No Fly List: Notes From the Airport Store (September 2015)
People Are Still Asking Us Who We Are and Why Are We Here
“A Sub Pop store? At the airport?”
This is a common refrain we hear, as the store wraps up its second summer at Sea-Tac Airport. For the percentage of travelers who are familiar with Sub Pop, the idea of having a store (and placing said-store in the airport) is usually met with astonishment and/or incredulousness.
I’d say this happens for two reasons. The first being that for people of a certain age and/or mindset, Sub Pop is associated with a very specific slacker/grunge/anti-establishment sentiment, and the blatant money-grab of a store in an airport is the final cause célèbre that the label has *shudder* sold-out.
If there was a specific blueprint laid out 27 years ago, that planned the existence of a store in an airport, I haven’t found it yet. But there is retail precedence for the label, and in my mind, the audacious idea of having a store in the airport is very much in keeping with Sub Pop’s motto of ‘spanning the globe for profit,’ along with a history of garish displays of ego, such as planting our flag on the goddamn Space Needle.
(I’d also say that this mock derision is the least-likely response to seeing the store in-person, behind curiosity, excitement, and blissful ignorance.)
The second reason is that a lot of people treat the airport as a non-place. (If you need time to brush up on the anthropology of super-modernity and non-places, I’ll be here waiting.) Essentially, no one visits the airport willingly; it exists solely to funnel people to their final destination, where they really want to go; airports do not need to reflect history or culture because people only come to the airport in order to leave.
After being open for 16 months, I’m able to say that we’re slowly changing people’s expectations of what an airport store can do. While we receive our fair share of surprised travelers every day, we also meet people who actively seek out the store. Every day I hear a different story. Yesterday, there was a woman flying from Buenos Aires to Montreal, who specifically chose Seattle as her layover in order to see the store. Last week, a couple told us that they plan on getting married (!!!) in-front of the store one day, before running off (or in this case, flying away) to Mexico. I even see familiar faces and repeat visitors, which at the start of this job, I would not have expected. People from all different corners of the Earth converge on the store, and sometimes, a little piece of Sub Pop goes home with them. If that’s not ‘World Domination,’ I don’t know what is.
So, as a busy summer draws to a close, I want to say thank you to everyone who visited us, including the avid fans, the suspicious onlookers, and the curious people who had no idea what Sub Pop was until they wandered into the store. We look forward to your next visit, where we will probably try to convince you to buy more things (but in a totally non-pushy way).
On October 15th, Sub Pop and Hardly Art will hedge our collective bets and double down for “Mutual Depreciation”: A 2015 CMJ Showcase featuring Protomartyr, S, Mass Gothic, The Gotobeds, Strange Wilds and comedian Jon Benjamin at the Knitting Factory in Brooklyn, NY.
This event is open to the public and all ages - with tickets available for $12, both in advance and at the door. Details:
Sub Pop & Hardly Art Present Mutual Depreciation : A 2015 CMJ Showcase Knitting Factory Brooklyn http://bk.knittingfactory.com/ 361 Metropolitan Avenue, Brooklyn All Ages / $12 adv/door
Father John Misty delivers a hilariously meta new video (watch it here) for “The Night Josh Tillman Came To Our Apartment,” a standout track from his acclaimed album, I Love You, Honeybear.
The new visual was helmed by writer-director-producer Drew Pearce (Iron Man 3, Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation).
Tillman says of the clip: “This video is partially inspired by the LeBron James quote “It is precisely the superficial differences between people who are otherwise alike that inform the hostilities between them.” Special thanks to my body double Tyler who I had to kiss no fewer than two dozen times and whose breath I can still smell in my mind’s eye.”
Meanwhile Pearce adds: “It has been an honor to explore the palpable sexual chemistry that exists between Josh Tillman and himself. I hope this video does their enduring love affair justice.”
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Father John Misty has extended his 2015 tour schedule in support of I Love You, Honeybear. The trek will resume tonight, September 18th in Indianapolis, IN at Egyptian Room at Old National Centre and currently ends December 13th in Perth, AU at Disconnect Festival. New tour highlights include: November 15th in Stockholm, SE at Berns Hotel; November 16th & 17th in Copenhagen, DK for a two-night stand at Vega; And a short tour of New Zealand and Australia December 3rd-13th, which includes a headline performance at the legendary Sydney Opera House on December 8th. Please find a complete list of tour dates below.
On a related note: Father John Misty will also perform on the outdoor stage on Jimmy Kimmel Live! October 14th.
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Father John Misty’s I Love You, Honeybear is currently available on CD / LP / 2xLP / Deluxe 2xLP. You too can purchase it via Father John Misty.net, Sub Pop Mega Mart, iTunes, Amazon, and your local purveyor of fine recorded music.
Tour Dates Sep. 18 - Indianapolis, IN - Egyptian Room at Old National Centre # Sep. 19 - Shakopee, MN - Festival Palomino Sep. 20 - Madison, WI - Orpheum # Sep. 21 - Covington, KY - Madison Theatre # Sep. 23 - Columbus, OH - LC Pavillion ** Sep. 24 - Royal Oak, MI - Royal Oak Music Theatre ** Sep. 25 - Rochester, NY - Anthology ** Sep. 26 - Boston, MA - Boston Calling Sep. 28 - Baltimore, MD - Rams Head Live ** Sep. 29 - Raleigh, NC - The Ritz ** Sep. 30 - Athens, GA - Georgia Theatre ** [Sold Out] Oct. 01 - Birmingham, AL - Iron City ** Oct. 03 - Austin, TX - Austin City Limits Festival Oct. 05 - Tulsa, OK - Cain’s Ballroom # Oct. 07 - St. Louis, MO - The Pageant # Oct. 08 - Louisville, KY - Palace Theatre # Oct. 09 - Memphis, TN - Minglewood Hall # Oct. 10 - Austin, TX - Austin City Limits Festival Oct. 12 - Tucson, AZ - Rialto Theatre ** Oct. 14 - Los Angeles, CA - Jimmy Kimmel Live! (Outdoor stage) Oct. 15 - Las Vegas, NV - Pool at the Cosmopolitan ** Oct. 16 - Los Angeles, CA - The Wiltern ** [Sold Out] Oct. 17 - Los ANgeles, CA - The Wiltern ** [Sold Out] Oct. 18 - San Francisco, CA - Treasure Island Music Festival Oct. 22 - Galway, IE - Roisin Dubh Oct. 23 - Belfast, UK - Mandela Hall Oct. 24 - Dublin, IE - Vicar Street [Sold Out] Oct. 26 - Sheffield, UK - Plug [Sold Out] Oct. 27 - Cambridge, UK - The Junction [Sold Out] Oct. 28 - London, UK - O2 Shepherds Bush Empire [Sold Out] Oct. 29 - London, UK - O2 Shepherds Bush Empire [Sold Out] Oct. 31 - Paris, FR - Pitchfork Music Festival Paris Nov. 01 - Bologna, IT - Locomotiv Nov. 02 - Munich, DE - Strom Nov. 03 - Weisbaden, DE - Schlachtof Nov. 05 - Reykjavik, IS - Iceland Airwaves Nov. 06 - Wangles, DE - Weissenhauser Strand Nov. 09 - Amsterdam, NL - Paradiso Nov. 10 - Brussels, BE - Ancienne Belguique Nov. 11 - Nantes, FR - Stereolux Nov. 12 - Lyon, FR - Epicerie Moderne Nov. 13 - Koln, DE - Luxor Nov. 15 - Stockholm, SE - Berns Hotel Nov. 16 - Copenhagen, DK - Vega [Sold Out] Nov. 17 - Copenhagen, DK - Vega [Sold Out] Nov. 21- Mexico City, MX - Corona Capital Music Festival Dec. 03 - Auckland, NZ - St. James Theatre Dec. 05 - Berry Park, AU - Fairgrounds Festival Dec. 06 - Brisbane, AU - Max Watt’s Dec. 08 - Sydney, AU - Sydney Opera House Dec. 09 - Melbourne, AU - Forum Dec. 10 - Melbourne, AU - Forum [Sold Out] Dec. 12 - Geelong, AU - Meredith Music Festival Dec. 11-13 - Perth, AU - Disconnect Festival ** w/ Mikal Cronin # w/ Tess & Dave
The Beach House worldwide tour in support of Depression Cherrybegins tonight, Thursday, September 17th in Columbus, OH at Newport Music Hall and their 2015 dates end with a sold-out 3-night stand December 17-19 in San Francisco at The Fillmore. (see dates below)
Experience the soothing sounds of Depression Cherry right now via the album stream, and if this is your initial foray into the magic of Beach House, might we also suggest ‘A Beginner’s Guide to Beach House’ playlist on Spotify, Rdio or YouTube?
Depression Cherry is available now on CD / LP*/ DL from Sub Pop (North America), Bella Union (Europe) and Mistletone (Australia / New Zealand), and virtually through your favorite electronic channels including (but certainly not limited to) iTunes and Amazon.
*Sorry (and thankful) to report that the special, limited, clear vinyl Loser Edition LP version of Depression Cherry is now sold-out at megamart.subpop.com. Copies of this collectible version of the album may still be available at your local independent record stores, or from the band directly at shows.
Tour Dates
Sep. 17 - Columbus, OH - Newport Music Hall ** Sep. 18 - Cincinnati, OH - Bogart’s ** Sep. 19 - Royal Oak, MI - Royal Oak Theatre ** Sep. 21 - Milwaukee, WI - Pabst Theatre ** Sep. 22 - Minneapolis, MN - First Avenue [Sold Out] ** Sep. 23 - Minneapolis, MN - First Avenue ** Sep. 25 - Omaha, NE - Slowdown ** Sep. 26 - Lawrence, KS - Liberty Hall ** Sep. 27 - St. Louis, MO - The Pageant ** Sep. 28 - Memphis, TN - Minglewood Hall ** Sep. 29 - Tulsa, OK - Cain’s Ballroom ** Oct. 01 - Houston, TX - House of Blues Oct. 02 - New Orleans, LA - Civic Theatre Oct. 03 - Birmingham, AL - Saturn ** Oct. 04 - Nashville, TN - The Ryman Auditorium ** Oct. 06 - Atlanta, GA - Buckhead Theatre ** Oct. 07 - Asheville, NC - Orange Peel ** Oct. 08 - Saxapahaw, NC - Haw River Ballroom [Sold Out] ** Oct. 24 - Belfast, UK - Mandela Hall Oct. 25 - Dublin, IE - Vicar Street Oct. 26 - Glasgow, UK - ABC Oct. 27 - Manchester, UK - The Ritz Oct. 29 - Paris, FR - Pitchfork Music Festival Oct. 30 - London, UK - Shepherds Bush Empire Nov. 02 - Amsterdam, NL - Paradiso Nov. 03 - Brussels, BE - Autumn Falls @ AB Nov. 04 - Koln, DE - Gloria Nov. 05 - Luxemborg, LU - Den Atelier Nov. 07 - Reykjavik, IS - Iceland Airwaves Nov. 10 - Oslo, NO - Sentrum Scene Nov. 11 - Gothenburg, SE - Tradgarn Nov. 12 - Stockholm, SE - Debaser Medis Nov. 13 - Copenhagen DK - Vega Nov. 14 - Hamburg, DE - Kampnagel K1 Nov. 16 - Berlin, DE - Huxley’s Nov. 17 - Munich, DE - Freiheiz Nov. 18 - Lausanne, CH - Les Docks Nov. 20 - Barcelona, ES - Apolo Nov. 22 - Madrid, ES - La Riviera Nov. 23 - Lisbon, PT - Armazén Nov. 24 - Porto, PT - Teatro sa da Bandeira Dec. 07 - Santa Ana, CA - The Observatory [Sold Out] Dec. 09 - Los Angeles, CA - The Fonda Theatre [Sold Out] Dec. 10 - Los Angeles, CA - The Fonda Theatre [Sold Out] Dec. 11 - Los Angeles, CA - The Fonda Theatre [Sold Out] Dec. 12 - Los Angeles, CA - The Fonda Theatre [Sold Out] Dec. 17 - San Francisco, CA - The Fillmore [Sold Out] Dec. 18 - San Francisco, CA - The Fillmore [Sold Out] Dec. 19 - San Francisco, CA - The Fillmore [Sold Out] ** w/ Jessica Pratt
Luluc’s previously announced west coast and southeastern U.S. trek in support of album Passerby kicks-off tomorrow night, Thursday, September 17th in Seattle, WA at The Sunset and ends October 2nd in New Orleans, LA at Republic. (see dates below) Additionally, the band will act as main support for Jose Gonzalez (September 28th-October 2nd).
Passerby is currently available from Sub Pop and of course from your friendly neighborhood record store.
The album has earned Luluc international praise from the likes ofNPR Music’s “First Listen” & “All Songs Considered,” No Depression, Bust, RollingStone.com, MOJO, Magnet, Stereogum, Exclaim, Drowned in Sound, The Line of Best Fit, CLASH, Tone, All Music Guide, My Old Kentucky Blog, Mess + Noise, Double J, Sydney Morning Herald, ABC Radio (AU), and more. At radio,Passerby peaked at #8 on the CMJ Top 200 Chart.
What “They” have to say about Luluc:
“Passerby provides a tremendous introduction to a band whose deliberate impeccability never feels staid or fussy. It helps that The National’s Aaron Dessner, who knows a little something about impeccability, leaves his fingerprints all over these songs: He produced Passerby with Randell and Hassett, and he provides a good bit of the rich but spare backing instrumentation throughout. Dessner and Luluc both know how and when to let a song breathe.” [First Listen] -NPR Music
“Passerby is gorgeous and refined through and through, and likely to sound as timeless as all that great stuff Joe Boyd himself produced back in the late ‘60s.” [Review] - Rolling Stone.com
“Luluc has indie credentials to spare, but all that really matters is that this music is impossibly delicate and deeply beautiful.” [Review, 8/10] - MAGNET
“Strikes all the right chords: spectral melodies, buttery harmonies, and a blissful melancholia that hints at Nick Drake and Simon and Garfunkel without going to far into either territory. Zoe Randell and Steve Hassett might have created the year’s most addictive record to dates; from the predawn flutter of Opener “Small Window” to the shimmering heat of “Early Night” and “Star,” every track onPasserby begs to played again and again, preferably in the dusky sunlight of late summer.” [5/5 Review] - BUST
“[It] captures the band’s homespun charm in its main melody which sits over spindly strings that move like ripples in still water.” [“Without a Face”] - Stereogum
Tour Dates Sep. 17 - Seattle - Sunset Tavern Sep. 20 - Portland - Mississippi Studios Sep. 22 - San Francisco - Brick & Mortar Music Hall Sep. 23 - LA - The Echo Sep. 26 - San Diego - UCSD Loft Sep. 28 - Hollywood, FL - ArtsPark Amphitheater* Sep. 29 - Tampa, FL - State Theatre * Sep. 30 - Orlando, FL - The Social * Oct. 01 - Atlanta, GA - Variety Playhouse * Oct. 02- New Orleans LA - Republic * *w/ Jose Gonzalez
