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Biography

A.C. Newman Vocals, Guitars, Piano, Wurlitzer, Casio, Mandolin, Percussion, Bass and Bass Melodion
John Collins Bass, Baritone Guitar, Glockenspiel, Mandolin, Guitars, Casio, Tambourine
Blaine Thurier Fender Rhodes, Sampler
Dan Bejar Vocals, Shakers, Guitars, Piano
Kathryn Calder Vocals, Piano, Wurlitzer
Kurt Dahle Drums, Vocals, Percussion
Neko Case Vocals
Todd Fancey Guitars, Banjo, Mandolin

Challengers is the hotly anticipated fourth album from wildly popular Canadian super-group The New Pornographers. Formed back in 1997 in Vancouver, BC they almost immediately recorded the classic "Letter From An Occupant”. From then on they recorded three full-lengths - 2000’s Mass Romantic, 2003’s Electric Version and 2005’s Twin Cinema – receiving critical and public acclaim whilst continuing to enjoy bigger (and taller and smarter) audiences. They have achieved massive commercial success stateside with International success just round the corner.

Challengers continues the New Pornographer’s signature multi-layered sound with greater epic sweep and wider sonic diversity. Less frenetically jaunty than its predecessors but still encapsulating pure summer joy, this album will impress the existing fans and convert the uninitiated. Recorded for the first time largely outside bassist John Collins' Vancouver JC/DC Studio, Challengers is their most organic-sounding record, reflecting a conscious decision to use less "beepy synth" and almost entirely "real" instruments (in addition to those listed above, they recruited an entire string section – who have played with Sufjan Stevens - plus harp, flute, and more).

Main songwriter and de facto band leader, A.C. ("Carl") Newman has enjoyed a fruitful musical career, from the seminal Sub Pop band Zumpano in the ‘90s to his phenomenal solo debut in The Slow Wonder in 2004. For all the good-times vibe of his band The New Pornographers, he likes his alone time. Last year he disappeared from Vancouver without a word, reappearing four months later in Brooklyn, where he has stayed ever since. He resurfaced with a mystery scar, an extra blush to one cheek, and an armload of songs which tell tales of his last two years. Newman’s songwriting is slightly more scrutable this time around; his lyrics still ring with wry perception and political metaphor, but betray some of the magnanimity that comes with new love - "our arms fill with miracles", he writes in "Go Places".

Also given songwriting credit for three of the album’s tracks, is Dan Bejar, who usually records under the name Destroyer (with a new album is coming out on Rough Trade in the summer). Although he takes somewhat of a backseat in The New Pornographers and rarely tours with them, his contribution to the band is immense, with hit-in-the-making songs like “Myriad Harbour”, the overtly sexual “Entering White Cecilia” and the hopelessly happy “The Spirit Of Giving”.

Other prominent vocals on the record come from regular Pornographer’s contributor, the incredibly talented Neko Case. The most appealing aspect of this band is the multi-layered vocal harmonies so everyone gets a shot at the limelight. Some of Neko’s highlights on this record include title-track “Challengers” and the exquisite “Go Places”. As her solo commitments make touring a scheduling nightmare, Kathryn Calder was added to the recording/live line-up a couple of years ago and Challengers sees her vocal work upped a notch, with a lead on “Failsafe” and a lovely duet with Carl on “Adventures In Solitude”.

Their live shows are fully-fledged fun affairs, with audiences hopping on the spot and singing their lungs out. On a previous excursion to the UK they played the Shins curated All Tomorrow’s Parties Festival, was a musical match made in heaven.

Press Photos

Lyrics

Mass Romantic

Mass romantic fool wears Foster Grants,
his books on tape ring true,
like everyone wants to say "I love you" to someone on the radio.
The first voice in the hollowed stars, now the one true loves, and author of "My Life Among the Kids Who
Go to Shows." This is not the way. In the streetlight dawn, this street turns on. Mass romantic fool,
separated by sheets when the curtain calls you, speaking on the themes of stolen virtue missing from the
radio. Now this romantic duel is into the streets, bon appetit, you've eaten me alive you realize. This is not
the way. In the streetlight dawn, this beat turns on. This boy's life among the electrical lights.

My Rights Versus Yours

Under your wheels, the hope of spring,
mirage of loss, a few more things,
you left your sorrow dangling,
it hangs in air like a school cheer.

We bump like notes inside the chords,
on every wall inflections carved,
As deep as lakes and dark as stars.
Remember: we were the volunteered.

The chords knew this and nothing more:
Now it’s my rights versus yours.

Under your wheels, your hopeless reign,
you fall too hard, we’re up to late.
We hang suspended from the heights
until its safer to walk here.

Under your wheels, your chance is with
the easy call, the called-off search.
The medicine, it still won’t work,
but there’s dangerous levels of it here.

The same thing as the other time,
But now it’s your rights versus mine,

The truth in one free afternoon

Under my wheels, the chances hell
gave me to save me from myself,
spectacles painted with my shaking hand.
Fingers in paints, in paints we brought,
thinking we’d need them when we’re not
flying the flags of new empires in rags.
A new empire in rags.

Under your wheels, the fits and starts,
the time to dabble in the arts,
to tease the packs of dogs in charge,
but kid it’s all wasted on me.

Under your wheels, the hope of spring,
mirage of loss, a few more things.
The medicine, it still won’t sing,
but there’s dangerous levels of it here.

Your rights over my rights now.
You came to the right place.

The Laws Have Changed

It was crime at the time but the laws, we changed 'em,
though the hero for hire's forever the same one.
Introducing for the first time, Pharaoh on the microphone.
Sing all hail, what'll be revealed today when we peer into the great unknown,
from the line to the throne?

Awakened to cheers after years on the faultline,
we are shocked to be here in the face of the meantime.
Pharaoh, all your methods have taught me is to separate my blood from bone.
It will all fail, feeling what I feel today, when we peer into the great unknown,
from the line to the throne.
Form a line through here, form a line to the throne.

Alone in the chain, it remains to be seen how,
how well you can play when the pawn takes a queen now.
Introducing for the first time, Pharaoh on the microphone.
Sing all hail, what'll be revealed today when we peer into the great unknown,
from the line to the throne?
Form a line through here, form a line to the throne.

It was crime at the time but the laws have changed, yeah.

Myriad Harbor

I took a plane, I took a train. Ah, who cares, you always end up in the city.
I said to Carl - "look up for once, see just how the sun sits in the sky?"
I said to John - "do you think the girls here ever wonder how they got
so pretty?"
Oh, well I do...

Look out upon the Myriad Harbor.

All the boys with their homemade microphones - a very interesting sound.
All the girls fallen to ruin, dropping out of school, breaking daddy's heart
just to hang around.
I walked into the local record store and asked for an American Music
Anthology, it sounds fun...
They tore off my skirt and stuck it on the walls at PS1

I took a plane, I took a train. Ah, who cares you, you always end up
in the city.
Stranded at Bleeker and Broadway, looking for something to do.
Someone somewhere asked me - "Is there anything in particular I can
help you with?
All I ever wanted help with was you!

Look out upon the Myriad Harbor...

The Bleeding Heart Show

I leapt across three or four beds into your arms,
Where I had hidden myself somewhere in your charm.
Our golden handshake has been smashed into this shape.
It’s taken magic to a primitive new place.
Watch ‘em run, although it’s the minimum. Heroic.

We hung together in one chair out on the deck,
In snow that frozen fell down on the modern set.
It looked as if I’d picked your name out of a hat.
Next thing you know you are asleep on someone’s lap.
Watch ‘em run, although it’s the minimum. Heroic.

We quit the room, quit so our thoughts could rest,
Rest them on nothing new, and that’s when we crowned the whole,
Or whatever it is we fell into, lousy with your kept time,
With what the majestic cannot find in the business of your lives,
The perception it is wrong, mile after mile
Of phantom teens drinking wine from your heel.

Hey la, hey la, hey la, hey la,
We have arrived too late to play the bleeding heart show.

All Of The Things That Go To Make Heaven And Earth

All those things that go to make heaven and this,
where midnight was, were splashed across the canvas.
Midnight, who was a girl,
Midnight, who lost control and found this world.

With matter removed of divine dimension,
our time reduced to an honorable mention.
This world, which time forgot,
this world, it lost control and then saw God.

All of the things that go to make heaven and earth are here.
All of the things that go to make heaven and earth.
Put your new weight in gold and see what its worth.
All of the things that go to make heaven and earth are here.
All of the things that go to make heaven and this.
Success was survival and, kid, it still is.
Success was survival and, kid, it still is.

Did you think of something He didn’t think of?
Crashing into horizons, on the brink of…success! Hurrah!
Success which was survival gone too far.