Undertow Music Collective

New Jesse Harris Video

2008-04-02T17:32:00.003-05:00

"How Could It Take So Long?"

This is one my favorite songs from Jesse's most recent album "Feel." It was not until I heard Jesse talking about the song during an interview that I realized it was about New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. We asked him to tell us about the video and here's what he had to say:

I met Naama at Palacinka Cafe in Soho, where she was a waitress. It used to be my neighborhood cafe before closing just this past January. One day she told me that she was a film student at the New School and wanted to make a video of my song "How Could It Take So Long?" Why not? When we met to discuss her idea, she said she had been seeking old Super 8 films online that she would use to cut back and forth between them and me, in the present. My father had recently passed away and it so happened that I had just re-discovered a trove of a Super 8's which he made and labeled meticulously from 1969-1980. When I told this to Naama, her eyes nearly popped out and she said, "I have to have them!" She transferred all of the films to digital, taking up 6 DVDs worth of space, and picked out the footage. In the end, the video may not have much to do with my original idea of the lyrics, which I wrote from the point of view of someone stuck inside the Super Dome in New Orleans after Katrina, but somehow it captures the feeling of the song and suggests a meaning that perhaps I did not even intend; besides, what inspires a song is often not what it ends up being about. It's an understatement, I'm sure, to say that my father would be pleased to know that these films are being used and that, in some way, however small, he has made his mark as a filmmaker. - Jesse Harris

Undertow at SXSW 2008

2008-03-10T22:44:00.004-05:00

Please stop by and say hello if you are in Austin this week.

Aaron Robinson
Undertow Showcase 3/13 - Habana Calle Patio 6 [8:00 pm]

Anders Parker
SXSW Showcase 3/15 - St David's Episcopal Church [11:00 pm]

Caleb Engstrom
Undertow Showcase 3/13 - Habana Calle Patio 6 [8:45 pm]

Centro-Matic
Misra Records Showcase 3/12 - Friends [1:00 am]

Christian Kiefer
Undertow Showcase 3/13 - Habana Calle Patio 6 [12:15 am]

David Bazan
Twangfest / KDHX Party 3/13 - Jovita's [2:00 pm]
Hotfreaks Party 3/15 - The Mohawk (inside) [3:30 pm]
Barsuk Showcase 3/15 - Maggie Mae's Patio [8:00 pm]

The Drams
Beerland 3/11
Mother Egan's / Guitartown Party 3/12
Club DeVille / New West Party 3/13
18th floor Hilton / SXSW showcase 3/13

Glossary
Undertow Showcase 3/13 - Habana Calle Patio 6 [10:15 pm]

J. Tillman
Undertow Showcase 3/13 - Habana Calle Patio 6 [1:15 am]

Jesse Harris
Velour Records Showcase 3/13 - Hilton, 18th Floor [8:00 pm]

Magnolia Summer
Undertow Showcase 3/13 - Habana Calle Patio 6 [9:30 pm]

Monahans
Undertow Showcase 3/13 - Habana Calle Patio 6 [9:30 pm]

Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin
A Fine Tooth Showcase 3/12 - Beso Cantina
DAG & Tangled Snark Party 3/13 - Hole in the Wall [6:00 pm]
Paste & Stereogum Party 3/14 - Volume [3:00 pm]
Polyvinyl Showcase 3/14 - Habana Calle 6 [12:45 am]
Porchlight Pop Fest 3/15 - Salvage Vanguard Theater [6:00 pm]

Will Johnson
On guitar with Monahans 3/13 - Habana Calle Patio 6 [9:30 pm]
On drums with Jandek 3/15 - Central Presbyterian Church [7:30 pm]

# # #

Undertow Welcomes Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin!

2008-02-20T11:45:00.004-06:00

All of us at Undertow are thrilled to announce the addition of Someone Still Loves you Boris Yeltsin to the management roster. We're all huge fans of SSLYBY and are very excited to help the band be able to focus on making their wonderful music.

SSLYBY will release their second full-length, Pershing, on Polyvinyl Records on April 1. You can hear the lead single, Glue Girls, here.

Undertow Welcomes Ohtis!

2008-02-20T11:07:00.000-06:00

Undertow is very happy to announce the addition of Ohtis to the management roster. Ohtis is a wonderful band which you need to familiarize yourself with immediately if you haven't yet done so. Check out some tunes here.

Ohtis has a few shows coming up, one of which will find them sharing the stage with Anathallo & Aloha, and their second full-length is nearing completion. In the meantime, go check out Ohtis' first record, Saving the Planet, available now in the Undertow store.

J. Tillman's Minor Works available now!

2008-01-22T13:36:00.001-06:00

J. Tillman's Minor Works is now available in the U.S. Please pick up a copy at the Undertow Store. Also, look for it soon on iTunes, and in select independent record stores.

"Intimate, conversational, lovely late-night album...Its nine melodic songs...sound spare despite the divine presence of the holy trinity of melancholia: cello, harmonica and steel." -MOJO

"Snatches of those half-remembered midnight conversations spill out of the folk-rock of his third album, Minor Works, while Tillman's gentle chords display a deftness of touch so light that he risks missing the guitar altogether." -The Word, UK

"[Tillman] writes big, warm, sloppy Neil young-like ballads that draw you in...the regret-filled, after-midnight intensity of his voice matching the personal nature of the material." -Ireland Times

www.myspace.com/jtillman

Happy Holidays from Undertow!

2007-12-27T01:54:00.000-06:00

Greetings! From everyone here at Undertow, we hope 2007 treated you well. We had an exciting year with much to speak of:

+ Aaron Robinson, Damien Jurado, J Tillman, & Ohtis joined the family, and we're all honored to be able to take part in spreading their wonderful music!

+ Many of you came out to see David Bazan while he toured relentlessly to support his EP Fewer Moving Parts, which saw a re-release on his new label Barsuk. Damien Jurado toured on his own and supported Okkervil River on their USA tour, Centro-matic kept to the road as always, headlining there own tour and in support of ex-Drive By Trucker Jason Isbell, while J Tillman, Glossary, Dolly Varden, The Drams, Aaron Robinson, and Death Ships were all honored to play music for you as well throughout the year.

+ 2008 looks to be an exciting year for Undertow! New releases will be delivered to your ears by David Bazan, Centro-matic, South San Gabriel, Damien Jurado, J Tillman, Ohtis & Aaron Robinson! You'll be able to catch them all on the road at some point throughout the year, and Mr. Bazan already has first quarter plans to play seven European shows, a few midwest college shows, and three dates in support of the wonderful Mark Kozelek (Red House Painters, Sun Kil Moon). See those dates here.

+ New items are always being added to the Undertow Store so make sure and check in frequently. There have been a few recent additions such as new Centro-matic shirts, CD's from Aaron Robinson, Ohtis & J Tillman and there will be plenty of new wearable and listenable goodies for you in the coming months. You can also see what most of the mens shirts look like on a real human now, and we're working on getting some pictures for you of the girls shirts!

Have a great 2008!

With love and respect from everyone at Undertow Music Collective

Will Johnson video from Europe

2007-11-29T21:08:00.000-06:00

Will is in the middle of a European tour. Please come out and say hello if you can. The remaining dates are as follows:

29 Nov - Cactus - Brugge (B) + Great Lake Swimmers
03 Dec - Moby Dick - Madrid (ES) + John Vanderslice
04 Dec - Colegio Mayor Luis Vives - Valencia (ES) + John Vanderslice
05 Dec - Sidecar - Barcelona (ES) + Raul Moya
06 Dec - Teatro Municipal Munoz Seca Pto. De santa Maria (Cadiz) (ES)
07 Dec - La Casa de Bombillas - Zaragoza (ES)
09 Dec - Patronaat - Haarlem (NL)

American Girl: This Is American Music

2007-11-27T17:10:00.000-06:00

This from the opening night in Denton, TX of the This Is American Music tour featuring The Drams, Glossary, Grand Champeen, and Two Cow Garage. Go see one of these shows if you can.

Wed 11/28 - Davey's Uptown, Kansas City, MO
Thu 11/29 - Hideout, Chicago, IL
Fri 11/30 - Club Garibaldi, Milwaukee, WI
Sat 12/01 - Billiken Club, St. Louis, MO - free show!

David Bazan & J. Tillman On Tour

2007-11-25T21:38:00.000-06:00

David Bazan and J. Tillman are coming soon to a city near you! (That is, if you live in the western region of the United States.) Both guys are playing solo, and both guys have new songs for you. Please come out and say hello...

12/02 - Spokane, WA - Empyrean
12/03 - Boise, ID - Neurolux
12/04 - Salt Lake City, UT - In The Venue
12/05 - Denver, CO - Hi-Dive
12/06 - Albuquerque, NM - Launchpad
12/07 - Tuscon, AZ - Solar Culture
12/08 - San Diego, CA - Casbah
12/10 - Pomona, CA - Glass House
12/11 - Los Angeles, CA - Spaceland
12/12 - San Francisco, CA - Bottom of the Hill
12/13 - Eugene, OR - Indigo District
12/14 - Portland, OR - Mississippi Studios
12/15 - Seattle, WA - Crocodile Cafe

http://www.myspace.com/davidbazan
http://www.myspace.com/jtillman

Aaron Robinson's "We Are Racing Ghosts" available now!

2007-11-19T15:55:00.000-06:00

Aaron Robinson's new album We Are Racing Ghosts is now available for immediate consumption and enjoyment! The album was recorded with producer Neilson Hubbard (Glen Phillips, Garrison Starr, Matthew Perryman Jones) in East Nashville. Aaron has two out-of-town shows coming up in Bowling Green, KY and Highland, IL. See those dates and stream a few tracks from We Are Racing Ghosts at Aaron's Myspace and buy the record now on iTunes!

Aaron Robinson - Myspace
Buy We Are Racing Ghosts on iTunes

This Is American Music Rock & Roll Review

2007-11-14T18:10:00.000-06:00

Glossary, The Drams, Grand Champeen, and Two Cow Garage will be bringing an old-school Rock & Roll Review to a few select cities in November. They'll all be on stage together, playing in each other's songs, and pretty much kicking out the jams for the entire night. DO NOT MISS THIS!

Tue 11/27 - Dan's Silverleaf, Denton, TX
Wed 11/28 - Davey's Uptown, Kansas City, MO
Thu 11/29 - Hideout, Chicago, IL
Fri 11/30 - Club Garibaldi, Milwaukee, WI
Sat 12/01 - Billiken Club, St. Louis, MO - free show!

http://www.myspace.com/thisisamericanmusic

Will Johnson on Tour in Europe

2007-11-13T10:12:00.001-06:00

Centro-matic and South San Gabriel leader, Will Johnson will be playing a bunch of shows in Europe over the next month. Please come out and say hello if you can.

15 Nov - Paridiso - Amsterdam (NL)
16 Nov - Hedon - Zwolle (NL)
17 Nov - Paard van Troje - Den Haag
18 Nov - AB-club - Brussel (B)
19 Nov - Mains d'Oeuvres - Paris (F)
20 Nov - Monto Waterrats - London (UK)
22 Nov - Glee Club - Birmingham (UK)
23 Nov - Friends Meeting House - Manchester (UK)
24 Nov - The Cluny - Newcastle Upon Tyne (UK)
25 Nov - Fibbers - York (UK)
26 Nov - Admiral Bar - Glasgow (UK)
27 Nov - The Adelphi club - Hull (UK)
29 Nov - Cactus - Brugge (B)
03 Dec - Moby Dick - Madrid (ES)
04 Dec - Colegio Mayor Luis Vives - Valencia (ES)
05 Dec - Sidecar - Barcelona (ES)
06 Dec - Teatro Municipal Munoz Seca (ES)
07 Dec - La Casa de Bombillas - Zaragoza (ES)
09 Dec - Patronaat - Haarlem (NL)

www.centro-matic.com

Dolly Varden UK Tour

2007-10-12T14:25:00.000-05:00

FROM STEVE DAWSON: The dates are locked in place and we're brushing up on our English. It's been 6 years since the full band came over - but with a new album, 'The Panic Bell', out and doing well we figured the time is right. For this tour we are a quartet: Me, Diane, Mark and Mike with songs new and old (get your requests ready), 2 guitars, bass, percussion, 4 part harmony, and some surprises. We REALLY hope you can make it to one of these very special shows!

OCTOBER
19 (F) and 20 (Sa): Lamlash, Isle of Arran, Aldersyde Hotel - 9pm
21 (Su): Edinburgh, Pleasance Bar - 8pm
22 (M): Leeds, The New Roscoe (with Hummingbird) - 8pm
24 (W): London, Electro Acoustic Club at The Slaughtered Lamb - 8pm
25 (Th): Swansea, The Chattery - 8pm
26 (F): Newport, Hot Burrito at Le Pub
27 (Sa): Buckingham Tingewick Village Hall - 7pm
28 (Su): Nottingham The Maze (Forest Tavern) - 7:30pm
31 (W) Palma, Mallorca, Seu d'ARCA - 9pm

www.dollyvarden.com

New Glossary record = free download!

2007-10-02T12:56:00.000-05:00

Starting today, Glossary's latest record, Better Angels Of Our Nature is available for FREE via the band's website. A limited-run, beautifully hand-printed CD package will be available on October 23 at shows and from the Undertow Store. Spread the word!!!

www.glossary.us

Centro-matic at CMJ... Twice!

2007-09-28T23:44:00.000-05:00

Centro-matic will perform at the CMJ Music Fest for the first time in nine years!!!

Misra Records/Absolutely Kosher CMJ Showcase
Thursday, October 18th
Arlene's Grocery
95 Stanton Street, NYC

8pm Southeast Engine
9pm Hallelujah the Hills
10pm The Affair
11pm Get Him Eat Him
12pm Palomar
1am Centro-matic

You can also see Centro-matic for free at the Bloodshot Records party on Saturday afternoon at Union Pool in Brooklyn. Centro-matic plays from 5:55pm-6:40pm.

Union Pool is in the Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn, at 484 Union Ave at Meeker, 718-609-0484, two short blocks north of the Lorimer L train stop and one block off the Metropolitan exit of the Brooklyn Queens Expressway. There will be free burgers, hot-dogs, and veggie-burgers for all.

American Music Club New Album Track Listing

2007-09-25T17:36:00.000-05:00

American Music Club's new album "THE GOLDEN AGE" is done! The album will be released in early 2008 by Merge Records in North America and by Cooking Vinyl in Europe. The track listing is as follows...

1. All My Love
2. The Victory Choir
3. The Decibels and the Little Pills
4. The Sleeping Beauty
5. The Stars
6. All the Lost Souls Welcome You to San Francisco
7. Who You Are
8. The Windows of the World
9. One Step Ahead
10. The Dance
11. I know that's not really you
12. On My Way
13. The Grand Duchess of San Francisco

New Releases, In The Studio, other news...

2007-09-23T20:28:00.000-05:00

American Music Club is making a new album with the nice guys at Kingsize Studios in Los Angeles. We expect an early 2008 release on Merge (USA) and Cooking Vinyl (Europe). The Bottle Rockets will be headed back into the studio with Jeff Powell in November. Look for a mid-2008 release on Bloodshot. David Bazan is working on his new album between tour dates. Barsuk plans to release the album in mid-2008. Glossary has and amazing new record done that'll be out in October. Jesse Harris' new ablum "Feel" is out now in addition to his amazing soundtrack for The Hottest State which features Willie Nelson, Emmylou Harris, Norah Jones, M Ward, Cat Power, Bright Eyes, Feist, The Black Keys and others. Anders Parker has a new official bootleg release you can get at his shows or direct from his website.

Tour Dates! Tour Dates! Tour Dates!

2007-08-23T20:21:00.000-05:00

It seems like everyone is on the road this fall... David Bazan kicks off a 50-city tour on September 4th in Minneapolis. Centro-matic is wrapping up their summer tour with free shows in Denton and Austin. Will Johnson will be playing a few solo shows with Micah P. Hinson in October, then he'll spend November touring in Europe with The Great Lake Swimmers. Dolly Varden is headed out on their first full-band tour in a few years. It should be lots of fun. Jesse Harris is touring all of September including a stop at PRI's Mountain Stage. The Drams continue to bring their amazing live show to a town near you. Anders Parker will be hitting all four corners of the lower forty-eight during September and October. Damien Jurado will be out on tour with Okkervil River in September and October