The MataBlog is edited by Matador Records’ co-moaner Gerard Cosloy and individual entries are the work of whoever’s name is next to them. If you enjoyed something in the MataBlog, thank you very much! If there was something you found particularly troubling, please be advised that a) maybe you should read it again and b) the contents of this blog do not necessarily represent the opinions of Matador Records, Beggars Group, the combined staff of either company, nor the Matador artist roster. Opinions are like friends — hardly anyone has one worth listening to.
Due to prevailing global events, the previously announced Kurt Vile / Cate Le Bon US tour scheduled to start this April has been delayed until September. All tickets for the original dates remain good, save for the Austin Paramount Theatre date, as that's been moved to the Scoot Inn on September 18 (see below).
Production, concept and story by: Paul Banks Creative Director, artist and animator: Griffin Frazen
Muzz is the new project of Paul Bank (singer of Interpol), Josh Kaufman (esteemed producer/multi-instrumentalist and one third of Bonny Light Horseman), and Matt Barrick (drummer of Jonathan Fire*Eater, The Walkmen, and Fleet Foxes’ touring band). Today, the trio release their first official single/video, “Broken Tambourine”. “Broken Tambourine” begins with sparse, floating piano by Kaufman, before surging with Banks’ rumbling vocals, Barrick’s low percussion, and a lilting clarinet, while an open door during recording brings in the surrounding nature sounds of the studio in Woodstock and augments the song’s spacious atmosphere. Written, arranged and performed by all three, it perfectly encompasses the collaborative essence of Muzz, a group with recordings dating back to 2015, but, cosmically speaking, with seeds planted long ago.
So how did we get here? Why, casually, of course. Banks and Kaufman have been friends since their formative teen years, having attended high school together overseas before separately moving to New York City for further study. They independently crossed paths with Barrick while running in similar music circles. Some years on, they each remained in touch: Barrick drummed in Banks’ project with The RZA, Banks + Steelz, and on some of Kaufman’s production sessions; Kaufman helped on Banks’s early Julian Plenti solo endeavor; various demos were collaborated on; a studio in Philadelphia was co- bought; “what if”s and “we should”s were tossed about. When the opportunity to make music as a trio presented itself, the gentlemen pounced.
While “Broken Tambourine” is the band’s first official song for Matador, earlier this month, Muzz dropped “Bad Feeling” anonymously via Soundcloud. Stereogum recognized it as “a surprisingly loose and low-key indie track that piles on layers of beauty as it goes.” It chimes and slinks with a touch of panache as Barrick’s kick drum pushes the tune along and Kaufman’s Farfisa fills the space. Together, these two initial numbers from Muzz offer an early glimpse into the band’s dark and expansive sound, and genuine artistic chemistry.
The second track from the forthcoming Car Seat Headrest album, 'Making A Door Less Open' (out May 1), "Martin" is available today ; the band-created lyric video is viewable above.
King Krule's postponed North American and EU dates in support of the newly released Man Alive! have been rescheduled for September, October and December 2020. Tickets purchased for the shows' original dates will be honored. More info can be found at respective venues, linked below.
This morning, Perfume Genius releases a new single, “On The Floor" from the forthcoming new album 'Set My Heart On Fire Immediately' (May 15). “On the Floor” is a celebratory pop song that plays with the album’s themes of love, sex, memory and the body, channeling popular music mythologies while irreverently authoring its own. As with the last single “Describe,” Mike Hadreas directed the video for “On The Floor” and notes, “A crush can really live on its own, separate from you and the person you are pining for. The fantasy feels like its own world, obsession can turn the person you are longing for in to a monument that has less and less to do with them and more to do with the idea of love itself and what it can do, what it can soothe or quiet or light on fire. I wanted to show that maddening, solitary part of desire but keep the core which is a real warmth and belief that you have something crucial to share with each other."
A day prior to the start of their North American tour in support of 'There Is No Year', Algiers have released a live video of their cover of Outkast's "Liberation" (above). Though the recent cancelation of SXSW has seen official events wiped from the band's scheduled, Algiers will be hitting Austin in two weeks' time (see below) with an additional show likely to be added.
Wednesday, March 11 Johnny Brenda’s, Philadelphia PA Thursday, March 12 Black Cat, Washington DC Friday, March 13 Mothlight, Asheville NC Saturday, March 14 529, Atlanta GA Tuesday, March 17, Cheer Up Charlies, Austin TX (1pm) Tuesday, March 17, End Of An Ear, Austin TX (4pm) Thursday, March 19, Hotel Vegas, Austin TX (2:45pm) Friday, March 20 Club Congress, Tucson AZ Saturday, March 21 Casbah, San Diego CA Tuesday, March 24 The Echo, Los Angeles CA Wednesday, March 25 Slim’s, San Francisco CA Saturday, March 28 Polaris Hall, Portland OR Sunday, March 29 The Crocodile, Seattle WA Wednesday, April 1 Turf Club, St. Paul MN Thursday, April 2 Cactus Club, Milwaukee WI Friday, April 3 Empty Bottle, Chicago IL Saturday, April 4 Rumba Club, Columbus OH Sunday, April 5 Deluxx Fluxx, Detroit MI Monday, April 6 The Baby G, Toronto ON Tuesday, April 7 Bar Le Ritz, Montreal QC Thursday, April 9 Saint Vitus, Brooklyn NY (SOLD OUT) Friday, April 10 Saint Vitus, Brooklyn NY Tuesday, April 21 Knust, Hamburg DE Friday, April 24 Nalen Klubb, Stockholm SE Saturday, April 25 Mejeriet, Lund SE Monday, April 27 Lido, Berlin DE Wednesday, April 29 Morze, St. Petersberg RU Thursday, April 30 Aglomerat, Moscow RU Sunday, May 3rd ISC, Bern CH Monday, May 4th Bogen F, Zurich CH
This weekend Kim Gordon laid down a firm indication of what's in store for the upcoming EU & North American tour dates with a blistering set streamed live from BBC 6 Music Festival in Camden, UK.
Taking to the stage on Sunday evening, Kim and her band tore through a set list defined by the uprorious 'Air BnB', 'Hungry Baby' and 'Murdered Out'. See below for a clip of 'Air BnB':
'Traditional Techniques', the new album from Stephen Malkmus is available from all streaming services and traditional (sorry) retail outlets. Barring any advice from the CDC, Stephen, Chris Funk and Matt Sweeney will kick off North American touring March 31 at Minneapolis' First Avenue.
The MataBlog is edited by Matador Records’ co-moaner Gerard Cosloy and individual entries are the work of whoever’s name is next to them. If you enjoyed something in the MataBlog, thank you very much! If there was something you found particularly troubling, please be advised that a) maybe you should read it again and b) the contents of this blog do not necessarily represent the opinions of Matador Records, Beggars Group, the combined staff of either company, nor the Matador artist roster. Opinions are like friends — hardly anyone has one worth listening to.
