Boeckner is Daniel Boeckner, the multi-disciplinary artist, songwriter, musician, producer, and member of several great bands you may know, including Wolf Parade, Operators, Divine Fits, and Handsome Furs. Last night, in an interview with Chris Wade of Chapo Trap House, he announced signing to Sub Pop Records to release music for the label in early 2024 (see interview Wednesday, November 8th).
Boeckner’s last recorded output was Wolf Parade’s Thin Mind, the group’s fifth effort, from February 2020. Since the release of that album, he’s worked as a producer (labelmates Kiwi Jr’s stellar third record, Chopper), as a touring member of the Arcade Fire, and dived further into his work in the podcasting space as a co-host for The Bottlemen and Fortune Kit podcasts. Boeckner has also relocated to New Orleans, where he is currently putting the finishing touches on his full-length Sub Pop debut.
Label cofounder Poneman says of the signing, “Welcoming Dan to the Sub Pop family is always a thrill.”
On February 16th, 2024, Atlanta trio Omni will release Souvenir, their fourth album and second for Sub Pop, available worldwide on CD/LP/DSP. Souvenir finds Guitarist Frankie Broyles, singer/bassist Philip Frobos, and drummer Chris Yonker converting their creative fuel into sharp, driving songs that land immediately, sporting chopping riffs, staccato beats, and wiry melodies. Each track is a compact unit that stands on its own, reflecting the time and place in which it was created.
Omni has shared an official video for their lead single, “Exacto,” directed by Zach Pyles, concept by Frankie Broyles, Chris Yonker, and Zach Pyles.
The band shares about the song/video: “Exacto was born from a fruitful writing session one night at our main getaway in Vienna, GA. The power in the guitar leads and rhythm were immediately conjured. Lyrics and melodies were written in the back of a van in Sacramento, thinking of being left on the shelf, imagining the odd things people do for attention from people they love and strangers alike.”
And yes, that’s a real TV falling from a 10-story parking deck in downtown Atlanta. No, we did not ask permission. No one was hurt in the making of this video.
Omni has also announced headline shows in 2024 supporting Souvenir, with North American East Coast run from Feb. 28 - Mar. 15 and UK dates from April 10- April 20. Tickets for these shows are on sale this coming Friday, Nov. 10th.
North America Sat. Feb. 24 - Atlanta, GA - The EARL Tue. Feb. 27 - Richmond, VA - The Camel Wed. Feb. 28 - Washington, DC - Songbryd Thu. Feb. 29 - Philadelphia, PA - PhilaMOCA Fri. Mar. 01 - Kingston, NY - Tubby’s Sat. Mar. 02 - Queens, NY - TV Eye Mon. Mar. 04 - Boston, MA - The Rockwell Tue. Mar. 05 - Winooski, VT - Monkey House Wed. Mar. 06 - Montreal, QC - La Sala Rossa Thu. Mar. 07 - Toronto, ON - The Garrison Fri. Mar. 08 - Cleveland, OH - Sat. Mar. 09- Chicago, IL - Schuba’s Mon. Mar. 15 - New Orleans, LA - Gasa Gasa
United Kingdom & Europe Thu. Apr. 10 - Brighton, UK - The Green Door Store Fri. Apr. 11 - Bristol, UK - Strange Brew Sat. Apr. 12 - Falmouth, UK - Cornish Bank Mon. Apr. 14 - Dublin, IE - Workman’s Cellar Tue. Apr. 15 - Glasgow, UK - Hug & Pint Wed. Apr. 16 - Leeds, UK - Brudenell Social Club Thu. Apr.. 17 - Manchester, UK - Deaf Institute Fri. Apr. 18 - Birmingham, UK - Hare & Hounds Sat. Apr. 19 - Margate, UK - Where Else? Sun. Apr. 20 - London, UK - Moth Club
Souvenir can now be pre-ordered worldwide from Sub Pop. LP orders in North America from the Sub Pop Mega Mart and the UK and Europe from Mega Mart 2 (the new European sibling to the Sub Pop Mega Mart) will receive the limited Loser Edition on Transparent Silver Souvenir Swirl (while supplies last).
More about Souvenir: The music of Atlanta trio Omni has always swung fast and hit hard. And Souvenir, their fourth album and second for Sub Pop, packs their biggest punch yet. Inactive during the majority of the pandemic–the longest downtime in their history–they approached this recording with lots of pent-up energy. Guitarist Frankie Broyles, singer/bassist Philip Frobos, and drummer Chris Yonker converted their creative fuel into sharp, driving songs that land immediately, sporting chopping riffs, staccato beats, and wiry melodies.
Why does Souvenir sound so sharp? Because each track is a compact unit that stands on its own, reflecting the time and place in which it was created. That’s why Omni called the album Souvenir: it’s a collection of audio objects, a stash of musical miniatures. Think of it as a family photo album, a binder of rare playing cards, a shoebox holding precious gems.
Take “Plastic Pyramid,” the first song Omni wrote after coming out of lockdown. Filled with twists and turns, it’s a journey unto itself, charged by clanging chords, spinning rhythm, and Frobos trading lines with Izzy Glaudini of Automatic, with whom Omni toured with last fall. (Glaudini sings on two other Souvenir tracks, the first guest vocalist the band has collaborated with). Or take opener “Exacto,” a slicing web of intertwined guitar and bass. Its razor-fine notes and syncopated beats perfectly match pointillist Frobos lyrics such as “Exacto, de facto, concise, quite right”–a line that could well be an Omni mantra.
The precision and clarity of Souvenir comes from some new Omni developments. For one, this is their first album with Yonker as their full-time drummer, and his forceful playing adds exclamation points to every pointed moment on Souvenir. In addition, the trio worked with Atlanta-based engineer Kristofer Sampson for the first time. Sampson pushed the band to a higher degree of power, with Frobos’s vocals more upfront in his pulsing mix and the rest of the music leaping out of the speakers.
You might notice that Frobos’ singing is a bit more emotional and even nostalgic this time around. In crafting his vocals, he was inspired by the early college radio rock of formative favorites like REM, the Cure, and Big Audio Dynamite–the kind of bands whose melodies could have been top 40 hits in an alternative universe. The lyrics on Souvenir are also by turns funny, absurd, and even cryptic. A wry humor has always coursed through Omni’s songs, and this time, it comes in shades of both dark and light. In “Granite Kiss,” an “astronomical” love story concludes with the hope that “we can decay together,” while in “PG,” a romantic walk in the park includes a rose-colored mugging.
Immediacy rushes throughout every moment of Souvenir, making it the band’s most powerful album to date. Omni has truly crafted a musical keepsake–a set of songs that you’ll want to keep close, an aural memento you’ll cherish for the rest of time.
“Once deeply idiosyncratic, Earth’s singular sound has become an established style, one emulated by a legion of disciples. But from the vantage point of 2023, Earth 2 endures.” - Uncut
Today, November 3rd, Sub Pop is releasing two records from the pioneering ambient-metal group Earth: the 30th-anniversary vinyl edition of Earth 2 Special Low Frequency Version, and its companion piece, Earth 2.23 Special Lower Frequency Mix. Earth 2.23 highlights the enduring influence of Earth 2 with brand new, exclusive reinterpretations of Earth 2 material by The Bug feat. Flowdan, Robert Hampson (Loop, Main), Justin K Broadrick (Godflesh, Jesu), Brett Netson (Built to Spill, Caustic Resin), and Kevin Richard Martin (aka The Bug).
The 30th-anniversary vinyl edition of Earth 2 Special Low Frequency Version revives the double album’s original packaging - an extra-wide jacket with two color inner sleeves - for the first time since the long out-of-print 1993 pressing. The new vinyl edition adds a double-sided fold-out insert with never-before-seen photos of the band from the Earth 2 era. This edition is available on glacial blue vinyl in the US and blue curacao vinyl in the UK & EU.
The four-track vinyl version of Earth 2.23 Special Lower Frequency Mix is limited to 2,500 copies worldwide and is also on glacial blue (US) and blue curacao vinyl (UK & EU). The digital version includes a bonus remix by Kevin Richard Martin (aka The Bug). The cover of Earth 2.23 features original artwork by underground art legend Savage Pencil.
In addition to the show with SUNN O)))) on November 22nd at the Moore Theatre in Seattle, WA, Earth will perform Earth 2 December 1st at the Alex Theatre in Los Angeles, CA.
Tour Date Wed. Nov. 22 - Seattle, WA - Moore Theatre # Thu. Dec. 01 - Los Angeles, CA - Alex Theatre $
Earth 2 Special Low Frequency Version 30th Anniversary Edition
Tracklisting: 1. Seven Angels 2. Teeth of Lions Rule the Divine 3. Like Gold and Faceted
Earth 2.23 Special Lower Frequency Mix
Tracklisting: 1. Angels (The Bug Remix feat. Flowdan) 2. May Your Vanquished Be Saved from the Bondage of their Sins (Robert Hampson Remix) 3. Teeth of Lions Rule the Divine (Justin K Broadrick Remix) 4. Teeth of Lions Rule the Divine (Brett Netson Version) 5. Like Gold and Faceted (Kevin Richard Martin Remix)* *digital-only
Today, November 2nd, KEXP released a live performance and interview video with French psychedelic rock outfit SLIFT. The thunderous session was recorded at the KEXP studio in Seattle, WA, during the Bumbershoot festival. The session features live versions of “Ilion,” “Nimh,” and “The Words That Have Never Been Heard” from the group’s forthcoming album ILION, out January 19th via Sub Pop. Click HERE to watch the KEXP session.
SLIFT has announced a mammoth UK & EU tour beginning February 23rd in Brighton, UK, ending April 6th in Marseille, France. The KEXP session video is a tantalizing taste of the band’s live powers, which merge earth-rattling volume, cosmic soundscapes, and psychedelic visuals into a mind-bendingly glorious experience. See below for a full list of dates.
Fri. Feb. 23 - Brighton, UK - Chalk Sat. Feb. 24 - Manchester, UK - Gorilla Sun. Feb. 25 - Dublin, IE - Whelan’s Mon. Feb. 27 - Leeds, UK - Brudenell Wed. Feb. 28 - London, UK - Electric Ballroom Thu. Feb. 29 - Lille, FR - Aéronef Fri. Mar. 01 - Paris, FR - La Cigale Sat. Mar. 02 - Saint Malo, FR - Route du Rock Hiver Wed. Mar. 13 - Toulouse, FR - Bikini Fri. Mar. 15 - Nantes, FR- Stereolux Sat. Mar. 16 - Rouen, FR - 106 Mon. Mar. 18 - Bruxelles, FR - Ancienne Belgique Tue. Mar. 19 - Utrecht, NL - Tivoli Vredenburg Wed. Mar. 20 - Cologne, DE- Club Volta Thu. Mar. 21 - Groningen, NL - Vera Fri. Mar. 22 - Hamburg, DE - Gruenspan Sun. Mar. 24 - Copenhagen, DK - Loppen Mon. Mar. 25 - Gothenburg, SE - Pustervik Tue. Mar. 26 - Oslo, NO- John Dee Wed. Mar. 27 - Stockholm, SE - Hus 7 Sat. Mar. 30 - Berlin, DE - Lido Mon. Apr. 01 - Leipzig, DE- UT Connewitz Mon. Apr. 02 - Stuttgart, DE - Wisemann Club Tue. Apr. 03 - Esch Sur Alzette, LU - Kulturfabrik Wed. Apr. 04 - Zurich, CH - Mascotte Thu. Apr. 05 - Lyon, FR - Epicerie Moderne Fri. Apr. 06 - Marseille, FR - Espace Julien
1. Ilion 2. Nimh 3. The Words That Have Never Been Heard 4. Confluence 5. Weaver’s Weft 6. Uruk 7. The Story That Has Never Been Told 8. Enter The Loop
Today, November 2, 2023, the Australian group Girl and Girl’s Fight Night EP, a 5-song effort featuring new interpretations of songs from their 2023 EP, Divorce +. This collection of songs was filmed and recorded at Fight Night Studios in Melbourne, Australia. You can watch the Fight Night sessions in their entirety HERE.
Fight Night Records is a recording studio perched above Dutch Vinyl record store in Melbourne, established in 2015 by identical twins Harley and Delaney Stewart. Their live studio sessions have captured performances by some of Australia’s most incredible underground talent, including Grace Cummings, Folk Bitch Trio, Felix Riebl, Gabriella Cohen, Jazz Party, Bones & Jones, and Sweet Talk.
Girl and Girl are working on new music for their full-length Sub Pop debut and have announced AU and EU shows this fall, including a festival play on November 11th at Pitchfork Music Festival in Paris. Tickets for all shows are on sale now.
Fri 3 Nov - London, UK - Sebright Arms Sat 4 Nov - Margate, UK- Whereelse? $ Sun 5 Nov - Brighton, UK - Mutations Festival 2023 Mon 6 Nov - Southampton, UK - Heartbreakers Wed 8 Nov - Orleans, FR - L’Astrolabe Thu 9 Nov - Nantes, FR - Stereolux Fri 10 Nov - Weissenhäuser Strand, GER - Rolling Stone Beach Sat 11 Nov - Paris, FR - Pitchfork Avant Garde Thu 30 Nov - Auckland, NZ - Whammy (The Others Way Pre-Party) Fri 1 Dec - Auckland, NZ - The Others Way Festival Wed 6 Dec - Melbourne, AU - Spaced Out Festival
Today, October 27th, marks the release of Shabazz Palaces’ Robed in Rareness, the first full collection of new material since The Don of Diamond Dreams, their critically acclaimed LP released in 2020.
Shabazz Palaces is masterminded by vocalist and producer Ishmael Butler, whose unstinting drive to reimagine hip-hop - even as he enters his fifth decade on Earth - remains undimmed. With Robed in Rareness, there’s a respectful eye on the past, an embrace of an ever-evolving present, and its feet are firmly planted in the future. It features collaborations with the likes of Seattle’s Royce The Choice and Porter Ray, Colorado Springs’ O Finess, Butler’s twin Lavarr the Starr, Bronx’s Geechi Suede (of Camp Lo), and Butler’s son, the incomparable Lil Tracy.
Get lost in the new Robed in Rareness visualizers for “Cinnamon Bun (feat. Lavarr the Star), “P Kicking G (feat. Porter Ray), “Gel Bait (feat. Geechi Suede), and “Hustle Crossers” – four interdimensional journeys featuring Shabazz Palaces’ chosen comrades, and directed by returning animator Jacob Kasar (“Woke Up In a Dream” and “Binoculars” visualizers). Link here.
Robed in Rareness was produced by Shabazz Palaces, mixed by Erik Blood, and engineered by Ishmael Butler and Blood at Studio4 West in Venice, California, with mastering by Warren Defever at Third Man Mastering.
Shabazz Palaces’ touring in support of Robed in Rareness continues with a performance at LA3C Festival in Los Angeles on Sunday, November 12th. He will also support Jenny Lewis on her Joy’All tour beginning Saturday, December 2nd at Seattle’s Paramount Theatre and ending Friday, December 8th in Hollywood, CA at the Hollywood Palladium.
In 2024, the group will also appear at My Morning Jacket’s One Big Holiday event in Quintana Roo, MX, on April 4th—additional live dates to be announced soon.
2023
Sun. Nov. 12 - Los Angeles, CA - LA3C @ Theater at Ace Hotel
Dec. 02 - Seattle, WA - Paramount Theatre *
Dec. 03 - Portland, OR - Roseland Theatre *
Dec. 05 - San Francisco, CA - The Warfield Theatre *
Dec. 08 - Hollywood, CA - Hollywood Palladium *
* w/ Jenny Lewis
2024
Thu. Apr. 04 - Quintana Roo, MX - Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya
Fri. Aug. 05 - Quintana Roo, MX - Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya
Sat. Aug. 06 - Quintana Roo, MX - Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya
Sun. Aug. 07 - Quintana Roo, MX - Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya
What people are saying about Shabazz Palaces’ Robed in Rareness:
“Butler offers seven tracks whose energy swings between chaotic and cool.” - THE WIRE
“With a host of new collaborators, Shabazz Palaces’ sound is pushed and pulled in multiple directions at once, without once neglecting the interplanetary funk mutant hip hop sound they have always excelled in.” THE QUIETUS
“Ishmael Butler finds company to share his one-of-a-kind vision with on his brief sixth LP, making his quest for new Afrofuturistic frontiers something more communal.” FLOOD
“Shabazz Palaces has been focused on raising the corporeal anchor and setting sights on a new world, soundtracked by synth-helmed stargazing sonics. Presented as a mini-album, the seven-song Robed In Rareness furthers Butler’s mission.” Album of the Day - BANDCAMP
