Elvis Perkins Brings ‘Doom’ Upon Us
Elvis Perkins has been good to us this year. In March, he released his non-solo debut, the ominously jubilant Elvis Perkins In Dearland. That same month, he treated some lucky San Diegans to a rollicking, intimate performance at M-Theory Records. And now, just when it seemed that Mr. Perkins couldn’t have anything else up his sleeve for us in the near future, he goes and announces a new EP.
Set to be released October 20th on XL Recordings, The Doomsday EP features six tracks, including the titular song in its Elvis Perkins In Dearland incarnation and a new slower version [MP3]. The EP was recorded in three days at Machines with Magnets in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, and will almost certainly sound “earthy.” (more…)
How to Hug Your Independent Record Store
“Indie record stores,” says Chrys Hansen of Modern Music, the Caribbean’s most visited record store, “are where you go when you first realize there’s a whole new world of music for you to explore.” The Internet notwithstanding as perhaps one’s first stop when searching out what the world has to offer musically, Hansen’s words ring sentimental and otherwise true.
Independent record stores, unlike the CD sections of Wal-Mart and Best Buy, often feature carefully procured selections of good popular music and local and alternative groups that are either too vulgar or not Hoobastank-y enough for other outlets. The quality of independent record stores is only enhanced by the personal touch offered by the staff.
Review: Elvis Perkins in Dearland; March 15, 2009 at M-Theory Records; San Diego
There are worse fates than being compared to Jeff Mangum. As the frontman for Neutral Milk Hotel, Mangum spearheaded one of the most influential and revered bands in indie rock history, finally creating an album—1998’s In An Aeroplane Over The Sea—that was so perfectly realized even Mangum himself never dared attempt a follow up. So, nearly a decade later, after everyone had given up hope, a guy named Elvis Perkins quietly stepped up to the plate and did the job for him.
Perkins’ 2007 debut, Ash Wednesday, established him as a brilliant artist with a penchant for crafting songs of poignant sadness and profound beauty. The son of Anthony Perkins (Psycho’s Norman Bates) and Berry Berenson, Perkins channeled his much-publicized real life tragedies into a soul-baring masterpiece of catharsis. For his newly-released sophomore album, he added a backing band and adopted the moniker Elvis Perkins In Dearland.
And somehow, local record shop M-Theory Music was able to lure the band into their store for an exclusive, free performance on a beautifully sunny San Diego afternoon.
Elvis Perkins – Shampoo You (Video)
Just in case you’re not yet excited about Elvis Perkins In Dearland’s fast approaching show at M-Theory Music, here’s something to help whet your appetite. It’s Perkins and his band performing “Shampoo”, the opening track off their new album, and they sound terrific. How they’re going to fit the entire band inside the tiny Mission Hills record store remains to be seen, but it should be a blast. Don’t miss it.
