Forest Swords Shares New Video, Announces EU & NA Fall Tour Dates, New Album out Next Week On Ninja Tune

Forest Swords, aka Merseyside producer Matthew Barnes, returns with “Panic,” the third track to be lifted from forthcoming album Compassion, out May 5th via Ninja Tune, and announces headlining fall European and North American live tour dates.

The track journeys between a rumbling cello loop, chiming bells and clattering beat, pulling in a reworked northern soul sample for the track’s ecstatic hook. It is accompanied by a video directed by Barnes and AV collaborator Sam Wiehl, produced by Barnes' new experimental creative studio Dense Truth.

“Most of the tracks on Compassion were started in quite a heavy place but all managed to move towards the light the longer I worked on them. ‘Panic’ is the point where tension and stress boils over into a sort of euphoria.”

— Matthew Barnes on 'Panic'

NA Fall Tour Dates

Nov 14: Good Room - NYC, US

Nov 15: Lincoln Hall - Chicago, US

Nov 18: Echo - Los Angeles, US

EU Fall Tour Dates

Sept 21: Atlas - Aarhus, Denmark

Sept 22: Jazzhouse - Copenhagen, Denmark

Sept 23: Sodra Teatern -Stockholm, Sweden

Sept 26: Berghain -Berlin, Germany

Sept 27: UT Connewitz -Leipzig, Germany

Sept 28: Meet Factory - Prague, Czech

Sept 29: Waves - Vienna, Austria

Sept 30: Dürer Kert - Budapest, Hungary

Oct 02: Drugstore - Belgrade, Serbia

Oct 03: Mocvara - Zagreb, Croatia

Oct 04: Kino Siska - Ljubljana, Slovenia

Oct 06: Locomotiv - Bologna, Italy

Oct 07: FAB - Prato, Italy

Oct 08: Lanificio 25 - Naples, Italy

Oct 10: Dachstock - Bern, Switzerland

Oct 11: Rote Fabrik - Zurich, Switzerland

Oct 12: Uebel & Gefährlich - Hamburg, Germany

Oct 13: Bitterzoet - Amsterdam, Netherlands

Oct 14: Badaboum - Paris, France

Oct 16: The Lantern - Bristol, UK

Oct 18: Village Underground - London, UK

Oct 19: The Haunt - Brighton, UK

Oct 20: Headrow House - Leeds, UK

Oct 21: Gorilla - Manchester, UK

Oct 25: Teatr Warsawy - Warsaw, Poland

Oct 27: Six Dogs - Athens, Greece

Oct 28: Salon ISKV - Istanbul, Turkey

Nov 29: GNRation - Braga, Portugal

Nov 30: ZDB - Lisbon, Portugal

Dec 01: Caracol - Madrid, Spain

VDSQ Announces New Albums of 21st Century Guitar by Mark McGuire, Chuck Johnson, and Anthony Pasquarosa

VDSQ, the LA-based label specializing in music by innovative guitarists, has announced three new releases out June 2nd: Ideas of Beginnings by Mark McGuire, Balsams by Chuck Johnson, and Abbandonato Da Dio Nazione by Anthony Pasquarosa. While all share a common influence of American Primitivism, they approach the style from drastically different angles, each moving away from any sort of traditional notion of the genre towards expansive horizons. From the cosmic melodicism of McGuire’s acoustic meditations to the deep ambience of Johnson’s pedal steel and Pasquarosa’s imagined spaghetti Western soundtrack, these albums brilliantly build engrossing sound-worlds within the seemingly endless palate of 21st Century Guitar.

All albums are available for pre-order: http://www.vdsqrecords.com/

Mark McGuire reminds us why he is among the most beloved guitarists of our new age. McGuire returns to VDSQ with a beautiful album of fractal introspection, a succinct collection of deeply melodic and emotive themes. Ideas of Beginnings is a direct statement of modern guitar, running the gamut from brightly focused acoustic compositions to late night electricvapor trails. Ideas of Beginnings is another highlight from this iconic 21st Century guitarist.

Mark McGuire first came to national prominence as one third of legendary drone/psychedelic collective Emeralds and quickly ignited a new movement of New Age transcendence in American underground music. In 2009 Mark released his first solo album, VDSQ Solo Acoustic Vol. 2 to wide acclaim. Since then, Mark has released albums on Editions Mego, Dead Oceans and toured the world several times. Having reached a status as a contemporary guitar legend its with great joy we find his return to VDSQ in 2017 with Ideas of Beginnings.

Mark McGuire – Ideas of Beginnings

(June 2nd, VDSQ)

1.    Beginner

2.    The Girls

3.    Skipping Stones

4.    Smile From Up North

5.    Late Summer Early Evening

6.    The Clock Strikes With Soft Rain

7.    Serpent Mount Coyote Song

8.    To Continue

9.    Beginning Of Winter

10. By The Light Of The Freezing Pond

11.  Eleven Sevens

Chuck Johnson’s pedal steel guitar debut delivers a group of pieces for ambient meditation.  Recorded in a single two-week session during late 2015, and subsequently arranged/constructed/treated in the studio in spring of 2016, Balsams is awash in layers of tonal perfection. The album constantly evolves while maintaining a unified approach across both sides. Balsams is a record that lives outside genre and time, one that continues to develop with each successive deep listen. A unique expansion in the VDSQ catalog, Balsams is an album created in the hopes of providing solace and regenerative energies for many years to come.

Chuck Johnson has released several instrumental guitar LPs over the last five years on labels like Three Lobed and Trouble in Mind, easily claiming the respect and admiration of the solo guitar community. Rather than focus solely on American Primitive, Johnson’s wide palate, used often for his soundtrack work, is on full display on Balsams, an LP owing more to Eno/Budd than Fahey or Basho. A consummate musician at the height of his powers, Chuck Johnson delivers perhaps his most unique and enjoyable work to date with this pedal steel perfection. Fans of drone, minimalism and modern composition take note.

Chuck Johnson – Balsams

(June 2nd – VDSQ)

1.    Calamus

2.    Riga Black

3.    Moonstone

4.    Eye On The Sparrow

5.    Labradorite Eye

6.    Brahmi

Anthony Pasquarosa focuses the third eye back to 1910 to conjure a lysergic spaghetti Western experience. Expect to be transported to another realm where gunshots, galloping horses and psychedelic gunslingers mark the terrain. Pasquarosa reveals himself to be a master stylist and his third full length for VDSQ shows the widescreen breadth of his cinematic vision. Abbandonato Da Dio Nazione is expansively packaged with hand drawn artwork from the guitarist himself. Western’s have never sounded like this.

A Western Massachussettes musical alchemist, Anthony Pasquarosa was first introduced to wider audiences in 2014 with his solo guitar raga, VDSQ Solo Acoustic Vol. 7. A well respected member of the hardcore scene Pasquarosa played in nihilistic-charged bands such as SQRM, Aerosols and Viper. Lately he has focused on more psychedelic oriented projects such as Crystalline Roses, World Domination and Glue Bag, all having release LPs in recent years. In 2015 Pasquarosa released the Morning Meditations LP on VDSQ to wide acclaim, a transcendental minimalmasterwork with water sounds playing throughout the whole album. In 2017, Abbandonato Da Dio Nazione cements his status as one of today’s great modern guitar players, a master of infinite styles.

Anthony Pasquarosa – Abbandonato Da Dio Nazione

(June 2nd, VDSQ)

1.    Godforsaken Country (Sequence 1)

2.    Run For Life, Death Is Near (Sequence 1)

3.    Upon Nebraska Braries

4.    Godforsaken Country (Sequence 2)

5.    With Knives, Guns, and Revolvers

6.    Godforsaken Country (Sequence 3)

7.    What Makes A Man

8.    Run For Life, Death Is Near (Sequence 2)

9.    Run For Life, Death Is Near (Sequence 3)

10. The Robbing Of The Northfield Bank

11. Godforsaken Country (Sequence 4, End Credits)

Ninja Tune x Mount Analog Presents: Actress x Laurel Halo x Eartheater x Sage Caswell | Globe Basement, May 13th

Rounding out a trio of events billed nationwide next month, Ninja Tune are very pleased to team up with Mount Analog to present a show at the Globe Theater Basement on Saturday, May 13 in Los Angeles. Heading up the occasion is tangential techno tycoon Actress, joined by Laurel Halo, Eartheater and Sage Caswell for a night of musical miscellany.

Actress comes to Los Angeles hot on the heels of the release of AZD on Ninja Tune, his fifth studio album under the Actress moniker and one hailed by fans and critics alike as an instant classic. His appearance at the Globe is his first in the city in nearly three years and brings with it a never-before-seen live show in keeping with the “new music system” the record embodies.

Another artist redefining the form and function of electronic compositions, Laurel Halo, joins the bill to DJ and further foray into the sensory fringe. Her releases for Rvng Intl., Hyperdub and Hippos In Tanks have been received to high praise, most recently on 2015’s acclaimed In Situ EP for Honest Jon’s.

New York-based jill-of-all-trades Eartheater comes to LA armed with an inimitable approach to performance. A skilled multi-instrumentalist, composer, singer, poet, choreographer, dancer and visual artist, her productions have colored the underground via release on experimental keystone Hausu Mountain and are most strikingly experienced in the flesh.

Rounding out the bill is local linchpin Sage Caswell, a DJ and producer well-known on the LA circuit for his involvement in the Far Away mixtape and party series. More recently his prowess has taken an international turn with celebrated output on Archie Pelago Music, 100% Silk and more, including last year’s Hoop Earring, his debut LP on Spring Theory.

Tickets for the event are now available via Mount Analog and Restless Nites.

http://www.restlessnites.com/actress/

Bernice Announce 'Puff EP', Share New Track, Support Charlotte Day Wilson Tour, 'Puff EP' out 6/16 via Arts & Crafts

BERNICE, the Toronto-based project of vocalist/songwriter Robin Dann, today announce Puff -- the band's first EP for Arts & Crafts, due out June 16, 2017. Co-produced by Grammy-winning producer Shawn Everette (Alabama Shakes) and Matt Smith (Owen Pallett), Puff is 5 of 11 songs to be released in 2017, and presents a thicker, colorful side of Bernice's sound.

Along with the announcement of the new EP, Bernice also share the new single “Talking About Her”

Photo Credit: Claire Harvie

“...friends talking about friends, talking about friends. And why we all do it and why we can’t help it. And how it’s sometimes hurtful, but ultimately, probably, ok, and how, really, we just love each other.”

— Vocalist/songwriter Robin Dann explains the track

Bernice is currently on tour supporting Charlotte Day Wilson and is performing sold out shows tonight (Tuesday, 4/19) and tomorrow (Wednesday, 4/20) at Mod Club in Toronto as part of Canadian Music Week.

Bernice Tour Dates:
4/19: Toronto, ON - Mod Club (CMW)^
4/20 - Toronto, ON - Mod Club (CMW)^
4/22 - Montreal, QC - Phi Centre^
4/27: Ste-Thérèse, QC - Cabaret BMO*
4/28: Ste-Agathe-Des-Monts, QC - Le Patriote*
4/29: Victoriaville, QC - Cabaret Guy-Aubert*
6/3 - Toronto, ON - Field Trip Music & Arts Festival
8/5 - Sackville, NB - Sappyfest

* w/ Martha Wainwright
^ w/ Charlotte Day Wilson

Mozart's Sister Shares "Bump" Video, Announces New Tour Dates

Montreal-based musician and producer Caila Thompson-Hannant a.k.a. Mozart’s Sister shares the new animated video for “Bump”. ROOKIE, who premiered the Jordan Minkoff-directed video described it as a “a frenzied world of hand-drawn electronics, cow-like creatures, and flashing lights. It’s like seeing a vision of the future through the lens of a ’90s cartoon.”

Photo Credit: Rebecca Storm

Field of Love is the follow up to Mozart’s Sister’s 2014 critically acclaimed debut Being and was released on February 17th via Arbutus Records.

Mozart’s Sister kicks off her Asian tour with Teen Daze on April 28th in Shanghai. In May and June, she will tour Europe and on June 22nd she plays Rough Trade in New York City. Tour dates are as follows:

April 28th | Shanghai, China | M64 *

April 29th | Seoul, South Korea | LAD Mullae *

May 1st | Tokyo, Japan | O-Nest *

May 2nd | Nagoya, Japan | KD Japon *

May 4th | Osaka, Japan | Circus *

May 6th | Bangkok, Thailand | LIVE RCA *

May 7th | Singapore | Kilo *

May 13th | Wrexham, UK | Focus Wales Festival @ Rewind Wrexham ^

May 13th | Brighton, UK | The Great Escape @ Canada House (Green Door Store) ^

May 23rd | London, UK | Hoxton Square Bar & Kitchen ^

May 25th | Glasgow, UK | The Glad Cafe ^

May 26th | Liverpool, UK | Liverpool Sound City @ Constellation ^

May 27th | Liverpool, UK | Liverpool Sound City @ Pirate Stage on Clarence Dock ^

May 29th | Paris, FR | Le Pop-Up du Label ^

June 1st | Berlin, DE | Torstraßen Festival warm up show @ Acud ^

June 3rd | Krakow, PL | Green ZOO Festival ^

June 22nd | New York, NY | Rough Trade

* - w/ Teen Daze

^ - w/ Pierre Kwenders