At last, winter is finally nearing
its conclusion! After what feels like an eternity (can you believe the Summer
Olympic Games were less than a year ago? Me neither…), spring is finally close
enough to talk about without sobbing. While reasonable people may know spring as the time
when temperatures rise, plants bloom, and insects reemerge from Hell where
they belong, we here in the bowels of the music industry know it exclusively as
the beginning of “festival season.” During this time, seemingly every city
around the world sets aside a weekend or two for great gaggles of wide-eyed music fans to gather to watch and listen to as much music as possible, and also pay too much for bottled water. In addition to all that music and predatorily-priced potable water, there’s the eating, the drinking, the art appreciating and, of course, so many sunburns.
“This is all too much,” you might
hypothetically say, “there are just too many festivals.” If you are inexperienced
with the full wonder of music festivals, you might even say, “I don’t know if I’ll survive even one
of these.” And though, clearly, that is hyperbolic, I am not here to judge you. No,
instead, I am here to help. And, to that end, I’ve prepared a pseudo-survival guide for your
trek to one (or all!) of the very cool festivals listed below, complete with a
brief summary of each, a list of cool bands to see, other things to do in the area, and
some optional, recommended items to make your festival experience a truly
luxurious, Sub Pop-approved one.
Bands to see: Washed Out, Clams Casino, Run the Jewels,
Young Thug
Situated between the Mississippi river and some railroad
tracks, BUKU is an intimate music and arts festival with plenty of great
electronic and hip-hop music. One of the stages is located inside a warehouse used
to build Mardi Gras floats, and it’s only a short walk from the French Quarter,
ensuring that there’s plenty to do while you’re in town. I’d
highly recommend some sunglasses, however. Protecting your eyes is
important - not only from the sun, but also from the flying cockroaches I’ve been told
exist in the southern parts of the United States.
A yearly tradition during which downtown Austin, Texas is overrun for 9 (nine!) whole days, SXSW is a smorgasbord of music and pop
culture, where you can take in practically innumerable performances by bands, plus art, informational panels, comedy, and just about anything else you might want to see. You
will almost certainly need a very
attractive bag to carry all the swag you acquire.
Bands to see: Beach House, Bjork, James Blake, M.I.A.
Is there a better way to welcome spring back into your life
than by going to Mexico? I’ve yet to hear a compelling opposing argument, and
set for only one day in the beautiful city of Toluca, the Ceremonia Festival
boasts an impressive lineup full of heavy-hitters. Fun fact: Toluca is the
region from which Chorizo originates. so I’d suggest something
to keep your drink cold while you’re busy stuffing your face.
Coachella is a huge festival, occupying two weekends in an
otherwise scarcely populated valley in central California. There isn’t a whole
lot to do in Indio, but the organizers of this festival have you covered, as
every year they seem to try to go even bigger than they did the prior year.
More bands than you can name, food, art, and interactive exhibits abound at
this staple of the festival scene. You’re probably going to be camping if you
go. Please
bring soap.
Fortress is a brand spankin’ new festival marking its
inaugural edition. Presented by the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth, it also
includes a boatload of art by multidisciplinary artists across several venues.
I’d recommend that you bring a
water bottle that won’t let you down, as you’ll need to stay hydrated for
all three days. Fort Worth is also home to the renowned Kimbell Art Museum and
the world’s first and largest indoor rodeo, if such things tickle your fancy.
Some festivals seek to find a location off the beaten trail,
removed from the city and the hustle and bustle. Shaky Knees is not that festival,
as it takes place smack-dab in the middle of Atlanta’s Centennial Olympic Park.
Food is a big draw at this festival (it’s in the South, so this is to be
expected). And, should you seek respite from the sun beyond that provided by this
hat that I dutifully recommend as a source of shade, the excellent Center
for Civil and Human Rights is a short walk away (as is the World of Coca-Cola museum and the Georgia Aquarium).
Is there anything more picture-perfect than a white sand
beach? This is a question asked by many Washingtonians (mostly out of
ignorance, as our beaches feature no sand, only rocks, driftwood, and
disappointment), and attending Hangout Festival, located directly on the
beaches of Gulf Shores, would provide the obvious answer. What
could possibly be better than listening to your favorite bands WITH the ability
to jump straight into the ocean at any time you choose? Bring a
towel, no one likes being wet once they’re done swimming.
And so we arrive at the end of spring, the beginning of June
and the barrier I have arbitrarily decided on for this survival guide.
Sasquatch takes places at a venue called The Gorge, and it is hands-down the
most beautiful place to see live music in Washington. There’s a breathtaking
view behind the main stage, it’s a not-too-long drive from Seattle, and there are plenty of lakes to swim in before you hit the festival. Room for camping is ample
and comfortable; just make
sure to bring a blanket, because it cools off pretty quickly at night and
you don’t want to be the chump freezing your ass off on the lawn.
There is cause for rejoicing! Illustrious rocker King Tuff has announced a short solo West Coast tour with his longtime friends and former-Happy Birthday bandmates Ruth Garbus and Chris Weisman opening with their own solo sets. These dates will find the King showcasing a mix of older and newer material.
King Tuff - aka Kyle Thomas - shared some words about the shows: “I’m excited to announce I will be doing a little solo tour with two of my greatest old friends and favorite musicians Ruth Garbus and Chris Weisman. This is a rare treat because these Vermont genie/geniuses rarely leave their snow holes. I will be performing mostly new songs and the vibe will be magical/rustic/spazzy. Hope to see you there.”
May. 12 - Big Sur, CA - Henry Miller Library May 13 - North Fork, CA - King Tuff and Friends at Bandit Town May 14 - Gundlach Bundschu Winery - The Old Redwood Barn May 15 - Oakland, CA - Starline Social Club May 17 - Felton, CA - Don Quixote’s May 19 - Big Sur, CA - Hipnic Festival * *King Tuff Only
Today, Rolling Blackouts C.F.(or Rolling
Blackouts Coastal Fever to their mothers) share the new video to the title
track of their upcoming EP - and Sub Pop
debut - ”The French Press,”
out March 10th. The band will shortly be making their first landfall in the
States as well, presumably after a 4-month journey by ocean freighter.
The video, directed by Jamieson Moore, portrays the band performing at what appears to be
a sunny and fun pool party wedding, but something more somber seems to be
peeking out from underneath the surface. Please enjoy the video for “French
Press” and have a look through their upcoming US and Australian tour dates, including
performances at SXSW, as follows:
Cry those tears of joy, because Father John Misty’s first round of 2017 North American tour dates in support of Pure Comedy (out April 7th) are on the books. Headlining dates include Toronto’s Royal Alexandra Theatre (May 5th and 6th), Brooklyn’s King Theatre (May 10th), Chicago Theatre (May 15th), The Paramount in Seattle (May 24th), Vancouver’s Festival Lawn at Deer Lake Park (May 26th), and Mexico City’s Metropolitan Theatre (June 7th).
… and LIVE FROM NEW YORK, IT’S FATHER JOHN MISTY!!!! About to be the musical guest (with host Octavia Spencer) on Saturday Night Live this coming March 4th at 11:30pm /10:30pmCT on NBC.
Okay, alrighty… back to our regularly scheduled tour dates announcement: Early pre-sales for upcoming shows begin March 1st through 2nd (check local listings), with tickets on sale to general public March 3rd at12pm (local time). Pre-sales for the Mexico City date begin March 8th at 11am local time through March 9th with tickets on sale to the general public on March 10th at 11am (local time).
Father John Misty’s spring & summer international festival schedule includes 6 Music Festival in Glasgow (March 26th), Coachella (April 14th & 21st), Form Arcosanti in Mayer, AZ (May 13th), Piknik I Parken in Oslo (June 22nd - June 24th), Fuji Rock (July 28th - July 30th), Montreal’s Osheaga (August 4th - August 6th), and a headlining performance at End of the Road Festival in Dorset, UK (August 31st-September 3rd). See complete listings below.
Father John Misty’s “Ballad of the Dying Man” is a standout track from Pure Comedy. The track has earned raves from Pitchfork (“Best New Track”), Rolling Stone, Stereogum, The Ringer, SPIN, and more. The Ringer says of the track, “It is simultaneously plaintive and winking and obnoxious and beautiful, as all the good Father John Misty songs are.” SPIN offers this, “ It opens with a descending chord progression on acoustic guitar and piano that recalls Neil Young’s “Motion Pictures,” then slides into a patient pop arrangement worthy of Elton John.”
Pure Comedy will be available on deluxe 2xLP / 2xLP / CD / DL / CS worldwide through Sub Pop and Bella Union. The album’s front/back covers and gatefold feature a gargantuan original piece (his first ever commission of its kind) by Ed Steed (The New Yorker). Preorder the album now through Father John Misty’s Official Store [in Australia or the rest of the world], our own Sub Pop Mega Mart, and also from Bella Union.
Tour Dates + Ticket Links
Mar. 26 - Glasgow, UK - 6Music Festival Apr. 12 - San Diego, CA - Humphrey’s Apr. 14 - Indio, CA - Coachella Apr. 21 - Indio, CA - Coachella May 05 - Toronto, ON - Royal Alexandra Theatre May 06 - Toronto, ON - Royal Alexandra Theatre May 10 - Brooklyn, NY - Kings Theatre May 13 - Mayer, Arizona - FORM Arcosanti Festival May 15 - Chicago, IL - Chicago Theatre May 24 - Seattle, WA - Paramount Theatre May 26 - Burnaby, BC - Festival Lawn at Deer Lake Park Jun. 07 - Mexico City, MX - Metropolitan Theatre Jun. 22 - 24 Oslo, NO - Piknik I Parken Festival Jun. 23 - 25 - Ewijk, NL - Down the Rabbit Hole Festival Jul. 28 - 30- Niigata, JP - Fuji Rock Festival Aug. 4 - 6 - Montreal, QC - Osheaga Festival Aug. 31- Sep. 03 - Dorset, UK - End of the Road Festival
Pissed Jeans “The Bar is Low ” is the lead single from Why Love Now, the band’s fifth album, out today worldwide on Sub Pop. The song is now the subject of a humorous new video, helmed by returning director Joe Stakun (“Bathroom Laughter,” “Romanticize Me,” “Boring Girls”).
Pissed Jeans previously announced 2017 tour dates in support of Why Love Now, are currently underway, with a show tonight, Friday, February 24th in Brooklyn, NY at Brooklyn Bazaar and tomorrow, Saturday, February 25th in Somerville, MA at ONCE Ballroom. There will be additional live dates to come.
Feb. 24 - Brooklyn, NY - Brooklyn Bazaar
Feb. 25 - Somerville, MA - ONCE Ballroom
Mar. 10 - Philadelphia, PA - Boot & Saddle
Mar. 11 - Philadelphia, PA - PhilaMOCA
Why Love Now was co-produced by Lydia Lunch, Arthur Rizk and Pissed Jeans, and is available on CD / LP / CASS / DL on Sub Pop. The album features the aforementioned “The Bar is Low,” with additional standouts,“Ignorecam,” “Love Without Emotion,” and “I’m A Man” (featuring lyrics and vocal from Ugly Girls author Lindsay Hunter).
What people are saying about Pissed Jeans & Why Love Now:
“…A lot of fun and delivers some uncomfortable home truths” [Why Love Now, 4/5]- The Guardian
“With riffs weighted so they’re heavy enough to bludgeon, and vocals that feel like they’re being torn straight from the larynx, the album is a tour de force of high octane refrains and filth-driven focus.” [Why Love Now, Album of the Week, 8.5/10] - The Line Of Best Fit
“This follow-up finds them operating at a similarly scintillating capacity, grinding down on the ugliness buried in the mundanity of modern life and crushing it into the wreckage of metal and post-punk.” [Why Love Now, 4/5] - The Skinny
“There’s nothing orthodox about Why Love Now’s sound. But there’s something snidely familiar about its portrayal of modern life. It’s angry, it’s sad and it’s laughably relatable.” [Why Love Now, 8/10] -Crack
“Produced by Lydia Lunch, Why Love Now sees Pissed Jeans on superb form.” [Why Love Now, 8/10] - Uncut
“Beneath the nihilism and cynicism and bile, one suspects Pissed Jeans are the last decent men in America” [Why Love Now] -Evening Standard
“There’s a united sense of purpose on Why Love Now, an LP committed to the common cause of rallying against the kind of masculinity that it seems absurd we still need to oppose in 2017” [Why Love Now, 4/5] - DIY
“Pissed Jeans have always found the evil, the sad, the depressing, and the funny in the utter banality of life. Matt Korvette doesn’t sing about smashing the system, he sings about the system smashing him and trying to grow old in it, set to droning punk that’s an update on the sludgy sounds of Flipper, Kilslug, and The Jesus Lizard.” -Noisey
“There’s a lot to love about this fifth album.” [Why Love Now] -London In Stereo
“Pissed Jeans are as soiled, sordid and scintillating as ever.” [Why Love Now] - The Quietus
“Their fourth album, Why Love Now, is a caustic, squirm-inducing assault on machismo that keeps focused throughout.” [Why Love Now] - Northern Transmissions
“It’s a characteristically intense and loud record from Pissed Jeans, loaded with both slow-moving sludge-punk exercises and accessible, ass-kicking hardcore raveups.” [Why Love Now]-Treblezine
“… a guttural riff-monster about how just about every man walking the face of the earth today is an asshole.” [“The Bar Is Low”] -Stereogum
“Matt Korvette, the skeptical frontman of a terrific, coarsely named post-hardcore band from Allentown, Pa., doesn’t want to hear your compliments. As a dude, he knows he’s being graded on a curve. This, at least, is the premise behind “The Bar Is Low,” the lead single from the band’s fifth album, “Why Love Now.” The track feels partly inspired by a recent series of unmaskings in the public sphere. “It just seems to be quite an easy bet,” Mr. Korvette sputters. “Those we adore just haven’t spilled their secrets yet.” But the excoriation is all-inclusive: By the end, he floats a claim about our rate of evolution as a species. (Spoiler alert: It’s not hopeful.)” [“The Bar Is Low”] - New York Times
“The visceral aggression of Pissed Jeans is something we’re always in the mood for. Raw, caustic, and oddly catchy, these guys sound like Jesus Lizard meets Motorhead. We’ve loved this band for a long time–check out their masterpiece Honeys–and the anticipation for their new album is killing us. We have to wait until February 2017 to get our hands on the full album, but song “The Bar is Low” is holding us over in the meantime. Riffy, mean, and pounding, this song is everything we love about Pissed Jeans.” [“The Bar Is Low”] - The Nerdist
“A guttural riff-monster about how just about every man walking the face of the earth today is an asshole.”[“The Bar Is Low”] -Stereogum
“Overachieving is overrated. Who the fuck wants to go to college, get straight A’s, and come out on the same level as some punk who just smoked weed and skated by? It might be worth it to become the latter, and you can use Pissed Jeans’ new tune, “The Bar Is Low,” as your anthem. On “The Bar Is Low,” the band showcases the killer songwriting abilities they’ve cultivated for over 10 years. Vocalist Matt Korvette is at his peak, his voice gravelly as the late, great Lemmy Kilmister’s when he sings over the popping riffs. It’s a sick song, so don’t feel bad about being a burnout.” [“The Bar Is Low”] -CLRVYNT
“The Philly punks are back and onbone-grinding form.” [“The Bar Is Low”] - DIY
“The track makes for a vigorously addictive introduction to the fifth long-player from the Philadelphia collective.” [“The Bar Is Low”] -Gold Flake Paint
“… it’s a no-bullshit salvo of the highest order.” [“The Bar Is Low”] -The Observer
