Tortoise Play Casbah Tonight
Hot on the heels of dropping their first record in five years, re-releasing a bunch of classic albums on vinyl, and (just last week) bringing a newborn track into this world, Tortoise have hit the road. And this time (unlike last time), they’ll stop in sunny San Diego. Continue reading…
Review: Tortoise; February 17th, 2010; Mr. Smalls Theater, Pittsburgh, PA
Chicago post-rockers Tortoise are just like the animal that their moniker invokes. Well, not exactly like it; I’ve never seen a tortoise perform a killer instrumental post-rock song, though I wouldn’t mind seeing one try. Rather, it is the band’s unbelievable staying power that makes them so much like the long-lived reptile.
I’d be willing to bet that most fans of indie rock today were just discovering the wonders of puberty when Tortoise’s 1994 debut laid the groundwork for a career that would see the band become one of the most important post-rock acts ever.
Fast-forward sixteen years to Mr. Smalls Theater in Pittsburgh, PA. Considering that the show was on a Wednesday night, the turnout was decent. I really can’t think of a better place to see Tortoise, besides maybe the moon or inside a spaceship. Mr. Smalls is an old cathedral church retrofitted into an amazing music venue. The acoustics are amazing—every plucked string, tapped hi-hat, and stroked key fills the space with beauty. (more…)
Tortoise ‘Prepare’ Winter Tour (MP3)
Our favorite Chicago post rockers are back with a new video and news of a winter tour. (more…)
Owl and Bear’s Best Albums of 2009
Owl and Bear writers’ favorite albums of 2009. (more…)
Download: Tortoise – July 8, 2009 (FLACs)
Soundboard (FM)/README/Download
Chicago’s Tortoise recently released Beacons of Ancestorship, one of this year’s best albums. They play several tracks from the new album on this excellent recording. They’re currently on tour, but nowhere near the ‘States. Dates are below.
Downloading tips: Visit our FAQ for information on how to download these files. If you don’t like to right-click/download files individually, check out DownThemAll, a handy Firefox plugin that allows you to do it in bulk. If you like the downloads, let us know in the comments. Also, requests (for your favorite bands, not specific shows) are always welcome. (more…)
Poetic Memory: Cougar (List)
Cougar, Madison Wisconsin’s all-foxy-grandma-instrumental-post-rock band, just released their sophomore effort, Patriot. Along with it came two starkly different—yet excellent—singles,”Stay Famous” (MP3) and “Foil Épée Sabre” (MP3, EP only). “Stay Famous” plays with old-school indie dynamics, while “Sabre”, a meandering folky piece, may or may not have something to do with fencing. You can check out their catalog at iTunes, as well as other places.
We recently got together with Cougar to talk Poetic Memory, and after listening to the two songs above, it should be no surprise that their influences range from Timbalada’s “boobs” album (whose cover is NSFW, by the way), to Bach, Hendrix, and Tortoise’s TNT. If you are surprised, it’s all explained below.
They have one gig in their hometown of Madison, Wisconsin before they embark on a European tour. Tourdates are at the bottom of the post. (more…)
Thrill Jockey Announces 12″ Record Club
In 2007, to celebrate their 15th anniversary, Chicago’s Thrill Jockey records released Plum, a limited edition box set of 7” singles in which Thrill Jockey bands covered their favorite Thrill Jockey songs.
Now, the label—home to Owl and Bear favorites like Califone, Tortoise, Pit er Pat, School of Language, and The Sea & Cake—has initiated a brand new service, in which fans of the label’s roster can sign up to regularly receive limited edition 12″ records. According to Thrill jockey,
The first installment of our record club will include the following artists: Pit er Pat, Tortoise, Thank You, Pontiak, White Hills, Javelin and Mi Ami. Some titles will not be available for individual purchase…The subscription guarantees you all 7 of these titles as well as saves you on overall retail price by joining. The singles are all made in limited edition—and most are slated to sell out on the day of release. The first installment of our record club will include the following artists. Also, each subscriber will get a free Thrill Jockey record bag!
Since we love Tortoise and Pit er Pat, signing up seemed like a no-brainer. Visit the Thrill Jockey website to view all the details and join the club by. Subscriptions are limited, so act fast!
Poetic Memory: Alan Wilkis (List)
Brooklyn’s Alan Wilkis calls himself “a sponge type of listener” who is “influenced by many different artists, genres, and time periods” and it’s easy to tell from his music. His new EP is called Pink and Purple, and it’s a blast. To describe his taste, Wilkis says, “One day I might be listening to some death metal, next day it’s 80s hip-hop, then Bach fugues, and then it’s Elvis Costello all weekend.” His style will take you by surprise, but it’s a good thing—and it’s plain that he writes for sheer enjoyment.
We described his last album, Babies Dream Big, as “reminiscent of anything from funk to deep soul to something like the soundtrack to Ghostbusters,” and Pink and Purple operates in a similar dimension. Given last week’s passing of Michael Jackson, it seems only appropriate to publish Wilkis’ list of influences, which he readily admits is “a little 80s funk-heavy.” Below are Alan Wilkis’ top 10 influences.
Poetic Memory is a regular Owl and Bear feature in which musicians disclose their influences—whether it’s albums, songs, artists, or something random. If you’re interested in being featured here, send us an email. (more…)
More Tortoise Tour Dates Added to Support ‘Ancestorship’
Tortoise’s first album in over five years, Beacons of Ancestorship, is out June 23rd on Thrill Jockey. The band had previously announced some shows around the time of Pitchfork Music Fest, and now they’ve added a some Midwest dates to their fall schedule. They’ll also be playing a few shows in Europe and one in Japan. If you have the chance to see them, don’t waste it. According to our biased-but-correct friends at Thrill Jockey
Witnessing the element of group play between the five band members in a live setting and their adept skills at playing interchanging instruments to create this sound is truly an inspiring experience and one that should not be missed!
Complete list of tour dates after the jump. (more…)
Orwell’s Diaries, Tortoise, Hamlet Does Facebook (Links)
Tortoise re-releases Standards (1,000 copy LE) on red vinyl – Our copy has already shipped—get yours ASAP!
The Orwell Diaries – “From 9th August 2008, you will be able to gather your own impression of Orwell’s face from reading his most strongly individual piece of writing: his diaries.” This is freakin’ awesome, in case you didn’t know.
Hamlet (Facebook News Feed Edition) – “Ophelia joined the group Maidens Who Don’t Float.”
Garfield Minus Garfield – While not new, G-G is still worth a second look. “The result is astounding; all of a sudden, an unfunny, dated comic strip becomes a dark feature about a lonely, possibly insane man.”
How to blur your license plate – Californians, look no further! Now you can speed through those red lights!
American Voices: Wal-Mart wants Republican president – What do you think? “It’s true. We all know how Wal-Mart just barely squeaked by during the Clinton administration.”
Remember the Debates? – Recently The Atlantic’s James Fallows took on the laudable but unenviable task of watching all 47 of the primary debates. He arrives at some fascinating conclusions…that were hard to see when the debates machine gunned through the early part of the season.
Bonnaroo 2007
When I left Thursday afternoon, I felt like shit with an ungodly case of mono and, apparently, Lyme disease. I thought I might die there, but by Friday, I felt much, much better. It may be stupidly-named, but Bonnaroo apparently cures all ills.
