We are happy to release Strange Wilds’ “Starved For,” the ferocious new single from Subjective Concepts, their full-length debut.
Noisey offers this on the band: “Strange Wilds is a punk trio
out of Olympia, WA that throw down powerchords suited for any damn
occasion you could need. On their upcoming record Subjective Concepts...the
band delivers songs displaying flourishes of the best parts of the
Northwest’s storied punk history without using nostalgia as a crutch.
Their new track “Starved For” sounds exactly like what you’d want to be
listening to if you lived inside of a Tony Hawk Pro Skater game. It’s
exactly what you’d expect from a band on Sub Pop, heavy riffs that can
still guile any “normal” person into falling in love with the band’s
music. In a hair under three minutes the trio manages to create a broad
soundscape that covers way more ground than you’d expect on paper (see track premiere June 16th)”.
Strange Wilds have a few scheduled live dates to share at this time:
June 26th in Seattle, WA at Black Lodge; July 18th in Olympia, WA at Old
School Pizza; and July 24th in Seattle at Capitol Hill Block Party.
Additional tour dates will be announced soon.
Subjective Concepts will be available on CD/LP/DL worldwide on
Friday July 24th from Sub Pop. The album, featuring the highlights
“Pronoia,” “Starved For,” “Disdain,” and “Egophillia,” was produced by
the band at Robert Lang Studios, mixed by Jackson Long at Hear Me
Shimmer, and mastered at RFI, all located in Seattle, Washington. Subjective Concepts follows Strange Wilds’ Wet EP on Inimical Records (2014), and the “Standing” 7” single (2015), also available now from Sub Pop.
Preorders for Strange Wilds’ Subjective Concepts are now available from Sub Pop’s Mega Mart, Amazon, and iTunesand Bandcamp. All customers who pre-order the LP version of Subjective Concepts
from megamart.subpop.com will receive the limited Loser Edition on
white vinyl, with a limited-edition poster. There will also be a new
T-shirt design available individually and as part of a bundle with the
new record.
About Strange Wilds:
Strange Wilds is a musical power-trio from Olympia, Washington.
There are three members: Allen, who plays drums; Sean, who plays bass;
and Steven, who sings and plays the guitar. There is also a freight
train, several buzzsaws, a banshee, and some heavy, heavy Pacific
doom-and-gloom up in the mix.
The group formed in 2012, when Steven met Sean while Sean’s band from
Boise was playing a gig in a house where Steven lived. They became
friends, and several months later Steven called Sean, who had just
relocated to Olympia for college, to form the band. They were called
Wet, and gigged around the West Coast as a four-piece. Allen was added
as a full-time member in 2014 after a line-up change, and the band
changed its name to Strange Wilds to release a 4-song EP and tour
immediately. Sub Pop came calling, and signed the band last fall. The
band is now set to release its full-length debut, Subjective Concepts, this summer.
Strange Wilds slays with the hellish fury of the Northwest hardcore scene’s best, the heavenly scuzz of a Bleach-era
Nirvana, and the purgatorial punishment of Touch & Go post-rock
meets Devo’s de-evolution machine. The 11 songs here bleed with the
hybrid DNA of Seattle’s past and future, disparate scenes fused together
with sneering menace and intelligent fury in equal shares (read more at
Sub Pop).
What People Are Saying About Strange Wilds:
“Toggles between a coiled-snake groove and the kind of full scream-along
ferocity that makes you want to thrash around in a small, dark room
with a bunch of sweaty strangers. This is noisy, heavy, grimy music, and
it’s great.” [“Pronoia”] - Stereogum
“A sludged-out mess of hardcore that slam dances with the Seattle
label’s past and it wouldn’t be surprising at all to see them on a tour
run that’s stacked with Mogwai, METZ, or Pissed Jeans” [“Pronoia”] - BLARE
Tour Dates
Jun. 26 - Seattle, WA - The Black Lodge
Jul. 18 - Olympia, WA - Old School Pizza
Jul. 24 - Seattle, WA - Capitol Hill Block Party
Daughn Gibson’s Carnation
is available now on CD / LP / DL in North America from your friends in the music business, Sub Pop Records. Conveniently enough for fans and newcomers alike, a brand-new Daughn Gibson official video for “Daddy I Cut My Hair” is also available as of today and was directed by the talented Matt
Amato.
Carnation, featuring the highlights “Shatter You Through,”
“Bled to Death,” “It Wants Everything,” and “Daddy I Cut My Hair,” was
co-produced by Gibson and Randall Dunn (Earth, Sunn O))), Tim Hecker),
recorded at Avast Studios in Seattle, Washington and mastered by Jason
Ward at Chicago Mastering.
The new albumalso features guest appearances from
composer/violinist to Eyvind Kang (string arrangements), renowned studio
drummer Matt Chamberlain, as well as Gibson’s long-standing musical
conspirator, Jim Elkington. Additional contributions include: Steve
Moore (Piano, Trombone, Keyboards and Synths); Milky Burgess, Paul
Wegman, and Jer Rouse (Guitars); Skerik (Saxophone); and Jay Kardong
(Pedal Steel). Carnation is the follow up to Me Moan, Daughn Gibson’s Sub Pop debut.
North American purchases of Carnation are available through Sub
Pop Mega Mart,iTunes, Amazon and Bandcamp. Fans who purchase the album
from us at our MegaMart store will receive the Loser Edition on white, black
and blue swirl colored vinyl (while supplies last only).
What people are saying about Daughn Gibson:
“Singular and unsettlingly sophisticated.” [8/10] - Uncut
“Carnation,
with hindsight in its favor, gives Gibson the ability to keep on
stretching his narratives, but it also wisely pomades some of his
wildest hairs. The country urges are tamped down to the occasional
guitar line and qualities of Gibson’s singing voice, giving the music a
chance to open up to breezier vistas. These are mostly pitched between
Tangerine Dream’s ’80s material and soundtracks, Sylvian/Japan, Danny
Elfman and ’80s radio pop groups like a-ha, a mixture of influences and
ideas that’s remarkably compelling when set against such visceral
tales…Across all three records, and on this one in particular, there’s
a reach of ambition that never gets mired in artifice or
inconsistencies; this is surprising, complex music that deals with
stories difficult to tell outside the printed page. Gibson leads
listeners through them on the rumble seat, without so much as a lap belt
or handhold to keep us steady.” [“First Listen”] - NPR Music
“Another weirdly fitting edition to Gibson’s sonic smorgasboard.” - Time Out London
“Carnation hears Gibson veering away from his earlier country
influences and embracing “ambient textures,” creating an elegant, dark,
and cinematic collection of songs…In addition to delivering brooding
beats and eerie soundscapes, Gibson uses his deep, theatrical style of
singing to explore serious themes like mental health (“Daddy I Cut My
Hair”) and masculinity (“A Rope Ain’t Enough”), as well as the simpler
things in life, like the moment an alarm clock wakes you from the peace
of sleep on lead single “Shatter You Through” - Exclaim!
“Gibson finally sounds the part.” [4/5] - MOJO
“Its brisk metropolitan midnight pop accented by eerie violin and
honky-tonk guitar and topped off with Gibson’s death bellow. He spins a
story about being jarred from peaceful sleep into dreadful waking life;
it’s as odd as anything he’s committed to tape, but it’s also his most
instantly appealing single yet.” [“Shatter You Through”, Carnation] - Stereogum
“Quite possibly his catchiest work to date, the titillating track is
marked by groovy bass, twangy guitar, and Gibson’s rich baritone.”
[“Shatter You Through”, Carnation] - Consequence of Sound
“A brisk, impressive new track with swift strings, tinkling piano keys,
and a quick-paced Gibson demonstrating a keen grasp on pop’s best
offerings…The future is here and now, and it’s on repeat.”
[“Shatter You Through”, Carnation] - FLOOD
The Helio Sequence is out now on CD/LP/DL worldwide and can be purcahsed in fine record stores near you as well as online retailers such as Sub Pop Mega Mart,
iTunes, Amazon and Bandcamp. Worth noting, however, is that while supplies last, customers who purchase the LP version
of the album from megamart.subpop.com will receive the limited “Loser Edition” on yellow-colored vinyl.
Additionally, The Helio Sequence’s US tour will resume on June 3rd in Boise, ID at Neurolux and will run through October 1st in Spokane, WA at INB Performing Arts Center. The Helio Sequence will be direct support for Death Cab For Cutie on Sep. 30th & Oct. 1st . Get the complete list of tour dates below.
What people are saying about The Helio Sequence:
“The Helio Sequence has created a euphoric, career-defining album.” [9.2 / 10] - PASTE
“…The duo’s latest is an ambitious, smart, and memorable collection of crisply produced clean-channel rock that shows all the newcomers how it’s done.” [8/10] - FLOOD
“”Stoic Resemblance” matches harmonious psychedelic chorus with a brisk krautrock pulse.” - Stereogum
“”Stoic Resemblance” is among the most pop-friendly things the duo have put to tape. Of course, “pop-friendly” to The Helio Sequence takes the shape of more direct song structures and vocal hooks. Naturally, it’s all filtered through their signature kaleidoscopic filter, hitting a chord somewhere between gauzy and taut. At a tight three minutes, “Stoic Resemblance” shows The Helio Sequence at their most spontaneous and their most playful, which is not only a surprise turn from the studio-intense direction that’s long defined them with surprisingly fun results.” [Song of the Day] - KEXP
“It’s a hit of catchy goodness with a funky bassline with a chorus of “oh na na nas.” It’s a bonafide jam.” [“Stoic Resemblance”] - KCRW
“A rager by comparison, rhythmically reminiscent of Beck…It’s great to find the Helio Sequence upping their game, and being a little less stoic.” [“Stoic Resemblance”] - Buzzbands
Tour Dates Jun. 03 - Boise, ID - Neurolux Jun. 04 - Salt Lake City, UT - Urban Lounge Jun. 05 - Denver, CO- Larimer Lounge Jun. 06 - Kansas City, MO - The Record Bar Jun. 08 - Dallas, TX - Club Dada Jun 09 - Austin, TX - RED 7 Jun. 10 - Houston, TX - Fitzgerald’s Jun. 11 - New Orleans, LA - Gassa Gassa Jun. 12 - Birmingham, AL - The Saturn Jun. 13 - Atlanta, GA - Drunken Unicorn Jun. 14 - Carrboro, NC - Cat’s Cradle Jun. 16 - Washington DC - Black Cat Jun. 17 - Brooklyn, NY - Rough Trade Jun. 18 - New York, NY - Mercury Lounge Jun. 19 - Philadelphia, PA - Boot & Saddle Jun. 20 - Allston, MA - Brighton Music Hall Jun. 21 - Hamden, CT - Outerspace Ballroom Jun. 23 - Cleveland, OH - Beachland Tavern Jun. 24 - Columbus, OH - The Basement Jun. 25 - Chicago, IL - The Empty Bottle Jun. 26 - Madison, WI - The Frequency Jun. 27- St. Paul, MN - Turf Club Jun. 28th - Omaha, NE - Slowdown Jul. 09 - Vancouver, BC - Venue July 11 - Seattle, WA - The Neptune Jul. 14 - San Francisco, CA - The Independent Jul. 15 - Los Angeles, CA - The Roxy Jul. 16 - Phoenix, AZ - The Crescent Jul. 17 - San Diego, CA - The Casbah Jul. 18 - Visalia, CA - Cellar Door Aug. 23 - Portland, OR- MusicFestNW Sep. 30 - Missoula, MT - Adams Event Center* Oct. 01 - Spokane, WA - INB Performing Arts Center* * w/ Death Cab For Cutie
No Fly List: Notes from Sub Pop’s Airport Store, May 2015
What I Haven’t Learned After One Year at the Airport Store
After reading the general manager’s write-up of the airport store on our 1 year anniversary, I was naturally revolted by all of the praise and felt compelled to undercut any inflated expectations about our humble retail operation. Despite the label’s best efforts to indoctrinate me in all-things Sub Pop, and foster excellent customer-service skills amongst the retail staff, I still feel like I’m mostly fumbling my way around. So, without further ado, here are some things I still haven’t mastered after working for a year at the Sub Pop Airport store*:
Snappy comebacks to any of the following FAQs:
I. What is SUB POP?
II. What does SUB POP stand for?
III. Is that VINYL back there?
My best answers:
I. Sub Pop is a record label that started in 1988, in Seattle, Washington. Fast forward 26 years, and many illicit ingested substances later, they got the harebrained idea to open a store in the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.
II. Sub Pop is an initialism for Superior Unique Bro-fessionals Pursuing Overwhelming Profits.
III. No, those are wall calendars. All for the year 2015, but reusable in 2026!
Coherent music recommendations: Working at a record store in an airport means interacting with people from all over the world, with all different kinds of music tastes. On occasion, I am asked to help someone find music in our store that sounds like “viola-fusion,” “cabaret,” or “Dire Straits.” My answer for any and all requests is usually Goat. All roads in music lead to Goat.
Playing along when a customer decides to “stump the millennial sales clerk”: No, I don’t know the location of the Sub Pop recording studio, nor do I know the name of your best friend’s cousin’s neighbor who totally played bass in Soundgarden back in the day. Take your Mudhoney shirt and leave me alone!
Knowing what size t-shirt your child/spouse/sibling wears: It’s probably for the best that I don’t know intimate details about your family members who I’ve never met before. Just sayin’.
Reacting to all the enthusiasm in the store: The majority of people who visit the store (and are at least somewhat familiar with Sub Pop) are usually blown away and ecstatic to find our outpost at the airport. It is super gratifying/humbling/inspiring to see this response, and it often makes my face hurt.
*Let me reiterate that I’m speaking entirely about myself here. The rest of my colleagues are professionals who routinely show their expertise in the store, and I hope you interact with any one of them during your next visit.
WE ARE NO LONGER ACCEPTING RESUMES FOR THE DIGITAL COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR POSITION.
Sub Pop Records: Digital Communications Coordinator
Overview Sub
Pop Records is currently looking for a new Digital Communications
Coordinator, working here in the label’s Seattle headquarters. This is
an important role within the company with responsibility for maintaining
and growing our social media presence and managing direct-to-fan
communications. This person will work closely with marketing and sales
staff and the Director of the Digital Communications department.
Our
ideal candidate for our growing Digital Communications department is an
enthusiastic, creative and skilled social media manager and content
producer who has a solid understanding of social media marketing and
online communities, the artists and music represented by Sub Pop and how
best to serve them and their fans in this digital environment. This
person must have excellent written and overall communication skills and
an appreciation for how to continue to develop and expand the Sub Pop
voice within each unique social platform. A thorough understanding of
social media campaigns and a drive for creating and sharing engaging
content and recognizing new opportunities is essential. The ability to
work well as a member of the Digital Communications and larger marketing
and sales teams, representing the priorities of each is crucial as
well.
The closing date to apply for this position is Monday, May 25th.
Summary Social Media and direct-to-fan communications Communication & Reporting
Responsibilities Social media and direct-to-fan communications
Manage
the social media efforts on behalf of Sub Pop Records to increase
awareness of our releases, bands and the Sub Pop brand, and maintain
regular communication on social channels for customer service
opportunities, general fan interaction and identifying trends.
Develop
our growing email list and in coordination with Sub Pop’s Mega Mart
(ecommerce) priorities write and deliver a bi-weekly newsletter to this
list, with the goal of growing direct-to-consumer sales as well as
artist and brand awareness.
Schedule, organize and
execute direct-to-fan communications, and create and distribute
marketing assets on behalf of the label and its bands within a shared
Digital Communications editorial calendar.
Monitor and
effectively leverage ever-changing social media tools; stay current with
best practices and tools and evolve different strategies as
appropriate.
Address social media challenges and suggest solutions.
Communication and reporting
Work in partnership with the Director of Digital Communications and marketing staff as a whole.
Attend weekly marketing and departmental meetings to evaluate emerging opportunities and report on current projects.
Track
and and report on digital analytics and effectively convey these
findings in department and marketing staff weekly meetings, and at
semiannual meetings.
Responsible for all updating and maintenance of project reports; identify new needs for additional reporting and stats.
Work
with Director to help evolve strategies and determine best metrics to
measure and report the results of social media initiatives for Sub Pop
and our bands.
Attend relevant conferences and maintain
and develop contacts with all relative platforms and services, such as
Facebook and Twitter.
Work with and help educate marketing staff on emerging social media technologies and industry best practices.
Skills & Experience
3-5 years experience overseeing and developing content for a lifestyle or entertainment brand.
Thorough
knowledge of Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Tumblr, Pinterest
(and more) and integration of tools and third-party applications, such
as Hootsuite.
Advanced computer skills required; strong
technical skills preferred; aptitude with the usual suite of current
office software and tools are all expected.
Data, analytics, and metrics oriented; strong analytical and quantitative skills.
Ability
to create and manipulate images and video for use online &
familiarity with basic editing programs required; specific
experience/background in graphic design, multimedia, video production
and all relevant software (Adobe Creative Suite, Pro Tools, Final Cut,
etc) preferred.
Must be highly motivated and organized
self-starter with the ability to multitask and communicate clearly and
effectively to large and small groups alike and interpersonally as well.
A creative thinker with the ability to work well both independently and
as part of team to see tasks through to completion.
Supervisor: Director of Digital Communications
Please send all resumes and cover letters to jobs@subpop.com
