2017 tour schedule begins May 23rd with sold-out show at New York’s The Apollo Theatre

“Arabian Heights” is the driving new track from The Afghan Whigs’ forthcoming album, In Spades, which will be out in stores and on the airwaves May 5th. This new song exudes the gutbucket exoticism of Houses of the Holy and Physical Graffiti writ large, driven by drummer Patrick Keeler’s bravura, tribal cadences. Greg Dulli says of Keeler’s contribution, “Rick [Nelson, who engineered the album] got incredible drum sounds, and what Patrick does on that song is a master class in drumming.” 

In further exciting news, The Afghan Whigs will be performing a sold out show at The Apollo Theater in Harlem, NY on Tuesday, May 23rd. “We are thrilled to be performing at The Apollo,” Dulli remarked. “So many of my heroes both musical and otherwise have graced the stage there and it will be our honor to do so as well.”
 
The Afghan Whigs have also announced their first set of dates in support of In Spades in Europe.  The band will visit 17 countries this summer including performances at Primavera Sound and Northside Festival.  Ed Harcourt will be supporting on all European headline shows. (See dates below.)

 
In Spades is now available for preorder on CD / 180 gram-LP / CS / DL from Sub Pop over here. The album, led by the single “Demon In Profile” and the aforementioned “Arabian Heights,” alongside standouts “Oriole,” “Copernicus,” and “Toy Automatic,” is the follow-up to the band’s internationally acclaimed Do to the Beast.  In Spades, written and produced by Greg Dulli, was recorded in New Orleans, Los Angeles, Memphis and Joshua Tree.
 
LP pre-orders of In Spades will receive the “Loser” edition on 180-gram, white-chocolate vinyl (while supplies last). A new T-shirt design, along with cassette versions of The Afghan Whigs’ classic Sub Pop albums Up In It and Congregation, are now also available.

[Photo Credit: Chris Cuffaro]

Treat yourself: watch this video for lead track, “Demon In Profile,” directed by longtime collaborator Phil Harder.


The Afghan Whigs Tour Schedule 
May 23 - Harlem, NY – The Apollo Theater [Sold Out]
May 26 - Manchester, UK - Cathedral
May 27 - Glasgow, UK - ABC
May 28 - Dublin, IE - Academy
May 30 - London, UK - Koko
Jun. 01 - Barcelona, ES - Primavera Sound Festival
Jun. 03 - Bologna, IT - Zona Roveri
Jun. 04 - Zagreb, HR - Tvornica Kulture
Jun. 06 - Warsaw, PL - Palladium
Jun. 07 - Berlin, DE - Kesselhaus
Jun. 09 - Aarhus, DK - Northside Festival
Jun.10 - Oslo, NO - Vulkan
Jun.12 - Hamburg, DE - Gruenspan
Jun.13 - Frankfurt, DE - Batschkapp
Jun.14 - Antwerp, BE – Trix [Sold Out]
Jun.15 - Brussels, BE - Ancienne Belgique [Sold Out]
Aug. 04 - Vienna, AT - WUK
Aug. 05 - Prague, CZ - Lucerna Music Bar
Aug. 06 - Zurich, CH - Mascotte
Aug. 08 - Munich, DE - Backstage Halle
Aug. 09 - Amsterdam, NL - Paradiso
Aug. 10-12 – Gothenburg, SE – Way Out West Festival
Aug. 13 – Helsinki, FL – Flow Festival

For up-to-date info on tickets, please visit theafghanwhigs.com.
 
More on The Afghan Whigs In Spades here.

We’ve been bustling hard at the Airport Store in preparation for the 10-year anniversary of Sub Pop’s sister label, Hardly Art. To commemorate this special occasion, which coincides with National Poetry Month, I’ve decided some light verse is called for…

Ehh emmm..

The Birthday Wall

I’ll see you in May,

We’ll have a party for you.

I’ll see you in May,

If you have the chance to stop through!

Our little sister is turning ten,

And she’s way cooler than she’s ever been.

With The Julie Ruin last year,

And the new Chastity Belt almost here!

She’s filled an entire wall,

With a decade of filling our hearts.

From Arthur and Yu to Dude York,

To Hardly Art, we pop a cork!

If you’re coming to town,

An extravaganza with friends and the fam,

On the eighteenth and nineteenth of May,

Let us all celebrate!

But if you’re just passing by,

Keep your eyes peeled for an excellent find.

The hundredth HA release,

Is still but a mystery…

I’ll see you in May,

I really hope that I do!

There’ll be buttons and stickers and tunes for all your ‘tudes,

Hardly Art, We Love You!!!

If you are just now discovering this not-so-little-anymore gem of a label or looking to check out something new, we have some suggestions for you!

Hardly Art Picks from the Staff of the Sub Pop Airport Store:

1.) Javier - Magic Trick, Ruler of the Night (2012)

- This lovely little side band from the Fresh and Onlys’ Tim Cohen is a real San Francisco treat!

2.) Rebecca - IAN SWEET, Shapeshifter (2016)

- Listen to this while ‘blading on Alki. Blade or Die!

3.) Emily - Grave Babies, Crusher (2013)

- Perf industrial metal guitar tones and affected vocals 4 ever.

4.) Ben - Fergus and Geronimo, Unlearn (2011)

- Pre Parquet Courts. Music with jokes, but not joke music.

5.) Bailey - Protomartyr, The Agent Intellect (2015)

- Descriptions of Joe Casey: “Protomartyr are awesome, but they look like three scared teens who started a band with their alcoholic uncle.” “He’s like an inverse Bono.”

6.) Kane - Chastity Belt, I Used to Spend So Much Time Alone (2017)

- Shimmering, indie, feminist punk from Seattle’s favorite group of friends!

7.) Audrey - Broken Water, Tempest (2012)

- Wall of guitar noise á la Sonic Youth, by way of Olympia, WA.

8.) Jacob - Carissa’s Wierd, Songs About Leaving (2002, reissued 2010)

- Slow-core, unassuming supergroup whose members would become Band of Horses, Sera Cahoone, Grand Archives and S (Jenn Champion).

9.) Rachel - Shannon and the Clams, Dreams in the Rat House (2013)

- Shannon Shaw is a doo-wop dream boat!

10.) Olivia - Black Marble, A Different Arrangement (2012)

- Strangely revealing synth pop for your magical journey into the darkness.

It has been and continues to be a true honor representing all the local weirdos, punx, queers, poets, and female artists of Hardly Art at our store. We’re looking forward to what’s coming next*! The future is already someone’s dream.:)

XO

Olivia Saint

Assistant Store Manager

*Speaking of what’s coming next… how ‘bout not one but TWO celebratory birthday shows, this coming May 18th and 19th at Seattle’s Chop Suey?! Details are here.

Sub Pop is seeking a Music Licensing Coordinator in our Seattle office. We’re looking for an individual who has great interpersonal skills, is a self-starter, is detail-oriented and has the ability to work in an open group environment. This is an entry-level position that reports directly to the Director of Licensing.

Specific Responsibilities include:

-    Working to place our catalog in advertisements, TV, film, video games, web-videos, social media, podcasts and more by fielding and responding to music searches and licensing requests.

-   Actively pitching our catalog in a manner tailored to the taste and project requirements of individual music supervisors, editors, filmmakers and producers.

-   Listening to and quickly learning a large catalog of material and applying that knowledge to searches/requests for material.

-   Tagging, organizing and maintaining the licensing website and licensing database.

-   Managing outstanding invoices and licenses.

-   Logging all licensing and publishing activity and preparing biannual reports on such activity.

-   Developing and maintaining relationships directly with music supervisors, ad agencies filmmakers and other potential licensing contacts.

-   Organizing and attending artist functions for music supervisors, ad agencies and others when appropriate.

-   Coordinating with the marketing department regarding new releases, attending marketing meetings and related artist-specific planning meetings.

-   Sending out email blasts, playlists, show invites and other forms of promotion around our releases.

-   Assisting in quoting, negotiating and preparing synchronization and master use licenses.

 Qualifications include:

-   Knowledge and passion for music in general is a must, as is familiarity with the Sub Pop and Hardly Art catalogs.

-   Interest in music licensing, film and advertising.

-   Competent computer skills.

-   Ability to work independently and take initiative.

-   Ability to juggle and prioritize multiple projects.

-   Positive attitude, good communication skills and an enthusiastic team spirit.

Please send resume and cover letter to Ruth Kim (ruthk@subpop.com).

Resumes accepted through April 28, 2017

North American tour begins in May, with European dates to follow.

We (Sub Pop Records, that is) are over the moon to announce that NYC-based band Frankie Cosmos has joined the Sub Pop Family in a universe-spanning type of record deal. The band, comprised of Greta Kline (vox & guitars), David Maine (bass guitar), Lauren Martin (keyboards, synthesizers & vox) and Luke Pyenson (drums), have been touring the world extensively in support of their 2016 release Next Thing (Bayonet Records) which received critical praise from the likes of Pitchfork, NY Times, Paste, Rolling Stone, DIY Magazine and many more. 

Watch the band’s in-studio performance of “Sinister” off Next Thing right here, and an intimate ‘Take Away Show’ performance of “Highway and Trees” (Meat cover) + “O Dreaded C Town” over here.

Frankie Cosmos is currently working on new material and will continue to tour throughout the remainder of the year. They kick-off a North American tour on May 5th in Boston, MA, which includes a performance at this year’s Pitchfork Music Festival in Chicago on July 14th. Additionally, the band will visit Europe for a series of shows July 28th-August 8th. (Current dates below.)

If you haven’t yet, now’s the time to start following Frankie Cosmos everywhere in the known, err… cosmos! –> Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | frankiecosmosband.com

About Frankie Cosmos:

Originally the solo project of prolific New York City-based songwriter Greta Kline, Frankie Cosmos has blossomed into a four-piece band including David Maine, Lauren Martin, and Luke Pyenson.

The first studio release as Frankie Cosmos, Zentropy (Double Double Whammy), garnered wide acclaim upon its release, including New York magazine’s #1 Pop Album of 2014 and a Pitchfork Best New Track for “Birthday Song.” Recorded as a two-piece with Aaron Maine on drums, Frankie Cosmos began performing live as a three-piece with Aaron’s brother David on bass, and later as a four-piece with Gabrielle Smith on keyboard. The next studio release, 2015’s Fit Me In EP (Bayonet), combined Kline’s honest, lyrically-driven songwriting with Maine’s affinity for synth-driven production, and earned the project another Best New Track for “Young.” Lauren and Luke joined the group in late 2015 on keyboard and drums, leaving Gabrielle and Aaron to pursue their personal projects—Eskimeaux and Porches—and cementing the band’s current lineup.

The group’s most recent release is the critically-lauded Next Thing (2016, Bayonet), which has been praised for memorable lyrics that are both clever and concise, deeply personal and widely relatable; beautiful three-part vocal harmonies that enhance catchy pop melodies; and increasingly sophisticated instrumental arrangements that reflect a rapidly maturing band continuing to grow. The album received a coveted Best New Music designation from Pitchfork as well as exceptional reviews from the New York Times, Rolling Stone, and others. The band’s live show, honed during extensive touring of North America, Europe, Oceania and Japan, has also received glowing feedback for its mix of energy, intimacy and levity.

In their off-time, the bandmates of Frankie Cosmos practice a variety of other jobs and hobbies including textile design, food journalism, massage therapy, cooking, mixed martial arts, reading, painting, and petting dogs.

It’s that magical time of the year. You can smell the hot grease of overworked vinyl presses in the air. The cooling fans of online auction servers are humming in your ear. The seasonal change of record colors is upon us. Standard black vinyl disappears and the neon, splatters, and picture discs appear in full splendor. Friends: Record Store Day is here.

April 22, 2017 marks the 10th anniversary of the indie record store holiday. We’ve come a long way since the original ten Record Store Day releases hit the shelves back in 2007. And, it’s hard to believe it’s now been a decade of grown men and women trampling each other for limited-edition releases without any major arrests. This year, y’all should come on down to Sea-Tac and avoid any of that trampling nonsense. Trust us, TSA doesn’t take very kindly to pushing and shoving. Once again, the Sub Pop Airport Store will be carrying a selection of this year’s Record Store Day releases. We have met all the requirements. We double-checked with this year’s ambassador: St. Vincent. Judging by this video, she’s taking the role very seriously.

Sure, yes, you have to buy a plane ticket to get to our store. Do yourself a favor and get that ticket to see your grandmother in Milwaukee. We won’t tell her that the only reason you finally broke down and and sprung for a visit was to have first dibs on a sweet seven-inch single. Or better yet, pack your shades and book a flight to Hawaii. You can hit up our store when we open the gates at 6 AM (we open earlier than any other participating store, so far as we are aware) and then quickly hop on a jetliner to Honolulu. If you manage to arrive around 10-10:30 AM island time, you might even have enough time to get to your favorite Hawaiian record store before it has been picked through.

While neither Sub Pop nor Hardly Art are putting out any exclusive Record Store Day releases this year, please consider an alternative: Father John Misty’s eagerly anticipated new album Pure Comedy comes out mere weeks before, on April 7th! And, if you’re lucky, we may have some remaining copies of the Deluxe 2xLP editions left at the airport on Record Store Day.

This truly DELUXE 2xLP version of Pure Comedy arrives on two pieces of colored vinyl, one of which is referred to as “aluminum,” the other “copper” (as evidenced by this not-to-be-missed Pure Unboxing video). These two opulent record albums are housed in a die-cut, customize-able jacket, with 4 interactive “backgrounds” on the 2 full-color dust sleeves within (four different sky color schemes to choose from!) all sheathed in an outer plastic slip-cover. Also included are a tri-fold poster and holographic HA card. If that doesn’t scratch your collectible itch, I don’t know what will. You can also order Pure Comedy on the Sub Pop Mega Mart right G-D now.

The Sub Pop Airport Store will (most likely*) be carrying the below-referenced Record Store Day exclusive titles. 

*No guarantees we’ll get them all, but here is what we ordered:

Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit-Live from Welcome To 1979

Pink Floyd- London 1966-1967

R.L. Burnside-Long Distance Call: Europe Recordings, 1982

The Districts-Ordinary day/Lover,Lover,Lover

The Pretty Things-The French EP’s 1964-69

V/A-Stories For Ways & Means

V/A-We’re Gonna Have A Party! The Sound Of Wand Records

Pearl Jam-“State Of Love and Trust” B/W “Breath” (7”)

Alice In Chains-What The Hell Have I/Get Born Again (Double 7” Single)

Dave Matthews Band-Live at Red Rocks 9.15.95 (4LP Silver vinyl set)

Moondog-Moondog

Dennis Wilson- Bambu The Caribou Sessions (2LP green vinyl set)

Santana-Woodstock Saturday August 16, 1969

Curtis Knight featuring Jimi Hendrix-Live at George’s Club 20

Robert Johnson- The Centennial Collection: The Complete Recordings (3LP)

David Bowie-Cracked Actor Live in Los Angeles, ’74 (3LP set)

David Bowie-BOWPROMO (GEM Promo LP)

The Cure-Greatest Hits Acoustic (2LP Picture Disc)

The Cure-Greatest Hits (2LP Picture Disc)

The Grateful Dead- P.N.E. Garden Auditorium, Vancouver, British Columbia, 7/29/66 (2LP)

The Doors- Live At The Matrix ‘67

Flaming Lips-The Flaming Lips Onboard the International Space Station Concert For Peace (Yellow Vinyl)

The Head and the Heart-Stinson Beach Sessions

Notorious B.I.G.-Born Again (2LP Gold Vinyl)

Prince-Batdance (12” Single)

Prince-I Could Never Take The Place Of Your Man (12” Single)

Prince-I Wish U Heaven (12” Single)

Prince-Little Red Corvette/1999 (7” Picture Disc)

Prince-Partyman (12” Single)

Prince-Pop Life (12” Single)

Prince- Sign O’ The Times (12” Single)

Vangelis-Blade Runner Original Soundtrack (Picture Disc)

V/A-Nuggets: Come To The Sunshine (2LP Orange/Yellow Marble Vinyl)

Neil Young-Decade (3LP)

Hawkwind-Best of the United Artist Years 1971-1974 (Swirl Color Vinyl)

Black Angels- Death Song RSD Exclusive (2LP Set)

Sun Ra-Janus (Yellow & Black Swirl Vinyl)

Balkans-Pedro Four-Way ft. Mike Watt (Green Vinyl)

Motörhead-Clean Your Clock (2LP Picture Disc)

Iron and Wine-Archives Series Volume No. 3 (Translucent Blue Vinyl)

Patti Smith-Hey Joe (Version)/Piss Factory (7” Single)

The Smiths- The Boy With The Thorn In His Side (7” Single)

Spoon-Hot Thoughts

Lumineers-Song Seeds

Animal Collective- Meeting The Waters

Blondie-Long Time

Big Thief-Mythological Beauty

Noise Addict-10,000 Kids With Guitars (2LP)

Blitzen Trapper-Waking Bullets At Breakneck Speed (Recorded Circa 2006)

Wipers-Better Off Dead (7” EP)

Pickin’ On Series- Pickin’ On Nirvana: The Bluegrass Tribute (ft. Iron Horse)

Pete Krebs-Western Electric (Produced by Elliot Smith)

Julian Cope-Drunken Songs

The Raincoats-Fairytale in the Supermarket EP (7”)

The Stooges-Heavy Liquid/The Album (2LP)

T. Rex-Rock N Roll (7” EP)

Sun Ra-Discipline 27-11

Danny Brown-Ain’t It Funny (10” Picture Disc)\

Black Lips- Black Lips (4xCS Box)

Policia-Lipstick Stains/Still Counts (7” Single)

Evan Dando-Baby I’m Bored (2LP+book)

Stay safe out there. If you are crazy enough to listen to me and end up going to Hawaii, say hello to our old co-worker Josh.

Check out the official Record Store Day website (and this complete list of releases) for participating stores near you.

At last, winter is finally nearing its conclusion! After what feels like an eternity (can you believe the Summer Olympic Games were less than a year ago? Me neither…), spring is finally close enough to talk about without sobbing. While reasonable people may know spring as the time when temperatures rise, plants bloom, and insects reemerge from Hell where they belong, we here in the bowels of the music industry know it exclusively as the beginning of “festival season.” During this time, seemingly every city around the world sets aside a weekend or two for great gaggles of wide-eyed music fans to gather to watch and listen to as much music as possible, and also pay too much for bottled water. In addition to all that music and predatorily-priced potable water, there’s the eating, the drinking, the art appreciating and, of course, so many sunburns.

“This is all too much,” you might hypothetically say, “there are just too many festivals.” If you are inexperienced with the full wonder of music festivals, you might even say, “I don’t know if I’ll survive even one of these.” And though, clearly, that is hyperbolic, I am not here to judge you. No, instead, I am here to help. And, to that end, I’ve prepared a pseudo-survival guide for your trek to one (or all!) of the very cool festivals listed below, complete with a brief summary of each, a list of cool bands to see, other things to do in the area, and some optional, recommended items to make your festival experience a truly luxurious, Sub Pop-approved one.

Happy (almost) Festival Season!

BUKU

New Orleans, Louisiana

March 10-11

Bands to see: Washed Out, Clams Casino, Run the Jewels, Young Thug

Situated between the Mississippi river and some railroad tracks, BUKU is an intimate music and arts festival with plenty of great electronic and hip-hop music. One of the stages is located inside a warehouse used to build Mardi Gras floats, and it’s only a short walk from the French Quarter, ensuring that there’s plenty to do while you’re in town. I’d highly recommend some sunglasses, however. Protecting your eyes is important - not only from the sun, but also from the flying cockroaches I’ve been told exist in the southern parts of the United States.

SXSW

Austin, Texas

March 10-19

Bands to see: LVL UP, Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever, Downtown Boys, Chastity Belt, IAN SWEET, Dude York, Colleen Green

A yearly tradition during which downtown Austin, Texas is overrun for 9 (nine!) whole days, SXSW is a smorgasbord of music and pop culture, where you can take in practically innumerable performances by bands, plus art, informational panels, comedy, and just about anything else you might want to see. You will almost certainly need a very attractive bag to carry all the swag you acquire.

Ceremonia

Toluca, Mexico

April 1st

Bands to see: Beach House, Bjork, James Blake, M.I.A.

Is there a better way to welcome spring back into your life than by going to Mexico? I’ve yet to hear a compelling opposing argument, and set for only one day in the beautiful city of Toluca, the Ceremonia Festival boasts an impressive lineup full of heavy-hitters. Fun fact: Toluca is the region from which Chorizo originates. so I’d suggest something to keep your drink cold while you’re busy stuffing your face.

Coachella

Indio, California

April 14-16/21-23

Bands to see: Father John Misty, Tacocat, Beyonce, Radiohead, Downtown Boys, Shannon & the Clams

Coachella is a huge festival, occupying two weekends in an otherwise scarcely populated valley in central California. There isn’t a whole lot to do in Indio, but the organizers of this festival have you covered, as every year they seem to try to go even bigger than they did the prior year. More bands than you can name, food, art, and interactive exhibits abound at this staple of the festival scene. You’re probably going to be camping if you go. Please bring soap.

Fortress

Fort Worth, Texas

April 29-30

Bands to see: Wolf Parade, Slowdive, Alvvays

Fortress is a brand spankin’ new festival marking its inaugural edition. Presented by the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth, it also includes a boatload of art by multidisciplinary artists across several venues. I’d recommend that you bring a water bottle that won’t let you down, as you’ll need to stay hydrated for all three days. Fort Worth is also home to the renowned Kimbell Art Museum and the world’s first and largest indoor rodeo, if such things tickle your fancy.

Shaky Knees

Atlanta, Georgia

May 12-14

Bands to see: The Shins, Wolf Parade, Fruit Bats, The xx, Warpaint

Some festivals seek to find a location off the beaten trail, removed from the city and the hustle and bustle. Shaky Knees is not that festival, as it takes place smack-dab in the middle of Atlanta’s Centennial Olympic Park. Food is a big draw at this festival (it’s in the South, so this is to be expected). And, should you seek respite from the sun beyond that provided by this hat that I dutifully recommend as a source of shade, the excellent Center for Civil and Human Rights is a short walk away (as is the World of Coca-Cola museum and the Georgia Aquarium).

Hangout

Gulf Shores, Alabama

May 19-21

Bands to see: Band of Horses, The Head and The Heart, Frank Ocean, White Reaper

Is there anything more picture-perfect than a white sand beach? This is a question asked by many Washingtonians (mostly out of ignorance, as our beaches feature no sand, only rocks, driftwood, and disappointment), and attending Hangout Festival, located directly on the beaches of Gulf Shores, would provide the obvious answer. What could possibly be better than listening to your favorite bands WITH the ability to jump straight into the ocean at any time you choose? Bring a towel, no one likes being wet once they’re done swimming. 

Sasquatch!

George, Washington

May 26–29

Bands to see: Kyle Craft, Porter Ray, Thee Oh Sees, Kaytranada

And so we arrive at the end of spring, the beginning of June and the barrier I have arbitrarily decided on for this survival guide. Sasquatch takes places at a venue called The Gorge, and it is hands-down the most beautiful place to see live music in Washington. There’s a breathtaking view behind the main stage, it’s a not-too-long drive from Seattle, and there are plenty of lakes to swim in before you hit the festival. Room for camping is ample and comfortable; just make sure to bring a blanket, because it cools off pretty quickly at night and you don’t want to be the chump freezing your ass off on the lawn.