Alexander Laurence's Blog, page 2518

Shaky Knees Music Festival adds The Replacements to lineup

The Replacements added to
Shaky Knees Music Festival! Atlanta, GA : May 9-11 "…despite the unending downpour…the beautiful rainbow spirit of the festival prevailed…we were transported and lifted to another realm of joy and understanding…"
- Jim James

"Shaky Knees has been a long time coming. Finally ATL has a festival worthy of its audience."
- Matt Vasquez of Delta Spirit
What festival is complete without the big reunion?  While we keep hearing that Shaky Knees Music Fest can't possibly be improved upon, we've gone ahead and added The Replacements to this year's event.  This will be their first performance in the southeast since May of 1991!  Shaky Knees Music Festival takes place in Atlanta's Atlantic Station,May 9-11, 2014.

Trail of Dead Announce Source Tags & Codes US Tour

...And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead Announce Source Tags & CodesUS Tour as Band Readies Ninth Full-Length Studio AlbumNew York, NY – After an amazing reaction last year in Australia to a “Source Tags” show, …And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead have decided to embark on a short US run where the band will be playing  Source Tags & Codes  in its entirety alongside other career spanning songs.  Support for the US trek comes from La Femmeand Midnight Masses who will each be joining the band for select shows along the tour.  News of the US Source Tags & Codes run comes as Trail of Dead is about to enter the Sonic Ranch studio with producer and longtime collaborator Chris “Frenchie” Smith to start recording their ninth full-length studio album tentatively set for release this coming fall.

…And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead – originally formed in 1994 by childhood friends Conrad Keely (vocals, guitar, drums, piano) and Jason Reece (drums, vocals, guitar) – released Source Tags & Codes in February 2002.  It was their third full-length studio album and earned them a perfect 10 in Pitchfork who described the album as “epic” and “utterly brilliant.”  They’ve since released five more studio albums including 2012’s  Lost Songs  which had Pitchfork weighing in favorably again with an 8.0 writing, “…a golden opportunity to rediscover a band that had to get a little lost in order to find itself again.”

Trail of Dead – whose line-up now includes Autry Fulbright II (bass, vocals) and Jamie Miller (drums) – spent the better part of 2013 on the road touring Europe, Asia and Australia as well as the US.  In addition to a summer headlining tour here, the band played the annual Pitchfork Festival in Chicago and was one of the last bands to play Hoboken’s legendary Maxwell’s – which officially closed on July 31st, 2013.  The band also kicked off a PledgeMusic campaign for a  Tao Of The Dead Part III  EP in 2013 which they recently completed, delivering the digital release to the pledgers with the physical EP in the works for a February release.

Confirmed Source Tags & Codes dates are below and look for news of album nine in the months ahead…

March 26th @ Underground Arts in Philadelphia, PA
March 27th @ Rock N Roll Hotel in Washington, DC
March 28th @ Music Hall of Williamsburg in Brooklyn, NY
March 29th @ Bowery Ballroom in New York, NY
March 30th @ T.T. The Bears in Boston, MA
March 31st @ Lee’s Palace in Toronto, Ontario
April 1st @ Empty Bottle (2 shows) in Chicago, IL
April 3rd @ Summit Music Hall in Denver, CO Stay Connected with Trail of Dead:
https://www.facebook.com/andyouwillknowusbythetrailofdead  / @trailofdead

Charles Bradley || New Tour Dates Including LA & SF

CHARLES BRADLEY
�The Screaming Eagle of Soul� Announces New U.S. Tour DatesIncluding Headline Shows in Los Angeles & San Francisco
See Bradley Perform �Confusion� Live on WNYC�s Souncheck http://youtu.be/mRdmRa3rddE



Soul music�s rising star CHARLES BRADLEY will continue to bring his riveting, lauded live show to fans across the globe in 2014. He just announced a new set of tour dates through this spring, including headline shows at Los Angeles� Fonda Theatre, San Francisco�s Regency Ballroom and a performance at the Primavera Festival in Barcelona, in addition to previously announced shows in Australia, New Zealand and Singapore. See full tour routing below.
Bradley recently sold out two headline shows in his native New York—one at the Bowery Ballroom and the other at Brooklyn�s Music Hall of Williamsburg. In advance of those shows, he stopped by theWNYC studios for a performance and interview on  Soundcheck . See the live video of Bradley with His Extraordinaires performing �Confusion�—a psychedelic-infused track that sees Bradley calling down fire on crooked businessmen and duplicitous leaders: http://youtu.be/mRdmRa3rddE. You can also catch Charles� full performance from the Main Square Festival in France for free on Quello through Thursday: http://smarturl.it/Qello_CharlesBradley
�The Screaming Eagle Of Soul� released his triumphant second album  Victim of Love  in the spring of 2013. It went on to receive overwhelming praise and was named to �Best of 2013� lists by SPIN ,  MOJO,Paste, BuzzFeed, Rough Trade & more. The album�s title track was also named to Rolling Stone�s �Best Songs of 2013.� He also performed on a recent episode of Fox�s  American Dad , where he was the singing voice of Krampus on the show�s holiday episode �Minstrel Krampus,� and is seen performing in the fifth episode of Amazon�s series  Alpha House  (John Goodman, Mark Consuelos).
By now, Bradley�s remarkable, against-all-odds rise has been well documented: how he transcended a bleak life on the streets and struggled through a series of ill-fitting jobs before finally being discovered by Daptone's Gabriel Roth. The documentary  Charles Bradley: Soul of America, directed by Poull Brien, follows Bradley�s extraordinary journey during the electrifying and transformative months leading up to the release of 2011 debut album  No Time for Dreaming . The year following the release of No Time For Dreaming was one triumph after another, and latest albumVictim of Love sees Bradley emerging from his past heartaches stronger and more confident, overflowing with love to share.

Charles Bradley & His Extraordinaires Tour Dates Feb 05 Northampton, MA - Pearl StreetFeb 06 Providence, RI - The Columbus TheatreFeb 07 Boston, MA - House of Blues (with Galactic)Feb 08 Philadelphia, PA - Electric Factory (with Galactic)Feb 22 Wellington, New Zealand - NZ Festival (James Cabaret)Feb 23 Wellington, New Zealand - NZ Festival (James Cabaret)Feb 25 Perth, Australia - Perth FestivalFeb 28 Adelaide, Australia - Adelaide Festival (Free Opening Night Festival)Mar 01 Canberra, Australia - National Portrait Gallery (Enlighten Canberra - FREE)Mar 02 Sydney, Australia - The BasementMar 03 Sydney, Australia - The BasementMar 04 Brisbane, Australia - The HiFiMar 06 Melbourne, Australia - Corner HotelMar 07 Melbourne, Australia - Melbourne Zoo TwilightsMar 08 Meredith, VIC, Australia - The Golden Plains FestivalMar 09 North East Tasmania, Australia - Panama FestMar 12 Singapore - Mosaic Music FestivalApr 22 Cleveland, OH - The Beachland BallroomApr 23 Ann Arbor, MI - The Blind PigApr 24 Louisville, KY - Headliners Music HallApr 25 Nashville, TN - Exit/InApr 30 Austin, TX - Stubb�sMay 01 New Orleans, LA - One Eyed JacksMay 02 New Orleans, LA - New Orleans Jazz & Heritage FestivalMay 03 Houston, TX - Houston International FestivalMay 09 - May 11 Atlanta, GA - Shaky Knees Music FestivalMay 15 San Francisco, CA - The Regency BallroomMay 17 Los Angeles, CA - Fonda TheatreMay 18 Dana Point, CA - Doheny Blues FestivalMay 29 Barcelona, Spain - Primavera Sound

Swedish Rock Duo Johnassi Set to Release New Full-Length

Swedish Rock Duo Johnossi Set to Release new Full-Length Studio AlbumTransitions in the US via Universal Sweden/Caroline April 29th, 2014
New York, NY – Swedish rock duo Johnossi is gearing up for their first US release since their self-titled debut came out here in 2007.   Transitions  is the band’s fourth full-length studio album and was recorded in the fall of 2012 at ABBA-Benny Anderssons studio Rixmixningsverket in Stockholm with producer and mixer Lasse Mårtén, who also produced the band’s previous album  Mavericks .  For the latest album, Johnossi added some strings and invited The Soundtrack of Our Lives founding member and kebyboardist Martin Hederos to join them in the studio.  In addition, they enlisted the help of Peter Bjorn and John’s Bjorn Yttling (Lykke Li, Franz Ferdinand,  Shout Out Louds) and Miike Snow’s Pontus Winnberg to act as executive producers.

John Engelbert (vocals, guitar) and Oskar “Ossi” Bonde (drums) aka Johnossi assembled this illustrious team to help them expand their sound.  They not only wanted to grow sonically, but they wanted to bring trusted and experienced musicians and producers into the fold in order to give them a fresh perspective.  While not a complete departure from their earlier releases, Transitions reflects the band’s evolution since forming more than eight years ago and while they could not have made this album back then, it still is very signature Johnossi.

Johnossi’s first two albums – their self-titled debut and 2008’s  All They Ever Wanted  - gave the duo a solid start.  They amassed a devoted following and they earned critical acclaim.  The third album, 2010’s Mavericks was certified gold, earned Johnossi a Swedish Grammy Award for “Best Group” and included the platinum selling hit single “What's The Point” – giving the band their first real commercial breakthrough.  The tours that followed these releases include a US tour in 2007 with the Shout Out Louds, a 2009 tour of Japan with The Hives and extensive touring in Sweden and Western Europe both as a headliner and supporting other Swedish acts such as The Soundtrack of Our Lives and Mando Diao.  Furthermore, Johnossi’s sound both recorded and live belies their two-piece set-up and over the years they’ve cemented their reputation as one of the best and most explosive live bands around.

Their new album, Transitions, is really a continuation of the Johnossi story and both John and Ossi see it as a natural progression.  “Transitions is, as we see it, about us as a band,” explains Ossi who goes on to say, “it tells about the journey we made since we started as young guys in our 20’s.”  “Gone Forever” is the first single fromTransitions and it’s already been certified gold in Sweden.  For the US release ofTransitions, the label expanded the track listing with a few additional songs that have never been released before in the US including the band’s biggest hit to date “What’s The Point.”  Full tracklisting for Transitions below and look for the album on April 29th in the US.
 
Johnossi – Transitions (International Release)Into The WildDead EndGone ForeverE.M.RoscoeEverywhereFor A Little WhileWhat’s The PointAlone NowSeventeenBull / BearGreat Escape

Consequence Of Sound Premieres The Casket Girls

Consequence Of Sound Premieres The Casket Girls True Love Kills The Fairy Tale Sophomore Album Out Feburary 11 On Graveface RecordsTour Dates To SXSW Announced
  "The Casket Girls' brand of goth pop is definitely dark, but it's a perfect mixture of doom and optimism that keeps you hanging on every word." - Bust
"This is about as close to a Top 40 record as Graveface Records is ever gonna get, albeit one that's spiked with strychnine and bittersweet melodies." - eMusic
"Think '60s girl group, if they wore all-black and performed at seances." - Nylon
Listen: True Love Kills The Fairy Tale Via Consequence Of Sound Watch: True Love Kills The Fairy Tale Album Trailer via YouTube 
The Casket Girls will return this winter with their sophomore album True Love Kills The Fairy Tale out February 11 on Graveface Records. True Love Kills The Fairy Tale will be available on CD, LP and cassette and you can pre-order now in the Graveface Records Online Store. In anticipation of the release, Consequence of Sound partnered up with Spotify to stream the new album a week before street date. The band also released an album trailer, which features three tracks from the upcoming album. 
The Casket Girls announced a North American winter tour. The Graveface Road Show will make stops in major cities including New York, Atlanta, Los Angeles, Seattle, Chicago, Washington D.C. and will include performances at Austin's SXSW Music Festival. More info on the tour and tickets links are available here.  
So many pieces of Savannah, GA three-piece The Casket Girls seemed to happen by accident. From their beginning - when electronic sound-shaper Ryan Graveface (Graveface Records, Dreamend, Black Moth Super Rainbow) found sisters Phaedra and Elsa Greene under a tree in one of Savannah's many squares, playing Autoharp and singing bizarre songs - to the night they composed their sophomore album, True Love Kills the Fairy Tale, under circumstances that fall somewhere between séance and dream state, nearly everything about The Casket Girls seems to have been inspired by some kind of spooky happenstance. But then again, the Greene sisters don't believe in accidents.
"I dropped off a shit ton of songs to the girls to work on one night," Graveface says of the genesis ofTrue Love, the follow up to Casket Girls' critically acclaimed 2012 debut. "I went back to check on their progress, because they weren't answering their phones. I don't know if they dropped acid or what, but I walked in and Elsa was sobbing and reciting poetry while Phaedra was just staring straight ahead writing it all down, like catatonic. The next day they dropped off a CD and said, 'We don't even know what's on this. You can throw it in the garbage if you want.' I sat down and listened all the way through and cried. I was like, 'Holy shit! They actually wrote a record like that!' I booked studio time and had them re-record every note just as it was on the demo. They really didn't remember any of it.  Had to learn the songs as if someone else had written them entirely. Very bizarre."
Phaedra and Elsa had filled the disc with lilting, almost whimsical melodies about chemical hazes and love gone sour like a couple of fucked up Shangri-las, to which Graveface added a bevy of grinding, multi-dimensional psych-rock keys that will be familiar to anyone with a Graveface LP in their collection. The title track speaks like an unknown voice in a lucid dream - perhaps the one that conveyed these songs through the veil in the first place -beckoning, "True love kills the fairy tale... until heart and lungs fail."  It's this twisted and comforting charm, which set in motion the Graveface-Greene love affair in the first place, that relieves us from fear.
The Casket Girls have gained momentum and a substantial cult following due to the unflagging catchiness of their songwriting and the compelling development of their live stage show. They spent the last year and a half touring in support of BMSR and The Faint before growing into headliners in their own right. Last year, they released a self-titled EP on Record Store Day, and a "cassingle" cassette store day.
The Casket Girls Upcoming Tour Dates     02.14 - Atlanta, GA @ 529 02.15 - Charlotte, NC @ Snug Harbor 02.16 - Washington, DC @ DC9
02.17 - Brooklyn, NY @ Shea Stadium02.18 - New York, NY @  Mercury Lounge
02.19 - Philadelphia, PA @ Johnny Brenda's
02.20 - Allston, MA @ Great Scott
02.21 - Montreal, QC @ Casa Del Popolo
02.22 - Toronto, ON @ The Garrison
02.23 - Grand Rapids, MI @ Founders Brewery, Co.
02.24 - Chicago, IL @ Empty Bottle
02.25 - Minneapolis, MN @ Triple Rock Social Club
02.26 - Fargo, ND @ The Aquarium
02.28 - Missoula, MT @ VFW
03.01 - Seattle, WA @ The Vera Project
03.02 - Portland, OR @ Holocene
03.04 - San Francisco, CA @ Bottom of the Hill
03.05 - Santa Cruz, CA @ The Crepe Place03.06 - Los Angeles, CA @ The Echo
03.07 - San Diego, CA @ The Hideout
03.09 - Phoenix, AZ @ Crescent Ballroom #03.12 - Austin, TX @ SXSW
03.13 - Austin, TX @ SXSW
03.14 - Austin, TX @ SXSW - Graveface Megashow at TenOak RSVP
03.15 - Austin, TX @ SXSW - Graveface Official Mega Day Showcase at First Street Studio03.17 - New Orleans, LA @ The Circle Bar03.18 - Pensacola, FL @ The Handlebar 03.19 - Tampa, FL @ Crowbar03.20 - Miami, FL @ Churchills
03.21 - Orlando, FL @ Will's Pub  03.22 - Savannah, GA @ Dollhouse (Graveface Fest 2) 
# with Dum Dum Girls 

The Baseball Project (Members of R.E.M., Young Fresh Fellows)

The Baseball Project's 3rd to be released March 25 on Yep Roc
Members of R.E.M., Young Fresh Fellows, The Dream Syndicate, Zuzu's Petals come together for third time to celebrate our national pastime
  
The Baseball Project's third album 3rd will be released March 25 on Yep Roc Records. The record features 17 swings at the national pastime with subjects including Babe Ruth, Hank Aaron and some of the true characters of the game such as once-beloved fallen star of the Mets and Phillies Lenny Dykstra, and acid-tripping pitcher Dock Ellis (this time recounting his attempt to bean every player in the Reds lineup). Accompanying the album is a new bio written by award-winning journalist Dan Epstein, author of Big Hair and Plastic Grass: A Funky Ride Through Baseball and America in the Swinging '70s.
The Baseball Project was formed in 2007 by Scott McCaughey (Young Fresh Fellows, The Minus 5, R.E.M.) and Steve Wynn (The Dream Syndicate, Steve Wynn and the Miracle 3). The endeavor began as a way for a couple of fans with a shared musical vision to pay tribute to our national pastime. Since then, The Baseball Project has blossomed into a full-fledged, much-loved band in its own right. Zuzu's Petals/Steve Wynn drummer Linda Pitmon and R.E.M.'s Peter Buck and Mike Mills fill out the official roster of The Baseball Project, an all-star squad whose following and creativity has grown steadily with each release and tour.
The Baseball Project will perform an official showcase at SXSW in Austin, TX this March, and will be on tour this summer, performing as they are uniquely able, at rock clubs and baseball parks alike. Tour dates will be announced soon at thebaseballproject.net.
Track list:
StatsFrom Nails To Thumbtacks¡Hola America!13The Day Dock Went Hunting HeadsTo The Veteran CommitteeMonument ParkBox ScoresThey Don't Know HenryThe BabeThey Are The Oakland A'sPascual On The PerimeterThe Baseball Card SongExtra Inning of LoveLarry YountA Boy Named CyThe Played BaseballTake Me Out To The Ballgame

Highasakite Debut Two New Tracks and Announce US Return

Highasakite Debut Two New Tracks and Announce Return to the US 
Full-Length Album Silent Treatment Set For Release March 4th 
"Frontwoman Ingrid Helene Håvik's clarion call soars" -  Pitchfork
"Beautiful music from Highasakite...this was a crazy band! I loved it!"- Justin Vernon (Bon Iver) 
Stream 'Iran' (SPIN) and 'Leaving No Traces' (Gigwise) - Available To Post

Watch the band perform 'Since Last Wednesday' at the Norwegian Grammys  Norwegian quintet Highasakite have released two new tracks off their forthcoming full-length debut,  Silent Treatment,  out March 4th in the US, and announced their return to the US for this year's SXSW and an album release show in New York City on Monday, March 17th at the Mercury Lounge with fellow Norwegians Team Me. These new tracks follow first single, 'Since Last Wednesday,' which the band performed live recently at the Norwegian Grammys.    While the band's earlier songs were inspired by childhood and nostalgia, the theme of the new album focuses on the undercurrent that's going on behind closed doors; the silent battles at home, and the longing to get away. It introduces a darker side to Ingrid Helene Håvik´s lyrics, but fans of her surrealistic, and often innovative views of the world won't have to worry - it's all there. Earning "best new band" accolades from Pitchfork, NME, Paste, and even Justin Vernon (Bon Iver) at Oslo, Norway's Øya Festival in 2012, Ingrid Helene Håvik (zither, steel drum, vocal), Trond Bersu (drums),Øystein Skar (synths), Marte Eberso (synths), and Kristoffer Lo (guitar) released their debut EP, In and out of weeks, this past spring, receiving high praise from SPIN, NYLON, Paper, Interview, BrooklynVegan, MTV, Teen Vogue, and many more. Shortly after, they were nominated for a Norwegian Grammy as 'Best Newcomer,' and played their first ever shows in the US, including a week of break-out performances at SXSW.           The last year has seen Highasakite travel around the western hemisphere. After having toured Europe and the US, visiting Berlin Music Week, Iceland Airwaves, Eurosonic, The Great Escape, Tallinn Music Week, Reeperbahn Festival, Roskilde, SPOT festival and many more, the band are ready to return to the states behind their full-length debut.          
Silent Treatment  Tracklisting    1. Lover, Where Do You Live?2. Since Last Wednesday 3. Leaving No Traces4. Hiroshima5. My Only Crime6. I, The Hand Grenade7. Darth Vader8. Iran9. The Man On The Ferry10. Science & Blood Tests

Ghost Beach Tour w/ RAC, Share New Single

Ghost Beach
 
Announce National Tour With RAC
 
Listen + Share: “Every Time We Touch” Out Now
(Embed Code Below)

Debut Full-Length Album, Blonde,
Out March 4 via Nettwerk Records
 
"If you can get people dancing as early as noon. You're good. They did."
– NPR's ‘All Songs Considered’

“…a radiant and catchy cut fit for a tropical island dance party.”
– Consequence of Sound


Photo credit: Shervin Lainez

Brooklyn-based duo  Ghost Beach  will release their debut album Blonde, on March 4 via Nettwerk Records. Perfecting their unique blend of retro and futuristic soaring synth pop, the duo previously shared the party-starting album single, “ Miracle ”. Today, fans are treated to “Every Time We Touch” - a funk-infused blazer, strapped with an infectious bass line and classic house beats. Check out “Every Time We Touch”  HERE and we encourage you to post + share!


Ghost Beach has set the Internet ablaze with upbeat anthems, a preference for '80s synth, and consistent number ones on Hype Machine. The band has performed alongside The 1975, ASTR, Betty Who, St. Lucia and more, and today they announce national tour dates supporting RAC, teaming up to command dance floors.
                                                                                                         
UK Headlining Tour Dates
2/17: London, UK @ Birthdays
2/19: London, UK @ Hoxton Bar & Kitchen
2/22: London, UK @ The Finsbury
 
Tour Dates with RAC
3/27: Montreal, QC @ Theatre Corona
3/28: Toronto, ON @ The Hoxton
3/29: Ann Arbor, MI @ Blind Pig
3/31: Chicago, IL @ Lincoln Hall
4/1: Minneapolis, MN @ Varsity Theater
4/4: Seattle, WA @ Neumos Ballroom
4/5: Vancouver, BC @ Celebrities
4/6: Portland, OR @ Wonder Ballroom
4/8: San Francisco, CA @ The Fillmore
4/9: Santa Ana, CA @ The Observatory
 
Stay tuned for more news from Ghost Beach coming soon!
 

Sled Island Music & Arts Festival Returns June 18-22, 2014

  
Sled Island Music & Arts Festival Returns June 18-22, 2014 in Calgary
Announces Guest Curator
Kathleen Hanna (The Julie Ruin, Le Tigre, Bikini Kill)
Nobody rains on our parade! Thanks to the overwhelming support of our community, including attendees, artists and our numerous partners, The Sled Island Music and Arts Festival returns following the devastating Alberta floods that caused the cancellation of the 2013 edition of the festival just two days into its four day program. Facing losses of up to $200,000, nearly 70% of those people who had passes for Sled Island 2013 chose to forgo their refund or re-invest their pass purchase to ensure the festival's long term viability. Sled Island will be back in 2014, bigger and better than ever!
Today organizers are thrilled to announce its 2014 guest curator, Kathleen Hanna, celebrated musician, feminist activist and zine writer. Each year, the guest curator helps to set the direction and tone of the festival through specialized programming choices and with their presence at the festival. Past curators have included: John Dwyer (Thee Oh Sees), Tim Hecker, Andrew WK, Colin Newman (Wire), Fucked Up, Scott Kannberg (Pavement) and more. As long-time admirers of Hanna's work across artistic media, the festival couldn't be more excited to see the shape the festival takes with her thoughtful input.
Kathleen Hanna
Kathleen Hanna, a Portland, Oregon native, has been involved in underground music and art since the 80's. Both a contributor to the zine riot grrrl and co-founder of the movement of the same name, Hanna cemented herself as one of the most important voices in feminist activism in pop culture and punk rock. That voice and a do-it-yourself sensibility were primary drivers of one of her early bands, Bikini Kill. In 1998, Hanna paired her left-wing politics with an electroclash musical direction to form Le Tigre. In 2010, following a battle with late stage Lyme Disease, Hanna formed The Julie Ruin, releasing their debut album in September 2013 on Dischord Records. That same year, a Sini Anderson-directed documentary, The Punk Singer, documenting Hanna's work, premiered at SXSW.
About The Festival
Sled Island is an annual five-day music and arts festival in Calgary, Alberta, that brings together over 300 bands, artists, comedians and filmmakers in more than 30 venues throughout the city. Since 2007, Sled Island's innovative, eclectic and thoughtful programming and independent spirit have combined with Calgary's youthful energy to produce a largely unique festival experience. It was recently voted one of the top 10 music festivals in Canada by listeners of CBC Radio 3. Please visit  for more information.

Juan Wauters Debut Album 'N.A.P. North American Poetry'

N.A.P. North American Poetry Out Today
Debut Album from Juan Wauters
NY Record Release Show At Baby's All Right on Feb.16th
April Tour Dates With Mac DeMarcoThe wait is finally over, N.A.P. North American Poetry, the debut solo album from Juan Wauters, is out today. 

Comprised of 12 tracks that are simultaneously introspective and outward looking, N.A.P. showcases this idiosyncratic musician's ability to craft infectious musical poetry with delightfully earnest relatabilty. From the gentle, rolling rhythm of first single "", to the sunny cadence of "", Wauters' has delivered an album that moves with effortless momentum, echoing times past, while looking to the future. It's music to start your year off right. Buy via 

On February 16th at Baby's All Right Wauters will celebrate the release of the record with friends Households and La Rosas. Purchase tickets .

Looking forward to the Spring, he will head to Austin for SXSW and then join label mate Mac DeMarco for a string of dates in April. Those dates are below. 
 "sweet folk tunes and an exposed voice."


"folk-oriented sound closer to Daniel Johnston or Syd Barrett than the Troggs"

"solo material hews more acoustic and bare, showcasing his warm voice and knack for, yes, poetry that feels beamed in from a halcyon era."


"beautiful acoustic melodies and a vintage, retro feel that is reminiscent of a Latin American Cat Stevens or Rodriguez"


"full of perky melodies and lo-fi drum cracks"
02/16 - Brooklyn, NY - Baby's All Right
03/31 - Cleveland, OH - Beachland Ballroom*
04/02 - Chicago, IL - Empty Bottle *
04/03 - Detroit, MI - Magic Stick *
04/04 - Wakefield, QC - Blacksheep *
04/05 - Sherbrooke, QC - Boquébierè *
04/06 - Montreal, QC - Societe des Arts Technologiques *
04/07 - Cambridge, MA - Middle East Downstairs *

* w/ Amen Dunes & Mac DeMarco04/10 - Durham, NC - Duke University Coffeehouse +
04/11 - Atlanta, GA - Goat Farm Arts Center +
04/12 - Baton Rouge, LA - Mud and Water +
04/13 - Austin, TX - Mohawk Outside +
04/14 - Fort Worth, TX - Lola’s Saloon +
04/15 - Oxford, MS - Proud Larry's +
04/16 - Nashville, TN - Exit / In +
04/7 - Asheville, NC- Grey Eagle Tavern +
04/18 - Philadelphia, PA- Underground Arts +

! w/ Amen Dunes, Mac DeMarco & Tonstartssbandht
+ Mac DeMarco Tracklist

1. Let Me Hip You To Something
2. Sanity or Not
3. Lost in Soup
4. Escucho Mucho
5. Woke Up Feeling Like Sleeping
6. 
7. Goo
8. All Tall Mall Will Fall
9. Continue To Be You
10. Breathing (feat. Carmelle)
11. How Do They All Do? (feat. Carmelle)
12. Ay Ay Ay 

In 2000, Alberto Wauters left Uruguay to live in a basement in Queens. Two years later he called his son, Juan, to join him. Juan Wauters crossed the threshold into manhood when he arrived in New York. Working at a factory, the father and son pooled their money to bring their family to the borough of opportunity. With no friends to speak of, Juan turned to music to take control of the loneliness of his isolation. Juan was inspired by his new neighborhood of Jackson Heights and delighted to find that his library card gave him access to an abundance of new music.
 In his debut solo record,  N.A.P. North-American Poetry , Wauters dreams big; coming into his own as a singer. Building on his songwriting, popularized by The Beets, Juan presents introspective tracks, like "Water" and "Sanity", and reflections on humans' relationship with technology in songs like Breathing—which features Carmelle Safdie. The record is completed, as always, by the artwork of dear friend and longtime collaborator Matthew Volz, who has honed the trademark visual aesthetic of Juan's music. This album is a selection of recordings made between the fall of 2010 and the summer of 2012 at Marlborough Farms.  N.A.P.  delivers a fresh sound and lyrical candor from one of Queens' most idiosyncratic adoptive sons.
 Live, Juan shares the stage with a revolving cast of international musicians of the highest caliber: vocalist Carmelle Safdie (Israel), multi-instrumentalist Tall Juan Zaballa (Argentina), percussionist Chie Mori (Japan), and flutist Amanda Rodi (Mexico). Matthew Volz heightens this lively and mood-altering experience with his painted banners, personal objects and manually manipulated light show. The ensemble is not to be missed.