The new METZ track, “Drained Lake,” is a propulsive, jagged thing; heavy 21st century post-post-punk, with an infectious sea-sick synth line added for good measure. Strange Peaceis their highly-anticipated third full-length album due out September 22nd.
“Drained Lake” reflects “The constant struggle to know yourself and make sense of your life and surroundings. What is my purpose? Holding on to who you are while fending off pressure to bend to what other people want and expect from you,” says METZ frontman Alex Edkins.
Strange Peace is available for pre-order now from both Sub Pop and Royal Mountain Records. [Canadian fans can pre-order the new record here.]
LP pre-orders of the Sub Pop album from megamart.subpop.com and select independent retailers will receive the limited Loser Edition on clear vinyl with red and green swirls (while supplies last).
METZ recently shared a visual for Strange Peace’s lead track “Cellophane” (and you should watch it here). Stereogum says, “‘Cellophane’ is big and juicy and punishing, just like every METZ track, but it’s also a bit more melodic and structured than most of the band’s work. If this is what we can expect from a new album, we should be excited about it.”
Previously announced 2017 international tour dates for METZ begin with a two-night stand September 5th and 6th in Atlanta at 529 and ends December 16th in Houston at Warehouse Live. The band have added two new dates as direct support for Modest Mouse on October 10th in Providence, RI at Lupo’s and October 11th in Sayreville, NJ’s Starland Ballroom. Additionally, METZ will play shows with Suuns (September 29th-30th), Uniform (October 2nd-6th), Protomartyr (September 22nd; November 2nd-8th), Brian Case (November 9th), Drahla (November 12th-24th), and Cherubs (December 15th). All of their current tour dates follow:
Sep. 05 - Atlanta, GA - 529 Sep. 06 - Atlanta, GA - 529 Sep. 07- Raleigh, NC - Hopscotch Festival Sep. 22 - Detroit, MI - The Princess Boat ! ^^ Sep. 25 - Chicago, IL - Thalia Hall Sep. 29 - Toronto, ON - Lee’s Palace * Sep. 30 - Toronto, ON - Lee’s Palace * Oct. 02 - Boston, MA - Sinclair # Oct. 03 - Philadelphia, PA - The First Unitarian Church # Oct. 04 - Brooklyn, NY - Music Hall of Williamsburg # Oct. 05 - New York, NY - Bowery Ballroom # Oct. 06 - Washington, DC - Rock & Roll Hotel # Oct. 07 - Hamden, CT - The Ballroom Oct. 08 - Montreal, QC - La Sala Rosa Oct. 10 - Providence, RI - Lupo’s ** Oct. 11 - Sayreville, NJ - Starland Ballroom ** Nov. 02 - Prague, Czech Republic - Futurum ! Nov. 03 - Wroclaw, Poland - Klub Firlej ! Nov. 04 - Warsaw, Poland - Klub Hydrozagadka ! Nov. 06 - Berlin, Germany - Bi Nuu ! Nov. 07 - Copenhagen, Denmark - Loppen ! Nov. 08 - Hamburg, Germany - Knust ! Nov. 09 - Zwolle, Netherlands - Poppodium Hedon ^ Nov. 10 - Kortrijk, Belgium - De Kruen (Sonic City Festival) Nov. 12 - Le Havre, France - Le Tetris % Nov. 14 - Nimes, France - La Paloma % Nov. 15 - Bordeaux, France - Theatre Barbey % Nov. 16 - Toulouse, France - Club Metronum % Nov. 17 - Barcelona, Spain - La (2) De Apolo % Nov. 18 - Madrid, Spain - Moby Dick % Nov. 20 - Nantes, France - Pole Etudiant % Nov. 21 - Paris, France - Le Trabendo % Nov. 22 - London, UK - The Garage % Nov. 23 - Bristol, UK - The Fleece % Nov. 24 - Leeds, UK - Brudenell Social Club % Nov. 25 - Brighton, UK - The Haunt Dec. 07 - Seattle, WA - Neumos Dec. 08 - Vancouver, BC - Cobalt Dec. 09 - Portland, OR - Doug Fir Dec. 11 - San Francisco, CA - Independent Dec. 12 - Los Angeles, CA - Teragram Dec. 13 - San Diego, CA - Casbah Dec. 15 - Austin, TX - Mohawk & Dec. 16 - Houston, TX - Studio @ Warehouse Live * w/ SUUNS # w/ Uniform ! w/ Protomartyr ^ w/ Brian Case % w/ Drahla & w/ Cherubs ** w/ Modest Mouse ^^ w/ Preoccupations, Tyvek, Adult
Downtown Boys use their ferocious energy and powerhouse live shows to unite crowds in the struggle to smash racism, queerphobia, capitalism, fascism, boredom, and all things people use to try to close our minds, eyes and hearts. Today, the band has released their highly anticipated and critically acclaimed third album, Cost of Living, on Sub Pop. Produced by Fugazi’s Guy Picciotto, one of indie-rock’s most mythological figures (he also produced Blonde Redhead, The Gossip, and others), Cost of Living shows a sense of maturity without compromising the band’s righteous assault and captivating presence.
The position of Downtown Boys has been clear since they started storming through basements and DIY spaces with their radically-minded, indefatigable rock music: they are here to topple the white-cis-het hegemony and draft a new history. This is how Downtown Boys began, and their resolve has only strengthened as both their sound and audience have grown. Like the socially conscious groups of years past, from Public Enemy to Rage Against the Machine, Downtown Boys harness powerful sloganeering, repetitive grooves, and earworm hooks to create one of the most necessary musical statements of today.
In addition to festival appearances at Riot Fest, London Calling, and Made In America, Downtown Boys are about to kick off an international tour, starting today in the band’s hometown of Providence, RI. Full list of dates are HERE.
What have “The People” said about Downtown Boys? Well, since you asked…
“Accompanied by production from Greg Norman and Fugazi’s Guy Picciotto, Downtown Boys sound sharper than ever, their urgency tightened into a raging storm.” – Pitchfork, Best New Track
“[A Wall] feels powerful enough to break down any physical boundary.” – FADER
“Downtown Boys’ mission: to reject boundaries that separate our humanity.” – NPR
“Listening to [A Wall] feels like being seen, recognized—the head-nod—and the power in both the delivery and the words bring solace and strength.” – Jezebel
“There are serious grooves on Cost Of Living, chugging basslines that propel one song into the next, mood pieces that are thick and urgent and tightly controlled. […] They make music that aims to inspire some spark of radical progress in this country, and the torch is all of ours to bear.” – Stereogum
“For five years, the Providence-born punk collective Downtown Boys have been one of America’s most incendiary bands, their no-nonsense political stances and chaotic songs coming together in messages of personal and societal liberation.” – Boston Globe
“In their best moments … Ruiz and company solidify their status as the most vital band in the scene right now.” – Afropunk
“Downtown Boys are one of the most exciting bands around.“ – Salon
Time for you to not miss Father John Misty’s gorgeous, stop-motion video for “Things It Would Have Been Helpful to Know Before the Revolution,” a thought-provoking standout from Pure Comedy, directed by Chris Hopewell (Radiohead’s “Burn the Witch,” Run The Jewels’ “Don’t Get Captured”). The song‘s apocalyptic themes and subtle humor are captured brilliantly throughout. The “…Revolution” video was constructed and filmed in three weeks at Jacknife Studios in Bristol, UK.
The “…Revolution” puppets will be auctioned off and proceeds will be donated to the Environmental Defense Fund. The first auction begins today, August 3rd and will run through August 13th. To donate, please visit Father John Misty’s official eBay page link right here.
Father John Misty’s new video is a powerful statement – a postcard from a world we never want to visit,” said Eric Pooley, Senior Vice President at Environmental Defense Fund (EDF). “That’s why EDF is proud to partner with Father John Misty, and why we work every day to catalyze the ‘visionaries among us’ who can help forge a better, more optimistic future. For 50 years, EDF has driven innovative solutions that help people and nature prosper. We use cutting edge science and technology and unexpected alliances to scale positive change. We’re earning our middle name every day, and we’re so grateful to Father John Misty for his support.
Father John Misty’s previously announced international tour schedule in support of Pure Comedy resumes this weekend (August 5th) in Montreal with an appearance at the Osheaga Festival.
Aug. 05 - Montreal, QC - Osheaga Festival Aug. 06 - Bethlehem, PA - Musikfest Aug. 18 - Winnipeg, MB - Interstellar Rodeo - The Forks Aug. 19 - Minneapolis, MN - Surly Brewing Festival Field * Aug. 20 - Kansas City, KS - CrossroadsKC * Aug. 23 - Tulsa, OK - Cain’s Ballroom * Aug. 25 - Morrison, CO - Red Rocks Amphitheatre ** Aug. 26 - Portland, OR - Project Pabst Sep. 01 - Sep. 03 - Dorset, UK - End of the Road Festival Sep. 01 - Sep. 03 - Stradbally, IE - Electric Picnic Sep. 13 - Boston, MA - Blue Hills Pavilion $ Sep. 14 - Port Chester, NY - Capitol Theatre $ Sep. 15 - Philadelphia, PA - Skyline Stage at the Mann $ Sep. 18 - Toronto, ON - Massey Hall ^ Sep. 19 - Royal Oak, MI - Royal Oak Music Theatre ^ Sep. 20 - Chicago, IL - Auditorium Theatre ^ Sep. 22 - St. Louis, MO - Peabody Opera House ^ Sep. 23 - Columbus, OH - Palace Theatre ^ Sep. 25 - Asheville, NC - Thomas Wolfe Auditorium ^ Sep. 26 - Nashville, TN - Ryman Auditorium ^ [SOLD OUT] Sep. 27 - Atlanta, GA - The Tabernacle ^ Sep. 29 - Austin, TX - Bass Concert Hall ^ [SOLD OUT] Sep. 30 - Dallas, TX - Bomb Factory ^ Oct. 01 - Houston, TX - White Oak Music Hall ^ Oct. 02 - Austin, TX - Bass Concert Hall ^ Oct. 04 - Phoenix, AZ - Orpheum Theatre ^ Oct. 05 - San Diego, CA - The Observatory North Park ^ Oct. 06 - San Diego, CA - The Observatory North Park ^ [SOLD OUT] Oct. 07 - Berkeley, CA - Greek Theatre $ Oct. 11 - Santa Barbara, CA - Arlington Theatre ^ Oct. 12 - Las Vegas, NV - Brooklyn Bowl ^ Oct. 13 - Los Angeles, CA - Greek Theatre ^ Oct. 14 - Pomona, CA - Fox Theater Pomona ^ Nov. 01 - Edinburgh, UK - Usher Hall ^ Nov. 02 - Glasgow, UK - O2 Academy ^ Nov. 05 - Manchester, UK - O2 Apollo ^ Nov. 07 - London,UK - Hammersmith Eventim Apollo ^ Nov. 08 - London, UK - Hammersmith Eventim Apollo ^ Nov. 09 - Brighton, UK - Brighton Dome ^ Nov. 11 - Paris, FR - Le Trianon ^ Nov. 12 - Brussels, BE - Ancienne Belgique ^ Nov. 13 - Utrecht, NL - TivoliVredenburg ^ Nov. 14 - Berlin, DE - Huxley’s ^ Nov. 16 - Milan, IT - Fabrique ^ Nov. 18 - Barcelona, ES - Razzmatazz ^ Nov. 19 - Madrid, ES - La Riviera ^ Nov. 20 - Lisbon, PT - Coliseu dos Recreios ^ *w/ Tennis **w/ Jenny Lewis ^ w/ Weyes Blood $ w/ Phosphorescent
Father John Misty will tape his first-ever appearance for the PBS series Austin City Limits on August 22. The episode will broadcast as part of Austin City Limits upcoming Season 43. Stay tuned to acltv.com for livestream news and episode airdates.
Quazarz vs. The Jealous Machines illustrated 32-page book will be available this Friday from Sub Pop and Fantagraphics
Shabazz Palaces defy expectation and convention once again by delivering a wonderfully surreal new video for “Shine A Light” (feat. Thaddillac) from Quazarz: Born on a Gangster Star. The new visual, directed by Neil Ferron, tells the story of a half-human/half-goat baby that gets ritualistically sacrificed at a countryside, teenage wedding. The “Shine A Light” video poses the question, “In these times, what is truly weird?!”
Quazarz Born on a Gangster Star and Quazarz vs. The Jealous Machines, the group’s third and fourth albums for 2017, are available now on CD / LP / DL / CS worldwide through Sub Pop right here.
Quazarz vs. The Jealous Machines will also be available as a special-edition illustrated album (get it here): illustrated by cartoonist Joshua Ray Stephens this full-color, hand-numbered, 32-page book includes a download code for the full album. Joshua Ray Stephens worked directly with Shabazz Palaces to interpret the album track-by-track, creating a cohesive whole that synchronizes music and image. Printed in a large 11” x 17” format, with saddle-stitch binding, this limited-edition art piece further expands the ambitious universe of Quazarz and Shabazz Palaces. The illustrated album version of Quazarz vs. The Jealous Machines will be released in collaboration with Fantagraphics Books, this Friday, August 18th.
Shabazz Palaces have extended their 2017 tour schedule in support both Quazarz: Born on a Gangster Star and Quazarz vs. The Jealous Machines with international dates that resumes this Wednesday, August 16th in Portland, Oregon at The Star Theatre and runs through November 9th-12th at Le Guess Who? Festival in Utrecht, Netherlands.
Aug. 16 - Portland, OR - The Star Theater* Aug. 18 - San Francisco, CA - Great American Music Hall* Aug. 19 - Los Angeles, CA - The Regent Theatre* Aug. 20 - Phoenix, AZ - Crescent Ballroom* Aug. 21 - El Paso, TX - Lowbrow* Aug. 23 - Austin, TX - Mohawk (Outdoor Stage)* Aug. 24 - Dallas, TX - Club Dada* Aug. 25 - Baton Rouge, LA - Spanish Moon* Aug. 26 - Atlanta, GA - Terminal West* Aug. 27 - Charleston, SC - Music Farm* Aug. 28 - Carrboro, NC - Cat’s Cradle* Aug. 30 - Columbus, OH - Ace of Cups* Aug. 31 - Detroit, MI - El Club* Sep. 01 - Toronto, ON - Lee’s Palace* Sep. 02 - Montreal, QC - Theatre Fairmount* Sep. 03 - Quebec City, QC - Le Cercle* Sep. 05 - Boston, MA - The Sinclair* Sep. 06 - Brooklyn, NY - Warsaw* Sep. 07 - Philadelphia, PA - Union Transfer* Sep. 08 - Washington, DC - Black Cat* Sep. 09 - Baltimore, DC - Ottobar* Sep. 11 - Asheville, NC - The Grey Eagle Tavern & Music Hall* Sep. 14 - Minneapolis, MN - Amsterdam Bar & Hall* Sep. 16 - Chicago, IL - Riot Fest at Douglas Park Oct. 06 - Copenhagen, DK - Jazz House Oct. 07 - Stockholm, SE - Debaser Oct. 08 - Oslo, NO - Parkteateret Oct. 09 - Gotheburg, SE - Pustervik Oct. 11 - Helsinki, FI - Kuudes Linja Oct. 13 - Riga, LV - Skaņu Mežs festival Oct. 17 - Bratislava, SK - A4 Zero Space Oct. 19 - Ljubljana, SI - Kino Siska Oct. 20 - Istanbul, TR - Garajstanbul Oct. 21 - Vienna, AT - Arena Oct. 22 - Prague, CZ - Struny Podzimu Festival Oct. 23 - Berlin, DE - Gretchen Oct. 24 - Cologne, DE - Yuca Oct. 26 - Dudingen, CH - Bad Bonn Oct. 27 - Zurich, CH - Rote Fabrik Oct. 28 - Geneva, CH - La Graviere Oct. 30 - Paris, FR - Batofar Oct. 31 - Lisbon, PT - Lux Fragil Nov. 01 - Madrid, ES - Taboo Nov. 02 - Barga, PT - Gnration Nov. 03 - Dublin, IE - Sugar Club Nov. 06 - London, UK - Oval Space Nov. 07 - Manchester, UK - Deaf Institute Nov. 08 - Glasgow, UK - Art School Nov. 09 - Leeds, UK - Belgrave Music Hall Nov. 10 - Brussels, BE - AB Nov. 09-12 - Utrecht, NL - Le Guess Who? Festival *w/ Porter Ray
And here we have Chad VanGaalen’s “Mind Hijacker’s Curse”, another highlight from his forthcoming sixth album known as Light Information.
VanGaalen says of the song, “Mind hijacker’s curse is the outcome and side effects of vacationing inside of another organism’s consciousness. Once we can do this, I see the potential to forget your physical self and just live inside of some other beings mind. Hook me up to the fungal web that allows entire forests to communicate. I imagine the dolphin package would be very popular…”
[Photo Credit: Marc Rimmer]
Light Information is available for preorder now on CD / LP / DL / CS from Sub Pop and Flemish Eye. LP pre orders of the album from megamart.subpop.com and select independent retailers will receive the limited Loser edition on crystal clear vinyl (while supplies last). There will also be a new T-shirt design available for your bundling pleasure.
In other fantastical (but also very factual) news: on September 8th, Sub Pop will repress VanGaalen’s Infiniheart, his beloved and long out of print (on vinyl) 2005 debut on 2xLP and Turquoise vinyl. And now at long last, Chad VanGaalen’s discography (Shrink Dust, Infiniheart, Skelliconnection, Soft Airplane, and Diaper Island) is available for the first time time ever on Bandcamp.
Chad VanGaalen’s previously announced fall 2017 international tour dates in support of Light Information span October 15th in Utrecht, Netherlands at EKKO through December 8th in Montreal, Quebec at The Fairmount.
Europe Oct. 15 - Utrecht, NL - EKKO Oct. 16 - Rotterdam, NL - Rotown Oct. 17 - London, UK - Oslo Oct. 18 - Leeds, UK - Brudenell Social Club Oct. 20 - Hamburg, DE - Molotow (Sky Bar) Oct. 21 - Copenhagen, DK - Stengade Oct. 22 - Berlin, DE - Kantine am Berghain Oct. 24 - Düdingen, CH - Bad Bonn Oct. 25 - Lyon, FR - Le Sonic Oct. 26 - Amiens, FR - La Lune des Pirates Oct. 27 - Paris, FR - Point Ephemere Oct. 28 - Nantes, FR - SOY Festival Oct. 29 - Tourcoing, FR - Le Grand Mix Oct. 30 - Luxemburg, LU - Rotondes Oct. 31 - Gent, BE - NEST
North America Nov. 09 - Vancouver, BC - The Biltmore Cabaret Nov. 10 - Seattle, WA - Sunset Tavern * Nov. 12 - Portland, OR - Doug Fir * Nov. 14 - San Francisco, CA - The Chapel * Nov. 15 - Los Angeles, CA - Satellite Club * Nov. 16 - San Diego, CA - Soda Bar * Nov. 17 - Phoenix, AZ - Valley Bar * Nov. 19 - Denver, CO - Hi Dive * Nov. 20 - Salt Lake City, UT - Kilby Court Nov. 30 - Toronto, ON - Lee’s Palace Dec. 01 - Detroit, MI - El Club ** Dec. 02 - Chicago, IL - Empty Bottle ** Dec. 03 - Indianapolis, IN - The Hi Fi ** Dec. 05 - Pittsburgh, PA - Club Cafe ** Dec. 06 - Brooklyn, NY - Rough Trade NYC ** Dec. 07 - Allston, MA - Great Scott ** Dec. 08 - Montreal QC - Fairmont *w/ NE-HI **w/ Un Blonde
Sub Pop is currently accepting resumes from energetic, responsible, detail-oriented, and dependable candidates for a part-time/weekend/night Sales Clerk position at our new-ish and (let’s not be coy about it…) terribly impressive store at the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. This guy.
Responsibilities include:
• Greeting and assisting customers in a friendly manner. • Full compliance with Sea-Tac operation rules and strict TSA regulations and restrictions. • Efficient handling of cash and credit card transactions. • Ability to work collaboratively and communicate effectively. • Availability to work nights, weekends, and holidays. • Assist in organizing and restocking the store. • Maintaining the general appearance of the store. • Contributing to the team retail effort by accomplishing related tasks as needed.
Qualified candidates will have:
• Previous experience in the retail environment. • Knowledge of the Sub Pop catalog, Pacific Northwest music, the Seattle music community, and the City of Seattle. • A friendly and enthusiastic disposition with customers and staff. • Strong and clear communication skills. • A general understanding of retail Point of Sale systems. • Flexibility in schedule and willingness to work early or late hours.
The Sub Pop Airport Store at Sea-Tac is open unusually long hours, generally 6am - 10pm, and 365 days a year.
