Black Pumas Anticipated Sophomore Album ‘Chronicles of a Diamond’ Arrives To Rave Reviews
Seven-time GRAMMY nominees Black Pumas’ long-awaited sophomore album Chronicles of a Diamond is out today on ATO Records. Listen HERE. On the widely acclaimed new record, Black Pumas broadened their palette to include a dazzling expanse of musical forms: heavenly hybrids of soul and symphonic pop, mind-bending excursions into jazz-funk and psychedelia, and starry-eyed love songs that feel dropped down from the cosmos. Wilder and weirder and more extravagantly composed than its predecessor, Chronicles of a Diamond arrives as the fullest expression yet of Black Pumas’ frenetic creativity and limitless vision.
In creating the follow-up to one of the most celebrated debuts in recent years, singer/songwriter/producer Eric Burton and guitarist/producer Adrian Quesada made a point of tuning out any sense of anticipation from the outside world. “I knew the first record was good when we finished it, but I had no idea people would respond like they did, says Quesada. “This time around there was a lot of pressure and expectation that we hadn’t felt before, which was overwhelming at times, but we did our best to tune that out and focus on trusting ourselves like we always have.” As a result, Chronicles of a Diamond wholly echoes an essential intention behind its creation. “More than anything I wanted to make something we’d be thrilled to play live 200 days a year,” says Burton. “I wanted to be able to laugh, cry, bob my head, do the thing: it was all very much a selfish endeavor.”
Like their massive debut, Chronicles of a Diamond once again harnesses the lightning-in-a-bottle chemistry between Burton (a self-taught musician who got his start busking on beaches and subway platforms in his native Los Angeles) and Quesada (a GRAMMY Award winner whose background includes playing in Latin-funk orchestra Grupo Fantasma and accompanying legendary artists like Prince). Produced by Quesada and primarily mixed by six-time Grammy Award winner Shawn Everett (Alabama Shakes, The War on Drugs), the ten-song LP finds Burton taking the role of co-producer and infusing his free-spirited musicality into every track.
Highlights on Chronicles of a Diamond include the first single, “More Than A Love Song” which has amassed 3.5+ million streams and landed at #1 at Triple A Radio, #1 on Billboard’s Adult Alternative Chart, and #1 at Americana Radio, the undeniably catchy bangers, “Ice Cream (Pay Phone),” and “Mrs. Postman,” and the moving ballad “Angel.”
One of the most electrifying new acts to emerge in recent years, Black Pumas have made a major cultural impact, selling one million albums worldwide. “Colors,” from their 2019 debut, is a gold-certified anthem that was nominated for Record of the Year with over 450 million streams. Their meteoric rise saw them playing exhilarating live shows and sold-out multiple tours across North and South America and Europe, as well as performances at the GRAMMY Awards and President Biden’s inauguration, multiple television appearances and winning the Emerging Act of the Year from the Americana Music Association in 2020. Most recently, Quesada was nominated for a Latin GRAMMY for “Best Rock Song” for his collaboration with Diamanté Eléctrico.
BLACK PUMAS TOUR DATES (New dates in bold)
12/3 – Austin, TX – ACL Live
12/4 – Austin, TX – ACL Live (Sold Out)
12/5 – Austin, TX – ACL Live (Sold Out)
12/6 – Austin, TX – ACL Live (Sold Out)
12/8 – Dallas, TX – The Factory
12/9 – Houston, TX – House of Blues (Sold Out)
12/10 – Houston, TX – House of Blues
1/18 – Philadelphia, PA – The Fillmore
1/19 – New York City, NY- Radio City Music Hall
1/25 – Chicago, IL – Salt Shed
1/26- Chicago, IL – Salt Shed (Sold Out)
1/27 – Chicago, IL – Salt Shed (Sold Out)
2/16 – San Antonio, TX – Stable Hall
2/17 – San Antonio, TX – Stable Hall
3/15 – France Paris Zenith Paris – La Villette
3/16 – Belgium Brussels Forest National
3/17 – Netherlands Amsterdam AFAS Live
3/19 – Germany Hamburg Docks
3/20 – Germany Berlin Verti Music Hall
3/21 – Germany Cologne Carlswerk Victoria
3/23 – UK Manchester O2 Victoria Warehouse
3/24 – UK London Eventim Apollo
4/5 – Nashville, TN – Ryman
4/6 – Nashville, TN – Ryman
New ATO Records Signing Brigitte Calls Me Baby Announces Debut EP Out November 3
Newly signed to ATO Records after a much-buzzed-about set at SXSW 2023, and All Points East festival date alongside The Strokes, Yeah Yeah Yeahs and more, the Chicago-based indie purveyors Brigitte Calls Me Baby announces their debut EP This House Is Made of Corners, due out on ATO on Nov. 3. The five-song project was recorded with nine-time Grammy Award-winning producer Dave Cobb (best known for his work with Chris Stapleton, Jason Isbell and Sturgill Simpson) at RCA Studio A.
Brigitte Calls Me Baby finds the future of rock in its past. The Roy Orbison-admiring, Smiths-influenced band ingeniously spans genres and eras, merging the lavish romanticism of mid-century pop with the frenetic energy and spiky intensity of early-millennium indie-rock. Centered on Leavins’ hypnotically crooning vocal work, the result is a rare convergence of sophistication and style and unabashed sincerity. As such, lead single “Impressively Average” arrives in fashion with pounding rhythms and shimmering guitar tones that form the backdrop to what Leavins refers to as a song…”born from the contrast of self-love mingled with self-loathing. To me, it represents my obsession with presentation yet transparency. The song captures how I want to portray an image but with honesty. I want to go there even when it’s uncomfortable, and write unapologetically.”
Listen to lead single “Impressively Average” and watch the new video directed by Alec Basse here
“In so much music there’s a desire to be perceived as someone who’s got it all figured out, but I never want to paint a picture that isn’t true,” proclaims lead singer, Wes Leavins. “I know that when I was younger I was looking for something to latch onto that I could connect with and feel a part of, so I’d hope that our music could provide that for others. I want to create something that helps people feel more alive, and that will last long after we’re gone,” he continues.
Originally from the Southeast Texas town of Port Arthur, Leavins grew up listening to Roy Orbison records at his grandparents’ house next door, while his parents played him new-wave bands like The Cars and his friends turned him onto Radiohead and The Strokes. At age 13, Leavins took up guitar and began writing songs of his own, quickly discovering his distinct vocal style.
“At first I didn’t like the way I sang and couldn’t really do anything about it, but as I got older I started to appreciate it more,” he reveals. “My whole inclination toward music came from being in this small town in Texas with nowhere to go and nothing to do, and wanting to be understood without having to say anything.”
Upon moving to Chicago in 2016, Leavins immersed himself in the local music scene and soon linked up with guitarists Jack Fluegel and Trevor Lynch, bassist Devin Wessels, and drummer Jeremy Benshish, who joined him in co-founding Brigitte Calls Me Baby. As the band built up their catalog, Leavins was tapped to take part in recreating a series of Elvis Presley songs for Baz Luhrmann’s 2022 biopic Elvis, a turn of events that found him crossing paths with Cobb. “Dave and I hit it off right away and started talking about the music we loved, and when we reconnected later he asked me to send him some of the songs I’d been working on,” Leavins recalls.
Together, on This House Is Made of Corners, the band and Cobb channel a timeless air, proving that their music could belong anywhere, in any era.
This Fall, Brigitte Calls Me Baby will join The Last Dinner Party and open for two dates, the El Rey Theatre in Los Angeles, and return home for a Chicago play at the Bottom Lounge. Stay tuned for tons more to come on Brigitte Calls Me Baby.
PRE-ORDER/PRE-SAVE THIS HOUSE IS MADE OF CORNERS
THIS HOUSE IS MADE OF CORNERS TRACKLIST
- The Future Is Our Way Out
- Impressively Average
- Eddie My Love
- You Are Only Made Of Dreams
- Palm Of Your Hand
BRIGITTE CALLS ME BABY TOUR DATES
Nov 6 – El Rey Theatre – Los Angeles, CA w/The Last Dinner Party
Nov 9 – Bottom Lounge – Chicago, IL w/The Last Dinner Party
Dec 6 – Aragon Ballroom (Q101 Twisted Xmas with Lovejoy and White Reaper) – Chicago, IL
CIVIC Unleashes Blistering New Single “Hourglass”, Electrifying US Stages this Fall on their First Ever US tour!
On the heels of their acclaimed album, Taken By Force, released earlier this year on ATO Records, CIVIC are thrilled to bring their blistering live show to stages across the US for the FIRST TIME ever this fall. One of the most exhilarating bands to emerge in recent years, the Melbourne-based act made their name as a captivating live act defined by masterfully controlled chaos, embarking on a European tour in 2019. Their frenetic live show will serve up a vital new energy, joyfully obliterating the line between furious catharsis and unbridled fun. The tour will include stops in New York City, Chicago, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Seattle and more as well as appearances at LEVITATION Festival and Gonerfest.
Hailed by Sterogum as “an unholy lo-fi pile-up of garage rock, punk, and ’90s-style noise-rock,” CIVIC have unleashed their blistering new single “Hourglass” alongside an official video today. Frontman Jim McCullough shares, “Off the back of Taken By Force we wanted to create something new, an evolution of sound for us. We’d dropped down to a 4 piece so already Lewis had more space to come through with his guitar parts, be more experimental, less chaotic; more defined. Lyrically I am touching on aspects of change, more specifically the process during change. Going through some kind of shit and sediment and coming out the other side; a hopeful development of a refined version. We start again”
US TOUR DATES
9/29: Memphis, TN @ Gonerfest
10/01: Nashville, TN @ DRKMTTR
10/03: Birmingham, AL @ LCY
10/04: Atlanta, GA @ The Earl
10/05: Durham, NC @ The Pinhook
10/06: Baltimore, MD @ Metro Baltimore
10/07: New York, NY @ Zone One
10/08: Philadelphia, PA @ Johnny Brendas
10/10: Cleveland, OH @ Grog Shop
10/11: Detroit, MI @ Sanctuary
10/12: Chicago, IL @ Empty Bottle
10/13: Omaha, NE @ Slowdown
10/14: Denver, CO @ Hi-Dive
10/15: Salt Lake City, UT @ Kilby Court
10/17: Seattle, WA @ Barboza
10/18: Portland, OR @ Mississippi Studios
10/20: San Francisco, CA @ Bottom of the Hill
10/21: Los Angeles, CA @ Knitting Factory
10/22: Santa Ana, CA @ Constellation Room
10/24: San Diego, CA @ Soda Bar
10/25: Phoenix, AZ @ Rebel Lounge
10/27: Austin, TX @ LEVITATION
Dylan LeBlanc Returns With His Highly-Anticipated New Album ‘Coyote’ Out October 20th
Acclaimed singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Dylan LeBlanc is set to release his highly-anticipated new album Coyote on October 20th via ATO Records. On Coyote, the prolific wordsmith embarks on a character-driven adventure with Coyote, a man with demons who is on the run. Listen to the lead single, the honest love song “No Promises Broken” via DSPs HERE and pre-order Coyote HERE. “No Promises Broken” impacts radio on September 11th.
Coyote is both semi-autobiographical and a concept album, chronicling a man who lives dangerously, always on the edge. Coyote himself is trapped in the criminal underworld of Mexico. As he struggles to find a way out of his treacherous lifestyle, he is tormented by his past, enduring the pain and regret of lost love and a life wasted. Finding his way towards redemption and freedom, Coyote is confronted by the essence of human nature, materialism, and the inherent desire for more. As the story reaches its peak, he sees himself at a perilous crossroad in Los Angeles, leaving listeners in suspense about his fate.
The album begins with the strings-heavy title track, setting the stage for Coyote’s journey across the border to the drug cartels. On “Closin’ In,” he begins reflecting on his choices and those he left behind. Leaning into “Dark Waters,” Coyote starts to dream his way out of his criminal lifestyle, while referencing his childhood trauma that led him there. “Stranger Things” finds our protagonist with his love from “No Promises Broken,” assuring him things will all work out; however, Coyote’s past leaves him distrustful. The album continues Coyote’s journey, through prison, escape, and the ultimate decision.
Coyote finds LeBlanc producing for the first time, teaming up with a group of all-star musicians, including drummer Fred Eltringham (Ringo Starr, Sheryl Crow), pianist Jim “Moose” Brown (Bob Seger), and bass player Seth Kaufman (Lana Del Rey). Coyote is the follow-up to LeBlanc’s 2019 record Renegade, an album that was well received by the press with positive coverage that included Rolling Stone Country, American Songwriter, No Depression, and more.
LeBlanc heads to Europe for the first round of Coyote tour dates before performing in the U.S. in early 2024. Tour dates are below, and on his website HERE.
Dylan LeBlanc 2023 European Tour Dates
October 28 – Tampere, Finland
October 29 – Helsinki, Finland
October 31 – London, UK
November 1 – Birmingham, UK
November 2 – Manchester, UK
November 4 – Groningen, Netherlands
November 5 – Antwerp, Belgium
November 8 – Arthez-de-Béarn, France
November 9 – Santander, Spain
November 10 – Santiago, Spain
November 11 – San Sebastián, Spain
November 12 – Barcelona, Spain
November 14– Valencia, Spain
November 15 – Madrid, Spain
November 16 – Zaragoza, Spain
November 17 – Avilés, Spain
November 19 – Breda, Netherlands
November 20 – Reutlingen, Germany
November 21 – Cologne, Germany
November 22 – Hengelo, Netherlands
November 23 – Amsterdam, Netherlands
November 24 – Madgeburg, Germany
November 26 – Berlin, Germany
November 27 – Hamburg, Germany
November 30 – Kristianstad, Sweden
December 1 – Falkenberg, Sweden
December 2 – Malmö, Sweden
December 3 – Stockholm, Sweden
December 5 – Uppsala, Sweden
December 6 – Oslo, Norway
December 7 – Trondheim, Norway
December 8 – Ringebu, Sweden
December 9 – Göteborg, Sweden
December 9 – Copenhagen, Denmark
Zooey Celeste Signs To ATO Records & Announces Debut Album, Restless Thoughts, Out Nov. 3
Today, Southern California-bred musician Zooey Celeste signs to ATO Records, announces his debut album, Restless Thoughts, out November 3rd, and presents the lead single/title track. Produced and recorded by acclaimed artist Nick Hakim at his Brooklyn studio, Restless Thoughts centers on Zooey’s hypnotic baritone vocals, often set against a strangely potent backdrop of sparse drum-machine beats and droney guitar tones. The result is a fully-realized soundscape, a darkly ethereal palette which Zooey classifies as astral-pop.
Restless Thoughts takes its title from a song inspired by a particularly dramatic scene in Zooey’s novel, a metaphysical thriller narrated by the character of Zooey Celeste. “It’s a scene where the father of the protagonist has destroyed his marriage and left his daughter behind, and he’s going to meet his mistress and driving in a very suicidal headspace,” he explains. “He gets into a car accident, and two-thirds of the way into the song he’s floating above his body and watching as they’re trying to resuscitate him.”
Like many of the album’s songs, the gorgeously chilling track took shape in the throes of the novel-writing process. “I’d write a chapter and pick up my guitar and start writing songs based off the scenes I’d just finished,” says Zooey. “It’s funny because it’s the first time I’ve ever allowed myself to write from the perspective of a character, but it’s also the most authentic thing I’ve ever made in my life.”
Stream Zooey Celeste’s “Restless Thoughts”
Restless Thoughts is the real-life manifestation of its creator’s alter ego — an astral shaman responsible for leading the newly departed into the great beyond. After dreaming up the character of Zooey Celeste in a feverishly written novel he refers to as “somewhere between Quentin Tarantino and the Bhagavad Gita,” Zooey began working with longtime friend Nick Hakim (whose production credits also include Lil Yachty and Lianne La Havas) to create this ideal soundtrack for nocturnal driving, an immediate conduit for lasting transcendence. Alongside Hakim, Zooey enlisted a wide array of guest musicians to flesh out the sound of Restless Thoughts, including Unknown Mortal Orchestra bassist Jake Portrait, drummer Abe Rounds (Andrew Bird, Blake Mills, Devandra Banhart), and Columbian-Canadian singer/songwriter Tei Shi. Mastered by Heba Kadry (Ryuichi Sakamoto, Björk, Julianna Barwick), Restless Thoughts endlessly drifts between avant-punk and chamber-pop and lo-fi psychedelia, quickly drawing the listener into a sustained dream state.
Naming J.D. Salinger, Iggy Pop, and Tyler, the Creator among his inspirations, Zooey started writing songs at the age of eight after hearing The Beatles for the first time. Along with studying poetry and creative writing, he later took up guitar, piano, and harmonium and played in a series of indie-rock-leaning musical projects that ultimately proved unfulfilling. “We’d finish a show and it would be the best show we’d ever played, and I’d feel physically sick afterward,” he says. “People liking it made me feel bad, which is probably because I knew I wasn’t being my most authentic self.” After a seven-year stint in New York (where he first connected with Hakim), Zooey spent several years in Hawaii and devoted much of his time to surfing—an essential part of his life since early childhood. “I got addicted to surfing bigger waves at Sunset Beach on the North Shore and had a near-death experience where I went through a coral reef, and it changed my life in a lot of ways,” he says. “It took the air out of the wanderlust I’d felt for a long time, and brought me closer to the things I’d been running away from. Because of that, music went from being an escape to a base of reflection where I’m able to really sit with my emotions and process them and be totally honest with myself about what I want from life.”
With the release of Restless Thoughts, Zooey hopes to instill the audience with a similarly expanded sense of possibility. “Making this record showed me that if I’m not going beyond what the world has handed me as options, then I’m not being creative,” he says. “I went as far as I could with the process of self-exploration, and I felt fully supported in that—almost like everything was a little bit fated, or we were tapping into something in the ether. I’d love it if that inspired other people to go off and do whatever they feel compelled to do, and let themselves be completely entranced by it.”
Restless Thoughts Tracklist:
- Effortless
- Restless Thoughts
- Walk By
- Big Trouble (with Tei Shi)
- Running All Night
- Torture Me
- Cosmic Being
- God Awful
- Comeback
- Heaven Sent
- Stay Up
Black Pumas Return With Their Anticipated Sophomore Album ‘Chronicles of a Diamond’
GRAMMY-nominated duo Black Pumas push their distinctive artistry to soaring new heights on their new single, “More Than A Love Song” – LISTEN HERE and watch the new music video HERE. “More Than A Love Song” is the first track to be unveiled from the Austin duo’s highly anticipated sophomore effort, Chronicles of a Diamond, set for release on October 27th on ATO Records. Pre-order the album HERE.
Earning an impressive career total of seven Grammy Award nominations (including Album Of The Year) singer/songwriter/producer Eric Burton and guitarist/producer Adrian Quesada once again harness their lighting-in-a-bottle chemistry on “More Than a Love Song.” Effortlessly displaying their heightened creative freedom, Black Pumas build potent momentum on their new single with brisk beats, effervescent strings, and brightly buzzing guitar riffs. As it builds, “More Than A Love Song” erupts into pure unbridled exultation, powered by radiant gospel harmonies and a spellbinding bit of spoken word from Burton. The track opens the electrifying new album and was the first piece recorded for Chronicles of a Diamond.
Co-written by Burton and Quesada, “More Than A Love Song,” was produced by Quesada and co-produced by Burton, with additional production by Grammy-winning John Congleton. Explaining the lyrical content, Burton comments, “’More Than a Love Song’ is a message I borrowed from my Uncle Steve. As a songwriter and caregiver, he’d listen to me write songs from afar and if I were lucky he’d have a pointer or two for me. ‘Life is more than a love song.’”
Shot on location in Los Angeles, the music video for “More Than A Love Song” was directed by Juliana and Nicola Giraffe. The clip elicits feelings of joy, hope, and community – themes also evident in the song — zooming in closely on the beauty and abundance that surrounds us in our everyday life. As the video progresses, we see Black Pumas performing, intercut with a series of stylized photographic vignettes that present each character’s role in the larger portrait of the community, culminating in a jubilant celebration.
Following the release of their 2019 self-titled debut, Rolling Stone called Black Pumas a “psychedelic-soul force,” while Pitchfork said, “possessing a voice that can slide into the slipstream with ease, Burton lends an elegant elasticity to Quesada’s tightly layered productions” and “they pointedly avoid the pitfalls that plague well-intentioned retro-soul records, favoring feel over authenticity, playing as much for the head as the heart.” NME raved, “it’s not hard to understand why their appeal is so universal; their sound is the middle point between Motown and East Coast Hip Hop – a marriage of masterful production and iconic melodies that manages to be both classy and current.”
Chronicles of a Diamond brings the band’s singular vision to life with more power, passion, and daring originality than ever before. Produced by Quesada and primarily mixed by six-time Grammy Award winner Shawn Everett (Alabama Shakes, The War on Drugs), the ten-song LP finds Burton taking the role of co-producer and infusing his free-spirited musicality into every track. See below for the complete tracklisting.
One of the most electrifying new acts to emerge in recent years, Black Pumas have made a major cultural impact, selling one million albums worldwide. Their smash single “Colors,” is a gold-certified anthem, and was nominated for Record of the Year, amassing over 450 million streams and hitting No. 1 at AAA Radio. Burton and Quesada first discovered their once-in-a-lifetime chemistry back in 2017, after Quesada began searching for a potential collaborator and connected with Burton through a mutual friend. Thanks to the potent collision of their distinct sensibilities—Burton is a self-taught musician who got his start busking in his native Los Angeles, Quesada is a Grammy winner whose background includes playing in Latin-funk orchestra Grupo Fantasma—Black Pumas were on their way. Their meteoric rise saw them playing exhilarating live shows and sold-out multiple tours across North and South America and Europe, as well as performances at the GRAMMY Awards and President Biden’s inauguration, multiple television appearances and winning the Emerging Act of the Year from the Americana Music Association in 2020.
CHRONICLES OF A DIAMOND TRACKLISTING
1. MORE THAN A LOVE SONG
2. ICE CREAM (PAY PHONE)
3. MRS. POSTMAN
4. CHRONICLES OF A DIAMOND
5. ANGEL
6. HELLO
7. SAUVIGNON
8. TOMORROW
9. GEMINI SUN
10. ROCK AND ROLL
Friko Signs to ATO Records
Beloved Chicago-band Friko — made of Niko Kapetan (vocals/guitar) and Bailey Minzenberger (drummer) — are ATO Records’ newest signees. Friko has become a permanent fixture on the Chicago music scene over the last several months. After selling out a hometown show at the Metro, the band played across North America and made their festival debut at Bonnaroo, bringing their dynamic live show to a national audience. One of the highlights of their live performances is Crimson To Chrome, re-released on ATO today. Crimson to Chrome perfectly encapsulates how Friko’s music “toggle[s] between loud and quiet, thoughtful and self-deprecating, while never expressing anything less than the unbridled joy of noise” (Consequence). The song reigned at #1 on the Sirius XMU chart for three weeks, and garnered praise from the likes of Pitchfork, FLOOD, Brooklyn Vegan and beyond. A new 7-inch vinyl release of Crimson to Chrome, limited to only 500 copies worldwide, is available now to pre-order via Bandcamp.
Friko is currently finishing their highly-anticipated debut album which will be released in early 2024. “We are so excited to join ATO Records and work with a group of people as passionate about Friko as we are,” says the band. “We can’t wait for everyone to hear what we’ve been working on.”
Watch Friko’s Lyric Video for Crimson to Chrome
Pre-order Crimson to Chrome 7”
Friko self-released Whenever, Forever, their “lush romp of an EP” (Chicago Reader), in 2022. Throughout, Kapetan explores the possibility and risks of a life given over to music, interrogating what a life well-lived means to him. The duality rings out in the compositions, evoking rock and folk icons such as Leonard Cohen and Nick Drake. It’s immediately arresting, flickering between explosive rock, chamber pop, and serene sonics. Following their SXSW debut earlier this year,WBEZ proclaimed “Friko are blowing up.”
Pachyman Announces New Album ‘Switched-On’ Out September 29th
Pachy García, the LA based multi-instrumentalist who performs as Pachyman, announces his upcoming album, Switched-On, due September 29th via ATO Records. Alongside the announcement Pachyman shares the lead single and video “Trago Coqueto,” a cheeky love song and a poignant ode to his life growing up in Puerto Rico as well as the first of his singles that features his own vocals front and center. Pachyman shares about the track, “‘Trago Coqueto’ is a nostalgic tune; where inhibition is lost and vulnerability arises. A breezy call to come back home.”
Though based in LA, García’s music is immersed in the world of the Caribbean, with the basis of his sound being derived from his native home in Puerto Rico. Laced with nostalgia, Switched-On pulls from the island’s musical scene in the 1990’s, when Puerto Rico was embracing new wave Jamaican riddims which were later combined with traditional Boricua sounds. In keeping with the themes of sentimentality, Pachyman uses his Korg Poly-800 to pay homage to a generation of Puerto Rican artists who first began experimenting with synthesizers, all the while allowing his music to ebb and flow. His previous album, The Return Of Pachyman (2021) is more of a direct response to the sounds of his musical heroes, especially King Tubby and Scientist, and on the new album Pachyman wanted to move his art forward while simultaneously honoring his roots looking to embrace more of himself vs. trying to emmulate others. He also pushes himself further vocally incorporating more of his own minimalist vocals for added texture.
Alongside the album news Pachyman is also announcing a couple of headline dates in Seattle and New York as well as a full Fall tour alongside Altin Gun launching October 27th. Pachyman will also be performing at Pickathon Festival in Portland this Summer and Levitation Festival in Austin in the Fall. In recent years, Pachyman has toured with artists such as Khruangbin, Black Pumas, My Morning Jacket and Genesis Owusu.
This latest release follows Pachyman’s breakthrough single “All Night Long” which now has more than 2 million total streams. “All Night Long” was spotlighted by The FADER, added to Spotify’s tastemaker playlist “POLLEN” and featured on KCRW’s “Most Played” airplay chart.
Listen to “Trago Coqueto” now, pre-save Switched-On and check out Pachyman’s touring details below.
About Pachyman:
For his latest sonic transmission Switched-On, musician Pachy García, aka Pachyman, challenged himself to steer his dub-drenched dispatches towards another dimension. The follow-up to 2021’s The Return of Pachyman, out Sept 29th on ATO Records, Switched-On is an homage to the generative artistic era when musicians first began manipulating synthesizers to emit gloriously off-kilter bleeps, bloops, and whooshes. It also gestures to García’s chirring Korg Poly-800 analog synthesizer that forms the spine of these songs, particularly the effervescent electronic interlude “Mi Sala.” Tunes like “You Looked at Me” fuse a mesmerizing, Krautrock-esque beat with synth musings reminiscent of bands such as Boards of Canada and García’s own minimalist vocals for added texture. His ear for expansiveness comes through the winking “Trago Coqueto,” a cheeky love song crooned through the prism of a cocktail that’s named after a flirty lemon-ginger drink. In a uniquely Pachyman twist, it acts as a poignant ode to his life growing up in Puerto Rico. It couldn’t be a more fitting testament to Switched-On’s ethos, which meditates on García’s conviction to move his art forward while simultaneously honoring his roots.
Upcoming Tour Dates
with Altin Gun = *
8/3 – Seattle, WA @ Nectar Lounge
8/4 – Portland, OR @ Pickathon Festival
9/22 – Philadelphia, PA @ Making Time
9/26 – New York, NY @ The Sultan Room
10/27 – New Orleans, LA @ Toulouse Theatre*
10/29 – Austin, TX @ Levitation Festival at Empire
10/30 – Dallas, TX @ Ferris Wheelers Backyard and BBQ*
11/1 – Santa Fe, NM @ Tumbleroot Brewery and Distillery*
11/2 – Phoenix, AZ @ Crescent Ballroom*
11/8 – San Diego, CA @ The Music Box*
11/9 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Belasco*
11/10 – Felton, CA @ Felton Music Hall*
11/11 – Berkley, CA @ The UC Theater*
11/14 – Seattle, WA @ The Neptune Theatre*
11/15 – Vancouver, BC @ The Commodore Ballroom*
11/17 – Portland, OR @ McMenamins Crystal Ballroom*
Altin Gün Share Remixes Of “Kalk Gidelim” & “Su Siziyor”
GRAMMY® Award-nominated Turkish psych-folk innovators Altın Gün have shared new remixes of two highlights from this year’s sublime new album Aşk (out now via ATO Records). “Kalk Gidelim” (remixed by the band’s percussionist Chris Bruining) is a cumbia-driven remix, inspired by Argentina’s cumbia villera movement, while “Su Sızıyor” (remixed by Bruining in tandem with Altin Gün bassistJasper Verhulst) is a digidub-style remix with lots of King Tubby-inspired reverbs and phasers. Not only are the remixes inspiring in their own right, but they’re a prime showcase of the band’s tendency towards constantly-shifting sonic reinvention.
The remixes arrive just ahead of the band’s biggest North American tour to date, which begins tomorrow and culminates in a performance at Brooklyn Steel on July 31. The band will then return Stateside once again in the fall, for a routing that includes a coveted slot at the now-legendary Levitation Festival in Austin, TX. See below for the full list of tour dates.
HEAR THE “KALK GIDELIM” & “SU SIZIYOR” REMIXES
Altin Gün recently contributed several new songs to the new Star Wars: Jedi Survivor Original Video Game Soundtrack, portrayed in-game as a character called “Altin Lazer Blaster.” The game is now available, and the soundtrack is out now on Walt Disney Records.
Boasting a 15% sales increase on their 2021 album Yol, Aşk notched several career-high Billboard chart positions in its first week, including #4 on the Heatseekers chart, #15 at Independent Albums, and #112 at Top Album Sales. The album also hit #1 on the World Music chart at U.S. college radio.
The album has continued to garner significant international praise since its release. MOJO was one of the first to weigh in with a four-star review in their new issue. Exclaim! said that Aşk “captures a band more comfortable roasting in the sweaty, late-night heat of their notoriously fiery concerts, and is imbued with that invigorating immediacy,” while PopMatters praised the band for the way their music “plays up the psychedelic aspects of the Anatolian scene with ecstatic relish.” In their Album Of The Day review, Bandcamp Dailyenthused that “On Aşk, the arrangements are slicker than ever, their vocals are more varied than their forebears, and both the saz and guitar playing are as spirited as anything in Anatolian rock’s history. They’re not just carrying the torch, they’re leading the way.”
LISTEN TO “SU SIZIYOR”
LISTEN TO “RAKIYA SU KATAMAM”
WATCH OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO
LISTEN TO “GÜZELLIĞIN ON PARA ETMEZ”
Rooted in antiquity yet blazing with contemporary relevance and vitality, Aşk includes such recently released tracks as the pulse-pounding “Rakıya Su Katamam” and the deeply atmospheric “Güzelligin On Para Etmez,” both of which are available now at all DSPs and streaming services.
An exuberant return to the 70s Anatolian folk-rock sound that characterized Altın Gün’s landmark first two albums, Aşk sees Altın Gün veering away from the electronic, synth-drenched sound of their critically acclaimed 2021 albums, Âlem and Yol, to capture all the infectious power and urgency of the Amsterdam-based band’s famously propulsive live performances. Recorded using vintage equipment and techniques, the album’s ten groundbreaking tracks all represent visionary new readings of traditional Turkish folk tunes, revealing how these ancient songs remain eternally resonant and ripe for reinterpretation.
Aşk also includes Altın Gün’s dazzling reinvention of “Leylim Ley,” a classic song of lost love and exile available now at all DSPs and streaming services. Recently named as “Today’s Top Tune” by the influential KCRW, “Lelim Ley” features music composed by renowned Turkish musician, author, poet, and politician Zülfü Livaneli and lyrics written by the late Turkish novelist, short-story writer, poet, and journalist Sabahattin Ali (1907–1948). Taken from Ali’s 1937 short story, “Ses,” “Lelim Ley” was joined by music composed by Livaneli in 1975 and has since been embraced as one of the most well-known and beloved songs among Turkish people everywhere.
“These songs have been covered so many times, always,” says vocalist/keyboardist Merve Dasdemir.
“But not really in psychedelic pop versions,” adds bassist Jasper Verhulst. “It’s definitely connecting more with a live sound – almost like a live album. We, as a band, just going into a rehearsal space together and creating music together instead of demoing at home.”
LISTEN TO “LEYLIM LEY”
Renowned for their dizzyingly hypnotic live performances, Altın Gün will embark on a wide ranging EU/UK headline run in March 2023, with their biggest North American headline tour to date – including headline shows and appearances at such upcoming festivals as Montreal, QC’s Osheaga Festival (August 4) – getting underway July 12 at Pittsburgh, PA’s Thunderbird and then traveling through early August. Complete details and ticket information is available now HERE.
ALTIN GÜN
NORTH AMERICAN TOUR 2023
JULY
12 –Thunderbird – Pittsburgh, PA
13 – Beachland Ballroom – Cleveland, OH
14 – Magic Stick – Detroit, MI
15 – Thalia Hall – Chicago, IL
17 – Turner Hall – Milwaukee, WI
18 – Varsity Theatre – Minneapolis, MN
19 – Wooly’s – Des Moines, IA
21 – The Vogue – Indianapolis, IN
24 – Basement East – Nashville, TN
25 – Terminal West – Atlanta, GA
27 – Haw River Ballroom – Saxapahaw, NC
28 – The Howard – Washington, DC
29 – Union Transfer – Philadelphia, PA
31 – Brooklyn Steel – Brooklyn, NY
AUGUST
2 – Toronto, ON – Danforth Music Hall
3 – Ottawa, ON – The Bronson Center
4 – Montreal, QC – Osheaga Festival *
5 – Boston, MA – Royale
OCTOBER
26 – Suwannee Hulaween – Live Oak, FL *
27 – Toulouse Theatre – New Orleans, LA #
29 – Levitation Festival – Austin, TX *
30 – Ferris Wheelers Backyard and BBQ – Dallas, TX
NOVEMBER
4 – Hipnosis Festival – Mexico City, MX *
8 – The Music Box – San Diego, CA
9 – The Belasco – Los Angeles, CA
10 – Felton Music Hall – Felton, CA
11 – The UC Theater – Berkeley, CA
14 – The Neptune Theatre – Seattle, WA
15 – The Commodore Ballroom – Vancouver, BC
17 – McMenamins Crystal Ballroom – Portland, OR
* Festival Appearance
# # #
Hailing from Amsterdam but coming from various backgrounds (Turkish, Indonesian, Dutch), Altın Gün have captured the world’s imagination with their indelible fusion of psychedelic rock, deep funk, synthpop, cosmic reggae, and more with the rich and incredibly diverse traditions of Anatolian and Turkish folk music. The band captured the world’s attention with their 2018 debut, On, and quickly earned a prestigious GRAMMY® Award nomination for “Best World Album” with their 2019 sophomore LP, Gece.
Altın Gün has spent much of this past year lighting up stages around the world, including sold out headline tours in North America, Europe, and the UK, along with show-stopping sets at such top international festivals as Indio, CA’s Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, the Netherlands’ Best Kept Secret, Barcelona, Spain’s Primavera Sound, and Reykjavik, Iceland’s Iceland Airwaves to name but a few.
Altın Gün is: Merve Dasdemir (vocals and keyboards), Erdinc Ecevit (vocals and keyboards), Thijs Elzinga (guitar), Jasper Verhulst (bass), Daniel Smienk (drums), Chris Bruining (percussion).
# # #
ALTIN GÜN
AŞK
(ATO Records)
TRACKLIST
1. Badi Sabah Olmadan
2. Su Sızıyor
3. Dere Geliyor
4. Leylim Ley
5. Çıt Çıt Çedene
6. Rakıya Su Katamam
7. Doktor Civanım
8. Canım Oy
9. Kalk Gidelim
10. Güzelliğin On Para Etmez
# # #
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Briscoe Announce Debut Album ‘West of It All’
Rising Americana-folk-rock band Briscoe is set to release their debut album, West of It All, on September 15th via ATO Records. Produced by Brad Cook (Bon Iver, Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats), the album features a collection of folksy hooks and bold songwriting that bridges the gap between classic American roots music and its modern-day incarnation. Watch the video for the twangy, stirring first single “The Well” HERE and listen via DSPs HERE. Pre-order West of It All HERE.
The band started on the University of Texas/Austin campus, with free backyard performances which quickly led to sold-out gigs at Antone’s Nightclub and The Continental Club Gallery. Comprised of bandmates Truett Heintzelman and Philip Lupton, they built their fanbase the old-school way, by constant touring and authentic engagement with the audience. The Texas natives wrote West of It All as graduation loomed in the distance, funneling the stories of their college experience — from heartbreak to hard-won lessons to weekend trips into the rural countryside — into a raw, rugged blend of classic and contemporary influences.
As Briscoe continued to perform and grow their fanbase, a wider audience began to take notice. They soon opened shows for Noah Kahan and Ruston Kelly and were selected for dates with Zach Bryan and Caamp. And after recently graduating from UT, Briscoe has a packed touring summer, filled with festivals alongside some of music’s biggest names at Bonnaroo, Winnetka Music Festival, FairWell Festival, Catbird Music Festival, Iron Blossum Music Festival and more. A career highlight happens for Briscoe when they take the stage before The Dave Matthews Band at the Gorge in George, WA on September 1. The band will headline a tour this fall as well. A full list of tour dates is below and on their website HERE.
To record the album with Cook in North Carolina, Heintzelman and Lupton added drummer Matt McCaughan (Bon Iver) and multi-instrumentalist Phil Cook (Megafaun, Hiss Golden Messenger). Cook plays bass on the sessions as well and encouraged Briscoe to explore their sound. “Brad was very adamant about highlighting the parts of our sound that are different from everything else out there,” Lupton remembers. “He’s very forward-thinking. Truett and I would come into the studio and track something, and we’d think it sounded like a blend of several bands we love, and Brad would say, ‘No, boys, it sounds like Briscoe.'”
Briscoe Tour Dates
Jul 23 – Redmond, OR – FairWell Festival
Aug 19 – Bethel, NY – Catbird Music Festival
Aug 20 – Amagansett, NY – The Stephen Talkhouse
Aug 22 – Amherst, MA – The Drake
Aug 24 – Baltimore, MD – Metro Gallery
Aug 25 – Carrboro, NC – Cat’s Cradle Back Room
Aug 26 – Richmond, VA – Iron Blossom Music Festival
Aug 27 – Columbus, OH – WonderBus Music & Arts Festival
Sep 1 – George, WA – Gorge Amphitheatre*
Sep 8 – Hico, TX – HiCo Hall
Sep 15 – Austin, TX – Scoot Inn
Sep 26 – Vienna, VA – Jammin Java
Sep 27 – Philadelphia, PA – The Lounge at World Cafe Live
Sep 28 – New York, NY – Mercury Lounge
Sep 29 – Boston, MA – The Red Room at Cafe 939
Sep 30 – Bridgeport, CT – Sound on Sound Festival
Oct 3 – Pittsburgh, PA – Club Cafe
Oct 5 – Lexington, KY – The Burl
Oct 7 – Asheville, NC – Asheville Music Hall
Oct 10 – Atlanta, GA – Smith’s Olde Bar
Oct 11 – Nashville, TN – The Basement
Oct 12 – West Lafayette, IN – Purdue University (On Sale 7/6)
Oct 13 – Evanston, IL – SPACE
Oct 14 – Madison, WI – High Noon Saloon
Oct 15 – Minneapolis, MN – 7th St. Entry
Oct 26 – Dallas, TX – The Kessler
Oct 27 – San Antonio, TX – Sam’s Burger Joint
Oct 29 – Houston, TX – White Oak Music Hall (Upstairs)
*Supporting Dave Matthews Band
Briscoe –West of It All
Track Listing
“The Well”
“Coyotes”
“Wild Thing”
“Sparrows”
“High On You”
“When The Desert”
“Easy Does It”
“Feelin’ It Again”
“Scattered Mind”
“Hill Country Baby”