Hear Slow Dancer’s dreamy new cover of Paul McCartney’s modern holiday classic, “Wonderful Christmastime.”
Slow Dancer, the guitar pop project of Australian musician Simon Okely, released their latest LP In a Mood on ATO Records in 2017. He’s currently in the studio working on his follow-up record. In a Mood received praise from NPR, Pitchfork, Noisey, Paste, Stereogum, NYLON, Under the Radar and more.
Uniform Clarity – which comprises intimate acoustic renditions of the songs originally found on 2018’s Uniform Distortion, along with two new tracks – arrives today via ATO Records. Buy from your favorite retailer here.
“The idea for UNIFORM CLARITY came from UNIFORM DISTORTION,” says James, “an album of intentional chaos/dirt: literal and figurative distortion of lyrics and sound meant to echo and hopefully shed some light on the twisted times and distortion of the truth in which we now live. UNIFORM CLARITY is meant to illuminate the other side – raw and real, but very clear, much like in the early days of recording where all you could hear was the truth because there were no ways to manipulate recordings in the studio. Working with Shawn Everett, we created a document style recording of these songs- just vocals, guitar and the space itself- no special FX. A crystal clear illustration of the flawed beauty of what a song starts off as or sometimes remains- a thought. a seed. a light from the womb of the universe brought to life down here on earth.”
UNIFORM CLARITY was recorded with GRAMMY® Award-winning producer/engineer Shawn Everett (Alabama Shakes, The War On Drugs).
Jim’s “The Future Is Voting Tour” begins next week, making stops in six college towns in electoral “swing districts” that James instigated in order to promote voter participation. James will continue touring songs from Uniform Distortion/Uniform Clarity through November with career-spanning acoustic dates.
For more details and ticket information, visit jimjames.com/events.
THE FUTURE IS VOTING TOUR
OCTOBER
7 – Austin, TX – Emo’s (open to the public)
9 – San Marcos, TX – Texas State University (students only)
10 – Milwaukee, WI – UW Milwaukee (students only)
15 – Athens, GA – Georgia Theater
16 – Indianola, IA – Simpson College (students only)
17 – Urbana, IL – Canopy Club (students only)
JIM JAMES SOLO ACOUSTIC 2018 TOUR
NOVEMBER
1 – Solana Beach, CA – Belly Up Tavern SOLD OUT
2 – Los Angeles, CA – Cathedral Sanctuary SOLD OUT
3 – Oakland, CA – Fox Theatre
5 – Salt Lake City, UT – The Commonwealth Room SOLD OUT
6 – Denver, CO – Paramount Theatre SOLD OUT
8 – Milwaukee, WI – The Pabst Theater
9 – Chicago, IL – The Vic SOLD OUT
10 – Cleveland, OH – The Agora Theatre
13 – New York, NY – Town Hall SOLD OUT
14 – Port Chester, NY – Capitol Theatre
16 – Boston, MA – Shubert Theatre
17 – Washington, DC – Lincoln Theatre SOLD OUT
19 – Atlanta, GA – The Tabernacle
20 – Nashville, TN – Schermerhorn Symphony Center
21 – Louisville, KY – The Louisville Palace
On November 9, Old 97’s founding member Rhett Miller will be releasing his new solo album, THE MESSENGER. Pre-orders are available now HERE, joined by an instant grat download of the LP’s electrifying first single, “Total Disaster.” Also hear the album’s second single, “I Used To Write In Notebooks,” below.
Recorded earlier this year over five days at The Isokon in Woodstock, NY with producer/musician Sam Cohen (Kevin Morby, Benjamin Booker), THE MESSENGER sees Miller playing it faster and looser than perhaps any other time in his quarter century career, instilling what might be his most personal songs to date with a groovy limberness that belies the reflective darkness within. Backed by a white hot backing combo comprised of Cohen (Electric & Acoustic Guitars, Pedal Steel Guitar, Piano, Organ, Second Drumset), Brian Betancourt (Bass), and Ray Rizzo (Drums), Miller goes deep into his own youthful experiences with suicide and depression, placing “a long distance phone call to myself as a 14-year-old” on surprisingly buoyant new songs like “The Human Condition” and “Permanent Damage.”
“I wanted this record to be less safe,” Miller says. “I wanted to put myself in the hands of a producer who was going to do things that I didn’t expect; I wanted to play with people I didn’t know and be surprised by what they came up with. And all of that really came to pass. That’s what you’re getting this record. You’re getting this locked-in rhythm section with a crazy, psychedelic guitar maestro playing along with me singing my songs about depression and insecurity.”
Miller and Old 97’s will celebrate both LPs with an eagerly anticipated U.S. holiday tour, headlined by Old 97’s and opened by a solo acoustic set from Miller. The dates begin November 28 at The Neptune in Seattle, WA and then continue through late December.
“We’re going to hit the road right after Thanksgiving,” Miller says. “The evening will begin with me doing an acoustic set. I’ll play some of my new songs, some from my solo catalogue, and probably a few oddball songs too. Then I’ll leave the stage, Michael Casey will come out, he’s a punk rock magician from Raleigh, NC, he’s super-brilliant, he’s going to do a magic show before I come back out with the Old 97’s and we do the full Old 97’s Holiday Extravaganza.”
Meanwhile, Old 97’s are currently traveling America on their own perpetual tour, with dates scheduled through early October. In addition, the band has already announced its first live date of 2019, set for January 26 at Ponte Vedra Concert Hall in Ponte Vedra, FL and featuring support from special guest Shooter Jennings. Additional dates will be unveiled soon. For complete details, please visit old97s.com/shows. Besides these dates, Miller has slated a number of solo acoustic performances, including a pair of eagerly awaited dates in the great state of Alaska, set for September 29 at Anchorage’s Sydney Laurence Theater and September 30 at Palmer, AK’s Vagabond Blues. For complete details, please visit rhettmiller.com/shows. He has also teamed with Caldecott Medalist and bestselling artist Dan Santat for No More Poems, a riotous collection of irreverent poems for modern families to be published March 5, 2019 by Little, Brown Books For Young Readers.
# # #
The Old 97’s are excited to announce the release of their first ever collection of original Christmas songs, LOVE THE HOLIDAYS. Out Friday, November 16 via ATO, the album was produced, mixed & engineered by John Pedigo in the band’s home state of Texas. The LP presents a sack full of rockin’ new Yuletide favorites, as well as Old 97’s take on the New Year’s Eve standard, “Auld Lang Syne.” Among its many highlights are the title track, co-written with Kevin Russell (The Gourds, Shinyribs), “Gotta Love Being A Kid (Merry Christmas)” and “Snow Angels,” both co-written with acclaimed writer Ben Greenman, and the continuing saga of everyone’s favorite reindeer, “Rudolph Is Blue,” co-written by Old 97’s and Dan Bern.
OLD 97’S ON TOUR
SEPTEMBER
19 – Winston-Salem, NC – The Ramkat
20 – Durham, NC – Motorco Music Hall
21 – Columbia, SC – The Senate
22 – Charlotte, NC – The Underground
23 – Bristol, TN – Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion (State Street Stage)
OCTOBER
3 – Tempe, AZ – Coca-Cola Sun Deck at Sun Devil Stadium
NOVEMBER
28 – Seattle, WA – The Neptune w/Rhett Miller solo
29 – Portland, OR – Wonder Ballroom w/Rhett Miller solo
30 – San Francisco, CA – The Fillmore w/Rhett Miller solo
DECEMBER
1 – Los Angeles, CA – The Troubadour w/Rhett Miller solo
2 – Solana Beach, CA – The Belly Up w/Rhett Miller solo
6 – Richmond, VA – The National w/Rhett Miller solo
7 – Philadelphia, PA – TLA w/Rhett Miller solo
8 – Baltimore, MD – Rams Head Live! w/Rhett Miller solo
9 – Cambridge, MA – The Sinclair w/Rhett Miller solo
13 – Asbury Park, NJ – The Wonder Bar w/Rhett Miller solo
14 – New York, NY – Irving Plaza w/Rhett Miller solo
15 – Pittsburgh, PA – Mr Smalls w/Rhett Miller solo
29 – Dallas, TX – Statler Ballroom w/Rhett Miller solo
JANUARY
26 – Ponte Vedra, FL – Ponte Vedra Concert Hall w/Shooter Jenning
RHETT MILLER SOLO ON TOUR
SEPTEMBER
29 – Anchorage, AK – Sydney Laurence Theater
30 – Palmer, AK – Vagabond Blues
OCTOBER
5 – Garwood, NJ – Crossroads
6 – Ardmore, PA – Ardmore Music Hall
20 – Oklahoma City, OK – Tower Theatre
24 – Tomball, TX – Main Street Crossing
25 – Abilene, TX – The Grace Museum Rooftop
“an irresistible piece of anthemic R&B that captures the retro-cinematic quality of that first drive and the breathless feeling of greeting something new…the song is flawless in its execution, every element a reminder of the joy through mastery and care that is King’s own.” -NPR
STREAM/PURCHASE “REMIND ME” HERE
GRAMMY® nominated recording artist Emily King has unveiled eagerly anticipated new material in the form of new single “Remind Me”. The track was produced by long time musical cohort Jeremy Most, mixed by Tom Elmhirst (Adele, Amy Winehouse, David Bowie), and written by Emily herself. Recorded in upstate New York, “Remind Me” is the first taste from her long awaited new album, due for release on ATO Records in early 2019. A handful of tour dates for November, including The Apollo Theater in Harlem and the El Rey in Los Angeles, have also been announced – full details below.
Tour Dates:
11/10 – Variety Playhouse – Atlanta, GA
11/12 – El Rey Theater – Los Angeles, CA
LISTEN TO “TASTE OF YOU” VIA YOUR FAVORITE DSP
WATCH IN-STUDIO PERFORMANCE OF
“TASTE OF YOU” FEAT. JAMIE LIDELL
New York, NY (October 17, 2018) – Washington state R&B/soul singer-songwriter Allen Stone has released his third single of 2018, “Taste Of You” feat. Jamie Lidell, today via ATO Records. A two-month fall tour of North American kicked off last week, arriving in Los Angeles for two shows, tonight and tomorrow, at the Fonda Theatre (all dates below).
Discussing his inspiration for the track, Stone stated: “I had the opportunity to play an Aretha Franklin tribute show at Carnegie Hall last year and I was privileged to sing ‘Say A Little Prayer’. What an iconic song! Getting to play that song in such an inspiring environment made me want to write a song just like. This was my attempt. My personal tribute. Love you Aretha.”
A banner year, Stone married last month in Australia, appeared as a guest mentor on “American Idol” in April, performing a powerful duet of “Unaware” with contestant Dennis Lorenzo, and released the single “Brown Eyed Lover” that month, in conjunction with a spring tour. The performance led to more than 15,000 sales of the digital single of “Unaware” and more than 5,000 album downloads in the weeks following, while “Brown Eyed Lover” broke into the Spotify Viral Charts and made it to #11 in the U.S. The song now has more than 6 million total streams.
Stone followed with the Lidell-produced single, “Warriors” in June, performing the song during ABC’s broadcast of the Special Olympics opening ceremony in Seattle, backed by a 2000 member choir [watch].
All of this new music will lead to a new full-length album from Stone in 2019. Fans can expect to hear new music during performances in the months ahead. Catch Allen and his band in the cities below.
Tour Dates:
10/18 – Los Angeles, CA @ Fonda Theatre ^ [SOLD OUT]
10/20 – San Diego, CA @ Humphreys Concerts by the Bay ^ [SOLD OUT]
10/21 – Tucson, AZ @ 191 Toole ^
10/23 – Oklahoma City, OK @ Tower Theatre ^
10/24 – San Antonio, TX @ Rustic ^
10/26 – Dallas, TX @ The Statler Ballroom ^
10/27 – Austin, TX @ Emo’s ^
10/28 – Houston, TX @ House of Blues ^
10/31 – Mobile, AL @ Soul Kitchen ^
11/02 – Orlando, FL @ Beacham Theater ^
11/03 – Tampa, FL @ The Ritz Ybor ^
11/04 – Ft. Lauderdale, FL @ Revolution Live ^
11/06 – Atlanta, GA @ Center Stage ^
11/07 – Charleston, SC @ Music Farm ^
11/08 – Nashville, TN @ Cannery Ballroom ^ [SOLD OUT]
11/10 – Chattanooga, TN @ Robert Kirk Walker Theatre ^ [SOLD OUT]
11/11 – Knoxville, TN @ The Mill & Mine ^
11/13 – Columbia, SC @ The Senate ^
11/14 – Raleigh, NC @ Lincoln Theatre ^
11/15 – Norfolk, VA @ The NorVa ^
11/17 – Brooklyn, NY @ Brooklyn Steel ^
11/18 – Asbury Park, NJ @ House of Independents ^
11/20 – Harrisburg, PA @ Capitol Room ^
11/21 – Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club ^
11/23 – Boston, MA @ Royale ^
11/24 – Philadelphia, PA @ Theatre of Living Arts ^
11/25 – Munhall, PA @ Carnegie of Homestead Music Hall ^
11/27 – Toronto, ON @ Phoenix Concert Theatre ^
11/28 – Detroit, MI @ Majestic Café ^
11/30 – Cleveland, OH @ House of Blues ^
12/01 – Chicago, IL @ The Vic Theatre ^
12/02 – Minneapolis, MN @ Varsity Theater ^
12/04 – St. Louis, MO @ Delmar ^
12/05 – Kansas City, MO @ Knuckleheads Saloon ^
12/07 – Denver, CO @ Gothic Theatre ^
12/08 – Salt Lake City, UT @ The Complex ^
12/09 – Boise, ID @ Egyptian Theatre ^
12/11 – Spokane, WA @ Knitting Factory ^
12/12 – Vancouver, BC @ Commodore Ballroom ^
12/16 – Seattle, WA @ Neptune Theatre [SOLD OUT]
12/17 – Seattle, WA @ Neptune Theatre [SOLD OUT]
^ Nick Waterhouse supports
Oddments is King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard’s fourth studio album. Released in 2014, it features a collection of “odd” songs recorded between 2007-2014 and was originally limited to 500 copies. The 2018 reissue features a re-designed gatefold of original artwork by Jason Galea, and comes on grimace purple colored vinyl. *Also available for the first time on Compact Disc.
LP & CD also available to pre-order from your local record store
Vinyl DETAILS
Gatefold Sleeve with Original Art by Jason Galea
Grimace Purple-Colored Vinyl
Gatefold jacket with reverse board regular finish.
Inner sleeve printed on uncoated offset paper featuring blurb from Stu
Record packed & shipped in a polybag outside of the sleeve
Float Along – Fill Your Lungs is King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard’s third full-length LP. The album was released in 2013 and includes the psychedelic fan favorite “Head/On-Pill”. The 2018 reissue features a double-sided fold out poster and comes on Easter-yellow colored vinyl. In stores November 2, pre-orders available now. *Also available for the first time on CD.
LP & CD pre-orders are also available from your local record store
Eyes Like The Sky is King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard’s second full-length album. It was released in 2013 and originally limited to 500 copies. A cult western audio book, the album tells a story of the American Frontier. The reissue features new artwork re-imagined by Jason Galea and comes on Halloween orange colored vinyl. Available in stores November 2, pre-orders available now. *Also available for the first time on CD.
LP and CD pre-orders are also available from your local record store
1. Eyes Like The Sky
2. Year of our Lord
3. The Raid
4. Drum Run
5. Evil Man
6. Fort Whipple
7. The God Man’s Goat Lust
8. The Killing Ground
9. Dust In The Wind
10. Guns & Horses
12 Bar Bruise is the debut full-length album by KG&TLW, originally released in 2012 and limited to 500 hand numbered copies. The reissue includes new artwork reimagined by Jason Galea and comes on doublemint green colored vinyl. Available in stores November 2, pre-orders available now. *Also available for the first time on CD.
LP & CD pre-orders are also available from your local record store.
DETAILS
New Artwork Re-imagined by Jason Galea
Doublemint Green-Colored Vinyl
Inner sleeve on 170gsm uncoated offset paper with new blurb from Stu
350gsm Heavy Sleeve with Semi-Gloss Finish
Record packed & shipped in a polybag outside of the sleeve
Willoughby’s Beach is King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard’s second EP, originally self-released in 2011 and limited to 350 hand numbered copies. The reissue features new artwork re-imagined by Ican Harem and comes on red(ish) colored vinyl. *Also available for the first time on CD
LP & CD pre-orders also available from your local record store
DETAILS
New Artwork Re-Imagined by Ican Harem
Red(ish)-Colored Vinyl
On 12” 45rpm for the First Time
Inner sleeve printed on 170gsm uncoated offset paper
Embossing and spot UV deluxe sleeve with 350 gsm reverse board finish
Record packed & shipped in a polybag outside of the sleeve
1. Danger $$$
2. Black Tooth
3. Lunch Meat
4. Crookedile
5. Let It Bleed
6. Dead-Beat
7. Dustbin Fletcher
8. Stoned Mullet
9. Willoughby’s Beach