4AD News

Scott Walker e-mail

2006-04-27T17:28:00.000-04:00

4AD has launched a microsite which aims to introduce listeners to the unique world of Scott Walker's astonishing new album The Drift.

The site features - amongst other things - all the lyrics from the record, an essay and Scott Walker timeline written by Ian Penman, portaits of Scott, and the video for "Jesse", which was created by Graham Wood of Tomato.

* The site can be found at : http://www.the-drift.net/

Scott was recently interviewed by BBC Radio 4's flagship arts programme Front Row, and the feature was broadcast on Wednesday 26th April. If you missed the show, you can hear it by using the "Listen Again" feature on the BBC website.

* The Front Row homepage is here :
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/arts/frontrow/index.shtml

Finally, you might be interested in reading Chris Campion's five star review of The Drift, which appeared in the Observer Music Monthy last Sunday. Chris described the album as "absolutely compelling".

* The full text of the review is at :
http://observer.guardian.co.uk/omm/10bestcds/story/0,,1756929,00.html

The Drift is released next month.

Thanks for listening !

Barbara Carlotti signs to 4AD?

2006-02-22T14:55:00.000-05:00

Word is spreading that french chanteuse Barbara Carlotti has signed to 4AD - which seems to come from various french online publications.

An album is planned for an April 2006 release, although no information was forthcoming from 4AD.

Kristin Hersh news update - new solo album, Works in Progress 5 announced.

2006-02-18T14:43:00.000-05:00

an excerpt from Kristin's current e-mail out.

"We've begun a new series of Works In Progress (#5). This one consists of my bedroom demos from 50FOOTWAVE's first year. These are the songs I was writing for Bernard and our still-unknown new drummer (I can't imagine not knowing Rob). We were living out in the desert at the time and I would record whatever I was doing on solo-electric guitar and send them mp3s every couple of days -- it was like sending messages to Earth from outer space. You can subscribe to the series (one new song every month for a year) here.

Slightly less commercial announcement: I've just finished recording my new solo record (tentatively titled "Fireworks"). I am genuinely excited about the "sound picture" that was created in this session. Dave Narcizo played drums (he really, really, REALLY played drums-he is still Super Dave) and The McCarricks flew in from London to play some beautiful, strange, and moving string parts.

In general, the sounds on this record are unusual and striking, though the songs feel immediate. We have rough mixes we've been listening to and we just can't get over how much better it is than the sum of it's parts. It's such a nice surprise when something accidental and great happens. Now it goes off to 2 time Grammy winner and my best pal -- the hilarious Trina Shoemaker -- for mixing in Nashville in March and should be ready for release in plenty of time for September 2006."

TV On The Radio launch new website

2006-02-18T14:35:00.000-05:00

TV On The Radio have just launched their brand new website - although there's nothing on there, other than a strange cartoon animation, complete with backing track, of a character throwing what appears to be a cookie, onto a larger pile of cookies.

Answers on a postcard, please to the usual address!

The Wolfgang Press, Mass and Rema-Rema get released in the US.

2006-02-06T18:18:00.000-05:00

If you are lucky enough to live in the US, and have a good local record store nearby, you may get lucky, and see copies of 'The Burden Of Mules', 'Labour Of Love' and 'Wheel In The Roses' in-store now.

All three 4AD releases received a low-key US release, after being mail order only, via 4AD's own service.

'Labour Of Love' also features brand new cover art - which can be previewed here.

Michael Allen Interview

2006-02-06T16:02:00.000-05:00

Michael Allen (formerly of The Wolfgang Press) talks to Todd E Jones at Music Remedy.

T.JONES: “How do you feel about 4AD as a label?”
MICHAEL ALLEN: “As a label, I think there are few to rival it. Ivo was very clear and resolute in his beliefs. His desire and passion to create something special and unique with every release, was remarkable.”

To read the full interview, visit here

Geniuser's Official Web Presence can be found here, and includes an update about new Geniuser music from Michael, on the newspage, which can be found here.

Scott Walker releases 'The Drift' in May

2006-01-23T12:02:00.000-05:00

We've been asleep, sorry about the lack of updates - but on waking up from our hibernation period, have found this snippet of exciting news for 2006!

4AD is delighted to announce that Scott Walker has completed work on his first album for the label.

The long-awaited new album - called "The Drift" - will be Scott's first since the ground-breaking "Tilt" was released in 1995.

4AD will release the album worldwide in May. The exact date will be announced shortly.

A documentary film about Scott's music - including the making of "The Drift" - is being made by the New York-based director Stephen Kijak. Titled "30 Century Man", it will also be released in 2006.

Cocteau Twins US Box Set Release Date Change.

2005-11-15T14:35:00.000-05:00

News reaches us of a release date change for the Cocteau Twins Box Set, due for release next Tuesday, but only in the US.

No reason is given, other than the release date has changed to December 6th in the US, and orders via Amazon.com "might want to make other provisions" - which sounds to us like Amazon wont be mailing out any CD's.

On checking the ADA website (4AD's distributor in the US), there's no mention of the Box Set, which leads us to put two and two together, and come to the conclusion that maybe 4AD are going through the Direct Sales in the Beggars USA office, who deal with key stores throughout the US.

Everywhere else in the world, the release date remains the 21st/22nd November.

Pre-Ordering at 4AD.com

2005-11-08T14:16:00.000-05:00

It appears you are now able to pre-order items from the 4AD Shop, up-front of the item's release date - so we thought we'd help out, and add some links for forthcoming releases.

4AD 25th Anniversary Compilation

http://www.4ad.com/releases/1980-forward/

The Wolfgang Press - Burden Of Mules

http://www.4ad.com/releases/the-burden-of-mules-2/

Cocteau Twins - Lullabies To Violaine

http://www.4ad.com/releases/lullabies-to-violaine/

Mass - Labour Of Love

http://www.4ad.com/releases/labour-of-love-0/

We're still not quite sure what to make of the Mass cover.

4AD on the 'Phone

2005-11-08T14:10:00.000-05:00

News has just reached us, via a post at the 4AD forums, of the phone promotion, previously hinted at on an earlier post.

"4AD with Juice Mobile Entertainment has also created a unique mobile experience to celebrate the label's 25th anniversary.

The anniversary bundle will give members access to an exclusive mobile site with news, biographies and classic images of 4AD artists, reviews of the gigs, and much more. The bundle will retail at £3.00 and includes free mobile downloads from the site - audio, images, and video material that will be available to all fans. Additional material for downloads will also be on offer with previously unavailable realtones from the likes of the Cocteau Twins.

This pocket guide will give you news, exclusive competitions to win tickets to the shows, event info & more to celebrate 25 years of 4AD. Access to the site will only run for the duration of the anniversary – so sign up now by texting 4AD to 80876 to hear as soon as the service is live..!"

Now, while this sounds interesting, there's no further information about exactly what will be provided. If it's good enough for the kids of today, well, it's good enough for us at 4AD blog towers! However, on closer inspection, it seems this deal is available for UK residents only.

BBC 6 Music Celebrates 25 Years of 4AD

2005-11-05T04:30:00.000-05:00

Starting on 17 November, there will be a series of live performances spread over 10 nights from a selection of 4AD classic artists.

Highlights include: TV On The Radio playing their only UK show of the year at London's Scala; The Breeders, performing in the beautiful surroundings of Blackheath Halls; Kristin Hersh playing two contrasting shows; and appearances by artists new to the label which are yet to be announced. Tickets for all shows are on sale now plus you can enter to win tickets to all the concerts here.

Win tickets to 4AD concerts
You could win tickets to concerts by the following 4AD artists:TV On The Radio, Minotaur Shock, Magnetophone, The Breeders, Robin Guthrie and more.
Win tickets to 4AD concerts

4AD classic album covers
Over the past 25 years 4AD have been responsible for some classic album covers, here's a selection to refresh your memory.
View the album cover gallery

4AD On 6 Music
Take a look at the On-Air schedule that we have planned for 6 Music's celebration of all things 4AD.
On-Air schedule for 1980 Forward

Gideon Coe (Weekdays 1000 - 1300)

Each day Gidoen will be welcoming guests from the 4AD roster to play live in the studio. They will include:

21 Nov - TV On The Radio
22 Nov - Kristin Hersh
23 Nov - The Mountain Goats
24 Nov - Mojave 3
25 Nov - Mark Kozelek (Red House Painters)

Steve Lamacq (Weekdays 1600 - 1900)

Steve Lamacq will be speaking to a former member of Modern English in his feature REMEMBER ME and his NEW FAVOURITE BAND of the week will be a tremendous new act from 4AD.

Tom Robinson 's Evening Sequence
(Mon - Thu 1900 - 2130)

Tom Robinson will be featuring more experimental and new acts from the current roster of 4AD. Bands currently in line to play live on the show include Blonde Redhead and new act Celebration.

Marc Riley's Rocket Science
(Sat 1300 - 1600)

Marc Riley will be featuring some exclusive brand new Breeders session tracks in his Saturday show.

Andrew Collins (Sun 1400 - 1700)

Andrew Collins will welcome into the studio a 4AD guest for his In Your Own Time slot.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/6music/events/1980/

A New 4AD Site, let the celebrations begin!

2005-11-02T16:59:00.000-05:00

After months of teasing, knowing a new site was imminent from 4AD, mid-way through the 1st November, 2005, 4AD unleashed their new site for the world to see.

Gone are the old black and green colour schemes, and in it's place comes white, plain text, and a navigation wheel, as well as a discography, and artist sections which include images and ephemera sections, that fans are encouraged to contribute to.

Over here at 4AD blog towers, we've also heard whispers of a mobile phone promotion happening, although there's no mention of it on the 4AD site at the moment. Here's hoping there's more news to come very soon.

On the 1st November, an official launch night was held to celebrate the start of the 25th anniversary, as well as the launch of the new website. People attending the launch were lucky enough to get the chance to try some 4AD themed cocktails, and listen to music the label has released over the last 25 years. No further information is available about the night, whether any 4AD bands played.

To commemorate the launch of the new site, 4AD has produced some 25th Anniversary promotional items. There is a flyer, based on a similar wheel style to that on the new site, which contains information for the various shows. There are promotional stickers, and postcards, also bearing all the dates. We've been told to expect more promotional items to come, although no further information was forthcoming.

Vaughan Oliver has a new v23 book coming out in time for the shows. The book consists of posters made for the label, and will be sold at all the 4AD shows. Saturday 19th, it has been announced that Vaughan will be available to personally sign copies of the book, from 6pm until 7pm. This is only at the Blackheath venue, which is also housing a v23 Exhibition, which is open all hours for people to visit.

Karma Downloads Celebrate 25 Years Of 4AD

2005-10-29T03:33:00.000-04:00

If you go to http://www.karmadownload.com/static/?4ad you'll find a 25th Celebration page, dedicated to 4AD.

There's also a competition to win tickets to see TV On The Radio, the first date of the 25th celebrations, in London.

In addition, there's some 4AD related playlists, coming from John Fryer, Minotaur Shock and Simon Raymonde.

He was a Hunk Of A Punk

2005-10-21T03:58:00.000-04:00

Red has at long last (and 25 years after its initial release!) committed his 1980 recording of "Hunk of a Punk" to CD - along with a newly recorded version of the cult classic.

Rounding out the collection are two new songs: "I'm a Rebel" and "Body Parts."

"All orders dispatched directly from the living room of Red Atkins in England."

taken from the 4AD forums

a new 4AD Site happening

2005-10-19T17:02:00.000-04:00

It has been mentioned in recent press updates that a brand new 4AD site is about to happen. As of yet, there is no confirmed date when the site will be active - all we know so far is v23 were involved in the design.

Minotaur Shock exclusive one hour mixtape

2005-10-15T09:18:00.000-04:00

there is a free 1hr long mixtape available on www.minotaurshock.com - it's downloadable in two chunks although they're still quite hefty.

If you fancy it, visit the site and click on the boat.

www.minotaurshock.com

4AD Sign Celebration, send them out on tour

2005-10-06T10:28:00.000-04:00

from 4AD.com

New 4AD signings Celebration release their debut album in the USA on October 11th, and to mark the occasion they're embarking on a lengthy tour with Calla.

The band - drummer David Bergander, multi-instrumentalist Sean Antanaitis and livewire vocalist Katrina Ford - hail from Baltimore, and their music is all about untamed energy and euphoric intensity.

The album - self-titled - was recorded at Headgear Studios in Brooklyn and produced by David Sitek from TV On The Radio. Sitek is a long-time Celebration cheerleader - he introduced the band to 4AD - and being able to make this record was the fulfilment for him of months of dreaming and scheming. As well as producing the album, he contributed treated guitar parts and synth noises which - along with Martin Perna and Stewart Bogle's flute and sax parts - make for a record splashed with beguiling texture and sonic surprise. The other members of TV On The Radio were also around during the recording sessions - Tunde, Kyp, Gerard and Jaleel all make guest appearances as vocalists on various tracks.

Celebration's album will gain a worldwide release at the beginning of 2006 - before then the band will be touring the UK (with Liars), playing at the 4AD 25th anniversary shows, and releasing a 7" single called "Diamonds". More details soon - in the meantime the US tour is on display in the tour dates section.

Wolf and Cub sign to 4AD

2005-10-04T16:53:00.000-04:00

taken from 4AD.com

"Wolf And Cub have become the first Australian band for a very long time to sign to 4AD.

The young four-piece from Adelaide - Joel Carey, Joel Byrne, Tom Mayhew and Adam Edwards - released their debut EP on the Dot Dash label late last year. The EP caused quite a stir in Australia, and Wolf And Cub quickly found themselves with a burgeoning live following. They have now toured with Queens Of The Stone Age, Hot Hot Heat, Futureheads and Death From Above 1979.

Wolf And Cub's first single for 4AD will be released later this year. The band will visit the UK for the first time in November to play at the 1980 Forward anniversary shows - more details soon."

Sing-Sing - Sing-Sing and I available from 4AD now

2005-10-01T16:59:00.000-04:00

Sing-Sing 'Sing-Sing and I' available from the 4AD store

Sing-Sing are Emma Anderson, formerly of Lush and Lisa O'Neill.

'Sing-Sing And I' is their second album, on their own Aerial Records label, and draws on influences as diverse as folk-rock, a bit of Motown drumming, and just out-and-out-indie-pop! We've done a deal to sell some copies of the album at the 4AD online store - and it's available now!

Here's what some of the critics have had to say
"Delightful swoony Go-Gos's-style pure pop with a kittenish girlie vocal......and a sharp lyrical hook.......Sort of like a beefier Saint Etienne, and every bit as good as that sounds" - NME.

"Packed with melodic, clever vignettes, the standouts are the Alan Moulder mixed 'Lover', the charming 'Come, Sing Me a Song' and the introspective 'Ruby' - Music Week.

"Without a record deal they funded the recording with donations from their very loyal fans. But but this is no ramshackle affair cobbled together in their kitchen. 'Lover' is perfect indie-pop polished to a smooth finish. 'Mister Kadali' stands out courtesy of some beguiling samples of a witch doctor...worth a listen" - The Sun.

The CD includes the animated promo video for 'Lover', directed by the BAFTA nominated Bunny Schendler and Jonathan Hodgson.

There are excerpts from three songs from the new album, over at Sing-Sing's myspace page - http://www.myspace.com/singsinguk

Check out the offical website at http://www.sing-sing.co.uk

25 Years Of 4AD

2005-09-16T11:47:00.000-04:00

4AD - 1980 Forward - 25 Years Of 4AD

This November, 4AD celebrates its 25th anniversary.

Starting on 17th of November, there will be a series of live performances spread over 10 nights. Highlights include : TV On The Radio playing their only UK show of the year at London's Scala; The Breeders, performing in the beautiful surroundings of Blackheath Halls; Kristin Hersh playing two contrasting shows; and appearances by artists new to the label which are yet to be announced. Tickets for all shows are on sale now.

The full list of shows is :

November
17 - TV On The Radio plus special guests (The Scala)
18 - Minotaur Shock & Magnetophone plus special guests (The Luminaire)
19 - The Breeders plus special guests (Blackheath Halls)
20 - The Breeders plus special guests (Blackheath Halls)
21 - Kristin Hersh performing the songs of Throwing Muses (The Scala)
22 - Kristin Hersh performing songs from Hips And Makers onwards (The Scala)
23 - The Mountain Goats plus special guests (Bush Hall)
24 - Celebration plus special guests (The Water Rats)
25 - Mojave 3 & Mark Kozelek (Conway Hall)
27 - Blonde Redhead & Johann Johannsson (The Scala)

To coincide with the shows, 4AD will release a compilation that explores the highways and byways of the label's 25 year history. There will also be a very limited edition "bespoke" version of the compilation, available only from the brand new website at 4ad.com. The site, designed by Vaughan Oliver, is being launched next month; the limited edition compilation will allow fans to choose any selection of tracks from 4AD's catalogue - it will be hand-made for them, and delivered in an exclusive v23 designed sleeve.

Other celebratory projects include a deluxe Cocteau Twins 4 CD box set, and an intriguing release from the label's founder Ivo Watts-Russell, operating under his Hope Blister guise.

Cocteau Twins Remastered Box Set coming in 2005!

2005-09-14T13:59:00.000-04:00

COCTEAU TWINS – Lullabies To Violaine
singles and extended plays 1982 – 1996

For the first time all the non-album tracks from across the Cocteau Twins’ entire career have been compiled together and offer a unique view of their musical journey from the perspective of all their single / EP releases which incorporate most of their best known tracks.

CTBOX 2
This is an unusual de-luxe package containing all 4 CD’s that will be available 21 November (Europe) and 22 November (USA) in a worldwide limited edition of 10,000. The discs are contained in a fold-out package made of a material that itself sounds like a Cocteau Twins title – ‘Curious Soft Touch Milk’. It’s all very tactile, minimal and V23.

DAD 2513CD and DAD 2514CD
These are the regular versions of the set which will be available early 2006. Each package is a digipak with 2 CD’s. Volume One covers the 4AD era (1982 – 1990) and Volume Two the Mercury / Capitol years (1993 – 1996).

The 4AD material was previously available in a 10 x CD box set which had a CD for each single, though this set features alternative mixes of ‘Pearly-Dewdrops’ Drops’ and ‘Aikea-Guinea’. Volume Two has never been anthologised and has tracks that were limited as singles as well as the Christmas tracks ‘Frosty The Snowman’ and ‘Winter Wonderland’.

CD1
LULLABIES (1982)
Feathers Oar-Blades
Alas Dies Laughing
It's All But An Ark-Lark

PEPPERMINT PIG (1983)
Peppermint Pig (7-inch version)
Laughlines
Hazel

SUNBURST AND SNOWBLIND (1983)
Sugar Hiccup (12” version)
From the Flagstones
Hitherto
Because of Whirl-Jack

THE SPANGLE MAKER (1984)
The Spangle Maker
Pearly-Dewdrops' Drops (alternate version)
Pepper-Tree

AIKEA-GUINEA (1985)
Aikea-Guinea (alternate version)
Kookaburra
Quisquose
Rococo

CD 2
TINY DYNAMINE (1985)
Pink Orange Red
Ribbed and Veined
Plain Tiger
Sultitan Itan

ECHOES IN A SHALLOW BAY (1985)
Great Spangled Fritillary
Melonella
Pale Clouded White
Eggs and Their Shells

LOVE’S EASY TEARS (1986)
Love's Easy Tears
Those Eyes, That Mouth
Sigh's Smell of Farewell
Orange Appled

ICEBLINK LUCK (1990)
Iceblink Luck
Mizake the Mizan
Watchlar

CD 3
EVANGELINE (1993)
Evangeline
Mud and Dark
Summer-blink

SNOW (1993)
Winter Wonderland
Frosty the Snowman

BLUEBEARD (1993)
Bluebeard
Three-Swept
Ice-Pulse
Bluebeard (acoustic version)

TWINLIGHTS (1994)
Rilkean Heart (acoustic version)
Golden-Vein (acoustic version)
Pink Orange Red (acoustic version)
Half-Gifts (acoustic version)

CD 4
OTHERNESS (1995) Mark Clifford remixes
Feet-Like Fins
Seekers Who Are Lovers
Violaine
Cherry-Coloured Funk

TISHBITE (1995)
Tishbite
Primitive Heart
Flock of Soul
Round
An Elan

VIOLAINE (1996)
Violaine
Smile
Tranquil Eye
Circling Girl
Alice

A Gift To You From TV On The Radio

2005-09-12T16:14:00.000-04:00

http://www.4ad.com/artists/tvontheradio/mp3/drydrunkemperor.mp3

"we ( tvotr ) were back in the studio thinking and feeling again and made this song for all our everybody... in the absence of a true leader we must not forget that we are still together.... hearts are sick ... minds must change ... it is our hope that this song inspires, comforts, fosters courage, and reminds us... this darkness cannot last if we work together. let us help each other... heal each other .... look after one another ... the human heart is our new capitol.... this song is for you.... us.....we....them... it is free. pass it on.

TO THOSE AFFECTED BY HURRICANE KATRINA : NEW YORK CITY'S HEART IS WITH YOU... STAY STRONG ! WE LOVE YOU . -tvotr"

Geniuser - Mud Black available at 4AD.com now

2005-06-27T19:00:00.000-04:00

Geniuser - Mud Black

Geniuser is a collaboration between Michael Allen, formerly of The Wolfgang Press, and Giuseppe De Bellis, a collaborator with The Orb.

In the summer of 1998 Giuseppe began to make music with Michael. The Orb had generously given Giuseppe and Michael the loan of their studio in Victoria, and they were holed up in the studio for some six months writing material, looking to fuse their very different influences into something fresh and worthwhile. The fruit of their labour is the album entitled 'Mud Black' under the project name Geniuser.

4AD Mail Order is selling copies of this CD, via the 4AD online store.

Geniuser's official website can be found here.

Emma Pollock Signs to 4AD

2005-06-16T19:12:00.000-04:00

taken from 4AD.com

"We're delighted to announce that Emma Pollock has signed a recording deal with 4AD.

Emma co-founded The Delgados and their Chemikal Underground record label in the mid-1990s, and as well as being a distinguished, distinctive songwriter, she also possesses one of the most beguiling voices around.

Emma will spend the remainder of 2005 writing, demoing and recording. Her debut solo album will be released next year."

50 Foot Wave new video online now

2005-05-21T13:21:00.000-04:00

taken from 4AD.com

The video for "Sally Is A Girl" by 50 Foot Wave is online now. Directed by Orrin Anderson, the clip uses a striking and ingenious time-lapse technique which neatly enhances one of the standout tracks from the band's recent "Golden Ocean" album.

You can watch the video (using RealPlayer) by clicking here for the hi-res version and here for the low-res version.