New Blackout Beach record

Carey Mercer (Frog Eye’s, Swan Lake) has put out another incredible record under his solo project moniker, Blackout Beach. ‘Blues Trip’ was recorded last summer with Carey’s wife Melanie Campbell on drums, and Dante Decaro on bass. The liner notes also state that Dan Bejar ‘sings a few key lines on a few tracks’. The record is a blues version of the 2011 Blackout Beach record ‘Fuck Death’.

To download your copy go to the Blackout Beach soundcloud page. There you can also read a short write up from Carey about the recording of this record. Blues Trip will be released physically on April 2nd via Soft Abuse:

An artist revisiting previous work can rightly induce gag reflexes among the cognescenti, though when the artist in question is Carey Mercer, it’s best to take heed. Over the last 10 years or so, Mercer has established himself a singular songwriter and performer in the woolly independent landscape. He’s frequently compared to Nick Cave or Simon Bonney, but his palette is far more colorful, recalling primo-era Wire or Roxy Music in his varied, forward-thinking compositions and production flourishes.

Which brings us to Blues Trip, Mercer’s retooling of the album Fuck Death, released under his Blackout Beach guise to a perplexed public in 2011. Almost a year later, Mercer and his “blues trio” Blackout Beach lineup (wife and Frog Eyes conspirator Melanie Campbell on drums & ex-Wolf Parader Dante DeCaro on bass) revisited the Fuck Death songs in a quick session at a remote studio. Blues Trip eschews the source album’s synth incantations in favor of a more immediate, traditional rockist approach, insofar that something like Frog Eyes is traditional… The results are as rewarding as could be imagined; in several instances, his new versions vary greatly from those presented on Fuck Death. This music is primal and emotional, with Mercer’s howl and tone-perfect guitar at the fore, leading these unconventional songs through their charred path.

Divine Fits headed to SXSW + Minneapolis

Having just returned from a few weeks touring the Pacific Rim, Divine Fits will take a break for a few weeks. They’ll return to the road in March at SXSW. Divine Fits are confirmed to perform at the Dickies Filter party at 12am on Thursday March 14th (badges and wristbands only). With just one appearance announced at SXSW so far, we assume there will be more to follow.

They’ve also announced a one off show on April 4th at the Varsity Theatre in Minneapolis. Tickets go on sale this Friday 2/15 at 12 noon CST.

03-14 SXSW – Lustre Pearl at 12am (Dickies/Filter Party)
04-04 Minneapolis, MN – Varsity Theatre – on sale 2/15 @ 12pm CST
04-05 Iowa City, IA – Mission Creek Festival
04-06 The Gorge, WA – Sasquatch Festival
04-12 Indio, CA – Coachella
04-19 Indio, CA – Coachella
06-08 New York, NY – Governors Ball

DF just played a one off show in Honolulu. Check out photos and reviews of the show at Nonstophonolulu.com and Honolulupulse.com

Moonface returns

photo: Tero Ahonen

Looks like Spencer decided to get back on the road with Sinaii. Hopefully to try out some new tracks! Moonface are scheduled to perform at the Jyrock Festival in Jyväskylän, Finaland. The festival is on April 19th and 20th, but we are unsure which day Moonface will perform. Tickets are on sale now.

Hungry Heart

Divine Fits are still in Australia. Watch them perform Bruce Springsteen’s ‘Hungry Heart’ for Triple J Radio:

Divine Fits return to US soil with a once off performance in Hawaii on February 11th!

More Festival Appearances for Divine Fits

Photo: Serena Ho

Divine Fits have been announced as playing a few additional festivals this summer. They will be at both the Sasquatch Music Festival and the Mission Creek Music Festival.

Sasquatch takes place from May 24th – 27th at The Gorge in Washington state. Tickets go on Live Nation pre-sale tomorrow (2/6) at 10am. General on sale is Saturday (2/9) at 10am on livenation.com

Mission Creek Festival takes place from April 2nd – 7th in Iowa City, Iowa. Tickets are on sale now.

Divine Fits are currently on tour in Australia. Check out some photos from their show at The Corner Hotel in Melbourne at TheAUReview.com. Also check out these photos from their Laneway Festival appearance in Singapore courtesy of irockumentary.com

Divine Fits Playing Coachella

As predicted, Divine Fits will be playing Coachella on Friday April 12 and 19. Advance tickets to Coachella went on sale in May. The next round of passes go on sale at 10am PT on Tuesday January 29th. Festival passes start at $349.

Moonface Letter #3 Arrives

After a long wait, it appears the 3rd letter from Spencer Krug (Moonface) has arrived. Thanks to Brian (Comesapart) for posting it on the forum. Check out letter 1 and letter 2 as well.

Meet and Greet

Just came across this contest. I know we have some loyal Aussie fans, so this one’s for you!

Divine Fits head to Australia soon and you can win a chance to meet them!

Website TheInSoundfromWayOut.com is giving away a chance for a VIP meet and greet with the guys at both the Melbourne and Sydney Laneway Festival appearances.

Here’s some info:

Divine Fits will be performing tracks from their debut album A Thing Called Divine Fits at the Corner Hotel (Melbourne) on Feb 4 and Manning Bar (Sydney) on Feb 6*.

For your chance to win tickets + a VIP experience, simply answer this question in 25 words or less: “In the spirit of Divine Fits’ song ‘Flaggin A Ride’, which outback destination do you suggest the trio hitch a ride to while in Australia and why?”

To enter just go to this link where you can email your answer. Competition ends Friday February 1st at 9am. Good luck!

Governors Ball – NYC

The line up was announced today for this years Governors Ball Music Festival. The festival takes place June 7-9 on Governors Island in NYC. Divine Fits have been announced to be performing. This is just the first of what I predict will be many summer festival appearances for our boys. Stay tuned for more info.

Tickets go on sale on Friday for the Governors Ball at https://govball.eventbrite.com

My Love is Real Video

On Friday Divine Fits premiered their new video for ‘My Love is Real’. Directed by Alexa Garrity, the video is based on the movie “The Swimmer”, which is based a short story by John Cheever. You can read the short story here. Thanks to Hannah (Wisteria24) for the info.

Here is the offical write up from Alexa Garrity’s website:

My Love is Real by Divine Fits (Official Music Video), 2013

Inspired by the cool menace underpinning “My Love is Real”, with its unsettling refrain of “until it stops”, I present the band as an ambiguous presence––to convey the uncertainty that threads through the song in a California setting, a setting restrained, but with something darker beneath the surface. The refrain of “until it stops” threads through the song, propelling the visuals, gathering momentum in a slightly unnerving arc.

Inspired by The Swimmer (1968) starring Burt Lancaster based on a short story by John Cheever (1964), I present a honed, focused and surreal narrative. The video unfolds from morning to dusk, blurring fantasy and truth, presenting a strange allegory of life, a surreal take on the hero’s journey where the discovery is the tragic nature of life. As one member of the band observes, the other members appear, dive into the pool, emerging out the other end before moving on their way. The last time around, “until it stops” doesn’t stop, leaving that word — “stop” — like Boeckner’s double, floating, ambiguous.

Divine Fits – “My Love Is Real” from stereogum on Vimeo.

Hopefully we’ll get some DF tour news soon! Currently the boys are about to play shows in Singapore, New Zealand, and Australia. As well as a one off show in Hawaii in February.