The Boaty Weekender : LIneup Reveal, Ticket Presale commences September 14
Belle & Sebastian are thrilled to announce the initial lineup for The Boaty Weekender, their curated, four-day music festival at sea and holiday experience, sailing from Barcelona to Cagliari, Sardinia, 8-12 August 2019. Joining the legendary Scottish host band is an eclectic mix of acts including Mogwai, a reunited Camera Obscura, Django Django, Alvvays, The Buzzcocks, Japanese Breakfast, Honeyblood, HINDS, Kelly Lee Owens, Nilüfer Yanya, Whyte Horses , Tracyanne and Danny and more to be announced.
“It’s the start of September, Belle and Sebastian are facing the autumn term, back in the studio, back to the blackboard, sharpening their plectrums, already dreaming of next summer.
If only there was something to look forward to, a party, an adventure, something on the horizon, something to take the chill out of the thought of winter...
The Boaty Weekender: a sail around the Med, a nice little trip with friends, some of the best people, in some of the best places!
We’ve asked around, we collected the first shipmates. They’re going to earn their passage by playing their best for you, digging deep into their musical reservoirs.
We’re really going to try to make this a great holiday. We’d love to have you along for the trip!
“I thought about a new destination
I'm never short of new inspiration
Roll out the map and mark it with a gin!”
- Belle & Sebastian
The Boaty Weekender marks the 20th anniversary of Belle & Sebastian’s legendary 1998 Bowlie Weekender – a landmark in DIY festivals. The four-day floating festival and luxury holiday cruise around the Mediterranean, is a natural continuation of the band’s special and unmediated relationship with their fans for over three decades.
In addition to multiple performance by each band across 5 stages, this fan and band holiday experience will play host to one-of-a-kind artist collaborations, insightful Q&As, storyteller and panel sessions, theme parties, group activities, custom event merchandise and more. Guests who book in the first 350 staterooms will get access to a special performance of Fold Your Hands Child, You Walk Like a Peasant – an album never before performed in its entirety. Those who reserve a stateroom at any point during the pre-sale will receive an exclusive Boaty Weekender Vinyl for their collection.
For the best selection of staterooms, fans are encouraged to register for the pre-sale of The Boaty Weekender. For more information and news on line-up announcements, visit online at http://www.theboatyweekender.com/
John Peel - remembered
Today marks 10 years since the passing of John Peel, a man who opened the BBC radio airwaves for bands and artists outside the remit of the stations "regular" programming and opened the minds of thousands listening at home to sounds they otherwise may have never heard. One of the original BBC Radio 1 DJs, throughout his 5-decade spanning career he never showed no signs of slowing down and his influence on (the good part) of modern music is immeasurable.
As a small tribute to the many Matador bands who recorded a Peel Session over the years, we've compiled a selection of some of the session that made it on to YouTube, (many - including The Fall, Wisdom Of Harry and Pretty Girls Make Graves - haven't) and there's a full archive of all the Peel sessions over at the BBC Website: http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/johnpeel/sessions/.
Featuring: Cat Power, Interpol, Yo La Tengo, Pavement, Belle and Sebastian, Sonic Youth, Mogwai, The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, Solex, Unsane, Arab Strab, Unwound, Guided By Voices, Superchunk, Techno Animal and Boards Of Canada.
Enjoy.
Matador Releases For Record Store Day, April 16
To be perfectly frank, we thought about blowing off Record Store Day this year. It's not that we don't support record stores - far from it, it's what 37 of 38 employees prefer - but the huge glut of supposedly limited-edition releases, the scrum to get to the counter in the morning, and then the instant reappearance of many of the records on eBay at inflated sums are all an unintended and unwelcome side-effect of the event.That said, we couldn't help ourselves, and neither could three of our artists, so we proudly announce the following limited-edition items. They're all awesome, they're all limited, and if you don't succeed on getting your hands on them on Record Store Day, just remember that the prices on eBay will (most likely) come down over time.
SO, on Saturday, April 16, Matador will have the following RSD exclusives:
From Byrdesdale Garden City in the UK comes the compilation album DAVID'S TOWN. Featuring 11 unreleased tracks from local bands including Gacy and the Boys, Animal Man, Grain and Hateful Coil, in styles varying from DIY to post-punk to power pop, this limited edition from FU-Discs was recorded in Byrdesdale between 1976 and 1979 and not released until now. An essential document of a thriving scene.
Next comes the new 7" single from THE NEW PORNOGRAPHERS, "Moves." Currently moving up the radio charts, and of course featured in Tom Scharpling's genius video for the track, it comes with the unreleased B-side "Drug Deal Of The Heart," recorded at the sessions for the album Together. (Note: the band is playing Coachella on RSD weekend, and then will tour out of there through April and May.)
Finally we have the new 12" from ESBEN AND THE WITCH, the great trio from Brighton, UK - many of you will have seen one of their great shows at SXSW this month. They just wrapped up their US tour and returned to their homeland. The single is the radio edit of "Chorea" and features a remix of their pounding classic "Eumenides" by Stuart Braithwaite of MOGWAI, along with an entirely unreleased 18-minute version of "Corridors" recorded for The Creators Project and only played at a special installation in London for Karl Sadler's Lit Forest. (Note: Esben return to the road in the UK starting this Friday.)
As usual, we will be taking down our webstore in observation of Record Store Day. Get out there, get in line, and spend some money, goddammit!!!
Sonic Youth play London NYE show
As previously reported by our buddies over at ATP you're in for a treat if you happen to be in London this new years eve as there's an amazing gig with Sonic Youth headlining a 4-band bill. Make sure to get down there early to see Factory Floor opening the party, followed by The Pop Group and the 'ATP house band' Shellac, with Mr Stuart Braithwaite spinning records between sets.Not a bad start to 2011!
What they're up to: Kathryn Calder, Mogwai, Dead Meadow, Matmos
Even though we'd been convinced that all that slaving away at the myriad marketing gimmicks, "promo opportunities" and general suffering we put bands through would leave us with some very exhausted talent, it turns out that these guys just can't stop doing thangs... read on to see what some of our beloved have been up to.
Though she's on tour with the New Pornographers, as we speak, Kathryn Calder just put the finishing touches on her new solo record. On August 11 the world'll be treated to 'Are You My Mother?' which features an all-star band featuring Neko, Kurt and Todd from The New Pornographers and a handful of other Canadian musical luminaries. Check File Under: Music for more info.
Mogwai will be releasing the pretty stunning looking live LP entitled, 'Special Moves' to coincide with the release of their first live film 'Burning', which was filmed in Brooklyn during the band's tour in support of 'The Hawk Is Howling' in April of 2009. Check Mogwai's site for info on ordering the record and where you can catch screenings of 'Burning'.
Dead Meadow shot by 3mmet
Following the release of their live-film, Dead Meadow released their second live album 'Three Kings' and soundtrack to aforementioned film, on the Xemu label in April.
Matmos and So Percussion shot by maggiemoo1
Matmos' Drew Daniel and Martin Schmitt have teamed up with So Percussion on a collaboration entitled 'Treasure State' -- expect to have your mind twisted on July 8. Cantaloupe Records sez: "The record had a complex gestation period: at the invitation of Brett Allen, the members of Matmos and So Percussion went to the SnowGhost Studios in Whitefish, Montana-- the Treasure State which gives the album its title-- and collaboratively generated the bulk of the songs. San Francisco plunderphonicist Wobbly then chopped and edited the results on several tracks, and finally, with frequent interventions from Matmos' M. C. Schmidt, "fifth" So Percussion member and producer Lawson White overdubbed extra elements, processed, and mixed the results." There's a handful of live dates, to boot!
Upcoming Mogwai DJ Set on Viva-Radio
While on their recent US tour, Mogwai's Barry Burns had a chance to pop into a few places to flex his DJing muscles. He made it over to Viva-Radio's Brooklyn studio on the day of the one of the band's Music Hall show to record a DJ set and have a chat with Ted Shumaker. The results can be heard in all their glory next week.
Viva-Radio
Naked Fridays Pt. 27
Friday June 5th 4-5PM (Eastern Standard Time)
Mogwai DJing on air and online this week
[Photo of Mogwai at the Music Hall of Williamsburg last night by Ryan Muir]
Tonights' Music Hall of Williamsburg show is the second of Mogwai's three sold out shows in Brooklyn. They're taking some time while in town to DJ at some nearby radio stations
Tonight at 6:30PM EST, tune into WNYU's New Afternoon Show for a DJ set and interview with Stuart. WNYU can be found on 89.1 for listeners in the New York City and streaming at www.wnyu.org for the rest.
Tomorrow afternoon, Stuart will bring his playlist to East Village Radio, starting at 2:30 PM EST.
Don't miss it!
Catch Mogwai on their remaining dates and take advantage of the Hawk Is Howling CD+DVD/ticket bundle while you still can.
April
Tuesday 28 Brooklyn, NY Music Hall Of Williamsburg
Wednesday 29 Brooklyn, NY Music Hall Of Williamsburg
May
Friday 01 Boston, MA Wilbur Theatre
Saturday 02 Northampton, MA Pearl Street
Sunday 03 Montreal, QC Metropolis
Monday 04 Toronto, ON The Phoenix
Tuesday 05 Buffalo, NY The Tralf Music Hall
Wednesday 06 Pontiac, MI Crofoot Ballroom
Friday 08 Chicago, IL Congress Theater
Saturday 09 Milwaukee, WI Turner Hall
Sunday 10 Minneapolis, MN First Avenue
Monday 11 Omaha, NE Slowdown
Tuesday 12 Denver, CO Bluebird Theater
Wednesday 13 Salt Lake City, UT In The Venue
Friday 15 Solana Beach, CA Belly Up Tavern
Saturday 16 Los Angeles, CA Orpheum Theatre
Sunday 17 San Francisco, CA Grand Ballroom
Mogwai Ticket Bundle
We got pretty excited about the upcoming Mogwai tour so we created a special bundle for those of you who haven't picked up The Hawk Is Howling yet.
Click HERE or on the Ticket Hawk (scalper?) above to purchase the bundle. You will receive a ticket for the Mogwai show of your choice and receive the deluxe CD/DVD version of The Hawk Is Howling in your mailbox. You get the ticket you want for the regular price and the album you need with a generous discount. Make sure to print out your order confirmation and bring it with you to the show, you'll be on the Matador guest list for the night!
Buy on the Tours Page for the following dates...
April
Monday 20 Houston, TX Numbers
Tuesday 21 New Orleans, LA Republic
Wednesday 22 Birmingham, AL Workplay
Thursday 23 Asheville, NC Orange Peel
Friday 24 Carrboro, NC Cat's Cradle
Saturday 25 Philadelphia, PA Trocadero Theater
Monday 27 Brooklyn, NY Music Hall Of Williamsburg
Tuesday 28 Brooklyn, NY Music Hall Of Williamsburg
Wednesday 29 Brooklyn, NY Music Hall Of Williamsburg
May
Friday 01 Boston, MA Wilbur Theatre
Saturday 02 Northampton, MA Pearl Street
Sunday 03 Montreal, QC Metropolis
Monday 04 Toronto, ON The Phoenix
Tuesday 05 Buffalo, NY The Tralf Music Hall
Wednesday 06 Pontiac, MI Crofoot Ballroom
Friday 08 Chicago, IL Congress Theater
Saturday 09 Milwaukee, WI Turner Hall
Sunday 10 Minneapolis, MN First Avenue
Monday 11 Omaha, NE Slowdown
Tuesday 12 Denver, CO Bluebird Theater
Wednesday 13 Salt Lake City, UT In The Venue
Friday 15 Solana Beach, CA Belly Up Tavern
Saturday 16 Los Angeles, CA Orpheum Theatre
Sunday 17 San Francisco, CA Grand Ballroom
Shearwater, Mogwai Confirmed For All Points West
Crazy rock fest season is most def. upon us, and us such, you can look forward to the Matablog being routinely scooped this spring and summer by concert promoters and other rockblogs announcing which of our bands are playing in a big field somewhere. Today's joyous news has Shearwater playing the 2nd edition of the All Points West festival (Liberty State Park, NJ) on July 31, on a bill topped by the Beastie Boys, Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Vampire Weekend.
Two days later, Mogwai --- about to start a US tour two weeks from today in Houston --- will play the Sunday, August 2 version of APW II , on a bill headlined by Coldplay, Echo & The Bunnymen and MGMT.
Finally, we've neglected to mention previously that Shearwater are playing Austin, TX tomorrow night (March 31) in support of Neko Case at Stubb's.
Mogwai - North American Dates This Spring
(performing "Scotland's Shame" from 'The Hawk Is Howling', Aula Magna, Lisbon, Feb 5, 2009)
If tickets for all of the dates below aren't on sale now...they will be soon. Support info coming soon.
04/?20 Houst?on,? TX- Numbe?rs
04/?21 New Orlea?ns,? LA- Repub?lic
04/?22 Birmi?ngham?,? AL- Workp?lay Theat?re
04/?23 Ashev?ille,? NC- Orang?e Peel
04/?24 Carrb?oro,? NC- Cats Cradl?e
04/?25 Phila?delph?ia,? PA- Troca?dero
04/?27 Brook?lyn,? NY- Music? Hall Of Willi?amsbu?rg
04/?28 Brook?lyn,? NY- Music? Hall Of Willi?amsbu?rg
04/?29 Brook?lyn,? NY- Music? Hall Of Willi?amsbu?rg
05/?01 Bosto?n,? MA- Wilbu?r Theat?re
05/?02 North?ampto?n,? MA- Pearl? Stree?t
05/?03 Montr?eal,? QUE- Metro?polis?
05/?04 Toron?to,? ON- Phoen?ix
05/?05 Buffa?lo,? NY- Tralf? Music? Hall
05/?06 Ponti?ac,? MI- Crofo?ot Ballr?oom
05/?08 Chica?go,? IL - Congr?ess Theat?re
05/?09 Milwa?ukee,? WI - Turne?r Hall
05/?10 Minne?apoli?s,? MN- First? Avenu?e
05/?11 Omaha?,? NE- The Slowd?own
05/?12 Denve?r,? CO- Blueb?ird Theat?re
05/?13 Salt Lake City,? UT- In The Venue?
05/?15 San Diego?,? Ca- Belly? Up Taver?n
05/?16 Los Angel?es,? CA- Orphe?um Theat?re
Christmas shopping - Cat Power double 10" EP and more
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.
And of course, there are also Matador T-shirts, record bags, and slipmats... not to mention bundle deals.
The Matador Store.
photo of Chan Marshall by Stefano Giovanini
"Zidane" With Mogwai Score, This Week At BAM
"Zidane : A Twenty-First Century Portrait", the feature length documentary by Douglas Gordon and Philppe Parreno, is being shown from tomorrow through October 30 at the Brooklyn Academy Of Music. As lovers of between-Matador-releases are well aware, Mogwai provided the original soundtrack for this stunning visual work.In 2006, the Frenchman Zinédine Zidane, the most gifted—and certainly the most enigmatic—of recent soccer players, received a suitably unusual tribute. “Zidane: A Twenty-first Century Portrait,” screening at Anthology Film Archives and at BAM Oct. 24-30, is a documentary directed by Douglas Gordon and Philippe Parreno and filmed by the great Darius Khondji. It focusses on Zidane alone during a match in April, 2005, between his club at the time, Real Madrid, and Villarreal. There is no commentary, no buildup, nothing about his career or his Algerian background. We are granted only fleeting opportunities to observe the patterns of the game; most of the movie tracks its man in solitude as he bides his time and bursts into activity. Even when he is ejected near the end, for his role in a brawl, we barely see the incident—all of which will be exasperating, to filmgoers and soccer fans alike. Allow yourself to submit to the film’s design, however, to the scuffling roar of its recorded sound and the pulse of its music, and, like a session of hypnotherapy, it may just work its magic. - Anthony Lane, The New Yorker
Mogwai - Remaining North American Dates Postponed.
We regret to be passing the following information along...After playing at ATP last night, Martin was rushed to hospital with complications relating to his heart condition. He has since been discharged and has been advised by doctors to return home
for further medical treatment. Details regarding ticket refunds will be announced shortly on Mogwai and Matador's website. The band however are planning to reschedule the
shows for early 2009.
More news to follow. Thanks. These are the dates affected :
| Mon, Sep 22nd 2008 | 8:00 pm | Wlbur Theatre | Boston, MA | USA | ||
| Tue, Sep 23rd 2008 | 8:00 pm | Metropolis | Montreal, QC | Canada | ||
| Wed, Sep 24th 2008 | 8:00 pm | Phoenix | Toronto, | Canada | ||
| Thu, Sep 25th 2008 | 8:00 pm | The Crofoot | Pontiac, MI | USA | ||
| Fri, Sep 26th 2008 | 8:00 pm | Congress Theater | Chicago, IL | USA | ||
| Sat, Sep 27th 2008 | 8:00 pm | First Avenue | Minneapolis, MN |
Most Assuredly Not The New Mogwai Video
Much as we appreciate the attempt to provide visual accompaniment to 'The Hawk Is Howling''s "The Sun Smells Too Loud", the above video is anything but authorized. Duh.
On the other hand, Mo' Fuzz appreciates the production values.
Mogwai - 'The Hawk Is Howling' Streaming Now
The new Mogwai album 'The Hawk Is Howling' can be heard from start to finish, starting today at the band's MySpace profile. If you're not into MySpace, be advised we thought about streaming the album from random Linkedin profiles of persons who sent us job applications, but it was suggested that would kind of stupid if we wanted many people to hear it. Besides, y'know, aspiring rock biz professionals.
Mogwai - "Batcat" Video
Though Pitchfork, Stereogum and Wired all linked to the above clip --- directed by Dominic Hailstone --- yesterday, for some reason the MySpace video is no longer functioning. So here's a YouTube clip instead of "Batcat" from the forthcoming Mogwai LP/CD 'The Hawk Is Howling', in stores and online on September 23.
The above video along with an animated version of the same song and a film about Mogwai directed by Vincent Moon & Teresa Eggers constitute the DVD portion of the CD/DVD edition of the new album.
The Hawk Is Howling Pre-Order and Bundle
We're happy announce Pre-Order is now up for Mogwai's new album "The Hawk Is Howling." If you order now, you receive $1 off of either the LP or CD and a free poster! Order HERE
In addition, we're offering a special Mogwai BUNDLE deal. You can get all four Matador Mogwai albums (including The Hawk Is Howling) plus a free poster for the insanely low price of $36! The bundle will be shipped around street date. Click HERE to purchase!
New Mogwai MP3 - "The Sun Smells Too Loud"
(Mogwai in Mexico City last month, photo taken from remusmx's Flickr stream)
We're pleased to unveil the first MP3 from the upcoming Mogwai LP/CD, 'The Hawk Is Howling' (out September 23) - "The Sun Smells Too Loud" is a fairly substantial hint that said album is gonna be a scalp-scorcher.
As mentioned previously, the following North American dates are very much confirmed and tickets are on sale :
September 2008
3-Portland, OR @ Music Fest NW (Mogwai headlining ; also appearing Del The Funkee Homosapien, Steel Pole Bathtub, Polvo, Jaguar Love and many more)
4-Seattle, WA @ Showbox SoDo
5-Victoria, BC @ Element
6-Vancouver, BC @ Commodore Ballroom
8-San Francisco, CA @ The Grand Ballroom
9-Los Angeles, CA @ Wiltern Theatre
10-Tucson, AZ @ The Rialto
12-Austin, TX @ Stubb's
13-Dallas, TX @ Granada Theater
15-Atlanta, GA @ Variety Playhouse
16-Richmond, VA @ The National
17-Washington DC @ 9:30 Club
18-New York, NY @ Terminal 5
19-Philadelphia, PA @ Starlight Ballroom
21-Monticello, NY @ ATP Festival
22-Boston, MA @ Wilbur Theatre
23-Montreal, QC @ Metropolis
24-Toronto, ON @ Kool Haus
25-Pontiac, MI @ The Crofoot
26-Chicago, IL @ Congress Theater
27-Minneapolis, MN @ First Avenue
Fuck Buttons provide support on all of the above shows.
Mogwai - 'The Hawk Is Howling' tracklisting
As mentioned last week, there's a new studio LP/CD from Mogwai coming on September 23, 2008, and it's called 'The Hawk Is Howling'. As per the kindly gatherers at Mogwai's UK label, Wall Of Sound, here's a confirmed tracklisting :
1 I'm Jim Morrison, I'm dead
2 Batcat
3 Danphe and The Brain
4 Local Authority
5 The Sun Smells Too Loud
6 Kings Meadow
7 I Love you, I'm Going To Blow Up Your School
8 Scotland's Shame
9 Thank You Space Expert
10 The Precipice
The cover art (above) is unchanged from last week. More details and maybe, just maybe, a judicious leak of one MP3, are to follow.
Mogwai - New EP, Album, North American Tour
BATCAT EP (front sleeve, above) :
Matador will be releasing a new Mogwai EP on September 9 (12" vinyl and download), with UK/EU release coming a day earlier via Wall Of Sound and PIAS Recordings respectively. The selections will include :
1 - Batcat
2 - Stupid Prick Gets Chased By The Police And Loses His Slut Girlfriend
3 - Devil Rides
"Batcat" is featured on the forthcoming new album, 'The Hawk Is Howling' (LP/CD), front cover shown above) which is due out on September 23. "Devil Rides" features vocals by Roky Erickson. "Batcat" and "Stupid Prick...." were both recorded by Andy Miller at Chem 19 and mixed by Gareth Jones at Castle Of Doom. Devil Rides was recorded by Tony Doogan at Castle of Doom with Roky's vocal recorded at Wire Recording by Stuart Sullivan and mixed by Gareth Jones at Castle Of Doom.
The following US dates are now confirmed (and probably going on sale pretty soon). Fuck Buttons support on all shows
September 2008
3-Portland, OR @ Music Fest NW (Mogwai headlining ; also appearing Del The Funkee Homosapien, Steel Pole Bathtub, Polvo, Jaguar Love and many more)
4-Seattle, WA @ Showbox SoDo
5-Victoria, BC @ Element
6-Vancouver, BC @ Commodore Ballroom
8-San Francisco, CA @ The Grand Ballroom
9-Los Angeles, CA @ Wiltern Theatre
10-Tucson, AZ @ The Rialto
12-Austin, TX @ Stubb's
13-Dallas, TX @ Granada Theater
15-Atlanta, GA @ Variety Playhouse
16-Richmond, VA @ The National
17-Washington DC @ 9:30 Club
18-New York, NY @ Terminal 5
19-Philadelphia, PA @ Starlight Ballroom
21-Monticello, NY @ ATP Festival
22-Boston, MA @ Wilbur Theatre
23-Montreal, QC @ Metropolis
24-Toronto, ON @ Kool Haus
25-Pontiac, MI @ The Crofoot
26-Chicago, IL @ Congress Theater
27-Minneapolis, MN @ First Avenue