Today, Knife Knights (The Palaceer aka Ishmael Butler, Erik Blood, OCnotes and Marquetta Miller) share a dizzying new visual for “Drag Race Legend,” a psychedelic tale of wasted youth, directed by Joshua M. Johnson. The young man has a penchant for street racing, skipping school and getting high. He proclaims himself a legend, drinks spodie and parties with dorks like Billy Parker.”
1 Time Mirage is out now on CD/LP/DL/CS worldwide from Sub Pop. The long-player features the aforementioned “Drag Race Legend,” with additional highlights “My Dreams Never Sleep”“Give You Game,”“Seven Wheel Motion,”“Light Up Ahead (Time Mirage)” and “Low Key,” and was as produced by Ishmael Butler and Erik Blood at Protect and Exalt: A Black Space in Seattle. 1 Time Mirage includes guest appearances from labelmates Shabazz Palaces and Porter Ray, along with Stas THEE Boss, Thaddillac, El Mizell, Gerald Turner, and Darrius Willrich.
1 Time Mirage orders through megamart.subpop.com, select independent retailers and Knife Knights shows will receive the limited Loser edition on blue vinyl (while supplies last). The album cover also features gorgeous artwork from Robert Beatty.
What “The People” have said about Knife Knights 1 Time Mirage: “[A] spellbinding fusion of rap, blessed funk, and tough soul” - London in Stereo
“The result is an album of eminently listenable sonic frontierism, and Butler’s most accessible work in years.” [4/5] - MOJO
“[A] suite of sci-fi cosmic hip-hop that takes myriad turns and twists, none of them predictable, all of them compelling.” - The Wire
“Like Butler’s frequent collaborator Flying Lotus, Knife Knights create a rich, fibrous world around each of the tracks on 1 Time Mirage. This is an album whose air you can breathe, whose fragrant musk seeps from each detail. Its production has an insomniac energy, oddly tranquil and unsettled at the same time, each dab of reverb and tickling delay sending ripples through the fug of warped beats and sardonic rhymes.” [8/10] - Loud & Quiet
“1 Time Mirage leapfrogs across several different genres and subgenres, pulling hip-hop, psychedelic soul, and shoegaze into an 11-track set of chaotic noise. Between the woozy bounce of “Seven Wheel Motion,” the house-inflected stomp of “Can’t Draw The Line,” and the hazy pop of “Come On Let’s Go,” the album is easily as esoteric as anything created by Shabazz Palaces; but the music here feels lusher and more sophisticated.” - Bandcamp Daily
“It’s Marika’s rawness that makes Any Human Friend such an emotive and compelling album” - ★★★★ ½ DIY
Marika Hackman’s internationally acclaimed new album Any Human Friend is out today, Friday, August 9th in North and South America from Sub Pop, and the rest of the world through AMF Recordings.
The powerful, sexually-charged album, which is led by the highlights “i’m not where you are,”“the one,”“all night,” ”hand solo,” and “blow,” was produced by Hackman and David Wrench (Frank Ocean, the xx, Lets Eat Grandma). She will embark on a headlining North American tour this October and November with support from Hardly Art artists Girl Friday, who will also act as her backing band for the entire tour.
Marika Hackman has also scheduled a Reddit “Indieheads” AMA for Wednesday, August 14th at 12:30 pm PDT/3 pm EDT.
Any Human Friend is now available from Sub Pop. LP purchases through megamart.subpop.com and select independent retailers in North America will receive the limited Loser edition on Salmon-colored vinyl (while supplies last).
Aug.15 - Beacon Breacons, UK - Green Man Festival Sep. 21 - Bristol, UK - Thekla Sep. 23 - Glasgow, UK - Oran Mor Sep. 24 - Leeds, UK - Brudenell Social Club Sep. 25 - Manchester, UK - Band On The Wall Sep. 26 - London, UK - Islington Assembly Hall Oct. 11 - Atlanta, GA - The Earl* Oct. 12 - Durham, NC - The Pinhook* Oct. 13 - Washington, DC - U Street Music Hall* Oct. 14 - Philadelphia, PA - Boot & Saddle* Oct. 15 - Brooklyn, NY - Elsewhere* Oct. 18 - Allston, MA - Great Scott* Oct. 19 - Portland, ME - Port City Music Hall* Oct. 20 - Montréal, QC - Bar Le ‘Ritz’ P.D.B.* Oct. 21 - Toronto, ON- The Legendary Horseshoe Tavern* Oct. 23 - Columbus, OH - Ace of Cups Oct. 24 - Ann Arbor, MI - Blind Pig* Oct. 25 - Chicago, IL- Sleeping Village* Oct. 26 - Milwaukee, WI - Back Room at Colectivo Coffee* Oct. 28 - Minneapolis, MN - 7th St. Entry* Nov. 01 - Seattle, WA - Neumos* Nov. 04 - Oakland, CA - Starline Social Club* Nov. 06 - West Hollywood, CA - The Roxy Theatre*
*w/ Girl Friday
What “The People” have said about Any Human Friend:
“A treasure trove of zippy guitar hooks, glimmering synths, and lemony vocals.” - (9.3/10) PASTE
“Infectious, assured, and eclectic…, Album of the Week.” - Stereogum
“Any Human Friend is all bangers, all the time…there is not a single low point on the album.” - ★★★★★ DORK
“Any Human Friend sees Hackman wholly uncensored, and all the better for it.” - ★★★★ Q
“Signals Hackman’s coming of age as an artist with real purpose and star power.” - ★★★★ The Telegraph
“Her most universal album yet.” - (8/10) Uncut
“A contender for album of the year.” - (8/10) CLASH
“A quantum leap forward” - (8/10) PopMatters
“Any Human Friend is an explosive body of work.” - (8/10) The Line of Best Fit
“The arrangements are sharper, the choruses bigger…” - (8/10) Loud & Quiet
Years to Burn is out June 14th on Sub Pop Records.
Today, Calexico and Iron & Wine share the gorgeous second single from their upcoming album, Years to Burn, entitled “Midnight Sun.” In “Midnight Sun,” Calexico’s Joey Burns and Sam Beam of Iron & Wine trade haunted-sounding verses over shimmering steel until the song devolves into a corrosive electric lead from Burns, like a dying siren. The video makes use of over 100 paintings Beam did for the creation of the new album’s cover. Working with animator Jonny Sanders, the video brings to life in a spirited and fun way, the many images of Burns, Beam and Calexico drummer John Convertino. Watch the video HEREthen playlist it on YouTube - Spotify - Apple Music.
Years to Burn is their first full–length album together and will be available June 14th via City Slang in the UK/Europe and Sub Pop in the rest of the world. Of the track, Joey Burns says “Sam sent some demos the week before we met to record the album. Based on the feel of those demos I wrote the song “Midnight Sun” the day I got to Nashville. I arrived at our rental house the day before everyone else and was happy to find a piano, old pump organ and guitar to do some writing. I was up late and came up with a tune that would bridge both bands’ worlds. I started with a drone in F# and was curious as to where it would take me.”
Calexico and Iron & Wine previously shared the lead single off of the album called “Father Mountain”. Listen to “Father Mountain” HERE. The two will head out on an extensive North American, European, and UK tour this summer through the fall, including the just announced free show on June 21stat Prospect Park Bandshellas part of the Celebrate Brooklyn Festival. These shows will have the two sharing the stage for one-of-a-kind performances, focusing on music from Years to Burn, their previous EP together, In the Reins, as well as surprise covers and classics from each bands’ catalog. All tour dates can be found below.
Years to Burn is available June 14th via City Slang in the UK/Europe and from Sub Pop in the rest of the world.
Jun. 18 - Saxapahaw, NC - River Ballroom Jul. 19 - Lisbon, PT - Super Bock Super Rock Jul. 20 - Arlesheim, CH - Stimmen Festival Jul. 22 - Milan, IT - La Triennale di Milano Jul. 23 - Gardone Riviera, IT - Anfiteatro del Vittoriale Jul. 24 - Rome, IT - Villa Ada Jul. 25 - Florence, IT - Cavea del Nuovo Teatro dell’opera Jul. 26 - Monforte D’ Alba, IT - Auditorium Horszowski Jul. 28 - Vienna, AT - Konzerthaus Jul. 29 - Palma, ES - Auditorium de Palma de Mallorca Jul. 31 - Hamburg, DE - Stadtpark Aug. 02 - Cambridge, UK - Cambridge Folk Festival Aug. 03 - Leuven, BE - M-idzommer Festival Aug. 04 - Crozon, FR - Festival Du Bout Du Monde Aug. 16 - Phoenix, AZ - Orpheum Theatre ~ Aug. 17 - Tucson, AZ - Rialto Theatre ~ Aug. 19 - Denver, CO - Denver Botanic Gardens ~ Aug. 21 - Ogden, UT - Twilight Series at Ogden Amphitheater ^ Aug. 22 - Boise, ID - Knitting Factory Concert House ^ Aug. 23 - Portland, OR - Keller Auditorium ^ Aug. 24 - Vancouver, BC - Vogue Theatre Aug. 25 - Port Townsend, WA - The Thing Sep. 18 - Grand Rapids, MI - Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park “Meijer Gardens” Sep. 19 - Pittsburgh, PA - Roxian Theatre Sep. 20 - Philadelphia, PA - Union Transfer Sep. 21 - Boston, MA - Rockland Trust Bank Pavillion + Sep. 22 - North Adams, MA - FreshGrass Festival Sep. 24 - Richmond, VA - The National Sep. 26 - Birmingham, AL - Iron City Sep. 27 - New Orleans, LA - House Of Blues Sep. 28 - Austin, TX - Stubb’s Waller Creek Sep. 29 - Dallas, TX - Majestic Theater Sep. 30 - Oklahoma City, OK - Tower Theatre Oct. 02 - Las Vegas, NV - House Of Blues Oct. 03 - Los Angeles, CA - Orpheum Theatre Oct. 04 - San Diego, CA - Humphrey’s Concertsby The Bay Oct. 06 - Saratoga, CA - Mountain Winery Nov. 05 - Utrecht, NL - TrivoliVrendenburg - Ronda Nov. 06 -Luxemborg, LU - Den Atelier Nov. 07 - Antwerp, BE - De Roma Nov. 09 - Berlin, DE - Tempodrom Nov. 10 - Linz, AT - Posthof Nov. 11 - Munich, DE - Muffathalle Nov. 12 - Budapest, HU - Müpa Nov. 14 - Mannheim, DE - Musensaal Rosengarten Nov. 15 - Cologne, DE - Palladium Nov. 16 - Paris, FR - La Cigale Nov. 18 - Edinburgh, UK - Usher Hall * Nov. 19 - Liverpool, UK - Philharmonic Hall * Nov. 20 - Manchester, UK - Bridgewater Hall * Nov. 21 -Conventry, UK - Warwick Arts Centre * Nov. 23 - London, UK - Royal Festival Hall * Nov. 24 - Bexhill-On-Sea, UK – De La Warr Pavillion *
~ with special guest Madison Cunningham + with Andrew Bird *with special guest Lisa O’Neill ^ with Orville Peck
World tour dates announced for September, October, and November.
On September 6th, Sub Pop will release Frankie Cosmos’ fourth studio album, Close It Quietly. This album is a manifestation of the band’s collaborative spirit: Greta Kline and longtime bandmates Lauren Martin (synth), Luke Pyenson (drums), and Alex Bailey (bass) luxuriated in studio time with Gabe Wax, who engineered and co-produced the record with the band at Brooklyn’s Figure 8 Studios.
Early this year, Frankie Cosmos released Haunted Items, a digital-only collection of new stripped-down songs for the piano which the band’s latest single, “Rings (On A Tree)”, first appeared. As the band’s frontwoman Greta Kline describes, it’s “a fictional tale of a breakup from the point of view of a mistress. After I wrote it I realized what it meant to me– even though I’ve never been a mistress, I related to the character from being in a relationship where my feelings weren’t prioritized. I originally wrote it just on piano and released the solo version that way. The band version really takes it somewhere else and felt very collaborative. I love everyone’s parts. Alex wrote the funky guitar part I play in the middle section, based on an idea Luke and Lauren verbalized.” You can listen to the band version of “Rings (On A Tree) above, and also by clicking here.
[Photo credit: Jackie Lee Young]
Frankie Cosmos Tour Dates + Ticket Links
Frankie Cosmos has announced a World Tour, splitting these shows into three legs. The first leg of dates will begin on September 18 in Boston, MA, and end on Sep. 29 in their hometown of New York City. They will then head overseas beginning on Oct. 8th in Munich, Germany with shows in Prague, Amsterdam, and Paris, ending on Oct. 22nd in London. The final leg of dates will run from Oct 31st - Nov 16th with shows in Portland, Seattle, Vancouver, Los Angeles, and Berkeley.
Sep. 18 - Boston, MA - Royale Sep. 19 - Burlington, VT - Arts Riot Sep. 20 - Montreal, QC - L’Astral Sep. 21 - Toronto, ON - Horseshoe Tavern Sep. 22 - Detroit, MI - Deluxx Fluxx Sep. 23 - Chicago, IL - Thalia Hall Sep. 25 - Columbus, OH - Ace of Cups Sep. 26 - Pittsburgh, PA - Spirit Hall Sep. 27 - Washington, DC - Black Cat Sep. 28 - Philadelphia, PA - PhilaMOCA Sep. 29 - New York, NY - Webster Hall Oct. 08 - Munich, DE - Heppel & Ettlich Oct. 09 - Vienna, AT - Chelsea Oct. 10 - Prague, CZ - Underdogs’ Oct. 11 - Cologne, DE - MTC Oct. 12 - Luxembourg, LU - Rotondes Oct. 13 - Amsterdam, NL - Bitterzoet Oct. 14 - Paris, FR - Badaboum Oct. 15 - Reims, FR - La Cartonnerie Oct. 16 - Brighton, UK - The Haunt Oct. 17 - Bristol, UK - Exchange Oct. 19 - Leeds, UK - Belgrave Music Hall Oct. 20 - Sheffield, UK - Delicious Clam (Sold Out) Oct. 21 - Manchester, UK - Night & Day Oct. 22 - London, UK - Islington Assembly Hall Oct. 31 - Portland, OR - Wonder Ballroom Nov. 01 - Tacoma, WA - Alma Mater Nov. 02 - Vancouver, BC - Hollywood Theatre Nov. 03 - Seattle, WA - Laser Dome @ Pacific Science Center Nov. 07 - Denver, CO - Bluebird Theater Nov. 08 - Denver, CO - Larimer Lounge Nov. 10 - Tucson, AZ - Hotel Congress Nov. 12 - Anaheim, CA - Chain Reaction Nov. 13 - San Diego, CA - Che Cafe Nov. 15 - Los Angeles, CA - 1720 Nov. 16 - Berkeley, CA - The UC Theatre
Close It Quietly is now available for preorder from Sub Pop. LP preorders of the album through the megamart.subpop.com and select independent retailers in North America, UK, and Europe will receive the limited Loser edition on blue pearlescent (North America) and opaque yellow (UK/EU) while supplies last.
On Sep 20th, Sub Pop will release Morning in America, a new 7-song EP of tracks recorded during the sessions for Mudhoney’s 2018 album, Digital Garbage (“…an astute, politically relevant and commendably fired-up garage punk belter of an LP,” – The Quietus). The tracks include “Let’s Kill Yourself Live Again” (an alternate version of the Digital Garbage stand-out “Kill Yourself Live,” and the bonus track for the Japanese CD version of that album), “One Bad Actor” (a new version of Mudhoney’s track on the limited-edition, and now very sold-out, SPF30 split 7” single w Hot Snakes), album outtakes “Snake Oil Charmer,” “Morning in America” and “Creeps Are Everywhere,” plus “Ensam I Natt” (“So Lonely Tonight,” a Leather Nun cover) and “Vortex of Lies” from a very limited EU tour 7”.
The songs were mixed at Johnny Sangster’s studio Crackle & Pop! The release of this EP coincides with Mudhoney’s fall 2019 US tour – see below for dates.
Morning in America will only be available on 12” vinyl and through digital services. Pre-orders for this new Mudhoney EP are available from Sub Pop now. And, the limited Loser Edition of Morning in America, on white vinyl marbled with black, is available frommegamart.subpop.com and select independent retailers inNorth America, UK, and Europe, while supplies last.
Morning in America Tracklisting 1.Vortex of Lies 2. Creeps Are Everywhere 3. Ensam I Natt 4. Morning in America 5. Let’s Kill Yourself Live Again 6. Snake Oil Charmer 7. One Bad Actor
Mudhoney will be touring the US following the release of this EP: Sep. 27 – Sep. 29 - Dana Point, CA - Ohana Festival Oct. 4 - Jersey City, NJ - White Eagle Hall @ Oct. 5 - Boston, MA - Brighton Music Hall * Oct. 6 - Philadelphia, PA - Union Transfer * Oct. 7 - Richmond, Virginia - The Broadberry * Oct. 8 - Pinhook, Durham - NC * Oct. 9 - Atlanta, GA - Terminal West * Oct. 10 - Ashville, NC - Grey Eagle Tavern & Music Hall * Oct. 11 - Knoxville, TN - Concourse # Oct. 12 - Nashville, TN - Basement East $ Oct. 14 - St Louis, MO - Off Broadway % Oct. 15 - Detroit, MI - El Club % Oct. 16 - Cleveland, OH - Grog Shop % Oct. 17 - Pittsburgh, PA - Mr. Smalls % Oct. 18 - Baltimore, MD - Baltimore Soundstage % Oct. 19 - Brooklyn, NY - Market Hotel %
@ w/ Shut Up * w/ Pissed Jeans # w/ Pissed Jeans, Kings of the Fucking Sea $ w/ Porcupine & Kings of the Fucking Sea % w/ Kid Congo Power + the Pink Monkey Birds
Weyes Blood directs, stars in and breaks through the fourth wall in her gorgeous new video for “Movies,” a standout from Titanic Rising. The video was directed by and stars Natalie Mering, and like the album cover, includes footage filmed underwater.
Of it, she says, “We are enamored with Movies. Our generation is the most cinematically saturated of all time. Videotapes, DVD’s, streaming… Spielberg…all of it has thrust us into an endless loop of consumption. They provide formative experiences as children, standing larger than life before our fragile adolescent minds. I wanted to take a look into the emotionally manipulative powers of Movies - how have Movies succeeded in telling the myths of our time? How have they failed (miserably)? What is the consequent effect on a society of beings looking for themselves in the myths on the screen? It’s safe to say that they have failed us, but I can’t help it…I love Movies.”
Weyes Blood will release Titanic Rising, her fourth album and Sub Pop records debut, worldwide on CD/LP/DL/CS April 5th, 2019. The album features the lead single “Everyday,” and the previously released “Andromeda,” along with highlights “Something to Believe,” “Wild Time,” and the aforementioned “Movies.” The cover for Titanic Rising was shot in a bedroom submerged fully underwater by photographer Brett Stanley (zero CGI).
Weyes Blood’s previously announced “True Love is Making a Comeback Tour” in support of Titanic Rising runs April 1st-June 13th, 2019.
True Love is Making a Comeback Tour 2019 California Apr. 01 - Fresno, CA - Strummers Apr. 02 - Santa Cruz, CA - The Atrium at The Catalyst Apr. 03 - Santa Barbara, CA - Velvet Jones Apr. 04 - Los Angeles, CA - Masonic Lodge [Sold Out]
UK/Europe Apr. 22 - Brighton, UK - The Haunt Apr. 23 - Bristol, UK - The Exchange Apr. 24 - Manchester, UK - YES (The Pink Room) Apr. 25 - London, UK - Islington Assembly Hall Apr. 27 - Berlin, DE - Kantine am Berghain Apr. 28 - Hamburg, DE- Turmzimmer Apr. 29 - Amsterdam, NL - Paradiso Upstairs Apr. 30 - Dunkerque, FR - 4Ecluses May 02 - Paris, FR - La Maroquinerie May 03 - Orleans, FR - Astrolabe May 04 - Brussels, BE - Le Nuits Botanique (Venue: Rotonde)
North America May 14 - San Francisco, CA - The Independent May 16 - Seattle, WA - The Tractor Tavern May 17 - Vancouver, BC - St. James Hall May 18 - Portland, OR - Doug Fir Lounge May 21 - Minneapolis, MN - Turf Club May 22 - Chicago, IL - Lincoln Hall May 24 - Toronto, ON - Horseshoe Tavern May 25 - Montreal, QC - Petit Campus May 26 - Portland, ME - SPACE Gallery May 28 - Cambridge, MA - The Sinclair May 29 - New York, NY - Music Hall of Williamsburg May 31 - Washington, DC - U Street Music Hall Jun. 01 - Philadelphia, PA - Johnny Brenda’s Jun. 03 - Atlanta, GA - The Earl Jun. 04 - Nashville, TN - The High Watt Jun. 06 - Dallas, TX - Club Dada Jun. 07 - Houston, TX - White Oak Music Hall (upstairs) Jun. 08 - Austin, TX - Antone’s Jun. 10 - El Paso, TX - Lowbrow Palace Jun. 11 - Santa Fe, NM - Meow Wolf Jun. 12 - Phoenix, AZ - Valley Bar Jun. 13 - Los Angeles, CA - The Troubadour
Titanic Rising is available for pre-order from Sub Pop. LP pre-orders in North America through weyesblood.com, megamart.subpop.com, and select independent retailers will receive the limited Loser edition on maroon colored vinyl (while supplies last). LP preorders of Titanic Rising throughout the UK and Europe from select independent retailers will receive the limited Loser edition on red vinyl (while supplies last). There will also be a new T-shirt design available.
