We’re now hoping to add another thing for you to know about Sub Pop…
We’ve made (and plan to continue to make) a podcast! Finally, you can hear the stories from inside, outside, and adjacent to Sub Pop, straight from this particular horse’s mouth. We’ll be bringing you conversations with our artists, people who work at or with Sub Pop, and anyone else who will talk to us. And, we’ll be doing much of this same sort of thing with the artists and people related to our sibling label Hardly Art Records.
It’s important to note here that when we say that “we” have made a podcast, we actually mean people here at Sub Pop Records. Hosted by Alissa Atkins (actual, long-time Sub Pop employee!) and Arwen Nicks (actual, albeit part-time and only recently hired, Sub Pop employee!), the Sub Pop Podcast is entirely self-produced and not something pitched to us by shifty entrepreneurs, or created in response to any real, discernible demand or marketing analytics. We have approached this in much the same way we approached starting the label: we really had no idea what we were getting ourselves into, and we’re pretty pleased with ourselves by the results.
And somehow, unrelated to any current or past contractual obligations, we convinced an impressive array of folks to talk with us for this thing. Here we are referring to such revered figures from the wide world of entertainment as: King Tuff! Cat from THEESatisfaction! Jon Benjamin! Ben Bridwell from Band of Horses! Jonathan Meiburg from Shearwater! And eventually, we’re fairly certain, if we can pin him down, Mark Arm!
In the spirit of tell and show, you can listen to the trailer for the podcast at subpop.fm RIGHT NOW. If you like what you hear, you can subscribe (in iTunes or anything) right now, too. The first episode will be available Wednesday, February 3, and new episodes will be delivered weekly until April 2016 (at which point the first season will end).
SO! Visit subpop.fm to listen to the trailer, subscribe to the podcast, sign up for the podcast mailing list, or to get in touch with us.
The Sub Pop Podcast: Absolutely nothing sounds better.
Sub Pop Slurps the Best Soups at the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport
One of the most important questions I get asked while working at the airport isn’t, “How do I get to my rental car?” or “Is there a smoking section in here?” or “Are you the Duty Free store?” but rather, “What is the best food in the airport?” A person who has just met me has now put his or her stomach in my hands. It presumes that I am closer to a ‘foodie’ than a garbage rat, and it’s not a question I take lightly.
So, what is the best food in the airport? It depends on what kind of food you like. Do you have time to kill and cash to spend on a ‘nice’ meal? Do you want a gut-punch of food that will ensure you pass out during your flight? Do you want some kind of regional fare to the Seattle-Tacoma area? Does flying make you nervous, ergo, you want comfort food with no surprises? Are you vegetarian? Those are just some of the questions that run through my head when confronted by the question of where to eat in the airport, but lately, I’ve only had one type of food on my mind.
Soup.
It’s warm, flavorful, hearty but not too-filling, and usually can be found at an affordable price point (although I can’t wait for the day that I have three martini lunches at Anthony’s on the regular). I know what you’re probably thinking, “There can’t be that many soup options at the airport.” Well, guess what, there are so many soup options at the airport, it’ll make your fuckin’ head spin. I asked some of my co-workers for their favorite soups at the airport, and learned more about soup than most folks will ever need to know in their lifetime. So, here’s a practical knowledge bomb that will help you fight off the winter doldrums before your next flight:
Waji’s Udon Noodle Soup: Here’s what you get with their udon noodle soup: A delicate broth, thick noodles, fish cake, and the longest cylinder container I’ve ever eaten out of. Getting to Waji’s involves a trek down to the end of the C Concourse, but it’s definitely worth it.
Wolfgang Puck Gourmet Express: I’ve heard rave reviews of their butternut squash soup, a dish I haven’t yet tried, but I was quite impressed by their cup of tortilla soup, which came with nice flourishes like cilantro, avocados, and a complimentary roll.
Dish D’Lish Soup of the Day: Part of the fun of going to Dish D’Lish is the surprise of what kind of soup they’ll have that day. With our store being open 7 days a week, our staff has tried to come together to decipher Dish D’Lish’s daily soup schedule, but we’ve yet to crack the code, and we’re always left in suspense. We have been treated to the likes of chicken and rice stew, cream of artichoke soup, and even a curry. (Dish D’Lish, if you are reading this, please bring back the curry).
Maki of Japan Miso Soup: It’s miso soup. When done right, miso transcends all description. What more can you want?
Beecher’s Soups: While Beecher’s Handmade Cheese might be well-known for its mac n’ cheese and grilled cheese sandwiches, they also offer more than just a nominal tomato soup. There’s a tasty french onion soup, complete with croutons and cheese that can stand alone, along with a rotating seasonal; at publication, the seasonal is a nice vegetarian chili. Is Chili a soup? A stew? Who cares. Pair it with a bread roll and you’re set.
Wendy’s Chili: OK, so if I’m gonna include Beecher’s chili here, then I have to throw in Wendy’s chili, as well. If you haven’t eaten it in a while, Wendy’s chili packs more of a punch, with meat and plenty of beans. (They don’t call it Rich & Meaty Chili for nothing). Order it off the value menu with a side salad and baked potato, and you’ve got a 3 course meal for under 10 bucks.
Qdoba Mexican Gumbo: So while we dive into the stew realm, Qdoba’s gumbo is a playful concoction for when your typical enormous burrito gets boring. (But I’m pining for the day that they roll out a pozole).
Ivar’s vs. Anthony’s Clam Chowder: Look, I’ll be upfront with you all. I might love soup, but overall, clam chowder grosses me out. Something about the milky creaminess of it just never sounds appetizing to me, but maybe one of these days I’ll come around. Ivar’s and Anthony’s, two venerable local Seattle seafood chains with locations in the airport, both serve clam chowder, and I feel obligated to include it here. Simply put, a Seattle-Tacoma International Airport soup list wouldn’t be complete without their inclusion, but you’ll have to try these out for yourself.
Tickets are on sale today for his previously announced North American spring tour, beginning March 30th in Santa Ana, CA at the Observatory and ending April 30th in Orlando, FL at the Beacham. Support for these dates come from Tess & Dave. Additionally, dates for his previously announced European tour run May 11th - May 31st. (complete list below)
But wait, there’s more! (horns blow triumphantly!) Father John Misty has also earned a Brit Award nomination for “Best International Male Solo Artist” alongside Kendrick Lamar, Drake, and The Weeknd.
AND… he’s the cover star of Under The Radar’s “Best of 2015” issue alongside Ellie Roswell from Wolf Alice (view here).
Tour Dates Mar. 30 - Santa Ana, CA - The Observatory* [Sold Out] Mar. 31 - Santa Ana, CA - The Observatory* Apr. 01 - Oakland, CA - Fox Theatre* [Sold Out] Apr. 02 - Oakland, CA - Fox Theatre* Apr. 05 - Vancouver, BC - Orpheum Theatre* [Sold Out] Apr. 06 - Seattle, WA - The Paramount* Apr. 08 - Salt Lake City, UT - The Depot* Apr. 09 - Denver, CO - Ellie Caulkins Opera House* Apr. 12 - Kansas City, MO - Uptown Theatre* Apr. 14 - Chicago, IL - Riviera Theatre* [Sold Out] Apr. 15 - Chicago, IL - Riviera Theatre* Apr. 16 - Minneapolis, MN - Northrop Auditorium* [Sold Out] Apr. 17 - Urbana, IL - Foelinger Auditorium @ University of Illinois* Apr. 20 - Toronto, ON - Massey Hall* [Sold Out] Apr. 21 - Montreal, QC - Metropolis* Apr. 22 - Boston, MA - House of Blues* [Sold Out] Apr. 23 - Philadelphia, PA - The Fillmore* [Sold Out] Apr. 25 - Washington, DC - Lincoln Theatre* [Sold Out] Apr. 26 - Washington, DC - Lincoln Theatre* Apr. 27 - Charlotte, NC - The Fillmore* Apr. 29 - Atlanta, GA - The Tabernacle* Apr. 30 - Orlando, FL - The Beacham* May 11 - Leeds, UK - O2 Academy May 12 - Glasgow, UK O2 Academy May 13 - Manchester, UK - Albert Hall [Sold Out] May 14 - Gateshead, UK - The Stage Gateshead May 15 - Nottingham, UK - Rock City May 17 - Bristol, UK - Colston Hall May 18 - London, UK - The Roundhouse [Sold Out] May 19 - London, UK - The Roundhouse [Sold Out] May 20 - London, UK - The Roundhouse May 21 - Southampton, UK - O2 Guildhall May 23 - Paris, FR - Alhambra May 24 - Utrect, NL - Tivoli Vredenburg - Ronda May 25 - Berlin, DE - Postbanhof May 27 - Aarhus, DK - Train [Sold Out] May 28 - Copenhagen, DK - Falconer Theatre [Sold Out] May 29 - Copenhagen, DK - Falconer Theatre May 30 - Gothenburg, SE - Trädgårn [Moved From Pustervik] May 31 - Oslo, NO - Sentrum Scene * w / Tess & Dave
Wolf Parade have reunited after a 5-year hiatus and scheduled a series of residency shows (watch the trailer here) in North America and the UK for 2016. The band shared the news earlier this morning via their newly launched website and social media accounts.
New to Wolf Parade? We made this handy Beginner’s Guide playlist just for you!
The band had this to say about the reunion: “Hey-o everyone! The hiatus is over! We’re so excited to finally get back on stage together at these residency shows in NYC, Toronto, and London. We’ll be playing our favorites from from all the old albums, of course, as well as a taste or two of the new tunes we’ve been writing. Hope to see you there! XO, WP.”
Wolf Parade will perform at New York’s Bowery Ballroom (May 17th-21st), Toronto’s Lee’s Palace (May 24th-26th) and London’s Scala (June 14th-15th). Tickets are available now through wolfparade.com. UPDATE: Due to overwhelming demand, the band have added 2 more shows in Downtown Canada at Lee’s Palace! See the fill list of dates below.
2016 Residency Shows May 17 - New York, NY - Bowery Ballroom May 18 - New York, NY - Bowery Ballroom May 19 - New York, NY - Bowery Ballroom May 20 - New York, NY - Bowery Ballroom May 21 - New York, NY - Bowery Ballroom May 24 - Toronto, ON - Lee’s Palace May 25 - Toronto, ON - Lee’s Palace May 26 - Toronto, ON - Lee’s Palace
May 27 - Toronto, ON - Lee’s Palace
May 28 - Toronto, ON - Lee’s Palace Jun. 14 - London, UK - Scala Jun. 15 - London, UK - Scala
Heron Oblivion have announced U.S. west coast tour dates in support of their forthcoming self-titled debut. You can listen to lead track “Oriar” right now on YouTube and Soundcloud.
Shows include: February 7th in Portland at Sabertooth Music Festival (with Built to Spill and Mikal Cronin); an album release show on March 3rd in Oakland at Starline Social Club; March 5th in Los Angeles at Resident (with labelmate Morgan Delt); And March 6th in San Diego at ‘Til Two. Additionally, Heron Oblivion will appear at Marfa Myths in Marfa, Texas on March 11th and Austin’s Levitation Festival April 29th-May 1st. (All dates below)
Heron Oblivion will be released on CD / LP / DL / CASS worldwide March 4th through Sub Pop, and is now available for preorder from the Sub Pop Mega Mart,iTunes, Amazon, Google Play and Bandcamp. LP preorders from megamart.subpop.com will receive the limited “Loser” edition on clear vinyl with white swirl (while supplies last), and there’s a T-shirt available on its own or in a $ saving bundle!
More on Heron Oblivion from WFMU’s Brian Turner: Pastoral pummel. Listening to Heron Oblivion’s album feels like sitting in a lovely meadow in the shadow of a dam that’s gonna heave-ho’ any minute. Members of this new San Francisco combo have put in time in both raging and relatively tranquil psychedelic sound units—this is the premise and the synergy behind this very unique and special new album (read more at Sub Pop).
Heron Oblivion, which features the highlights ”Oriar”, “Beneath Fields”, “Your Hollows” and “Sudden Lament”, was produced and mixed by the band and Eric Bauer in San Francisco at The Mansion.
What people are saying about Heron Oblivion: “…A raging new psych band.” - Uncut
“Expressive guitar lines laced with feedback sprawl out again and again without trailing away too far. Meg Baird’s serene voice harkens back to ’60s folk singers, subdued in a way that lends special gravity without being bombastic. Frankly, the group sounds exactly like what psychedelic rock should sound like” [“Oriar”] -Stereogum
“Not much of HO’s music lives online at the moment, but what’s there suggests a group— Ethan Miller, Noel V. Harmonson, Meg Baird, and Charles Saufley—who like to jam for long durations in the fuzzy, fiery guitar-laden zone where Neil Young’s Zuma meets Joe Walsh-era James Gang. (One track is called “Funeral Funk 49,” and while it’s not as funky as James Gang’s 1970 hit, it takes you deeper into trance land.) Heron Oblivion also claim influences from the Japanese power-psych label PSF and UK electric folk rock, and Baird’s vocals counterbalance the swarming sound with a dulcet breeziness. - The Stranger
San Francisco band Heron Oblivion (who just signed with Sub Pop) opened the night. Fronted by singer/drummer Meg Baird of the Espers (and a Philly ex-pat who’s sung backing vocals for Vile), the band set the tone for the night with some moody psych-folk/noise rock that was made all the more impressive when paired with Baird’s powerful, haunting voice. - Three Match Breeze
Tour Dates: Feb. 07 - Portland, OR - Sabertooth Music Festival (Crystal Ballroom)* Mar. 03 - Oakland, CA - Starline Social Club Mar. 05 - Los Angeles, CA - Resident** Mar. 06 - San Diego, CA - ‘Til Two Mar. 11 - Marfa, TX - Marfa Myths Apr. 29 - May 01 - Austin, TX - Levitation Festival * w/ Built to Spill, Mikal Cronin, Snakes ** w/ Morgan Delt
