Islands experienced a burst of fame in the mid-2000s with their debut album, Return to the Sea. The band was born out of the ashes of The Unicorns, who released the fantastic Who Will Cut Our Hair When We’re Gone? before disbanding in 2004. The Unicorns had shown lots of promise, so it was welcome news when band mates Nicholas Thorburn (aka Nick Diamonds) and Jamie Thompson (aka J’aime Tambeur) went on to form Islands in 2005. Continue reading…
As far as made-up genre names go, you can’t do much better than “doom-wop.” That’s how the new supergroup known as Mister Heavenly describes its peculiar sound, and the label is a fitting one. Their music is foreboding yet playful, with growled vocals and slithering guitars tempered by a nostalgic affection for 50s-era pop. Continue reading…
MP3: Mister Heavenly – “Pineapple Girl”
When we last talked about Mister Heavenly, the exciting new band comprised of Nick Thorburn (Islands/The Unicorns), Ryan Kattner (Man Man), Joe Plummer (Modest Mouse), and sometimes Michael Cera, we predicted that some tour dates were around the corner, and lo, so it came to pass.
The supergroup has announced a 14-date tour that will bring it to Bar Pink on September 2. It’ll be crazy to see Cera play in such a small venue, but even if he doesn’t show up, the core trio of Thorburn, Kattner, and Plummer has more than enough chops to make it worth your while.
Mister Heavenly have also revealed the artwork for their forthcoming album, Out of Love, which is set for release on August 16 on Sub Pop. You can check it out, along with the rest of their tour dates, below. Continue reading…
MP3: Mister Heavenly – “Pineapple Girl”
Mister Heavenly, the indie supergroup comprised of Nick Thorburn (Islands/The Unicorns), Ryan Kattner (Man Man), and Joe Plummer (Modest Mouse), have announced the release date for their full-length debut.
The record, titled Out of Love, will be released on August 16 on Sub Pop. For a taste of what to expect from the album, check out the ominously titled “Mister Heavenly is…coming to get you” video teaser and MP3 for “Pineapple Girl” above.
The group hasn’t announced any live dates in support of Out of Love yet, but we suspect those will be coming soon. Whether sometimes-bassist Michael Cera joins the band on tour is anyone’s guess, provided the soft-spoken actor finishes his Simpsons cameo in time.