Alexander Laurence's Blog, page 2043

Saved By The 90s

Saved By The 90sMedia Night At Webster Hall
Come Party Like Its 1999!    "They will chew up your childhood and puke it back at you in dazzling Technicolor"- NewYork.com "With thunderous and welcoming cheers from the crowd,the Bayside Tigers stole the stage with a bang"- Huffington Post New York, NY - Itching to party like it's 1999? On August 12th we'll be Gettin' Jiggy Wit It to Unbelievable jams that You Oughta Know at Saved by the 90s! We Truly Madly Deeply want you there, so come Bump n Grind with us 'til Closing Time at Webster Hall! To request passes for Saved By The 90s media night, please visit: bit.ly/SBT90sMedia. Tickets are non-transferable.
The party features live 90s music from The Bayside Tigers starting at midnight and a dance party with DJ Suga Ray all night long. For more information, please visit: www.savedbythe90s.com Armed with sweatbands, windbreakers, scrunchies, crop tops, snapbacks and electric-colored garb galore, The Bayside Tigers boast a repertoire of over 150 jams from the 90s, with more being added into the mix every week. Over the last few years Saved By The 90s has welcomed guest appearances by 90s icons such as Dustin Diamond (Screech), Aaron Carter, Coolio, Sophie B. Hawkins, Naughty By Nature, Chris Barron (Spin Doctors), Mark McGrath, Lisa Loeb, Dennis Haskins (Mr. Belding) and more! Guests (19+) can purchase tickets for Saved By The 90s in advance here: http://bit.ly/SavedBy90sTix or can RSVP for FREE entry and 2 for 1 well drinks before midnight with RSVP (21+) here: http://bit.ly/SavedBy90sRSVP. When it comes to having a wild night at Saved By The 90s, they can accommodate it all and have created custom packages for every party animal. For the ultimate Saved By The 90s experience, guests can purchase the Totally Rad 90s Party Package ($60/person), which features complimentary admission for all party members, 'skip the line' entry upon arrival, a special shoutout from the band, inclusive well-drinks + domestic beers from 10pm - 3am and a complimentary slice of pizza, which everyone will need after this epic rage. Pizza opened until 4am! If you are getting hitched and looking for that special evening to celebrate the last few days of being single, brides-to-be can get in on the action with the Bachelorette Party Package (inquire about price here), which features complimentary admission, 'skip the line' entry, a special shoutout for the bachelorette, private VIP table access with a personal host and waitress, choice of a naughty shot or complimentary champagne, a bottle of premium liquor (1 bottle for every 4 people), and a Webster Hall tote bag filled with bride-themed goodies (shot glass necklace, light-up "diamond" ring + more!). Saved By The 90s media night will take place on August 12th at Webster Hall! For more information, please visit: www.savedbythe90s.com ###
Check out more on Saved By The 90s here:Website: www.savedbythe90s.comFacebook: www.facebook.com/savedbythe90s Twitter: www.twitter.com/savedbythe90sInstagram: www.instagram.com/savedbythe90s

NYC rockers High Waisted want to party with you on a boat!

Pabst Blue Ribbon, Eventbrite and HIGH WAISTED want you to rage on a boat. It's High Waisted's third annual rock 'n' roll booze cruise, and it won't be any fun without you! Three rocking bands, an open bar, a photo booth, face painting, tattoos, limbo, installation art, balloons, confetti, conga lines, and cake. You'll have scenic views of Manhattan and Brooklyn as we cruise under all of NYC's famous bridges and out to the Statue of Liberty! This will be the end of the summer party you will regret missing for every summer to come. Hawaiian and beach attire strongly encouraged. Pre-order tickets and save! This event WILL sell out, so don't delay (discounted tickets here). 
THE LINE UP♫ High Waisted
http://highwaisted.party
♫ Joseph King
https://soundcloud.com/josephking321
♫ Roya (members of Habibi, The Clean and DJ Alix Brown)
https://soundcloud.com/roya-bandOTHER FUN
✬ Open bar! Yes, you read that right. 7-9pm, cheers!
✬ A photo booth!
✬ DJ Drew Redmond spinning 45s all night.
✬ Go-Go Dance performances by Momma Jean and the Dancin’ Dreams.
✬ And face painting (cuz why not, you'll be drunk on a boat).THE DIRTY DETAILS // FAQ's
◃ Boarding: 6:30 pm (come early, cuz waiting in line sucks).
◃ Set sail: 7:30 pm sharp (we will leave without you, don't be that guy).
◃ Return to dock: 10:45
◃ 21+ Only (No I.D. no entry)

Tyler, the Creator's 5th annual Camp Flog Gnaw Carnival to feature Lil Wayne, Erykah Badu, Chance the Rapper, A$AP Rocky and more

LIL WAYNE, ERYKAH BADU, CHANCE THE RAPPER, A$AP ROCKY, SCHOOLBOY Q, TYLER THE CREATOR AND MORE TO PERFORM AT THE FIFTH ANNUAL CAMP FLOG GNAW CARNIVAL
PRE-SALE TICKETS AVAILABLE TO GOLF MEDIA MEMBERS ON MONDAY, AUGUST 8TH
TICKETS AVAILABLE TO GENERAL PUBLIC ON TUESDAY, AUGUST 9THAfter recently announcing the dates for his 5th annual Camp Flog Gnaw Carnival, which takes place in Los Angeles on November 12th and 13th at Exposition Park in partnership with Goldenvoice, Tyler the Creator is back today to share this year's lineup and ticketing information. 
This year will feature performances by Lil Wayne, Erykah Badu, Chance the Rapper, A$AP Rocky, ScHoolboy Q, Death Grips, Sleigh Bells, The Internet, DJ Mustard, Kehlani, Joey Bada$$, SZA, Kaytranada, A$AP Ferg, Toro y Moi, Action Bronson, Kali Uchis, Domo Genesis and more, in addition to Tyler the Creator himself.
Tickets will be available for pre-sale to Golf Media members only on Monday, August 8th at 10AM Pacific and to the general public on Tuesday, August 9th at 10AM Pacific. 
Check out the entire lineup of this year's performers and all ticketing info below now. Stay tuned for lineup additions and more Camp Flog Gnaw news soon.
TICKETING INFO:
GA Weekend Pass - $175 GA Saturday Pass (Golf Media Members Only)  - $98 GA Sunday Pass (Golf Media Members Only) - $98
VIP GOLF Country Club Pass - $350
The VIP GOLF Country Club Pass includes 1 VIP ticket to both Saturday and Sunday of the Carnival. This pass includes access to the exclusive VIP area located inside the Camp Flog Gnaw grounds, known as the Okaga Country Club, which will include a miniature golf course, shaded areas, charging stations, picnic tables, couches, additional restrooms, Tyler's own waffle bar, ice cold lemonade, a full cash bar and an overall nice hang out spot.  There will also be a Pro Shop with exclusive GOLF merchandise. 
In addition, the VIP GOLF Country Club Pass will include the following commemorative merchandise items:
GOLF Tote bagGOLF hatCFG blanketCFG disposable cameraCommemorative CFG lanyard
Carnival Game Booths - $40 per dayFor the first time, Camp Flog Gnaw is also offering an unlimited game wristband. Play unlimited games to win prizes from CFG, GOLF, OF and more. Wristbands are sold in advance of the event for $40 per day and CFG game booths will be open both Saturday and Sunday while prizes last. 
http://www.campfloggnaw.com/

The Faint To Release CAPSULE:1999-2016 this Fall via Saddle Creek; Stream New Single "Skylab1979" at Noisey

The Faint To Release CAPSULE:1999-2016 this Fall via Saddle CreekStream New Single "Skylab1979" at Noisey
Fall Tour Dates With Gang Of Four & Pictureplane Announced photo credit: Bill Sitzmann Stream: "Skylab1979" via Noisey or YouTube

Stream: "Young & Realistic" via Streaming Services The Faint is set to release CAPSULE:1999-2016 on CD and digitally on September 30 and 2xLP on October 28 via Saddle Creek. CAPSULE:1999-2016 is available to pre-order now in the Saddle Creek online store. The 2xLP is pressed on silver vinyl and the first pressing of the album will contain a bonus  7" featuring "Skylab1979" and "ESP."  CAPSULE:1999-2016 is a retrospective collection that represents a golden era for The Faint. The album includes 16 of their most beloved songs from five albums and is an excellent primer for new fans or a classic collection for those who’ve been nodding along since the Blank-Wave Arcade days. Noisey is running an exclusive premiere of “Skylab1979,” one of two new tracks appearing on the album in addition to the recently released “Young & Realistic."The Omaha-based band had been kicking around for four years prior to that period, but had a hard time hitting their stride. “We didn’t make anything we really liked until 1999,” frontman Todd Fink laughs. The Faint released some initial material that fit in with the times—reminiscent of the post-punk sounds of Fugazi and other Dischord Records bands—but wasn’t anything spectacular, lacking the distinct personality that would eventually come to define them. It was in writing “Worked Up So Sexual,” the hit single from 1999’s Blank-Wave Arcade, that the band struck their jackpot moment. They discovered an entirely original fusion of synth sounds over a blaring rock background, one that was as catchy as it was danceable. Just like that, the Faint captured lightning in a bottle. “I felt lucky... like, blessed or something,” Fink remembers. “By the time we’d actually recorded those songs, we were like, ‘Yeah, this is where it’s at.’ We were excited to go play basement shows and little bars and halls and just bring the music that we hunted down, that felt like us.”Still reveling in the success of their newfound identity, the band added death metal guitarist Dapose and released their masterpiece, Danse Macabre, in 2001, one of Saddle Creek’s all-time “big three” albums, right up there with Cursive’s The Ugly Organ and Bright Eyes’ Lifted. It was a dark and sinister work that could still be enjoyed on the dance floor. Songs like “Agenda Suicide” and “Glass Danse” forced blasts of disorienting techno beats into aggressive, almost industrial noise that leaned heavily on filthy bass lines. The album exploded, and their weirdo melange of genres brought them a sizeable audience dancing along. Armed with their new, dynamic sound, the band released an onslaught onto unsuspecting crowds around the country—a bombastic audio/visual assault of strobe lights, keyboards, and dance-punk. At times, they were convinced that their esoteric style of punk with a fun twist was bound to turn people off, but to their surprise, the Faint began to catch on. Over the next few years, they continued to evolve on Wet from Birth in 2004 and Fasciinatiion in 2008, before taking a hiatus prior to returning for their anticipated 2014 album, Doom Abuse. CAPSULE:1999-2016 serves to bookend this remarkable 17-year period for the Omaha vets, a time which saw them as imitable pioneers of electro-punk. In addition to highlighting songs from five of The Faint’s most popular albums, CAPSULE:1999-2016 features three new songs. The recently released single, “Young & Realistic,” and two bonus unreleased songs: “Skylab1979” and “ESP,” all of which feature latest member Graham Ulicny (Reptar) on synth duties.  The new songs give a glimpse of what’s to come for The Faint, as they embark on a new chapter in their long, influential career.The Faint have also announced North American fall tour dates with Gang Of Four and Brooklyn-based electronic artist Pictureplane. The upcoming tour kicks off on September 29 in Minneapolis at First Avenue and make stops in major cities including Chicago, New York, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Los Angeles. The tour will conclude with a hometown show in Omaha on Halloween at Sokol Auditorium. The Faint will also be performing at  The Growlers’ Beach Goth V festival taking place in Orange County, California. The festival will also include sets from Bon Iver, James Blake, Justice, Future Islands, Devendra Banhart, The Drums, Cold Cave, Wild Nothing, Hinds and HEALTH. Advance tickets and the full line up can be found  HERE . All upcoming shows are listed below. 
The Faint Tour Dates 09.29 - Minneapolis, MN @ First Avenue *09.30 - Chicago, IL @ Metro *10.01 - Columbus, OH @ Newport Music Hall *10.02 - Toronto, ON, Canada @ Danforth Music Hall *10.05 - Boston, MA @ Paradise Rock Club *10.06 - New York, NY @ Webster Hall *10.07 - Philadelphia, PA @ The Trocadero Theatre *10.08 - Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club *10.10 - Nashville, TN @ Mercy Lounge *10.11 - Atlanta, GA @ Center Stage *10.13 - Houston, TX @ House of Blues *10.14 - Dallas, TX @ South Side Music Hall *10.15 - Austin, TX @ Emo's *10.17 - Scottsdale, AZ @ LiveWire *10.18 - San Diego, CA @ Observatory North Park *10.20 - Los Angeles, CA @ Mayan Theater *10.21 - Las Vegas, NV @ Brooklyn Bowl *10.22 - 10.23 - Santa Ana, CA @ Beach Goth V10.23 - San Francisco, CA @ Regency Ballroom *10.25 - Seattle, WA @ The Showbox *10.26 - Portland, OR @ Crystal Ballroom *10.28 - Salt Lake City, UT @ In The Venue *10.29 - Englewood, CO @ Gothic Theatre *10.31 - Omaha, NE @ Sokol Auditorium *                   * with Gang Of Four & PictureplaneCAPSULE:1999-2016 Track List:1. Glass Danse2. Paranoiattack3. Agenda Suicide4. Mirror Error5. Evil Voices6. The Conductor7. Desperate Guys8. Worked Up So Sexual9. Posed to Death10. I Disappear11. Take Me to the Hospital12. The Geeks Were Right13. Dropkick the Punks14. Damage Control15. Call Call16. Southern Belles in London Sing17. Young & Realistic18. Skylab1979 (Bonus Track)19. ESP (Bonus Track)

The Shaggs Philosophy Of The World Hi everyone! For the past few years we’ve been working with everyone’s favorite outsider sister act The Shaggs to put together an in-depth reissue of their 1969 album Philosophy Of The World. The story of The Shaggs

The Shaggs
Philosophy Of The World
For the past few years we’ve been working with everyone’s favorite outsider sister act The Shaggs to put together an in-depth reissue of their 1969 album Philosophy Of The World. The story of The Shaggs is larger than life. It includes a grandmother’s prophecy, a driven father, three unassuming sisters, a cat named Foot-Foot, and perhaps the most polarizing album of all time.

Many talented fans of The Shaggs have contributed to this special reissue with liner notes by the legendary Lenny Kaye. A deluxe option comes on “Shag Carpet” color swirl wax with a Shaggs poster and enamel pin. Seth Bogart (Hunx & His Punx) designed a limited edition Shaggs t-shirt for the release, which is available as an add-on. The album is alsoavailable on black wax, CD, and digitally.

In addition, acclaimed animator Joanna Neborsky has created a new animated music video telling the story of The Shaggs (watch below), As an added bonus, there will be a number of Shaggs events this fall, including a Shaggs reunion show (details forthcoming).

Let's get weird!
 

Beach Slang's Video for "Punks In A Disco Bar"

Beach Slang Share Video For
"Punks In A Disco Bar" 
New Album  A Loud Bash Of Teenage Feelings Out September 23rd On Polyvinyl Records
Even More Dates Announced + Tour With Bleached *photo credit Ian Laidlaw
"I don't want to whisper things anymore.  I want to yell them." -- Beach Slang's James Alex
Philadelphia's Beach Slang recently announced the release of their new album, A Loud Bash Of Teenage Feelings, coming out this September 23rd on Polyvinyl Records.  They shared their first single for "Punks In A Disco Bar" and today the video for the song premiered at  NPR .   "It's a glimpse into what it's like to be young, misunderstood and out of place, yet finding belonging in each other. It's the perfect complement to "Punks In A Disco Bar" and an ode to the motifs and life-affirming mission of Beach Slang..

"The song will certainly be instantly recognizable to fans of the band's previous work, with the same never-caring, heart-punching, loud-things-loving lyrics and thick Minneapolis-style riffing of Beach Slang's debut LP - if a touch wearier than last time out." - Spin 
"the heart-on-the-sleeve punks have already become the kind of band that fans rush to get tattooed all over their bodies. Well, those fans had better make room for some new ink..." - Consequence of Sound
"We need endorphin-heavy, heart-on-sleeve, major-chord, grin-inducing punk rock right now. I mean we need it. There's a goddamn duty of care: punk has to hold people to account and spit against authority, but sometimes you need to smile like an idiot and let go." - Noisey
"This new track seeps with feelings of youth and their accompanying frustration. Very punk guitar drowns the entire two minutes and 41 seconds, and the vocals don't hold anything back. It's just what you'd expect from a song called "Punks In A Disco Bar," and that's not a bad thing." WXPN
Pre-order the album at aloudbashofteenagefeelings.com
Beach Slang's second full-length is a crash-and-thunder collection of songs about what it takes to keep yourself going, to make it through the rest of the night-hell, through the rest of your youth-and beyond.  Frontman James Alex wrote much of A Loud Bash Of Teenage Feelings on their first album's support tour, during which he spent a lot of time with the kids who'd picked up the record. 
"A lot of the songs [on Loud Bash] are the stories of the kids who got turned on to Beach Slang by the first album," says Alex.  "They're autobiographical, too, but kind of at a remove-I'm not that young kid anymore, but I used to be.  You know how it is; rock and roll is a new crop of 15-year-olds picking up guitars every year and having at it.  There was something really cool about documenting someone elses life, but seeing myself in it.  I suppose that's why we connect.  We're all kind of one big gang."
Going into the second record, Alex didn't feel a sense of pressure to match the broad, unexpected success of the first.  
"What I did feel was a sense of responsibility to the kids who told me they were finding something in our music that brought them back from a bad place, the ones who were getting Beach Slang tattoos and quoting lyrics to me after the shows.  I don't want to let those people down.  As a 20-year-old, I thought, hey, let's all have fun, we're gonna live forever.  You don't really see the finish line.  Now it's more like, am I leaving behind work that's going to matter?  What's this going to say about me when I run out of air, and my son is listening to these records and tapes that I left behind.  Is he going to say, "Yeah, my dad was all right"?  These days I feel like I'm responsible for things bigger than myself.  And I want to do right by them."
Tracklisting:Future Mixtape For The Art KidsAtom BombSpin The DialArt DamageHot TrampsPunks In A Disco BarWasted Daze Of YouthYoung HeartsThe Perfect HighWarpaint
Beach Slang continue to dominate the road. See all dates below and keep an eye onhttp://beachslang.com/ for even more dates to be announced.
Beach Slang on tour:8/07 -- Katowice, Poland -- OFF Festival8/08 -- Bremen, Germany -- Tower Musikclub8/10 -- Oslo, Norway -- Øya Festival8/11 -- Gothenburg, Sweden -- Way Out West Festival8/12 -- Cophenhagen, Denmark -- KB188/13 -- Eschwege, Germany -- Open Flair Festival8/14 -- Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany -- Taubertal Festival8/15 -- Trier, Germany -- Mergener Hof8/16 -- Dortmund, Germany -- Freizeitzentrum West (FZW)8/17 -- Osnabrück, Germany -- Kleine Freiheit8/18 -- Hasselt, Belgium -- Pukkelpop8/19 -- Marinen, Trondheim, Norway -- Pstereo Festival8/20 -- Bodø, Norway --  Parken Festival8/22 -- Milton Keynes, UK -- The Craufurd Arms8/23 -- Birmingham, UK -- The Sunflower Lounge8/24 -- Hull, UK -- Adelphi8/25 -- Huddersfield, UK -- The Parish8/26 -- Bramham Park, Wetherby, UK -- Leeds Festival8/27 -- Paris, France -- Rock En Seine8/28 -- Richfield Avenue, Reading, UK --  Reading Festival9/2 -- Montauk, NY -- The Surf Lodge's Summer Music Series9/8 -- Baltimore, MD -- The Ottobar9/9 -- Raleigh, NC -- Hopscotch Music Festival @ Cam9/10 -- Richmond, VA -- The Camel9/17 -- Wilmington, DE -- Dogfish Head Analog-a-GoGo @ Bellevue State Park9/23 -- Chicago, IL -- Goose Island Beer Co.s Urban Block Party10/6 -- Boston, MA -- Royale%10/8 -- Philadelphia, PA -- Project Pabst Citywide Festival @ Electric Factory10/11 -- Washington, DC -- Black Cat **10/12 -- Virginia Beach, VA -- Shaka's**10/13 -- West Columbia, SC -- New Brookland Tavern**10/14 -- Orlando, FL -- Blackbooth**10/15 -- Jacksonville, FL -- Jack Rabbits**10/16 -- Atlanta, GA -- The Masquerade (Hell)**10/18 -- Nashville, TN -- The Basement East**10/19 -- Louisville, KY -- Zanzabar**10/20 -- Newport, KY -- The Southgate House Revival**10/21 -- Cleveland, OH -- Grog Shop**10/22 -- Pittsburgh, PA -- Cattivo**10/24 -- Columbus, OH -- Rumba Cafe**10/25 -- Bloomington, IN -- The Bishop**10/26 -- St. Louis, MO -- Old Rock House**10/28 -- Minneapolis, MN -- Triple Rock Social Club**10/29 -- Maquoketa, IA -- Codfish Hollow**10/30 -- Omaha, NE -- Reverb Lounge**10/31 -- Kansas City, MO -- The Tank Room**11/01 -- Fayetteville, AR -- George's Majestic Lounge**11/02 -- Oklahoma City, OK -- 89th Street Collective**11/4-6 -- Austin, TX -- Sound on Sound Festival% w/ Descendents** w/ Bleached

Cornelius performs 'Fantasma' (w Nosaj Thing DJ Set!) this Sat. at the Orpheum!

 
GET TICKETS HERE!   

OFFICIAL VIDEO FOR "RISE," KATY PERRY'S NEW SINGLE, OUT NOW

OFFICIAL VIDEO FOR "RISE,"KATY PERRY'S NEW SINGLE, OUT NOW
NBC Premiered Video On Tonight's PrimetimeRio Olympics Preview Special View now on VEVO:  http://smarturl.it/RiseVid  Global icon Katy Perry has unveiled the official video for "Rise," her anthemic new hit single. It can be viewed HERE on VEVO. The video finds Katy on a solitary journey, traversing the stunning red sandstone formations of Utah's Snow Canyon and Sand Hollow State Parks. It was directed by Paul Gore (John Legend, Massive Attack, Amy Winehouse) and produced by Matthew Ayriss and Danny Lockwood. Kathleen Heffernan and Paul Laurens served as Executive Producers. NBC premiered the official "Rise" video, airing it in its entirety during tonight's one-hour Rio Olympics Preview Special, which was broadcast live from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil."Rise" is serving as a soundtrack for NBC Olympics' coverage of the 2016 games, including during its primetime broadcast of tomorrow's Opening Ceremony. Less than three weeks ago, Katy surprised the world with "Rise," which immediately shot straight to No. 1 on iTunes in 56 countries. It was the No. 1 worldwide trending topic on Twitter upon release and has held strong, boosted by her inspirational performance at the Democratic National Convention.
More than 160 U.S. Top 40 and Hot AC stations have already added "Rise" and it is at 23 million in audience and growing. "Rise" entered Billboard's Digital Songs chart at No. 1, becoming her 11th Digital Songs chart-topper. Katy's NBC Olympics-inspired video for "Rise" has nearly 30 million views to date while views of the trailers for the official video neared six million in a few short days. "Rise," a powerful message of hope that calls for unity, perseverance and transformation in challenging times, was written by Katy Perry, Max Martin, Savan Kotecha and Ali Payami. It is available everywhere for streaming and download. Visithttp://smarturl.it/KatyRise. Katy Perry's cumulative streams now exceed 10 billion worldwide and sheis the most-followed person globally on Twitter. Katy made her Capitol Records debut with 2008's One of the Boys and cemented her status as a global superstar with the follow-up album, Teenage Dream (2010). PRISM, her most recent album, debuted at No. 1 on iTunes in 100 countries and has sold more than 11 million adjusted albums worldwide. With the singles "Firework" and "Dark Horse" each surpassing the 10 million threshold including song sales and streams, Katy is the first female artist to earn two RIAA Digital Single Diamond Awards. She played to a total of two million people on the sold-out, 151-date Prismatic World Tour and headlined the Super Bowl XLIX halftime show, which set a record as the most-watched Super Bowl halftime show ever. 

Tennis shares new song "Ladies Don't Play Guitar"

[image error] Today, Tennis shared a new track "Ladies Don't Play Guitar" with Stereogum. You can see the full postHERE. Stereogum describes "Moore’s voice is as melodious as ever, and the song itself has that classic Tennis pep in its step. It’s perfect for catching sun on the high seas, but is also much needed social commentary on the expectations placed on female musicians." Please share HERE. 
From Aliana:
"Ladies don’t play guitar was the first line I wrote after finishing Ritual In Repeat. It reflects all the times I was told to 'get out from behind the keyboard and be a front person'–as though my instrument was a prop rather than sonically integral–to smile more, to make eye contact with my bandmates during a show, to look more like I’m 'having a good time,' or the many instances in which my writing credits were mistakenly attributed to my husband. I took a very intentional break from songwriting until I felt like I had something to say. Finally, I do." [image error] 

Crocodiles Share "Telepathic Lover" Video Via Brooklyn Vegan, Announce EU Tour || New LP 'Dreamless' Out 10.21 Via Zoo Music

Crocodiles Share Video For "Telepathic Lover" Via
Brooklyn Vegan

EU Tour Starts 10/1

Dreamless Out October 21st Via Zoo Music WATCH & SHARE: Crocodiles - "Telepathic Lover"

PREORDER DREAMLESS ["Telepathic Lover"] finds Crocodiles tapping into a sound far more lush than their tradition of noisy reverb-rockers would suggest. - StereogumCrocodiles have shared the first video off their sixth LP via  Brooklyn Vegan . Set for release on October 21st via the band’s own label, Zoo Music, they preview  Dreamless  with infectious lead single & opening track 'Telepathic Lover’. The band has also announced a fall European tour in support of the record.
 
Comprised of best friends Brandon Welchez and Charles Rowell, Crocodiles have earned their place as one of the United States’ most engaging, hardworking and consistent rock and roll bands of the past few years.  Dreamless  is the pair’s sixth LP, and is, at once, their most exploratory and focused release.

Whereas Crocodiles’ first two albums made their home amongst a stew of fuzzed-out psychedelia, and the following three albums explored Welchez and Rowell’s penchant for placing pop sensibilities against whirring guitars and barbed production,  Dreamless  sees the duo endeavoring on an artistic departure that positions their guitars in the backseat in favor of a more spacious, synthesizer and piano-driven sound.

“We’ve always been a guitar band and I think we just wanted to challenge ourselves and our aesthetic,” says Welchez. “It didn’t start as a conscious decision but within the first week Charlie’s mantra became ‘fuck guitars’. Only one song has zero guitar but in general we tried to find alternatives to fill that space.”

The title of the album works on both a literal and metaphorical level: “I suffered insomnia throughout the whole session. I was literally dreamless,” explains Welchez. “The past two years had been fraught with difficulty for us - relationship troubles, career woes, financial catastrophe, health issues,” he continues. “In that pessimistic mindset it was easy to feel as if the dream was over.” 

The pair recorded the 10-track  Dreamless  in Mexico City over the course of 6 weeks. Having become something of a spiritual (and in the case of Welchez, literal) home to the duo, choosing D.F. as the location for recording allowed them to again hook-up with friend and occasional bandmate Martin Thulin (also a member of post-punks  Exploded View ). Between them, the trio shared instrument duties, with Welchez and Rowell handling the lion’s share of guitar and bass, Thulin and Welchez the live drum work, and Thulin focusing largely on keys.

“Our relationship with Martin will serve as a pivotal point in our band’s history,” comments Rowell. “On this album Martin continued his efforts to help us take our songwriting and aesthetics to further reaches.”

Thulin’s work on Dreamless is in keeping with the exemplary production found on Crocodiles previous releases and reconciles the band’s realigned focus on keys with their experiments of often pairing down the instrumentation to allow lyrical sentiments and themes to cut through to the fore. It’s an approach that has paid off, enabling the band to take more risks, both artistically and emotionally.

“And you’ll burn and weep and suffer,” says the chilling spoken-word sample that opens  Dreamless . “The sample is from a Christian preacher that we found over 15 years ago and used on the first 7” we ever did together when we were still teenagers” explains Brandon Welchez.  “Back then we used it with a sense of humor, laughing at the whole ridiculous guilt trip vibe. But hearing it again in our apartment in Mexico City, within the context of the words we were singing, it took on a different air. It lost the humorous aspect and just seemed like a commentary on life.” 

An unsettling insight certainly, but if Crocodiles did indeed have to burn, weep and suffer in order to write and record  Dreamless , then it was damn well worth it. TOUR DATES

10/1 -Angoulême , France - Le Nef
10/3 - Geneva, Switzerland - Le Bouffon
10/4 - Turin, Italy - Astoria
10/5 - Carpi, Italy - Mattatoio
10/6 - Bologna, Italy - Freak Out
10/7 - Nice, France - Le Volume
10/8 - Clermont-Ferrand, France - Le Baraka
10/9 - Paris, France - Mecanique-ondulatoire
10/11 - Leeds, England - Headrow House
10/13 - Glasgow, Scotland - Broadcast
10/14 - Manchester, England - Night And Day Cafe
10/15 - London, England - Hackney Wonderland
10/17 - Amsterdam, Holland - Bitterzoet
10/19 - Vienna, Austria - Chelsea
10/22 - Budapest, Hungary - Gozdu Manó Klub