Sub Pop Records, The Big Bag of Beans

New Video from The Postal Service

alissag@subpop.com (Alissa Gallivan) — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 12:52:12 -0700

Hey, there! We’re excited to share the brand new video from The Postal Service for their new song, “A Tattered Line of String”! Available on Give Up (Deluxe, 10th Anniversary Edition).

Getting To Know Us: King Tuff + Chad VanGaalen

sams@subpop.com (Sam Sawyer) — Sat, 15 Jun 2013 10:44:45 -0700

Getting to Know Us

With less than a month left until Seattleites, Washingtonians, fellow Northwesterners, national and international travelers, and the great unwashed (Sub Pop employees) arrive en masse in Seattle’s historic Georgetown neighborhood for the Sub Pop Silver Jubilee, we’re running out of time to tell you all about ourselves in an effort to coerce you into thinking to yourself, “This free, all day concert-going experience, featuring many of my favorite artists and musicians, and possibly introducing me to additional favorite artists and musicians, is how I will spend Saturday, July 13th. I should tell all of my friends about this now”. And you know what, you’re right, you should tell your friends about this; it’s going to be the best G-D day of all. This week’s Getting to Know Us, the feature intended to acquaint/reacquaint you with the artists playing the Jubilee, features King Tuff and Chad VanGaalen, two overwhelming creative hubs of music and art and wonderful weirdness of all kinds. Here, let me show you about them:

Led by long-haired, self-taught Bedazzler virtuoso and all around natural creative force, Kyle Thomas, King Tuff came to Sub Pop on the heels of their near-perfect debut, King Tuff Was Dead, (which, if you’re a connoisseur of good times, you should own (lucky for you, it just got reissued on the vinyl formatway)). Instead of releasing the King Tuff follow-up, Thomas reengineered his formula for his next project and came up with the KT bridge project, Happy Birthday, and we released their brilliant self-titled, laid-back pop anthem-laden debut in 2010 to much hoo-ha from the press. In 2012, Thomas refocused on King Tuff and gave the world King Tuff, pleasing virtually all who chose to gaze their ears upon its fuzzy glory. Watch the embedded video for KT’s “Bad Thing” to get an earful of what we’re clumsily trying to tell you about. OH! It’s always worth noting that AllMusic.com decreed upon King Tuff the musical theme: “TGIF”; those guys clearly get it.

Sub Pop has had the privilege of putting out four of Chad VanGaalen’s records in just eight years. They’ve each been haunting, beautiful and weird—a sort of weird beauty. In addition to being a uniquely gifted and prolific musician/songwriter, Chad is also a visual artist with an output similar to his musical output, which is to say, he’s like a nuclear reactor of creative energy. He has illustrated and animated most of his own music videos, adding an additional sensory dimension through which his haunting songs can are conveyed. Watch the accompanying “Molten Light” to get the eerie and enthralling CvG experience. Chad has also illustrated and animated music videos for Sub Pop labelmates like J Mascis (also playing the Jubilee), as you can see here.

Chad and Kyle are just two of Sub Pop’s many creative weirdos, and two more very convincing reasons why the July 13th Sub Pop Silver Jubilee is going to be a wonderfully absurd place to park yourself for the day—we hope to see you there. Thanks again for getting to know us.

This is the link to clicl for complete Silver Jubilee details.

New Low Video for "Plastic Cup" + Move and Tour News

sams@subpop.com (Sam Sawyer) — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 12:45:08 -0700

Sub Pop is very happy to be able to share with you Low’s new video for “Plastic Cup” directed by Ryley Fogg. You can watch the video in the embedded player.

We’re also pleased to announce screenings of Low Movie (How to Quit Smoking) all over the United States this summer. The film follows the band’s entire career and relationship with director, Philip Harder. For twenty years, we made music videos and short films together, filming on ice, in railroad yards, and in rapidly disintegrating rooms.

So far, screenings have been scheduled in the cities below. You can see the full list of screenings and ticketing links here, but make sure to check back often as cities are still being added.

Iowa City, IA – Duluth, MN – Philadelphia, PA – Washington, DC – Chicago, IL Harrisburg, PA – Tulsa, OK – Omaha, NE – Seattle, WA – Grand Rapids, MI Cleveland, OH – New York, NY – Hartford, CT – San Francisco, CA – Arcata, CA Los Angeles, CA – Washburn, WI – Auburn, NY – Columbia, SC – Boston, MA – Madison, WI

Low have also just announced two shows in the southeast in September. Tickets for both shows are on sale on Friday, June 14. You can also get more information about each here.

Sept. 5 – Mercy Lounge – Nashville, TN
Sept. 6 – Terminal West – Atlanta, GA

Don’t forget about Low’s shows next week with Mike Doughty, Wilco’s Solid Sound Festival and July shows with Swans. They return to Europe in August and November. Details below.

June 14 – Red Star – Duluth, MN
June 15 – Rock the Garden – Minneapolis, MN
June 17 – Sixth and I Synagogue – Washington, DC
June 18 – Altar – Pittsburgh, PA
June 19 – Music Hall of Williamsburg – Brooklyn, NY
June 20 – Spaceland Ballroom – Hamden, CT
June 21 – World Cafe Live – Philadelphia, PA
June 22 – Solid Sound Festival @ Mass Moca – North Adams, MA
July 18 – Old National Centre – Indianapolis, IN
July 19 – The Majestic – Detroit, MI
July 20 – Pitchfork Music Festival @ Union Park – Chicago, IL
Aug. 16 – Pukkelpop @ Kiewet Hasselt Festival Grounds – Hasselt, Belgium
Aug. 17 – Green Man Festival – Glansuk, Wales
Aug. 19 – Cyprus Avenue – Cork, Ireland
Aug. 20 – Whelan’s – Dublin, Ireland
Aug. 21 – Empire Music Hall – Belfast, Ireland
Aug. 30 – Big Top Chautauqua – Bayfield, WI
Sept. 5 – Mercy Lounge – Nashville, TN
Sept. 6 – Terminal West – Atlanta, GA
Sept. 7 – Hopscotch Music Festival – Raleigh, NC
Nov. 4 – Sala Petrassi: Auditorium Parco della Musica – Rome, Italy
Nov. 5 – Teatro Puccini – Florence, Italy
Nov. 6 – Teatro Martinitt – Milan, Italy
Nov. 7 – Bogen F – Zurich, Switzerland
Nov. 8 – Le Bourg – Lausanne, Switzerland
Nov. 9 – Manufaktur – Schorndorf, Germany
Nov. 11 – Stadsschouwburg – Groningen, Netherlands
Nov. 12 – Lux – Nijmegen, Netherlands
Nov. 13 – Het Depot – Leuven, Belgium
Nov. 14 – Junction – Cambridge, United Kingdom
Nov. 15 – Rescue Rooms – Nottingham, United Kingdom
Nov. 16 – Queens Social Club – Sheffield, United Kingdom
Nov. 18 – Anglican Cathedral – Liverpool, United Kingdom
Nov. 19 – Queens Hall – Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Nov. 20 – Brudenell Social Club – Leeds, United Kingdom
Nov. 21 – Arts Centre – Norwich, United Kingdom
Nov. 22-24 – ATP Festival – Camber Sands, United Kingdom

Listen to No Age's "C'mon Stimmung" Now

alissag@subpop.com (Alissa Gallivan) — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 15:45:21 -0700

As we’ve previously reported, the stunning follow up to No Age’s Everything In Between, An Object, comes out on August 20th. And for a band well known for their holistic approach to the use of the album as an artistic expression—maximizing all aspects of the album as expression, not just the sonic experience—No Age take it several notches further by stepping into virtually all aspects of the creation of An Object, from creating the music to printing, all the way to assembling and packaging each of the CDs and LPs in the first run of the record, the band redefine the entire artistic process of the recording artist; and they do it to wonderful effect. And though you’ll have to wait until August 20th to hear, see, and feel the aptly titled, An Object in all of it’s sonic and tactile glory, today, we give you a taste of what the record sounds like with “C’mon Stimmung”. Welcome back, No Age.

Look for pre-order details for An Object next week.

New Washed Out Video and 'Paracosm' Pre-order

sams@subpop.com (Sam Sawyer) — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 09:23:38 -0700

In continuity with the aesthetic that Washed Out established when they released the summer fever-inducing album trailer for the forthcoming, summer anthem-packed Paracosm, they now give us the similarly floral and kaleidoscopic music video for “It All Feels Right”, the massive, hazy, lead off hitter for the new record. Out August 13th on Sub Pop Records.

If you pre-order Paracosm on CD or LP, you’ll receive the very limited-edition Washed Out 7" single, featuring “Pull You Down” b/w “Exit”, at no charge. Speaking of limited edition vinyl, if you pre-order the record on the larger, fidelity-maximizing LP format, you’ll receive the limited, colored-vinyl Loser Edition of Paracosm. But, as is the nature of limited things, the sooner you order, the better your chances are of receiving them. Lastly, we have two brand new Washed Out t-shirts, both available at a discount when bundled with the Paracosm CD or LP.

Pre-order Paracosm on CD or LP.

Getting To Know Us: Greg Dulli, Shearwater, The Baptist Generals

sams@subpop.com (Sam Sawyer) — Sun, 09 Jun 2013 14:50:19 -0700

Another week is already on top of us, June’s entering its awkward tweens, and we’ve got another issue of Getting to Know Us, the weekly column in which we go on and on (and on) about a few of the artists playing our self indulgent 25th anniversary party (the Sub Pop Silver Jubilee—July 13th—Seattle), with the tedium of proud parents in an effort to acquaint/reacquaint you with the artists playing. This week, we’re going to tell you all about Greg Dulli, Shearwater, and The Baptist Generals.

Among Sub Pop’s many prodigal sons, Greg Dulli stands out because we’ve been fortunate enough to be able to work with him on not just one, but three different projects: The Afghan Whigs, The Gutter Twins, and most recently, The Twilight Singers; each sonically unique unto themselves yet somehow all clearly branded “Dulli”—all with truly astonishing releases. Greg Dulli is going to have an unparalleled depth in which to pull songs from, so a performance from him is likely to be a multi-decade-spanning trip from the past to the present with stops everywhere in between—we’re excited to board any ship with Greg Dulli at the helm—it’s going to be a great ride. Watch the video for “On The Corner”, from Twight Singers’ 2011 Dynamite Steps to hear what we’re saying.

Shearwater’s prolific career has been on high speed for over a decade, but we’ve only just recently been lucky enough to work with them having released their seventh full-length record, Animal Joy, in 2012. Without a background in poetry, it’s difficult to accurately describe exactly the sound that Shearwater has so developed over the years—dark with a healthy dose of pirated optimism?—yikes, that’s not it. Check out their cinematic video for “You As You Were”, my personal favorite Shearwater song.

The Baptist Generals hold the Sub Pop Records record for longest time span between debut and sophomore record—No Silver/No Gold and Jackleg Devotional to the Heart—2003 and 2013, respectively; a full decade. It’s no small feat reintroducing a band to a generation of music listeners and record collectors who were forced to move on after the long wait, but upon our first hearing Jackleg, there was no question that we had to share this record with anyone and everyone who we could play it for, which is to say, it may have been a long time, but The Baptist Generals sound is as good as ever. They’re like the Meryl Streep of Denton, TX-based musicians. To hear proof of this well-aged sound, listen to “Broken Glass.”

With last Friday’s announcement expanding the already get-here-July 13th-no-matter-what caliber lineup for The Silver Jubilee to include METZ, King Tuff, Built To Spill, Chad VanGaalen, and brand new Sub Pop artists, clipping., this festival is shaping up to be the best we’ve ever been to—here’s to hoping you can join us.

More info for the event can be found here.

His Electro Blue Voice

alissag@subpop.com (Alissa Gallivan) — Sun, 09 Jun 2013 14:40:03 -0700

To say that we’re tediously excited to share the news that Italian band His Electro Blue Voice will release Ruthless Sperm, their Sub Pop debut, on August 20th is a gross understatement. The self-produced album is the band’s first full-length release, and it’s remarkably noisy and perfect in its devastating execution. All of which is to say, it’s so good and we think you’re going to love it as much as us.

Watch the Ruthless Sperm album trailer on the embed, listen to the track, “Kidult”, from the Sub Pop 1000 comp, and look for more HEBV news in the weeks to come.

Sub Pop Silver Jubilee Line Up & Event Additions!

sams@subpop.com (Sam Sawyer) — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 10:54:06 -0700

We at Sub Pop are feeling even more self-congratulatory than usual in sharing further details on our 25th anniversary celebration: the Sub Pop Records Silver Jubilee. To be held July 12th-13th in Seattle, Washington, the event will feature music and comedy performances by past and present Sub Pop and Sub Pop-related artists.

On Friday, July 12th, the previously announced Silver Jubil-eve: A 25th Anniversary Comedy Thing (for Charity!) takes place at the Moore Theatre. The evening will be hosted by Eugene Mirman and feature performances from David Cross, Jon Benjamin, Kristen Schaal and Kurt Braunohler, with additional guests to be announced shortly. Tickets for the event are $25 and are on sale now. More information is here.

Then, on Saturday, July 13th, our entirely FREE, all-ages festival will happen to a stretch of Airport Way in Seattle’s historic & colorful Georgetown neighborhood. The music lineup has been expanded to include friends of Sub Pop Built to Spill (fun fact: Built to Spill recorded their landmark album There’s Nothing Wrong with Love, for the Sub Pop offshoot and respected indie label Up Records in 1994). Also added to the lineup are Sub Pop artists King Tuff, METZ, Chad VanGaalen and the newest addition to the Sub Pop roster, clipping., from Los Angeles. Our sister label, Hardly Art, will host the " Hardly Art Sideshow Stage" at the Georgetown venue The Mix. The 21-and-over show, which features Hausu, Protomartyr, Deep Time, and more, will begin at 9pm. Please find full updated music lineup details below.

We’d also like to officially welcome clipping. to the Sub Pop family. The group joined the label earlier this month, and will release their label debut in 2014. In the meantime, listen to their album midcity here or watch their latest video for “bout that” here.

Finally, the temporary Sub Pop Mega Mart store, located in the heart of the Georgetown neighborhood, will open its doors on June 8th. Discerning music lovers will find records—including lots of rare and out-of-print colored vinyl—and merchandise from the label’s storied catalog, and take in an art exhibit featuring little-seen materials (sketches and artwork, label ads and press sheets, blue-lines and cutting room floor scraps) from throughout the label’s history. The store hours are Thursday-Saturday 12-8pm, and Sunday 12-6pm. The Mega Mart is at 6003 12th Avenue South in Seattle and will be open from June 8th until July 21st.

All proceeds from both the ticketed Silver Jubil-eve comedy night and donations collected from the Silver Jubilee music event will benefit local organizations 90.3FM KEXP, Northwest Harvest and the Northwest Parkinson’s Foundation. In addition to these worthy organizations, Sub Pop is fortunate to be working with the Georgetown Merchants Association and great businesses like Nordstrom, STG Presents, Uber, Top Pot Doughnuts, Chihuly Garden and Glass, Georgetown Brewing Company, the Sandbox, Fantagraphics Books, Georgetown Records, Via Tribunali, Elysian Brewing Company, and the Georgetown Inn to create a one-of-a-kind event in a one-of-a-kind neighborhood.

For more information and updates on the event, please visit http://silverjubilee.subpop.com.

Friday July 12, 2013
Sub Pop Records’ Silver Jubil-eve
A 25th Anniversary Comedy Thing (for Charity!)
At The Moore Theatre
7p.m. Door

Tickets $25, All Ages

Ticketing info here.

Lineup:
Eugene Mirman
David Cross
Jon Benjamin
Kristen Schaal
Kurt Braunholer

Saturday July 13th
Sub Pop’s Silver Jubilee
On Airport Way in Georgetown
10am-11pm

FREE, All Ages

Lineup:
Built to Spill
J Mascis
Mudhoney
Greg Dulli
Father John Misty
Shabazz Palaces
Shearwater
METZ
King Tuff
Pissed Jeans
Chad VanGaalen
The Baptist Generals
clipping.
Brothers of the Sonic Cloth (featuring Tad Doyle)
Jack Endino’s Earthworm
And special guest TBA

Hardly Art Sideshow Stage
The Mix
6006 12th Ave. S
9pm / 21+ / FREE

Lineup:
Hausu
Protomartyr
Deep Time
and special guests

Father John Misty: Perfomer/Perfumer

sams@subpop.com (Sam Sawyer) — Wed, 05 Jun 2013 09:40:51 -0700

Father John Misty has had a very busy year—he’s played countless shows, countless festivals, serenaded a boat or two, he’s performed on the TV several times, has made music videos for nearly half of 2012 masterpiece Fear Fun, and now, this consummate performer can also add the title of perfumer to his resume. But more on that in the paragraph after next.

First, let’s talk about the new Father John Misty clip for the song that gets Fear Fun rolling—track one/side one—“Fun Times in Babylon”. It’s a delightful, post-apocalyptic romp through a thoroughly ravaged Everytown, USA co-directed by and starring Father John Misty leader, Josh Tillman, who had this to say about the video: "Music videos don’t need blurbs. It’s like putting a brief summary before a Garfield comic strip. Also when did everyone start calling them “clips”? A “clip” is an excerpt of a whole, I thought. Whoever post’s this, don’t spoil the ending in your blurb, which will probably read like this: "Seattle based folk beardo Father John Murphy mopes around a deserted, apocalyptic landscape (and shows off some of those infamous dance moves) in this Josh Tillman directed clip for “Funtimes In Babylon”." Well, at least we didn’t spoil the ending.

And on to pleasures of a different sense, if you will (we really hope you’re still reading). As we said earlier, Father John Misty recently, and yes, seriously, got into the perfume making business, officially earning himself the additional title “perfumer”. Watch the, umm, trailer for his new, unisex fragrance, Innocence by Misty, it’s a wonderful introduction into the process of perfuming as guided by the always charming Father John Misty. Enjoy.

Sub Pop Records presents Silver Jubil-eve: A 25th Anniversary Comedy Thing (for Charity!)

alissag@subpop.com (Alissa Gallivan) — Fri, 31 May 2013 16:48:14 -0700

Sub Pop only turns 25 once! Did you think that we were only going to mark the momentous milestone by simply spending the better part of a year planning the Sub Pop Silver Jubilee which entailed booking a large number of Sub Pop-related bands that span the entirety of our tenure, shut down an ENTIRE Seattle neighborhood for one full day, figure out how to feed and tipsify a massive crowd of thousands, provide many other forms of entertainment and time-passery, and charge you absolutely nothing for entry? Well, what I’m saying here, awfully heavy-handed, is if you did think that long thing I was just saying about, you were dead wrong. We’re also having a comedy show at The Moore Theatre in Seattle the on July 12th—the Sub Pop Silver Jubil-eve (clever, no?). Watch the accompanying video starring the evening’s host, Eugene Mirman, and read on for more details.

The important things to know:

On Friday, July 12th (the night before our free, utterly vainglorious Silver Jubilee festival in Georgetown on July 13th), Sub Pop Records presents Silver Jubil-eve: A 25th Anniversary Comedy Thing (for Charity!) at the Moore Theatre. The evening will be hosted by Eugene Mirman and features performances from Marc Maron, Jon Benjamin, Kristen Schaal, & Kurt Braunohler. Tickets for the event are $25 and will be on sale June 7th at 10 a.m. You can purchase tickets via phone at 1-877-784-4849, online at STG Presents.org or in person at The Paramount Theatre box office. All proceeds from this event will benefit local organizations 90.3FM KEXP, Northwest Harvest and the Northwest Parkinson’s Foundation.

Ticketing info:

Tickets avialable online at stgpresents.org and tickets.com, also available with NO service charge at the Paramount box office open Monday through Friday, 10am to 6pm, plus show nights. Tickets available with a $1.50 service charge at 24 hr electronic kiosks located outside the Paramount, Moore, and Neptune and with a reduced service charge at Sonic Boom Records.

Getting To Know Us: Pissed Jeans & Father John Misty

sams@subpop.com (Sam Sawyer) — Fri, 31 May 2013 13:18:24 -0700

In this week’s installment of Getting to Know Us, the weekly column in which we shamelessly extoll the many audible virtues of the artists playing the very FREE Sub Pop Silver Jubilee on Saturday, July 13 in Seattle’s Georgetown neighborhood. This week, we’re talking about the sonically disparate, but similarly remarkable live acts, the filthy Pissed Jeans and the effortlessly suave Father John Misty.

There’s a pretty visceral image that comes to mind the first time you hear the band name “Pissed Jeans”, and it’s pretty accurate. It’s not like the band GG Allins themselves when they perform, but it’s not like they don’t not GG Allin themselves, either—you know what I mean? Okay, it’s a little like this: they’re similar to GG Allin but with an utterly devastating sense of humor and with better songs. Also, with the Pissed Jeans, there’s no blood, urine or shit, only sweat. Upon further thought, the whole GG Allin analogy feels a little off…eh, I’m sticking with it. Watch the video from their megahit, “Bathroom Laughter” in the accompanying player. If that’s not enough, which is understandable when talking about Pissed Jeans, this live video portrayal of their song “False Jesii Part 2” is as worth your time as anything else you could be doing.

Father John Misty: singer, dancer, actor; Sub Pop’s own in-house triple threat. If there ever was an SP artist who could bring us an EGOT, it’s him (or Bret McKenzie from Flight of the Conchords who is halfway there). Chances are that you’ve seen him somewhere since Fear Fun, Father John Misty’s debut, came out in May 2012, as he and his band have performed on a number of TV shows, played countless festivals, and have toured extensively for well over a year now. Father John Misty performs like a preacher; through his huge, melodic voice, hypnotizing hip-shaking, white suits, decidedly better-than-average looks, perfectly suited (not to mention well dressed) band, you’ll come away a believer. There’s honestly not too many bands that are easier to enjoy. Watch the accompanying video for “Fun Times in Babylon”, track one off of Fear Fun to hear what we’re saying about.

So far, Getting to Know Us has acquainted/reacquainted its readers with Tad and Brothers of a Sonic Cloth, Jack Endino’s Earthworm, Shabazz Palaces, J Mascis, and now Pissed Jeans and Father John Misty. I know we’re blinded with bias, but this lineup is already near perfect and we’re only halfway through it. Oh, and it seems worth reminding you that entry to this festival is entirely free—we’re charging for falafels and beer, however.

More Sub Pop Silver Jubilee details can be read here

Goat

alissag@subpop.com (Alissa Gallivan) — Fri, 31 May 2013 12:28:25 -0700

Today marks the release of Goat’s Dreambuilding on the Sub Pop Record label. Though just a single, we’re proud to spread the mystical power of Goat all over North America with the double-A-sided “Dreambuilding”/“Stonegoat” 7". This is Goat’s first North American release, and it comes hot on the heels of 2012’s critically-acclaimed, import-only psychedelic opus, World Music.

Pick it up here.

No Age's 'An Object' Out August 20th

sams@subpop.com (Sam Sawyer) — Thu, 30 May 2013 09:30:56 -0700

This morning, a small handful of press outlets received news of a new No Age record, An Object, via a small box, entirely created by No Age themselves—from the printing on the cover, right down to the music contained on An Object. The follow up to 2010’s groundbreaking Everything In Between finds the band on fertile ground creating something both completely different to anything they’ve done before, yet distinctly No Age. An Object comes out on Sub Pop on August 20th, and just like the promotional pieces the band sent out to announce An Object, No Age has performed, recorded, produced, and prepared and assembled the entirety of the physical packaging of An Object, including jackets, inserts, and labels, taking on the roll of manufacturer, artist, and musician until the roles trip on themselves and individual parts lose their distinct meanings, demanding to be considered as a whole.

The takeaway from this message, there’s a new record from No Age, it’s called An Object, it comes out on August 20th, and they’ve created something in An Object worthy of much anticipation.

Low Movie (How to Quit Smoking) Summer Screenings

chrisj@subpop.com (Chris Jacobs) — Fri, 24 May 2013 12:51:12 -0700

There’s a new documentary film about Low and it is screening nationally this entire summer!

In short: Low Movie (How To Quit Smoking) follows the entire career of the iconic band Low and their relationship with director Philip Harder.

And there are many more details available here!

All of this hot on the metaphorical heels of the release of the new and very good album from Low called The Invisible Way.

Things are really coming up Low this summer.

Low Movie (How To Quit Smoking) Public Screening Dates

June 13th, Englert Theatre, Iowa City, IA

June 14th, Zinema 2 and Red Star, Duluth, MN

June 20th, Philadelphia Mausoleum of Contemporary Art, Philadelphia, PA

June 28th, Gene Siskel Film Center, Chicago, IL

June 28th, Winona Film Society, Winona, MN

July 11th, Moviate at Studio A, Harrisburg, PA

July 12th, Circle Cinema, Tulsa, OK

July 16th, FilmStreams, Omaha, NE

July 17th, SIFF Cinema at the Uptown, Seattle, WA

July 19th, Urban Institute of Contemporary Arts, Grand Rapids, MI

July 23rd, Capitol Theatre, Cleveland, OH

July 30th, Film Society of Lincoln Center, New York, NY

August, TBD, Washington, DC

August, TBD, Portland, OR

August, TBD, Salt Lake City, UT

August 7th, Wadsworth Atheneum Musem, Hartford, CT

August 8th, Roxie, San Francisco, CA

August 10th, Downtown Independent, Los Angeles, CA

August 15th, Stagenorth, Washburn, WI

August 17th, Auburn Public Theater, Auburn, NY

August 31st, TBD, Washington, DC

August 23rd, The Nickelodeon, Columbia, SC

August, 30th, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, MA

September 25th, Barrymore Theatre, Madison, WI

Getting To Know Us: J Mascis & Shabazz Palaces

sams@subpop.com (Sam Sawyer) — Fri, 24 May 2013 12:46:12 -0700

In this second installment of Getting to Know Us, the self-serving, Sub Pop Silver Jubilee Festival-promoting column in which we talk about some of the world class artists who are playing our (free (to you)) birthday party taking place on Saturday, July 13th in Seattle’s esteemed Georgetown Neighborhood. This week, we would like to show you about the majestic J Mascis and the enigmatic Shabazz Palaces.

Chances are that if you know who we are (just to clarify, we’re the t-shirt and record manufacturer, Sub Pop), you are already well aware of who J Mascis is. As one of the shreddiest forces on the planet and singer of the pioneering band Dinosaur Jr., J has been creating some of the noisiest and most wonderful (in this blog poster’s opinion, at least) music for the better part of like, 15 decades or so. He’s also been involved with J Mascis + The Fog, Witch, Deep Wound, Upsidedown Cross, Sweet Apple, and most importantly (for the sake of this Silver Jubilee related blog post, at least), simply J Mascis. J’s most recent solo record, Several Shades of Why, came out on Sub Pop in 2011 to much critical acclaim, and quickly became a favorite among the staff at Sub Pop. In case you missed that record, here’s a link to the video for “Not Enough”, created by J’s labelmate, Chad VanGaalen.

Shabazz Palaces are an enigmatic hip-hop duo, bucking every trend in the modern rap game (take for example them signing with a record label not at all known for putting out hip hop records). They’re led by Palaceer Lazaro, also known as Ishmael Butler, a member of the pioneering 90’s rap group, Digable Planets and are rounded off with the multi-instrumental brilliance of Tendai Maraire. Shabazz Palaces’ debut full-length, Black Up, was released in 2011 amidst a frenzy of excitement and hype and according to universal critical acclaim, well exceeded the hype in its delivery. In case you needed proof of their prowess, we’ve attached a video for their song “Are You… Were You… Can You… (Felt)” off of Black Up.

Perhaps it feels a little desperate to attempt to sell you on an altogether FREE MUSIC FESTIVAL put on by a record label representing such historically and presently great artists, we wouldn’t be Sub Pop Records (and t-shirts!) if we weren’t trying to sell you something. So, on July 13th, we hope you’ll join us at the Sub Pop Silver Jubilee however you can and watch these three artists do their thing.For free.

Click here for more information on the Sub Pop Silver Jubilee.

New Washed Out August 13th

alissag@subpop.com (Alissa Gallivan) — Thu, 23 May 2013 10:27:04 -0700

Even just the small sample of Washed Out’s brand of hazy, summery pop music in the accompanying trailer for the forthcoming Paracosm has a way of lifting the clouds and warming the temperature from the long, damp, drawn out spring that we in Seattle seem to be hopelessly in the middle of. Paracosm, the long-awaited follow-up to Washed Out’s brilliant 2011 debut Within and Without, comes out on August 13th—just in time to ride ride out the heavy, languid days of summer. It’s getting a little poetic over here—must be the music.

Baptist Generals 'Jackleg Devotional to the Heart' + Condiminium Single Out Today

sams@subpop.com (Sam Sawyer) — Tue, 21 May 2013 10:00:43 -0700

The Sub Pop warehouse has seen its share of hustle (not to mention bustle) this week as we’ve been shipping Baptist Generals’ first full length in a decade as well as a 7" single from St. Paul, Minnesota’s hardcore punk, mutated, and art-damaged heaviness that is the band Condominium.

Watch the tragic video for the Baptist Generals’s “Dog That Bit You” in the handy player above, and check out “Carl”, the filthy and oddly wondrous a-side from the new Condominium single here.

Pick up Jackleg Devotional to the Heart here.

And the new Condominium 7" single right here.

2013's Winningest LOSERS

andrews@subpop.com (andrew sullivan) — Mon, 20 May 2013 14:49:30 -0700

The Losers have won! We here at Sub Pop HQ have been toiling away for the past couple of months trying to find the three Losers most worthy of winning our scholarship and we are finally ready to announce the Loser winners. With close to 300 submissions by a variety of awesome youth throughout the northwest, this process was not easy for us. It is tough to cull 99% of the applicants to just the top three, we thank all of the awesome Losers out there and are happy to see so many freak flags waving high in the sky. Now onto the Losers:

Our $3000 scholarship winner is Evan Neuhausen of Portland. Evan is an amazing organizer and fundraiser in the Portland music community who has helped get big name bands to support the arts in Portland Public Schools. Volunteering for the Music In The Schools non-profit, Evan has worked as the President of the organization for the past two years helping to raise tens of thousands of dollars through fundraising benefit shows with awesome local bands. When not in school or volunteering Evan interns for the Tender Loving Empire record label and works with the PDX Pop Now festival. Upon graduation Evan will be leaving the Pacific Northwest and headed to NYU, where hopefully he’ll become an even bigger Loser.

Our $4000 prize goes to the gifted Jamie Iwata. Multi-talented and very gifted, Jamie is a testament to how music can change people’s lives. Since he was a kid Jaimi has turned to music as a way to find self expression, now as a young adult Jaimi uses choir, his band The Great Train Robbery, and his friends from the Portland School of Rock to get his ya ya’s out. The sheer amount of vocal talent, musicianship, and eclectic musical interests combined with Jamie’s awesome attitude make us here at Sub Pop very excited to support such a wonderful Loser. After graduating Oregon Connections Academy, Jamie will continue his education at the University of Colorado where he’ll be majoring in vocal performance.

Our $6000 Loser is the ever-so-talented musician/journalist Mary Ruiz. Through her writing and her music, Mary has carved out a unique identity in her local community and found a perfect niche to grow up while also giving back. Cutting her teeth at the Rock n’ Roll Camp for Girls, Mary grew confidence as a youngster learning to perform and be herself. Now as a young adult she helps the next generation of young talented Losers by volunteering her summers as a roadie, guitar instructor, and mentor with the RNRCFG. Whether through her band Guadalupe, or her blog, or even her reporting as a student journalist Mary makes a calculated effort to reach out and positively influence the lives of others. As our newest Loser winner we’ll be helping Mary pursue and further her career in journalism at Mills College with this $6000 college scholarship.

Congratulations to the winners and thank you to all that applied. Every year we get to see just how many talented, freaky, weird, cool young people that are out there in the woods and hollows of the northwest and every year we get more and more impressed. Keep up the good work young folks, thank you for inspiring us once again, we’ll see you Losers again around this time next year.

New Music from Daughn Gibson

alissag@subpop.com (Alissa Gallivan) — Fri, 17 May 2013 14:45:57 -0700

July 9th, 2013, the birth date of Daughn Gibson’s Sub Pop debut and the long-awaited follow-up to last year’s brilliant All Hell. Me Moan, is approaching quickly. We’ve already given you “The Sound of Law”, the first track off the new record, and with today comes “You Don’t Fade”, which Pitchfork called “an easy lope with pitch-screwed vocal samples and frissons of guitar and bass”. So do yourself a favor and download the track, listen to it while on a nice, easy lope, and we guarantee you’ll get a frisson of excitement about the upcoming release date for Me Moan.

Pre-order Me Moan

Getting To Know Us: Sub Pop's Silver Jubilee Lineup

sams@subpop.com (Sam Sawyer) — Fri, 10 May 2013 14:51:59 -0700

As you may or may not have been previously aware, Sub Pop’s years of consecutive business operations without going out of business reached the 25 year milestone on April 1st, 2013, and to celebrate ourselves, we are throwing an altogether free event on Saturday, July 13th in Seattle’s historic Georgetown neighborhood featuring live music from the Sub Pop universe as well as other types of attractions to attract you, the potential free concert goer, to the aforementioned date and time to celebrate us with us.

In an effort to familiarize/refamiliarize you with the bands that make up our truly magnificent lineup for the event, each week, we will bring to you Getting to Know Us, a column highlighting a Sub Pop artist or two playing our Jubilee. This week, we’re starting with Endino’s Earthworm featuring legendary producer, Jack Endino, and Brothers of the Sonic Cloth, featuring Tad Doyle.

Jack Endino and Sub Pop go way back, him having produced many Sub Pop releases, including Nirvana’s culture-shifting record, Bleach, and us having released many of those records. Endino’s Earthworm are not surprisingly from Seattle, WA, and as an a proper sonic introduction, take a listen to “Count Me Out” from Endino’s 2005 record, Permanent Fatal Error, recorded live at The Tractor Tavern in Seattle. Now, imagine that same wonderful thing, but set outside on a beautiful sunny Seattle day in July—now that’s good livin’.

Also playing the Silver Jubilee are Brothers of the Sonic Cloth, featuring the one and only, Tad Doyle. Tad was a key figure in the early days of the Sub Pop roster, and we couldn’t be happier to have Brothers of the Sonic Cloth playing their brand of heavy dirge on one of our stages. Listen to the epic 12-minute track “Fires Burn Dim in the Shadows of the Mountain” to see what we’re talking about.

Tune in next week for another issue of Getting to Know Us. The complete lineup and additional information for the Sub Pop Silver Jubilee can be found here.

Still Corners

alissag@subpop.com (Alissa Gallivan) — Tue, 07 May 2013 11:41:32 -0700

Still Corners’ follow up to their 2011 debut record, Creatures of an Hour, came out today. It’s called Strange Pleasures, and the lushness and warmth of the sound that emanates from the record make for the perfect sonic companion for the seasonal transition into what we in these parts call “the good living” months.

We have a small handful of the limited, colored-vinyl LOSER Editions left for people who order the LP from us. This will also be available in select independent music retailers (call yours for availability).

Listen to the entirety of Strange Pleasures in the handy player accompanying this post.

Order Strange Pleasures here.

Sub Pop Loser Scholarship Update and Where Are They Now?

sasham@subpop.com (Sasha Morgan) — Mon, 06 May 2013 14:26:40 -0700

Tonight at MIDNIGHT is the deadline for the Sub Pop Loser Scholarship, and so far we have received quite a few applications! Thank you so much to everyone who took the time to write an essay! We’ll be combing through each and every one of these over the next couple of weeks and will have a winner announced by May 20th! In the meantime, we figured you might want to know what some of our past Loser Winners are doing with their lives:

Marguerite Brown – 3rd Place Winner, 2009 (Writes and records her own music. Plays guitar, drums, and piano. Submitted a CD with killer original songs.)

“I recently gathered up my financial information for college and realized that all of my scholarships combined (including the Loser scholarship of course) paid for an entire year of my college education. I was able to graduate in three and a half years so I really only paid for two and a half years of schooling. Isn’t that nice!?
Artistically I just finished putting on a senior recital of all original music compositions. I teach at Meter Music School and accompany a dance class at ExitSpace dance out on Greenlake. Through my college years I have toured playing live music for a theatre production to L.A., Portland, Vancouver, and Miami, and have created some original music for a film that just went to the SXSW Film Festival. I applied for a fellowship to study in Indonesia for a year and find out in April if I have received the fellowship. I would be studying music over there which I think would be pretty dope.

Words of wisdom? Follow your heart. Life is really scary and it’s going to be scary no matter what you do with your time so you may as well try and fill your time with activities you value. Also don’t let other people run your life. There have been far too many scenarios where I have let other people’s opinions or judgements determine my behavior and decisions. I think being yourself always turns out for the best, especially in an artistic sense. It’s totally cool to be a Loser to anyone else as long as you are a Winner to yourself! Thanks again for the scholarship, it was a really lovely contribution. Peace!"

Stephanie Cristol – 2nd Place Winner, 2008 (Sent us a rad essay as well as a compilation of her music, show flyers that she drew, an interview with Ian McKaye for her zine Shaken Baby, and Teenage Trash, a documentary she made about the Seattle punk scene.)

“Thanks for checkin’ in! This past summer I graduated from the Evergreen State College with an emphasis on creative writing and literature. My college experience took me far and wide, from making ethnographic studies of the Washington peninsula to hanging out with punk rockers in Lyon, France. In my second year of school I started a new band, Hysterics, which has since toured all over the country and is preparing for an east coast tour beginning in a couple of weeks. My advice to scholarship Losers—who tend to be involved of lots of cool projects—would be to not stop doing those projects once you get to college. You’ll be busy, but don’t let anyone tell ya it can’t be done, not even your parents! Get to know the creative community in the town you’re living in and carve out a space for yourself to participate. I am still so inspired by the outpouring of creativity here in Olympia, where I can still be found slinging records at our beloved Rainy Day Record Co. In the next few years I plan on pursuing a masters degree in teaching so I can one day encourage other young art dweebs to follow their dreams.”

Bryn Kepler – First Place Winner, 2010 (Active in the local arts/music community, volunteer for One Reel, The Vera Project, Girls Rock!, the Hugo House Zine Archive, Sub Pop 20th Anniversary Festival. Also a drummer and visual artist.)

“Thanks for checking in- I actually had “email sub-pop” on my things-to-do-over-spring-break-list but you beat me to the punch.

As far as an update, I will be graduating from the UW this spring with a major in Architectural Studies. Winning the Loser Scholarship made it possible for me to do so much while in school, including a quarter in NYC at Parsons The New School for Design and a quarter in Rome last fall with some fellow UW students. Outside of class has been busy as well- last year I was hired by the UW as the creative advisor and programmer for a one-time music & arts festival, and this year I have started editing articles for the emerging Portland magazine “She Shreds”, a publication for women who play guitar or bass. Looking forward to the summer when I will hopefully be employed at an architecture firm in Seattle and be drumming again, something I haven’t been able to do because of time but miss more than anything.

I’m not funny enough for a humorous quip, but would encourage Loser hopefuls and winners alike to stay/get involved in arts communities outside of their college because there are so many great opportunities to be had that aren’t necessarily school-affiliated."

Kelton Sears – First Place Winner, 2009 (Renaissance man from Maple Valley, WA, not only wowed us with his essay, but charmed us with his vast array of arty submissions. Aspiring filmmaker and writes short stories too!)

“I just got back from SXSW and Treefort Festival in Boise playing with a band I’m in called Kithkin—it’s been cray cray but some of the most fun I’ve ever had in my life. I met all the guys I play with now at Seattle U, where I’m a senior now. I never would have met all these guys if you all at Sub Pop decided it was a good idea to give scholarships to weird kids. I seriously can’t thank you guys enough for giving that opportunity to all the junior weirdos across the PNW—for most scholarships you have to have published a groundbreaking physics study in a journal, or visited Uruguay as a visiting diplomat or something. When you are 18 and trying to figure out how to pay for school, looking for scholarships can be a terrifying experience. The Loser Scholarship was great because I looked at it and thought “hey, maybe these people will care about all the doodles and recordings and videos I’ve been making.”

Since I’ve been at Seattle U, I’ve worked as the Editor-in-Chief at the newspaper which has been awesome—I’ve gotten to interview GWAR and confront our Jesuit catholic school president about his positions on gay marriage.

Also, here’s a video we just released last week that has a bunch of dragons in it. We spent two and half weeks standing around in the woods in the middle of winter with a video crew shooting. We lit the entire video only using flashlights. For one of the last scenes we broke into this giant 14 story abandoned grain silo next to the west seattle bridge. It was like 1 in the morning and we heard footsteps coming up the stairs and freaked out because we thought we were going to get shanked by a graffiti gang, but we scared whoever it was away with our flashlights. More advice for future Sub Pop losers—never break into an abandoned factory without bringing a flashlight:

Kithkin – Fallen Giants [Official Video]
The Official Music Video for Kithkin’s new song ‘Fallen Giants’, the first single off of their new LP coming in 2013 Kithkinband.com facebook.com/kithkinband…"

Baptist Generals "Fly Candy Harvest Video" and Pre-order Info

sams@subpop.com (Sam Sawyer) — Thu, 02 May 2013 12:45:16 -0700

Led by songwriter Chris Flemmons, The Baptist Generals of Denton, TX last released a full-length album in 2003 (about which and at the time, Pitchfork had the following to say… “The music is fragile and spiritual, sodden and boisterous. It’s as if the players are seeking out loosely sewn faultlines while trying to balance decay and redemption and to escape a permanent rupture in either direction”). Due out May 21st, Jackleg Devotional to the Heart, the Generals’ return to active duty is nothing short of triumphal. The Mountain Goats’ (with whom The Baptist Generals are touring in June) John Darnielle received the news “…like on an ‘unheard post-Marquee Moon pre-Adventure Television album discovered’ level…” Take “Dog That Bit You” as supporting evidence, or the very excellent “Broken Glass,” and now the video for the non-album track “Fly Candy Harvest.” And, though “Fly Candy Harvest” (featured here) did not suit the album thematically and is therefore not to be found there, we have made and are giving away a limited-edition, 7" flexi single of the song with pre-orders of the CD or LP from SubPop.com (the flexi comes with a high-fidelity download of the track, too!). More from the Sub Pop Limited-Edition Department: people who pre-order the LP will receive the limited, colored-vinyl Loser Edition of Jackleg Devotional to the Heart. But act quickly, because as soon as those are gone, we’re back to standard black vinyl. With your pre-order, you’ll also get instant access to a stream of the entire record. Because, you know what? It’s already been too g-d long since we’ve heard from The Baptist Generals.

Pre-order Jackleg Devotional to the Heart on CD or Loser Edition LP here.

Rose Windows

alissag@subpop.com (Alissa Gallivan) — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 15:57:33 -0700

Rose Windows’ The Sun Dogs, their debut record, comes out June 25th on Sub Pop, and if ‘Natvie Dreams’, the lead off track from the record, is any indication (it is), this is going to be a very memorable debut record. Watch the mystical album trailer that accompanies the blog post to get a stylistic preview of what The Sun Dogs and Rose Windows are all about.

If you pre-order The Sun Dogs on CD or LP from SubPop.com, you’ll receive a Rose Windows patch with your order! Also worth noting, pre-orders of the LP will receive the limited, colored-vinyl Loser Edition of the record. These things are governed by a while supplies last type of law, so order soon to ensure your obtainment of such wonderful things.

Pre-order The Sun Dogs here.

Sub Pop Announces Loser Scholarship 2013

bekahz@subpop.com (Bekah Zietz) — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 09:58:51 -0700

Hey there!

Sub Pop Records in Seattle, WA is offering a grand total of $13,000 worth of college scholarship money to three eligible high school seniors. There are three scholarships—one for $6,000, one for $4,000 and one for $3,000. To apply for these scholarships you must be a resident of Washington or Oregon, and a graduating senior on your way to full-time enrollment at an accredited university or college. We are looking for an applicant who is involved and/or interested in music and/or the creative arts in some way.

To apply for these scholarships we would like you to submit an essay, no longer than one page, letting us know about one or more of the following topics:

What are you doing in the arts/music field in your community?
How and/or why did you become interested in artistic outlets?
How would this scholarship money help you to progress in your chosen field?

What are your influences and/or who inspires you? Who are some of your favorite bands or artists?

Applicants are strongly encouraged to send digital links and/or provide hard copies of their artwork along with their essay (we have never had a winner who submitted only an essay). However, please be aware that Sub Pop will not return any of this material, so please don’t send originals. Sub Pop will give equal opportunity to all applicants who fit the criteria outlined above. The deadline for applications is May 6th.

Please send all submissions and attachments to scholarship@subpop.com by May 6th, 2013. We will announce the scholarship winners on May 20th.

All physical submissions should be sent to:

Sub Pop Records
Attn: Scholarship
2013 4th Ave, 3rd Floor
Seattle, WA 98121

Amount: $6,000 / $4,000 / $3,000 — checks will be made payable to the university or college of the winning applicants’ choice and applied to winning applicants tuition.

Good luck losers.

Sincerely,

Sub Pop

New Daughn Gibson Album 7/9, Listen to a Track NOW (it's very good is all)

sams@subpop.com (Sam Sawyer) — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 09:56:51 -0700

The first peek into Daughn Gibson’s forthcoming Me Moan, his first full-length with our somewhat venerable Seattle label, Sub Pop Records, is the huge album-opener, “The Sound Of Law”, which opens the record like a huge, but somehow cordially invited, punch to the gut (listen in the player above).

Me Moan is now available for pre-order through this very website right here. If you pre-order Me Moan from your good friends here at Sub Pop, you’ll receive, at no extra charge, a limited-edition Daughn Gibson seven inch featuring the songs “Every Night I Fall in Love” b/w “Brandy and Daughn”. Daughn himself describes the single this way: "Way back in the year 2002, I produced two R&B singles for a teenage sister group caled “No Option” out of a small recording booth located in a ballerina studio. As payment I received a Korg D1600, and these two songs were among the first solo things I ever recorded on it." As you can surmise, this is likely going to be a rare piece in future record collections. We’re also going to be giving people who pre-order Me Moan on LP the limited, colored-vinyl Loser Edition. Such is the nature of limited-edition things, when they’re gone, they’re gone, so get your order in quickly!

Pre-order Me Moan here.

Note: If you pre-order Me Moan with other releases, your entire order won’t arrive until July 9th, so plan accordingly, please!

Baptist Generals "Broken Glass"

alissag@subpop.com (Alissa Gallivan) — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 13:47:47 -0700

The Baptist Generals’ long-awaited return to active status has thus far been very easy on the ears, and we’re still over a month out until Jackleg Devotional to the Heart is officially on the street. It all started with the release of the decade-long silence-breaking track, “Dog That Bit You” and it continues today with the very excellent “Broken Glass”, which is available for your listening pleasure in the player above.

Both of these notable sonic gems are on the band’s aforementioned forthcoming full-length record, Jackleg Devotional to the Heart, out May 21st on Sub Pop Records (wait, that’s us).

Pre-ordering Jackleg on CD or LP from SubPop.com gets you some limited-edition perks. The first of which is a 7" flexi-disc single featuring the non-album track, “Fly Candy Harvest”, currently available exactly no where else. The second totally limited thing is the colored-vinyl, Loser Edition of the LP. As we mentioned, ad nauseum, these things are limited, and such as the nature of limited things, they will run out, so order quickly.

Pre-order Jackleg Devotional to the Heart on CD or LP here.

Baptist Generals on the road:
May 21 – Dallas, TX @ Good Records (in-store)
June 1 – Denton, TX @ Dan’s Silverleaf
June 3 – Washington DC @ 9:30 Club*
June 4 – York, PA @ Strand Capitol Performing Arts*
June 5 – Hoboken, NJ @ Maxwell’s*
June 7 – New Haven, CT @ Center Church on the Green*
June 8 – Portland, ME @ Port City Music Hall*
June 9 – South Burlington, VT @ Higher Ground Ballroom*
June 11 – Munhall, PA @ Carnegie Music Hall of Homestead*
June 12 – Detroit, MI @ Majestic Theatre*
June 14 – Cincinnati, OH @ Taft Ballroom*
June 15 – Bloomington, IN @ Buskirk Chumley Theatre*
June 16 – Evanston, IL @ Space*
June 17 – Chicago, IL @ Lincoln Hall*
June 19 – Kansas City, MO @ The Record Bar*
June 20 – St. Louis, MO @ Old Rock House*
June 22 – Birmingham, AL @ The Bottletree*
June 23 – Gainesville, FL @ High Dive*
June 24 – Ft. Lauderdale, FL @ Culture Room*
June 26 – Charleston, SC @ The Charleston Pourhouse*
June 27 – West Columbia, SC @ New Brookland Tavern*
June 28 – Wilmington, NC @ The Soapbox Laundrolounge*
July 13 – Seattle, WA @ Sub Pop’s Silver Jubilee Festival

= w/ Mountain Goats

Postal Service's 'Give Up: 10th Anniversary Deluxe Edition' out Today; Watch This Thing About It!

alissag@subpop.com (Alissa Gallivan) — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 10:26:07 -0700

Today is only the second day in the entire history of the world that The Postal Service’s now classic debut/only record, Give Up has been released—only the second! Just two days in history dedicated to a release with such notable import? It seems tragically unfair, but such is the way release dates work—upon second thought, I guess that most records only see one release day, and only the very special ones get two. Well, today is one of those special days, a day in which The Postal Service and Sub Pop renew our vows, so to speak. What makes the Give Up: 10th Anniversary Deluxe Edition special? I’m glad that I presumed you asked. This triple LP/double CD version of the album has 15 bonus tracks, including two brand new Postal Service songs.

*Watch the short documentary about the genesis of The Postal Service from Ben and Jimmy themselves in the player above. *

Pick your copy Give Up: 10th Anniversary Deluxe Edition up here.

Catch The Postal Service on tour!

Apr 09 Grand Sierra Theater, Reno, NV
Apr 10 Mondavi Center, Davis, CA
Apr 12 Madonna Expo Center, San Luis Obispo, CA
Apr 13 Coachella Valley Music & Arts, Indio, CA
Apr 15 Fox Theater (CA), Pomona, CA
Apr 18 Comerica Theatre, Phoenix, AZ
Apr 19 Chelsea Ballroom , Las Vegas, NV
Apr 20 Coachella Valley Music & Arts, Indio, CA
May 18 Manchester Academy (Academy 1), Manchester, United Kingdom
May 19 Brixton Academy, London, United Kingdom
May 20 Brixton Academy, London, United Kingdom
May 21 Le Trianon, Paris, France
May 23 Primavera Sound Festival, Barcelona, Spain
May 27 Sasquatch! Festival, Gorge, WA
May 28 Knitting Factory (ID), Boise, ID
May 29 Salt Air, Magna, UT
May 30 Red Rocks Amphitheater, Morrison, CO
Jun 01 Free Press Summer Fest, Houston, TX
Jun 02 Cedar Park Center, Cedar Park, TX
Jun 03 Verizon Theater (GP), Grand Prairie, TX
Jun 05 Hard Rock Live (FL), Orlando, FL
Jun 06 Fox Theatre, Atlanta, GA
Jun 07 Red Hat Amphitheater, Raleigh, NC
Jun 08 LC Pavillion, Columbus, OH
Jun 10 Fillmore (MI), Detroit, MI
Jun 11 Air Canada Centre ON, Toronto, Canada
Jun 12 Bank of America Pavilion, Boston, MA
Jun 14 Barclays Center, New York, NY
Jun 15 Barclays Center, New York, NY
Jun 17 Mann Center for Performing Arts, Philadelphia, PA
Jun 18 Merriweather Post Pavilion, Columbia, MD
Jul 16 Rogers Arena, Vancouver , Canada
Jul 17 Rose Garden Arena, Portland, OR
Jul 26 The Greek Theatre (Berkeley), Berkeley, CA
Jul 27 The Greek Theatre (Berkeley), Berkeley, CA
Jul 30 Midland Theatre (MO), Kansas City, MO
Jul 31 Midland Theatre (MO), Kansas City, MO
Aug 02 Roy Wilkins Auditorium, St. Paul, MN
Aug 03 Lollapalooza, Chicago, IL

If We're a Little Slow Getting Your Order Out This Week...

sams@subpop.com (Sam Sawyer) — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 17:36:30 -0700

…we sincerely apologize. The accompanying photo to this post is a stack of orders for The Postal Service’s 10th Anniversary Deluxe Edition of Give Up, and if you are at all familiar with the thickness of a piece of paper, you’ll no doubt understand that that is a lot of pieces of paper! If you are one of the many people who placed an order with us recently, what this means is that there is a good chance that it’s going to take a few extra days to arrive at your designated arrival zone. We apologize for any and all inconveniences associated with this recent glut of orders. Rest assured, we have many extra hands in the warehouse working toward getting our shipping times back to their mostly satisfactory to remarkable times. Thanks so much for your (ongoing) patience with us.

New Baptist Generals on May 21st Listen to a Track Now

sams@subpop.com (Sam Sawyer) — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 10:33:53 -0700

It’s been a full decade since we released The Baptist Generals’ amazing debut, No Silver/No Gold, and as time passed, the promise of a sophomore release from this great band from Denton, became stuff of legend or myth with little stock put into rumors surrounding a return. On May 21st, The Baptist Generals fulfill the promise shown with their debut record with the long-awaited but seemingly unlikely Jackleg Devotional to the Heart. It’s been a long, long time, but like many wonderful things, absolutely worth the wait. Listen to “Dog That Bit You” in the player above, and help us to welcome The Baptist Generals back.

If you pre-order Jackleg Devotional to the Heart on CD or LP, you’ll receive a limited-edition flexi 7" single featuring “Fly Candy Harvest”, a song non-album track currently unavailable elsewhere. Also, if you pre-order the record on LP, you’ll receive the limited, colored-vinyl Loser Edition of the record. And such is the nature of limited things, these are both a while-supplies-last type of thing.

Pre-order Jackleg Devotional to the Heart here.

WATCH "Berlin Lovers" from Still Corners

alissag@subpop.com (Alissa Gallivan) — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 10:11:18 -0700

Alright, we are smack-dab in the middle of a good news/good news situation regarding Sub Pop recording artists Still Corners. Let’s splurge the best news for first: Still Corners have a brand new record (and t-shirt!) called Strange Pleasures coming out on this very record label on May 7th! If you pre-order Strange Pleasures, you’ll receive a limited-edition scrap book featuring pages taken directly from Still Corners’ lyric book as they were writing the record as well as images from the recording process. People who pre-order the record on LP will receive the colored-vinyl, limited Loser Edition version of Strange Pleasures. And as is the nature of limited things, the sooner you order, the better, as they will run out!

The second bit of good news regarding Still Corners is…wait for it…there’s a wonderfully ethereal music video almost rivaling the remarkable quality of the somehow more wonderfully ethereal album track “Berlin Lovers”. Enjoy that in the player above.

Pre-order Strange Pleasures on CD or LP here.

Happy Vanishing Point Record Release Day, Mudhoney!

alissag@subpop.com (Alissa Gallivan) — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 18:16:49 -0700

Vanishing Point, Mudhoney’s latest in a long (and getting longer…), illustrious (and getting illustriouser…) “career” comes out today on Sub Pop Records. This is their ninth full-length record in 25 years, and these guys continue to write, record and perform music with unflagging passion, intensity, incisive humor and real g-d charm. It has always been and continues to be our great good fortune to work with Mudhoney. Happy release day, you guys!

Last night (the night popularly known as “Vanishing Point Eve”), these same Mudhonies played a really entirely excellent and altogether FREE set at Easy Street Records in West Seattle, WA. It was a super fun event and you can read more about it here.

You can also, and we would go so far as to suggest “should,” order Vanishing Point from Sub Pop.

SUB POP IS 25 TODAY

dereke@subpop.com (Derek Erdman) — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 11:20:02 -0700

At the stroke of midnight last night, Sub Pop turned 25 years old. Though the exact dates of our inception may be a little muddled (Wikipedia says we’re 27, Poneman says we’re 31), the crew in the Sup Pop fun fact dept. have concluded that we’re a quarter of a century old. Who knew?

Really though, what has changed in that time? Richard Nixon was president then, a loaf of bread cost 19c. Our first vinyl LP, the Sub Pop 100 compilation, was introduced in a limited edition of 5,000. Remember vinyl? Do they even still make that anymore? Man, it would be great if somebody brought that stuff back!

All joshin’ aside, we’re glad that you’re still here with us. There’s no way we’d all be able to wade through the thick muck of the daily grind without a brilliant soundtrack, and we’re thankful that you allow us to continue to provide that. As your gift to us, we ask that you treat yourself to a little something extra today. Have a cupcake if you’re on a diet. Go home sick from work and take a long nap. Spend the evening rollerskating. Put yourself in credit card debt at our online store. We deserve it!

XO,
Sub Pop

WARNING: MUDHONEY TSUNAMI ALERT

dereke@subpop.com (Derek Erdman) — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 16:41:20 -0700

Well, well, wellington: aren’t you the lucky ones? Since they’ve become translucent, things from tomorrow in the Mudhoney camp are really hitting today. Okay, I’ll quit with the album title puns, I’m doing a really bad job.

BUT Mudhoney is doing a really good job with a tidal wave of activity in the near future! First off there’s going to be a stellar live show at Nuemos on March 30th. The very next day (the 31st, right?), tune your radio (or compu-radio) to KEXP.org (90.3 FM) for a radio session at 2pm PT. AND THEN the very next day after that (no foolin’, April 1st) the lads will appear at Easy Street Records at 8pm (which we just happen to have Limited-Edition screen-printed posters by Ed Fotheringham for this instore event on sale now in the Megamart. There are only fifty for sale, so get to it if you want one). Then these guys will jet on over to KNDD (107.7 FM) for yet another radio appearance. Will this flurry of activity wear Mudhoney down? They’ve assured us that it’ll all be a piece of cake. (whoops, sorry!)

Adding insult to injury, Mudhoney’s brilliant new LP, Vanishing Point, will wash onto the shore of the world on April 2nd, which will be the same day of their video premiere for “I Like it Small” on Spin.com! So grab your brother the cow (OOF) and head for higher ground! The Mudhoney is coming!

Record Store Day 2013, Sub Pop, And YOU

alissag@subpop.com (Alissa Gallivan) — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 18:39:44 -0700

With each passing year, Record Store Day increases in popularity, bringing more and more people out to stand in longer and longer lines during the tedious, cold hours of an April morning in front of their beloved independent record stores. And why? Is it the promise of very cool, very limited-edition records from their favorite bands and/or labels? Perhaps it’s the opportunity to buy very limited, very valuable things and flip them on eBay for five times the price paid (read: the opportunity to be something of an asshole)? Or could it be the weird and wonderful camaraderie that only other record collectors can offer one another? Happily, ALL of these are completely valid reasons to participate in Record Store Day! Each in their own way, they all support local independent record stores and this is the very spirit behind this (ahem) holiday. And, it’s something we can (and really do) get behind.

And so! On April 20, Record Store Day 2013, we the hunched, toiling working stiffs of The Sub Music Rendering Factory (and T-Shirt Shop!) offer what we believe to be three fairly undeniable reasons to rise from blissful slumber in the predawn hours to stand in a overlong line with a bunch of like-minded geeks in Stooges t-shirts. Here are those three reasons:

1) Sub Pop 1000, a limited-edition, 10-track compilation featuring what we feel are some of the most vital and unsung artists from around the world. This compilation is very much in the tradition of our relatively classic Sub Pop 100 and Sub Pop 200. releases.

2) A split seven-inch single from Shearwater & Sharon Van Etten featuring the songs “Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around” b/w “A Wake for the Minotaur.”

3) The entirely FREE Terminal Sales, Vol. 6: The Silver Ticket 2013 label sampler—a 19-track CD sampler featuring a heaping helping of new, and in some cases somewhat rare, tracks from the likes of Low, Shabazz Palaces, Mudhoney, Father John Misty, Still Corners, Pissed Jeans, and 13 others. In keeping with Sub Pop tradition, the sampler is extravagantly packaged and will likely conjure thoughts like, “Wow!” and, “What were they thinking, giving this away for free?”

Visit Record Store Day online for more information.

Low's 'The Invisible Way' Out Today!

sams@subpop.com (Sam Sawyer) — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 12:14:23 -0700

Today is finally the day in which Low’s brand new and true-to-form, very excellent 10th full-length record, The Invisible Way, is available in record bins, virtual or otherwise! We’re all celebrating at Sub Pop HQ by blasting it loudly from our individual cubicles. Join us.

Pick up your copy of The Invisible Way on CD, LP, or digitally here.

First Day/Last Day: A Customer Service Snafu

sams@subpop.com (Sam Sawyer) — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 17:56:27 -0700

Dear customers: We sincerely regret the earlier post of our brand new (he started today) receptionist’s response to a letter criticizing the artwork on the Father John Misty CD. The only course of action we could reasonably take was to terminate the employee immediately. Though he’ll have the distinction of being the shortest (in more ways than one! (he’s tiny)) Sub Pop employee, he’s also aware of what he’s done wrong and that he shouldn’t be proud of himself. To avoid a situation like this in the future, we’re currently taking steps to make sure we don’t hire this type of person again.

Here’s his exit interview:

In your cover letter, you mentioned “numerous” positions in your employment history where you dealt firsthand with customer service. You failed to mention you were such a dick. Why?

Honestly, I wasn’t actually trying to be a dick, I was just trying to be helpful. How is it my fault that this person has such poor penmanship? The solution I offered her seemed like a good one to me. I swear I wasn’t being trying to be a dick.

We were all really excited that you were starting with us here at Sub Pop, none of us thought that this was how our relationship with you would end. How did you see today ending? I mean, were you looking to get fired?

No, I was ecstatic to start this week. Everyone was so proud of me for finally finding a job—even my mother called to wish me a good first day. I have no idea how I’m going to tell everybody that I didn’t even last a full day.

How do you think that this will cause you to treat real people’s concerns in the future? I mean, I hope you’ve learned that a shit attitude covered with a coward’s mask of lackluster sarcasm isn’t going to cut it with your next employer. Are you planning on treating people better moving forward?

Yeah, probably. I guess. I dunno. I can’t even make sense of what happened. I mean, I want to defend myself, but people seem really angry over this. I got a person email from a person claiming that I “ruined the integrity of Sub Pop.” I feel just awful about this.

What’s next for Derek?

I have to get a job like, tomorrow. I’ll probably go home and update my resume and start the hunt for another job tomorrow. Between myself and my guinea pig, I have two mouths to feed. I don’t know otherwise. I’m approaching feelings akin to distress. A combination of shame and hate.

It’s probably a good idea for you to look for work where you don’t have a public-facing role of any sort, don’t you think?

Yeah, probably. I’m sorry that I ruined Sub Pop. I’m sorry for being so pain-in-the-neck-ful.

What's New in the Mail Bag?

dereke@subpop.com (Derek Erdman) — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 15:07:33 -0700

Guys,

I bought Fear Fun by Father John Misty but I think you went overboard with the art design for the CD. Not putting any name on the CD is lame. My friend unloaded the player, it got mixed up + then the CD sat out getting dusty.

Trying for “artful” (“artsy”?) you got cutesy. And a pain-in-the-neck-ful.

Think about it. I had to write the name in my sloppy handwriting.

More cutesy were the inserts; rambling on and on. I read books. I listen to music CDs. I do not read stuff inside CD packages.

Helen

PS. I enjoyed listening to the CD.

Dear Helen,

Thanks a lot for your letter! We here at Sub Pop strive for 105% customer satisfaction, and we have no idea how we’re doing until somebody lets us know. Trust me, we’re disappointed that you’re disappointed.

We thought long and hard about your dilemma and couldn’t come up with a better solution than yours. Writing on the CD is the most efficient way to discern it from others, we applaud your ingenuity! We were hoping that you wouldn’t mind if we suggested this idea to others who are having the same problem. If you’ve patented the idea, we’ll be happy to forward the proper paperwork to pay you for our use of the idea. Let us know what fee you’re comfortable with.

In regards to all of the pesky, unwanted information on the CD sleeve, we’ve included a handy cover sheet to place over any words that you don’t want to look at while listening. It might seem that it’s just a piece of paper, but it’s rather opaque and should serve as a soothing emotional blanket. In fact, I’m using one right now.

Thanks for writing and we’ll see you in court!
Derek Erdman / Sub Pop

Mogwai's 'Les Revenants'

sams@subpop.com (Sam Sawyer) — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 16:07:56 -0700

Mogwai have kept themselves pretty busy since 2011’s fantastic Hardcore Will Never Die But You Will, having released an EP, a remix record, and now a full-length score for a French television show about zombies (Zombies: the new vampires? Think on it. Or not. I guess it doesn’t matter.) called Les Revenants. The album aptly shares the name of the television show that it scored and is available via CD, LP, and digital.

We’re not sure how Mogwai keeps cranking out this much music, but as long as the quality consistently blows away all expectation, we’re just going to keep listening.

Pick up your copy here.

You, Sub Pop, & 2013's SXSW

sams@subpop.com (Sam Sawyer) — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 17:25:03 -0800

Are you by chance heading down to South By Southwest this year? ?? (Was your answer “yes” to that question? If so, read on, if it was “no”, see the below*)?? That’s crazy, because us too! Well, some of us are. The “us” to which I am referring are the collective “us” that is comprised of the always terrific Sub Pop recording artists METZ, Pissed Jeans, Rose Windows, Jaill and King Tuff. There will be other Sub Pop employees there, but they won’t be playing shows, so they don’t really matter too much in the context of this blog post(though I’m certain that if you found one, they’d definitely buy you a drink or your choosing). Since you are going to SXSW, why not take a minute to acquaint/reacquaint yourself with the aforementioned bands through the magic of this playlist we’re not-so-creatively calling, “The Sub Pop Bands Playing SXSW This Year.” I think you’ll be impressed.

*That’s crazy, because neither are we! Well, some of “we” aren’t going, but others of us are. The “we” that are going are the always terrific Sub Pop recording artists METZ, Pissed Jeans, Rose Windows, Jaill and King Tuff. And while it is a bit of a bummer that not everyone gets to go down and enjoy warm, sunny Austin to see a lot of very exciting bands do their thing, you can still listen to them from wherever you are (we’re in the very gray city of Seattle not at all bitter that we don’t get to go to balmy Austin to watch a ton of bands) through the magic of this playlist we’re not-so-creatively calling, “The Sub Pop Bands Playing SXSW This Year”, you can listen to these bands as if you are there in person (minus the sun and ice-cold Shiners).

For those of you who are going to SXSW, please refer to the following schedule to catch our bands’ sets.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 13
3:00 PM – Rose Windows – Fin Records Showcase @ Jackalope
ADDRESS: 404 E 6th Street

4:00 PM – JAILL – Burger Party @ Trailer Space
ADDRESS: 1401 Rosewood Ave.

8:00 PM – JAILL – SXSW @ Hotel Vegas
ADDRESS: 1500 East 6th Street

9:00 PM Rose Windows @ Austin Ale House (Seattle Music Showcase)
ADDRESS: 301 West 6th Street

THURSDAY, MARCH 14
3:00 PM – KING TUFF – Converse / Thrasher Party @ Scoot Inn
ADDRESS: 1308 E 4th Street (at Navasota)

4:00 PM – METZ- Brooklyn Vegan @ Old Emos Venue
ADDRESS: 603 Red River St

9:00 PM – JAILL – KVRX Party @ Spider House
ADDRESS: 2906 Fruth Street

9:20-9:50 PM- PISSED JEANS- Pitchfork Showcase
ADDRESS: 1100 Warehouse (1100 E. 5th St. between San Marcos and Waller)

FRIDAY, MARCH 15
12:30 PM- Rose Windows @ Hotel Vegas (IET / Ping Pong PR Day Party)
ADDRESS: 1500 East 6th Street

3:00 PM – METZ – Stereogum/Hype Machine @ Hype Hotel
ADDRESS: 301 Brazos St

3:30- JAILL – Goner / IET / Ping Pong Party @ Hotel Vegas
ADDRESS: 1500 East 6th Street

3:30 PM – Rose Windows @ Brush Square Park (ZIIBRA Showcase)
ADDRESS: 409 East 5th Street

5:00 pm – KING TUFF – Sailer Jerry / Blundertown Party @ Gypsy Lounge
ADDRESS: 1504 E 6th Street

5:00 pm – METZ – Another Planet Entertainment Party @ Red Eyed Fly
ADDRESS: 715 Red River

8:00 PM- Rose Windows – Blackbox Showcase @ Doc’s Motorworks
ADDRESS: 1123 South Congress Avenue

9:50 – JAILL – Austin Facial Hair @ Grackle
ADDRESS: 1700 E 6th St

10:30 PM – METZ – Filter Magazine / Doc Martens Party @ Bar 96
ADDRESS: 96 Rainey Street

11:30 PM – KING TUFF – Filter / Doc Martens Party @ Bar 96
ADDRESS:96 Rainey Street

SATURDAY, MARCH 16
2:00 PM – METZ – The AV Club/Flowerbooking Party @ Mohawk
ADDRESS: 912 Red River

5:00 PM – KING TUFF- Brooklyn Vegan Party @ Emo’s
ADDRESS: 603 Red River St (corner of 6th)

6:00 PM – METZ – Urban Outfitters Back Lot
ADDRESS:2406 Guadalupe St

6:30 PM- Rose Windows – @ Redefine Mag Party @ House of Commons
ADDRESS: 2610 Rio Grande Street

11:00 PM – Rose Windows- Rockin Tomato Pizza Party!
ADDRESS: 3003 South Lamar Blvd

11:45 PM – KING TUFF – Burgermania II @ Hotel Vegas
ADDRESS: 1500 East 6th Street

SUNDAY, MARCH 17
12:00 PM- Rose Windows – SXSW “Hangover” show @ Beerland
ADDRESS: 711 Red River Street

Beach House "Wishes"

alissag@subpop.com (Alissa Gallivan) — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 09:17:42 -0800

Beach House and actor/director Eric Wareheim have teamed up for a new, wildly imaginative video for the song “Wishes,” from Bloom, the band’s acclaimed 4th album. This captivating piece stars Ray Wise (Twin Peaks, Reaper) as what we can only assume is some sort of coach at a peculiar and fantastic sports event or pep rally… in an alternate universe. It’s a uniquely uplifting treatment, its tone matching the soaring vocals of the song, and we’re profoundly proud of what this collaboration between Beach House and Wareheim has produced.

Eric Wareheim had this to say about the video: “Beach House, Ray Wise, fireworks, and horses. How can I go wrong? This is the first project that I’ve ever collaborated creatively with the band. Victoria’s imagery inspired me to create this special half-time show. It also helps that Beach House is literally on my top 5 list of bands, ever.”

Click here to watch the video.

Beach House’s previously announced 2013 tour in support of Bloom runs from March 9th in Bologna, Italy at Estragon and currently ends on September 6 in Mexico City, Mexico (venue TBA). Additional highlights for this tour include festival performances—Coachella weekends in Indio, CA on April 12th & 19th; Governors Ball on Randall’s Island in New York, NY on June 7th; Bonnaroo in Manchester, TN on June 14th-16th; Way Out West in Gothenburg, SE on August 8th; Oya Festival in Oslo, NO on August 9th—and April 26th, for a hometown show at the Lyric Opera House with Yo La Tengo & fellow Baltimoreans Lower Dens. You can find a full list of tour dates below and also here.

Tour Dates
Mar. 09 – Bologna, IT – Estragon #
Mar. 10 – Rome, IT – Piper Club #
Mar. 11 – Milan, IT – Magazzini Generali #
Mar. 13 – Barcelona, ES – Apolo #
Mar. 14 – Barcelona, ES – Apolo #
Mar. 15 – Madrid, ES – La Riviera #
Mar. 16 – Lisbon, PT – TMN AO Vivo #
Mar. 17 – Porto, PT – Hard Club #
Mar. 19 – Aviles, ES – Centro Niemeyer #
Mar. 21 – Luxembourg, LX – Rockhal #
Mar. 22 – Paris, FR – La Cigale #
Mar. 25 – London, UK – O2 Shepherds Bush Empire #
Mar. 26 – London, UK – O2 Shepherds Bush Empire #
Apr. 08 – El Paso, TX – Tricky Falls
Apr. 09 – Phoenix, AZ – Crescent Ballroom
Apr. 10 – Pomona, CA – The Glass House**
Apr. 12 – Indio, CA – Coachella
Apr. 15 – Las Vegas, NV – House of Blues**
Apr. 16 – San Francisco, CA – The Fillmore**
Apr. 17 – Big Sur, CA – Henry Miller Library at Big Sur**
Apr. 19 – Indio, CA – Coachella
Apr. 21 – Marfa, TX – Crowley Theatre at Ballroom Marfa**
Apr. 23 – Oxford, MS – The Lyric**
Apr. 24 – Cincinnati, OH – Bogart’s**
Apr. 26 – Baltimore, MD – The Lyric Opera House*
Jun. 07 – New York, NY – Governors Ball at Randall’s Island
Jun. 13 – Charlotte, NC – The Neighborhood Theatre
Jun. 14 – 16 – Manchester, TN – Bonnaroo
Jul. 16 – Utrecht, NL – Tivoli Oudegracht
Jul. 20 – Dublin, IE – The Iveagh Gardens
Jul. 31 – Portland, ME – State Theatre
Aug. 08 – Gothenburg, SE – Way Out West
Aug. 09 – Oslo, NO – Oya Festival
Aug. 11 – Helsinki, FI – Flow Festival
Sep. 06 – Mexico City, MX – TBA

w/ Lower Dens & Yo La Tengo
*w/ Holy S**t

w/ Marques Toliver

Thermals Reissues + Brand New 7" From Survival Knife This Week

sams@subpop.com (Sam Sawyer) — Wed, 06 Mar 2013 09:44:58 -0800

After being too-long out of print on LP, we reissued The Thermals first three LPs, More Parts Per Million, Fuckin’ A, and The Body, The Blood, The Machine, this week on glorious colored vinyl. We’ve also released unto the world Survival Knife’s debut 7". They’re from Olympia, Washington’s and feature two members of Northwest legends Unwound. If that pedigree and this seven inch are any indication (and it stands to reason that they are), this band’s going to continue to make remarkable music.

Pick up The Thermals reissues

Pick up Survival Knife’s debut seven-inch single

Postal Service Auditions from 2002

alissag@subpop.com (Alissa Gallivan) — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 17:00:29 -0800

The Postal Service are back in 2013 with a reissue of their now classic album, Give Up, featuring 15 bonus tracks, including two brand new ones, as well as an extensive tour.

Watch this recently unearthed video showing the fateful day in the early aughts when Jimmy met Ben and the magic that would become Give Up began to blossom.

Pre-order Give Up: The Deluxe 10th Anniversary Edition from Sub Pop now and receive the limited, colored-vinyl Loser Edition. These are available over at The Postal Service’s own site and will be available at select independent retailers on April 9th, call your local record store for availability.

New Video from Metz

alissag@subpop.com (Alissa Gallivan) — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 16:16:06 -0800

When Saturday morning finally rolls around, and my weekend truly begins to blossom, I’ll have the chance to look back and ruminate on all the great things that happened to me this week. While it’s only Tuesday, I’m quite confident that this new video from METZ for their self-titled standout, “Wasted”, will be the highpoint. Thanks to the power that today’s on-demand internet graces me (and you!), I’ll probably watch it again on Saturday morning when I’m thinking about the fact that METZ’s new video was the hightlight of my week. What I’m saying is, you should watch this new video from METZ; it’s a cinematic achievement.

Pick up METZ’s 2012 noise masterpiece, METZ, here.

Rose Windows Sign To Sub Pop!

alissag@subpop.com (Alissa Gallivan) — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 16:14:36 -0800

There’s some big news coming out of Sub Pop HQ here in sunny Seattle, WA: we have joined forces with the other-worldly and truly stunning, Rose Windows, a septet also hailing from Seattle. We’re releasing their debut record, The Sun Dogs on June 25th. Listen to the first single from their forthcoming debut, “Native Dreams”, in the widget above.

Still curious? Jump on over to the Rose Windows artist page to learn more.

The Baptist Generals

alissag@subpop.com (Alissa Gallivan) — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 10:24:50 -0800

A decade is certainly a long time to have to wait for anything—it’s an especially excruciating period to wait for a sophomore release from a band you love. The Baptist Generals released the very excellent, critically acclaimed No Silver / No Gold in 2003 and we waited (and waited) for a follow-up. Rumors flew, time passed, legend became myth, and then one day, music came in. Jackleg Devotional to the Heart is the second Baptist Generals record and it’s coming out on May 21, 2013. This is exceedingly excellent news. And we hope that on hearing a new song from this record, it will be just as immediately apparent to you as it was to us: Jackleg Devotional to the Heart is worth the wait. Please listen to the brand new track, “Dog That Bit You”, and welcome The Baptist Generals back; they’re sounding better than ever.

New Music and Photo Contest From Low

sams@subpop.com (Sam Sawyer) — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 11:13:27 -0800

March 19th, the release date for Low’s new album The Invisible Way, is still a few long, tedious, new Low record-less weeks away. A confusing, depressing journey through time and space for any Low fan drowning in anticipation (we can certainly relate). Well, we’re in the business of throwing Low fans who are drowning in anticipation a (proverbial) life preserver in the form of “So Blue”, a new track off the forthcoming full-length.

While we’re talking Low stuff, it seems worth reminding you that if you pre-order The Invisible Way from Sub Pop you’ll receive a bonus CD, The Visible End, which features three demos of tracks from the new album and an instrumental version of the song “Clarence White”—these are while supplies last of course.

Lastly, Low are creating a video for the song “So Blue”, and mean to do so by compiling photos taken by you, Low fans, inspired by the song. So, listen to the song, upload a photo to Twitter or Instagram and use the tag #LowSoBlue and tag the band @lowtheband. You can also submit photos to Low’s Facebook page. We’re all very excited to see the variety of interpretation and creativity from y’all. Photos need to be submitted by March 12th in order to be considered.

Pre-order The Invisible Way

New Music from Still Corners

alissag@subpop.com (Alissa Gallivan) — Mon, 25 Feb 2013 09:54:10 -0800

Today we have a brand new Still Corners track, “Berlin Lovers,” off their upcoming album, Strange Pleasures (out May 7th, 2013). Listen to the track in the player above and enter your email to receive band updates via their email list! More on Still Corners coming soon, stay tuned.

New Survival Knife 7"

sams@subpop.com (Sam Sawyer) — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 10:12:53 -0800

Survival Knife hail from Olympia, WA, and the “Traces of Me” b/w “Name That Tune” single is their first release (if you don’t count a soundboard recording of their first show that has been gathering praise all over the internet). The band – which features two of the three founding members of Northwest legends Unwound – pulls together elements of Drive Like Jehu/Hot Snakes, Black Flag’s mid-period mathematical lurch, King Crimson and of course Unwound for a taut and catchy post-hardcore crunch. Since their live debut in March 2012, they have shared stages with the likes of METZ, Bitch Magnet, Kinski and Hungry Ghost.

Pre-order “Traces of Me” b/w “Name That Tune” here.

Listen to “Name That Tune” here.

The Postal Service's 'Give Up' Turns Ten, Gets Reissued w/ New Tracks

sams@subpop.com (Sam Sawyer) — Sun, 10 Feb 2013 19:08:23 -0800

It’s been a difficult task to try and wrap our collective head around the fact that it’s been a full decade since The Postal Service’s game-changing, and much to the chagrin of seemingly everyone, only record was released. A lot has changed since February of 2003 (including the fact that Give Up recently went platinum!), but one thing that’s remained constant, is how truly remarkable The Postal Service record, Give Up, is. That is certainly not lost on us, which is why Sub Pop is releasing a deluxe, 10th anniversary reissue of Give Up on April 9th. The deluxe version will feature 15 bonus tracks, including two brand new Postal Service songs, “Turn Around” and “A Tattered Line of String” (available here right now!). If there was ever record that deserved getting all deluxed up, it is most certainly this.

If you pre-order the 10th Anniversary Edition of Give Up from SubPop.com, you’ll receive a limited-edition Postal Service postcard set. We’re also giving people who pre-order the 3xLP vinyl version of the album the multi-colored, limited Loser Edition of Give Up. We’re also giving people who pre-order Give Up an instant download to the new song, “A Tattered Line of String”. And a note on limited-edition things: you’ve got to act quick to get yours.

Pre-order Give Up Deluxe 10th Anniversary and claim your postcards and Loser Edition LP.

Speaking of a tattered line of string, that decade-old Postal Service shirt you’ve been rocking is probably getting a little threadbare by now—not that you still don’t look good in it—it may just be time to re-up on your PS gear. We have two brand new Postal Service t-shirt designs to solve that problem. Here and here.

Give Up Deluxe 10th Anniversary Edition facts:
- 2xCD/3xLP + Postal Service t-shirt bundles available
- Remastered 10-track original album
- 15 bonus tracks including two brand new songs and covers by The Shins and Iron & Wine
- Stream “A Tattered Line of String”, one of the two new Postal Service tracks in the accompanied YouTube player.

The Postal Service will also be setting out on a 10th anniversary tour with Ben Gibbard and Jimmy Tamberello as well as Jenny Lewis (Rilo Kiley, Jenny & Johnny). For ticketing and additional show info, click here.

04/09/13 Tue – Reno NV @ Grand Sierra Theatre

04/10/13 Wed – Davis CA @ Mondavi Center

04/13/13 Sat – Indio CA @ Coachella

04/12/13 Fri – San Luis Obispo CA @ Madonna Expo Center (SOLD OUT)

04/18/13 Thu – Phoenix AZ @ Comerica Theatre

04/19/13 Fri – Las Vegas NV @ Chelsea Ballroom at the Cosmopolitan

04/20/13 Sat – Indio CA @ Coachella

05/18/13 Sat – Manchester UK @ Academy 2 (SOLD OUT)

05/19/13 Sun – London UK @ Brixton Academy

05/20/13 Mon – London UK @ Brixton Academy (SOLD OUT)

05/21/13 Tues – Paris FR @ Trianon

05/23/13 Thu – Barcelona SP @ Primavera Soundwave

06/14/13 Fri – New York NY @ Barclays Center (SOLD OUT)