Fire Note Staff

Kevin Morby has a new video for the contemplative City Music standout “Downtown’s Lights.” Directed by Hugo Jouxtel and shot in Paris, the video – like the album – is a paean to the cities of the world, with the City of Lights taking center stage.

Kevin begins his US tour next week in Seattle. This comes on the heels of festival performances at Primavera Sound, Field Day, Bonnaroo, Solid Sound, Roskilde, Montreux Jazz Festival, Latitude, Newport Folk, and more, as well as heaps of critical praise for his album City Music (the follow-up to last year’s breakthrough Singing Saw). All current dates are below.

KEVIN MORBY TOUR DATES:
Mon. Aug. 21 – Seattle, WA @ Tractor Tavern
Tue. Aug 22 – Portland, OR @ Aladdin Theater
Thu. Aug 24 – Salt Lake City, UT @ The State Room
Fri. Aug 25 – Fort Collins, CO @ Downtown Artey
Sat. Aug 26 – Denver, CO @ Globe Hall
Mon. Aug 28 – Omaha, NE @ Reverb Lounge
Tue. Aug 29 – St. Paul, MN @ Turf Club
Thu. Aug 31 – Spring Green, WI @ Shitty Barn
Fri. Sep 1 – Chicago, IL @ Lincoln Hall
Sat. Sep 2 – Grand Rapids, MI @ Pyramid Scheme
Sun. Sep 3 – Toronto, ON @ Horseshoe Tavern
Mon. Sep 4 – Montreal, QC @ Bar Le Ritz PBD
Fri. Sep 8 – Richmond, VA @ The Broadberry
Thu. Sep 7 – Sun. Sep 10 – Raleigh, NC @ Hopscotch Music Festival
Wed. Sep 13 – St. Louis, MO @ Off Broadway
Thu. Sep 14 – Kansas City, MO @ Madrid Theater
Fri. Sep 15 – Dallas, TX @ Sundown at Granada
Sat. Sep 16 – Austin, TX @ The Mohawk
Mon. Sep 18 – Santa Fe, NM @ Meow Wolf
Tue. Sep 19 – Phoenix, AZ @ Valley Bar
Thu. Sep 21 – Los Angeles, CA @ Teragram Ballroom
Fri. Sep 22 – Santa Cruz, CA @ The Catalyst Atrium
Sun. Sep 23 – San Francisco, CA @ Great American Music Hall
Sun. Oct. 29 – Nantes, FR @ Festival Soy
Tue. Oct. 31 – London, UK @ Electric Ballroom
Wed. Nov. 1- Leffinge, BE @ De Zwerver / Autumn Falls
Fri. Nov. 3 – Brussels, BE @ Botanique/ Autumn Falls
Sun. Nov. 5 – Copenhagen, DK @ Vega
Mon. Nov. 6 – Copenhagen, DK @ Vega
Tue. Nov. 7 – Stockholm, SE @ Debaser
Wed. Nov. 8 – Oslo, NO @ John Dee
Thu. Nov. 9 – Lund, SE @ Mejeriet
Sun. Nov. 12 – Köln, DE @ Luxor
Tue. 14 Nov. – Schorndorf, DE @ Manufaktur
Wed. Nov. 15 – Munich, DE @ Ampere
Fri. Nov. 17 – Ravenna, IT @ Bronson
Sat. Nov. 18 – Rome, IT @ Monk
Sun. Nov. 19 – Milan, IT @ Serraglio
Mon. Nov 20 – St. Gallen, CH @ Palace
Tue. Nov. 21 – Strasbourg, FR @ La Laiterie
Wed. Nov. 22 – Rouen, FR @ Le 106
Fri. Nov 24 -Brighton, UK @ The Haunt
Sat. Nov 25 – Manchester, UK @ Gorilla

Manchester Orchestra had always prided themselves on their approach. The Atlanta-based band, led by Andy Hull and co-writer Robert McDowell (who is also Hull’s brother-in-law and lifelong friend), had spent their career challenging each other to build a poignant, exhilarating narrative with each new album and EP. The band had worked relentlessly to cultivate a passionate fan base the old-fashioned way: releasing music, making music videos, and touring (most recently with drummer Tim Very and bassist Andy Prince). Their previous long-player, 2014’s Cope, had even spawned a cover album of itself by its creators, an acoustic-reworking and reimagining of its songs with a heavily emotional bent that they called Hope. But now — thirty years old, stable, and a first-time father — Hull found himself facing a crisis of inspiration.

A Black Mile to the Surface is a bold record of vision and purpose, inspired by and dwelling in a sensory, cinematic experience. It’s a reinvention of sorts, both musically and personally—a sort of cosmic worldview shift. But in the end, the record’s themes are universal. On the stunning final track, Hull sings, “Let me watch you as close as a memory/ Let me hold you above all the misery/ Let me open my eyes and be glad that I got here.” Certainly, that’s a father speaking hope to his daughter, but it’s also a message to listeners. How do you write songs about being happy? With your eyes wide open, your loved ones in front of you, and the misery of the world waiting just outside the door.

A Black Mile To The Surface is out July 28 via Loma Vista Recordings. The album – features production by Catherine Marks (Foals, The Killers, Interpol), John Congleton (St. Vincent, Explosions In The Sky, Angel Olsen, Cloud Nothings), and Dan Hannon (Manchester Orchestra’s longtime producer).

Los Angeles-based Wand have announced their new release of Plum, out September 22nd via Drag City Records. Watch the video for “Plum” below. As Hanson describes it, “The song transpires between our collective harmony and individual dissent. It felt like we were each trying to obstruct a clear path in order to discover new space. As a total accident, ‘Plum’ wound up being a miniature blueprint to the musical language we developed together over months of dedicated writing.” You can see the album’s tracklist below along with the band’s tour dates.

Plum Tracklisting:
1. Setting
2. Plum
3. Bee Karma
4. Charles De Gaulle
5. High Rise
6. White Cat
7. The Trap
8. Ginger
9. Blue Cloud
10. Driving

Wand Tour Dates:
Sat. Sep. 23 – Los Angeles, CA @ Troubadour #
Sun. Sep. 24 – San Diego, CA @ Casbah #
Mon. Sep. 25 – Las Vegas, NV @ Bunkhouse #
Wed. Sep. 27 – Denver, CO @ Lost Lake #
Thu. Sep. 28 – Lincoln, ME @ Lincoln Calling
Fri. Sep. 29 – Minneapolis, MN @ Triple Rock Social Club #
Sat. Sep. 30 – Chicago, IL @ Lincoln Hall #
Mon. Oct. 2 – Toronto, ON @ Baby G #
Tue. Oct. 3 – Montreal, QC @ Bar Le Ritz #
Wed. Oct. 4 – Cambridge, MA @ Cambridge Elks Lodge #
Fri. Oct. 6 – New York, NY @ Bowery Ballroom #
Sat. Oct. 7 – Philadelphia, PA @ Everybody Hits #
Sun. Oct. 8 – Washington, DC @ DC9 #
Tue. Oct. 10 – Raleigh, NC @ Kings #
Wed. Oct. 11 – Atlanta, GA @ 529 #
Thu. Oct. 12 – New Orleans, LA @ Gasa Gasa #
Fri. Oct. 13 – Austin, TX @ Barracuda #
Sat. Oct. 14 – Dallas, TX @ Dada #
Sun. Oct. 15 – Norman, OK @ The Opolis #
Wed. Oct. 18 – Salt Lake City, UT @ Metro Bar #
Thu. Oct. 19 – Boise, ID @ Neurolux #
Sat. Oct. 21 – Vancouver, BC @ The Cobalt #
Sun. Oct. 22 – Seattle, WA @ The Vera Project #
Tue. Oct. 24 – San Francisco, CA @ The Chapel #
Tue. Jan. 23 – Brighton, UK @ Patterns
Wed. Jan. 24 – London, UK @ Dome
Thu. Jan. 25 – Bristol, UK @ Louisiana
Fri. Jan. 26 – Manchester, UK @ Soup Kitchen
Sat. Jan. 27 – Glasgow, UK @ Garage 2
Sun. Jan. 28 – Leeds, UK @ Brudenell (main room)
Mon. Jan. 29 – Birmingham, UK @ Hare & Hounds (room 2)

# = with Darto

We just featured The I.L.Y’s (Zach Hill and Andy Morin of Death Grips) on Friday with the Fire Track “I Love You Man,” but now they have a video for the first track on their record, “Wash My Hands Shorty.” We are really grooving on this album and suggest you check it out soon over at Castle Face. Also – we hope you like ladybugs!!!

NYC’s Charly Bliss have released a music video for “Westermarck,” a track from their debut album, Guppy, out now via Barsuk Records. Charly Bliss have also announced a UK run and a Brooklyn, NY show at Music Hall of Williamsburg in September.

The band is currently on tour and have dates with Death Cab For Cutie, Pup and Kevin Devine. All dates below.

TOUR DATES:
6/13 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Spirit Hall *
6/14 – Lancaster, PA @ Chameleon Club *
6/15 – Washington, DC @ Black Cat
6/16 – New Haven, CT @ Café Nine
6/17 – Somerville, MA @ Once
6/23 – Portchester, NY @ Garcias ^
9/8 – Phoenix, AZ @ The Van Buren #
9/9 – San Bernardino, CA @ High and Low Fest
9/12 – Cardiff, UK @ Clwb iFor Bach
9/13 – London, UK @ The Old Blue Last
9/14 – London, UK @ The Garage +
9/15 – Liverpool, UK @ Studio 2
9/16 – Leeds, UK @ Headrow House
9/17 – Glasgow, UK @ Hug & Pint
9/19 – Manchester, UK @ The Eagle Inn
9/20 – Birmingham, UK @ The Sunflower Lounge
9/28 – Brooklyn, NY @ MHOW @

* with Pup
^ with Kevin Devine
# with Death Cab for Cutie
@ with Sad13
+ with Chastity Belt

Foo Fighters have a just hit everyone with the surprise-release new single, “Run.” “Run” is the first new Foo Fighters music since the band released the free Saint Cecilia EP in late 2015.

The track is accompanied by a time-traveling mind-warp of a video directed by the band’s own Dave Grohl. No word on a new record yet but hopefully soon!

Vagabon has just shared a music video for “Fear & Force.” The track is another excellent song off her Headphone Approved debut, Infinite Worlds.

Vagabon has also announced tour dates with Teagan & Sara, Pinegrove, Girlpool and headlining dates with Nnamdi Ogbonnaya. All dates below.

TOUR DATES:
6/7 – Norfolk, VA @ The Norva ^
6/8 – Charlotte, NC @ The Fillmore ^
6/9 – Raleigh, NC @ North Carolina Museum of Art ^
6/11 – Washington, DC @ Rock & Roll Hotel ~
7/10 – Easthampton, MA @ The Flywheel
7/11 – Allston, MA @ The Great Scott
7/12 – Ithaca, NY @ The Haunt
713 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Cattivo *
7/14 – Detroit, MI @ El Club *
7/15 – Chicago, IL @ Pitchfork Music Festival
717 – Newport, KY @ Southgate House Revival *
718 – Columbus, OH @ Park Street Saloon *
8/11 – New York, NY @ Lincoln Center (Damrosch Park)
9/12 – Providence, RI @ Columbus Theater #
9/13 – Portland, ME @ Space Gallery #
9/14 – Montreal, QC @ Pop Montreal
9/15 – Toronto, ON @ Smiling Buddha #
9/19 – Minneapolis, MN @ Triple Rock Social Club #
9/20 – Omaha, NE @ Reverb Lounge #
9/21 – Denver, CO @ Larimer Lounge #
9/22 – Salt Lake City, UT @ Kilby Court #
9/23 – Boise, ID @ Neurolux #
9/24 – Portland, OR @ Holocene #
9/25 – Vancouver, BC @ Fox Cabaret #
9/26 – Seattle, WA @ The Vera Project #
9/28 – San Francisco, CA @ Swedish American Hall #
9/29 – Santa Cruz,CA @ Crepe Place #
9/30 – Long Beach, CA @ Music Tastes Good
10/2 – Phoenix, AZ @ Rebel Lounge #
10/5 – Austin, TX @ Barracuda #
10/6 – Houston, TX @ Walter’s #
10/7 – New Orleans, LA @ Gasa Gasa #
10/8 – Atlanta, GA @ The Masquerade #
10/11 – Richmond, VA @ Strange Matter #

^ w/ Teagan & Sara
~ w/ Girlpool
* w/ Pinegrove
# w/ Nnamdi Ogbonnaya

Melbourne’s King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard have announced a second run of US tour dates in 2017, confirming fall headlining shows set to extend throughout September and October in Nashville, Denver, Portland and more. The band will also be releasing their next and new studio album Murder of the Universe next month on June 23rd.

The tour dates are below but make sure you check out this 360 concert video that features 16 sets across 7 sold out dates. It not only will get you ready for a show but does a nice job of giving you the full King Gizzard experience!

US TOUR DATES
9/26 – Nashville, TN – Cannery Ballroom
9/28 – New Orleans, LA – One Eyed Jack’s
9/30 – Austin, TX – Mohawk Outside
10/1 – Dallas, TX – Trees
10/3 – Albuquerque, NM – Sister Bar
10/4 – Denver, CO – Ogden Theatre
10/5 – Boulder, CO – Fox Theatre
10/6 – Salt Lake City, UT – Metro Music Hall
10/7 – Boise, ID – Neurolux
10/8 – Portland, OR – Crystal Ballroom
10/9 – Vancouver, BC – Commodore Ballroom
10/10 – Seattle, WA – Neptune Theatre
10/12 – San Francisco, CA – The Fillmore

EUROPEAN TOUR DATES
5/31 – 6/4 – Barcelona, Spain – Primavera Sound Festival 2017
6/3 – London, UK – Field Day 2017
6/5 – 6/8 – Marina di Ravenna, Italy – Beaches Brew 2017
6/8 – 6/10 – Porto, Portugal – NOS Primavera Sound 2017
6/9 – 6/11 – Nimes, France – This Is Not A Love Song 2017
6/13 – Brighton, UK – Concorde 2
6/14 – Manchester, UK – Albert Hall
6/15 – London, UK – O2 Forum Kentish Town
6/16 – 6/18 – Hilvarenbeek, Netherlands – Best Kept Secret Festival 2017
6/16 – 6/18 – Mannheim, Germany – Maifeld Derby 2017
6/22 – Paris, France – Cabaret Sauvage
7/21 – 7/23 – Byron Bay, NSW, Australia – Splendour in the Grass Festival 2017

Peter Perrett – former frontman of The Only Ones – recently announced his debut solo album, How The West Was Won, and shared the title track. Today, he shares another new song, “An Epic Story” from the forthcoming album, out June 30th on Domino.

Perfume Genius (aka Mike Hadreas) has just released the second video from his album No Shape, which came out last Friday. “Die 4 You” is directed by Floria Sigismondi (David Bowie, Rihanna, Justin Timberlake) and features the artwork of Rosa Verloop.

The No Shape tour starts tomorrow:

Wed, May 10 – Magic Stick Lounge – Detroit, MI
Thu, May 11 – Virgin Mobile Mod Club – Toronto
Fri, May 12 – Theatre Fairmount – Montreal, QC
Sat, May 13 – Royale – Boston, MA
Mon, May 15 – 9:30 Club – Washington, DC
Tue, May 16 – Brooklyn Steel – Brooklyn, NY
Thu, May 18 – Union Transfer – Philadelphia, PA
Fri, May 19 – Cat’s Cradle – Carrboro, NC
Sat, May 20 – Terminal West – Atlanta, GA
Sun, May 21 – Exit/In – Nashville, TN
Tue, May 23 – Back Room at Colectivo – Milwaukee
Wed, May 24 – Cedar Cultural Center – Minneapolis
Thu, May 25 – Lincoln Hall – Chicago, IL
Fri, June 16 – Eaux Claires Festival – Eau Claire, WI
Sat, June 17 – Eaux Claires Festival – Eau Claire, WI
Sat, July 15 – Imperial – Vancouver, BC
Sun, Jul 16 – Revolution Hall – Portland, OR
Tue, Jul 18 – The Independent – San Francisco CA
Wed, Jul 19 – The Independent – San Francisco CA
Sun, Jul 23 – Capitol Hill Block Party – Seattle WA