Alexander Laurence's Blog, page 1153
August 14, 2020
Elliphant Unveils New Music Video For Latest Single "Had Enough"
ELLIPHANT UNVEILS NEW MUSIC VIDEO FORLATEST SINGLE "HAD ENOUGH"
WATCH THE VIDEO NOW VIA PAPER MAGAZINE HERE
Elliphant - "Had Enough" (Official Music Video - Photo Credit: Marta Scubring)August 14, 2020 (Los Angeles, CA) - Today, Swedish artist Elliphant has unveiled the official music video for her latest single "Had Enough." Directed by Florian Dezfoulian and filmed amidst the lush and wooded backdrop of her home outside of Stockholm, the jaw-dropping piece showcases Elliphant and two of her oldest friends adorned in avant-garde fashions designed by Sandra Backlund, O.L.D by Linda Lindgren, and Valerie. It's a visual feast that juxtaposes exuberance and bright colors with gloomy imagery of the Swedish countryside. This dichotomy represents the light and darkness that lives within all of us, and the idea of embracing both sides with open arms. Watch the video now HERE.
"This video shoot was very special to me because it was filmed in my rustic country house with two of my oldest friends," says Elliphant. "It was a super spontaneous shoot and everything that could go wrong did, but it still turned out beautiful. We had almost no electricity and no real plan, so we just dressed up in amazing clothes and did our thing. It is a true moment of friendship and spirituality, and I think you can feel the realness through the lens. It's a pure moment of fun and creativity! I love it."
Earlier this morning, PAPER Magazine exclusively premiered the video HERE. "Had Enough" initially arrived on August 7th, marking the first official taste from Elliphant's highly anticipated third studio album produced by Grammy-award winning record engineer Mark Rankin (Adele, Florence and the Machine) and due out this year via Create Music Group. Since it's release, the uplifting pop anthem has garnered the attention of E!, Idolator, The Interns and Billboard, who stated that the track "shows that Elliphant is still crossing borders with impeccable shout-along hooks."
Just last month, Elliphant released her first solo track in four years titled "Uterus," which was recorded in one take at producers Peter Harper and Jason Blynn's Silver Lake, CA studio. "Uterus" is one of Elliphant's most personal releases to date and a particularly meaningful song to her, given the recent birth of her baby girl. Lyrically, the track touches on the idea that the safety of the womb is gone the second you are born. It's hard to live, hard to hold on to who you are, and even harder to let go of what you have become. The pureness of life is so fragile, and to be born is the beginning of the end.
To accompany the song, Elli released a stunning music video directed by Stockholm-native Liza Morberg (Mapei, Loreen, Robin Schulz feat. James Black) and shot in and around the grounds of Sweden's illustrious Tullgarn Palace. Watch the music video HERE.
About ElliphantElliphant is a multi-platinum selling artist, originally from Stockholm, Sweden. She signed to TEN Music Group in 2012 where she released her debut single "Tekkno Scene" which was featured in FIFA 13. Following the release of her debut EP the same year, she signed to Dr. Luke's label, Kemosabe Records.
In 2014, Elliphant released her second EP via Kemosabe Records and Mad Decent, featuring production from Dr. Luke, Diplo, Skrillex and Dave Sitek. In the years following, she toured roughly 140-dates per year and established herself internationally alongside acts such as Charli XCX, Skrillex, Diplo & more. In 2017 at the ARIA Music Awards, Elliphant won the Song of the Year, Dance Work of the Year and Most Played Australian Work at the APRA Music Awards of 2018.
Elliphant has released collaborations with Doja Cat, Tove Lo, Charli XCX, MØ, Icona Pop, DJ Snake, Yellow Claw, Diplo, Skrillex & several other international acts. With more new music on the horizon, Elliphant has kicked off a new era with the release of her uplifting new song "Had Enough."
Elliphant.com | Instagram: @ElliphantMusic | Twitter: @ElliphantMusic | Facebook.com/ElliphantMusic
(Elliphant - Photo: Florian Dezfoulian)
WATCH THE VIDEO NOW VIA PAPER MAGAZINE HERE
Elliphant - "Had Enough" (Official Music Video - Photo Credit: Marta Scubring)August 14, 2020 (Los Angeles, CA) - Today, Swedish artist Elliphant has unveiled the official music video for her latest single "Had Enough." Directed by Florian Dezfoulian and filmed amidst the lush and wooded backdrop of her home outside of Stockholm, the jaw-dropping piece showcases Elliphant and two of her oldest friends adorned in avant-garde fashions designed by Sandra Backlund, O.L.D by Linda Lindgren, and Valerie. It's a visual feast that juxtaposes exuberance and bright colors with gloomy imagery of the Swedish countryside. This dichotomy represents the light and darkness that lives within all of us, and the idea of embracing both sides with open arms. Watch the video now HERE."This video shoot was very special to me because it was filmed in my rustic country house with two of my oldest friends," says Elliphant. "It was a super spontaneous shoot and everything that could go wrong did, but it still turned out beautiful. We had almost no electricity and no real plan, so we just dressed up in amazing clothes and did our thing. It is a true moment of friendship and spirituality, and I think you can feel the realness through the lens. It's a pure moment of fun and creativity! I love it."
Earlier this morning, PAPER Magazine exclusively premiered the video HERE. "Had Enough" initially arrived on August 7th, marking the first official taste from Elliphant's highly anticipated third studio album produced by Grammy-award winning record engineer Mark Rankin (Adele, Florence and the Machine) and due out this year via Create Music Group. Since it's release, the uplifting pop anthem has garnered the attention of E!, Idolator, The Interns and Billboard, who stated that the track "shows that Elliphant is still crossing borders with impeccable shout-along hooks."
Just last month, Elliphant released her first solo track in four years titled "Uterus," which was recorded in one take at producers Peter Harper and Jason Blynn's Silver Lake, CA studio. "Uterus" is one of Elliphant's most personal releases to date and a particularly meaningful song to her, given the recent birth of her baby girl. Lyrically, the track touches on the idea that the safety of the womb is gone the second you are born. It's hard to live, hard to hold on to who you are, and even harder to let go of what you have become. The pureness of life is so fragile, and to be born is the beginning of the end.
To accompany the song, Elli released a stunning music video directed by Stockholm-native Liza Morberg (Mapei, Loreen, Robin Schulz feat. James Black) and shot in and around the grounds of Sweden's illustrious Tullgarn Palace. Watch the music video HERE.
About ElliphantElliphant is a multi-platinum selling artist, originally from Stockholm, Sweden. She signed to TEN Music Group in 2012 where she released her debut single "Tekkno Scene" which was featured in FIFA 13. Following the release of her debut EP the same year, she signed to Dr. Luke's label, Kemosabe Records.
In 2014, Elliphant released her second EP via Kemosabe Records and Mad Decent, featuring production from Dr. Luke, Diplo, Skrillex and Dave Sitek. In the years following, she toured roughly 140-dates per year and established herself internationally alongside acts such as Charli XCX, Skrillex, Diplo & more. In 2017 at the ARIA Music Awards, Elliphant won the Song of the Year, Dance Work of the Year and Most Played Australian Work at the APRA Music Awards of 2018.
Elliphant has released collaborations with Doja Cat, Tove Lo, Charli XCX, MØ, Icona Pop, DJ Snake, Yellow Claw, Diplo, Skrillex & several other international acts. With more new music on the horizon, Elliphant has kicked off a new era with the release of her uplifting new song "Had Enough."
Elliphant.com | Instagram: @ElliphantMusic | Twitter: @ElliphantMusic | Facebook.com/ElliphantMusic
(Elliphant - Photo: Florian Dezfoulian)
Cailin Russo Releases New Single 'High'
CAILIN RUSSO RELEASES NEW SONG, “HIGH” ‘THE DRAMA’ EP OUT EVERYWHERE NOW
LISTEN
“HIGH”
LISTEN
“SANTA FE”
LISTEN
‘THE DRAMA’
Hot on the heels of her latest release, “Santa Fe”—Cailin Russo has released a brand new track called “High.” The song was written by Cailin and two friends, Micah Jasper and Jesse Thomas, with Jasper also serving as producer. Cailin describes the new song as “a projection of a mental trip through a house party, told from a broad perspective. It encompasses a multitude of trippy experiences and mental check ins,” she explains. “The story starts off a little lost and confused, definitely not sober. Walking through a party on a constantly evolving trip, going through moments of self-awareness and lack of control until you finally just give in to what’s happening around you.”
Listen to “High” HERE
“High” is the latest in a string of new songs from Cailin this year, and the follow-up to “Santa Fe,” which Cailin penned alongside Nick Hahn and Lilla Vargen. In talking about “Santa Fe,” Cailin revealed, “Santa Fe is a metaphor for authentic romance. The whole song was about a boy I was chasing that gave me just enough to string me along, then would leave me questioning whether anything he said to me was real,” she explains. “’Is this the first time that you’ve been to Santa Fe, is this the first time that you’ve ever felt this way? I would have loved you if you hadn’t slipped away.. was it original?’ I’m naively hopeful the whole time until the last chorus / tempo switch where the ego war kicks in and I confront both sides of my brain saying that ‘This man will always love me’ and ‘this man will never love me’ then tie it up with ‘bitterness is another heartbeat’ meaning these feelings are fleeting but very intense.”
Listen to “Santa Fe” HERE .
Other recent releases this year include “It’s Cool” which Refinery 29 praised for its lyrical depiction of the end of a relationship, saying “irony is back and Russo is the master of the medium….this song hits on the crux of that feeling that you know it’s over,” and “ Assume ,” in which Alternative Press lauded Cailin’s “delicate and emotional delivery.” Listen to “It’s Cool” HERE and check out the visualizer HERE .
Speaking about the origins of the new song, Cailin reveals “It’s Cool” actually has a funny story. I wrote it the day I signed my very first record deal. Making me an official artist. I was over the moon. I was at my lawyer’s office and had someone record me signing the contract,” she explains. “I immediately called someone I loved dearly and they kind of ripped me apart and made me feel bad about my newest endeavor and maybe the most exciting day of my life up until then. I drove to the studio from my lawyer’s office It took about an hour. It started to rain as I pulled up to Speak Easy Studios. I had my first session with Kyle Ross. I walked in and said ‘Fuck everything that was geared up to write on today... do you play guitar?’ He said yes… I asked him play 4 sad chords. And thus ‘It’s Cool’ was born. The song to me is about when you’re passed the point of upset. You’re passed the point of anger, you’re so over heated that it’s cool.”
The new music follows her latest EP, ‘The Drama’ which was released last Valentine’s Day. The six-track collection was executively produced by Chris Coady (Beach House, Yeah Yeah Yeahs), with additional production from The Invisible Men (Charli XCX, ZAYN), Michael Percy and Gianluca Buccelatti and features Nick Zinner from the Yeah Yeah Yeah’s on guitar. Talking about the new project, Cailin explains, “The whole EP is a play by play of everything I went through during my crumbling relationship. The highs, the lows, the confusing fucked up parts, and in conclusion, The Drama. The story starts at the demise, from a place of defeat…but the hero perseveres, and regains her power. I like to think of the whole experience as a sad triumph, sonically and spiritually.”
The EP features two previously released tracks, including first single, “Declaration,” and follow-up track “Fade.” Also included on the EP was lead single, “You Touch Me, I Touch You Back,” which MTV hailed as “a sexy slice of Thriller-esque pop that you might hear in a horror movie.” Rounding out The Drama are ”Sicko,” “Good Bad Decisions,” and “No Time.” Along with the new EP came a brand new video for the single, “You Touch Me, I Touch You Back,” which serves as the third and final part in the trilogy, following “ Declaration ” and “ Fade .” Cailin wrote the treatments for and co-directed/edited all three videos alongside Ganna Bogdan with production from Rebecca Hearn. Watch the video for “You Touch Me, I Touch You Back” HERE .
2018 saw the release of Cailin’s debut EP, House With A Pool (“Joyride” and “Bad Things” both recently surpassed 1 million streams on Spotify) as well as tours supporting Dream Wife in North America and Gomez and Black Honey in the UK. She also made her US festival debut this past summer at Lollapalooza in Chicago, having previously played on the renowned BBC Introducing Stage at the Reading and Leeds Festivals.
-------------------------------------------------------
“Russo continues holding a mirror up to herself with undressed lyrics, grungy aesthetics, and a razor-sharp voice.” – MTV
“[Cailin] has the rare ability to transport the raw emotions she feels into something tangible and relatable for a wide range of strangers.” – V Magazine
“Cailin Russo carves her own generous cross-section of human desire.” - NYLON
"Russo's greatest strength isn't found in her audacious vocals or ability to make punk more accessible. It's in the fearless way she dives right into a song, ignorant to the rules and accepting of any words that come to mind." – Earmilk
“A collection of songs that defy time.” – Ones To Watch
‘The Drama’ EP is
out everywhere now
.
TRACKLIST
Declaration
Fade
Sicko
You Touch Me, I Touch You Back
Good Bad Decisions
No Time
INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK | TWITTER
KATY PERRY’S OFFICIAL VIDEO FOR “SMILE” IS OUT NOW
KATY PERRY’S OFFICIAL VIDEO FOR“SMILE” IS OUT NOW “Smile” Is The Title Track Of Her New Album, Coming August 28 Katy’s People Cover Story Is On Newsstands Now
Watch “Smile” HEREPre-Order Album HERE Katy Perry’s official video for her new single, “Smile,” is out now after receiving an exclusive first look on Facebook yesterday. Katy’s “Smile” video is the first official video premiere with Facebook’s PMV launch. Mathew Cullen, who helmed the official videos for “Dark Horse,” “California Gurls” and “Chained To The Rhythm,” directed the new clip. View HERE.
Photo Credit: Rony Alwin
“Smile” is the title track from Katy’s new album, which will be released on August 28 by Capitol Records. Katy speaks about the album in the cover story of the current issue of People. She recently performed at the Tomorrowland Around the World digital festival and did a SiriusXM Hits 1 Celebrity Session. Praising her new single, Rolling Stone observed, “Over an upbeat, dance-driven groove to match the positive vibes of the lyrics, Perry extols the virtue of perseverance.” Billboard hailed “Smile” as “empowering…uplifting” and ET noted, “[‘Smile’ is] a buoyant, brassy ode to finding your happiness again.” Fans who pre-order the album HERE will instantly receive “Smile” plus “Daisies,” the Gold-certified “Never Really Over” and “Harleys In Hawaii.” Exclusive Smile-themed merchandise bundles are available now at http://katy.to/KPshopPR. Tune in to Katy’s #SmileSunday livestream at noon on August 16 to see Katy share additional details about Smile. About Katy PerrySince Katy Perry’s Capitol Record debut in 2008 with One of the Boys, she has racked up a cumulative 45 billion streams alongside worldwide sales of over 45 million adjusted albums and 135 million tracks with her albums One of the Boys, Teenage Dream, PRISM, and Witness, and her latest singles, gold-certified “Never Really Over,” “Small Talk,” and “Harleys In Hawaii.” Katy was the first female artist to have four videos surpass a billion views each. Her videos for “Firework” and “Last Friday Night” have over one billion views, while “Roar” and “Dark Horse” have surpassed the two billion mark. Katy’s 2015 Super Bowl performance is the highest-rated in the event’s history. She is one of only five artists in history to have topped 100 million certified units with their digital singles – and the first-ever Capitol Records recording artist to join the elite RIAA 100 Million Certified Songs club.Aside from being one of the best-selling musical artists of all time, Katy is an active advocate of many philanthropic causes. In 2013, Katy was appointed a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador as a result of her commitment to improving the lives of children worldwide. From traveling to Vietnam and Madagascar to highlight the needs of some of the world’s most vulnerable children, to recording PSAs about the importance of empowering girls and supporting adolescents living with HIV/AIDS, as well as raising awareness for UNICEF’s emergency relief efforts, Katy has used her powerful voice to advocate for children and support UNICEF’s mission to ensure every child’s right to health, education, equality, and protection. She was awarded with the Audrey Hepburn Humanitarian Award in 2016. ###
http://katyperry.comhttp://twitter.com/katyperryhttp://facebook.com/katyperryhttp://instagram.com/katyperryhttp://youtube.com/katyperryhttp://www.vevo.com/artist/katy-perry
The Damned To Release New "The Rockfield Files" EP + Band Shares Video For "Keep 'Em Alive"
THE DAMNED SHARE DETAILS OF FORTHCOMING THE ROCKFIELD FILES EPBAND SHARES VIDEO FOR FIRST SINGLE "KEEP 'EM ALIVE" — WATCH
CLIP WAS SHOT FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF A BUMBLEBEE
In 1980 and 1981, The Damned went to Rockfield for a series of sessions that eventually became The Black Album, The Friday 13th EP, and Strawberries. Their time there produced some of The Damned's greatest musical moments and memorable stories of horses, cows, vampires, rifles, and Lemmy. In 2019, The Damned returned to Rockfield studios to record the first new music since 2018's Top 10 Evil Spirits album.The new The Rockfield Files EP will be released on October 16 via Search And Destroy Records/Spinefarm/UMG. Pre-orders are live here.
"Keep 'Em Alive," the first single from The Rockfield Files EP, is available now with an accompanying music video shot from the perspective of a bee going about its business. Watch it here. Bees are essential for pollinating crops, and in turn, human survival; 17 species are reportedly endangered in the UK — keep 'em alive!
During the recording of the EP, the lineup included three out of the four The Damned members that were at the original sessions — David Vanian, Captain Sensible, and Paul Gray. There was also Monty Oxymoron on keyboards and Pinch on drums. Unbeknown to the band, this was to be the last recording with the long time drummer Pinch, who departed The Damned after their legendary show at The London Palladium last Halloween. For the first time, Tom Dalgety (Royal Blood, Rammstein, Ghost) took over the producer duties for the EP. He also mixed the tracks at his studio in Bath.
THE ROCKFIELD FILES EP TRACK LISTING:"Keep 'Em Alive""Manipulator""The Spider & The Fly""Black Is The Night" The EP will be available in Black & Psychedelic Swirl Limited Edition Vinyl.The Damned Online:Spinefarm Records:https://www.facebook.com/spinefarmhttps://twitter.com/Spinefarmhttp://www.spinefarmrecords.com/usa/https://instagram.com/spinefarmrecords/https://www.youtube.com/user/SpinefarmRec
August 13, 2020
The Knife Commemorate 20th Anniversary; Reissues Announced
THE KNIFE
COMMEMORATE 20th ANNIVERSARY
ON AUGUST 14
SERIES OF REISSUES ANNOUNCED
CATALOG AVAILABLE ON BANDCAMP FOR FIRST TIME
credit: Jon BergmanThe Knife are 20 in 2020.
To commemorate the release of their very first 7” on August 14, 2000, the band in conjunction with their label partners are making available some previously unreleased music on the same date, August 14, this year. They are also launching Rabid Records on Bandcamp which will see catalog releases from The Knife, Fever Ray, and Olof Dreijer available via the platform for the first time beginning Friday.
Mute will launch a series of digital and vinyl reissues that have been inaccessible on most music providers in North America. Notable items include multiple remixes of Deep Cuts favorites “Heartbeats,” “Pass This On,” and “You Take My Breath Away” from various international editions as well as the “Pass This On” vinyl 7”. See below for a listing of new digital tracks. Buy the “Pass This On” 7” here.
Also among the August 14 reissues is The Knife: Live At Terminal 5 which was previously only released in select territories. The live album will be available on physical and digital formats worldwide. Pre-order physical formats via BFD/The Orchard and digital formats via Rabid here. Watch The Knife’s full 2014 Terminal 5 performance here.
Finally, the band will digitally release their soundtrack to the 2003 Swedish thriller Hannah Med H . Pre-order here via Rabid.
The band are currently planning an event to mark the anniversary of The Knife later this year with news and details to follow soon.
Newly Available Albums and Remixes
The Knife: Live At Terminal 5
Hannah Med H Soundtrack
“Pass This On” 7” vinyl
“Heartbeats (The Knife Techno Remix)”
“Heartbeats (Style of Eye Remix)”
“You Take My Breath Away (Mylo Remix)”
“You Take My Breath Away (Puppetmasters Club Remix)”
“You Take My Breath Away (MHC Remix)”
“Pass This On (M.A.N.D.Y. Remix)”
“Pass This On (M.A.N.D.Y. Instrumental)”
“Pass This On (M.A.N.D.Y. Knifer Mix)”
THE KNIFE: WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | SPOTIFY | APPLE MUSIC
MUTE: WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | SOUNDCLOUD
COMMEMORATE 20th ANNIVERSARY
ON AUGUST 14
SERIES OF REISSUES ANNOUNCED
CATALOG AVAILABLE ON BANDCAMP FOR FIRST TIME
credit: Jon BergmanThe Knife are 20 in 2020.To commemorate the release of their very first 7” on August 14, 2000, the band in conjunction with their label partners are making available some previously unreleased music on the same date, August 14, this year. They are also launching Rabid Records on Bandcamp which will see catalog releases from The Knife, Fever Ray, and Olof Dreijer available via the platform for the first time beginning Friday.
Mute will launch a series of digital and vinyl reissues that have been inaccessible on most music providers in North America. Notable items include multiple remixes of Deep Cuts favorites “Heartbeats,” “Pass This On,” and “You Take My Breath Away” from various international editions as well as the “Pass This On” vinyl 7”. See below for a listing of new digital tracks. Buy the “Pass This On” 7” here.
Also among the August 14 reissues is The Knife: Live At Terminal 5 which was previously only released in select territories. The live album will be available on physical and digital formats worldwide. Pre-order physical formats via BFD/The Orchard and digital formats via Rabid here. Watch The Knife’s full 2014 Terminal 5 performance here.
Finally, the band will digitally release their soundtrack to the 2003 Swedish thriller Hannah Med H . Pre-order here via Rabid.
The band are currently planning an event to mark the anniversary of The Knife later this year with news and details to follow soon.
Newly Available Albums and Remixes
The Knife: Live At Terminal 5
Hannah Med H Soundtrack
“Pass This On” 7” vinyl
“Heartbeats (The Knife Techno Remix)”
“Heartbeats (Style of Eye Remix)”
“You Take My Breath Away (Mylo Remix)”
“You Take My Breath Away (Puppetmasters Club Remix)”
“You Take My Breath Away (MHC Remix)”
“Pass This On (M.A.N.D.Y. Remix)”
“Pass This On (M.A.N.D.Y. Instrumental)”
“Pass This On (M.A.N.D.Y. Knifer Mix)”
THE KNIFE: WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | SPOTIFY | APPLE MUSIC
MUTE: WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | SOUNDCLOUD
Mr. Bungle Return with The Raging Wrath Of The Easter Bunny Demo (Oct. 30, Ipecac Recordings)
MR. BUNGLE RETURN WITH THE RAGING WRATH OF THE EASTER BUNNY DEMO(OCT. 30, IPECAC RECORDINGS)TREVOR DUNN, MIKE PATTON AND TREY SPRUANCE JOINED BY SCOTT IAN AND DAVE LOMBARDO FOR THE BAND’S FIRST ALBUM IN 21 YEARS
PRE-ORDERS AVAILABLE NOW https://lnk.to/MBWrath
WATCH THE “RAPING YOUR MIND” VIDEO NOW https://youtu.be/3U5ZKKxqUzY
Photo credit: Eric Larsen Aug. 13, 2020, Eureka, Calif. – Mr. Bungle, who a year ago today announced their first live outings in two decades, have announced the release of The Raging Wrath Of The Easter Bunny Demo on Oct. 30 via Ipecac Recordings.As was the case with the live performances, original Mr. Bungle members Trevor Dunn, Mike Patton, and Trey Spruance are joined by Scott Ian (Anthrax, S.O.D.) and Dave Lombardo (Dead Cross, Slayer, Suicidal Tendencies).
Click the image above or follow this link to hear “Raping Your Mind”: https://youtu.be/3U5ZKKxqUzY; Video created by Eric Livingston The 11-song release features tracks written by the Eureka, Calif.-born band for their 1986 cassette only demo as well as a reimagined cover of the S.O.D. classic “Hypocrites / Habla Español O Muere” (a.k.a. “Speak English or Die”) and Corrosion of Conformity’s “Loss For Words.” A video for “Raping Your Mind” is available now (https://youtu.be/3U5ZKKxqUzY). The album was produced by Mr. Bungle, recorded by Husky Höskulds at Studio 606, and mixed by Jay Ruston. Rhea Perlman narrates “Anarchy Up Your Anus.”"Recording THIS music with THESE guys was an enormous head-rush of virtuosity and surprises every day in the studio,” explains Patton. “Trey’s video game-esque solos, Scott’s bionic right hand and cyborg-like precision, Dave’s caveman-meets-Bobby Brady-like drum fills, Trevor’s solid foundation and laser-focus to detail. There is nothing sweeter than getting your ass kicked by true comrades…where everyone has a singular drive and mission.”
Trevor Dunn adds: “Recording this record felt like we were finally utilizing our Ph.Ds in Thrash Metal. All we had to do was go back to our original professors for some additional guidance and talk them into joining us. Turns out we were A+ students. We even went for extra credit by revisiting some tunes that we'd given up on back in the day. It was less like a trip of nostalgia and more like the refining of an original, worthy document. We were haunted for 35 years by the fact that this music wasn't given it's due respect. Now we can die.”
The Raging Wrath Of The Easter Bunny Demo pre-orders are available now (https://lnk.to/MBWrath), with the release available as a standard digipak CD and digitally as well as a collection of limited edition offerings:CD Yearbook - 5000
Cassette Webstore Exclusive - 500
2LP Translucent Ruby Red Vinyl - 6500
2LP Webstore Exclusive Clear with Black Splatter Vinyl - 1000
2LP US Webstore Exclusive Silver with Red/Black Splatter Vinyl - 1000
2LP US Retail Exclusive Clear with Blood Red Splatter Vinyl - 2000
2LP International Retail Exclusive Transparent Red Smoke Vinyl - 3500
The Raging Wrath of the Easter Bunny Demo cover The Raging Wrath of the Easter Bunny Demo track list:Grizzly AdamsAnarchy Up Your AnusRaping Your MindHypocrites / Habla Español O MuereBungle GrindMethematicsEracistSpreading The Thighs of DeathLoss For WordsGlutton For PunishmentSudden Death
Mr. Bungle was formed in an impoverished lumber and fishing town by a trio of curious, volatile teenagers. Trey Spruance, Mike Patton and Trevor Dunn beget the amorphous “band” in 1985 up in Humboldt County, Calif., sifting through a variety of members until around 1989 when they settled on a lineup that managed to get signed to Warner Bros. Records. No one really knows how this happened and it remains a complete mystery that even the algorithms of the internet can’t decode. Up until 2000 they released three albums (Mr. Bungle in 1991, Disco Volante in 1995 and California in 1999), toured a good portion of the Western hemisphere and avoided any sort of critical acclaim. Some argue that the band subsequently broke up but there is also no proof of this. What is true is that they took 20 years off from performing under said moniker while they pursued various other musics that, in contrast, paid the rent.
# # #
Mrbungle.comFacebook.com/ou818Twitter.com/mrbungleInstagram.com/mrbungleofficial
Ipecac.comFacebook.com/ipecacTwitter.com/IpecacRecInstagram.com/ipecacrecordings
Hazel English Releases Video For “Five And Dime” Taken From Her Debut Album Wake UP! Out Now
Releases Video For “Five And Dime”Taken From Her Debut Album Wake UP! Out Now NPR World Cafe Performance Airing Today
"Matching indelible melodies with crisp yet dreamy production." STEREOGUM"Full of chiming guitars and sleek vocals as English delivers lyrics that parse feelings of isolation and explore power dynamics from romantic relationships to capitalism." PASTE
"It has a neo-psychedelia sound with elements of folk instrumentation." UNDER THE RADAR
"Wake UP! is a delightful triumph that incites self-discovery and love." EXCLAIM!
Today, Hazel English releases the new Jason Lester directed video for her single “Five And Dime” taken from her debut album Wake UP! which is out now on Polyvinyl Record Co. / Marathon Artists. Watch the video here and stream the album here.
“Five and Dime” is a woozy, idyllic view into Hazel’s world, which is built on timeless-sounding melodies, retro-tinged soundscapes and a knack for resonant lyrics. The mid-tempo number is reminiscent of the playful love songs of ’60s pop, as Hazel frustratedly muses on a love interest who is consuming her thoughts and detracting from her focus, “Gotta get away cause you’re taking up all of my time / You know I need my space so I’m heading to the Five and Dime.”
Speaking about the new video, Hazel says: “Five and Dime is about longing for escape and freedom so I thought it would be fun to create an idyllic beach vacation, constructed from a set with cardboard cut out waves and fake palm trees. The idea behind it is that while I'm fantasizing about escaping to a tropical place, it's clear I'm just kind of stuck in this pretend version of it. I wanted to evoke the nostalgia of Hollywood musicals from the '50s and '60s, complete with dance choreography and bright colourful costumes.”
Hazel English is also pleased to announce that her NPR World Cafe performance will air today. World Cafe can be heard on over 200 radio stations nationwide. The complete carriage list is available at http://wx.pn/wcstations. Fans can check their local station's Program Schedule for the World Cafe broadcast time. To listen live online, fans can hear the WXPN Philadelphia stream at 8pm ET at XPN.org by choosing WXPN from the ‘Listen Live’ drop-down at the top of the page. Her segment will also be archived for on-demand streaming at WorldCafe.NPR.org by 5pm ET.
Wake UP! was produced by Justin Raisen (Angel Olsen, Charli XCX) in LA and Ben H. Allen (Animal Collective, Glass Animals, The Big Moon) in Atlanta. It’s a record that Hazel serves as a timely klaxon to give us all a meaningful shake and become more present in our own lives. “Sometimes I feel like we’re just sleepwalking through our lives,” Hazel explains, hoping that Wake UP! helps “make people become more aware and mindful.” Confronting issues with capitalism, Wake UP! also explores power struggles, looking at how shifting dynamics affect relationships, be it in the music industry or in romantic life. It’s a multi-faceted, multi-layered record, kissed by Hazel’s own unique poetic verse.
Wake UP! is out now via Polyvinyl Record Co. / Marathon Artists, including the below tracks. Stream here.
Born LikeShakingWake UP!Off My MindCombatFive and DimeLike A DrugWaitingMilk and HoneyWork It Out
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Sufjan Stevens debuts “Video Game" with video choreographed by and starring Jalaiah Harmon
SUFJAN STEVENS DEBUTS “VIDEO GAME” WITH VIDEO CHOREOGRAPHED BY AND STARRING JALAIAH HARMON
THE ASCENSION
OUT SEPTEMBER 25
August 13, 2020—Sufjan Stevens debuts “Video Game,” a new song from his forthcoming eighth studio album
The Ascension
, today. Listen here, and watch the video, choreographed by and starring Jalaiah Harmon—the teenage creator of the massively viral “Renegade” dance—and directed by Nicole Ginelli—here.
The Ascension
, the long-awaited follow-up to Sufjan’s Carrie & Lowell, is set for release September 25 on Asthmatic Kitty Records. “
America
,” the album’s debut single, was released in July along with its B side, non-album track “
My Rajneesh
.” Pre-order the album here.“It’s unfortunate that we live in a society where the value of people is quantified by likes, followers, listeners and views,” says Sufjan. “So many people are seeking attention for the wrong reasons. I think we should all be doing our best work without looking for accolades or seeking reward. “The main takeaway of ‘Video Game’ for me is: your worth (invaluable) should never be based on other people’s approval (ephemeral). Just be yourself. Keep it real. Keep it moving. Do all things with absolute purity, love and joy. And always do your best. “Jalaiah epitomizes all of this and I’m truly inspired by her. So I thought, ‘what if we could get Jalaiah to star in a “dance video” about not wanting to star in a “dance video?”’ I’m so honored she agreed. She clearly owns it, and her work here is beautiful, poignant and true. “Her dance shows incredible energy, work-ethic and spirit. She is dancing for herself, not anyone else. Her choreography is sophisticated, nuanced, and fun. She is a star. She keeps it real. She keeps it moving. She keeps it true. What a blessing!”“This was my first time being asked to create choreo for a whole song,” says Jalaiah. “So I was a little nervous in the beginning, but once I really broke the song into parts and listened to the lyrics over and over, I just put moves together that connected to the words and felt natural for me to do. I think I’m still really trying to get used to this kind of success, so I can’t really define it just yet. I just know that when you work hard and you treat others with kindness and fairness, good things come back to you.”“I was inspired by how much Jalaiah loves to perform,” says Nicole. “She brings such a powerful and specific energy, it’s infectious. There are parallels between Sufjan's story and song and Jalaiah’s story and her choreography. I wanted to make something defiantly joyous, and to show what it looks like to reclaim agency, strength and moves in order to take control of one’s own projections and imagery.”The Ascension is an indictment of a world crumbling around us—and a roadmap out of here. Sufjan says the foundations of the album are “a call for personal transformation and a refusal to play along with the systems around us.”“My objective for this album was simple: Interrogate the world around you. Question anything that doesn’t hold water. Exterminate all bullshit. Be part of the solution or get out of the way. Keep it real. Keep it true. Keep it simple. Keep it moving.”The result is a “lush, editorial pop album”—as Sufjan describes it—that finds us all at a “terrifying crossroad.”SUFJAN STEVENS—
THE ASCENSION
1. Make Me An Offer I Cannot Refuse (5:19)2. Run Away With Me (4:07)3. Video Game (4:16)4. Lamentations (3:42)5. Tell Me You Love Me (4:22)6. Die Happy (5:47)7. Ativan (6:32)8. Ursa Major (3:43)9. Landslide (5:04)10. Gilgamesh (3:50)11. Death Star (4:04)12. Goodbye To All That (3:48)13. Sugar (7:37)14. The Ascension (5:56)15. America (12:30)
August 13, 2020—Sufjan Stevens debuts “Video Game,” a new song from his forthcoming eighth studio album
The Ascension
, today. Listen here, and watch the video, choreographed by and starring Jalaiah Harmon—the teenage creator of the massively viral “Renegade” dance—and directed by Nicole Ginelli—here.
The Ascension
, the long-awaited follow-up to Sufjan’s Carrie & Lowell, is set for release September 25 on Asthmatic Kitty Records. “
America
,” the album’s debut single, was released in July along with its B side, non-album track “
My Rajneesh
.” Pre-order the album here.“It’s unfortunate that we live in a society where the value of people is quantified by likes, followers, listeners and views,” says Sufjan. “So many people are seeking attention for the wrong reasons. I think we should all be doing our best work without looking for accolades or seeking reward. “The main takeaway of ‘Video Game’ for me is: your worth (invaluable) should never be based on other people’s approval (ephemeral). Just be yourself. Keep it real. Keep it moving. Do all things with absolute purity, love and joy. And always do your best. “Jalaiah epitomizes all of this and I’m truly inspired by her. So I thought, ‘what if we could get Jalaiah to star in a “dance video” about not wanting to star in a “dance video?”’ I’m so honored she agreed. She clearly owns it, and her work here is beautiful, poignant and true. “Her dance shows incredible energy, work-ethic and spirit. She is dancing for herself, not anyone else. Her choreography is sophisticated, nuanced, and fun. She is a star. She keeps it real. She keeps it moving. She keeps it true. What a blessing!”“This was my first time being asked to create choreo for a whole song,” says Jalaiah. “So I was a little nervous in the beginning, but once I really broke the song into parts and listened to the lyrics over and over, I just put moves together that connected to the words and felt natural for me to do. I think I’m still really trying to get used to this kind of success, so I can’t really define it just yet. I just know that when you work hard and you treat others with kindness and fairness, good things come back to you.”“I was inspired by how much Jalaiah loves to perform,” says Nicole. “She brings such a powerful and specific energy, it’s infectious. There are parallels between Sufjan's story and song and Jalaiah’s story and her choreography. I wanted to make something defiantly joyous, and to show what it looks like to reclaim agency, strength and moves in order to take control of one’s own projections and imagery.”The Ascension is an indictment of a world crumbling around us—and a roadmap out of here. Sufjan says the foundations of the album are “a call for personal transformation and a refusal to play along with the systems around us.”“My objective for this album was simple: Interrogate the world around you. Question anything that doesn’t hold water. Exterminate all bullshit. Be part of the solution or get out of the way. Keep it real. Keep it true. Keep it simple. Keep it moving.”The result is a “lush, editorial pop album”—as Sufjan describes it—that finds us all at a “terrifying crossroad.”SUFJAN STEVENS—
THE ASCENSION
1. Make Me An Offer I Cannot Refuse (5:19)2. Run Away With Me (4:07)3. Video Game (4:16)4. Lamentations (3:42)5. Tell Me You Love Me (4:22)6. Die Happy (5:47)7. Ativan (6:32)8. Ursa Major (3:43)9. Landslide (5:04)10. Gilgamesh (3:50)11. Death Star (4:04)12. Goodbye To All That (3:48)13. Sugar (7:37)14. The Ascension (5:56)15. America (12:30)
BECK Presents HYPERSPACE: A.I. EXPLORATION A Visual Album Experience
BECK
Presents HYPERSPACE: A.I. EXPLORATION
A Visual Album ExperienceHistoric Collaboration Between Explorers of Sound and Space
“ I THINK EACH SONG IS KIND OF A DIFFERENT WAY THAT DIFFERENT PEOPLE ‘HYPERSPACE’ – WE ESCAPE FROM THE REALITY THAT WE’RE ALL DEALING WITH.” – BECKGiven that ROLLING STONE’s 4-star review of Beck’s Hyperspace (Capitol Records) likened his voice to “David Bowie’s Major Tom checking in from distant orbit,” it’s purely logical that the seven-time GRAMMY-winner’s next collaboration would be with NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in southern California.With the release of
Hyperspace: A.I. Exploration
, Beck takes the universally acclaimed album to new frontiers via an interstellar journey combining publicly available NASA mission images, curated with assistance from NASA JPL, visualizations, animations and data with revolutionary Artificial Intelligence tech. The result is the creation of new worlds borne from NASA missions, each soundtracked by Beck’s songs: actual Hyperspaces. The realization of these Hyperspaces was executed by A.I. architects and directors OSK, who asked “How would artificial intelligence imagine our universe?” In finding the answer, OSK created a unique A.I. utilizing computer vision, machine learning and Generative Adversarial neural Networks (GAN) to learn from NASA’s vast archives. After training on hundreds of thousands of images, videos and data points from NASA’s space exploration research and missions, the Hyperspace A.I. then began creating its own visions of our universe.The resulting visual album merges science and art, taking us on a journey across space, time, and beyond – all scored by the otherworldly music of Beck’s Hyperspace. Actual NASA expeditions and data are transformed into vivid new universes “imagined” by an emerging new kind of creative intelligence. The Hyperspace: A.I. Exploration Visual Album Experience track listing including corresponding NASA destinations is as follows:
Hyperlife | Landsat 8, International Space Station
Uneventful Days | Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO), Apollo 12
Saw Lightning | Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO), Curiosity Rover, Viking 1 Orbiter
Die Waiting | Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO)
Chemical | Cassini-Huygens
See Through | Juno
Hyperspace | Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS)
Stratosphere | Spitzer Space Telescope
Dark Places | Hubble Space Telescope (HST)
Star | Hubble Space Telescope (HST), Swift, Fermi Gamma-Ray Space Telescope
Everlasting Nothing | Hubble Space Telescope (HST)
+ visualizers for bonus tracks ‘I Am The Cosmos (42420)’ and ‘Dark Places (Soundscape) using A.I. footage trained on NASA black hole and star data.
In addition to taking his 14th album beyond the confines of the atmosphere, Beck ventures further into these songs’ innerspace via a limited edition vinyl LP release of Hyperspace. Due out December 4, Hyperspace (2020) features two previously unreleased songs ‘Dark Places (Soundscape)’ and a bonus solo acoustic version of Chris Bell’s ‘I Am The Cosmos (42420)’ recorded at home in April of 2020, plus brand new 2020 mixes of ‘Star’, ‘Hyperspace’, ‘See Through’ and ‘Die Waiting’. The vinyl is a limited edition 12” with holographic jacket, and also includes a 24-page booklet with AI images & NASA data for each track, limited to 5000 copies. The Hyperspace special edition LP adds new dimensions to the Beck album PEOPLE magazine called “his best in a decade.”About OSK
Founded by artists Jon Ray and Isabelle Albuquerque, Osk operates at the convergence of art and emerging technologies, generating new questions, practices and collaborative models for making cultural and personal works. Along with projects ranging from print publications to films to virtual reality, Osk is developing creative artificial intelligences to explore the potentials of collaboration between human and non-human perspectives – and to evolve new forms.
Presents HYPERSPACE: A.I. EXPLORATION
A Visual Album ExperienceHistoric Collaboration Between Explorers of Sound and Space
“ I THINK EACH SONG IS KIND OF A DIFFERENT WAY THAT DIFFERENT PEOPLE ‘HYPERSPACE’ – WE ESCAPE FROM THE REALITY THAT WE’RE ALL DEALING WITH.” – BECKGiven that ROLLING STONE’s 4-star review of Beck’s Hyperspace (Capitol Records) likened his voice to “David Bowie’s Major Tom checking in from distant orbit,” it’s purely logical that the seven-time GRAMMY-winner’s next collaboration would be with NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in southern California.With the release of
Hyperspace: A.I. Exploration
, Beck takes the universally acclaimed album to new frontiers via an interstellar journey combining publicly available NASA mission images, curated with assistance from NASA JPL, visualizations, animations and data with revolutionary Artificial Intelligence tech. The result is the creation of new worlds borne from NASA missions, each soundtracked by Beck’s songs: actual Hyperspaces. The realization of these Hyperspaces was executed by A.I. architects and directors OSK, who asked “How would artificial intelligence imagine our universe?” In finding the answer, OSK created a unique A.I. utilizing computer vision, machine learning and Generative Adversarial neural Networks (GAN) to learn from NASA’s vast archives. After training on hundreds of thousands of images, videos and data points from NASA’s space exploration research and missions, the Hyperspace A.I. then began creating its own visions of our universe.The resulting visual album merges science and art, taking us on a journey across space, time, and beyond – all scored by the otherworldly music of Beck’s Hyperspace. Actual NASA expeditions and data are transformed into vivid new universes “imagined” by an emerging new kind of creative intelligence. The Hyperspace: A.I. Exploration Visual Album Experience track listing including corresponding NASA destinations is as follows:Hyperlife | Landsat 8, International Space Station
Uneventful Days | Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO), Apollo 12
Saw Lightning | Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO), Curiosity Rover, Viking 1 Orbiter
Die Waiting | Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO)
Chemical | Cassini-Huygens
See Through | Juno
Hyperspace | Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS)
Stratosphere | Spitzer Space Telescope
Dark Places | Hubble Space Telescope (HST)
Star | Hubble Space Telescope (HST), Swift, Fermi Gamma-Ray Space Telescope
Everlasting Nothing | Hubble Space Telescope (HST)
+ visualizers for bonus tracks ‘I Am The Cosmos (42420)’ and ‘Dark Places (Soundscape) using A.I. footage trained on NASA black hole and star data.
In addition to taking his 14th album beyond the confines of the atmosphere, Beck ventures further into these songs’ innerspace via a limited edition vinyl LP release of Hyperspace. Due out December 4, Hyperspace (2020) features two previously unreleased songs ‘Dark Places (Soundscape)’ and a bonus solo acoustic version of Chris Bell’s ‘I Am The Cosmos (42420)’ recorded at home in April of 2020, plus brand new 2020 mixes of ‘Star’, ‘Hyperspace’, ‘See Through’ and ‘Die Waiting’. The vinyl is a limited edition 12” with holographic jacket, and also includes a 24-page booklet with AI images & NASA data for each track, limited to 5000 copies. The Hyperspace special edition LP adds new dimensions to the Beck album PEOPLE magazine called “his best in a decade.”About OSK
Founded by artists Jon Ray and Isabelle Albuquerque, Osk operates at the convergence of art and emerging technologies, generating new questions, practices and collaborative models for making cultural and personal works. Along with projects ranging from print publications to films to virtual reality, Osk is developing creative artificial intelligences to explore the potentials of collaboration between human and non-human perspectives – and to evolve new forms.
Bob Mould announces 'Distortion' anthology boxed set feat. 24 CDs and 8LPs
BOB MOULD ANNOUNCES DISTORTION ANTHOLOGY BOXSET
24CD DISTORTION: 1989-2019 & 8LP DISTORTION: 1989-1995 BOXES RELEASED OCT 2nd 2020 ON DEMON MUSIC GROUP
WATCH A LIVE VERSION OF “COULD YOU BE THE ONE?” AT THE 9:30 CLUB IN OCT 2005, HERE
THREE FURTHER VINYL BOXES TO ARRIVE IN 2021
(Credit: Blake Little Photography)
WATCH DISTORTION BOX SET TRAILER HEREPURCHASE 24CD DISTORTION BOX SET – 1989-2019 HEREPURCHASE 8LP DISTORTION VINYL BOX SET – 1989-1995 HERE
On October 2nd, 2020, Demon Music Group will release Distortion: 1989-2019, a chronicle of the solo career of Bob Mould and his band Sugar. This massive anthology compiles for the first time the entirety of Mould’s recorded work from 1989 onwards: 18 studio albums, plus four live albums and two albums of rarities and collaborations. Assembled with Bob Mould’s full involvement and featuring new sleeve notes from legendary UK music critic Keith Cameron plus exclusive new artwork, this is the definitive portrayal of an American rock icon.
“It’s called Distortion because it describes the music and it fits the world we live in,” says Mould himself. “In this new age, everybody shares their life in real time. But I’m not done yet. If I didn't have a constantly active career, this anthology might feel like the proverbial dirt landing on top of my coffin — though somehow I seem to be able to crawl my way out of the dirt every time!”
Today’s news comes accompanied by audio and video of Mould performing ‘Could You Be the One?’ – a latter Hüsker Dü classic, drawn from the trio’s 1987 swansong Warehouse: Songs and Stories – at Washington D.C.‘s 9:30 Club in October 2005, in the process bringing it back to dynamic, electric life. It features on the CD anthology’s Distortion Plus: 1989-2019 rarities and collaborations discs alongside other highlights from the show.
Speaking of the show, Mould offers: “For years, I didn’t play Hüsker Dü material with my subsequent touring bands.” He continues: “This was the first time my longtime friend and colleague Jason Narducy (bass) played in my touring band. Rich Morel (keys) was my work partner for 11 years in BLOWOFF, and the 9:30 Club was home for our monthly dance party. Brendan Canty (drums) nudged me out of my self-imposed ‘rock retirement’ after the 1998 Last Dog and Pony Show tour (which is also chronicled in the box set). Brendan's company Trixie Productions filmed and edited the show.”
As Mould’s musical trajectory enters its fifth decade, now is the perfect moment to reflect on the journey so far. Distortion’s 24-CD box set edition features 295 tracks, mastered by Jeff Lipton and Maria Rice at Peerless Mastering in Boston, and includes every solo album from 1989’s Workbook to 2019’s Sunshine Rock, the entire Sugar catalogue, Mould’s long out-of-print electronica projects LoudBomb and Blowoff, and four live albums spanning the period 1989-2008. Also included is Distortion Plus: 1989-2019, a new and exclusive collection of rarities and collaborations, featuring such highlights as ‘Dear Rosemary’, Mould’s 2011 collaboration with Foo Fighters, his fabled Golden Palominos contribution ‘Dying From The Inside Out’, plus a previously unreleased demo version of ‘Dog On Fire’, his theme tune for Comedy Central’s The Daily Show.
Beautiful new artwork has been created by illustrator Simon Marchner, while the 72-page booklet features sleeve notes by Cameron, new interviews with Bob, a foreword by writer and actor Fred Armisen, testimonials by Richard Thompson, Shirley Manson and Best Coast’s Bethany Cosentino, plus lyrics and unseen memorabilia. A 1,000-limited edition includes an exclusive print hand-signed by Bob himself.
[Distortion: 1989-2019 CD boxset]
Also released on October 2nd is the first in a series of four vinyl box sets spanning the same 30-year period. Distortion: 1989-1995 contains eight-LPs, beginning with Workbook through to the final Sugar studio album File Under: Easy Listening, plus Besides, Sugar’s compilation of B-sides and non-album tracks and Distortion Plus: 1989-1995 a new and exclusive collection of rarities and collaborations. Each album is mastered by Jeff Lipton and Maria Rice and features new Simon Marchner artwork; the 28-page companion booklet features new sleeve notes plus lyrics and memorabilia, while a 750-limited edition includes a 12”x12” screen print of the new Copper Blue artwork, hand-signed by Marchner and Mould.
[Distortion: 1989-1995 8LP boxset]
Truly then, this is the definitive guide through the career of one of the most storied, creative and consistent voices in the American underground. As Cameron offers:
“In 1989, Bob Mould was already a renowned figure, thanks to his trailblazing work with Hüsker Dü: the Minneapolis trio which refracted ’60s pop melody through the discord of hardcore punk, creating a new language that Pixies and Nirvana would subsequently teach the world to sing. With his debut solo album Workbook, however, Bob Mould amazed his audience with its pastoral beauty and contemplative tone.
“It would be the first in an ongoing series of artistic transformations, each profoundly shaped by Mould’s sensitivity to his environment. In 1992, he formed Sugar, a band whose debut album Copper Blue earned both critical plaudits and a long overdue popular dividend. Just three years later, with Sugar at its commercial peak, Mould ended the band and made a self-titled solo record mapping the most nakedly personal path down a road already hallmarked by unsparing self-expression. He shocked then confounded fans by announcing his retirement from rock music in 1998 and re-emerging in the new century as an experimental electronica artist and successful DJ, whose club night Blowoff became a phenomenon across the US. By the end of the ’00s, Mould had found a harmonious accommodation between his musical selves, and in 2012 released the catalytic Silver Age, made with his latest power trio configuration, and heralding a resurgent decade. A succession of albums up to 2019’s Sunshine Rock followed, each one a real time/real life distillation of fearless artistic vision and a master craftsman’s skill.”
The 24CD Distortion: 1989-2019 and 8LP Distortion: 1989-1995 boxsets are released Oct 2nd, 2020, via Demon Music Group. Keep your eyes peeled for three further vinyl boxsets in 2021.
24CD DISTORTION: 1989-2019 & 8LP DISTORTION: 1989-1995 BOXES RELEASED OCT 2nd 2020 ON DEMON MUSIC GROUP
WATCH A LIVE VERSION OF “COULD YOU BE THE ONE?” AT THE 9:30 CLUB IN OCT 2005, HERE
THREE FURTHER VINYL BOXES TO ARRIVE IN 2021
(Credit: Blake Little Photography)WATCH DISTORTION BOX SET TRAILER HEREPURCHASE 24CD DISTORTION BOX SET – 1989-2019 HEREPURCHASE 8LP DISTORTION VINYL BOX SET – 1989-1995 HERE
On October 2nd, 2020, Demon Music Group will release Distortion: 1989-2019, a chronicle of the solo career of Bob Mould and his band Sugar. This massive anthology compiles for the first time the entirety of Mould’s recorded work from 1989 onwards: 18 studio albums, plus four live albums and two albums of rarities and collaborations. Assembled with Bob Mould’s full involvement and featuring new sleeve notes from legendary UK music critic Keith Cameron plus exclusive new artwork, this is the definitive portrayal of an American rock icon.
“It’s called Distortion because it describes the music and it fits the world we live in,” says Mould himself. “In this new age, everybody shares their life in real time. But I’m not done yet. If I didn't have a constantly active career, this anthology might feel like the proverbial dirt landing on top of my coffin — though somehow I seem to be able to crawl my way out of the dirt every time!”
Today’s news comes accompanied by audio and video of Mould performing ‘Could You Be the One?’ – a latter Hüsker Dü classic, drawn from the trio’s 1987 swansong Warehouse: Songs and Stories – at Washington D.C.‘s 9:30 Club in October 2005, in the process bringing it back to dynamic, electric life. It features on the CD anthology’s Distortion Plus: 1989-2019 rarities and collaborations discs alongside other highlights from the show.
Speaking of the show, Mould offers: “For years, I didn’t play Hüsker Dü material with my subsequent touring bands.” He continues: “This was the first time my longtime friend and colleague Jason Narducy (bass) played in my touring band. Rich Morel (keys) was my work partner for 11 years in BLOWOFF, and the 9:30 Club was home for our monthly dance party. Brendan Canty (drums) nudged me out of my self-imposed ‘rock retirement’ after the 1998 Last Dog and Pony Show tour (which is also chronicled in the box set). Brendan's company Trixie Productions filmed and edited the show.”
As Mould’s musical trajectory enters its fifth decade, now is the perfect moment to reflect on the journey so far. Distortion’s 24-CD box set edition features 295 tracks, mastered by Jeff Lipton and Maria Rice at Peerless Mastering in Boston, and includes every solo album from 1989’s Workbook to 2019’s Sunshine Rock, the entire Sugar catalogue, Mould’s long out-of-print electronica projects LoudBomb and Blowoff, and four live albums spanning the period 1989-2008. Also included is Distortion Plus: 1989-2019, a new and exclusive collection of rarities and collaborations, featuring such highlights as ‘Dear Rosemary’, Mould’s 2011 collaboration with Foo Fighters, his fabled Golden Palominos contribution ‘Dying From The Inside Out’, plus a previously unreleased demo version of ‘Dog On Fire’, his theme tune for Comedy Central’s The Daily Show.
Beautiful new artwork has been created by illustrator Simon Marchner, while the 72-page booklet features sleeve notes by Cameron, new interviews with Bob, a foreword by writer and actor Fred Armisen, testimonials by Richard Thompson, Shirley Manson and Best Coast’s Bethany Cosentino, plus lyrics and unseen memorabilia. A 1,000-limited edition includes an exclusive print hand-signed by Bob himself.
[Distortion: 1989-2019 CD boxset]Also released on October 2nd is the first in a series of four vinyl box sets spanning the same 30-year period. Distortion: 1989-1995 contains eight-LPs, beginning with Workbook through to the final Sugar studio album File Under: Easy Listening, plus Besides, Sugar’s compilation of B-sides and non-album tracks and Distortion Plus: 1989-1995 a new and exclusive collection of rarities and collaborations. Each album is mastered by Jeff Lipton and Maria Rice and features new Simon Marchner artwork; the 28-page companion booklet features new sleeve notes plus lyrics and memorabilia, while a 750-limited edition includes a 12”x12” screen print of the new Copper Blue artwork, hand-signed by Marchner and Mould.
[Distortion: 1989-1995 8LP boxset]Truly then, this is the definitive guide through the career of one of the most storied, creative and consistent voices in the American underground. As Cameron offers:
“In 1989, Bob Mould was already a renowned figure, thanks to his trailblazing work with Hüsker Dü: the Minneapolis trio which refracted ’60s pop melody through the discord of hardcore punk, creating a new language that Pixies and Nirvana would subsequently teach the world to sing. With his debut solo album Workbook, however, Bob Mould amazed his audience with its pastoral beauty and contemplative tone.
“It would be the first in an ongoing series of artistic transformations, each profoundly shaped by Mould’s sensitivity to his environment. In 1992, he formed Sugar, a band whose debut album Copper Blue earned both critical plaudits and a long overdue popular dividend. Just three years later, with Sugar at its commercial peak, Mould ended the band and made a self-titled solo record mapping the most nakedly personal path down a road already hallmarked by unsparing self-expression. He shocked then confounded fans by announcing his retirement from rock music in 1998 and re-emerging in the new century as an experimental electronica artist and successful DJ, whose club night Blowoff became a phenomenon across the US. By the end of the ’00s, Mould had found a harmonious accommodation between his musical selves, and in 2012 released the catalytic Silver Age, made with his latest power trio configuration, and heralding a resurgent decade. A succession of albums up to 2019’s Sunshine Rock followed, each one a real time/real life distillation of fearless artistic vision and a master craftsman’s skill.”
The 24CD Distortion: 1989-2019 and 8LP Distortion: 1989-1995 boxsets are released Oct 2nd, 2020, via Demon Music Group. Keep your eyes peeled for three further vinyl boxsets in 2021.
