The expanded edition of the Plug Award nominated “Hymns for a Dark
Horse” will be released on June 17 (and August 18 in the UK),
featuring two new songs as bonus tracks. Originally released by Burly
Time Records in 2007, Dead Oceans is thrilled that this masterpiece
will finally be widely available.
The bonus tracks are more than just tossed off extras. “La
Denigración” has a stunning melodic sensibility – you can hear the
band drawing not only from traditional American music, but bringing in
elements of music from around the globe. “Matchstick Maker” is a heart
breaker, centered around singer / guitarist Phil Moore’s aching voice.
In addition to these two bonus songs, “Hymns for a Dark Horse” will be
issued on vinyl for the first time.
There is something natural and majestic about the Bowerbirds music. At
SXSW the band played many shows, but the two that truly stand out were
the performances in the least traditional venues. They played a
daytime show on the lawn of the French Legation Museum as part of
Other Music’s two day event. Audience members could sit on the lawn,
while the band played to a backdrop of sun and clouds and gorgeous
foliage. The band’s official showcase took place at the Central
Presbyterian Church in downtown Austin, and hearing Bowerbirds soaring
melodies in such a perfect acoustic environment is something not soon
forgotten. They ended the evening by stepping away from the
microphones, performing their final song using just the venue’s
acoustics as amplification, and it was spellbinding. With this in
mind, there are a few videos of non-traditional Bowerbirds
performances that we are pleased to share. First is their recent
appearance on La Blogotheque’s Take-Away shows. Vincent Moon and the
band hooked up in NYC’s Lower East Side to perform four songs last
October, and we are thrilled with the results. The band also performed
“My Oldest Memory” at Pullen Park in Raleigh, NC, as part of a feature
that The News & Observer did on the band. Both of these are essential
viewing.
And, a new release would not be complete without a tour. We’re excited
to announce that the Bowerbirds will be joining Bon Iver on a stretch
of dates this July, followed by their first trip to the UK and Europe,
where they will be appearing at the Green Man and End of the Road
Festivals. Many other UK and European dates will be announced soon.