Xiu Xiu's newest song "Beauty Towne" from their forthcoming album, Always, has gotten some online love these past few days. The video, animated by Jean T Kim, made its debut on NME and can be watched above. The track was also posted on Pitchfork, and can be streamed below. Always comes out March 6th, and is available for pre-order RIGHT HERE.
Polyvinyl is now holding our 2nd annual Buy One, Get One Free CD Sale. Buy any CD and pick another (of equal or lesser value) free. Choose from over 100 titles.
Every Polyvinyl CD from 1996 – 2009 is taking part in the sale -- and, as always, you still get an instant MP3 download of each album you buy, so you can listen to them RIGHT NOW while you wait for your package to arrive. Check out the sale by clicking the link below.
Vivian Girls have teamed up with award winning designer Kate Spade for a series of Pop Up Shows to highlight the company's new Florence Broadhurst line throughout the US. The first of these shows took place in NYC on Feb 10th in Gansevoort Plaza, housed inside a converted tour bus parked to the side of the stage. Check out the rest of the dates below, then read about the NYC pop-up on Paper Mag and Kate Spade's blog.
Vivian Girls / Kate Spade Pop Up Tour
02/22 - Seattle, WA @ Downtown Nordstrom 03/02 - Los Angeles, CA @ The Grove LA 03/16 - Austin, TX @ TBD
This Is Fake DIY just posted the 2nd video for Loney Dear's new song "Loney blues" (directed by Johan Tholson). This one's perfect for all you Valentines Day lovers out there. This song was lucky enough to get 2 videos made for it. The first version debuted on Stereogum earlier this month RIGHT HERE.
If you weren't able to stay awake to watch of Montreal perform "Dour Percentage" on Late Night With Jimmy Fallon on Wed, have no fear, because we've got the performance posted for you above. of Montreal killed it as always, and everyone had a blast!
Quick side note - the people who work at the Jimmy Fallon show gave of Montreal a disposable camera to play with backstage, so keep checking back on the Jimmy Fallon blog for the pictures. Some of them are going to be pretty awesome!
And don't forget! of Montreal's new album, Paralytic Stalks, is out now! Pick one up at your favorite local record store, or directly through us RIGHT HERE.
Paralytic Stalks, the latest masterpiece from of Montreal, is officially out now! Available on various formats including limited edition 180 gram fuchsia 2xLP (see above), CD, cassette, and MP3, Paralytic Stalks is of Montreal's most personal album since 2007's Hissing Fauna, Are You The Destroyer?. The fuchsia vinyl is available exclusively through our online store and limited to just 1500 copies, but that's not to say your favorite local record shop won't have something special. These yellow 2xLPs will be there waiting for you!
To give the world a formal introduction on what Paralytic Stalks is all about, of Montreal will be performing the first single "Dour Percentage" this Wednesday (2/8) on Late Night With Jimmy Fallon, so be sure to tune in!
If you can't wait that long, you can always head over to AOL Spinner and stream the whole album right now. Trust us, you won't be disappointed. Never before has an of Montreal album moved so fluidly from one song to the next - each track feeding off the last in what seems a singular album-long movement that never allows you to rip your ears away.
SPIN.com agrees, calling Paralytic Stalks "an impressive one, jumping from unplugged confessional to atonal weirdness and then back to sunny '60s-style psych-pop, all while still taking aim at fake idiots."
Time Out also shows their love for the album by simply calling it, "blindingly brilliant."
And if you've been wondering what of Montreal mastermind Kevin Barnes was thinking during Paralytic Stalks' recording process, you can find out by reading a few of these great interviews on The Line of Best Fit, Drowned in Sound, and SPIN.com, where he gives you a track-by-track breakdown of Paralytic Stalks. Consequence of Sound also has a great Spotify playlist up on their site that Kevin made featuring a bunch of his influences.
Follow the links below to purchase Paralytic Stalks & to view various package deals.Hide More
Everyone ready for Sasquatch this year? The STRFKR dudes sure are! They'll be playing at this year's festival on May 25, so be sure and check them out if you'll be hangin' in the WA gorge. Follow the link below to check out the full schedule, get tickets, and view other Sasquatchy type info.
While in West Hollywood for his recent show at the Troubadour, Owen's Mike Kinsella sat down with Prefix for an interview about his new album, Ghost Town, what it's like being a father, and his interesting run-in with Rufus Wainwright. Follow the link below to check out the interview. Above photo by Wei Shi.
Ever wonder how Kevin Barnes conceptualizes his eccentric pop songs? Spin lets him explain the drive behind each song on Paralytic Stalks, and he cites failing friendships, evolution through communication, and "trying to keep [himself] together when [he's] faced with all this madness."
Spin is also exclusively streaming all of Paralytic Stalks... right now. Check out the link below!
The new video for Xiu Xiu's latest single, "Hi," (directed by David Horvitz & Jamie Stewart) made its debut on Pitchfork today. This song appears on Xiu Xiu's upcoming album, Always, which comes out March 6th. Pre-orders are up right here - http://www.polyvinylrecords.com/always
NME just posted a great video of Casiokids performing a stripped down version of the song "Golden Years," which appears on their latest album, Aabenbaringen over aaskammen. Check out the video above then head to NME at the link below.
I wish I could create a national holiday. If I could, I'd name today DEERHOOF DAY, and make it a requirement that everyone listen to Deerhoof all day long. Unfortunately, I don't have the power to create such a holiday. Not yet that is...
But alas! I do have the power to post this blog entry, letting you know that Deerhoof's Reveille LP re-issue and their amazing new DeerBazan 7" are both out today.
The Reveille LP re-issue comes on beautiful 180-gram light blue vinyl and has been out of print for a long while now. This album is the first to feature current guitarist John Dieterich and also has a different song sequence that the orignal pressing. Pretty cool eh?
DeerBazan is the newest installment in the ongoing Deerhoof 7" series where other musicians contribute new vocals/lyrics to an existing Deerhoof track while including something of their own on side B. This time, David Bazan does just that with the song "No One Asked to Dance," from last year's Deerhoof vs. Evil. For the B-side, Bazan gave us a live version of the Headphones song "Gas and Matches." This one is limited to just 2000 copies and also comes on blue vinyl.
Follow the link below to check out both releases as well as a few package deals we put together for you! Hide More
Directed by Ewan Macleod, Loney Dear's newest video, "Loney blues," has a faceless skateboarder riding through urban streets. The scenes go perfectly with the slow orchestral swell Emil is known for creating, and Stereogum was nice enough to debut the video. Check it out above, or click the link below to see what Stereogum had to say!
It’s ALWAYS a good day when you get to hear new Xiu Xiu material right? The brand new Xiu Xiu album, Always, will be released March 6th and is now available for pre-order RIGHT HERE. The album will be available on 180-gram clear pink (limited to 500 copies) or black vinyl, CD, and digital formats. There are also some great PACKAGE DEALS available with a new T-shirt + a brand new book of haikus written by Jamie.
More About Always:
After 2 year’s since the band’s last album, Dear God, I Hate Myself, Xiu Xiu (the brainchild of acclaimed songwriter Jamie Stewart) makes its Polyvinyl full-length debut with Always. Produced by Deerhoof's Greg Saunier (who also contributes drums and vocals to the album) and mixed by John Congleton (Antony and the Johnsons, Marylin Manson, the Roots), Always is positively vibrant, transforming avant pop elements from an undertone into a bright black focal point while adding new influences such as choral music, kraut rock and animal field recordings.
Stewart’s fearless lyrics have given voice to life's most untouchable and taboo subjects (sexual objectification, abortion, incest, molestation) while his distinctively committed but hushed vocals crystallize and medicate their unsettling impact. This unflinching lyrical style is coupled with pure, singable melodies -- the kind of pairings that bring into stark relief how often life's worst moments are shouldered with a skewed, cheery grin.
Follow the links below to pre-order Always and to hear the first single, “Hi.”Hide More
The first single from of Montreal's upcoming album, Paralytic Stalks, was debuted on Pitchfork today. "Dour Percentage" is track 3 on the new album and can be heard above. Check out the post on Pitchfork at the link below, and don't forget to pre-order your copy!
of Montreal's Kevin Barnes recently got a chance to sit down with Electronic Musician Magazine to discuss how Paralytic Stalks was recorded. If you're into instruments and tech lingo, then you'll probably love this interview. Check it out at the link below.
After getting back from an extensive European tour late last year, STRFKR are currently gearing up for their North American tour with Painted Palms. Tomorrow (1/4) marks the first date of the tour at The New Parish in Oakland, CA. Right after a short visit to Santa Cruz, they'll come back to the bay area for two sold out back-to-back nights in San Francisco! From there, they'll travel through the South and wrap up the tour in Miami, FL on 1/20. Check out all the dates below and get out to a show if you can!
STRFKR 2012 Tour Dates
Jan 4, 2012 - The New Parish, Oakland, CA * Jan 5, 2012 - Catalyst Atrium, Santa Cruz, CA * Jan 6, 2012 - Great American Music Hall, San Francisco, CA * Jan 7, 2012 - The Independent, San Francisco, CA * Jan 8, 2012 - The Glass House, Pomona, CA * Jan 9, 2012 - The Casbah, San Diego, CA * Jan 10, 2012 - The Crescent Ballroom, Phoenix, AZ * Jan 11, 2012 - VFW, Santa Fe, NM * Jan 13, 2012 - The Prophet Bar, Dallas, TX * Jan 14, 2012 - The Mohawk, Austin, TX * Jan 15, 2012 - Fitzgerald's, Houston, TX * Jan 17, 2012 - One Eyed Jacks, New Orleans, LA * Jan 19, 2012 - Backbooth, Orlando, FL Jan 20, 2012 - Bardot, Miami, FL
HOLY TOLEDO...2011 is almost over! I think it's safe to say, that this has been one of the busiest years in PV history. We celebrated our 15-year anniversary, put out a bunch of amazing records, and made a ton of new friends. Since today marks the last day we'll be in the office slangin' that wax, we're gonna post our best of 2011 list! So read on to learn all about the nerdy stuff we like...
Matt Lunsford - Co-owner
Top 5 favorite vinyl colors of 2011:
Darcie Lunsford - Co-owner
1. American Horror Story 2. The Hunger Games 3. The Muppets Movie 4. Starfucker - Reptilians 5. The Walking Dead
Seth Hubbard - Vice President / Label Manager
(In no particular order)
John Maus - We Must Become the Pitiless Censors of Ourselves Deerhoof – Deerhoof vs. Evil St. Vincent - Strange Mercy Unknown Mortal Orchestra - S/T Kurt Vile – Smoke Ring For My Halo Bon Iver - Bon Iver
Mark Jiggsaw - European Label Manager
1. Spending time with Sarah 2. Loney Dear 3. Family reunion in the Wisconsin Dells 4. Getting an iPhone and discovering iBooks. 5. Moving to New York
Chris Hassen - Production Manager
1. Mansions - Dig Up the Dead 2. I Am the Avalance - Avalanche United 3. Childish Gambino - Camp 4. The Wonder Years - Suburbia I've Given You All and Now I'm Nothing 5. Touche Amore - Parting the Sea Between Brightness and Me
Misc: St. Louis Cardinals winning the World Series; Community (last half of season 2, first half of season 3)
Andy DeSantis - Promotions Manager
Real Estate - Days Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks - Mirror Traffic Julian Lynch - Terra Twin Sister - In Heaven Cloud Nothings - Cloud Nothings Upgrading to the iPhone 4s. Getting THIS RECORD Watching Japandroids at The Hemlock in SF. Watching Deerhoof at The MOMA in SF. Watching the Carpark SXSW showcase with Starfucker. Getting new brakes for my road bike. Building up THIS BIKE.
Val Veteto - Part Time Something-Or-Other
Seeing Explosions In The Sky at The Fox Theater Girls - Father, Son, Holy Ghost Loney Dear - Hall Music Grilled cheese + tomato sandwiches at Zeitgeist when drunk. Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks - Mirror Traffic
Michael Thies - Retail Manager
1. The CU Collective (http://www.CUcollective.com) 2. Midstress - Growing Up Is Getting Old 3. Easter - Demonstration 4. DRC Music - Kinshasa One Two 5. Discovering Joyce Manor and RVIVR
Honorable mentions - James Blake – S/T, seeing Arcade Fire, seeing Big Audio Dynamite, The Throne – Watch the Throne.
Sara Chabot - Mailorder Queen
These are my most listened to albums of 2011, but only two were released this year (and one of them is ours):
1. Charlatans at the Garden Gate – Tristen 2. Nothing is Okay – The Everybodyfields 3. Aabenbaringen over aaskammen – Casiokids 4. Plastic Beach – Gorillaz (thanks, Michael!) 5. Oracular Spectacular – MGMT (yes, still.)
Patricia Wysopal - In-House Publicist
Favorite Albums of 2011 (in a particular order)
Youth Lagoon – The Year of Hibernation Wye Oak – Civilian Nick Waterhouse – Is That Clear EP Feist – Metals Psychic Twin – s/t EP
Instagram, Pinterest, adopting Beau (our puppy), Breaking Bad, being hired at PV, Youth Lagoon show @ Pygmalion, getting engaged in Prague.
Patrick Wood - Office Manager
My Top 2011 Albums
1. Benjamin Francis Leftwich - Last Smoke Before the Snowstorm 2. M83 - Hurry Up, We're Dreaming 3. The Dodos - No Color 4. The Antlers - Burst Apart 5. The Drums - Portamento
My Top 2011 Everything
1. Getting hired on at PV 2. Being indefinitely finished with college 3. ZERO car maintenance performed 4. Nutter Butter Blizzards 5. Tape guns
(Honorable mentions: Bon Iver - Bon Iver, Explosions in the Sky - Take Care, Take Care, Take Care, and Adam B's Glee video)Hide More
Watch Emil from Loney Dear play footsie with his instruments! He's playing "D Major" with a full band to back him up. Check out the video on SVT Play for more live Loney Dear.
To close out the Ghost Town live video series, Mike revisited the same location seen in the first video, his own home. Check out this performance of "Everyone's Asleep in the House but Me," the last track off Ghost Town.
Be sure and visit the Owen YouTube channel to see all the past videos. There's one for each song off Ghost Town.
