Here at the tail-end of 2016, it’s a little tough to deny that this has been an inordinately trying year. A brief and sadly incomplete list of the events that brought us together to cry, reflect, regain composure, and then cry again would include the death of Bowie, the Orlando nightclub shooting, the death of Leonard Cohen, the Ghost Ship fire, and… Well, the list goes on. Enough so that the world actually does kind of seem like it’s a crumbling gingerbread cookie right on the fragile edge of oblivion. We should (and, we very much hope, will!) all do what we can to respond to these challenges, and those that are sure to come.
There are also, it’s worth remembering, some things to celebrate from 2016. And, some of those very things are compiled in Sub Pop’s Best of 2016 collection, which many of us here at the Airport Store contributed to, and which can be found here:http://bestof2016.subpop.com/.
Here, also, is a summary of all the neat holiday items we started carrying at the Airport Store that just may provide a welcome distraction from the horrifying chaos that is modern times:
Music
The Ventures’ Christmas Album (CD)
The New Possibility: John Fahey’s Guitar Soli Christmas Album (CD)
Jesca Hoop has some freshly made 2017 tour dates for you! She’ll be on the road soon after the release of her forthcoming Sub Pop debut Memories Are Now (out February 10th).
U.S. shows begin February 26th in Austin, TX and include stops in Philadelphia, Boston, New York City, Seattle, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. The U.K. shows begin March 28th and include stops in London, Leeds, Bristol, Norwich, Manchester, and Cambridge. (see dates below) Additional live dates will be announced soon.
[Photo credit: Angel Ceballos]
Memories Are Now is an album of stunning original songs, raw yet brimming with energy, forged from rich life experience and emotional depth. Beautifully delivered by an artist that has steadfastly honed her unique craft of musical storytelling.
For an in-depth insight into the recording of the Memories Are Now, check out this lovely short film. The release of Memories Are Now comes on the heels of Love Letter for Fire, Jesca’s acclaimed duets album with Iron & Wine’s Sam Beam. Memories Are Now was recorded at NRG Studios, produced by Blake Mills (Alabama Shakes), engineered by Eric Caudieux, mixed by Greg Koller and mastered by Ian Sefchick at Capitol Mastering.
Jesca recently recorded an intimate performance on Marc Riley’s BBC 6 radio show, which features select tracks off her new album [see here].
Memories Are Now will be released on CD / LP / DL and is available for pre-order now. LP pre-orders through megamart.subpop.com will receive the limited Loser Edition on robin’s egg blue colored vinyl (while supplies last).
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. 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 Mar. 30 - Bristol, UK - Exchange Apr. 01 - Brighton, UK - Patterns Apr. 02 - Norwich, UK - Epic Studios Apr. 03 - Cambridge, UK - Portland Arms Apr. 06 - Manchester, UK - Gorilla
Since we’re not above using our (perceived, if not actual) “influence” to try to get you to do good, we’ve compiled a list of local (to Seattle / the Pacific Northwest) and national / international charities. If you’re in a position to donate a sum of money to one (or more) of them, it will certainly be put to use, and as a bonus you’ll feel good about yourself! Five or ten $s (or € or £…) would not be too little to give.
We at Sub Pop and Hardly Art are amazingly fortunate to work with a varied and creative roster. So thanks to all the artists on the label(s), and thanks to our friends in the wider community we inhabit, in Seattle and beyond. We’re grateful for all of it. With any luck, you’ll discover something in these lists that gives you many happy years of listening/watching/reading/visiting/eating/etc’ing.
At long last, Philadelphia’s (and Sub Pop’s) own male-fronted quartet Pissed Jeans just announced 2017 tour dates in support of Why Love Now (out Feb. 24th). Upcoming shows span February 23rd-March11th, and include stops in Washington, D.C., Brooklyn, Somerville, and Philadelphia. Tickets for these shows go on sale Friday, December 16th w/additional live dates to come, but for now… sick yr clicks into these babies:
Feb. 23 - Washington, DC - Black Cat Feb. 24 - Brooklyn, NY - Brooklyn Bazaar Feb. 25 - Somerville, MA - ONCE Ballroom Mar. 10 - Philadelphia, PA - Boot & Saddle Mar. 11 - Philadelphia, PA - PhilaMOCA
Recently, Pissed Jeans shared Why Love Now’s lead single “The Bar Is Low” and we strongly suggest you have a listen to it here. In addition, their recent interview with the Sub Pop Podcastmight be one of the absolute best things to come out of late(r) 2016.
The New York Times says (and who are we to argue?) of the band and single, “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…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.)”
Why Love Now was co-produced by Lydia Lunch, Arthur Rizk and Pissed Jeans, and will soon be available on CD / LP / CASS / DL on Sub Pop [over here]. The album features the aforementioned “The Bar is Low,” along with standouts “Ignorecam,” “Love Without Emotion,” and “I’m A Man” (featuring lyrics and vocal from Ugly Girls author Lindsay Hunter).
Read more about Pissed Jeans from Maura Johnston here, and follow the band all over the universe on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
Clipping just shared a darkly surreal, post-apocalyptic short film - directed by Patrick Kennelly (“Body & Blood”) - inspired by their current and critically acclaimed album, Splendor & Misery [get it here].
The 405 had this to say of the film (and album), “Early this past fall, L.A. rap deconstructionist trio, Clipping delivered their latest challenging experimental full-length album. It was billed as a thematic release that “follows the sole survivor of a slave uprising on an interstellar cargo ship, and the on-board computer that falls in love with him.” On top of the technical rap reflections that make up the album, the trio are supporting their intriguing narrative with a short film of the same name, that brings the album’s unearthly concepts to life. Director, Patrick Kennelly helped piece together the surreal post-apocalyptic drama that’s equal parts fascinating and equal parts difficult to watch (see premiere December 13th).
Clipping are currently on tour in Europe (their forthcoming London show at Corsica Studios on 20th December has now sold out and a second night at the same venue has now been added) and the trio have been chosen to support The Flaming Lips on tour in North America next year! (see dates below.)
The band recently appeared on Conan and delivered a stellar performance of “Air ‘Em Out [see here].” And you can/should also watch Clipping’s official video “Shooter,” from Wriggle, the group’s summer EP, directed by Carlos Lopez Estrada [see here].
Splendor & Misery is available now on CD/LP/DL/CASS worldwide from Sub Pop [here] and Deathbomb Arc [here].
Tour Dates + Ticket Links Dec. 13 - Amsterdam, NL - Sugar Factory Dec. 14 - Hamburg, DE - Hafenklang Dec. 15 - Berlin, DE - Cassiopeia Dec. 16 - Frankfurt, DE - Zoom Dec. 17 - Munich, DE - Orange House Dec. 18 - Düsseldorf, DE - FFT Foyer Dec. 19 - Paris, FR - Batofar Dec. 20 - London, UK - Corsica Studios [Sold Out] Dec. 21 - London, UK - Corsica Studios Feb. 17 - Santa Ana, CA - The Observatory * Feb. 18 - Los Angeles, CA - The Broad * Feb. 20 - Portland, OR - Holocene * Feb. 21 - Seattle, WA - The Crocodile * Feb. 22 - Vancouver, BC - Biltmore Cabaret * Feb. 24 - Oakland, CA - Starline Social Club (Noise Pop!) * Feb. 25 - San Francisco, CA - Brick & Mortar Music Hall * 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. 11 - Westbury, NY - The Space at Westbury ** Mar. 13 - Toronto, ON - Rebel ** Mar. 14 - Royal Oak, MI - Royal Oak Theater ** 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. 04 - St. Petersburg, FL - Jannus Live ** * w/Baseck ** w/ The Flaming Lips
