NEW RECORDS OUT TODAY! SUMAC & Moor Mother share new album! BIG|BRAVE share new album! Thalia Zedek tour dates announced, emptyset outside the box, & more!
Weekly newsletter for April 25, 2025.
Release day: SUMAC + Moor Mother - The Film out now
"fashioning some of the most minimal yet complex, heavy but refined music going." - MOJO
“The joint album by SUMAC and Moor Mother bucks the pitfalls of those collaborative albums that turn into sonic compromise by digging deep on precisely the elements of this combination that will yield the most uncomfortably honest results.” - Exclaim!
“The Film is one the best punk releases you will encounter this year.” - Sun-13
We are so excited to let you know that Sumac and Moor Mother's groundbreaking debut collab is available everywhere today. They blew minds at Roadburn! SUMAC is still on tour in Europe with Endon.
SUMAC & Moor Mother at Roadburn Festival, photos by Bobby Cochran
SUMAC and Moor Mother have created a singular work with their latest collaboration, The Film. Guitarist/song-writer Aaron Turner, Nick Yacyshyn writing on synth and drums, and primordial bassist Brian Cook as SUMAC, had visions of working with Moor Mother– across the barrier of space and time, Moor Mother had the same idea. The Film draws from the group’s more strained, airier moments as well as their more improvisational aspects. For her part, Moor Mother’s prescient omnipotence that anchors projects is mirrored by her presence here. In the cinematic dreamspace invoked by SUMAC and Moor Mother, through futurist vocal manipulations and heavy metal, the truth is finally out there.
The epic double LP The Film is available at fine stores everywhere on Clear Pink and Classic Black LP. Also available on limited CD. Of course, if you want to listen now, it is available to stream everywhere today!
We found it at iconic record stores Zia Records in Phoenix, Arizona and Rasputin Music in Berkeley, CA!
Release day: BIG|BRAVE - OST out now
“Listening to BIG BRAVE is like standing between a Richard Serra installation: massive and imposing, but curved to let the light shine on the edges.” - NPR Music
Like SUMAC & Moor Mother, BIG BRAVE are not afraid to push boundaries and expectations. Their limited LP release OST (notice the film themes happening this month) is minimal, but that does not mean it is not powerful. If you are in Europe, BIG BRAVE are also on tour, catch them if you can!
BIG|BRAVE’s preternatural instincts and depth of skill as musicians are on full display on their most naked and austere record to date, OST. The trio entered the studio with broader concepts and themes in mind, but no preconceived music. The overarching concept was to make a film score for a film that had yet to be created, to use minimal instrumentation, or more specifically not their standard band instruments, and to improvise within these parameters. In addition to forgoing their usual instrumentation, they notably built their own.
Guitarist Mathieu Ball created a stringed instrument using piano strings simply called “The Instrument”. The Instrument’s presence is felt throughout the record as a conductive element amplifying the album’s earthly nature, grounded nature.
The results are spellbinding! Filmmaker Stacy Lee is making a film to go with their soundtrack - stay tuned right here for news of showings and special performances.
This gorgeous limited LP OST is available in indie stores everywhere on Crystal Clear and Classic Black LP. Of course, if you want to listen now, it is available to stream everywhere today!
We found it at iconic record stores Audiophile Records in Vancouver, BC, Amoeba Music in Berkley, CA, and Eroding Winds in Oshkosh, WI!
emptyset - Dissever gets unboxed
Take an early sneak-peek at the vinyl and packaging for emptyset’s upcoming release Dissever. Available and shipping now on Pure Denim color wax! We think it perfectly complements the very cool artwork by Clayton Welham. This gorgeous record will portal you to another dimension.
Watch the video, listen to the music and pre-order a Pure Denim LP and the portable CD. Both formats come with a download code.
You get it before it is released!
In stores everywhere May 23rd.
Thalia Zedek Band goes on tour and answers 10 questions!
Thalia and her brother Dan Zedek, who has done all the graphic design for her records. The Boat Outside Your Window also features photographs by Thalia's partner Heather Kappalow
We are so excited that Thalia has announced some upcoming tour dates in support of her new album The Boat Outside Your Window coming out in June. When we were talking to her about tour plans we took the opportunity to ask her 10 questions, the kind of questions no reasonable journalist would ask... Got a question for an artist? DM us on instagram and we will ask it!
Boston Kreme Donut vs Boston Cream Pie? What do you like better and which is the Massachusetts state desert? (We were going to ask about Boston Baked Beans but we all know they are made in Chicago!)
Definitely the Donut, I’m in Boston after all and Dunkies is just around the corner.
Frances Perkins vs. Ben Franklin?
Though Frances Perkins was amazing, I’ll go with the cash.
Wine with dinner or beer with music?
Or??? Why can’t I have both?
What was the name of your first pet and what was it?
Bloomenberry. She was a monkey of the sock species.
What book has stayed with you over the years?
The Painted Bird by Jerzy Kosinski. As a child, I was a precocious reader and found it in a bookshelf at home. I thought it was a kids’ book. It definitely changed my perspective on the world for the darker.
What year did you put the ‘FCK NZS’ sticker on your guitar? (and, BTW, where do I get one for my forehead?)
I was on tour with E in Europe in January 2017 just after Trump got inaugurated for his first term. I got it in a bar in Bratislava on Feb. 1st. That’s the when and why of it!
So cool that Boston produced the biggest selling rock & roll debut album in history, selling 75 million copies. What was it? What was their name originally? I have more than a feeling you know this one!
Thanks for the clue! I guess it was Boston (the band) and a little birdie told me that they used to be called Mother’s Milk.
Top 3 favorite underground rock albums ever?
Prehistory by Circle X, Odyshape by The Raincoats, and Junkyard by The Birthday Party.
With the Thalia Zedek Band, E, and COME you have toured the world many times over. Please tell us about an unforgettable show!
Well, Bettina, the Kung-Fu necktie story is definitely your favorite, haha! But I shouldn’t get into details because they have recently allowed me to play there again.
May 30 - Boston, MA - O’Brien’s Pub (record release show)
Jun. 8 - Melbourne, VIC - Rising Festival Athenaeum Theatre # [tickets]
Jun. 9 - Castlemaine, VIC - Theatre Royale # [tickets]
Jun. 10 - Beechworth, VIC - Tanswell Hotel #
Jun. 13 - Hobart, TAS - Mona Sex & Death Dayspa / Winter Feast / Grand Poobah #
Jun. 14 - Thirroul, NSW - Franks Wild Years #
Jun. 15 - Sydney, NSW - Red House #
Jun. 18 - Auckland, NZ - Auckland Unitarian Church #
Jun. 19 - Wellington, NZ - Vogelmorn #
Jun. 25 - Baltimore, MD - Club 603 *
Jun. 26 - Pittsburgh, PA - Government Centre *
Jun. 27 - Cleveland, OH - Grog Shop *
Jun. 28 - Columbus, OH - Secret Studio (with Scrawl)*
Jun. 29 - Chicago, IL - Empty Bottle *
Jul. 1 - Cincinnati, OH - TBA *
Jul. 2 - Knoxville, TN - Pilot Light *
Jul. 3 - Asheville, NC - Sly Grog *
Jul. 5 - Carrboro, NC - Cat’s Cradle (back room) *
Jul. 6 - Washington D.C. - Black Cat *
* w/ Quattracenta
# w/ Ned Collette
Matmos in The New York Times!
Photo by Obie Feldi
The New York Times just recently featured the excellent new single from Matmos, “Changing States” in their playlist! Here’s what they had to say about the track:
“‘Metallic Life Review,’ an album due in June, builds tracks entirely from the sounds of metallic instruments and objects that Matmos — Drew Daniel and M.C. Schmidt — have collected over many years: struck, plucked, bowed, scraped, clanged together. In “Changing States,” those sounds include otherworldly chords plucked on pedal steel guitar by Susan Alcorn, who died earlier this year, along with electric guitar, glockenspiel and a vast assortment of percussion; it’s simultaneously elegiac and comedic.”
The playlist also features claire rousay’s new collaboration with Grumpy and Pink Must! Check out the playlist!
Cratediggers: Thalia Zedek
Thalia has curated a playlist just for you! The playlist includes songs by Ned Collette and Quattracenta, who she will be touring with this summer. Thalia also highlights up and coming bands she’s been loving including Lifeguard from Chicago and Sidebody and Landowner from Massachusetts. Read what Thalia has to say about her Cratediggers playlist:
“It encompasses musicians I've played with and will be playing with in the future (Erica Dawn Lyle, Quattracenta, Ned Collette, FACS), young bands just starting out (Lifeguard, Sidebody, Landowner), beloved artists from my past who I still feel a strong connection with (Subskin Cables, CCCP-TV), interesting folks I've met on my travels (Taipan Tiger Girls) and one of the best live bands I've seen this year, Dakha Brakha.” - Thalia Zedek
Thalia also wants to highlight this track from the Land Trust benefit for NEFOC, featuring the one and only Kim Gordon.
Have a Garden Party, Summer’s almost here!
“Garden Party is as pleasant as its title promises, with its extended passages custom made for sipping and supping as the day fades.” - Under the Radar
“a celebration of laidback and sun-baked summer fun.” - Loud and Quiet
“Rather than being rooted in a time or a place, Garden Party seems to transcend those notions, searching for moments when the heart and soul come alive.” - KLOF Magazine
Celebrate the early days of summer with Rose City Band! The band has kicked off their EU tour this week with many more shows to come! They’ll be making their way back to North America at the notable Winnipeg Folk Festival in Canada! Revisit Garden Party to get you in the right summertime mood.
Rose City Band’s country psychedelic rock evokes the wide-open spaces of the American west and free spirits who call it home. The project of acclaimed guitarist and vocalist Ripley Johnson, Rose City Band has extended beyond the studio and lives in tandem as a live ensemble featuring some of the finest players in contemporary rock: pedal steel guitarist Barry Walker, keyboardist Paul Hasenberg, bassist Dewey Mahood (aka Plankton Wat) and drummer Dustin Dybvig. Garden Party is a celebration of summer and all it brings: communal gatherings, the respites offered by nature, and an appreciation for even the simplest beauty, from 12-foot sunflowers to a contorted carrot planted in the spring.
Full tour dates below:
Apr 26 Berlin, DE - Neue Zukunft w/ Zukunft
Apr 28 Aarhus, DK - Voxhall
Apr 29 Malmo, SE - Babel
Apr 30 Oslo, NO - Blaa w/ Utlaav
May 01 Stockholm, SE - Fasching
May 02 Gothenburg, SE - Pustervik
May 03 Copenhagen, DK - Loppen *
May 05 Hamburg, DE - Nachtasyl
May 06 Osnabrück, DE - Kleine Freiheit
May 07 Cologne, DE - Bumann & SOHN
May 08 Groningen, NL - Vera
May 10 Eindhoven, NL - Fuzz Club Festival
May 11 London, UK - The Garage
May 12 Birmingham, UK - Hare & Hounds w/ Bananagun
May 13 Manchester, UK - YES (Pink Room) *
May 14 Glasgow, UK - Stereo *
May 15 Leeds, UK - Brudenell Social Club *
May 16 Liverpool, UK - Arts Club Loft *
May 17 Bristol, UK - Strange Brew w/ Lifter
July 10-13 Winnipeg Folk Festival
Jul 15 Ferndale, MI - The Magic Bag ^
Jul 16 Toronto, ON - The Garrison ^
Jul 17 Pittsburgh, PA - Bottlerocket Social Hall ^
Jul 18 Philadelphia, PA - Ardmore Music Hall ^
Jul 19 New York, NY - Bowery Ballroom ^
Jul 20 Washington, DC - The Atlantis ^
Jul 21 Richmond, VA - Richmond Music Hall ^
Jul 22 Durham, NC - Motorco Music Hall ^
Jul 23 Asheville, NC - Ayurprana Listening Room ^
Jul 24 Atlanta, GA - The Earl ^
Jul 25 Nashville, TN - Skinny Dennis ^
Jul 26 Louisville, KY - Zanzabar ^
Jul 27 Chicago, IL - The Empty Bottle ^
Jul 28 Evanston, IL - Space ^
Aug 1-3 Happy Valley, OR - Pickathon Music Festival
Oct 02 Reno, NV - Offbeat Music Festival
* w/ Sons of Sevilla
^ w/ Powers / Rolin Duo
Watch the music video for “Slow Burn” with animations by Mickey Miles: