The purpose of this note is to remind you this is a limited edition series and if you don’t sign up soon, subsequent editions will be lost to the mysterious world of eBay, lopsided trades and brutal price gouging. And that’s just the shit I’ll be putting you through with my extra copies. If you sign up now, you’ll still get the Jicks/LA Guns curio masterpiece and you’re enlisted right in time for a March 7″ from Austin’s OBN III’s, a May 2012 single from The Men (Brooklyn) and you’ll also receive two new songs in July from WOUNDED LION (above), the oft-instrumental-trading, genius quintet from Los Angeles whose two In The Red albums were amongst the finest of 2010 and 2011 respectively.
It’s Tuesday, January 17 which means our first two releases of the New Year are out today.
First up is Intended Play, the new ultra-budget vinyl-only sampler from Matador and True Panther. The 11-song LP is $1.98 list price – you can actually order it direct for only $1.80 by clicking on the title above. It contains new tracks from THE YOUNG, CEREMONY TANLINES, LEE RANALDO, PERFUME GENIUS and STEPHEN MALKMUS – all of the above from upcoming releases except the SM track which won’t appear elsewhere, and recent hits (some of them rare) from KURT VILE, GIRLS, FUCKED UP, ESBEN & THE WITCH and COLD CAVE.
Next is the first single in our new 2012 singles club, SINGLES GOING HOME ALONE. It’s an unexpected conjunction between STEPHEN MALKMUS & THE JICKS and the legendary LA GUNS, covering each other. Hear Malkmus jam on “Wheels Of Fire,” and Tracii Guns pull out the stops on “Gorgeous Georgie.” Sleeve art at the top of the post.
It’s not too late to sign up for the singles club, which gets you six exclusive limited-edition 7″es, one every other month this year, plus a special bonus record, an exclusive tote bag and a yearlong 10% discount on all items at the Matador Store, for only $45 including shipping within the US:
The next two confirmed singles are from Austin’s OBN III’s on March 20, and Brooklyn’s The Men on May 8, with subsequent the singles on July 10, September 11 and November 6.
(“Stick Figures In Love” ; studio version found on ‘Mirror Traffic’. Video courtesy KCRW.org)
The first stanza of North American touring in support of last August’s ‘Mirror Traffic’ skipped a number of the continent’s more glittering metropolises, and that’s obviously something Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks were eager to correct in early 2012. Plus, they get to visit Boulder, too!
2/13/2012 Salt Lake City UT, Urban Lounge
2/15/2012 Boulder CO, Fox Theatre (tickets on sale, 1/13 at noon)
2/17/2012 Omaha NE, Slowdown
2/18/2012 Columbia MO, The Blue Note (tickets on sale, 1/13)
2/19/2012 Lawrence KS , The Granada (tickets on sale 1/14)
2/21/2012 Dallas TX, Granada Theater
2/22/2012 Austin TX, The Mohawk
2/24/2012 Phoenix AZ, The Crescent Ballroom (tickets on sale, 1/13, 10am)
2/27/2012 Santa Barbara CA SOhO Restaurant and Music Club
2/28/2012 San Francisco CA Slim’s (tickets on sale, 1/15)
With all due respect to our friends at Sub/Pop, Columbus Discount, HoZac, and I don’t know, two dozen other labels who’ve tried it, we’re rolling out a limited edition 7″ subscription series in early 2012. A number of years back, some bright Matador exec came up with the title ‘Singles Going Home Alone’ for a proposed compilation album of the label’s early one-off, long out of print singles (Mark Eitzel, Chain Gang, The Schramms, The Pastels, Fire In The Kitchen, etc.) A few of the artists we approached politely declined (or impolitely told us to fuck off and die) and rather than repair the shattered relationships, we shelved the title. Until once fine day last October when Robby Morris suggested we do a bunch of one off singles AGAIN, only this time we’ll try not to alienate all of the participants.
We’re planning on 6 singles over the course of 2012, but if we’re having fun with this, there’s no reason we won’t have another batch lined up for 2013. The in the series will be the long-rumored split 7″ between Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks (left) and L.A. Guns (right), with the former covering the latter’s “Wheels Of Fire” and Tracii & Co. tackling the latter’s “Gorgeous George”. We’ve waited nearly 23 years to tell the world L.A. Guns are Matador Recording Artists, and finally we can say it at parties without lying.
(photo by Zac Sprague)
Edition #2 will be a couple of new songs from Austin, TX’s OBN III’s whose most recent ‘The One & Only’ LP (Tic Tac Totally) has made no shortage of 2011 top ten lists. Well, the good ones, anyway. There’s a longish interview with frontman/dictator Orville Neeley in the latest issue of Maximum Rocknroll…and if that sentence seem a tad out of place on the Matablog, well, keep in mind we just said we’re putting out a record with L.A. Guns. Surprises are relative.
Single #3 will be a new 7″ from NYC’s THE MEN, whose amazing 2nd album, ‘Leave Home’(Sacred Bones) is (again) one of the current year’s finest. It would be the height of hyperbole to claim this record hasn’t left our turntable, though it would be completely truthful to say it has on some occasions, rolled across the room and supplanted whatever else we thought about putting on.
We’ll reveal the identities behind singles 4, 5 and 6 pretty soon. If you wait until then, however, you run the not-so-small risk there won’t be any left.
- what you get: 6 subscription only 7″es every other month in 2012, plus a special secret bonus item, a tote bag and 10% off all year long on the Matador Store (which cannot be combined with other discounts)
JANUARY 17 – Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks / L.A. Guns
MARCH 20 – OBN III’s
MAY 22 – The Men
JULY 10 – TBA
SEPTEMBER 11 – TBA
NOVEMBER 6 – TBA
- prices (all inclusive of shipping – each 7″ will be shipped out separately for release date):
$45 US
$55 Canada
$70 rest of world
Alright. Let the thoroughly off-the-mark speculation about the next 3 singles commence.
Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks are finishing up their US tour:
October
Sunday 16 – San Francisco, CA - Treasure Island Music Festival
Wednesday 19 - Los Angeles, CA – The Music Box At The Henry Fonda
Thursday 20 – Solano Beach, CA – Belly Up Tavern
Full video credits:
Starring: Jack Black, Gary Cole, Morgan Nagler, DC Pierson, Chris Regan, Brian Stack, Maria Thayer, Todd Levin, Adam Willis, April O’Neil, Dan O’Reilly
Written/directed/edited…. Scott Jacobson
Director of Photography…. Fortunato Procopio
Second Camera…. Charles Son
Assistant Director/Etc….. Whitney Blank
Graphics…. Nora Smith
Portland DP…. Reed Harkness
Second Unit…. Mike James
Assistant Camera…. Brad Greenspan
Second AC…. Nicky Fuchs
Production Manager…. John Henry Lang
Production Designer…. Nigel Mogg
Jib Operator…. Gaston Carrizo
Gaffer…. Dan Jagels
Grip…. Zach Helmer
Hair and Makeup…. Michele Dawn Sweeney
PA…. Mike Gamms
Location Services by…. HotHouse Productions
Special thanks to Ruth and David at El Corazon en las Nubes alpaca ranch in Malibu, CA.
Thanks to The Woods in Portland, Origami Vinyl, Adam Willis, Todd Levin, Drea Clark, Dave Willis, Nils Bernstein, Chris Lombardi, Ted Travelstead.
Stephen Malkmus And The Jicks continue their trek across these United States today with a stop in Seattle, WA, where they will be commandeering the radio waves for a live session at KEXP. Tune in at 4:00PM EDT/1:00PM PDT at 90.3FM or KEXP.org.
Still a few more Jicks live actions left, catch them on the road while you still can:
Tuesday 11 – Seattle, WA – Neptune Theatre
Wednesday 12 – Vancouver, BC – The Biltmore Cabaret
Thursday 13 – Portland, OR – Crystal Ballroom
Sunday 16 – San Francisco, CA - Treasure Island Music Festival
Wednesday 19 – Los Angeles, CA – The Music Box At The Henry Fonda
Thursday 20 – Solano Beach, CA – Belly Up Tavern
I’m no less devastated to have missed this taping seeing the session now. It’s just, seriously, sick. Steve SHREDS, Jake Jogger brings it home, and the sun is setting pre-Irene (asshole). Buy Mirror Traffic, I can’t believe I have to say this.
Dates, we’ve got dates:
September
Friday 30 – Charlottesville, VA – Jefferson Theater
October
Saturday 01 – Saxapahaw, NC – Haw River Ballroom
Sunday 02 – Atlanta, GA – Variety Playhouse
Tuesday 04 – Nashville, TN – The Mercy Lounge
Wednesday 05 – Indianapolis, IN – Earth House
Thursday 06 – Chicago, IL – Vic Theatre
Friday 07 – Milwaukee, WI – Turner Hall
Saturday 08 – Minneapolis, MN – Pantages Theatre
Tuesday 11 – Seattle, WA – Neptune Theatre
Wednesday 12 – Vancouver, BC – The Biltmore Cabaret
Thursday 13 – Portland, OR – Crystal Ballroom
Sunday 16 – San Francisco, CA - Treasure Island Music Festival
Wednesday 19 – Los Angeles, CA – The Music Box At The Henry Fonda
Thursday 20 – Solano Beach, CA – Belly Up Tavern
After taking NYC by storm this weekend, Stephen Malkmus And The Jicks continue their tour across this fine land. And to the good folks of Nashville, you’re in for a double-shot of Malkmus And The Jicks who play the Mercy Lounge on Tuesday, 10/4 AND will also be hanging out at Grimey’s doing a signing earlier that day at 3PM. Be there!
It seems like only yesterday that Stephen Malkmus And The Jicks wowed New York City’s Webster Hall with a collection of old favorites and instant classics from their new album, Mirror Traffic. Before they say goodbye to the Big Apple, they’ll be appearing live on WNYC’s popular Soundcheck program to play some tunes and chat with host John Schaefer (no word yet on whether SM will be asked to participate in today’s “Smackdown” discussion of the later years of R.E.M.). The fun starts at 2:35 EDT, and can be experienced on New York’s radio waves at 93.9FM or online at WNYC.org.
Those of you who will accept no substitute for the live experience can take solace in the fact that there are plenty more upcoming Jicks shows happening this month and next.
Hey NYC’ers. Don’t forget to join us this weekend for the Webster Hall rock block of Fucked Up (Saturday night) AND Stephen Malkmus And The Jicks (Sunday night).
Saturday, September 24 – Fucked Up at Webster Hall (with Wavves). Tix here.
Sunday, September 25 – Stephen Malkmus And The Jicks at Webster (playing their first NYC show off the release of Mirror Traffic). Tix here.
Get those tickets before they’re gone and we’ll see you at the shows!
Would you agree there’s really nothing better than finding out your favorite band is playing in a more intimate venue than expected? Woah, us too! Well, heads up there’s a few venue changes on the upcoming Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks tour:
The New York show is being moved from Terminal 5 to Webster Hall, and will now take place on Sunday, September 25 instead of Monday, September 26. All tickets purchased for the Terminal 5 show will be honored at Webster Hall. To purchase tickets, please visit bowerypresents.com.
The Chicago show originally scheduled at the Vic Theatre has been moved to Metro, 3730 N. Clark. Tickets purchased for the Vic Theatre will be honored at Metro. Showtime is 8:00pm; Holy Sons will open the show. Tickets for the Metro show are $22.50 and are on sale now through etix.com and jamusa.com. Ages 18 & Over.
9/20 – Detroit, MI, Majestic Theater – tickets
9/21 – Toronto, ON, Phoenix Concert Theatre – tickets
9/22 – Ottowa, ON, Ritual – tickets
9/23 – Montreal, QC, Corona Theatre – tickets
9/24 – Boston, MA, Royale – tickets 9/25 – New York, NY, Webster Hall – tickets 9/26 – New York, NY, Terminal 5 – tickets
9/28 – Philadelphia, PA , Theatre of Living Arts – tickets
9/29 – Baltimore, MD, Ram’s Head Live – tickets
9/30 – Charlottesville, VA, Jefferson Theater – tickets
10/1 — Saxapahaw, NC, The Haw River Ballroom – tickets
10/2 – Atlanta, GA, Variety Playhouse – tickets
10/4 – Nashville, TN, Mercy Lounge – tickets
10/5 – Indianapolis, IN, Earth House – tickets 10/6 – Chicago, IL, Metro – tickets 10/6 – Chicago, IL, Vic Theatre – tickets
10/7 – Milwaukee WI, Turner Hall – tickets
10/8 – Minneapolis, MN, Pantages Theatre – tickets
10/11- Seattle, WA, Neptune Theatre – tickets (with Ty Segall)
10/12 – Vancouver, BC, The Biltmore Cabaret – tickets (with Ty Segall)
10/13 – Portland, OR, Crystal Ballroom – tickets (with Ty Segall)
10/16 – San Francisco, CA, Treasure Island Music Festival – tickets
10/19 – Los Angeles, CA, The Music Box – tickets (with Ty Segall)
10/20 – Solana Beach, CA, Belly Up Tavern – tickets (with Ty Segall)
As previously discussed, at last night’s Amoeba in-store, Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks played an FCC-friendly rendition of their ‘Mirror Traffic’ jam, “Senator“. This morning, we send a hearty congratulations to Wayne J in Buellton, CA whose timely radio-ready replacement was chosen by the band & will be rerecorded on a new version of the song to appear on the backside of what shall be the most limited 7″ that’ll ever emerge from these four walls.
Como te va, fantasy sports fans? Our own Stephen Malkmus And The Jicks are not quite done with Los Angeles, and vice versa. Right now, SM and co. are prepping for their appearance on KCRW’s beloved Morning Becomes Eclectic at 11:15AM PDT (or 2:15PM in the popular EDT format).
Not only did LA get a stellar instore at Amoeba last night, wherein the winning lyric for the already-infamous blowjob contest was revealed (more on that to come), but now you get Malkmus on your radio as well. Don’t ask me why he loves you so much, LA, just go with it.
Oh, and you might want to tune your radio dial to 89.9FM to listen. Go to KCRW.com to listen online if you’re not in the area, or just prefer your radio to be ones and zeros.
If you’ve been tuned in to CNN this blog lately, you may recall how today marks two very important future cultural benchmarks. First, today sees the release of Stephen Malkmus And The Jicks’ new album Mirror Traffic.
Second, to celebrate the aforementioned release, Stephen and the Jicks will be playing a free, all-ages instore this evening at Hollywood’s seminal rock outlet Amoeba Music at 6pm PST. The entire performance will be streamed on Amoeba’s website so even if you’re not in LA, you can still check it out and find out who won the best fucking contest of all-time the contest to help Steve find an alternate word for “blowjob” so that the radio will play his single Senator.
Funny I should mention THIS CONTEST now because contrary to our having told you guys we were going to announce the winner in a few weeks, we’re just so damn excited that Stephen will be announcing the winner during this evening’s performance of Senator on Amoeba webcast, so be sure to tune in and find out if you’ve won. And while we’ve only got a few hours until showtime, we’ve still yet to determine that perfect “blowjob” substitute. So get your last minute entries in right now. Seriously, we’re shutting it down (boss) in a few hours.
And if you just can’t wait another minute to get your SM/JCKS online video fix, check out Mirror Traffic’sfirst video right now.
In addition to two other instores later this week, the band will be hitting the road for a very awesome and very extensive tour in a few weeks’ time. Those dates below.
9/20 – Detroit, MI, Majestic Theater – tickets
9/21 – Toronto, ON, Phoenix Concert Theatre – tickets
9/22 – Ottowa, ON, Ritual – tickets
9/23 – Montreal, QC, Corona Theatre – tickets
9/24 – Boston, MA, Royale – tickets
9/26 – New York, NY, Terminal 5 – tickets
9/28 – Philadelphia, PA , Theatre of Living Arts – tickets
9/29 – Baltimore, MD, Ram’s Head Live – tickets
9/30 – Charlottesville, VA, Jefferson Theater – tickets
10/1 — Saxapahaw, NC, The Haw River Ballroom – tickets
10/2 – Atlanta, GA, Variety Playhouse – tickets
10/4 – Nashville, TN, Mercy Lounge – tickets
10/5 – Indianapolis, IN, Earth House – tickets
10/6 – Chicago, IL, Vic Theatre – tickets
10/7 – Milwaukee WI, Turner Hall – tickets
10/8 – Minneapolis, MN, Pantages Theatre – tickets
10/11- Seattle, WA, Neptune Theatre – tickets (with Ty Segall)
10/12 – Vancouver, BC, The Biltmore Cabaret – tickets (with Ty Segall)
10/13 – Portland, OR, Crystal Ballroom – tickets (with Ty Segall)
10/16 – San Francisco, CA, Treasure Island Music Festival – tickets
10/19 – Los Angeles, CA, The Music Box – tickets (with Ty Segall)
10/20 – Solana Beach, CA, Belly Up Tavern – tickets (with Ty Segall)
Today the nation’s most esteemed news source brings us the first video from Stephen Malkmus and The Jicks’ awesome new album Mirror Traffic (hear it), out THIS COMING TUESDAY and available for pre-order.
The video, directed by Steve Doughton, accompanies an excellent piece about Mr. Malkmus and Mr. Beck Hansen (as well as their parallel histories and work together on Mirror Traffic) that will run in the paper this weekend. (I can’t say it’s my favorite Matador-related piece to run in the Times this week, though – that honor goes here.)
Anyway. Watch the video!
There’s a TON happening in Jicksburg over the next week or so: The band will sign posters at Music Millennium in Portland this Saturday (August 20); we’re wrapping up a contest on Tuesday, while the band plays Amoeba in LA that same day (hmmm, might we tie those two things together somehow? Stay tuned…). From there they take the East Coast (or at least the East Village) by force: two New York City instores next Thursday, and an appearance on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon on Tuesday August 30th.
And theeeeeeeeen…Rock shows!
9/20 – Detroit, MI, Majestic Theater – tickets
9/21 – Toronto, ON, Phoenix Concert Theatre – tickets
9/22 – Ottowa, ON, Ritual – tickets
9/23 – Montreal, QC, Corona Theatre – tickets
9/24 – Boston, MA, Royale – tickets
9/26 – New York, NY, Terminal 5 – tickets
9/28 – Philadelphia, PA , Theatre of Living Arts – tickets
9/29 – Baltimore, MD, Ram’s Head Live – tickets
9/30 – Charlottesville, VA, Jefferson Theater – tickets
10/1 — Saxapahaw, NC, The Haw River Ballroom – tickets
10/2 – Atlanta, GA, Variety Playhouse – tickets
10/4 – Nashville, TN, Mercy Lounge – tickets
10/5 – Indianapolis, IN, Earth House – tickets
10/6 – Chicago, IL, Vic Theatre – tickets
10/7 – Milwaukee WI, Turner Hall – tickets
10/8 – Minneapolis, MN, Pantages Theatre – tickets
10/11- Seattle, WA, Neptune Theatre – tickets (with Ty Segall)
10/12 – Vancouver, BC, The Biltmore Cabaret – tickets (with Ty Segall)
10/13 – Portland, OR, Crystal Ballroom – tickets (with Ty Segall)
10/16 – San Francisco, CA, Treasure Island Music Festival – tickets
10/19 – Los Angeles, CA, The Music Box – tickets (with Ty Segall)
10/20 – Solana Beach, CA, Belly Up Tavern – tickets (with Ty Segall)
We’re very happy to announce that Stephen Malkmus And The Jicks will be appearing on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon on Tuesday, August 30! That’s one week after the release of the band’s forthcoming LP, Mirror Traffic (which you can currently hear streaming on NPR First Listen). Make sure to tune in to Fallon to hear the band tear their way through “Senator“.
And if that’s not enough, the band continue their record store takeovers with a signing this upcoming Saturday, August 20 at Music Millenium in Portland, OR. The signing begins at 5PM sharp. And for a free limited edition poster & chance to win one of five limited Steve Keene recreations of the Mirror Traffic artwork, pre-order the album at Music Millenium now or at the signing on August 20.
And don’t forget the band will be playing a live release date in-store at Amoeba Hollywood on August 23 plus two acoustic in-stores in NYC at Academy Records (Brooklyn) and Other Music on August 25.
Be sure to keep it here for even more Stephen Malkmus And The Jicks news.
Stephen Malkmus And The Jicks On Tour:
9/20 – Detroit, MI, Majestic Theater – tickets
9/21 – Toronto, ON, Phoenix Concert Theatre – tickets
9/22 – Ottowa, ON, Ritual – tickets
9/23 – Montreal, QC, Corona Theatre – tickets
9/24 – Boston, MA, Royale – tickets
9/26 – New York, NY, Terminal 5 – tickets
9/28 – Philadelphia, PA , Theatre of Living Arts – tickets
9/29 – Baltimore, MD, Ram’s Head Live – tickets
9/30 – Charlottesville, VA, Jefferson Theater – tickets
10/1 — Saxapahaw, NC, The Haw River Ballroom – tickets
10/2 – Atlanta, GA, Variety Playhouse – tickets
10/4 – Nashville, TN, Mercy Lounge – tickets
10/5 – Indianapolis, IN, Earth House – tickets
10/6 – Chicago, IL, Vic Theatre – tickets
10/7 – Milwaukee WI, Turner Hall – tickets
10/8 – Minneapolis, MN, Pantages Theatre – tickets
10/11- Seattle, WA, Neptune Theatre – tickets (with Ty Segall)
10/12 – Vancouver, BC, The Biltmore Cabaret – tickets (with Ty Segall)
10/13 – Portland, OR, Crystal Ballroom – tickets (with Ty Segall)
10/16 – San Francisco, CA, Treasure Island Music Festival – tickets
10/19 – Los Angeles, CA, The Music Box – tickets (with Ty Segall)
10/20 – Solana Beach, CA, Belly Up Tavern – tickets (with Ty Segall)
Today NPR begins streaming the new Jicks recordMirror Traffic in it’s entirety. This is your first chance to hear the album some are calling (OK, I am calling) one of the best, most immediate records of Malkmus’ long career. Listen to the album, then pre-order it to own forever.
As mentioned in this space before, Mr. Malkmus and his Jicks will be playing at Amoeba in LA next Tuesday the 23rd to celebrate the new album’s born day; more info on that performance (and the little contest that’s running – get your entries in ASAP!) to come later this week. On the 25th, Steve will hit a couple of NYC record storessolo-acoustic style with the Jicks in a stripped-down format.
You can also see Stephen Malkmus and The Jicks on their upcoming tour (Ty Segall supports where noted):
9/20 – Detroit, MI, Majestic Theater – tickets
9/21 – Toronto, ON, Phoenix Concert Theatre – tickets
9/22 – Ottowa, ON, Ritual – tickets
9/23 – Montreal, QC, Corona Theatre – tickets
9/24 – Boston, MA, Royale – tickets
9/26 – New York, NY, Terminal 5 – tickets
9/28 – Philadelphia, PA , Theatre of Living Arts – tickets
9/29 – Baltimore, MD, Ram’s Head Live – tickets
9/30 – Charlottesville, VA, Jefferson Theater – tickets
10/1 — Saxapahaw, NC, The Haw River Ballroom – tickets
10/2 – Atlanta, GA, Variety Playhouse – tickets
10/4 – Nashville, TN, Mercy Lounge – tickets
10/5 – Indianapolis, IN, Earth House – tickets
10/6 – Chicago, IL, Vic Theatre – tickets
10/7 – Milwaukee WI, Turner Hall – tickets
10/8 – Minneapolis, MN, Pantages Theatre – tickets
10/11- Seattle, WA, Neptune Theatre – tickets (with Ty Segall)
10/12 – Vancouver, BC, The Biltmore Cabaret – tickets (with Ty Segall)
10/13 – Portland, OR, Crystal Ballroom – tickets (with Ty Segall)
10/16 – San Francisco, CA, Treasure Island Music Festival – tickets
10/19 – Los Angeles, CA, The Music Box – tickets (with Ty Segall)
10/20 – Solana Beach, CA, Belly Up Tavern – tickets (with Ty Segall)
He loves them much so that rather than hit up Top Of The Rock, take a horse carriage ride around Central Park or walk over the Brooklyn Bridge, he’s planning to spend an entire evening in two of New York City’s finest independent record stores. SM will be playing two acoustic instores on Thursday August 25. You’re silly not to make one.
He’ll be at Brooklyn’s Academy at 6pm and Manhattan’s Other Music at 9pm. Both performances will be followed by a signing. And did I mention the exclusive poster you can ONLY get at these instores?
And if you can’t catch either of these ridiculously intimate instores, you can catch SM and the Jicks on their upcoming tour (the incredible Ty Segall supports where noted):
To celebrate the album’s release (and the Jicks recent arrival on Twitter), on August 23rd the band will play a FREE, ALL-AGES instore at Amoeba in Los Angeles at 6PM. Amoeba will be giving away an exclusive commemorative poster with purchase of Mirror Traffic, and Stephen will stick around after the set to sign posters and copies of the new record.
Fun. Almost as much fun as the contest we’re running to replace the word ‘blowjob’ in the song “Senator” from Mirror Traffic. We’ve received over 8,000 mostly credible entries so far (voting closes August 23rd). A few of my personal faves:
What the senator wants is a mohawk.
What the senator wants is a low lob.
What the senator wants is a flash mob.
What the senator wants is am (sic) onslaught.
What the senator wants is a Black Jick.
What the senator wants is a faux pas.
What the senator wants is to know bob (nastanovich).
What the senator wants is a radio song.
What the senator wants is a real job.
What the senator wants is to fuck the life outta SM.
What the senator wants is his wife’s job.
What the senator wants is a robot.
What the senator wants is Gerard Cosloy’s approval.
Now, to reward those of you still reading this post, a heretofore little-seen French acoustic session Stephen recorded with Le Hiboo, featuring a take on the still-unreleased Mirror Traffic gem “No One Is (As I Are Be)”. Yeah, you missed this and it’s fucking incredible:
Finally, you can catch Malkmus con Jicks on their upcoming tour (the incredible Ty Segall supports where noted):
Help Stephen Malkmus write an FCC-friendly version of his new single Senator, from the upcoming album Mirror Traffic (out August 23). As you’re probably aware, the chorus features the line “I know what the senator wants – what the senator wants is a blowjob.”
Come up with a replacement for the word “blowjob” that radio stations can air, and Stephen will sing the winning entry for the radio single when we send it to stations at the end of September. PLUS, you’ll win a one-of-a-kind 7″ single featuring your version of “Senator” on one side, and the original version on the flip – the rarest Matador release ever.
Deadline for entries: August 23
Winner to be announced: September 15
Click on the banner above to go to WhatDoesTheSenatorWant.com and submit your entry. All standard contest rules and restrictions apply.
We’re happy to bring you another killer track from the forthcoming album by Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks,Mirror Traffic(out August 23). This one’s called “Tigers”. Download it here.
In support their forthcoming LP, Mirror Traffic, Stephen Malkmus and The Jicks are heading out on the road playing a slew of US & Canadian dates. We couldn’t be more psyched so without further delay…
9/20 – Detroit, MI, Majestic Theater – onsale 6/17
9/21 – Toronto, ON, Phoenix Concert Theatre – onsale 6/17
9/22 – Ottowa, ON, Ritual – onsale TBA
9/23 – Montreal, QC, Corona Theatre – onsale 6/17
9/24 – Boston, MA, Royale – onsale 6/17
9/26 – New York, NY, Terminal 5 – onsale 6/17
9/28 – Philadelphia, PA , Theatre of Living Arts – onsale 6/17
9/29 – Baltimore, MD, Ram’s Head Live – onsale 6/16
9/30 – Charlottesville, VA, Jefferson Theater – onsale TBA
10/2 – Atlanta, GA, Variety Playhouse – onsale 6/17
10/4 – Nashville, TN, Mercy Lounge – onsale 6/17
10/5 – Indianapolis, IN, Earth House – onsale TBA
10/6 – Chicago, IL, Vic Theatre – onsale 6/25
10/7 – Milwaukee WI, Turner Hall – onsale 6/17
10/8 – Minneapolis, MN, Pantages Theatre – onsale 6/24
10/11- Seattle, WA, Neptune Theatre – onsale 6/24
10/12 – Vancouver, BC, The Biltmore Cabaret – onsale 6/25
10/13 – Portland, OR, Crystal Ballroom – onsale TBA
10/19 – Los Angeles, CA, The Music Box – onsale 6/18
10/20 – Solana Beach, CA, Belly Up Tavern – onsale TBA
Don’t forget you can pre-order Mirror Traffic (out 8/23) from the Matador Store
And you can check out the Mirror Traffic track listing right here:
Hear a free song from the new album by Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks, Mirror Traffic (out August 23). The fifth Malkmus album was recorded by Beck in Los Angeles over the past two and a half years, and contains 15 songs. This one is entitled “Senator”:
Preorder the album from the Matador Store and receive a free poster. In addition, the first 100 orders will receive a rare flexidisc of “Jo Jo’s Jacket,” OLE-493, released as a promotional item for the first Stephen Malkmus album in December 2000.
The vinyl edition of Mirror Traffic is a 3-sided LP with an etching on side 4.
On August 23, 2011, Matador will be releasing ‘Mirror Traffic‘, the 5th post-Pavement album from Stephen Malkmus and the 3rd or 4th to bear the Jicks name (depending on whether you’re looking at spines, sleeves or labels). Produced by Beck Hansen, ‘Mirror Traffic’ makes a compelling case that after some 22 years in the public eye, Stephen Malkmus’ full range of musical and lyrical capabilities had yet to be previously explored. The casual virtuosity (and staggering guitar invention) won’t necessarily come as a shock, nor will the rapier wit of one of contemporary rock’s brightest minds. But without dissing prior works that we deeply love, we can promise that ‘Mirror Traffic’ is the album that ties together Stephen’s skill-set like none of its predecessors. The recording is nothing short of gorgeous, the songs crackling with confidence. Calling this an album of the year candidate is really selling the record and the talented ensemble behind it short — what’s so special about this year, anyway?
It is with regret — and deep appreciation for one of our favorite players of all-time — that we can confirm ‘Mirror Traffic’ is the final Jicks album to feature the drumming of Janet Weiss. Jake Morris, best known to many of you as the drummer for The Joggers, will assume the same position in the Jicks for upcoming shows, which we’ll be announcing very soon. We’ll also get on with the business of previewing an MP3 from ‘Mirror Traffic’ on a date in the very near future.
Here’s the first segment of a four-part Soft Focus interview with Stephen Malkmus. I always envisioned to “Hopscotch Willy” from Real Emotional Trash to look something like Svenonius, and this really brings it home for me. Visit VBS for subsequent segments.
Whether he’s giving props to former UVA standout Jeff Lamp (above) or defending his fantasy sports addiction as more socially acceptable than internet porn (mental note : be sure to use this line someday), Stephen Malkmus takes everything Rotoworld’s Steve Alexander has to dish out. I’ve been (virtually) ass-kicked by SM on countless occasions, and thus, can vouch for his fantasy sports prowess, though learning his commitment to the craft extends to scanning the waiver wire whilst going thru airport security is a little sobering. For the sake of Malk’s competitors, TSA, can’t you do something about this?
Here’s my fave snippet from the interview :
Q : What is the best live act going right now? The popular answer seems to be My Morning Jacket, and I tend to agree.
In what likely constitutes the sexiest meeting of the minds in recent memory, Portland’s Baghdad Theater will host Stephen Malkmus and Ian Svenonius for a taping of Soft Focus on December 4th.
Soft Focus, for those of you stuck in 1991, is a long-form interview program hosted by Svenonius and featuring interviews with some of the elite minds in independent culture.
If you’d like to attend the taping, please RSVP here. Svenonius will also pick the brain damage of PDX rock legends Pierced Arrows.
(l-r Stephen, Janet, photographed in Paris last month, pic taken from gguillaumee‘s Flickr page)
Midwestern USA, Western Canada, we’ve heard your plea. Or rather, Billions has heard your plea. We’re just forwarding the info.
October
23-Calgary AB @ The Warehouse
24-Edmonton AB @ Starlite Room
25-Saskatoon SK @ Amigo’s
27-WInnipeg MB @ Pyramid Cabaret
30-Madison, WI @ High Noon Saloon
November
2-Columbia, MO @ The Blue Note
4-Omaha, NE @ Slowdown
5-Lawrence, KS @ Liberty Hall
6-Denver, CO @ Gothic Theatre
Blitzen Trapper support on all dates.
