MUSIC NEWS - The Rhode Island-based trio The Low Anthem have announced a June 9, 2009 release of their Nonesuch Records debut, Oh My God, Charlie Darwin ! The album, which did have a limited indie, but critically praised release late in 2008, is back with an updated track sequence and packaging, and has been remastered by Gateway's Bob Ludwig. As a buildup for the forthcoming release, The Low Anthem will spend the rest of April working their way up the northeast with Ray Lamontange and Elvis Perkins, before they perform their music at '09's Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival. They've also added a headlining gig at the Bowery Ballroom in NYC for Monday, June 15. Tickets are $13/$15 (day of show) and on sale now, with additional tour dates to be added soon (see current itinerary below).
The Low Anthem, which is on Bella Union in Europe, recently performed six sets at the South by Southwest Festival in Austin, where the New York Times called them "stately" and said, "the Low Anthem harmonized on slow, sustained songs-often waltzes-using instruments like harmonium, clarinet, some kind of small euphonium and a set of metal discs played with a bow for eerie high tones, perfect accompaniment...with lyrics contemplating faith, loss, destruction and self-destruction in visionary imagery," the BBC called them "stunning" and said, "Expect much flowerier words of praise thrown on this band in the future; they deserve everything said about them."
The Low Anthem is Jocie Adams, Ben Knox Miller, and Jeff Prystowsky; Adams plays clarinet, Miller plays guitar and sings (and is the group's main songwriter), and Prystowsky plays bass, but they each play a handful of other instruments on Oh My God, Charlie Darwin and in live performances. The three met while at Brown University in Providence, RI, and have been playing together for nearly two years. (Before Adams joined the group, an earlier version of The Low Anthem released What the Crow Brings in 2007.)
Oh My God, Charlie Darwin was co-produced by The Low Anthem and Jesse Lauter. The band, Lauter, and several good friends went to Block Island, RI, for ten chilly days in January 2008. They brought along recording equipment on the ferry ride and made the album in an empty summer cabin!! Among the 27 instruments on the record are zither, pump organ, Tibetan singing bowl, and an oil drum. The Low Anthem pays homage to two heroes with the record's only cover, a one-take rendition of "Home I'll Never Be," with words by Jack Kerouac and music by Tom Waits.
The Low Anthem Spring 2009Tour:
Sat Apr 11 Portland, ME - Merrill Auditorium at City Hall w/Ray Lamontagne
Sun Apr 12 Burlington, VT - Flynn Center for the Performing Arts w/Ray Lamontagne
Mon Apr 13 Montpelier, VT - Langdon St Cafe
Tues Apr 14 Montreal, QC - Metropolis w/Ray Lamontagne
Wed Apr 15 Toronto, ONT - Massey Hall w/Ray Lamontagne
Sat Apr 18 Boston, MA - Record Store Day - Newbury Comics In-Store
Fri Apr 24 Providence, RI - Lupos w/Elvis Perkins in Dearland & Deer Tick
Sat Apr 25 Burlingston, VT - Higher Ground w/Elvis Perkins in Dearland
Mon Apr 27 Montreal, QC - II Motore w/Elvis Perkins in Dearland
Wed Apr 29 Toronto, ONT - Horseshoe Tavern w/Elvis Perkins in Dearland
Thurs Jun 11 Manchester, TN - Bonnaroo
Mon Jun 15 New York, NYC - Bowery Ballroom
Comments