News

You probably already know this, but on Wednesday morning, David Berman took his own life. He’s gone. 

We have to keep reminding ourselves that it is real. Then we’re reminded that is real. Then we wish it wasn’t real. It’s like a trapeze act, and we are the worst acrobats, fumbling these truths from swing to swing. Day after day...

Everybody says these things after a suicide – and this week, we know very specifically why they do. For instance: five... (read more)

We couldn't be more sorry to tell you this. David Berman passed away earlier today. A great friend and one of the most inspiring individuals we've ever known is gone. Rest easy, David. 

Chicago's (erm, America's) busiest musician is on the road again next week! Bill MacKay is headed off to Huichica East Festival in New York, playing a few gigs with fellow DC-ite Mike Donovan (what an excellent pairing! Mike's latest, Exurbian Quonset, is undoubtedly the freshest flower May, if not all of 2019, had to offer!) and then back for a quick jaunt in the Midwest. In honor of the occasion, Bill's unveiled a music video for "Birds of May", a standout track from... (read more)

WATCH CHRIS GANTRY PERFORM LIVE HERE!

Unless you were in the greater Nashville area on Wednesday, you probably missed Chris Gantry's appearance on the NBC morning TV show, Nashville Today, so let us clue you in! Performing "Box of Crayons" with heartfelt sincerity and getting into the rich and detailed history of Nashville songwriting with the show hosts, Gantry delivered the goods! "Box of Crayons" is a poignant and playful tune celebrating diversity and acceptance; here live, it features Chris' bright... (read more)

O beautiful for spacious skies, for amber waves of grain! For Purple Mountain majesties, above the fruited plain! The hotly anticipated, rapidly approaching Purple Mountains tour of America, the beautiful, (and Canada!) is finally on the horizon. A decade after David Berman last performed live, these upcoming dates could not be more extraordinarily enticing and excitingly essential - with twenty-six shows in nearly as many cities there is simply no excuse NOT to go! Purple Mountains' debut album has arrived and been received with universal... (read more)

It's now twenty years since U.S. Maple and Talker were sent tot he Drag City offices. Their third album took the egretions and abrasions of their early music to a new height of quiet horror, their contribution to the summer of '99 - a hot, trying season, one that won't soon be forgotten. Talker was recorded by Martin Bisi and produced by Michael Gira at Bisi Studios. U.S. Maple made two more records after Talker before dissolving in the mid-aughts. Talker has been out of... (read more)

Ty Segall presents "Ice Plant", his most beautiful song to date, as the final pre-release single from his forthcoming album, First Taste, due August 2nd. "Ice Plant" presents a completely different side of First Taste following the previously released full band, fleshed-out singles "Radio" and "Taste." Between a percussion-based intro and simple piano outro, both performed by Segall, "Ice Plant" strips back any instrumentation, solely spotlighting the mesmeric voices and harmonizing of Segall and newest Freedom Band member, Shannon Lay.... (read more)

After over 20 years of record making, Major Stars have arrived at "roots" and "seeds" of their inspiration. Riding a creative hot streak including 2016's Motion Set, the creative current is presently in a mega-waxing state, with momentum that won't quit! In times like these, it's easy to feel connected to sources like roots and seeds - and when you lay the needle onto this platter, you too will feel this inspiration.
 

Laughing Matter is one of the deepest head trips of an album of this (or any) year, and its creator, Wand, simply won't quit! Fresh off a triumphant tour of the USA, this summer is about to become certifiably endless as Wand set their sites on Europe (for the 2nd time this year!) in August! Taking it to festivals across the mainland before practically immigrating to the UK, where Wand's  no-clubs-pubs-or-halls-left-behind approach indicates a deep affection for olde Blighty, it's a satisfyingly dense tour... (read more)