It’s the first time Dear Hamlyn will be available outside of Australasia. The band’s UK, European, and Ireland tour dates for 2019 begin tomorrow in London.
On March 8th, Luluc’sDear Hamlyn, the duo’s debut album, will be available for the first time worldwide (outside of Australasia) on vinyl and through all DSPs from Sub Pop. This gives fans the first opportunity to discover the minimalist folk sound from which the band grew. A long player in the tradition of Nick Drake, you can see (above) the Lucy Dyson animated video for “The Wealthiest Queen”.
Luluc released Dear Hamlyn in Australia in 2008. After her father passed away, Zoe Randell reevaluated her life and came to the conclusion that it was time to focus her energy on music. What resulted was a starkly simple yet dramatically moving work which slowly but surely began to make waves in Australia and beyond. Early advocates and tours with artists like Lucinda Williams, Fleet Foxes, and José Gonzàlez got the band on their way to cult acclaim.
Dear Hamlyn, over the following years, became cherished by fans who had discovered it upon independent release, some of whom were more marquee names in music: like The National and Aaron Dessner (who would go on to produce Passerby and appear on Sculptor, the bands subsequent albums), Nick Drake producer Joe Boyd and No Depression co-founder Peter Blackstock. “The most beautiful record I have heard in 10 years,” wrote Blackstock, who then put the band in contact with Sub Pop co-founder Jonathan Poneman. Poneman was immediately won over. He arranged a meeting, and signed Luluc.
Dear Hamlyn is now available for preorder from Sub Pop. LP preorders through megamart.subpop.com and select independent retailers in North America and Europe will receive the limited Loser edition on pearlescent vinyl (while supplies last).
Dear Hamlyn Tracklisting 1. I Found You 2. Little Suitcase 3. The Wealthiest Queen 4. Black Umbrella 5. Body on the Water 6. Warm One 7. Gillian 8. One Day Soon 9. Abigail & the Whale (The Blue Queen of the Deep) 10. A Whisper 11. My Midnight Special
Luluc Tour Dates
Luluc has scheduled a series of UK, European, and Ireland shows in support of Dear Hamlyn and Sculptor that begin tomorrow, February 5th in London at the Lexington and end February 14th in Dublin at Grand Social.
Feb. 05 - London, UK - Lexington Feb. 06 - Amsterdam, NL - Paradiso Feb. 08 Leffinge, BE - Cafe De Zwerver Feb. 09 - Köln, DE - Die Wohngemeinschaft Feb. 10 - Berlin, DE - Privatclub Feb. 12 - Manchester, UK -Gullivers Feb. 13 - Glasgow, UK - The Hug & Pint Feb. 14 - Dublin, IE - Grand Social
[Photo Credit: Charlotte Demezamat]
Luluc recently shared a new video for “Sculptor,” the title track from their latest album. Directed by Emmy Award winner Katie Mitchell using archival footage, some of which was sourced from NASA. “The clip touches on themes of mortality, memory and our place in the universe”, says Mitchell. And Randell offers this on the collaboration, “We’re in awe of Katie Mitchell as a director and artist. The video she has made for the song “Sculptor” is deep and stunning. As a writer, there is no greater thrill than someone understanding and articulating your work visually like you are of one mind.”
North American tour dates with
labelmates Blitzen Trapper November 7th-18th) and J Mascis (November
20th-December 15th) also announced
In Luluc’s official video for “Kids,” a standout from Sculptor,
their just-released, gorgeous third album, director Katie Mitchell
wanted to capture “an intimate portrait of the band and their
collaborators in Brooklyn.” With beautifully shot performance footage,
Mitchell subtly renders the defiance of the protagonist of the song and
the camaraderie she has forged. Watch now [see NPR MusicAugust 23rd].
Luluc will also hit the road this fall performing songs from Sculptor, acting
as direct support for labelmates Blitzen Trapper (November 7th-18th)
and J Mascis (November 20th - December 15th). Headline dates in
Australia, Europe and North America will follow in early 2019.
Nov. 08 - Chico, CA- Sierra Nevada Brewing Company*
Nov. 10 - Novato, CA - Hopmonk Tavern*
Nov. 11 - Sebastopol, CA - Hopmonk Tavern*
Nov. 13 - Los Angeles, CA - Lodge Room*
Nov. 14 - San Francisco, CA - The Independent*
Nov. 16 - Seattle, WA - The Crocodile*
Nov. 17 - Portland, OR - Doug Fir Lounge*
Nov. 18 - Portland, OR - Doug Fir Lounge*
Nov. 20 - Chicago, IL - City Winery^
Nov. 21 - Chicago, IL - City Winery^
Nov. 27 - Atlanta, GA - City Winery^
Nov. 28 - Nashville, TN - City Winery^
Nov. 29 - Louisville, KY - Zanzabar^
Nov. 30 - Detroit, MI - El Club^
Dec. 01 - Toronto, ON - Great Hall^
Dec. 04 - Philadelphia, PA - World Cafe^
Dec. 05 - Washington, DC - City Winery^
Dec. 07 - Brooklyn, NY - Rough Trade^
Dec. 08 - New York, NY - Public Arts^
Dec. 09 - Hamden, CT - Space Ballroom^
Dec. 12 - Providence, RI - The Met^
Dec. 13 - Boston, MA - The Sinclair^
Dec. 14 - Northampton, MA - The Academy of Music^
Dec. 15 - Portland, ME - Port City Music Hall^
Jan. 11 - Melbourne, AU - Howler
Jan. 12 - Castlemaine, AU - Theatre Royale
* w/ Blitzen Trapper
^ w/ J Mascis
Sculptor is available worldwide from Sub Pop, with the
exception of New Zealand and Australia through Mistletone. In addition
to “Kids,” the album features standouts “Spring” and “Heist,” and was
produced and recorded by Luluc. The album also includes guest
appearances from J. Mascis, Aaron Dessner (The National), Jim White (The
Dirty Three), Dave Nelson (The National, Beirut) and Matt Eccles (Weyes
Blood, Connan Mockasin). LP purchases from megamart.subpop.com will receive the limited Loser edition on magenta vinyl (while supplies last).
What The People are saying about Luluc’s Sculptor:
“Quietly devastating....when Luluc really want your attention they don’t
shout, they whisper. The strongest and most assured record of their
career. The songs dig deep emotionally – but critically their aesthetics
are well-balanced, the voice and instruments perfectly calibrated.
While its predecessors had a tendency for introspection, Sculptor is wide open.” [8/10] - Uncut
“…Sculptor, the Australians’ self-produced follow-up to 2014’s wonderful Passerby, also broadens Luluc’s palette and subject matter in rewarding ways.” [First Listen] - NPR Music
“Ultimately, the album repays careful and repeated attention, its varied
qualities cohering effectively with a measured sense of control that,
simultaneously, offers positive indications of the considerable
potential for future even more diverse arrangements.” [8/10] - The Line of Best Fit
“Zoe Randell and Steve Hassett are back with an album that
complicates their modest aesthetic. The lyrical wrestling and sonic
exploration nearly betrays their earliest work yet elevates their
catalog—already so celebrated—to another level… Sculptor is an album that feels important.” [8/10] - Under the Radar
“Sculptor is a small gift coming at the right time, a 36-minute reverie that nonetheless remains rooted in waking life.” - PopMatters
“Sculptor yields center-stage to Randell’s haiku-like celebrations of human spirit and suburban transcendence.” [4/5] - MOJO
“Randall and Hassett have made a record that boldly turns a corner while
still slotting neatly into their already sterling catalog.” [4/5] - All Music
“Randell’s lyrics reveal subversiveness too, telling of teenage
insurrections and small-town upsets. Steve Hassett’s backing, meanwhile,
is characterized by enough strange impulses and pleasing deviations to
whirr and rattle through the stillness. The band’s third album is filled
with such quirks and quiet rebellions.” [4/5] - Q Magazine
Sculptor will be available worldwide July 13th from Sub Pop, with the exception of Australia and New Zealand from Mistletone
Luluc has shared “Spring,” the beautiful new single and opening track from Sculptor, their forthcoming album. Singer Zoe Randell offers this on the song: “Broadly speaking, with these new songs I was interested in the difficulties that life can throw at us - what we can do with them, how they can shape us, and what say we have. That potential that is there for everyone, the different lives that are open to us. That’s what I love in Ise’s poem ‘Spring Days and Blossom’ - which form the lyrics to “Spring” - the brimming sense of spring and it’s cycle, the enormity of what’s possible and the beauty.”
Original artwork for track as seen above -> ‘Abundance’ by artist and printmaker Fleur Rendell. Listen here, and on repeat via Spotify or Apple Music.
[Photo Credit: Charlotte de Mezamat]
Luluc will release Sculptor, their gorgeous third album worldwide on July 13th from Sub Pop, with the exception of New Zealand and Australia through Mistletone. The new long-player featuring the aforementioned “Spring,” along with “Heist,” and “Kids,” was produced and recorded by Luluc. The album also includes guest appearances from J. Mascis, Aaron Dessner (The National), Jim White (The Dirty Three), Dave Nelson (The National, Beirut) and Matt Eccles (Weyes Blood, Connan Mockasin).
UK Magazine Uncut just named Sculptor its “Album of the Month” (8/10) and said, “Quietly devastating....when Luluc really want your attention they don’t shout, they whisper. The strongest and most assured record of their career. The songs dig deep emotionally – but critically their aesthetics are well-balanced, the voice and instruments perfectly calibrated. While its predecessors had a tendency for introspection, Sculptor is wide open.” And NPR Music’s Bob Boilen raves, “I can’t stop listening…I’ve waited for years for this record (see All Songs Considered mix, May 29th).”
Sculptor will be available on CD/LP/DL through Sub Pop and Misteltone. Preorders from megamart.subpop.com will receive the limited Loser edition on magenta vinyl. There will also be a new T-shirt design available.
‘We spray our hair into submission, upright to attention. Marching to no orders, imagination has no borders. Well lucky that.’
On July 13th, Luluc will release Sculptor, their gorgeous third album worldwide on Sub Pop, with the exception of New Zealand and Australia through Mistletone. The new longplayer featuring highlights “Heist” [hear here], “Spring,” and “Kids”, was produced and recorded by Luluc. The album also includes guest appearances from J. Mascis, Aaron Dessner of the National, Jim White of the Dirty Three, Dave Nelson and Matt Ecles.
Sculptor will be available on CD/LP/DL through Sub Pop and Misteltone. Preoders from megamart.subpop.com will receive the limited Loser edition on magenta vinyl. There will also be a new T-shirt design available.
Luluc Sculptor Tracklisting
1. Spring 2. Heist 3. Kids 4. Controversy 5. Cambridge 6. Me and Jasper 7. Genius 8. Moon Girl 9. Need’t Be 10. Sculptor
More on Luluc’s ‘Sculptor’:
“Me and Jasper,” from Luluc’s third album Sculptor, is a confident challenge to small-town insularity, lilting yet vigilant, and championed by a defiant guitar solo from the band’s friend J Mascis. It’s a reflection on a common pitfall of adolescence; limitless possibility battling constant obstruction. “My own experiences as a teen were often fraught” says songwriter and vocalist Zoe Randell. “The small town I grew up in provided a great study in gossip, scandal, character assignation and the willingness of people to go along with it.” It’s a song about fighting for agency on an album that is in many ways about volition and potential; how people can navigate difficulties and opportunities to create different paths.
Sculptor can be consumed loud; because while Luluc’s music is at times masterful in it’s minimalism, it is anything but quiet in impact. There’s a before you hear Luluc’s music, and an after—a turning point that affects people with rare force. Janet Weiss of Sleater-Kinney says “it’s music that once you hear it, you can’t live without it”. The National’s Matt Berninger said that for months, Passerbywas “the only album I wanted to listen to”. “What first hits is that voice,” writes Peter Blackstock (No Depression),“a peaceful serenity that reaches deep into the heart.” When NPR’s Bob Boilen named 2014’s Passerby his album of the year, he wrote: “I’ve listened to this record by Australia’s Luluc more than any other this year. These songs feel like they’ve always been.”
That gripping, imperative quality pulses through Sculptor, perhaps to an even greater extent than on Passerby or Dear Hamlyn (2008). Randell writes with more experimentation and possibility. From the contemplative scene of “Cambridge”, to the churning disaster chronicled in the title track, the songs on Sculptor are there for the taking. “Broadly speaking, with these new songs I was interested in the difficulties that life can throw at us - what we can do with them, how they can shape us, and what say we have,” Randell explains. “That potential that is there for everyone, the different lives that are open to us. That’s what I love in Ise’s poem ‘Spring Days and Blossom’ - which form the lyrics to “Spring” - the brimming sense of spring and it’s cycle, the enormity of what’s possible and the beauty.”
Sonically, the band have broadened their tonal palette following on from the successful collaboration on Passerby, co-produced with The National’s Aaron Dessner. Multi-instrumentalist, singer and producer Steve Hassett mastered a wider spectrum of instruments to fully realize the album’s expansive and daring vision. Randell and Hassett do nearly all of the writing, recording, and producing themselves, but their vision is far from insular. In addition to Mascis, Sculptor features contributions from several friends including Dessner (shreds on “Kids” and programmed drums on “Heist”) and Jim White of Dirty Three (drums on “Genius”) as well as musicians Matt Eccles on drums and Dave Nelson on horns. Recording took place in Luluc’s new Brooklyn studio, which they built themselves. The new studio is volition and potential in action and even incorporates reclaimed cedar from Dessner’s iconic former Ditmas Park studio, where The National and Luluc had both lived and recorded.
That everyone has control of their own story is at the core ofSculptor. For Hassett, it’s illuminated by the last line of the title track, which is the last line of the record itself: ”‘The most beautiful, serene sculpture my hands could make, could trace, could break’. All of the songs are playing with those ideas,” he says. “Life is something you get, and you can get sidetracked for years and even destroy it, or you can remember that you’ve got some control over your life.” But listeners of Sculptor may yield some of that control, even if for a short time, to the mastery of the music itself.
Luluc’s previously announced west coast and southeastern U.S. trek in support of album Passerby kicks-off tomorrow night, Thursday, September 17th in Seattle, WA at The Sunset and ends October 2nd in New Orleans, LA at Republic. (see dates below) Additionally, the band will act as main support for Jose Gonzalez (September 28th-October 2nd).
Passerby is currently available from Sub Pop and of course from your friendly neighborhood record store.
The album has earned Luluc international praise from the likes ofNPR Music’s “First Listen” & “All Songs Considered,” No Depression, Bust, RollingStone.com, MOJO, Magnet, Stereogum, Exclaim, Drowned in Sound, The Line of Best Fit, CLASH, Tone, All Music Guide, My Old Kentucky Blog, Mess + Noise, Double J, Sydney Morning Herald, ABC Radio (AU), and more. At radio,Passerby peaked at #8 on the CMJ Top 200 Chart.
What “They” have to say about Luluc:
“Passerby provides a tremendous introduction to a band whose deliberate impeccability never feels staid or fussy. It helps that The National’s Aaron Dessner, who knows a little something about impeccability, leaves his fingerprints all over these songs: He produced Passerby with Randell and Hassett, and he provides a good bit of the rich but spare backing instrumentation throughout. Dessner and Luluc both know how and when to let a song breathe.” [First Listen] -NPR Music
“Passerby is gorgeous and refined through and through, and likely to sound as timeless as all that great stuff Joe Boyd himself produced back in the late ‘60s.” [Review] - Rolling Stone.com
“Luluc has indie credentials to spare, but all that really matters is that this music is impossibly delicate and deeply beautiful.” [Review, 8/10] - MAGNET
“Strikes all the right chords: spectral melodies, buttery harmonies, and a blissful melancholia that hints at Nick Drake and Simon and Garfunkel without going to far into either territory. Zoe Randell and Steve Hassett might have created the year’s most addictive record to dates; from the predawn flutter of Opener “Small Window” to the shimmering heat of “Early Night” and “Star,” every track onPasserby begs to played again and again, preferably in the dusky sunlight of late summer.” [5/5 Review] - BUST
“[It] captures the band’s homespun charm in its main melody which sits over spindly strings that move like ripples in still water.” [“Without a Face”] - Stereogum
Tour Dates Sep. 17 - Seattle - Sunset Tavern Sep. 20 - Portland - Mississippi Studios Sep. 22 - San Francisco - Brick & Mortar Music Hall Sep. 23 - LA - The Echo Sep. 26 - San Diego - UCSD Loft Sep. 28 - Hollywood, FL - ArtsPark Amphitheater* Sep. 29 - Tampa, FL - State Theatre * Sep. 30 - Orlando, FL - The Social * Oct. 01 - Atlanta, GA - Variety Playhouse * Oct. 02- New Orleans LA - Republic * *w/ Jose Gonzalez
Sub Pop & Hardly Art at SxSW 2015 / March 15-22: Danny
Bland, Chastity Belt, King Tuff, La Luz, Lee Bains III & The Glory
Fires, Luluc, METZ, Rat Fist (Randy from No Age), & THEESatisfaction
Sub
Pop & Hardly Art artists Danny Bland, Chastity Belt, King Tuff, La
Luz, Lee Bains III & The Glory Fires, Luluc, METZ, and
THEESatisfaction, along with our friends Rat Fist (feat. Randy from No
Age), will appear at the 2015 edition of SXSW. Please find a complete
schedule for each artist below.
DANNY BLAND (Sub Pop) Friday, March 20th 4:00 pm / Book signing @ SXBookstore Address: Ballroom D Foyer at the Austin Convention Center, 500 E. Cesar Chavez St.
5-6pm / SxSW Panel: Books Are the New Vinyl (w/ Chuck D, Marc Gerald, Frank Turner, moderated by Rynda Laurel) Address: Room 16AB at the Austin Convention Center, 500 E. Cesar Chavez St.
CHASTITY BELT (Hardly Art) Wednesday, March 18th 4:30pm / She Shreds Showcase @ Cheer Up Charlie’s (Outside stage) Address: 900 Red River St.
12:00am / 720 Club Patio (SXSW Official Showcase) Address: 720 Red River St. (8th St Entrance)
Thursday, March 19th 2:30pm / Brooklyn Vegan Day Showcase @ Red 7 Address: 711 Red River St. 9:00pm / Gorilla vs Bear Showacse + Hype Hotel Address: 1100 E. 5th St.
Friday, March 20th 1:00pm / Gnar Tapes + Strange Victory Day Party @ Beerland Address: 711 Red River St.
4:00pm / She Shreds + Tom Tom Showcase @ Zen Fit Address: 2200 E. 7th St.
5:30pm / Third Man Records Showcase Address: Home Slice Pizza - 1415 S. Congress Ave.
Saturday, March 21st Midnight / Burgermania @ Hotel Vegas Address: 1500 E. 6th St.
LA LUZ (Hardly Art) Wednesday, March 18th 11:30am / Billy Reid + Third Man Records Austin Shindig Address: 1808 E. Cesar Chavez St.
3:30pm / Panache Boat Party (Boat #1) Address: 208 Barton Springs Rd. on Lady Bird Lake
Thursday, March 19th 4:00pm / Austin Psych Fest’s Levitation Party @ Hotel Vegas Address: 1500 E. 6th St.
6:30pm / She Shreds Showcase Address: 2009 Tillotson Ave.
Friday, March 20th 1:00pm / She Shreds + Tom Tom Showcase @ Zen Fit Address: 2200 E. 7th St.
6:15pm / Brixton &Juxtapoz Showcase @ The Buckshot Address: 422 E. 6th St.
10:40pm / Panache Showcase Address: 1500 E. 6th St.
Saturday, March 21st 2:00pm / Burgermania Party @ Hotel Vegas Patio 1 stage Address: 1500 E. 6th St.
5:30pm / Panache RAGER @ Spider House - Patio 1 stage Address: 2906 Fruth St.
LEE BAINS III & THE GLORY FIRES (Sub Pop) Wednesday, March 18th 4:00pm / Blurt Magazine + Dog Fish Head Ale Party @ The Ginger Man Address: 301 Lavaca St.
11:00pm / PGA Showcase @ Trinity Hall at Old School Address: 401 E. 6th St. (Upstairs)
Thursday, March 19th 3:30pm / Third Man Truck at Antone’s Record Shop Address: 2928 Guadalupe St.
Friday, March 20th 4:45pm / The Midgetmen’s 8th Annual Jumpstart Texas Party @ Sidebar Address: 602 E. 7th St.
LULUC (Sub Pop) Thursday, March 19th 8:30pm / St. David’s Bethel Hall SXSW Showcase Address: 301 E. 8th Street
Saturday, March 21st 7:30pm / Doug Sahm Tribute Night @ The Paramount Address: 713 N. Congress Ave.
Sunday, March 22 8:30pm / Continental Club Gallery Address: 315 S. Congress Ave.
METZ (Sub Pop) Monday, March 16th 10pm / The Onion AV Club Showcase @ Red 7 Address: 611 E. 7th St.
Wednesday, March 18th 3pm / St. Jerome’s Laneway Festival presents Laneway is for Lovers @ Red 7 Address: 611 E. 7th St.
10:00pm / House of Vans SXSW Showcase @ The Mohawk Address: 912 Red River St..
Thursday, March 19th 5:15pm / Brooklyn Vegan Day Showcase @ Red 7 Address: 611 E. 7th St.
10pm / FLOOD Fest Showcase @ Cedar St. Courtyard Address: 208 W. 4th St.
Friday, March 20th 12:30pm / SPIN SXSW Showcase @ Stubbs Address: 801 Red River St.
5:00pm / Waterloo Records Day Party Address: 600 N. Lamar Blvd
RAT FIST (Randy from NO AGE) Thursday, March 19th Midnight / BD Rileys SXSW Showcase Address: 204 E. 6th St.
Friday, March 20th 12:45pm / BrooklynVegan Day party @Red 7 Address: 611 E. 7th St.
3pm / The Midgetmen’s 8th Annual Jumpstart Texas Party @ The SideBar Address: 602 E. 7th St.
Saturday, March 21st 1:50pm / The Denver Post+Reverb.com Day Party @ Dirty Dog Bar Address: 505 E. 6th St.
3:45pm / Fun Fun Fun Fest Party + House of Vans @ The Mohawk Address: 912 Red River St.
THEESATISFACTION (Sub Pop) Friday, March 20th 3pm / Break Thru Radio Showcase @ The Liberty Address: 1618 E. 6th St.
9:40pm / Y’all Or Nothing Showcase @ Rain Address: 217 W. 4th St.
Saturday, March 21st 9:35pm / Okayplayer House Showcase @ Bungalow Address: 92 Rainey St.
10pm / House of Vans Showcase @ Mohawk Address: 912 Red River St
