There's a lot of stuff going on in the Decemberist camp these days. They've committed to bringing us a new EP, The Perfect Crime #2 EP (scheduled for release on September 25th) and a US tour featuring multiple-night stands (with a different program each night).
The short of it is that ticket pre-sale begins this Saturday. Here's the long of it…
The Decemberists are known for their riveting live performances and innovative tours (their last featured the band playing with orchestras in five major U.S. cities). With their latest jaunt – dubbed "The Long and Short of It" and launching October 28th in Chicago – they'll hit 13 cities, playing at least two nights in each market. "Long" evenings will focus on the band's epic, progressive compositions. "Short" nights (while no shorter in set length, we promise) will highlight their more succinct, pop-leaning material. Laura Veirs, who guests on The Decemberists' current album, The Crane Wife, will be the main supporting act. See below for a full itinerary.
A limited number of custom pre-sale tickets created by Decemberists illustrator Carson Ellis will be available to the public on a first-come, first-served basis beginning this Saturday, August 25th, at Noon EST at http://www.decemberists.tickets.musictoday.com. For the pre-sale, fans must purchase both a "long" and a "short" night ticket, but they'll receive a $10 discount. In markets with an odd number of dates, tickets for the final date will be sold separately. Fans who purchase pre-sale tickets will receive a free poster with their order. General ticket on-sale begins September 7.
"The Perfect Crime #2," The Decemberists' current single, is climbing the charts at AAA radio, where it's already in the Top 20. On September 25th, Capitol Music Group will release The Perfect Crime #2 EP featuring remixes by A Touch of Class, Diplo and Junior Boys as well as "The Perfect Crime #2.5.1," a version of the song that was heretofore unavailable commercially. (See below for the track listing.) The EP will be available digitally at all DSPs and on vinyl at select independent retail stores (go to http://www.thinkindie.com to find out where).
Fans who purchase pre-sale tickets or sign up for The Decemberists' email list will receive a free download of the Junior Boys remix.
The Decemberists' episode of "Austin City Limits" will air on PBS October 13th. Colin Meloy, the band's songwriter/frontman voiced the part of the undumbed Jeb Bush for a recent episode of Comedy Central's animated show "Lil' Bush" and The Decemberists have recorded "Little Boxes," the theme song for Showtime's award-winning comedy series "WEEDS."
THE PERFECT CRIME #2 EP – TRACK LISTING
1. A Touch of Class Robs the Bank Remix
2. Diplo's Doing Time Remix
3. Junior Boys Remix
4. The Perfect Crime #2.5.1THE DECEMBERISTS – "THE LONG AND SHORT OF IT " TOUR
10/28 Chicago, IL – Vic Theater ("Long of It")
10/29 Chicago, IL – Vic Theater ("Short of It")
11/1 New York, NY – Terminal 5 ("Long of It")
11/2 New York, NY – Terminal 5 ("Short of It")
11/3 Boston, MA – Orpheum ("Long of It")
11/4 Boston, MA – Orpheum ("Short of It")
11/6 Winston-Salem, NC – Millennium Center ("Long of It")
11/7 Winston-Salem, NC – Millennium Center ("Short of It")
11/9 Washington, DC – 9:30 Club ("Long of It")
11/10 Washington, DC – 9:30 Club ("Short of It")
11/11 Washington, DC – 9:30 Club ("Long of It")
11/12 Washington, DC – 9:30 Club ("Short of It")
11/15 Columbus, OH – Lifestyle Communities Pavilion ("Long of It")
11/16 Columbus, OH – Lifestyle Communities Pavilion ("Short of It")
11/18 Milwaukee, WI – Riverside Theater ("Long of It")
11/19 Milwaukee, WI – Riverside Theater ("Short of It")
11/23 San Francisco, CA – The Fillmore ("Long of It")
11/24 San Francisco, CA – The Fillmore ("Short of It")
11/25 San Francisco, CA – The Fillmore ("Long of It")
11/26 San Francisco, CA – The Fillmore ("Short of It")
11/29 Los Angeles, CA – The Wiltern ("Long of It")
11/30 Los Angeles, CA – The Wiltern ("Short of It")
12/1 San Diego, CA – Spreckels Theatre ("Long of It")
12/2 San Diego, CA – Spreckels Theatre ("Short of It")
12/5 Portland, OR – Crystal Ballroom ("Long of It")
12/6 Portland, OR – Crystal Ballroom ("Short of It")
12/7 Portland, OR – Crystal Ballroom (unknown????)
12/8 Seattle, WA – Moore Theatre ("Long of It")
12/9 Seattle, WA – Moore Theatre ("Short of It")