The much-anticipated new studio album from Regina Spektor, What We Saw From The Cheap Seats, is set for release on Sire/Warner Bros. Records in late spring 2012. The album reunites Spektor with production partner Mike Elizondo (Eminem, Fiona Apple, Dr. Dre) and is her first album of new material since 2009’s far. What We Saw From The Cheap Seats will launch with a first listen track “All The Rowboats” which will be made available digitally February 28. Spektor will also release an exclusive 7” of two Russian cover songs, “The Prayer Of François Villon (Molitva)” and “Old Jacket (Stariy Pedjak),” for Record Store Day on April 21. Spektor will tour with Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers this spring performing new material from the album; please see dates on back.
What We Saw From The Cheap Seats was recorded over an eight week period this past summer in Los Angeles. Spektor wrote each of the 11 tracks on the album. She arrived at the session with a collection of new compositions, but others were pulled from earlier periods. She and Elizondo fleshed out instrumentation and sought to make each of the songs stand alone sonically. Most of the songs were recorded live with Spektor on piano and vocals, while additional instrumentation was added to these original takes. Of working with Spektor, Elizondo says “Regina Spektor is that rare artist that continues to surprise. Just when you think you have her figured out, she knocks you out with something completely different. It’s that spirit that drives this record. Each song takes you on a journey that only Regina is capable of providing. She has truly outdone herself.”
Spektor studied classical piano and garnered a loyal live following in New York before self- releasing two albums. Her breakthrough album Soviet Kitsch was released by Sire Records in 2004 followed by Begin to Hope in 2006. The album included worldwide fan favorites “Fidelity,” “Samson,” “On The Radio” and “Better” and is certified gold in the U.S. Spektor followed up with far (2009) and Live from London (2010), which was recorded at the Hammersmith Apollo Theater during the far tour.
REGINA SPEKTOR TOUR
All dates with Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers
April 18/19 1 Bank Center Broomfield, CO
April 21 Verizon Arena Little Rock, AR
April 24 Tingley Coliseum Albuquerque, NM
April 26 Intrust Bank Arena Wichita, KS
April 29 Verizon Wireless Amphitheater at Encore Park Alpharetta, GA
May 1 Germain Arena Estero, FL
May 3 Amway Center Orlando, FL
May 5 Frank Erwin Center Austin, TX