News from 2021

NEWS : MON, JUN 21, 2021 at 10:00 AM

Hannah Jadagu to embark on her first-ever tour supporting Beach Fossils and Wild Nothing’s co-headlining dates this fall

Hannah Jadagu (pron. juh-dah-goo) will embark on her first-ever tour, supporting Wild Nothing and Beach Fossils co-headlining trek, this fall. The 22-date midwest, southern, and east coast jaunt begins Monday, October 4th and runs through Monday, November 1st, 2021, and will have stops in Cleveland, Chicago, Indianapolis, St. Paul, Iowa City, Lawrence, Dallas, Austin, San Antonio, Houston, Tampa, Miami, Orlando, Gainesville, Athens, Charlotte, Richmond, DC, Philadelphia, Boston, and Brooklyn. Tickets for the tour go on sale Friday, June 25th at noon (LOCAL).
 
Preceding the tour, Hannah will perform at WDST’s Sunset Sessions with Elijah Wolf on Friday, July 23rd at Opus 40 in Saugerties, NY. Please find a full list of tour dates below.
 
For these dates, Hannah will be supporting What Is Going On?, her acclaimed, five-song debut EP, out now on all DSPs from Sub Pop. Hailing from Mesquite, Texas and now residing in New York, the incredibly resourceful 19 year-old records and produces her music all through her iPhone 7. Using Garageband iOS, an iRig, microphone, and guitar, Hannah has found a process that has served her well so far in her young recording career.
 
Fri. Jul. 23 - Saugerties, NY - WDST Sunset Sessions @ Opus 40 ^
Mon. Oct. 04 - Cleveland, OH - Beachland Ballroom *
Tue. Oct. 05 - Indianapolis, IN - The Vogue *
Wed. Oct. 06 - Chicago, IL - Thalia Hall *
Thu. Oct. 07 - Chicago, IL - Thalia Hall *
Fri. Oct. 08 - St. Paul, MN - Amsterdam Bar and Hall *
Sat. Oct. 09 - Iowa City, IA - Gabe’s Oasis *
Sun. Oct. 10 - Lawrence, KS - Granada Theater *
Wed. Oct. 13 - Dallas, TX - GMBG *
Thu. Oct. 14 - Austin, TX - The Mohawk *
Fri. Oct.15 - San Antonio, TX - Paper Tiger *
Sat. Oct. 16 - Houston, TX - Satellite Bar *
Mon. Oct. 18 - Tampa, FL - The Ritz Ybor *
Wed. Oct. 20 - Miami, FL - The Ground *
Thu. Oct. 21 - Orlando, FL - Beacham Theatre *
Fri. Oct. 22  - Gainesville, FL - High Dive *
Sat. Oct. 23 - Athens, GA - Georgia Theater *
Mon. Oct. 25 - Charlotte, NC - The Underground *
Tue. Oct. 26 - Richmond, VA - The Broadberry *
Wed. Oct. 27 - Washington, DC - 9:30 Club *
Thu. Oct. 28 - Philadelphia, PA - Union Transfer *
Sat. Oct. 30 - Boston, MA - Royale *
Mon. Nov. 01 - Brooklyn, NY - Brooklyn Steel *
* w/ Wild Nothing + Beach Fossils
^ w/ Elijah Wolf
 
What people are saying about Hannah Jadagu:
“…Just glorious. Her voice, the production, these sweet reflective melodies. Just all works so well together.” [What Is Going On?]- NPR Music
 
“The New York via Texas transplant sings of trying to find her way in a myriad of inflection points in her life and in society. Whether it is racial and gender equality (“My Bones”), the crush of any given day (“Sundown”), or romantic tribulations (“What Is Going On?”), Jadagu wraps her concerns in shimmery layers of off-center pop frosting.” [What Is Going On?] - Under the Radar
 
“When immersed in the raw beauty of Hannah Jadagu’s SubPop debut EP, What is Going On?, many things spring to mind. How does she build such nuanced melodic tension with her lyrics? How does she write such introspectively brilliant lyrics?” - Ones to Watch
 
“Jadagu’s songs have an inherently chill quality that feel almost effortless.” - Dallas Observer
 
“A catchy dose of indie/dream pop that makes good on the promise of Hannah’s Soundcloud singles.” [“Think Too Much”] - Brooklyn Vegan
 
“She does a great job of expressing a sense of being trapped in a loop of negative thoughts (“why does it feel like I’m digging a hole?”) while keeping the music light and breezy.” [“Think Too Much” / “20 Best Rock Songs Right Now”] - The FADER
 
“The title track of the debut EP from 18-year-old New York-by-way-of-Texas singer/songwriter Hannah Jadagu,” What is Going On?” is one of the better ‘song of the summer’ candidates we’ve heard thus far in this young year. With a Strat as her weapon of choice, Jadagu coats the song’s anxious lyrics with a breezy, perfect ’n’ simple riff. Just the right touch of distortion, a catchy lead guitar hook, and warm washes of synths as background muscle? Can’t ask for much more than that.” - Guitar World
 
“An immediate charmer—dreamy melodies emboldened by a neurotic interiority—and maybe the greatest song about fearing turning 23 since Blink-182’s “What’s My Age Again?”  [“Think Too Much”] - Jezebel
 
 “Dreamy synths and beats” [“Think Too Much” / 40 Artists You Need To Hear/March] - Alternative Press
 
“The songs of her debut EP, What Is Going On?, were all written and recorded through her mobile phone, yet despite her limited resources, the songs sound lush, and perfectly formed, showing what can be done if you find a method that works for you.” - For the Rabbits
 
“A colorful dose of sweet, soaring psych and folk seems to coalesce into its own new genre… “Think Too Much” is intimate, but feels like it was always meant to be shared not with a diary, but a full audience: Jadagu’s dazzling performance is underscored by haunting lyrics that delve into one’s inner demons, uncertainties, and self-doubts – and an ethereal, catchy chorus all about overcoming these obstacles.” - Atwood Magazine
 
“Will delight your ears and …will warm your heart.” [“Think Too Much”] - Closed Captioned
 
“The near 3-minute track begins with melodic guitar strumming before light drums kick in and give the song the feeling of a great summer pop tune. As Jadagu’s soft, gorgeous voice swears “It’s all in your head,” backing vocals from a group falsetto choir bring the song’s energy to life even more.” [“Think Too Much”] - MXDWN
 
“The track spans just under 3 minutes long and it captures a rosy, youthful wonder. Jadagu’s dreamy vocals paired with the lo-fi instrumentation gives “Think Too Much” a light bedroom pop haze. There’s a feelgood nature to the track, especially with its jangly guitars and upbeat bounce.” [“Think Too Much”] - Abduction Radiation
 
“[A] brilliant letter of introduction…” [“Think Too Much”] -  Binaural
 
“The single features a chorus-drenched riff and phased strums reminiscent of the Beach Fossils guitar sound. The crisp packet drum sound is loaded with lo-fi tones and a tinge of hip hop. Hannah’s vocals are addictively sentimental, the melody echoed by the jovial lead guitar.” [“What Is Going On?”] - The Most Radicalist
 
“Invitingly-vernal and open-hearted…” [“Think Too Much”] - The Autumn Roses


Hannah Jadagu
What Is Going On?


Tracklisting:
1. My Bones
2. Sundown
3. Think Too Much
4. What Is Going On?
5. Bleep Bloop

 


Posted by Abbie Gobeli

NEWS : MON, JUL 12, 2021 at 7:00 AM

Sub Pop introduces Bria and shares the official video for “Green Rocky Road” from Cuntry Covers Vol. 1 EP

Sub Pop has signed Bria, the intimate and incisive labour of love from multi-instrumentalists Bria Salmena and Duncan Hay Jennings. Bria has recorded Cuntry Covers Vol. 1a six-song EP that will be available digitally on September 24th, and on CD, cassette, and vinyl December 10th worldwide from Sub Pop.

You can now watch the official video for their lead single, “Green Rocky Road,” which was co-directed by Andrew Matthews & Maitland Austin-Olsen. Bria had this to say about the video, “We wanted the video for “Green Rocky Road” to act as an homage to the concept of Cuntry Covers – a small window into the world in which it was created, highlighting the collaborative nature of the project and the friendships behind it.”
 
Catapulted by a deep sense of dread and confusion in the depths of 2020, Salmena decided to forgo writing her own music. “I wanted to listen for what might reflect my life back to me,” she says, “six tracks that could be my mirror.” The result is a pointillistic knockout of an EP that weaves a landscape both luscious and a little rogue; showing us exactly what good songs can do.  

Bria’s internal turbulence seemed to mirror last year’s external instability. When Jennings and back-up singer Jaime McCuaig moved to The Outside Inn, a hobby farm in Hockley Hills, Ontario, Bria soon joined. The farm’s living-room-turned-studio proved an ideal setting for the long-time friends to compile a record of handpicked country covers. They went searching for songs that could speak to our everyday loneliness; outside and in. Cuntry Covers Vol. 1 houses it all well-worn favourites and lesser-known gems. 
 
Cuntry Covers Vol. 1 opens with “Green Rocky Road,” as performed by Greenwich Village  legend Karen Dalton. Jennings’ twangy guitar carries Bria’s original inflection and richly textured vocals, complete with dreamy overlay. “Dreaming My Dreams With You,” a rendition of the Waylon Jennings hit, is followed by John Cale’s “Buffalo Ballet,” a lyrical journey through Abilene, Texas, the endpoint of the infamous Chisholm Trail. Engineered and mixed by Jennings, each song brings desire and sexuality front and center, with all the swagger you’d expect  – and more. Bria hopes the record will be understood as a small contribution to the subversion of a genre with deep patriarchal roots. Mistress Mary’s “I Don’t Wanna Love Ya Now,” from the 1969 album Housewife, served as the original inspiration. “It was the first song Duncan and I worked on,” Bria notes. “It definitely set the tone for the other tracks we picked.” 




Bria’s voice – described as wavering between “sultry and howitzer” – shines on “Fruits Of My Labour,” written and performed by country great, Lucinda Williams. The Walker Brothers’ “The Sun Ain’t Gonna Shine Anymore” is a harmonic (and hypnotic) standout. 
 
A musical explorer who moves fluidly between styles, Bria doesn’t consider herself a country artist “I feel as though I’m a visitor here, paying respect to a style that has informed a part of my musical identity. Country music, as much as any other art form, should be an arena for representation, expression, and provocation. I have a ton of reverence for artists who came before me and challenged the primarily white-heterosexual status quo.” 
 
Salmena and Jennings have toured for years as members of Toronto four-piece FRIGS, whose 2018 debut Basic Behaviour was long-listed for the Polaris Music Prize. Making a mark in diverse genres from country to punk, both play as permanent members of Orville Peck’s band. Cuntry Covers Vol. 1 was recorded on the territories of the Anishnaabe, the Haudenosaunee, the Wendat, and the Mississaugas of the Credit. The release also features contributions from FRIGS drummer Kris Bowering and vocals by Ali Jennings. Bria’s first release is a gorgeous debut, a homage to the songs that brought solace and relief in the stillness of last year.

Cuntry Covers Vol. 1 is now available for preorder on CD/LP/CS/DSPs from Sub Pop. Preorders of the LP from megamart.subpop.com, select independent retailers in North America and in the U.K, and in Europe will receive an Opaque Breeze Blue LP for its initial run. 
 


Bria
Cuntry Covers Vol. 1
 
Tracklisting:
1. Green Rocky Road (Karen Dalton)
2. Dreaming My Dreams With You (Waylon Jennings)
3. Buffalo Ballet (John Cale)
4. Fruits of My Labour (Lucinda Williams)
5. The Sun Ain’t Gonna Shine Anymore (The Walker Brothers)
6. I Don’t Wanna Love Ya Now (Mistress Mary)



Posted by Abbie Gobeli

NEWS : THU, JUL 8, 2021 at 7:00 AM

Cartel Madras shares the epic “FEAR & LOATHING” official video from The Serpent & The Tiger

Cartel Madras is sharing the official video for “FEAR & LOATHING,” from their forthcoming project The Serpent & The Tiger, the third installment of the Project Goonda trilogy, out August 19th, 2021 on Royal Mountain Records/Sub Pop. The high concept visual is an entry point into The Serpent & The Tiger multiverse and was co-directed by the duo and Jashan Makan.
 
Cartel Madras’s Eboshi and Contra share this about the video, “‘FEAR & LOATHING,’ is composed of several stories and represents the heart of our upcoming project, The Serpent & The Tiger. The song is an exploration in duality, a major plot point in our story, and our most ambitious filmmaking experiment yet. We teamed up with Toronto producer Dom Dias again to bring our audience a cinematic track, and dynamic music video that pushes us both as artists.
 
“We filmed ‘FEAR & LOATHING’’ over the course of one month and three cities: Calgary, Alberta, Toronto, Ontario, and London, UK. We were inspired by Season 1 of True Detective (2014), and the films Dark City (1998), Skyfall (2012), and La Femme Nikita (1990). Taking visual cues from Brian De Palma, and studying the pacing of works by Marisha Pessl, ‘FEAR & LOATHING,’ is a culmination of our influences and love of artful storytelling with striking cinematography.
 
“This music video stars UK-based, Tamil model, Sheerah Ravindren (Black Is King, Primark, Queer Possible) as ‘The Serpent.’ Sheerah is an incredible force, and a rising star; we’ve all wanted to work together since we found each other online a year ago. Sharanya M takes on the mysterious role of “The Tiger.” She is from our other home state, Kerala, and a collective member of Sansfucss, a collective of multidisciplinary BIPOC artists from Canada. Meanwhile, Eboshi and song Dom portray the two hostages, and Contra tackles the role of ‘The Defector,’ alongside Bear, her canine companion.”





“FEAR & LOATHING” is Cartel Madras’s third single of 2021, and follows the release of  “Dream Girl Concept” in June, and “DRIFT”  in January. The tracks are from their forthcoming project The Serpent & The Tiger, the third installment of the Project Goonda trilogy (which includes 2018’s Trapistan and 2019’s Age of the Goonda). The Serpent & The Tiger features guest appearances from Backxwash, Dom Dias, Airospace, Tyris White, Jide, and Shiro Jackson, with production by Dias (tracks 1-4), Naphi (track 5), White (tracks 6-8), and Jide (tracks 9-10), and will available on all DSPs August 19th, 2021 from Royal Mountain Records/Sub Pop.

What people are saying about Cartel Madras:
“They’ve got an absolutely wicked flow — think M.I.A. meets Cardi B. Hints of traditional Tamil music are sprinkled throughout.” [“Goonda Gold”] - Stereogum
 
Cartel Madras are smashing barrier musically and are sure to blow your mind with their uniqueness.” [Age of the Goonda] - CLASH
 
“Full of raw, powerful, nonchalant energy”  [“Goonda Gold”] - Gal-Dem
 
Age of the Goonda is an invigorating five-track blast…More, please.” - The Wire
 
“Comprised of six tracks, the EP possesses layered bass lines pumped with adrenaline, a range of Indian classical instruments weaved in and hooks that stay in your brain for days.” [Age of the Goonda] - NME
 
Age of the Goonda provides an electrifying burst of the duo’s live show energy in concentrated form.” - Loud & Quiet
 
“In pop analogy, this hip-hop duo comprising Calgary-bred, Chennai-born siblings Bhagya and Priya Ramesh is somewhat like a Tamil Pulp Fiction-meets-MIA. With a carousel of bad-ass, no-fucks-given, brown girl anthems, Cartel Madras is brought to life by two sisters who don’t shy of braggadocio (you can’t miss their stack of gold jewelry) as they spout songs about feminism, empowerment and inclusivity.” [“12 New Musicians Set to Breakthrough in 2020”] - Vogue India




Cartel Madras
The Serpent & The Tiger
 
Tracklisting:
1. FEAR & LOATHING
2. The Green Scare (ft. Airospvce)
3. EBOSHI’S NEVADA
4. DRIFT
5. DEEPINTHEJUNGLE (ft. Backxwash)
6. LAVENDER NIGHTZ
7. Dream Girl Concept
8. CONTRABAND
9 WORKING
10. MOON DRILLE (ft. Shiro Jackson)



Posted by Abbie Gobeli

NEWS : TUE, JUL 20, 2021 at 7:00 AM

The beautiful new video for Low’s “Disappearing” from director Dorian Wood is out now from HEY WHAT, the new Low album, is out September 10, 2021, worldwide on Sub Pop

HEY WHAT, the astonishing new Low album, will be released worldwide on September 10th, 2021 on Sub Pop Records. On the heels of their latest single,  “Days Like These”the group has shared a breathtaking video for their song “Disappearing.” Multi-disciplinary artist Dorian Wood directed the group’s new video, and had this to say about making the video, “I am incredibly thrilled to have created this video for Low. I’ve been such a fan for years. I was inspired to offer a personal glimpse of what I’d been up to during the pandemic year. I’ve been doing art modeling on the side for years, mostly for art schools. Once the schools physically shut down due to Covid, I was invited to pose for dozens of virtual classes. I borrowed a friend’s empty guest room and twice a week I would set up my laptop and lights and pose for three hours at a time. During these long stretches of time, I’d lose myself in thought while delivering poses that best showcased all this fat brown beauty. In my mind, I traveled to places and memories, and in the case of “Disappearing”, I not only visited the ocean in my mind, I became it. Even at its most empowering and meditative, a modeling session was often a reminder of how lonely one can feel when the other humans in the room immediately vanish once the laptop shuts down. And still, a semblance of hope always lingered. We shot the video at Human Resources, a performance space in L.A. which also served as a creative sanctuary for me during the pandemic year. There’s a lot of ‘coming home’ love in this video. I’m honored to be able to share this love.”




Low have announced two album release shows on September 10th and 11th at Square Lake, outside the Twin Cities in their home state of Minnesota. The group has invited a diverse group of artists to join them including Joe Rainey Sr.Gaelynn Lea, and Lord Friday the 13th. These shows are in addition to the previously announced 30-date world tour beginning in March 2022, with UK and European dates to follow in May. See below for a full list of shows. 
 
HEY WHAT is now available for preorder on CD/LP/CS/DSPs from Sub Pop. LP preorders from megamart.subpop.comselect independent retailers in North America and in the U.K, and Europe will receive the limited Loser Edition on clear vinyl (while supplies last).
 
North America 2021:
Sep. 10 - Square Lake, MN
Sep. 11 - Square Lake, MN
 
North America 2022:
Mar. 22 - Bloomington, IN - Bishop
Mar. 25 - Birmingham, AL - Saturn
Mar. 26 - Atlanta, GA - Terminal West
Mar. 28 - Washington, DC - Miracle Theatre
Mar. 29 - Philadelphia, PA - World Cafe Live
Mar. 31 - New York, NY - Webster Hall
Apr. 01 - Providence, RI - Columbus Theater
Apr. 02 - Montreal, QC - Theatre Fairmount
Apr. 04 - Toronto, ON - The Axis Club
Apr. 05 - Detroit, MI - Loving Touch 
Apr. 08 - Madison, WI - High Noon Saloon
 
UK & Europe 2022:
Apr. 25 - Edinburgh, UK - Queen’s Hall
Apr. 26 - Dublin, IE - Vicar Street
Apr. 27 - Manchester, UK - Manchester Cathedral
Apr. 28 - Brighton, UK - St. George’s Church Brighton
Apr. 29 - London, UK - St. John at Hackney Church -
Apr. 30 - Bristol, UK - Trinity
May 02 - Paris, FR - Alhambra
May 03 - Cologne, DE - Kulturkirche Köln
May 04 - Antwerp, BE - TRIX
May 05 - Amsterdam, NL - Paradiso
May 06 - Aarhus, DK - Voxhall
May 07 - Copenhagen, DK - Vega
May 09 - Hamburg, DE - Uebel & Gefährlich
May 10 - Berlin, DE - Festsaal Kreuzberg
May 11 - Vienna, AT - Wuk
May 12 - Bologna, IT - Teatro Duse
May 13 - Lausanne, CH- Les Docks
May 14 - Zurich, CH - Mascotte


Low
HEY WHAT

Tracklisting:
1. White Horses
2. I Can Wait
3. All Night
4. Disappearing
5. Hey
6. Days Like These 
7. There’s a Comma After Still
8. Don’t Walk Away
9. More
10. The Price You Pay (It Must Be Wearing Off)


Posted by Abbie Gobeli

NEWS : FRI, JUL 16, 2021 at 8:00 AM

Kiwi Jr. reveals new Comic Book, KEXP Session & Tour Dates

On the heels of their latest album, Cooler Returns, Kiwi Jr. cooly announces their first series of live dates, kicking off with River & Sky Festival in Sudbury, Ontario on July 17. Fall and Winter dates include support with TUNS, Surfer Blood, Tobin Sprout, Trace Mountains and Nap Eyes, as well as a hometown Toronto headline show at the Horseshoe Tavern on Friday, Oct 15. Want a taste of what to expect at the band’s upcoming live shows? You can watch the group’s performance on famed Seattle radio station KEXP by clicking here. See below for a full list of dates. 
 
Kiwi Jr. has partnered with cartoonist Dmitry Bondarenko on a 24-page booklet of illustrated lyrics, which is available at Bandcamp and on tour. Jeremy Gaudet, Kiwi Jr singer/lyricist says “To see all of the insanity of our lyrics represented visually is wild. There’s stuff I saw in here that surprised even me, and I wrote the damned thing.” For more information on Cooler Returns Comic, visit the group’s merch table or Bandcamp page.




Due to continued uncertainty about international travel restrictions, Kiwi Jr. are unfortunately postponing their September UK & Europe tour dates to February (& September) 2022. Tickets for their London show at Dalston Victoria will be honored on Saturday February 12, 2022. The band will also be supporting fellow Sub Pop artist Chad VanGaalen on several UK dates that week, as well as announcing headline dates in Scandinavia.  More information will be forthcoming at www.KiwiJr.com/live

Tour Dates:

Fri. Jan. 14 - Washington DC, Songbyrd ++ @

Sat. Jan. 22 -  Montreal, Bar le Ritz &

Fri.. Feb. 11 - London, UK - Dalston Victoria

Sun. Feb. 13 - Leeds, UK -  Brudenell Social Club ~ 

Mon. Feb. 14 - Manchester, UK  - Night & Day ~ 

Tues. Feb. 15 - Bristol, UK - Louisiana ~ 

Thur. Feb. 17 -  Copenhagen DK - Ideal Bar 

Fri. Feb. 18 -  Stockholm, SE - ObarenNew tour dates: 

Sat. Jul. 17 -  Sudbury, ONT - River & Sky Festival

Fri. Oct. 1 - Los Angeles, CA - Gold Diggers 

Fri. Oct. 15 - Toronto, Horseshoe Tavern ! 

Thur. Nov. 11 - New Haven, CT -  Cafe Nine % 

Fri. Nov. 12 - Brooklyn, NY - Brooklyn Made % $

Fri. Nov 19 - Columbus OH - Ace Of Cups $

Fri. Dec. 3 - London, ON - Rum Runners *

Sat. Dec. 4 - St. Catharine’s, ON - Warehouse *

Fri. Dec. 17 - Hamilton, ON - Bridgeworks *

Sat. Dec. 18  - Ottawa, ON - Club Saw *

Mon. Dec. 28 - Charlottetown, PEI -  Trailside Music Hall &

Tues. Dec. 29 - Halifax, NS - Seahorse Tavern & 

2022:

Fri. Jan.  7 - Pittsburgh, PA - Club Cafe &

Sat. Jan. 8 -  Philadelphia, PA - Johnny Brenda’s & @

 

Sat. Feb. 19 - Oslo, NO - Blaa

 

! w/ Sahara and Dorothea Paas

% w/ Surfer Blood

$ w/ Tobin Sprout

* w/ TUNS

& w/ Nap Eyes 

++  w/ Trace Mountains 

@ w/ Gladie 

~ w/ Chad VanGaalen

 

 

 
The returns on Kiwi Jr’s Cooler Returns:
“…The accomplished successor to this band’s promising 2019 debut finds Kiwi Jr having their cake and eating it.” - ★★★★ The Observer/TheGuardian
 
“Sustaining momentum near-flawlessly across 13 songs…  Kiwi Jr. have the skills to match their smarts” -  ★★★★ MOJO 
 
“Canadian absurdists’ return is a lyrical delight” - Uncut 
 
“Kiwi Jr. songs unfold like the aisles of a cluttered curio shop, their retro-rock melodies overflowing with non sequiturs and hyper-specific scraps of story.” - The AV Club
 
“The band rattle through a seemingly inexhaustible supply of hooks and melodies” - ★★★★ DIY 
 
“Packed with golden hooks and subtle weirdness” - [8/10] Exclaim
 
“Crammed full of wry, observational wit and pop smarts in taut fashion” - [8/10] CLASH
 
“…still light and agile, basking in the sunlight as their vivid guitar work and straightforward vocals do the talking. They love a good hook as much as they love a charismatic, illuminating one-liner.” - PASTE
 
“The band’s knack for simple but sticky melody is in even clearer view on Cooler Returns.” - ★★★★  All Music
 
[“Cooler Returns” is] “a jangly, indie rock earworm that’ll lodge itself in your brain” - NME 
 
“Shambolic yet catchy songs are loaded with fractured riffs and lyrical non-sequiturs” - Uproxx
 
“Ook de referenties zijn dik in orde: the Chills, The Strokes, The Kinks, Pavement en de vroege R.E.M. ‘Fonkelende gitaarplaat die refereert aan heden en verleden.” - [Best Albums of the Month”] OOR 
 
“…Another mighty fine record.” - Under the Radar
 
“An impressive set of ‘90s-influenced slacker-rock with jangly guitars, rollicking piano and occasional organ, harmonica, and other instrumentation, along with observational, often-sardonic lyrics and an abundance of catchy song hooks. - KEXP 
 
Cooler Returns is all hits, a baker’s dozen of ridiculously catchy three-minute pop nuggets that deliver massive sing-along-choruses…” - Brooklyn Vegan
 
“A bloody good album full of vivid charm” - ★★★★ NARC 
 
“They understand sarcasm, can write clever, funny lyrics and don’t take themselves completely seriously.”  [9/10] - God Is In The TV
 
“Perfect pop-songs” - Louder Than War
 
“Cooler Returns is everything you might expect from a band like Kiwi Jr., and so much more.” - [4/5] Stereoboard 
 
“Angular, catchy as hell, revved up power-pop racket” ★★★★ Shindig
 
“What sets Kiwi Jr. apart from their peers though is their madcap view of the world and Cooler Returns establishes them as a band too confident to conform; a band who have all the skills to match their lyrical smarts” - [8/10] Line Of Best Fit
 
“L’année 2021 ne pouvait mieux commencer qu’avec cet excellent disque a l’entrain communicatif, d’une inspiration jubilatoire, veritable rayon de soleil au cour de l’hiver”- [4/5]  Rock & Folk (France)
 
“Les quatre musiciens de Toronto ne changent pas leur formule gagnante et livrent une guitare jangly élégante et efficace.” - Les Inrocks (France) 
 
“…Timeless, memorable, beautifully crafted pop songs” - Echoes and Dust
 
Cooler Returns is an impressive achievement” - Our Culture
 
“…A jangle-pop delight filled with tight hooks and creative tales” - The Revue


Kiwi Jr.
Cooler Returns

 
Tracklisting
1. Tyler
2. Undecided Voters
3. Maid Marian’s Toast
4. Highlights of 100
5. Only Here for a Haircut
6. Cooler Returns
7. Guilty Party
8. Omaha
9. Domino
10. Nashville Wedding
11. Dodger
12. Norma Jean’s Jacket
13. Waiting in Line

 


Posted by Abbie Gobeli

NEWS : TUE, JUN 15, 2021 at 10:00 AM

METZ share mesmerizing live performance of “A Boat to Drown In,” from their acclaimed new album, Atlas Vending + full 2021 North American co-headline tour with Preoccupations

METZ have announced a long-awaited return to North American stages this year. In support of their 2020 critically-acclaimed album, Atlas Vending, METZ will take their intense, life-affirming performances on a co-headline run with longtime friends and fellow Canadians, Preoccupations. The tour will begin on Nov. 18 in Phoenix, AZ with stops including Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Vancouver, Detroit, Montreal, Brooklyn, and Chicago before closing when METZ make a two-night hometown stand on Dec. 17 & 18 at Lee’s Palace in Toronto, ON. These dates are in addition to their previously announced European tour with Psychic Graveyard. See below for a full list of all global 2021 and 2022 shows. 
 
Of their impending post-pandemic tour, frontman Alex Edkins shares, “We are incredibly excited to be announcing a real in-person tour for later this year! We cannot wait to share Atlas Vending with you and to reconnect with our musical friends and family worldwide.” 

Today the band has also unveiled a live video of their stand-out single “A Boat to Drown In,” a clear reminder of the unparalleled energy and spirit of METZ live. The concert footage was shot at the Opera House in Toronto during their livestream performance of Atlas Vending at the end of 2020. Like what you see and hear? Then stay tuned for some exciting news the group will be sharing around their Live at the Opera House performance in the coming weeks.



METZ on the road:
 
2021:
Nov. 18 - Phoenix, AZ - Crescent Ballroom
Nov. 19 - Los Angeles, CA - Teragram Ballroom 
Nov. 20 - San Francisco, CA - The Independent
Nov. 22 - Portland, OR - Wonder Ballroom
Nov. 23 - Seattle, WA - The Crocodile - Showroom 
Nov. 24 - Vancouver, BC - Biltmore
Nov. 26 - Edmonton, AB - The Starlite Room
Nov. 27 - Calgary, AB - Commonwealth Bar & Stage
Nov. 29 - Winnipeg, MB - Winnipeg Park Theatre
Nov. 30 - St. Paul, MN - Turf Club
Dec. 02 - Milwaukee, WI - The Back Room - Colectivo
Dec. 03 - Detroit, MI - Museum of Contemporary Art 
Dec. 06 - Montreal, QC - Theatre Fairmount 
Dec. 07 - Boston, MA - Brighton Music Hall 
Dec. 09 - Brooklyn, NY - Elsewhere: Hall
Dec. 10 - NY, NY - The Bowery Ballroom
Dec. 11 - Philadelphia, PA - The Foundry at The Fillmore 
Dec. 13 - Washington, DC - Union Stage
Dec. 14 - Columbus, OH - A&R Music Bar
Dec. 15 - Chicago, IL - Metro 
Dec. 17 - Toronto, ON - Lee’s Palace (METZ only) 
Dec. 18 - Toronto, ON - Lee’s Palace (METZ only)
 
*All shows w/ Preoccupations except Toronto, Toronto on sale now, all additional shows on sale Friday, June 18th at 10 am local. 
 
2022
Apr. 01 - Leicester, UK - O2 Academy 2 
Apr. 02 - Blackpool, UK - Bootleg Social
Apr. 03 - Manchester, UK - YES
Apr. 04 - Newcastle, UK - The Cluny
Apr. 06 - Glasgow, UK - Stereo
Apr. 07 - Leeds, UK - Brudenell Social Club
Apr. 08 - Bristol, UK - Thekla
Apr. 09 - Brighton, UK - Green Door Store
Apr. 10 - London, UK - Scala
Apr. 11 - Lille, FR - L’Aeronef
Apr. 12 - Antwerp, BE - Trix
Apr. 13 - Paris, FR - Petit Bain
Apr. 15 - Biarritz, FR - Atabal
Apr. 16 - Vigo, ES - La Iguana 
Apr. 17 - Porto, PT - Hard Club
Apr. 18 - Lisbon, PT - LAV
Apr. 20 - Madrid, ES - Independence Live
Apr. 21 - Barcelona, ES - LA 2
Apr. 22 - Nimes, FR - Paloma
Apr. 23 - Dudingen, CH - Bad Bonn
Apr. 24 - Lausanne, CH - Les Docks
Apr. 25 - Zurich, CH - Bogen F
Apr. 27 - Munich, DE - Kranhalle
Apr. 28 - Vienna, AT - Arena Wien
Apr. 29 - Berlin, DE - Lido
May 01 - Rotterdam, NL - Rotown
May 03 - Copenhagen, DK - Loppen
May 04 - Hamburg, DE - Hafenklang
May 05 - Groningen, NL - Vera
May 06 - Utrecht, NL - TivoliVredenburg
May 07 - Cologne, DE - Artheater
 
All shows w/ Psychic Graveyard


Posted by Abbie Gobeli