Chan at the 2007 BRIT awards -

Cat Power is again nominated for Best International Female at the years BRIT awards this year, following her 2007 nomination for the same award.  With UK and European dates still to be rescheduled, click here for the upcoming US and Australian tour dates.

On March 5 (March 4 in Europe), Matador will be releasing Chelsea Light Moving’s eponymous 1st full-length LP/CD/digital album.  Until this point, the Thurston Moore-spearheaded quartet (see the bio below) have dropped periodic MP3′s on the unsuspecting populace, along with road testing their live show in locations as far flung as Gothenberg, Sweden and Denver, CO.  Their first U.S. tour commences Sat., March 2, at Hoboken, NJ’s Maxwell’s.

(photo : Carlos van Hijfte)

CHELSEA LIGHT MOVING is the current group led by Sonic Youth founder Thurston Moore. He is the songwriter and plays over-amped hyper electric guitar and sings with raw-glam-destructo vocals. The band is a four piece featuring Samara Lubelski, who has played violin with TM on his last two solo LPs (Demolished Thoughts and Trees Outside The Academy) and with CHELSEA LIGHT MOVING plays deep psyche pop metal bass guitar. Keith Wood, who records under the aegis Hush Arbors, plays electric guitar with a pick forged from angel wing and John Moloney, aka “Pegasus”, approaches the drums like an asteroid hurtling toward Earth. The first CD self-titled was recorded in two spurious sessions with engineer Justin Pizzoferrato in Sone Lab, a killer studio in Easthampton MASSACHUSETTS. The band is ready to detonate any birthday party, wedding or hullaboo in any country, planet or stratosphere that doesn’t support right wing extremist NRA sucking bozo-ology.

Sat-Mar-02 Hoboken, NJ Maxwells
Mon-Mar-04 Charlottesville, VA The Southern
Tue-Mar-05 Asheville, NC Grey Eagle
Wed-Mar-06 Raleigh, NC Kings Barcade
Thu-Mar-07 Savannah, GA Savannah Stopover
Fri-Mar-08 Atlanta, GA The Earl
Sun-Mar-10 Denton, TX 35 Denton
Tue-Mar-19 Los Angeles, CA Echoplex
Wed-Mar-20 San Francisco, CA Great American Music Hall
Fri-Mar-22 Portland, OR Doug Fir
Sat-Mar-23 Seattle, WA Neumo’s
Wed-Mar-27 Minneapolis, MN Triple Rock
Fri-Mar-29 Chicago, IL Empty Bottle
Sat-Mar-30 Detroit, MI Magic Stick
Sun-Mar-31 Toronto, ONT Lee’s Palace
Tue-Apr-02 Pittsburgh, PA Mr. Smalls
Wed-Apr-03 Philadelphia, PA Union Transfer
Thu-Apr-04 Washington, DC Black Cat
Fri-Apr-05 New York, NY Bowery Ballroom
Sun-Apr-07 Boston, MA The Sinclair

Talk Normal Supports 3/2-3/8
Merchandise also supports 3/8
Grass Widow supports 3/19-3/23
CAVE supports 3/27-3/30

“Empire Of Time” (mp3)
Chelsea Light Moving (blog)

Buddy, if there’s anything we can do to repay the favor (DON’T SAY CANDYGRAM), just ask.

(above : angry mob reacts to the news that at least two or 3 people didn’t even mention the Total Control 7″)

Around this time every year, your overpaid overworked editor attempts to coax a list of favorite recordings, books, television programs, life events, etc. out of the label’s artist roster and our rock biz colleagues. In the past, the exercise has been an arduous process, fraught with nagging, teeth-gnashing and no shortage of reluctant participants. In more recent times, however, the serial oversharing epidemic that’s run rampant throughout all online activity has infected our bands and staff alike. The rhetorical question, “who fucking asked you?” cannot be applied in this instance, because they were all asked. For some historical perspective, here’s last year’s pile. Questions or comments about our lousy tastes and/or blatant omissions are welcome (but not necessarily appreciated). And away we go!

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The 2012 edition of our Singles Going Home Alone subscription series is almost done and dusted. After 7″‘s from Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks / L.A. Guns, OBN III’s, The Men, Wounded Lion and Jesu, SGHA #6 is Kurt Vile and Meg Baird performing a new version of ‘Constant Hitmaker”s’ “Classic Rock In Spring” backed with the duo’s cover of Michael Chapman‘s “Another Story”.

The 7th and final SGHA single of 2012 is bonus 7″ of two previously unreleased songs from the early 80′s Boston-based/Tampa-formed trio Primitive Romance, “Ice” b/w “Flags Drop”

The Kurt & Meg single will ship to subscribers along with the Primitive Romance single and a special commemorative tote bag in early December. SGHA 12 was limited to 750 copies and is completely sold out. However, we’re taking orders now for next year’s series.

For 2013, we’ll be doing a single every month, plus a special secret bonus 7″ at the conclusion, plus a yet-to-be-determined container for all the singles (wooden box?  carrybag made from human flesh? a tote bag Altamont manufacture for free? ). The first single in the series is a pair of new songs from Cheap Time founder Jeffrey Novak, followed by an entry from Matador alumni Superchunk in February (one original backed with a cover of SS Decontrol’s “Glue”). The tentative schedule looks like this :

Jan 29: Jeffrey Novak – I Never Knew I Knew So Much / B-7
Feb 19: Superchunk – I Hate History / Glue
Mar 26: Cian Nugent – TBA
Apr 23: Lower Plenty / Dick Diver – split 7″
May 21: Bits Of Shit – TBA
June 11: Royal Headache - TBA

Info on the subsequent 6 singles is coming after the New Year, but we’re pretty excited by what we’ve got lined up.

US price for the 13-disc +  MYSTERIOUS carrying case 2013 subscription will be $85 inclusive of shipping (12 X $5 plus $25 shipping) – subscribers will receive one single every month.

Canadian price is $95 inclusive of shipping, also mailed every month

Rest of world is $105 inclusive of shipping, however, we’ll be mailing those orders as installments of 3 singles every 4 months, otherwise the postage costs would be prohibitive.

Just like last time, we’re only making 750 subscriptions available. I think they make an awesome holiday gift, however that’s not meant to be a hint of any sort. I mean, I think I’m getting one for free. But if you don’t work for the label, you might wanna act fast.

SGHA 2013 – subscribe here.

We’re excited to announce that the second longplayer from Copenhagen’s Iceage will see release on Matador (& Escho in Denmark) on February 19, 2013. Preceding that date, the band will be touring the United Kingdom later this month. All dates can be found below. Keep it close to this blog, and Iceage’s, for loads of exciting things to come.

Nov 21 – Belfast – Limelight

photo: Pooneh Ghana

(photo by Carlie Armstrong)

On Tuesday, January 15  (Monday, January 14 in Europe), we’ll be releasing ‘Fade’, the new studio album from  Yo La Tengo. Recorded with John McEntire at Soma Studios Electronic Studios in Chicago, ‘Fade’ is reminiscent of landmarks like 1997‘s ‘I Can Hear the Heart Beating as One’ and 2000’s ‘And Then Nothing Turned Itself Inside Out’,  but there’s no shortage of moments that stand far apart from anything the trio have done previously. The 10 song collection, arguably the most focused and cohesive output from Ira, Georgia and James to date, is  a tapestry of fine melody and elegant noise, rhythmic shadowplay and shy-eyed orchestral beauty, songcraft and experimentation.

‘Fade”s lyrical themes of aging, tragedy and emotional bonds are woven into a fully-realized whole ; the results are direct, personal and more than a little uplifting.  If it’s frustrating for us to hint at an album this evocative and heartbreaking without giving you something to check out in advance, check this space tomorrow at around 10am eastern time.

We’re taking preorders on the deluxe or standard LP versions of ‘Fade’, or the CD version.  ( The deluxe LP comes in a numbered edition printed on rainbow foil with a bonus 7″ featuring two exclusive covers: “I Saw The Light” (Todd Rundgren) b/w “Move To California” (Times New Viking) ; MP3 download accompanying the deluxe edition includes an additional 11-minute bonus track, untitled as of this writing).

TRACK LISTING:
Side 1
1. Ohm
2. Is That Enough
3. Well You Better
4. Paddle Forward
5. Stupid Things

Side 2
1. I’ll Be Around
2. Cornelia and Jane
3 Two Trains
4. The Point Of It
5. Before We Run

Yo La Tengo intense 2013 touring schedule in support of ‘Fade’ starts January 23.   Their previously announced European dates are after the jump.

1/23 Carrboro NC, Cat’s Cradle
1/24 Charlottesville VA, The Jefferson
1/25 Atlanta GA, Buckhead*  (tickets)
1/26 Nashville TN, Mercy Lounge
1/27 Birmingham AL, WorkPlay
1/29 Louisville KY, Brown* (tickets)
1/31 St Louis MO, Pageant * (tickets)
2/1 Chicago IL, Vic Theatre
2/2 Milwaukee WI, Turner Hall
2/4 Minneapolis MN, First Avenue
2/5 Madison WI, Barrymore
2/7 Cleveland OH, Beachland Ballroom
2/8 Ann Arbor MI, Michigan Theater
2/9 Toronto ONT, Phoenix
2/11 Montreal QUE, Corona
2/12 Burlington VT, Higher Ground
2/13 Boston MA, Paradise
2/15 Washington DC, 930
2/16 NYC, NY, Town Hall

*with Calexico

Yo La Tengo – official site

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(of course, by “out now”, we mean “out October 9″)

As mentioned in this space a few weeks ago, on October 9 Matador will be releasing the 3rd A.C. Newman album, ‘Shut Down The Streets’.   The ’70′s folk/pop-inflected masterpiece was dubbed “an album of understated elegance and strength” by one of our more insightful (and good-looking) executives, and here’s another example of Carl”s musical & lyrical brilliance  to whet your appetite :

“Encyclopedia Of Classic Takedowns” (192 kbps MP3)

There’s further recognition, by the way, for one of the continent’s great songsmiths (or, if you prefer, songwriters).  Though I’m sworn to secrecy by a colleague (who is so many thousands of miles away, what’s she going to do, yell at me?), I’m told one of your favorite New Pornographers songs  will be heard next month as the intro theme music for a popular new television comedy that may or may not feature group therapy as a central theme in the show.  It’s not that new Charlie Sheen thing either, so let’s not get into that.  There’s loads of other places on the internet if all you want to do is complain about Charlie Sheen. He was alright in “Platoon” — you think you could do better?

Pre-order ‘Shut Down The Streets’ on the LP, CD or digital formats from The Matador Store (first 300 LP’s are on colored vinyl)

on tour this Autumn :

10/21 – Toronto, ON @ Lee’s Palace (Exclaim! 20th Anniversary Concert Series)
10/22 – New York, NY @ Bowery Ballroom
10/23 – Allston, MA @ Brighton Music Hall
10/24 – Hoboken, NJ @ Maxwell’s
10/25 – Philadelphia, PA @ First Unitarian Church
10/26 – Washington DC @ Black Cat
10/27 – Durham, NC @ Motorco Music Hall
10/28 – Atlanta, GA @ The Earl
10/29 – St. Louis, MO @ Duck Room at Blueberry Hill
10/30 – Chicago, IL @ The Empty Bottle
11/1 – St. Paul, MN @ Turf Club
11/2 – Winnipeg, Canada @ West End Cultural Centre
11/5 – Edmonton, Canada @ Starlite Room
11/6 – Calgary, Canada @ The Republik
11/8 – Vancouver, BC @ The Biltmore Cabaret (Exclaim! 20th Anniversary Concert Series)*
11/9 – Seattle, WA @ The Crocodile*
11/10 – Portland, OR @ Doug Fir Lounge*
11/12 – San Francisco, CA @ The Independent*
11/13 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Echoplex*
11/14 – San Diego, CA @ The Casbah*

*with special guest Harriet

A.C. Newman at Facebook
@acnewman – Twitter
ACNewman.net (official site)

(‘Shut Down The Streets’ is coming out in Canada on Last Gang and in the UK on Fire Records)

For the handful of you who haven’t already read about this forthcoming Yo La Tengo release  (LIMITED on vinyl, UNLIMITED in digital fashion) and somehow require the label’s affirmation of the EP’s existence, rest assured, the most prominent music blogs in the world didn’t get it wrong this time.   As hinted elsewhere, there’s a brand new Yo La Tengo album nearing completion, recorded this summer in Chicago, IL with the production assistance of John McEntire. All we’re willing to say on the record at this moment is that the album version of “Stupid Things” is substantially different than the earlier recording found on the new EP.  Further bean-spilling about the new album  (perhaps from us this time around) will be presented for your approval in the days and weeks ahead.  Until then, here’s our webstore blurb for “Stupid Things”, the vinyl version of which isn’t gonna be available for long. – GC

The first new music from Yo La Tengo since 2009’s Popular Songs. “Stupid Things” is a different version of a song that will be appearing on their new album coming out in 2013.

This limited-edition 12” contains the original version of “Stupid Things,” with a vocal completely different from the upcoming album version, along with a clashing, chaotic & randomly beautiful remix by EYE of the Boredoms.

The B-side contains the full original 12-minute long instrumental of the track, awash with gorgeous “Autumn Sweater” style organ and some of Ira Kaplan’s most impressivel guitar improvisations to date.

Cut at 45 RPM and housed in a heavy cardstock silkscreen sleeve, this strictly limited-edition of 1500 copies is numbered on the back and will be an essential buy for all Yo La
Tengo fans, THE REMAINDER OF WHOM WILL BE FUCKED.

PREORDER from The Matador Store.

(we’re not entirely sure who this is, but he’s never played drums in any lineup of White Zombie)

Sorry I’ve been out of Matablog commission for a while.  Earlier this week, me and members of the new, super-secret Matador Records Street Team (they’re kind of like SEAL Team 6, except they can’t bench press as much) visited  record stores to misfile copies of Animal Collective’s ‘Centipede Hz’ in the hopes of improving ‘Sun”s first week chart placement (guess where I got the idea?) Before you flip out over the ethics of this scheme, I should confess it didn’t turn out exactly as planned.  The entire team (save for me, thankfully) was maced by the first shop owner we hit, and after a visit to the local emergency room was followed by a conference call with our solicitors…well, guess who forgot to have the Street Team sign waivers indemnifying the label in the result of physical injury?

I won’t bore you with the details except to say some of these street teamers come from families who are very litigious.  I think we can all agree that what’s wrong with this country is job creators like my partners and I being stifled by people who are afraid of a little competition.  But don’t cry for Matador Records, folks. No matter how high or low we might get over the day to day machinations of the music business, rest assured that no one in our organization has ever faked the identity of a former White Zombie drummer in order to avoid a $75K bill.