Update: Soft Drugs release EP…for Free!
The EP is actually side A of their upcoming album, Get Back, which is expected to be released in October on Chasing Lions which is a blog / label.
As some of you may remember, I did a little review for The Soft Drugs and T.W. Walsh, former Pedro the Lion drummer, back last fall (Read it Here). As a reminder, their sound has roots in such American singer songwriter icons as Neil Young and Tom Petty to iconic rockers as The Band and Steely Dan. While these may be his mainstream influences, T.W. has a much eclectic taste in music. When talking to him last fall, he was pumped up for the new Daniel Lanois movie and album, Hear Is What Is, and of course, Leonard Cohen’s new material.
The album was recorded mostly live in Lowell, Massachusetts. T.W. makes reference to the fact that Jack Kerouac was born here. He asks, “coincidence”? Since T.W. has a tendency to dabble in the traveling and life changing scenarios in his songs, I would say this is no coincidence.
Here are the details on how to download the four songs and other goodies:
Download songs and listen:
http://chasinglions.com/the-soft-drugs-get-back
Buy t-shirts and limited edition cds (100 copies, hard numbered by T.W.) of side A:
http://chasinglions.bigcartel.com/
The t-shirt and cd packaging were designed by Soft Drug friends, HEXIT:http://awickedeyeful.com/
Download “I Need Space”
The Soft Drugs are playing in Brooklyn at Union Hall on August 16th, PA’s Lounge here in Somerville, MA on August 23rd and Great Scott in Allston, MA on October 2nd.
Even though this is essentially about the band, I’ll throw a quick pitch in for TW’s mastering and mixing outfit. To learn more about how to hire TW Walsh for mastering and / or mixing, visit his website at www.twwalsh.com. For some credibility, he recently mastered the new Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin record, Pershing
The Soft Drugs: Tim Walsh returns home article
Our article on the local Boston group, The Soft Drugs, is now up at Ajisignal.com
Download: “Don’t Sweat It” and “Family of Four”
Upcoming Shows:
PJ Ryan’s
Saturday, March 8th
TW Walsh solo show at The Red Door in Portsmouth, NH
March 17th
Oxfam Cafe at Tufts University
April 7th
Other related links:
Official Website
Last FM site
Myspace
Albums on Amazon
Hola, como estas? Muy Bien.
No, my Spanish is actually not that great. But I did my best. I may have told a few people that they smell like cheese by accident when looking for the Plaza Meyor but in the end, everyone was quite understanding. And no words can express the gratitude that Amanda and I have towards our two tour guides, Taiki and Jose. If you need a tour guide, let me know. Taiki is fluent in 10 languages and can take the best pictures. Ha.
I’ve been slow going on the review front but I’ve been in the works on a new article for the city based website, Ajisignal.com. My first article for this site was for the Providence, RI native, Deer Tick. This time around we decided to take on a more seasoned artist. No, we’re not talking about gray haired and aging indie rockers such as Dinosaur Jr., but rather a Boston based, former Seattle transplant, Tim Walsh (aka TW Walsh), and his new band, The Soft Drugs.
So keep your eyes on Ajisignal.com over the next couple days. Or, you can keep your eyes posted here as I will most likely be posting when it goes up on their site.
Finally, I want to share with you the U.S. tour dates for M83. I haven’t talked about his new album much but I’m really excited for it because every review and bio of the recording fits right in line with my love for the 80’s. M83 (real name: Anthony Gonzalez), has come out saying that the main influences behind “Saturdays = Youth” are the many 80’s based bands and movies that helped develop him into the artist he is today. From bands such as Tears for Fears and Cocteau Twins as well as the movies of John Hughes; Breakfast Club and Pretty in Pink to just name a few.
For the album, Jose brought along producers Ken Thomas (Sigur Ros, Sugarcubes, Cocteau Twins, Suede, Clinic) and Ewan Pearson (Tracey Thorn, Ladytron and The Rapture).
On the road Jose is bringing along the following band members - Loic Maurin on Drums, Pierre-Marie Maulini on bass and guitar and featured album vocalist Morgan Kibby (of LA-based band The Romanovs) on vocals and keyboards. Jose will be playing vocals, guitar and keyboard.
The album is due April 15th on Mute and the single, “Colours”, is being released on February 26th and includes an exclusive remix by Jori Hulkkonen. Stream the song on their Myspace page or stream it via WMP or RealPlayer.
M83 on Myspace (HERE)
M83’s official website (HERE)
“Saturdays = Youth” tracklist:
You, Appearing
Kim & Jessie
Skin Of The Night
Graveyard Girl
Couleurs
Up!
We Own The Sky
Highway Of Endless Dreams
Too Late
Dark Moves Of Love
Midnight Souls Still Remain
U.S. Tour Dates:
Tue 5/20 - Los Angeles @ Echoplex
Wed 5/21 - San Francisco @ Great American Music Hall
Fri 5/23 - Portland, OR@ Doug Fir Lounge
Sat 5/24 - Vancouver @ Richards on Richards
Sun 5/25 - Seattle @ Neumos
Wed 5/28 - Minneapolis @ Triple Rock Club
Thu 5/29 - Chicago @ Empty Bottle
Fri 5/30 - Toronto @ The Mod Club
Sat 5/31 - Montreal @ Cabaret Music Hall
Mon 6/2 - Cambridge, MA @ Middle East Downstairs
Tue 6/3 - Brooklyn @ Music Hall of Williamsburg
Wed 6/4 - NYC @ Bowery Ballroom
Fri 6/6 - Philadelphia @ First Unitarian Church
Sat 6/7 - Washington, DC @ Black Cat
