Exciting news from a couple of great local Northwest labels…
First up, budding label Hardly Art doubled its roster by adding a second band: a seven-piece band outta Washington DC called Le Loup! From the official press release:
They're currently finishing up their debut album, The Throne of the Heaven of the Third Nations' Millennium General Assembly, which we will be putting out this fall. The title of the album comes from a piece of folk art of the same name, created by James Hampton in the 1950's. It's an incredible story, if you have a moment (I know you do!):
You can get more info and hear a few tracks on the band's MySpace page, or their official website.
Next up, veteran label Barsuk has added David Bazan (of Pedro the Lion fame) to their already burgeoning-with-talent roster. Also from the official press release:
We will be releasing the Fewer Moving Parts EP (originally released in a very limited way by Bazan himself in June of last year) on May 22, 2007. We have tentatively scheduled a full-length release of new material for early 2008.
Known for his work fronting the enigmatic rock band Pedro the Lion, David Bazans emotionally charged narratives, eye for telling detail, and mournful voice have more in common with J.D. Salinger's "Nine Stories" or Flannery O'Connor's "Wise Blood" than with the usual lyrical slant of popular music. Bazan is a gifted storyteller, weaving parables of spiritual conflict, suburban ennui, and personal surrender into magnetic, well-crafted songs.
Congrats to both labels and performers!