HRVRD SIGNS TO
EQUAL VISION RECORDS
BRIAN MCTERNAN PRODUCED FULL-LENGTH ALBUM TO BE RELEASED IN LATE 2012
Charlotte, NC-based quintet HRVRD has signed to Equal Vision Records and has just completed the recording of their sophomore album.
The full-length album was recorded in Baltimore, MD with Brian McTernan [Circa Survive, Senses Fail] and will be released via Equal Vision Records, in partnership with Enjoy The Ride Records, later this year. A release date is yet to be confirmed.
HRVRD is comprised of vocalist Jesse Clasen, guitarists Lee Herrera and Jason Shaw, drummer Tim Cossor and bassist Garrett Leister. The band now officially joins the Equal Vision Records roster, after appearing as the special guest at the Equal Vision Records 2011 SXSW Showcase. Of the newly announced signing, Shaw states, “This may be the first announcement about any type of contractual agreement however we have been working with Equal Vision Records for a long while now and are excited to be publicly joining their music community. We as a band are overwhelmed with gratitude for their hard work and sincere support of our musical endeavors and are very excited about being part of the family.”
The band, formerly known as Harvard, released their debut full-length album The Inevitable and I in 2009 and went on to release the self-produced album Interpretations in 2010, a five-track EP of reimagined versions of songs off of their previous full-length. After a year and a half of writing for their upcoming album, HRVRD returned to Salad Days Studios in January 2012 to reunite with McTernan, who had also produced The Inevitable and I.
Shaw elaborates on their decision to work with McTernan again explaining, “Brian is amazing to work with because he expects the best out of you and is going to reciprocate that ideal in his part of the recording process. He wants every song to have an identity, which is something I personally want in the music I play…it’s nice to work with someone who’s on the same page as you.”
On the new album, HRVRD’s haunting sound blends intricate and cinematic guitar riffs with dark, passionate lyrics and powerful, driving rhythms. Effortlessly encompassing the impressive technical qualities of underground progressive-rock and experimental outfits, while remaining accessible through honest, relatable lyrics, the fusion creates a full-bodied, dreamlike ambience filled with catchy, yet sonically sinister melodies. Clasen’s ethereal voice defies genres and offers vast vocal range with a wide spectrum of stylistic tones that stand out as notable without overpowering the outfit’s more than capable instrumentations. Their true talent shines not only in their ability to perfectly juxtapose driving and atmospheric elements in a complimentary manner but also in their use of those musical elements to guide and balance the lyrical storytelling.
The band has shared the stage with the likes of Minus The Bear, Glassjaw, Cursive, The Felix Culpa, Eisley and more. All upcoming tour dates can be seen below and additional details on HRVRD’s debut Equal Vision Records release will be announced soon. An album teaser/signing announcement video (created by Haberdashery Films) can be seen above and on YouTube HERE.
Tour Dates
HRVRD w/Nigredo, Trioscapes, and Scarab
May 05 Atlanta, GA @ The Drunken Unicorn
HRVRD w/House of Fools
May 12 Greensboro, NC @ The Blind Tiger
HRVRD w/House of Fools and Little Bull Lee
May 25 Charlotte, NC @ Neighborhood Theater
(Source: facebook.com)
SAY ANYTHING REVEAL ALBUM TRACKLISTING
ANARCHY, MY DEAR OUT MARCH 13th ON EQUAL VISION RECORDS
Equal Vision Records is excited to announce that Say Anything will release their fourth studio album, Anarchy, My Dear, produced by Tim O’Heir (Say Anything, Sebadoh, Superdrag), on March 13, 2012. Say Anything has been making odd, unclassifiable indie rock music since they were 14 or 15 years old, playing strangely literate and loud rock, characterized by what one might imagine if Larry David fronted a Fugazi cover band with the members of Queen. Not that that’s a stretch or anything. The tracklisting is below.
Anarchy, My Dear is, in its purest sense, a form of propaganda—an intense expression of frontman Max Bemis’ love for the idea of anarchy—and even the album’s artwork reflects his passion: “We thought we could best represent what the album means by using the symbolism of a burning flag stitched onto an actual flag. The image represents a championing of the ‘cause’ of struggling against the rules and regulations that dictate our thinking.” Continues Bemis, “Anarchy, My Dear is our first attempt to write a true ‘punk’ record; thematically speaking, it’s a collection of songs about subverting society and destroying the boundaries humankind has placed upon ourselves both physically and in our minds. Coincidentally, it also happens to be the first record we’ve made in years where we had total freedom to explore our ‘edgier’ side and present a raw picture of what the band is truly about onstage.”
Filled with thought-provoking, idiosyncratic lyrics, Anarchy marks a breakthrough in Say Anything’s genre-defying evolution. Hailed by Alternative Press as one of the most anticipated albums of 2012, the music has a newfound vintage, glam-rock feel, complete with an urgent punch of anthemic choruses and ferocious energy. SPIN Magazine declared that the first single, “Burn A Miracle,” is “one of the more schizophrenic and toothsome pop-punk outbursts frontman Max Bemis (or maybe anyone for that matter) has shared to date. It’s a beast. Have a listen.”
“Admit It Again,” a take-no-prisoners critique on contemporary “indie” culture is a follow-up to fan-favorite track “Admit It,” off their 2004 album, …Is A Real Boy. “So Good,” “Night’s Song,” and “Overbiter” feature guest vocals from Sherri DuPree (Eisley), her haunting, ethereal voice providing a contrast to Bemis’ snarling onslaught, while the hammered dulcimer backed ballad “Peace Out” touches on the album’s theme of self-empowerment and rebellion amidst a contradiction-filled society.
Say Anything is currently planning an extensive North American tour. Details are forthcoming.
Anarchy, My Dear Tracklist:
01. Burn A Miracle
02. Say Anything
03. Night’s Song
04. Admit It Again
05. So Good
06. Sheep
07. Peace Out
08. Overbiter
09. Of Steel
10. Anarchy, My Dear
11. The Stephen Hawking
Eisley performing “Mr. Moon” off of The Valley for SPIN Magazine at SXSW 2011.
Check out the remaining dates of Eisley’s headlining tour below and come out to a show!
The ValleyScapes Tour featuring: Eisley, Christie DuPree, and Marksmen
Sep 23 Ybor City, FL @ Crowbar
Sep 24 Orlando, FL @ The Social
Sep 25 Gainesville, FL @ Doube Down
Sep 26 Jacksonville, FL @ Jack Rabbits
Sep 27 Macon, GA @ The 567 Center
Sep 28 Oxford, MS @ Proud Larrys
Sep 30 Tyler, TX @ Liberty Hall
FAIRWEATHER: New Song
Since the time we started writing and demoing material this summer we have been eager to get something together for people to listen to. After 8 and half years, it’s hard not to be excited about recording and putting out new music. And while we’re planning a more traditional release for the future, there’s no telling how long that might take. So, we have teamed up with Alternative Press to stream a brand new Fairweather song today. We hope you like it!
Link: Alternative Press: Fairweather - Kill The Silence (Exclusive Stream)
Check out the new Fairweather song on AltPress.com and be sure to ‘Like’ them at Facebook.com/fairweatherdc
Portugal. The Man’s entire back catalog on iTunes is now on sale!! Check it out HERE.
Eisley performing on the Zumiez Stage at Bamboozle on Sunday.
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