Soundgarden’s “Flower” is the opening track and (original) lead single from Ultramega OK, the newly remixed and expanded reissue (out March 10) and long-planned “correction” of the legendary band’s GRAMMY®-nominated debut full-length.
Ultramega OK was originally recorded and released in 1988 on SST Records. While the band enjoyed working with the original producer, Drew Canulette, they soon realized they weren’t quite happy with the final mix.Thus, shortly after the album’s release, the band decided to remix the album for subsequent pressings. However, success intervened: the band rapidly scored a deal with A&M and began work on their major-label debut, Louder Than Love, and the Ultramega OK remix project fell by the wayside as Soundgarden climbed their way to (ultra)mega-stardom (read more about it –> here).
Ultramega OK is available for preorder available now on CD / 2xLP / DL / CS from SubPop and soundgardenworld.com. The album comes packaged in a foil-stamped gatefold sleeve, features liner notes from Kim Thayil and Jack Endino, AND includes a previously unseen photo from renowned photographer Charles Peterson. Preorders of the LP from megamart.subpop.com, the band’s webstore and select independent retailers will receive the Loser edition on marbled blue and maroon vinyl (while supplies last).
[Photo Credit: Charles Peterson]
This one’s not for the faint of heart, people. Masters of making you squirm, Clipping have teamed up with director Anna Zlokovic for the disturbing new “Back Up” video [feat. Antwon and Signor Benedick the Moor], a highlight from the group’s Wriggle EP.
Zlokovic says of the visual, “Through the perspective of an unnamed filmmaker, we stumble upon an accidental and horrifying discovery. What begins as a curious exploration of an abandoned warehouse quickly devolves into the uncovering and filming of an underground, cult-like society—one where adults have baby faces and milk is the drug of choice.”
The “Back Up” video marks another collaboration between Anna, Aporkalypse and Clipping’s members (most specifically, Jonathan Snipes recently contributed sound design for the film, Shorty). Additionally, Zlokovic’s films (based in the psychological sci-fi, psychological horror, body horror genre) and music videos have screened internationally at festivals including SXSW, Santa Barbara Int’l Film Festival, and Fantasia Int’l Film Festival. Her perspective often finds itself joining the cerebral and humanistic, hanging out in a realm where a more fantastical reality meets the mundane.
“Back Up” was also filmed at The Smell––an all-ages DIY music venue in Los Angeles. The Smell has remained a pillar of the LA underground music scene since its founding in the 90’s and is now set for demolition––which has incited a bevy of support for the venue amongst LA musicians/fans. Clipping has played at the The Smell many times & has a long-standing relationship with co-founder Jim Smith. It seemed like a particularly apt place to film––both for aesthetic and sentimental purposes, and in service of the current #savethesmell campaign.
[Please find a full list of production credits below.]
Clipping’s previously announced 2017 North American headline and support dates begin February 17th in Santa Ana, CA at The Observatory runs through April 4th in St. Petersburg, FL at Jannus Live. Highlights for the tour include headline shows (February 17th-24th; March 10th, March 16th, April 3rd), appearances at the Noise Pop Festival (February 24th-25th) and a direct support run opening for the Flaming Lips (March 3rd-14th; March 29th-April 4th). Tour dates are below.
Splendor & Misery is available on CD/LP/DL/CASS worldwide from Sub Pop right over here and Deathbomb Arc here. The album features the highlights “Baby Don’t Sleep,” “A Better Place,” and “Air ‘Em Out,” was produced by the band, and mixed by Steve Kaplan in Los Angeles. The Wriggle EP is also available from Sub Pop, here.
Tour Dates
Feb. 17 - Santa Ana, CA - The Observatory^ [Sold Out]
Feb. 18 - Los Angeles, CA - The Broad^ [Sold Out]
Feb. 20 - Portland, OR - Holocene^ [Sold Out]
Feb. 21 - The, Seattle, WA - The Crocodile^ [Sold Out]
Feb. 22 - Vancouver, BC - Biltmore Cabaret^
Feb. 24 - Oakland, CA - Starline Social Club (Noise Pop!)^ [Sold Out]
Feb. 25 - San Francisco, CA - Brick & Mortar Club (Noise Pop!) ^ [Sold Out]
Mar. 03 - Boston, MA - House of Blues *
Mar. 04 - Philadelphia, PA - The Fillmore *
Mar. 05 - Washington, DC - 930 Club *
Mar. 06 - Washington, DC - 930 Club *
Mar. 09 - New York City, NY - Terminal 5 *
Mar. 10 - Brooklyn, NY - Rough Trade NYC ^^
Mar. 11 - Westbury, NY - The Space at Westbury *
Mar. 13 - Toronto, ON - Rebel *
Mar. 14 - Royal Oak, MI - Royal Oak Theater *
Mar. 16 - Chicago, IL - Subterranean
Mar. 29 - Nashville, TN - War Memorial Auditorium *
Mar. 30 - Charlotte, NC - The Fillmore *
Mar. 31 - Raleigh, NC - The Ritz *
Apr. 02 - Atlanta, GA - Tabernacle *
Apr. 03 - Orlando, FL - The Social **
Apr. 04 - St. Petersburg, FL - Jannus Live *
* w/ The Flaming Lips
^ w/Baseck
** w/ They Hate Change
^^ w/ Jason Forrest
*“Back Up” credits:
Directed by Anna Zlokovic
Produced by Simona Kessler, Alex Familian & Anna Zlokovic
AD: Rene Gannon-O’Gara
Cinematography by Powell Robinson
VFX by Alex Familian
Production Designed by Devin Cheney
Set Decorator: Sydney Marquez
Costuming and HMU by Nadine Sondej-Robinson
Editing by Anna Zlokovic & Powell Robinson
Sound Design by Jonathan Snipes
Additional Casting by Luka Fisher
1st AC: Carter Ross
Colorist: Powell Robinson
Production Manager: Alex Lark
Production Coordinator: Chase Niesner
PAs and Costuming Assistants: Andy Riviera & Jordan Vazcones
Starring the bodies of: Daveed Diggs, Antwon, Signor Benedick the Moor, Andrew Varenhorst, Dani Goffstein, Evita Castine, Patrick Robert Young, Evanne Friedmann, Yazmin Watkins, Nadine L. Robinson, Daniel Crook, Jared Michael Degado, Ivo Buhles, Genevieve Munroe, Peter Kalisch, Devin Cheney, & Carter Ross.
Special thanks to all the baby parents & chaperones: Jill Fogel, Karla Garcia, Amyre Rachal-Carter, Adriana Benvenuto, Emily Rubio, Natasha Oiye, Dorian Gray, Ena Fleming, Afton Adams, & Leslie Adams.
A very special thanks to: Jim Smith & Michael Fierstein of The Smell, Jack Kovacs and Ember the cat, Theo Pappas at Santa Monica Video, Youth Talent Connection, Sasha Venn, Jules Bruff, Sage Lewis, Spitz, The Blue Cube, Co-Opportunity Market + Deli, & Jeremy McLennan.
Aporkalypse Productions
aporkalypseproductions.com
facebook.com/aporkalypseproductions
Please to feast your eyes on “Memories Are Now,” Official Video for the title track off Jesca Hoop’s critically acclaimed new album which is available February 10th, throughout the known universe. This mesmeric visual was directed by multi-talented animator / illustrator
Annlin Chao.
Memories Are Now is Hoop’s best reviewed album to date:
Drowned in Sound gave the album a 10 out 10 rating, and said, “Past, present, and future rest patiently before Hoop, and she’s weaved them all into her most endearing album yet.” The Skinny also gave the album a perfect score (5/5), calling it a “gorgeously delivered elegy to heartbreak and loss; powerful, perfectly executed songs to bring comfort and strength to the weary, broken and scorned.”
Meanwhile, Loud & Quiet named Memories Are Now it’s “Album of the Week,” and raved, “One of the most engagingly idiosyncratic and refreshingly broad collections of solo singer songwriting in recent memory.” And NPR Music added, “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.”
Jesca Hoop appeared on Lauren Laverne’s BB6 show earlier today to discuss the album and delivered stellar performances of “The Lost Sky” and “Songs of Old” [
listen here]. Additionally, Hoop has scheduled radio US sessions including
Prairie Home Companion (February 18th, 5-7pm CT),
KUTX in Austin (February 16th) along with
WXPN’s World Cafe in Philadelphia,
WERS in Boston, and
WFUV in New York (air dates TBD).
Coming to a town near you…
Jesca Hoop’s forthcoming international tour dates in support of
Memories Are Now span January 28th through April 6th, 2017. The U.S. shows begin February 26th in Austin, TX and include stops in Philadelphia, Atlanta, Boston, New York City, Seattle, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. The EU shows begin March 28th and include stops in London [Sold Out], Leeds, Bristol, Leicester, Norwich, Manchester, Brighton, Cambridge, Liverpool, Copenhagen, Aarhus, Berlin, Hamburg and Thirsk (Deer Shed Festival).
Hoop has also just confirmed her largest London show to date at the Union Chapel on December 1st. Tickets on sale tomorrow, Friday, February 10th. (find tour dates + ticket links below).
Memories Are Now, featuring highlights “The Lost Sky” [hear here], “Pegasi” and the title track.
The album will be released on CD / LP / DL and is available for pre-order now over here. LP pre-orders through megamart.subpop.com will receive the limited Loser Edition on Robin’s Egg Blue Swirl colored vinyl (while supplies last). The Loser Edition will also be available in finer independent record stores around the globe, and directly from the artist on tour (also in a ‘while supplies last’ situation).What people are saying about Memories Are Now:
“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
“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.” [8/10] - Uncut
“One of her best albums to date. Stunning.” - The Sunday Times
“An admirably sharp and focused collection of songs.” [4/5] - Record Collector
“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
Tour Dates
Feb. 26 - Austin, TX - 3TEN @ Austin City Limits Live
Feb. 28 - Atlanta, GA - Terminal West
Mar. 02 - Vienna, VA - Jammin’ Java
Mar. 05 - Philadelphia, PA - Boot & Saddle
Mar. 06 - Allston, MA - Brighton Music Hall
Mar. 08 - New York, NY - Mercury Lounge
Mar. 12 - Chicago, IL - Beat Kitchen
Mar. 13 - Mineral Point, WI - Mineral Point Opera House
Mar. 14 - Minneapolis, MN - Cedar Cultural Center
Mar. 17 - Seattle, WA - Fremont Abbey Arts Center
Mar. 18 - Portland, OR - Aladdin Theater
Mar. 20 - San Francisco, CA - Great American Music Hall
Mar. 21 - Los Angeles, CA - The Roxy
Mar. 28 - Leeds, UK - Brudenell Social Club
Mar. 29 - London, UK - The Lexington [Sold Out]
Mar. 30 - Bristol, UK - Exchange
Mar. 31- Leicester, UK- The Musician
Apr. 01 - Brighton, UK - Patterns
Apr. 02 - Norwich, UK - Epic Studios
Apr. 03 - Cambridge, UK - Portland Arms
Apr. 05 - Liverpool, UK - The Magnet
Apr. 06 - Manchester, UK - Gorilla
May 13 - Amsterdam – Bitterzoet
May 14 - Hamburg, DE - Nochtwache
May 16 - Aarhus, DK - Atlas
May 17 - Copenagen, DK - Vega Jnr
May 18 - Berlin, DE - Gruener Salon
Jul. 21 - Thirsk, UK - Deer Shed Festival
Dec. 01 - London, UK - Union Chapel
Please visit
www.jescahoop.com/tour for ticket links + updates, and follow Jesca absolutely everywhere on
Facebook,
Instagram and
Twitter
Porter Ray’s ”Arithmetic” is the 2nd single off Watercolor, his forthcoming full-length debut, available worldwide March 10th from Sub Pop. The vibe-worthy track features guest performances from Stas THEE Boss (formerly of THEESatisfaction and current host of KEXP’s Street Sounds) and the legendary Infinite (of Narkotik and Tribal Productions).
Gorilla vs. Bear premiered the track today (see here) and said of the track, “Seattle rapper Porter Ray shares another hazy and seductive gem from his forthcoming LP Watercolor…“Arithmetic” showcases Porter’s golden voice and effortlessly vivid flow over a dreamy, immersively narcotic beat, elevated by spectral siren calls from the great Stas Thee Boss and anchored by a crucial assist from revered Seattle MC Infinite.”
Porter Ray is also the subject of a feature in the new edition of Crack Magazine, of which you can read more here.
Watercolor is now available for preorder on CD / 2xLP / DL / CASS. LP pre-orders through the Sub Pop Mega Mart and independent retailers will receive the limited Loser Edition on translucent vinyl with magenta swirl in North America & Translucent vinyl in Europe, while supplies last.
Watercolor features original production from B-Roc, Dez Anthony, and Kmtk, and was mixed by Erik Blood. Guest appearances include Cashtro, Nate Jack, Jus Moni and Black Constellation elders Palaceer Lazaro and Fly Guy Dai of Shabazz Palaces.
Follow all things Porter Ray everywhere in the galaxy via Facebook | Twitter | Instagram.
[Photo Credit: Jay Scroggins]
Tour Dates + Ticket Links
Feb. 17 - Seattle, WA - Sole Repair*
Feb. 26 - Seattle, WA - Crocodile**
Mar. 08 - Seattle, WA - Barboza (Watercolor release party)
Mar. 15-19 - Austin, TX - SXSW
May 26 - Quincy, WA - Sasquatch Music Festival
* w/ Sisters
** w/ Pickwick
With a handful of dark and rainy months still ahead of us, now’s
the time to curl up in front of the fire with a good book. Thanks to its
fruitful history and multi-talented roster, there is an abundance of books closely
tied to the Sub Pop family that rocks just as hard as your favorite TAD album.
Here are just a few of our preferred picks from here at the Sub Pop Airport Store!
Bruce Pavitt’s Sub
Pop USA: The Subterranean Pop Music
Anthology, 1980-1988 is a one-stop shop for everything you’d ever want
to know about the formation of Sub Pop, Carrie Brownstein’s Hunger
Makes Me a Modern Girl is a thoughtful and inspiring memoir
highlighting her experiences in Sleater-Kinney, while the graphic novel Black Hole by Charles Burns heavily
influenced La Luz’s most recent album Weirdo
Shine. (Additionally, Charles Burns contributed illustrations for Sub Pop
in our early days and is most visible on our Sub
Pop 200 compilation!)
To make your book reading experience even richer, we’ve
compiled the accompanying list of some of our favorite book and record pairings that will surely satisfy even the most ferocious appetite…
