.
The “…Revolution” remix follows the gorgeous, stop-motion video [watch here] directed by Chris Hopewell (Radiohead’s “Burn the Witch,” Run The Jewels’ “Don’t Get Captured”). The song‘s apocalyptic themes and subtle humor are captured brilliantly throughout. The “…Revolution” video was constructed and filmed in three weeks at Jacknife Studios in Bristol, UK. Additionally, puppets and props from “…Revolution” were recently auctioned off and the proceeds will be donated to the Environmental Defense Fund.
Father John Misty’s previously announced international tour schedule in support of Pure Comedy resumes this weekend with performances at End of the Road Festival on September 2nd and Electric Picnic on September 3rd. Father John Misty has also scheduled an interview and performance on Late Night With Seth Meyers on September 12th.
Sep. 02 - Dorset, UK - End of the Road Festival Sep. 03 - Stradbally, IE - Electric Picnic [SOLD OUT] Sep. 13 - Boston, MA - Blue Hills Pavilion ** Sep. 14 - Port Chester, NY - Capitol Theatre ** Sep. 15 - Philadelphia, PA - Skyline Stage at the Mann ** Sep. 18 - Toronto, ON - Massey Hall * [SOLD OUT] Sep. 19 - Royal Oak, MI - Royal Oak Music Theatre * Sep. 20 - Chicago, IL - Auditorium Theatre * Sep. 22 - St. Louis, MO - Peabody Opera House * Sep. 23 - Columbus, OH - Palace Theatre * Sep. 25 - Asheville, NC - Thomas Wolfe Auditorium * Sep. 26 - Nashville, TN - Ryman Auditorium * [SOLD OUT] Sep. 27 - Atlanta, GA - The Tabernacle * Sep. 29 - Austin, TX - Bass Concert Hall * [SOLD OUT] Sep. 30 - Dallas, TX - Bomb Factory * Oct. 01 - Houston, TX - White Oak Music Hall * Oct. 02 - Austin, TX - Bass Concert Hall * Oct. 04 - Phoenix, AZ - Orpheum Theatre * Oct. 05 - San Diego, CA - The Observatory North Park * Oct. 06 - San Diego, CA - The Observatory North Park * [SOLD OUT] Oct. 07 - Berkeley, CA - Greek Theatre ** Oct. 11 - Santa Barbara, CA - Arlington Theatre * Oct. 12 - Las Vegas, NV - Brooklyn Bowl * Oct. 13 - Los Angeles, CA - Greek Theatre * Oct. 14 - Pomona, CA - Fox Theater Pomona * Nov. 01 - Edinburgh, UK - Usher Hall * Nov. 02 - Glasgow, UK - O2 Academy * Nov. 05 - Manchester, UK - O2 Apollo * [SOLD OUT] Nov. 07 - London,UK - Hammersmith Eventim Apollo * [SOLD OUT] Nov. 08 - London, UK - Hammersmith Eventim Apollo * Nov. 09 - Brighton, UK - Brighton Dome * Nov. 11 - Paris, FR - Le Trianon * Nov. 12 - Brussels, BE - Ancienne Belgique * Nov. 13 - Utrecht, NL - TivoliVredenburg * Nov. 14 - Berlin, DE - Huxley’s * Nov. 16 - Milan, IT - Fabrique * Nov. 18 - Barcelona, ES - Razzmatazz * Nov. 19 - Madrid, ES - La Riviera * Nov. 20 - Lisbon, PT - Coliseu dos Recreios *
Bully are back with a new album, more powerful and hard hitting than ever. Losing will be released October 20th worldwide on Sub Pop.
Off the back of the first single “Feel The Same” which had critics and fans alike raving about its intensity, the band are offering another glimpse into the new album releasing the new song “Running.” Alicia Bognano explains the meaning behind the song telling us, “Overall, Running is about shamelessly keeping yourself distracted or making up excuses to avoid processing certain emotions.”
Losing has all the hallmarks of an iconic album and on the band’s sophomore release, they’ve landed harshly in the adult world, and are facing the brutality of life. New York Magazine tipped the album in the Fall Music Preview writing “Alicia Bognanno has the loveliest snarl this side of Nirvana’s Live at Reading. That it’s in a pop-punk setting, with lyrics reckoning with adulthood, only strengthens its power.”
Bully will be hitting the road this fall, all dates are listed the below, along with a newly announced run of 2018 dates.
Losing is available for pre-order now from Sub Pop Records and from Bully’s webstore. LP pre-orders of the album from Sub Pop and select independent retailers will receive the limited Loser Edition on clear vinyl with black swirls (while supplies last).
Losing was engineered and mixed by lead-singer Alicia Bognanno in Chicago at Electrical Audio.
