Some of the songs they played came from the excellent The Sound The Speed The Light. Buy that album here.
Don’t miss the band in concert when they’re in your area:
April
Wednesday 07 – Newport, KY – Southgate House
Thursday 08 - Ann Arbor, AL – Blind Pig
Friday 09 – Madison, WI – High Noon Saloon
Saturday 10 – Chicago, IL – Double Door
May
Friday 14 – Minehead UK – Pavement ATP
Thursday 27 – Barcelona ES – Primavera Sound
Thu, 2/18 – Philadelphia PA – First Unitarian Church
Fri, 2/19 – Richmond VA – Tyler Haynes Commons (Univ of Richmond)
Sat, 2/20 – Washington DC – Black Cat
Ticket/support band info will be posted ..when someone asks me to! Have a great weekend.
While in Los Angeles during their November tour, Mission of Burma, or at least 3/4s of Burma, were able to air their dirty laundry from the comfort of the Echo’s artist green room. Admittedly Burma’s dirty laundry is lacking of any major dirt as the band opted to praise Matador honchos Gerard Cosloy and Patrick Amory, name check fellow label mates, Yo La Tengo and Sonic Youth, and thank Burma fans who have supported them for decades, instead of airing any grievances or talking any smack. But these days there is too much negativity anyway, so we were pleased just to watch them tell their story.
A nice backstage conversation, courtesy of Dirty Laundry TV, which shows just how nice these guys really are. If you’re in Boston or New York in January then stop by the following shows to see just how good these guys really are!
Fri, 1/15 – Boston – Paradise
Sat, 1/16 – Boston – Paradise
Fri, 1/29 – New York – Bowery Ballroom
Sat, 1/30 – New York – Bowery Ballroom
A couple of weeks ago, Mission Of Burma entertained several thousand rain-drenched Austin folk as part of the annual Fun Fun Fun Festival in Waterloo Park. The afternoon prior, the band visited WOXY’s new South Austin studios (located just a stone’s throw from my house — please, that’s just an expression. DON’T BE THROWING ANYTHING) and the resulting session is available for download here, save for Burma’s cover of the Yardbirds’ “”Happenings Ten Years Time Ago”.
Just a reminder that following a recent run on the West Coast, a few tickets still remain for the following dates :
Just a healthy reminder that Mission Of Burma will be making a rare Central Texas appearance this Sunday at the 4th edition of Austin’s Fun Fun Fun Festival (other participants include fellow Matadorians Shearwater, Fucked Up, Times New Viking and Harlem). The Burma documentary, “Not A Photograph”, will be shown at Austin’s Alamo Ritz Sunday night, hosted by the band, after which Peter, Roger, Clint and Bob will be hitting the following glamor towns :
Nov 10 Portland, OR Doug Fir Lounge
Nov 11 Seattle, WA The Crocodile
Nov 12 Eugene, OR Wow Hall
Nov 14 San Francisco, CA The Independent
Nov 15 Los Angeles, CA The Echoplex
So it’s been a mere couple of weeks since Mission of Burma celebrated their very own day in Boston (technically they were in Cambridge, but really folks lets not knit pick) and even longer since their killer set at Jelly NYC’s Pool Party (that had no pool, again folks let’s not get caught up in the details) in Brooklyn this past July. Well fear not Northeasterners, Burma’s tour plans include coming back our way and not just hitting the West Coast . As the saying goes, “back by popular demand”, Mission of Burma have 4 new shows to announce, 2 in Boston (Paradise Rock Club on Fri, 1/15 + Sat, 1/16/10) and 2 in NYC (Bowery Ballroom on Fri, 1/29 + Sat, 1/30/10).
Pre-sale tickets for the Boston shows go up today at 10am. CLICK HERE to order tickets. Tickets are $20 for one show and $35 for both shows. The pre-sale is only available to those purchasing 2-Day Passes. You know what they say, double the Burma, double the Fun. Ok maybe only we say that but we believe it. General ticket sales for the Boston shows start on Sat, 10/31.
As for the NYC shows just CLICK HERE to purchase tickets to a single show or a 2-Day pass.
Kurt Vile is an evocative, textural young singer-songwriter from Philadelphia. He is already well known for his debut album, Constant Hitmaker, released on the tiny but historic Gulcher label, as well as a slew of singles and 12″es on labels from Woodsist to Mexican Summer.
His Matador debut, Childish Prodigy, is an altogether more serious affair. Opening with the pounding Hunchback, it continues through a varied set of tracks ranging from gorgeous little folk pieces (Overnite Religion) to all-out jams (Freak Train). The record has incredible depth and beauty to it – as well as sound “quality” all over the map, from lo-fi to hi-fi – and unlike so many albums today, rewards repeated listens.
The Breakfast at Sulimay’s folks as well as the team at United Way didn’t get Kurt at all, which can only be a good thing. Touchpoints range from Seger to Springsteen to Sonic Boom. See Kurt Vile with his Violators tour the US starting
Vinyl is RTI HQ-120 gram with MP3 coupon including 2 bonus tracks.
The fourth studio album from Mission Of Burma is The Sound The Speed The Light, a compact 12-song piece of guitar architecture in the tradition of their second album, Vs. It blasts out of the gate with the unusually tuneful 1, 2, 3, Partyy! (video debuting today – WATCH IT) and continues through moody ballads like Forget Yourself, Feed, Slow Faucet through to the volcanic energy of Good Cheer.
It’s two days after Boston City Council resolved that Sunday, October 4 was Mission Of Burma Day. Support these stalwarts of modern music, titans of our age, watch the new video below, and then buy the record.
And don’t forget, there’s an essential 7″ already out that contains 2 new songs that are conceptually part of the album, in the words of Roger Miller. It’s called Innermost, and you can find it on the Matador Store, as well as most of the fine retailers listed above.
For all of Matador’s upcoming releases, check the Release Schedule page.
October 4 is right around the corner, which means we’re just days away from Mission Of Burma sure-to-be-monumental show at MIT’s East Campus Courtyard. Yesterday we announced the winner of the Battle For Burma, New Haven, CT’s Eula, but there were still a few things left unsaid, and we’re going to say them now.
- Please note that there is NO on-site parking. If you have to drive there, you’re on your own parking the car. Obviously, we strongly encourage the use of mass transit.
- Show is rain or shine.
- Eula starts the show at 2:30.
- There is NO ALCOHOL ALLOWED at this show.
- Backpacks and coolers are likewise NOT ALLOWED so please don’t bring them.
- The fine folks at Newbury Comics will be at the show to sell the new Mission Of Burma album, The Sound The Speed The Light, two days before you can buy it in stores. You can also pre-order the record here if that’s more your style.
If you’re in the area, this is a can’t-miss show. See you there.
We are very, very happy to announce the winner of the Battle For Burma. The winner, who will be opening for Mission Of Burma at their free show at MIT on Sunday, October 4, is New Haven, CT’s own Eula.
Congratulations to Eula, and thanks to everyone who entered the Battle For Burma. Stay tuned for further info.
Mission of Burma’s excellent new album, The Sound, The Speed, The Light isn’t out for another week, and some people can’t even wait until Tuesday to hail its brilliance.
I’d like to think that by now you’re all aware that Mission Of Burma’s new album, The Sound The Speed The Light, is coming out on October 6th (and is available for pre-order here). What I can tell you now is that the trio of Clint Conley, Roger Miller & Peter Prescott will be playing a free, all-ages outdoor show on the East Campus Courtyard of MIT just two days earlier, at 2pm on Sunday, October 4th.
Not only is this an unprecedented celebration of Mission Of Burma in their hometown, it’s also an opportunity for YOU (or maybe one of your friends if you’re not musically-inclined) to open for one of the greatest bands of all time. That’s right, it’s the Battle For Burma, an online battle of the bands where your band can vie for an opening slot at this very special show. To submit your band, click on this image below and upload a video of yourselves performing:
The deadline for submissions is Friday, September 25, and the winner will be hand-picked by Mission Of Burma. Contest is open to ANY band, as long as you’re cool with playing for free.
More details to come, but for now, mark your calendars, because October 4th is going to be an unusually great day at MIT.
On the heels of the release of their new album, The Sound The Speed The Light (October 6th), Mission of Burma will hit the road to play songs from their new album at six, select shows, kicking off November 8th in Austin at the Fun Fun Fun Fest and wrapping up in Los Angeles a week later. Full details are below and please stay tuned via the band’s site MissionofBurma.com
Anyone looking to pick up a copy of Burma’s new 7″ Innermost (non-album tracks) or pre-order their new album, The Sound The Speed The Light, need only visit the Matador Store to do so!
Sun, 11/8
Fun Fun Fun Fest
Waterloo Park
Austin, TX
It’s not a surprise if we tell you what you’re getting. But if this party is gonna be two and a half hours long, I hope there’s plenty to drink of enthusiastic people in attendance.
The Institute of Contemporary Art and Harborwalk Shuffle are hosting two events the next two Thursdays for new Matador releases from 6-830pm.
This week: Yo La Tengo Popular Songson August 20 – come celebrate & check out the new album + enter to win a pair of tickets to the Wibur Theatre YLT show on 9/16/09 !
Next Week: Hosted by NEWBURY COMICS on August 27 – Listen & celebrate Mission of Burma’s new album The Sound The Speed The Light – First 50 people to arrive receive a FREE 7″ with a VERY SPECIAL surprise inside you don’t want to miss!!
Absolutely killer 7″ double A-side single, both tracks not on the upcoming The Sound The Speed The Light (Oct 6), so grab this now.
If you’re in Boston, check out the Album Listening Event at the Institute Of Contemporary Art on Thursday, August 27, 6-8:30 PM. 100 Northern Avenue, Boston MA 02210 www.icaboston.org.
There are two upcoming shows – and keep your eyes peeled for Fall touring plus more dates in the New Year:
Sat, Sep 5 – Cleveland OH – Case Western Reserve (Mather Memorial Bldg)
Sun, Sep 6 – Pittsburgh PA – Club Cafe
The long-awaited second proper album from the Memphis songwriting genius fully lives up to expectations with twelve achingly perfect songs – “handmade,” as Jay said in the New York Times this weekend.
Jay starts a 10-city, free all-ages tour of record stores up the West Coast, starting at Amoeba Hollywood tonight at 6 PM. That’s 6400 W. Sunset Blvd. at Ivar, Los Angeles CA 90028, www.amoeba.com.
Here are the rest of the shows – don’t miss them, Jay always gives his ALL:
Tue, Aug 18 – Los Angeles CA Amoeba Hollywood – 6 PM in-store performance
Wed, Aug 19 – Long Beach CA – Fingerprints – 7 PM in-store performance
Thu, Aug 20 – San Diego CA – M-Theory – 7 PM acoustic in-store performance
Fri, Aug 21 – Santa Cruz CA – Streetlight – 7 PM in-store performance
Sat, Aug 22 – San Francisco CA – Amoeba SF – 6 PM in-store performance
Sun, Aug 23 – Berkeley CA – Amoeba Berkeley – 6 PM in-store performance
Tue, Aug 25 – Portland OR – Jackpot Records – 6 PM in-store performance
Wed, Aug 26 – Seattle WA – Easy Street – 7 PM in-store performance
Thu, Aug 27 – Seattle WA – Sonic Boom – 7 PM in-store performance
Fri, Aug 28 – Vancouver BC – Zulu Records – 8 PM in-store performance
Seattle’s Cave Singers also release their second album, the deliciously autumnal Welcome Joy, today. They are also making 3 free, all-ages live appearances at stores this week, and their live performance is not to be missed, so if you’re in the Pacific Northwest, get to these shows:
Tue, Aug 18 – Easy Street Records – Seattle WA – 7 PM
Wed, Aug 19 – Music Millennium – Portland OR – 6 PM
Fri, Aug 21 – Everyday Music – Bellingham WA – 6 PM
Finally, don’t forget our next release date, Tuesday, September 8, when Yo La Tengo’s masterpiece Popular Songs comes out:
Click here to preorder the regular digital album on iTunes with one bonus track.
And click here to preorder either the regular album (in any format) from the Matador Store, or to take advantage of Buy Early Get Now and get it immediately with a bonus vinyl LP and other extras.
On October 6, Matador will be releasing Mission Of Burma’s fourth studio LP, The Sound The Speed The Light. Recorded in Boston with Bob Weston at the controls, the record is a departure from the pinned-needles roar of 2006’s The Obliterati. The new album sounds far more spacious and dynamic. It is more or less divided into 4 sets or suites of 3 songs. Each suite explores a set of moods or colors, across the usual dizzying array of lyrical topics, from alcoholism to fleshly concerns. The anthemic, catchy opener, our first MP3, is a classic Burma rocker on a level with “This Is Not A Photograph” or “That’s How I Escaped My Certain Fate.” Other tracks, such as “Feed,” “Forget Yourself,” and “Slow Faucet,” the latter a live favorite for some time, are slow, hypnotic builders. “Good Cheer” is a burst of almost uncontainable joy and fun that literally explodes from the speakers.
Of course, all the Burma trademarks are also present: the military snare drum, the melodic basslines high up on the neck, and the furiously experimental guitarwork, refracted and changed back into the songs via tape loops – all punctuated by the hoarse shouts of drummer Peter Prescott. This controlled chaos, this disciplined letting go, is the heart of what they do and it remains as exhilarating and fulfilling as ever.
6 weeks before the album, on August 18, we will be releasing a pre-album 7″ containing two non-LP tracks: “Innermost” and “Here It Comes.”
OK, in addition to the above, previously announced event (careful readers will note we’ve scooped ourselves with some new release information — further information on at least one of these is coming early next week) Mission Of Burma are playing Northampton’s Pearl St. Ballroom tonight (Friday) with Doomstart and Kahoots. And here’s a bunch of forthcoming Fucked Up dates :
7/16 – Phoenix Theatre – Toronto
7/17 – Subterranean – Chicago
7/18 – Pitchfork Music Festival @ Union Park , Chicago
Jelly NYC, the folks behind the beloved McCarren Pool parties of yesteryear have shifted their venue this summer to Brooklyn’s East River State Park (90 Kent Ave.) Summer 2009’s kickoff show happens Sunday, July 12 and features Mission Of Burma, Fucked Up, Baltimore’s Ponytail, former Be Your Own Pet vocalist Jemina Pearl and DJ Jonathan Toubin. It all starts at around 2pm and we can promise this will be the hottest free concert to hit the NYC area since Diana Ross played Central Park in 1983. This is an appropriate analogy because a) much like Ms. Ross, Peter Prescott’s performance features many costume changes and b) the two performers previously were a part of historic combos that changed the face of music (Diana with the Supremes, Peter with the Molls).
Some photos of Burma recording their new album at Q-Division studios Squid Hell studios in Somerville Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts this week. All photos by Bob Weston.
Roger Miller describes the album as “Casual but pretty rock. Doesn’t seem to suck.” Which, if true, would be a major departure on two fronts. The band has been blogging each day of the recording on their website.
The above snapshots come to us courtesy of Mark Kates. The embedded photojournalist was on the scene as Mission Of Burma began the laborious process of recording demos for what will be the band’s 4th studio album proper (we’re not counting ‘Signals’ or the Taang compendiums, thanks), tentatively scheduled for the latter portion of 2009.
Not to be outdone by Merge’s recent Volcano Suns reissues, former Kustomized bassist Bob Moses has done an impressive job tying his old band’s history together with a new, posthumous site. Perhaps the lesser known of Peter Prescott’s post-Mission Of Burma projects, Kustomized was once described by Rolling Stone’s Matt Diehl as “maintaining an almost savage drive…unafraid to wander into the bizarre areas outside rock convention.” Though the same could be said of Bob Gamere jogging thru the Fenway, Mr. Diehl hit the nail on the head. Kustomized were awesome and if you didn’t fully absorb their Matador titles at the time, you are a bad, bad person.
This coming Tuesday, the limited-edition double vinyl gatefold 10″ EP from Cat Power hits the stores. Entitled Dark End Of The Street, it includes six bewitching cover songs from the Jukebox sessions and not included on that album. This would make a wonderful Christmas or Hannukah present for someone who likes gatefold covers, or cover songs, and it’s available for preorder now.
We have a lot of other deluxe packages from this year appropriate for stocking-stuffers or under-the-tree action. The deluxe 44-song, 48-page book, die-cut slipcase edition of Pavement’s Brighten The Corners, for example (and if you preorder now, you can still – just – get the ultra-limited live vinyl bonus LP, exclusive to this release). Two weeks ago we released Belle and Sebastian’s justly acclaimed BBC Sessions, with essential radio performances from their early 1996-2001 period. The deluxe version of the CD comes with a second disc containing a complete concert in Belfast from December 2001. The set includes covers of I’m Waiting For The Man, The Boys Are Back In Town and Here Comes The Sun. This is strictly limited and once it goes, it’s gone.
There’s also the deluxe version of the Mogwai’s latest, The Hawk Is Howling, which comes with a bonus DVD containing two videos for “Batcat” (including one nightmarish one directed by Dominic Hailstone of Chris Cunningham / Aphex Twin video fame), and a short documentary about the band by Vincent Moon.
And of course, last March, we released to-die-for versions of the three original Mission Of Burma albums on Ace of Hearts. We’ve banged on enough about the real all-analog mastering from the original tapes, the precious live footage from the late ’70s and early ’80s, the gatefold sleeves on the vinyl, and the books with interviews and photos and more. We’re prouder of these packages than any other reissue we’ve ever done. All three are available for a very short time longer in a vinyl bundle deal for 50 bucks.
There are also a few deluxe copies of Cat Power’s Jukebox left with the gatefold foil digipak and second CD. Then there’s just about every vinyl release from this year, nearly all printed at Stoughton and pressed on RTI HQ180 vinyl. Single LPs here and double LPs here.
