Frog Eyes Announce Pickpocket’s Locket, Share “Joe With the Jam”
Two years after Carey’s Cold Spring, Carey Mercer returns with another Frog Eyes album. Pickpocket’s Locket arrives August 28 via Paper Bag. That’s “Joe With the Jam” above. They’ve also announced a short tour, with a few shows with Destroyer. Find the itinerary below, along with the album cover and tracklist.
Pickpocket’s Locket features string arrangements by Spencer Krug (Wolf Parade, Sunset Rubdown, Moonface).
In a press release, Mercer offered a comprehensive look at the album’s creation:
My dad left me his acoustic guitar in his will; it was all he had to give, because he wasn’t a rich man. I wrote ten songs on it, and I think that was the real gift he gave me: a love of music, not just the way you all love it (music lovers), but also a love of creating it, sowing myself, in some small way, into the story of music.
I was holding the guitar a lot, kind of savouring it: a Martin D-18. I had been making records for a few years with a computer, piling tracks on tracks, writing words over guitar licks already recorded in a studio.
I came to think of an acoustic guitar as somehow akin to a computer, only in the sense that they are both tools of transmission, both effective in their own way.
An acoustic guitar is still, in 2015, a very effective way of transmitting one’s songs. I made a deal with myself: write ten songs, write all the words before anyone gets to hear any of the songs, memorize the songs so that I become the hard-drive that the acoustic guitar accesses. I mostly, if not totally, kept to this deal, which is rare: I’m generally pretty easy on myself.
I wrote about Joseph Beuys, about B. Traven, about God and Abraham and Isaac, about my dad being addicted to speed when he was 17.
I needed my crew and I found them. Three women: Melanie Campbell, my life-partner and long-time drummer, returned to the band after a hiatus. And my old friend Shyla Seller, an archivist and book designer who happens to also be a really precise and powerful piano player. And Terri Upton, who plays both stand-up bass, and electric bass.
I am a lucky person.
And then we needed some more crew, and we found them: our old friend and colleague Spencer Krug, who wrote string parts over the songs. And then Jesse Zubot, who played every string part on the record in one 10-hour day. And John Paton, who plays saxophone. And Paul Rigby, who caught a taxi cab over with his pedal steel guitar.
I wanted the following: Douglas Sirk strings, a noble spin on Corky’s Debt to His Father, some Darkness on the Edge of Town vibes.
Pickpocket’s Locket:
01 Two Girls (One for Heaven and the Other One for Rome)
02 Joe with the Jam
03 The Beat Is Down (Four Wretched Singers Beyond Any World That You Have Known)
04 Death’s Ship
05 The Demon Runner
06 Rejoinders In a Storm
07 In a Hut
08 Crystal Blip
09 I Ain’t Around Much
10 Rip Down the Fences That Fence the Garden
Frog Eyes:
07-31-08-02 Sackville, New Brunswick – Sappy Fest
09-11 Toronto, Ontario – Smiling Buddha
09-11-12 Hamilton, Ontario – Supercrawl
09-17-20 Victoria, British Columbia – Rifflandia
09-18 Portland, OR – Wonder Ballroom *
09-19 San Francisco, CA – Fillmore *
09-20 Los Angeles, CA – The Regent Theater *
09-21 Santa Cruz, CA – Crepe Place
09-23 Bellingham, WA – Shakedown
10-16 Seattle, WA – Neptune *
10-17 Vancouver, British Columbia – Commodore Ballroom *
* with Destroyer
Look no further for a spiritual break through. Olatuja is composed of the dynamic collaboration between bassist/composer Michael Olatuja and vocalist Alicia Olatuja. With the help of Whirlwind Recordings they present their exhilarating new single, Royalty. This bop combines vibrant orchestral arrangements with grooving Afrobeats and blazing melodies, creating a uniquely immersive experience that celebrates self-empowerment and inspiration. Drawing from the rich heritage of West African music and melding it with gospel and jazz influences, “Royalty” offers a mesmerizing blend of Yoruba and English, delivering a message that resonates with audiences worldwide. Alicia says:
‘Royalty’ merges musical ideals to create a new sound: Cinematic Afrobeats. “It is an anthem of empowerment, celebration, dance, and remembering who you really are!
Olatuja’s upcoming album, also titled Olatuja, is set to release on Friday, May 31. Fans can anticipate a musical journey that seamlessly blends diverse influences and experiences. The album features an array of talented musicians, including drummers Obed Calvaire and Joshua Keitt, guitarist Femi Temowo, and GRAMMY® Award-nominated pianist Christian Sands, among others. Through their collective artistry, Olatuja aims to inspire joy, trust, and honest communication, inviting audiences to join them on a transformative musical adventure. Listen to soul-stirring melodies below and pre-order their upcoming album here.
Dive into the emotional depth of BJRNCK‘s latest single and video release for Expresso Martini. As BJRNCK sings about the raw realities of dating and the aftermath of heated arguments with loved ones, her gentle yet powerful vocals, weaves a tale of vulnerability and resilience. Born and raised in the dynamic city of Los Angeles and nurtured by the diverse tapestry of Chicago, BJRNCK’s music is a fusion of rich experiences and unapologetic authenticity. BJRNCK’s brand new single and video offers a captivating glimpse into her artistry, exploring themes of love, conflict, and self-discovery. Media connections spoke on the artists record saying:
The single embodies BJRNCK’s gentle vocals that deliver a powerful and relatable ballad.
BJRNCK’s ability to infuse her music with genuine emotion and authenticity has garnered her recognition in the industry. Leading to her feature in Future and Metro Boomin‘s music video for Drink N Dance and to her Billboard 100 chart placement with Omarion‘s single Taking Off. BJRNCK’s journey is one of collaboration and evolution, with notable partnerships with industry heavyweights like London On Da Track, LA Reid, and Babyface. Her fearless demeanor and edgy vibe resonate in every note and social media post, earning her the admiration of a growing fan base. As she continues to pave her way in the music scene, BJRNCK remains committed to empowering women through her vulnerable yet relatable lyrics and captivating melodies. Stream below, and connect with BJRNCK on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.
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