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.
Iron & Wine recently appeared on CBS Saturday Morning to perform Beast Epic tracks “Call it Dreaming”[see here], “Thomas County Law”[see here] and rarity “Call Your Boys”[see here]. He also recorded a gorgeous 40-min, career-spanning set with Pitchfork Live [see here].
Iron & Wine’s Beast Epic, which features the standouts “Call It Dreaming”, “Thomas County Law”, “Bitter Truth” and “About A Bruise,” was written and produced by Sam Beam. It was recorded and engineered by Tom Schick at the Loft in Chicago in July 2016 and January 2017, and mastered by Richard Dodd in Nashville, Tennessee. The musicians who played on the album include longtime Iron & Wine collaborators Rob Burger (keys), Joe Adamik (percussion, drums), and Jim Becker (guitar, banjo, violin, mandolin), along with bassist Sebastian Steinberg (Soul Coughing and Fiona Apple), and Chicagoan Teddy Rankin-Parker (cello).
Beast Epic is available from Sub Pop here, Iron & Wine’s official webstore here, and in finer independent retailers across the globe. It’s available in the following formats:
A Deluxe 2xLP version on red & blue vinyl with alternate artwork, two bonus tracks from the Beast Epic recording sessions along with three home recorded demos and an etching on side D.
A single LP on black vinyl
CD
Digital
CS
Tour Dates + Ticket Links
Iron & Wine has added headlining European dates to his 2017/18 tour schedule in support of Beast Epic, which begin January 14th in Reykjavic (at Eidborg) and end on February 16th in London (at Eventim Apollo). Tickets for all UK/EU dates will be on general sale at 10AM local time on Friday, September 1st.
These dates are preceded by US touring, which spans August 26th at Fayetteville (at the sold-out Roots Festival) and ends with a two night stand in New York on November 13th (at Town Hall) and 14th (at Brooklyn Steel). For up to date information on tickets, please visit ironandwine.com/tours.
Summer 2017 Aug. 26 - Fayetteville, AR - Roots Festival - SOLD OUT Aug. 27 - Columbia, MO - The Blue Note % Aug. 28 - Chattanooga, TN - Tivoli Theatre % Aug. 29 - Birmingham, AL - Saturn % - SOLD OUT Aug. 30 - Louisville, KY - WFPK on the Waterfront Aug. 31 - Nashville, TN - Lightning 100’s Live On the Green Aug. 31 - Nashville, TN - Blue Room at Third Man Records - SOLD OUT
Fall 2017 Oct. 12 - Chicago, IL - Thalia Hall* Oct. 13 - Chicago, IL - Thalia Hall # - SOLD OUT Oct. 14 - St Paul,MN - Palace Theatre # Oct. 15 - Lincoln, NE - Rococo Theatre # Oct. 17 - Missoula, MT - Wilma Theater # Oct. 18 - Seattle, WA - Moore Theater # Oct. 19 - Eugene, OR - McDonald Theater # Oct. 20 - Portland, OR - Aladdin Theate # - SOLD OUT Oct. 21 - San Francisco, CA - Warfield Theatre # Oct. 26 - Los Angeles, CA - The Cathedral Sanctuary at Immanuel Presbyterian* - SOLD OUT Oct. 27 - Pioneertown, CA - Pappy & Harriet’s* - SOLD OUT Oct. 28 - San Diego, CA - Balboa # Oct. 29 - Phoenix, AZ - Van Buren # Oct. 30 - Albuquerque, NM - El Rey # Nov. 01 - Dallas, TX - The Kessler # - SOLD OUT Nov. 02 - San Antonio, TX - The Aztec Theater # Nov. 03 - Houston, TX - The Heights # - SOLD OUT Nov. 04 - New Orleans, LA - Joy Theater # Nov. 06 - Ft Lauderdale, FL - Culture Room# Nov. 07 - Orlando, FL - The Beacham # Nov. 09 - Washington DC - Lincoln Theatre # - SOLD OUT Nov. 10 - New Haven, CT - College Street Music Hall # Nov. 11 - Boston, MA - Berklee Performance Center # - SOLD OUT Nov. 12 - Northampton, MA - Calvin Theatre # Nov. 13 - New York, NY - Town Hall # Nov. 14 - Brooklyn, NY - Brooklyn Steel*
Winter 2018 Jan. 14 - Reykjavic, IS - Eidborg Jan. 16 - Helsinki, FI - House of Culture Jan. 18 - Stockholm, SE - Nalen Jan. 19 - Oslo, NO - Sentrum Scene Jan. 20 - Gothenburg, SE - Pustervik Jan. 22 - Copenhagen, DK - Vega Jan. 23 - Aarhus, DK - Voxhall Jan. 25 - Berlin, DE - Huxleys Jan. 26 - Hamburg, DE - Uebel & Gefahrlich Jan. 27 - Amsterdam, NL - Paradiso Jan. 29 - Brussels, BE - Ancienne Belgique Jan. 30 - Cologne, DE - Gloria Feb. 01 - Munich, DE - Muffathalle Feb. 02 - Zurich, CH - X-Tra Feb. 05 - Milan, IT - Santeria Social Club Feb. 06 - Vienna, AT - WUK Feb. 08 - Prague, CZ - Hybernia Feb. 10 - Wiesbadan, DE - Sclachthof Feb. 11 - Paris, FR - Cafe De La Danse Feb. 13 - Birmingham, UK - Symphony Hall Feb. 14 - Dublin, IE - The Helix Feb. 15 - Manchester, UK - Bridgewater Hall Feb. 16 - London, UK - Eventim Apollo
% w/Lydia Loveless # w/John Moreland * w/OHMME
What “The People” are saying about Beast Epic: “Everything about Beast Epic feels true to Iron & Wine. Beam neither abandons his greater ambitions nor overindulges. He’s making a return trip to his roots, offering a gentle reminder of his early records’ simple beauty while allowing himself the freedom to build.” - American Songwriter
“A confident album from an artist who isn’t afraid to merge the past and present, Sam Beam continues to audibly demonstrate why he’s one of the most gifted songwriters of his time.” [8.1/10] - PASTE
“Beam has written his most affecting, impressive set of songs in a long time—maybe ever—and that’s saying something for a guy whose songwriting rarely misses, even when he’s stretching his sonic wings. Beast Epic strikes a perfect balance between gorgeous and world-weary from the first note to the last.” [Grade: A] – AV CLUB
It is the sound of Iron & Wine returning home, ending one chapter and beginning another…He finds comfort in retracing his own steps. This doesn’t mean sacrificing production value or abandoning the use of outside players, but everything here takes a backseat to Beam’s melodies. When subtleties appear—the vocal harmonies that underscore the emotional swells of “Bitter Truth,” the despondent violins and dusty pianos echoing from what sounds like another room in “Summer Clouds”—they are in service of songs that could stand comfortably without them. Working as his own producer with a live recording style and few overdubs, Beam has never sounded more in control. Even the album’s most sweeping production, the slow-building single “Call It Dreaming,” remains focused as Beam adds percussion, cello, and keys to his pristine and determined vocals. When the album closes with the fragile “Our Light Miles,” and Beam attempts to lob a delicate falsetto as a big finish, it cements Beast Epic as some of the best singing of his career. - Pitchfork
“Fifteen years after his first album, Sam Beam still has the capacity to surprise…Beast Epic serves as a valuable way point in Iron & Wine’s still-evolving legacy. Whatever sonic paths his next record treads, Beam has proven, to his fans’ great relief, that he’ll always know the way back home. ” [Grade: B] - Consequence of Sound
“With Beast Epic, Beam enlists the beguiling calm in his manner–he reaches for the cooling restraint of his masterful Our Endless Numbered Days, and polishes it with the draping bougainvillea in his beard, a robust production that’s decidedly stripped, at its best moments approaching the finest parts of The Shepherd’s Dog.” -Under The Radar
“The album may lack an atmosphere of immediacy but you’ll soon love it, from the charms of the gently chugging Bitter Truth via the sublime melody of Call It Dreaming.” - [4/5] Sunday Times ‘Album of the Week’
“With Beast Epic Beam has delivered a suite of songs that is equal to anything he’s done before.” - The Quietus
“Iron & Wine’s sixth album essays yet more romantic, Americana–tinged songwriting… The songs may be modest, but their sure–footed craft creates profound, 12 tog comfort” [4/5] The Guardian
“The record unfolds its songs of faith, hope and sudden clarity slowly, little glints and catches commanding attention. It might not look like its going to leap out and grab you, but Beam here launches a soft emotional punch.” [4/5] - MOJO
“Beam employs pastoral and ecclesiastical imagery to capture those moments of rapture, regret and redemption that become life markers.”[8/10] - Uncut
“Beast Epic marks a loop back to the more insular feel of his earlier material, from the bare–boned opener Claim Your Ghost to the gentle warmth of Call It Dreaming. The result is surprisingly refreshing – a kind of father–to–son conversation between songwriter and song.” [4/5] - Q Magazine
“Beast Epic is an effortless acoustic swell… A warm, kind album that has songs up there with Beam’s best.” [4/5] - Record Collector
“A superb collection of musings on the passing of time… One of our finest contemporary songwriters.” [4/5] - Shindig
“Timeless American folk that charms the listener with its sense of comfort and calm… A dreamy delight from start to finish.”[9/10] - Long Live Vinyl
“Beam’s dynamic playing is pitched perfectly with the soothing qualities of his voice and melodies… One of his strongest records yet.”[8/10]Guitarist
“There’s a warm and welcoming intimacy throughout this album… One of Beam’s strongest musical statements yet.” [4/5] - Total Guitar
“The maturity of a life long lived forms the basis of the album’s 11 songs… This is tender and meditative music that contemplates the complex tapestry of existence.” - Classic Rock
