News

NEWS : WED, AUG 16, 2017 at 12:00 AM

HEY: WE’RE HIRING! THE SUB POP STORE AT SEA-TAC AIRPORT NEEDS A PART-TIME SALES CLERK

Sub Pop is currently accepting resumes from energetic, responsible, detail-oriented, and dependable candidates for a part-time/weekend/night Sales Clerk position at our new-ish and (let’s not be coy about it…) terribly impressive store at the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. This guy.

Responsibilities include:

 • Greeting and assisting customers in a friendly manner. 
 • Full compliance with Sea-Tac operation rules and strict TSA regulations and restrictions. 
 • Efficient handling of cash and credit card transactions. 
 • Ability to work collaboratively and communicate effectively. 
 • Availability to work nights, weekends, and holidays. 
 • Assist in organizing and restocking the store. 
 • Maintaining the general appearance of the store. 
 • Contributing to the team retail effort by accomplishing related tasks as needed. 

Qualified candidates will have: 

 • Previous experience in the retail environment. 
 • Knowledge of the Sub Pop catalog, Pacific Northwest music, the Seattle music community, and the City of Seattle.
 • A friendly and enthusiastic disposition with customers and staff. 
 • Strong and clear communication skills. 
 • A general understanding of retail Point of Sale systems. 
 • Flexibility in schedule and willingness to work early or late hours. 

The Sub Pop Airport Store at Sea-Tac is open unusually long hours, generally 6am - 10pm, and 365 days a year. 

Please send your resume to airportstore@subpop.com.


Posted by Chris Jacobs

NEWS : TUE, AUG 15, 2017 at 7:00 AM

Listen: Chad VanGaalen Shares “Mind Hijacker’s Curse,” The Newest Track From Light Information (out September 8th)

Light Information will be available in Canada from Flemish Eye, and the rest of the world from Sub Pop Records.

And here we have Chad VanGaalen’s “Mind Hijacker’s Curse”, another highlight from his forthcoming sixth album known as Light Information.

VanGaalen says of the song, “Mind hijacker’s curse is the outcome and side effects of vacationing inside of another organism’s consciousness. Once we can do this, I see the potential to forget your physical self and just live inside of some other beings mind. Hook me up to the fungal web that allows entire forests to communicate. I imagine the dolphin package would be very popular…”


[Photo Credit: Marc Rimmer]

Light Information is available for preorder now on CD / LP / DL / CS 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 will also be a new T-shirt design available for your bundling pleasure.



In other fantastical (but also very factual) news: on September 8th, Sub Pop will repress VanGaalen’s Infiniheart, his beloved and long out of print (on vinyl) 2005 debut on 2xLP and Turquoise vinyl. And now at long last, Chad VanGaalen’s discography (Shrink DustInfiniheart, Skelliconnection, Soft Airplane, and Diaper Island) is available for the first time time ever on Bandcamp.  

Chad VanGaalen Tour Dates + Ticket Links

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. 

Europe
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  
 
North America
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 - Fairmont
*w/ NE-HI
**w/ Un Blonde


Posted by Rachel White

NEWS : MON, AUG 14, 2017 at 9:00 AM

Sub Pop Signs Hot Snakes For The Whole Wide World, With Plans To Release A New Album And Reissue The Band’s Catalog in 2018

The first US Hot Snakes tour in six years happens November 8th-18th, 2017; Fan pre-sales begin TODAY at hotsnakes.shofetti.com.

[Photo Credit: Rick Froberg]

We’re incredibly excited to share the news that Hot Snakes – the band comprised of Rick Froberg, Jason Kourkounis, John Reis, Mario Rubalcaba, and Gar Wood – have signed to Sub Pop for the world!  We will release the group’s first new album since 2004’s Audit in Progress, as well as reissue their exceptional catalog – Audit…Suicide Invoice and Automatic Midnight – in the Spring of 2018.
 
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 – have released three of our favorite rock records of the past 20 years. And soon enough that’ll be four…

Tour Dates + Ticket Links

While we wait for new tunes, Hot Snakes have just scheduled headlining tour dates (their first new shows since 2011!), which begin November 8th, 2017 in Long Beach at Alex’s Bar and run through November 18th, 2017 in Philadelphia at Underground Arts. The trek includes stops in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Washington, D.C., Brooklyn, Boston, and Philadelphia.
 
Early pre-sales for these shows begin today, August 14th at noon ET, with tickets on sale to general public Thursday, August 17th at 12pm EST.  For up to date ticket information, please visit hotsnakes.shofetti.com.
 
Nov. 08 - Long Beach, CA - Alex’s Bar
Nov. 09  - Los Angeles, CA - The Troubadour
Nov. 10 - San Francisco, CA - The Chapel
Nov. 11-  Portland, OR - Star Theatre
Nov. 12 - Seattle, WA - Chop Suey
Nov. 15  - Washington, DC - Rock and Roll Hotel
Nov. 16  - Brooklyn, NY - Bell House
Nov. 17 - Boston, MA - Middle East - Boston
Nov. 18  - Philadelphia, PA - Underground Arts

There’s no time like the present to obsessively follow news of the Hot Snakes variety via Facebook, or right here on subpop.com.

More on Hot Snakes from Swami John Reis:

Hot Snakes formed in 2000, after the release of their first record, Automatic Midnight. They were John Reis, Jason Kourkounis, Rick Froberg, and Gar Wood. The band’s sound represented a return to the unrealized past of its members. This time their musics would be direct, undraped and rock ‘n’ roll while still maintaining the dense and turbulent character of the members’ previous work (“hard” labor). In April or May of that year, Hot Snakes found their live sound and established themselves as primo, down-stroke warlords.
 
Wikipedia says that in 2002 the band released their second album, Suicide Invoice. The album exhibited 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 worn hides of these old road dawgs. Exit Jason Kourkounis to focus on other musics.
 
In 2004 Mario Rubalcaba joined the band and Hot Snakes released their third and last studio album, Audit in Progress. An increased attraction to dissonance surfaced as the band spiraled downward into a mid-life punk crisis. Yet, more shows were played and enjoyed and the band visited many cities all over the world. By 2005, the band had stopped performing.
 
2011 saw the return of Hot Snakes. The band appeared on the premier festival circuit. Both drummers performed with the band on the songs which they each recorded. The reformation proved the band to still be in the top 5. They discussed writing new material and building upon this revitalized momentum. After an additional 6 years of discussions, Hot Snakes returned to the studio in 2017 to commence recording. And, lucky for all of us, 2017 finds Hot Snakes charging back, renewed, playing shows and planning for the release of a new album in 2018 on Sub Pop Records.


Posted by Rachel White

NEWS : FRI, AUG 11, 2017 at 9:00 AM

Downtown Boys ‘Cost of Living’ is out today! International Tour Kicks Off With Hometown Release Show in Providence.

We at Sub Pop are thrilled to now release Cost of Living by Downtown Boys. Get thee to yr local record store and grip that stunning Loser Edition LP!

Purchase Cost of Living | Stream Cost of Living 


Downtown Boys use their ferocious energy and powerhouse live shows to unite crowds in the struggle to smash racism, queerphobia, capitalism, fascism, boredom, and all things people use to try to close our minds, eyes and hearts. Today, the band has released their highly anticipated and critically acclaimed third album, Cost of Living, on Sub Pop. Produced by Fugazi’s Guy Picciotto, one of indie-rock’s most mythological figures (he also produced Blonde Redhead, The Gossip, and others), Cost of Living shows a sense of maturity without compromising the band’s righteous assault and captivating presence.

The position of Downtown Boys has been clear since they started storming through basements and DIY spaces with their radically-minded, indefatigable rock music: they are here to topple the white-cis-het hegemony and draft a new history. This is how Downtown Boys began, and their resolve has only strengthened as both their sound and audience have grown. Like the socially conscious groups of years past, from Public Enemy to Rage Against the Machine, Downtown Boys harness powerful sloganeering, repetitive grooves, and earworm hooks to create one of the most necessary musical statements of today.

In addition to festival appearances at Riot Fest, London Calling, and Made In America, Downtown Boys are about to kick off an international tour, starting today in the band’s hometown of Providence, RI. Full list of dates are HERE.


What have “The People” said about Downtown Boys? Well, since you asked…

“Accompanied by production from Greg Norman and Fugazi’s Guy Picciotto, Downtown Boys sound sharper than ever, their urgency tightened into a raging storm.” – Pitchfork, Best New Track

“America’s Most Exciting Punk Band” – Rolling Stone

“[A Wall] feels powerful enough to break down any physical boundary.” – FADER

“Downtown Boys’ mission: to reject boundaries that separate our humanity.” – NPR

“Listening to [A Wall] feels like being seen, recognized—the head-nod—and the power in both the delivery and the words bring solace and strength.” – Jezebel

“There are serious grooves on Cost Of Living, chugging basslines that propel one song into the next, mood pieces that are thick and urgent and tightly controlled. […] They make music that aims to inspire some spark of radical progress in this country, and the torch is all of ours to bear.” – Stereogum

“For five years, the Providence-born punk collective Downtown Boys have been one of America’s most incendiary bands, their no-nonsense political stances and chaotic songs coming together in messages of personal and societal liberation.”  – Boston Globe

“In their best moments … Ruiz and company solidify their status as the most vital band in the scene right now.” – Afropunk

“Downtown Boys are one of the most exciting bands around.“ – Salon


Posted by Rachel White

NEWS : WED, AUG 9, 2017 at 6:58 AM

FINALLY. The Afghan Whigs First Three Sub Pop Releases Will Be Available On 180-Gram Vinyl, September 8th

You ask, we deliver! The Afghan Whigs first three releases on Sub Pop Records – Up In It, Congregation and the Uptown Avondale EP will be released on 180-gram vinyl on September 8th* via the Sub Pop Megamart, and at the merch table for all upcoming Afghan Whigs North American shows.

*Retail stores will begin carrying these titles on September 22nd.

Both Congregation and Up In It have been out of print on vinyl for several years now and Uptown Avondale has never been available on vinyl in the U.S. … EVER.  All three titles will be issued on special Sub Pop “Loser” editions as well.

Full details on the reissues:


UP IN IT

LOSER EDITION DESCRIPTION: Transparent blue vinyl with white swirl. Pre-order here.

Track Listing:

  1. Retarded
  2. White Trash Party
  3. Hated
  4. Southpaw
  5. Amphetamines and Coffee
  6. Now We Can Begin
  7. You My Flower
  8. Son of the South
  9. I Know Your Little Secret


CONGREGATION

LOSER EDITION DESCRIPTION: Transparent Red vinyl with white swirl. Pre-order here.

ADDITIONAL DETAILS: Record turned into a double LP with gatefold packaging to be played at 45 rpm. 

Track Listing:

  1. Her Against Me
  2. I’m Her Slave
  3. Turn On The Water
  4. Conjure Me
  5. Kiss The Floor
  6. Congregation
  7. This Is My Confession
  8. Dedicate It
  9. The Temple
  10. Let Me Lie To You
  11. Tonight
  12. Miles Iz Ded (hidden track)


UPTOWN AVONDALE

LOSER EDITION DESCRIPTION: Silver metallic vinyl. Pre-order here.

Track Listing

  1. Band of Gold
  2. True Love Travels on a Gravel Road
  3. Come See About Me
  4. Beware
  5. Rebirth of the Cool

Afghan Whigs Tour Dates

The Afghan Whigs are currently in Europe for a brief second leg of their tour which includes performances at Way Out West Festival, Haldern Pop Festival, Flow Festival and Pukkelpop.  The band will begin their North American tour on September 6th at a Sold Out show in Orlando, FL.  The tour includes three Canadian shows (Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver) and the band will be playing several markets they haven’t visited in years (Richmond, Birmingham, Kansas City, Houston). For up-to-date info on tickets, please visit theafghanwhigs.com.


In Spades, the group’s spellbinding new album is available on CD / 180 gram-LP / CS / DL worldwide from Sub Pop. Led by the singles “Demon In Profile,” “Oriole,” and “Arabian Heights” along with standouts “Copernicus,” and “Toy Automatic,” it is the follow-up to the band’s internationally acclaimed Do to the Beast.  In Spades was recorded in New Orleans, Los Angeles, Memphis and Joshua Tree and written and produced by Greg Dulli. Read more on The Afghan Whigs In Spades here.

The Afghan Whigs have released two videos from the album so far: “Demon In Profile,” directed by longtime collaborator Phil Harder and “Oriole” helmed by erotic art director Amy Nicole Hood.



Posted by Rachel White