Alumni Corner : New Albums From Times New Viking & The Cave Singers

(there will be plenty of time for questions, just as soon as I'm finished with my speech)
Ever notice how government officials (and/or the New York Mets) try to bury stories that don't entirely flatter themselves on Friday nights or weekends? No? GOOD, you're just my kind of person! In the spirit of helpfulness (and perhaps acknowledging that every member of our constituency doesn't read popular music blogs 75 times a day), we'd like to issue the following friendly reminders ;
a) On April 26, Merge (U.S.) and Wichita (UK) will be releasing the new Times New Viking album, 'Dancer Equired'. We've heard it, and no matter what hyperbole our rec. biz pals are throwing around, it's even better than whatever they're saying. .
b) On Feb. 22, Jagjaguwar is issuing the 3rd album from The Cave Singers, 'No Witch'. I've not heard this one (damn you, Web Sharrif!), but when we're promised the new full-length exhibits "a ferocity and bite we've yet to see from the band", you can be certain I'm getting my
We'll see you, seeing us, in Austin

Heading to the annual Musical Trade Fair That Also Features Unaffiliated Gigs thing in Austin TX this week?
Well, do yourself the favor and check out The Cave Singers, Harlem, Fucked Up and Shearwater playing multiple times through the weekend. Here's a useful breakdown by time and place for your calendars.
Tues, March 16th
-11:30 PM, Harlem
House of Guys Party
@1907 Rio Grande Street
Weds, March 17th
- 5:00 PM, Fucked Up
@ Emo's
603 Red River
Brooklyn Vegan Day Party
- 8:00 PM, Harlem
@ Charlie's
1301 Lavaca Street
Victims of Sonic Attack Day Party
Thurs, March 18th
-1:00 PM, Cave Singers
@ The Mohawk
Billions/Ticketfly Party
-1:00 PM, Shearwater
@ Galaxy Room
507 E. 6th Street
Paste Party
-7:30 PM, Fucked Up
@ FADER Fort
1101 E. 5th Street
between San Marcos and Waller
-9:00 PM, Harlem
@ Red 7 Patio
611 East 7th St
SXSW Showcase
-11:30 PM, Cave Singers
@ Club Deville
900 Red River Street
Billions SXSW Showcase
Friday, March 19th
-1:15 PM, Shearwater
@ Waterloo
600 North Lamar Boulevard
In-Store Performance
- 2:15 PM, Harlem
@ the FADER Fort
1101 E 5th St
Fader Day Party
- 2:20 PM, Fucked Up
@ Stubb’s
801 Red River
Spin Party
-3:40, Harlem
@ Stubb's
801 Red River
SPIN Party
- 3:50 PM, Fucked Up
@ Red 7 Patio
611 E. 7th Street
Shirts for a Cure
-3:40, Harlem
@ Stubb's
801 Red River
SPIN Party
-3:50 PM, Fucked Up
@ Red 7 Patio
611 E. 7th Street
Shirts for a Cure
-6:00 PM, Cave Singers
@ Home Slice Pizza
1415 S Congress Ave
Dickies Sounds Showcase
-12:00 AM, Shearwater
@ Antones
213 W 5th ST
Billions Showcase
Sat, March 20
-5:00 PM, Cave Singers
@ Beauty Bar
617 E 7th St
SX-Seattle Day Party
- 5:00 PM, Fucked Up
@ The Space
E 6th & San Antonio
Mess With Texas
-10:30 PM, Harlem
@ 1104 E 6th St
Todd P Party
-1:00 AM, Fucked Up
@ Red 7 Patio
611 East 7th St
Fucked Up Showcase
The Cave Singers - New US Dates
Was there a more unjustly slept on 2009 long-player than The Cave Singers' amazing 2nd album, 'Welcome Joy'? Possibly, but a straight answer to that question suggests some culpability on our part. Rather than play The Blame Game, let's instead concentrate on your favorite Seattle trio and ours returning the highways and biways of this great nation later this month, for a lengthy tour (mostly) accompanied by The Dutchess & The Duke. And The Cave Singers will be hitting SXSW, too (more news on that front later on).
Tue, 2/23 - Olympia WA - Northern*
Wed, 2/24 - Bremerton WA - Hi-Fidelity Lounge*
Thu, 2/25 - Spokane WA - Empyrean Coffee House*
Fri, 2/26 - Kennewick WA - The Red Room*
Sat, 2/27 - Anacortes WA - Dept of Safety*
Fri, 3/5 - Vancouver BC - UBC - Pit Pub^
Sat, 3/6 - Seattle WA - The Showbox*
Sun, 3/7 - Portland OR - Doug Fir Lounge^
Tue, 3/9 - San Francisco CA - The Independent^
Wed, 3/10 - Santa Cruz CA - The Crepe Place^
Thu, 3/11 - Los Angeles CA - The Echo^
Fri, 3/12 - San Diego CA - Casbah^
Sat, 3/13 - Tucson AZ - Plush^
Mon, 3/15 - Albuquerque NM - Low Spirits^
Tue, 3/16 - Lubbock TX - Bash Riprock's^
Wed, 3/17 - Denton TX - Hailey's^
Mon, 3/22 - Norman OK - The Opolis
Tue, 3/23 - St Louis MO - Billiken Club
Thu, 3/25 - Bloomington IN - The Bishop
Fri, 3/26 - Fort Wayne IN - The Brass Rail
Sat, 3/27 - Chicago IL - Empty Bottle
Mon, 3/29 - Milwaukee WI - Mad Planet
Tue, 3/30 - Iowa City IA - The Mill
Wed, 3/31 - Lawrence KS - Replay Lounge
Thu, 4/1 - Denver CO - Walnut Room
Fri, 4/2 - Salt Lake City UT - Kilby Court
Sat, 4/3 - Boise ID - Neurolux
* = with The Dutchess & The Duke
^ = with The Dutchess & The Duke + The Moondoggies
'Welcome Joy' - LP/CD/digital album available from the Matador Store
Cave Singers video footage from the KEXP Music Lounge at Bumbershoot
[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="photo by Dave Lichterman"]
It may have taken place a few weeks ago, but we wanted to let the dust settle before unleashing some pretty stellar footage on the unsuspecting public. Local lads The Cave Singers performed a special set for KEXP listeners at the Bumbershoot Music Festival and a few songs are available for your listening and viewing pleasure. Feel free to enjoy "Summer Light" and "At The Cut" from their new album, Welcome Joy, as well as "Dancing On Our Graves" from 2007's Invitation Songs, at KEXP.org.
The Cave Singers / FREE Friday in-store performance

We have an old saying around Matador that "if loving Indie Retail is right, well then we don't want to be bothered"...wait I'm not sure that's actually the official company line. It's early, I may have that wrong.
What I do have right though is that The Cave Singers will be in Bellingham, WA today. At one of our favorite indie record shops, Everyday Music, to continue celebrating the release of their new album Welcome Joy. So if you're in Bellingham today swing by for an early evening jam session that is sure to send you into the weekend on the right note.
Anyone looking for their own copy of Welcome Joy should definitely check out the Matador Store to order a CD or LP!
Friday, August 21st (6pm)
@ Everyday Music (Bellingham, WA)
115 E. Magnolia
The Cave Singers "Welcome Joy" / FREE in-store performance

In celebration of their new album, Welcome Joy, the Cave Singers are bringing their music to the people. Anyone in Portland, OR today should swing by one of our favorite indie record shops, Music Millenium on E. Burnside, at 6pm to catch a FREE, all ages performance by the Cave Singers. If last night's Easy Street in-store in Seattle is any sort of preview, tonight's performance should be a pretty rockin' and fun time.
Interested in landing a copy of Welcome Joy for yourself? Just visit the Matador Store and order your very own CD or LP.
The Cave Singers
@ Music Millenium
Wed, Aug 19th - 6pm
3158 E. Burnside - Portland, OR
Records out today!

Three records out today folks - new albums from Jay Reatard and The Cave Singers, and a 7" from Mission Of Burma.

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.
Get Watch Me Fall here:
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
Get Welcome Joy here:
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.
Cave Singers celebrate 'Welcome Joy' Pacific Northwest style

To celebrate the release of their new record, 'Welcome Joy', The Cave Singers are blowing out the Pacific Northwest with 3 record release parties around the area.
The band will play not one... not two... but THREE free, all-ages instores in Seattle, Portland and Bellingham, Washington.
Tuesday August 18th @ Easy Street Records in Seattle 7pm
Wednesday August 19th @ Music Millenium in Portland 6pm
Friday August 21 @ Everyday Music in Bellingham, WA 6pm
These performances will be followed by an appearance at Bumbershoot and a full US tour.
(Preorder 'Welcome Joy' on CD, LP, MP3 or FLAC)
The Cave SIngers - Seattle Instore / Record Release Party

Pete and Derek from The Cave Singers stopped by this morning, which reminds us they'll be playing at Seattle's Easy Street Records next Tuesday, August 18, to commemorate the release of their 2nd LP/CD/digital album, 'Welcome Joy'. We've neglected to engage an energy drink sponsor for this event, so feel free imbibe good, old-fashioned tap water on premises.
(Preorder 'Welcome Joy' on CD, LP, MP3 or FLAC)
Cave Singers - At The Cut MP3

Despite their name, The Cave Singers do not actually hail from any physical cave that we're aware of - though Seattle can be a dark and mysterious city, with its share of stalactite-esque hangers-on. Metaphysically, however, said Cave Singers have filled a cave-like void in Matador's collective musical consciousness this summer. In delivering their sophomore album Welcome Joy, they've unleashed a followup that builds on the earthy, guitar picking, folkiness of their debut Invitation Songs, but with 10 times better production. Take a listen to the latest MP3, At The Cut, and let the Cave Singers rattle around the recesses of your brain for a while. Tell us you don't just want to hop into a car and hit the highway full speed simply to see where the open road leads you? [Ok don't actually tell us if you disagree. It's not so much that we don't care but instead know a perfect little cave (between your own ears) that we encourage you to voice your opinions.] At The Cut may just be a little teaser but luckily you don't have to wait long, the whole album, Welcome Joy, hits stores Tue, Aug 18th!
At The Cut MP3
Also be sure to leave your caves (ok last poorly worded cave reference, we promise) when they swing through a city near you. You'll be happy you did!
CAVE SINGERS / NORTH AMERICAN TOUR DATES
Fri, 7/24 - Spokane WA - Empyrean Coffee House
Sat, 7/25 - Nelson BC - Littlefest
Sat, 9/5 - Vancouver BC - Biltmore Cabaret
Mon, 9/7 - Seattle WA - Bumbershoot Festival
Fri, 9/11 - Minneapolis MN - 400 Bar
Sat, 9/12 - Chicago IL - Schubas
Sun, 9/13 - Detroit MI - Magic Stick
Mon, 9/14 - Toronto ON - Horseshoe Tavern
Thu, 9/17 - Boston MA - TT The Bear's
Sat, 9/19 - New York NY - Bowery Ballroom
Sun, 9/20 - Philadelphia PA - Johnny Brenda's
Mon, 9/21 - Washington DC - Black Cat
Wed, 9/23 - Memphis TN - Hi-Tone Cafe
Thu, 9/24 - Birmingham AL - The Bottletree
Sat, 9/26 - Austin TX - The Mohawk
Tue, 9/29 - Phoenix AZ - Modified
Wed, 9/30 - Las Vegas NV - Beauty Bar
Thu, 10/1 - Los Angeles CA - The Echo
Fri, 10/2 - San Diego CA - Casbah
Sat, 10/3 - Merced CA - The Partisan
Tue, 10/6 - San Francisco CA - The Independent
Fri, 10/16 - Portland OR - Mississippi Studios
The Cave Singers - new album, first MP3

The second album from Seattle's Cave Singers is coming on August 18. It is entitled 'Welcome Joy' and adds a world of color and nuance to the already great songs from their 2007 debut. The trio of Peter Quirk, Derek Fudesco and Marty Lund were joined on this record by Amber Webber (Black Mountain, Lightning Dust) and Ashley Webber (Lightning Dust). They recorded the album at The Hive in Vancouver with Colin Stewart.
Our first MP3 is the gorgeous, brooding, building "Beach House":
Beach House (192k mp3)
Look out for the Cave Singers this September and October as they'll be touring across North America with Lightning Dust. Keep your eyes peeled for details, which will be coming soon.
The Cave Singers & Shearwater in Holy Communion

Just a friendly reminder that tonight there's a Matador double header in London. Having played the shopping mall interior at this weekend's ATP vs The Fans, we felt the need for a more illustrious setting for Shearwater and The Cave Singers - the beautiful Union Chapel in Islington. You can see The Cave Singers from 8pm and Shearwater say grace from 9pm.
Many thanks for Fiona Diffley for photos from this weekend.




Matador Union: Shearwater & The Cave Singers in London
Following what will surely be an incredible performance at this year's ATP The Fans Strike Back in May, Matador's finest Shearwater will headline London's Union Chapel on May 12th. With support from The Cave Singers, sure to be playing new material, this will be a Matador double not to be missed.I love a good poster.

The Cave Singers, Seattle and yonder, very very soon

It may not be of the magnitude of a Saturday Night Live appearance but other bands from Seattle have big news of their own to announce as well. In this case it happens to be news from our favorite bearded, guitar strummers of the Northwest, the Cave Singers, so of course we want to share it with people far and wide. Or at least people on the West Coast of the United States via the Matablog.
Anyhow they've been enlisted to show Department of Eagles around the West Coast. We invite you stop by one of their shows starting this week. We can promise they won't make you sit through Rosario Dawson skits, that's a Matador guarantee!
Fri, Jan 23 / Los Angeles CA / Troubadour
Sat, Jan 24 / Merced CA / The Partisan*
Sun, Jan 25 / San Francisco CA / Cafe Du Nord
Tue, Jan 27 / Portland OR / Doug Fir
Wed, Jan 28 / Seattle WA / Neumos
*show without Dept of Eagles
Jaguar Love - Live On KEXP, Saturday July 26

(above, J, Johnny, Cody, photograph by Michael Lavine)
Jaguar Love's performance at the Capitol Hill Block Party (Seattle, WA) will be webcast on KEXP.org tomorrow at 6:30 PST (9:30 EST). If you've not already made plans, Jay Reatard is on the Neumos stage tonight, while the Cave Singers are playing 2nd on the Main Stage tomorrow.
The Cave Singers return to London

The British love affair continues. I think it's something to do with the high volume of beard per capita/band member.
The above Cargo show is just one of many others Pete, Derek and Marty will be playing in UK, Ireland and beyond....
10 August - Zomerparkfeest, Venlo (NL)
11 August - Bar Mondial, Antwerpen (BE)
12 August - Paradiso, Amsterdam (NL)
14 August - Cargo, London (GB)
15 August - Green Man Festival, Glanusk Park (GB)
16 August - The Adelphi Club, Hull (GB)
18 August - Roundhouse, London (GB) *
20 August - Crawdaddy, Dublin (IE)
21 August - Cyprus Avenue, Cork (IE)
22 August - Roisin Dubh, Galway (IE)
23 August - Speakeasy, Belfast (GB)
* w/ Alela Diane
The Cave Singers - Black Cab Session
Thanks to Annette for the link. I'd like to see someone shoot the Cave Singers in a subway car. And that's not a Bernie Goetz reference, either.
The Cave Singers - Europe Bound

The Cave Singers return to Europe next week for some dates around the legendary Glastonbury festival. They'll also be hitting London's Hyde Park Wireless Festival courtesy of our friends at Bella Union offering a slot on their stage. We're fairly sure that Jay-Z hand picked them too, though.
THE CAVE SINGERS
24/06/08 : Paradiso - Amsterdam (NL)
25/06/08 : Bush Hall - London (UK)
26/06/08 : The Faversham - Leeds (UK)
27/06/08 : King Tuts - Glasgow (UK)
28/06/08 : Bodega Social - Nottingham (UK)
29/06/08 : Glastonbury festival - Glastonbury (UK) - Park Stage
30/06/08 : Thekla - Bristol (UK)
01/07/08 : Night ’n day - Manchester (UK)
03/07/08 : 02 Wireless festival (Hyde Park) - London (UK) - Jay Z day
Matador Records and Record Store Day!
I know for me, every day is Record Store Day, but now there is an official day to celebrate independently owned record stores and it is this Saturday, April 19th! RECORD STORE DAY!
The following bands/members will be participating by:
The New Pornographers - John - DJing at Vintage Vinyl (St. Louis, MO) @ 3:00
Times New Viking - Adam - DJing at Used Kids Records (Columbus, OH) throughout the day between bands
The Cave Singers- In-store performance at CD World (Eugene, OR) @ 3:00
Dead Meadow - Jason - DJing at Other Music (NYC) @ 3:00
Also, this is a list of the very special, very limited edition items we produced specifically for this day:
Matador Turntable Slipmats
Stephen Malkmus - Cold Son 10"
FREE Matador Sampler CD
The Cave Singers Free In-Store - Apple Chicago!
The Cave Singers are going to play a free in-store performance
at the Apple Store in Chicago on North Michigan Ave!
Sunday, April 27th at 3:00pm!
Be there!!