Yo London! What's up? We're sometimes jealous of your fine city. You get this; we get this. Basically, your royalty wears funny, interesting hats; our royalty has terrible hairpieces.
It doesn't seem fair.
Anyhoo, sometimes your city gets jealous of our city too, and a perfect example of that is the first weekend of May when the Barbican is inviting over a ton of New Yorkers to celebrate awesome New York composer Steve Reich. That celebration includes two performances by Brassland's own Clogs. And it also includes this great interview with a bunch of America's new & composed music types. In particular we'd like to point you toward the contribution by...
Attention Britons, the British & members of the citizenry of the United Kingdom! For the first time ever, Rispote by Buke and Gass is available all up in there, in England specifically, and at the Rough Trade Shop more specifically.
To snag yourself a copy, head on over to their internet website, and if you are near London, you can pick one up over at their location on Tabot Road or the newer store off Brick Lane. Right now it is available as a plain ol' retail release, and in just in time for their European tour in June it will be among their "record of the month" selections.
We are super excited that Rispote is available over there, and we hope they get into your ha...
Just like a mountie on patrol, Brassland is here to serve you, Canada.
Brassland records are now available in Canada via our friends at Secret City Records. We're starting with The National's catalog but look for our other releases soon. Or- even better, request them. Help out! If you can't find something of ours at your local store, let them know!
There are quite a-many Canadian clips we can place to really drive home the point... but none really does Canadians justice (as well as sum up American ignorance) like this:
On February 8th, the National played a small, packed show at The Studio at Webster Hall. MTV filmed the show for their Live in NYC series. You can watch video of five songs here. Also make sure you tune into PUSH on MTV when they air some of the footage.
Be sure to check them out on their upcoming European dates and also three shows with Arcade Fire.
MAR 03: HELSINKI, FINLAND / THE HOUSE OF CULTURE // w/ SHARON VAN ETTEN
MAR 04: HELSINKI, FINLAND / THE HOUSE OF CULTURE // w/ SHARON VAN ETTEN
MAR 15: SINGAPORE MOSAIC MUSIC FESTIVAL (ESPLANADE THEATRE)
MAR 17: TOKYO, JAPAN / DUO
April 2-3: SANTIAGO, CHILE / LOLLAPALOOZA CHILE 2011 // ENTRADAS
Apr...
The day after Valentine's Day, Buke & Gass shared a bill with the legendary Lou Reed and Laurie Anderson at The Stone in New York City, a club originated by John Zorn. Call it a four-way-love-in, maybe? It was definitely an passionate experience for their ears! And no we're not using any gross sexual innuendos here, nor are we going to talk about what kind of love Lou Reed was into in the 1970s, so don't even think about it.
A few days after their run-in with Lou & Laurie, Buke and Gass headed to Europe for their first cross-Atlantic shows since opening a few dates for The National last May. They've just completed participating in the multi-day Cross-Linx Festival i...
Just like a steamy bowl of ramen, Brassland is tingling the senses of the Japanese folks! Our digital catalog will be available there beginning on February 16th, followed by selected titles being available in physical edition on March 9th.
The National / The National
The National / Sad Songs For Dirty Lovers
Buke And Gass / Riposte
Doveman / The Conformist
Shouts out to our Japanese partner Hostess for making this possible. Definitely head over to their site and check out how many yen a record costs! It's a thrill, if not just to see surprises like what The National lyrics look like in Japanese!
Buke and Gass have announced a US Tour with none other than avant-songstress tUnE-yArDs which heads from coast to coast this April. Seems to use like an awesome match to the heavy-hitting melodic wonderment that is Buke and Gass. Below are the dates, hop on over to their artist page and check out the details.
But first, behold some of tUnE-yArDs awesomeness:
And, if you please, read this summary of thee dates:
04-26 San Francisco, CA - Great American Music Hall
04-28 Portland, OR - Doug Fir Lounge
04-29 Seattle, WA - The Crocodile
04-30 Vancouver, British Columbia - The Biltmore Cabaret
05-02 Garden City, ID - Visual Arts Collective
...
Our personal superhero, Doveman, is in the midst of a highly praised run of shows at New York's Le Poisson Rouge called the Burgundy Stain Sessions. No stranger to working with other musicians (as he has in the past with the likes of David Byrne and Yoko Ono), the first installment of Burgundy Sessions hosted the likes of Sam Amidon, Beth Orton and Glen Hansard. It's almost like that Big Four thing that happened in Europe, only with folkie people rather than Megadeath.
Anyway, you can get a dose of many a music personality at these shows while still hearing plenty of Doveman's own material, sung "in the style he calls insomnia pop: uncertain anthems, sung in his whisper...
We told ya once, and darn tootin we'll tell you twice. Not only did NME pick the new Clogs record as one of the most underrated albums of 2011, but also our very own bundles of love Buke & Gass, with NME saying "they sound like nothing you've ever heard before." Check out this live version of Bundletuck they posted:
Be warned, Buke and Gass are comin' for ya Europe! Be sure to check out their artist page for the latest tour dates! If you're too lazy to clickity-click, they'll be there in February, including a bunch of dates in Holland curated by our generically named pals in The National.
Clogs will arrive in the UK in May to survey the damage tha...
Well, we're as red as a tomato in the sun from all the praise Clogs received in 2010. And apparently, so are they, as we're happy to announce their first live dates of 2011.
First the praise part. Our friends at NPR took a few minutes out of their busy schedule praising Buke & Gass to give some kudos to Clogs, naming their album 'The Creatures In The Garden Of Lady Walton' to their very short list of the best genre-defying albums of 2010. 'By turns wistful and playful, the album is one of the most evocative and appealing records of the year, in any genre,' they said. Across the pond, NME named the album among the most underrated of 2010. And, well, underrated...
Hello New Yorkers (and those who have really big budgets for traveling to shows). Over the next month and a half, a bunch of artists on the Brassland label, as well as some close friends and associates, are playing at the Ecstatic Music Festival. Booked by Brassland friend Judd Greenstein in cahoots with his New Amsterdam collective, it starts today and runs through late March with well over a dozen concerts at the Kaufman Center's Merkin Hall in midtown Manhattan.
Most notably, it kicks off on today with a FREE six-hour plus marathon headlined by our recent champs Buke & Gass, who will be showcasing a special collaboration with our acquaintances in the group Victoire. Thank heav...
Did you hear that there's A GREAT DEAL of stuff happening in the world of Buke & Gass? Well, holy snapskis, there is! For one thing, public radio's affection for the band is off the charts. We talked about this a bit in December but let's do a kind of wrap-up.
Rispote was named one of NPR's 50 Favorite albums of 2010. All Songs Considered named the album one of their top albums of the year. All Things Considered profiled the band and the creation of their unique instruments. The band filmed a Tiny Desk Concert which you can stream or download and, via the wonders of technology, which you can now watch right here on this internet site. NPR's Bob Boilen pick...
How's it going? Have your New Year's Eve bruises become bearable yet? Did you smell bad when you woke up? Well all is renewed now!! It's a new year.
Speaking of newness, welcome to our brand-spanking new website! Thousands of emails, beaucoup internet wizardry, holiday interruptions and global hard work went into this new site! We are still working out the kinks so be gentle. If you are sentimental or need some time to adjust to the change, our old site is still up at http://www.brassland.org/v2 for a limited time. We don't think it's as good as this new one but, hey, we respect your nostalgia.
On that topic and speaking of oldness, did you know that this was Brassland'...
Well, the holidays are fast approaching and you know what that means. Holiday party awkwardness, gifts you didn't ask for that you have to pretend to like, and loud Santa sing-a-longs with your pals...
We can help you with that last part! To wish you a Happy Holidays, we are offering you a free download of Clogs We Were Here featuring Sufjan Stevens & Shara Worden from My Brightest Diamond!
Just head over to this page we've set up to connect with us on Facebook for the link.
We at Brassland want to thank you for a great 2010! Please take this song as a token of our gratitude! See you in 2011!
Well, who would've thunk it: NPR sure has shown Buke & Gass their fair share of love this year. Whether it be including their debut in NPR Musics 50 Favorite Albums of 2010, an interview/performance segment on WNYCs Soundcheck, a Marketplace music pick with Buke & Gass Arone Dyer, or tracks featured on Morning Edition, their support has run far and wide...and we love it!
Bob Boilen has been giving Radiolab some major competition for being the band's biggest supporter at NPR naming it his 4th best record of 2010 just below Brassland pals Sufjan Stevens & Jonsi -- and then bringing them up again (again!) in his All Songs Considered year-end wrap-up. I think we prob...
If you still haven't caught Buke & Gass, you are in luck. The musical duo is touring throughout various parts east of the Mississippi, and even Montreal! Be advised however, their routing has changed and on December 7th they will be making a stop in Columbus, OH. To get a full view of the touring schedule, check out their artist page on the Brassland site.
With all these shows going on, the media chatter continues to pour in. Legendary rock critic Michael Azzerad tweeted: "OMFG, Buke & Gass blew me away tonight." The folks over at Pitchfork share a similar attitude: ". . . the results are positively arresting. Arresting indeed. But all the positive energy does not stop t...
Since the release of their debut album last month Riposte, Buke & Gass has gained the attention of many listeners out there, some of whom are super important VIP types. What does the buzz sound like? It can all be summed up nicely with New Yorker pop music critic Sasha Frere Joness recent tweet showing some serious love: Kinda dying to see Buke & Gass live. But, please, there is no need for desperation! No need to die! You people are about to get the chance to catch Buke & Gass in several U.S. cities.
Starting in early December, the band will be touring (mostly) alongside fellow Brooklynites, Talk Normal throughout the Northeastern North America (and Cleveland and Chicago). Yo...
If you thought the Brassland site was awesome before, you are in for a nice surprise. Things just got even awesomer.
Now, when browsing through your backcatalog favorites, you can enjoy some videos right on the album page that that video is associated with. Say what? Well, for example did you know a video existed for "Sugar Wife" from The National's sophomore LP, Sad Songs for Dirty Lovers? Hell, we barely remembered. But now the internet has come up, smacked us upside the head and reminded us.
Thank you internet.
What can we say? All that yadda yadda yadda text about these records goes down much better with some video & audio to check out. Clickity click an...
Buke & Gass are hitting the road again...sort of. They're hitting lots of local toll roads, at least, doing three shows in New York City in October, with gigs booked on the 14th, 21st, and 27th. The 14th will be especially hot & intense because it is at Silent Barn; the the 21st gig at The Living Room is especially notable for falling during the CMJ festival; the 27th will be especially awesome because it is with Nat Baldwin of Dirty Projectors.
All this local activity follows up the copious press love that has greeted the release of Riposte. Tobias Carroll, over at Dusted, refers to their rebel style saying how the band recalls "the avant-garde, the handcrafted, the anti-autho...
Basically we're pretty into this. And, well, we think things went over pretty well. 'Nuf said? This is one of those rare cases where we'll just shut up & let the pictures do the talking.
The soothing tones which Thomas Bartlett's Doveman project specializes in are certainly pleasing to the ears. Now, add some visuals to the Doveman experience with the latest video premiere off his 2009 album The Conformist. Directed by Sam Amidon, a childhood friend and a considerable musician in his own right, The Burgundy Stain video depicts an array of powerful scenes showing the tranquility of nature, the beauty of musical creation, and the emotional attachment to family.
The viewer is transformed! At least for the 2 minutes and 26 seconds that it lasts. Amidon had these words to contribute alongside this video:
The video was shot in Vermont, where the trees are...
The wait is officially over for Buke & Gass's debut full-length "Riposte." No more lingering pre-ordering excitement. No more media buzz in the same magazines you read concert listings in. You no longer have to buy the record directly from us. (Which makes us sad, but don't worry, we'll cope.)
"Riposte" is now available for purchase through various other sources. May we suggest Apple's iTunes or Amazon's internet website or eMusic or, perhaps, the indie rock champions at Insound
While you enjoy your new tunes, we recommend you check out some awesome multimedia experiences that give you more of the full Buke & Gass experience. If you can't be there li...
CLICK HERE FOR THE PRE-SALE of BUKE & GASS's MOST-EXCELLENT DEBUT LP RIPOSTE
The latest member of the Brassland family has been out and about, playing shows, conducting interviews, and receiving press. We thought we'd compile some of the media attention for your convenience, starting with this interview at Village Voice, which provided the lowdown on "Medulla Oblongata" (it's about "the trials of miscommunication"), Aron's early instrument designs (thumb pianos, talking drums), and where to find a good lunch in Brooklyn (Calexico in Columbia Heights). TimeOut NY's piece on the band cross-referenced their sound with Dirty Projectors, Deerhoof, and Marnie Stern,...
Last week, Clogs released a video for their latest single, "Last Song," on Pitchfork.tv. Directed by twin brothers Benjamin and Stefan Ramirez Perez, the video layers animation over traditionally filmed images to gracefully show a fragmented narrative in which two characters shift between isolation and interaction. The tune itself features The National's Matt Berninger (pictured at left with daughter Isla on the latest cover of Under the Radar), whose baritone enters a minute and a half in. You can watch the video below.
In addition to the video, Clogs are releasing the digital-only Last Song EP. Featuring the title track, two exclusive b-sides ("No Bridge" and the curiousl...
The last few months have been exciting ones for The National, and we've been trying to match that excitement with plans for the back catalog. First off you can get their debut The National (s/t) right now as one of Amazon.com's $5.00 digital deals. It will be up there for the rest of July.
More exciting is that are new pressings of the band's Brassland back catalog on vinyl. Sad Songs for Dirty Lovers vinyl will be available in stores on July 20th; The National (s/t) will be available in stores in the first week or two of August. (Check with your local shop. They'll appreciate hearing from you!)
Alternatively, if you're an impatient sort or you want an e...
In our past three news posts, The National's designated rhythm specialist Bryan Devendorf has given us a taste of what life is like working in a "mid level band" (his words, not ours). It involves NPR, car services, trans-continental flights, and an awful lot of rumination.
Today, however, brings something new - namely, pictures. While Bryan chose to express himself through wry, stream of consciousness prose, guitarist Aaron Dessner and bassist Scott Devendorf took some snaps with their cameras. We thought we'd post some of our favorites - complete with pithy captions - for your viewing pleasure. For more shots, head over to our Flickr account.
Putting fingers to keys, The National's Bryan Devendorf has guided us through the band's Glastonbury experience. Over the past three days, we've read about Martin Sheen and method acting, white wine and Biggie Smalls.
Today's post comes from the 26th, the day the band officially plays...Glastonbury. The Reports from the Road have led up to this moment. So what goes through a man's mind before playing a large British festival? See below.
Day Three: "What It's Like"
Somerset, UK
June 26, 2010
My dad was a helicopter pilot in Vietnam. When we were young there was a slideshow he showed us of aerial photographs of Saigon he had...
Two days ago, The National's Bryan Devendorf resumed his Reports from the Road series with a report from home in anticipation of the band's appearance at the Glastonbury Festival in Pilton. We learned that listening to NPR is a good way to begin a nap, that the car service to the airport was probably not on the up and up, and that Bryan is comfortable with a window seat.
Well, now comes Day Two. The "most-esteemed" Boeing 747 has set down at Heathrow and the twenty hours of R&R commence. What does a drummer do with that kind of time? Read below.
Day Two: Day Off
London, UK
June 25, 2010
In the ongoing film of my life of which I am star, cin...
Two years ago, The National toured the United States and Canada with REM and Modest Mouse. Drummer Bryan Devendorf documented the band's travels with words and pictures, bringing tales of the road to Brasslanders everywhere.
Now that the band is again touring - this time through Europe in support of their Billboard-charting new album, High Violet - Bryan opened up his word processor and cranked out some prose for your reading pleasure. Without further ado, we bring you "Reports from the Road by Bryan Devendorf, Volume 2." Enjoy!
Day One: GLASTONBURY NOW
Brooklyn, New York
June 24, 2010
Its morning in America, again.
I study the ceil...
On May 11th, CocoRosie released its fourth full-length record, Grey Oceans. The release came and went without too much fanfare. Our friend Brandon at Stereogum noticed this and decided to run this op-ed article - featuring input from artists such as Antony Hegarty, Yoko Ono, Jamie Stewart (Xiu Xiu) and Annie Clark (St. Vincent) - on the lack of critical discourse surrounding CocoRosie's music as well as critic's individual cowardice in embracing more challenging music generally. Brandon writes:
A few years ago I wrote a positive review of CocoRosie's 'The Adventures of Ghosthorse And Stillborn.' Too positive, it turns out: The publication that assigned it killed the piece at th...