The angular, intricate, and intelligent compositions of Hospitality signal a sophisticated new pop voice. Singer Amber Papini's idiosyncratic songwriting and incisive lyrics coupled with the band's rich arrangements on their self-titled debut explore youth, New York, and the bittersweet commingling of past and present in a way that feels just right, right now.
From the opening phrase of "Eighth Avenue," guitar hooks are balanced with a cultivated melody. Papini's singing has a wisp of an English accent via Kansas City (she learned to sing by imitating Richard Butler on The Psychedelic Furs' Talk Talk Talk) and her lyrics create a moonstruck, even cinematic vision of New York City, where the band formed in 2007. The production by Shane Stoneback (Vampire Weekend, Sleigh Bells) and band member Nathan Michel (guitar, drums, keyboards), who released his share of experimental "bedroom" pop, culminating in 2005's The Beast (Skipp/Sonig), imbues the entire record with an intimate yet prodigious sound, layering period keyboards with horns, synthesizers, and treated guitars.
Hospitality the album has an overarching vision and should be listened to as a whole, though every song registers as a single. (Will Merge take a cue from Epic's Thriller campaign and release seven singles? They should!) "Friends of Friends" could break the Hot 100 with its heavy intro, swingin' breakdown, and horn riffs; "Betty Wang," the lynchpin of their live set a few years back, is impossibly catchy, the story of one of Papini's real-life colleagues at a financial day job; and "The Right Profession" is a power-pop burst of an anthem with Papini chanting the immortal line, "It's hard to change!" (Isn't it?) And "The Birthday," with a sinuous, dissonant lead guitar, the lockstep rhythm of the drums, and Brian Betancourt's nimble bass, wouldn't be out of place on The Police's debut record, but its epic coda makes it decidedly CinemaScope. Hospitality, while hearkening back to '70s/'80s pop--both Elvis Costello and Kate Bush are influences--has an ambitious vision: its big promise is nowhere more evident than on the gorgeous anthem "Julie," the album's centerpiece which already sounds like a classic. The song's lush, glorious build is coupled with lyrics inspired by Papini's great-grandfather, a Pennsylvania coalminer.
Reprising some songs from a self-released 2008 EP recorded by Karl Blau (K Records) allows Hospitality to nod to its beginnings as a more lo-fi outfit; that early intimacy can be found in the arrangement of the cheeky and distinctly NC-17 "Liberal Arts." And after patiently honing its craft, playing concerts (and gaining converts), Hospitality has reached what will be its first apex with many more heights to come; from their modest debut in a Red Hook row house, the band has evolved from four-track low-fidelity to a luxury five-star future.
-Gabriele Caroti
From the opening phrase of "Eighth Avenue," guitar hooks are balanced with a cultivated melody. Papini's singing has a wisp of an English accent via Kansas City (she learned to sing by imitating Richard Butler on The Psychedelic Furs' Talk Talk Talk) and her lyrics create a moonstruck, even cinematic vision of New York City, where the band formed in 2007. The production by Shane Stoneback (Vampire Weekend, Sleigh Bells) and band member Nathan Michel (guitar, drums, keyboards), who released his share of experimental "bedroom" pop, culminating in 2005's The Beast (Skipp/Sonig), imbues the entire record with an intimate yet prodigious sound, layering period keyboards with horns, synthesizers, and treated guitars.
Hospitality the album has an overarching vision and should be listened to as a whole, though every song registers as a single. (Will Merge take a cue from Epic's Thriller campaign and release seven singles? They should!) "Friends of Friends" could break the Hot 100 with its heavy intro, swingin' breakdown, and horn riffs; "Betty Wang," the lynchpin of their live set a few years back, is impossibly catchy, the story of one of Papini's real-life colleagues at a financial day job; and "The Right Profession" is a power-pop burst of an anthem with Papini chanting the immortal line, "It's hard to change!" (Isn't it?) And "The Birthday," with a sinuous, dissonant lead guitar, the lockstep rhythm of the drums, and Brian Betancourt's nimble bass, wouldn't be out of place on The Police's debut record, but its epic coda makes it decidedly CinemaScope. Hospitality, while hearkening back to '70s/'80s pop--both Elvis Costello and Kate Bush are influences--has an ambitious vision: its big promise is nowhere more evident than on the gorgeous anthem "Julie," the album's centerpiece which already sounds like a classic. The song's lush, glorious build is coupled with lyrics inspired by Papini's great-grandfather, a Pennsylvania coalminer.
Reprising some songs from a self-released 2008 EP recorded by Karl Blau (K Records) allows Hospitality to nod to its beginnings as a more lo-fi outfit; that early intimacy can be found in the arrangement of the cheeky and distinctly NC-17 "Liberal Arts." And after patiently honing its craft, playing concerts (and gaining converts), Hospitality has reached what will be its first apex with many more heights to come; from their modest debut in a Red Hook row house, the band has evolved from four-track low-fidelity to a luxury five-star future.
-Gabriele Caroti
09/24/12
On October 30, Hospitality will release “The Drift” b/w “Monkey,” a limited-edition 7-inch featuring two brand new songs.
Amber, Brian, Nathan & David have been playing the songs on the road while touring in support of their self-titled debut album. These songs were recorded live with very few overdubs by Matt Boynton in Williamsburg, and are the first batch of songs to be recorded by the Hospitality quartet.
Stream “Monkey” now via Pitchfork
Watch the recently released video for Hospitality’s “Eighth Avenue” and pre-order the limited-edition 7-inch “The Drift” b/w “Monkey” as well as Hospitality on CD and LP now in the Merge store.
Hospitality on tour:
Sep 27 Cincinnati, OH Grammers Stage
Sep 28 Urbana, IL The Canopy Club
Sep 29 Chicago, IL Schuba’s Tavern
Sep 30 Madison, WI High Noon Saloon
Oct 1 Minneapolis, MN The 400 Bar
Oct 2 Grinnell, IA Grinnell College
Oct 3 Omaha, NE Slowdown Jr.
Oct 5 Denver, CO Hi Dive
Oct 6 Salt Lake City, UT Kilby Court
Oct 7 Boise, ID The Red Room
Oct 9 Seattle, WA Barboza
Oct 10 Vancouver, BC The Media Club
Oct 11 Portland, OR Doug Fir Lounge
Oct 13 Santa Cruz, CA The Crepe Place
Oct 14 San Francisco, CA Treasure Island Festival
Oct 16 Los Angeles, CA The Echo
Oct 17 Phoenix, AZ The Crescent Ballroom
Oct 19 San Antonio, TX The Korova
Oct 20 Austin, TX Red 7
Oct 21 Dallas, TX Bryan St. Tavern
Oct 23 Nashville, TN The High Watt
Oct 24 Atlanta, GA 529 Club
Oct 25 Athens, GA The Caledonia Lounge
Oct 26 Greenville, SC Radio Room
Oct 27 Chapel Hill, NC Local 506
Oct 28 Richmond, VA Strange Matter
Oct 29 Baltimore, MD Golden West Cafe
Nov 2 New York, NY Bowery Ballroom
Amber, Brian, Nathan & David have been playing the songs on the road while touring in support of their self-titled debut album. These songs were recorded live with very few overdubs by Matt Boynton in Williamsburg, and are the first batch of songs to be recorded by the Hospitality quartet.
Stream “Monkey” now via Pitchfork
Watch the recently released video for Hospitality’s “Eighth Avenue” and pre-order the limited-edition 7-inch “The Drift” b/w “Monkey” as well as Hospitality on CD and LP now in the Merge store.
Hospitality on tour:
Sep 27 Cincinnati, OH Grammers Stage
Sep 28 Urbana, IL The Canopy Club
Sep 29 Chicago, IL Schuba’s Tavern
Sep 30 Madison, WI High Noon Saloon
Oct 1 Minneapolis, MN The 400 Bar
Oct 2 Grinnell, IA Grinnell College
Oct 3 Omaha, NE Slowdown Jr.
Oct 5 Denver, CO Hi Dive
Oct 6 Salt Lake City, UT Kilby Court
Oct 7 Boise, ID The Red Room
Oct 9 Seattle, WA Barboza
Oct 10 Vancouver, BC The Media Club
Oct 11 Portland, OR Doug Fir Lounge
Oct 13 Santa Cruz, CA The Crepe Place
Oct 14 San Francisco, CA Treasure Island Festival
Oct 16 Los Angeles, CA The Echo
Oct 17 Phoenix, AZ The Crescent Ballroom
Oct 19 San Antonio, TX The Korova
Oct 20 Austin, TX Red 7
Oct 21 Dallas, TX Bryan St. Tavern
Oct 23 Nashville, TN The High Watt
Oct 24 Atlanta, GA 529 Club
Oct 25 Athens, GA The Caledonia Lounge
Oct 26 Greenville, SC Radio Room
Oct 27 Chapel Hill, NC Local 506
Oct 28 Richmond, VA Strange Matter
Oct 29 Baltimore, MD Golden West Cafe
Nov 2 New York, NY Bowery Ballroom
09/12/12
Hospitality released the new video for “Eighth Avenue” today via Sound of the City, the Village Voice music blog. Featuring race cars and tears, the Voice’s Maura Johnston aptly described the video as “emotion-fueled.”
Watch Hospitality’s video for “Eighth Avenue” now at Sound of the City
Hospitality return to the road later this month in support of their self-titled debut album. Get your tickets now! Hospitality is available on CD, LP and digital now in the Merge store.
Hospitality on tour:
Sep 27 Cincinnati, OH Grammers Stage
Sep 28 Urbana, IL The Canopy Club
Sep 29 Chicago, IL Schuba’s Tavern
Sep 30 Madison, WI High Noon Saloon
Oct 1 Minneapolis, MN The 400 Bar
Oct 2 Grinnell, IA Grinnell College
Oct 3 Omaha, NE Slowdown Jr.
Oct 5 Denver, CO Hi Dive
Oct 6 Salt Lake City, UT Kilby Court
Oct 7 Boise, ID The Red Room
Oct 9 Seattle, WA Barboza
Oct 10 Vancouver, BC The Media Club
Oct 11 Portland, OR Doug Fir Lounge
Oct 13 Santa Cruz, CA The Crepe Place
Oct 14 San Francisco, CA Treasure Island Festival
Oct 16 Los Angeles, CA The Echo
Oct 17 Phoenix, AZ The Crescent Ballroom
Oct 19 San Antonio, TX The Korova
Oct 20 Austin, TX Red 7
Oct 21 Dallas, TX Bryan St. Tavern
Oct 23 Nashville, TN The High Watt
Oct 24 Atlanta, GA 529 Club
Oct 25 Athens, GA The Caledonia Lounge
Oct 26 Greenville, SC Radio Room
Oct 27 Chapel Hill, NC Local 506
Oct 28 Richmond, VA Strange Matter
Oct 29 Baltimore, MD Golden West Cafe
Nov 2 New York, NY Bowery Ballroom
Watch Hospitality’s video for “Eighth Avenue” now at Sound of the City
Hospitality return to the road later this month in support of their self-titled debut album. Get your tickets now! Hospitality is available on CD, LP and digital now in the Merge store.
Hospitality on tour:
Sep 27 Cincinnati, OH Grammers Stage
Sep 28 Urbana, IL The Canopy Club
Sep 29 Chicago, IL Schuba’s Tavern
Sep 30 Madison, WI High Noon Saloon
Oct 1 Minneapolis, MN The 400 Bar
Oct 2 Grinnell, IA Grinnell College
Oct 3 Omaha, NE Slowdown Jr.
Oct 5 Denver, CO Hi Dive
Oct 6 Salt Lake City, UT Kilby Court
Oct 7 Boise, ID The Red Room
Oct 9 Seattle, WA Barboza
Oct 10 Vancouver, BC The Media Club
Oct 11 Portland, OR Doug Fir Lounge
Oct 13 Santa Cruz, CA The Crepe Place
Oct 14 San Francisco, CA Treasure Island Festival
Oct 16 Los Angeles, CA The Echo
Oct 17 Phoenix, AZ The Crescent Ballroom
Oct 19 San Antonio, TX The Korova
Oct 20 Austin, TX Red 7
Oct 21 Dallas, TX Bryan St. Tavern
Oct 23 Nashville, TN The High Watt
Oct 24 Atlanta, GA 529 Club
Oct 25 Athens, GA The Caledonia Lounge
Oct 26 Greenville, SC Radio Room
Oct 27 Chapel Hill, NC Local 506
Oct 28 Richmond, VA Strange Matter
Oct 29 Baltimore, MD Golden West Cafe
Nov 2 New York, NY Bowery Ballroom
06/01/12
Hospitality visited A-1 Restaurant Equipment in Manhattan earlier this year where they performed an intimate rendition of “The Birthday,” a track off the Brooklyn band’s self-titled debut album. Hospitality drummer David Christian even added percussion via tongs and an ice cream scoop.
Watch Hospitality perform “The Birthday” at the Bowery Presents YouTube channel
Continue watching after the performance for a short interview with the band about music and performing live.
Hospitality are on tour now with new dates including the 4Knots Festival with more still being added all the time! Keep up with their schedule at the Merge tour page and follow the band on Twitter and Facebook.
Hospitality is available now on CD, LP and digital download now in the Merge store.
Hospitality on tour:
June 1 Los Angeles, CA The Satellite
June 2 Santa Barbara, CA Velvet Jones
June 4 San Diego, CA Soda Bar
June 5 Tucson, AZ Plush
June 8 Lawrence, KS Jackpot Music Hall
June 9 St. Louis, MO Firebird
June 10 Cincinnati, OH MOTR Street Fair
July 5 Roskilde, DK Roskilde Festival
July 14 New York, NY 4 Knots Festival
Sept 28 Champaign, IL Pygmalion Music Festival
Watch Hospitality perform “The Birthday” at the Bowery Presents YouTube channel
Continue watching after the performance for a short interview with the band about music and performing live.
Hospitality are on tour now with new dates including the 4Knots Festival with more still being added all the time! Keep up with their schedule at the Merge tour page and follow the band on Twitter and Facebook.
Hospitality is available now on CD, LP and digital download now in the Merge store.
Hospitality on tour:
June 1 Los Angeles, CA The Satellite
June 2 Santa Barbara, CA Velvet Jones
June 4 San Diego, CA Soda Bar
June 5 Tucson, AZ Plush
June 8 Lawrence, KS Jackpot Music Hall
June 9 St. Louis, MO Firebird
June 10 Cincinnati, OH MOTR Street Fair
July 5 Roskilde, DK Roskilde Festival
July 14 New York, NY 4 Knots Festival
Sept 28 Champaign, IL Pygmalion Music Festival
05/29/12
Visit iTunes to download the new Merge Spring sampler! Featuring songs from our recent releases as well as a song from our forthcoming reissue of Sugar’s Copper Blue, the sampler makes a great mixtape for your spring BBQ all for the low price of $2.99.
Visit iTunes to download Merge Records Spring Sampler 2012 now
Visit the Merge store to find full-length albums from these artists, and bookmark our SoundCloud page where we are adding new songs all the time!
Track list:
1. The Magnetic Fields “Andrew in Drag”
2. Sugar “A Good Idea”
3. Times New Viking “Try Harder”
4. Eleanor Friedberger “Heaven”
5. The Rosebuds “Second Bird of Paradise”
6. Archers of Loaf “Dead Red Eyes”
7. Wild Flag “Electric Band”
8. Imperial Teen “Out from Inside”
9. Hospitality “Friends of Friends”
10. M. Ward “The First Time I Ran Away”
11. Stephin Merritt “Forever and a Day”
12. Lambchop “Gone Tomorrow”
13. Crooked Fingers “Heavy Hours”
Visit iTunes to download Merge Records Spring Sampler 2012 now
Visit the Merge store to find full-length albums from these artists, and bookmark our SoundCloud page where we are adding new songs all the time!
Track list:
1. The Magnetic Fields “Andrew in Drag”
2. Sugar “A Good Idea”
3. Times New Viking “Try Harder”
4. Eleanor Friedberger “Heaven”
5. The Rosebuds “Second Bird of Paradise”
6. Archers of Loaf “Dead Red Eyes”
7. Wild Flag “Electric Band”
8. Imperial Teen “Out from Inside”
9. Hospitality “Friends of Friends”
10. M. Ward “The First Time I Ran Away”
11. Stephin Merritt “Forever and a Day”
12. Lambchop “Gone Tomorrow”
13. Crooked Fingers “Heavy Hours”
05/22/12
Hospitality visited the A.V. Club offices in Chicago to offer their take on Steely Dan’s “Riki Don’t Lose That Number.” Amber told the A.V. Club that this was the first cover song they had ever learned! We agree with the A.V. Club who said, “I think they nailed it, adding a bit of Can/Neu/Stereolab-style chug and rubbing a bit of rock dirt on such a pristine original. Enjoy!”
Watch & listen to Hospitality’s take on Steely Dan’s “Riki Don’t Lose That Number”
Hospitality are on tour now with new dates including the 4Knots Festival with more still being added all the time! Keep up with their schedule at the Merge tour page and follow the band on Twitter and Facebook.
Hospitality is available now on CD, LP and digital download now in the Merge store.
Hospitality on tour:
May 22 Aspen, CO Belly Up w/ Here We Go Magic
May 23 Salt Lake City, UT Urban Lounge w/ Here We Go Magic
May 24 Boise, ID Reef
May 25 Portland, OR Bunk Bar w/ Here We Go Magic
May 27 George, WA Sasquatch Music Festival
May 31 San Francisco, CA Popscene Presents @ Rickshaw Stop
June 1 Los Angeles, CA The Satellite
June 2 Santa Barbara, CA Velvet Jones
June 4 San Diego, CA Soda Bar
June 5 Tucson, AZ Plush
June 8 Lawrence, KS Jackpot Music Hall
June 9 St. Louis, MO Firebird
June 10 Cincinnati, OH MOTR Street Fair
July 5 Roskilde, DK Roskilde Festival July 5-8
July 14 New York, NY 4Knots Festival
Sept 28 Champaign, IL Pygmalion Music Festival
Watch & listen to Hospitality’s take on Steely Dan’s “Riki Don’t Lose That Number”
Hospitality are on tour now with new dates including the 4Knots Festival with more still being added all the time! Keep up with their schedule at the Merge tour page and follow the band on Twitter and Facebook.
Hospitality is available now on CD, LP and digital download now in the Merge store.
Hospitality on tour:
May 22 Aspen, CO Belly Up w/ Here We Go Magic
May 23 Salt Lake City, UT Urban Lounge w/ Here We Go Magic
May 24 Boise, ID Reef
May 25 Portland, OR Bunk Bar w/ Here We Go Magic
May 27 George, WA Sasquatch Music Festival
May 31 San Francisco, CA Popscene Presents @ Rickshaw Stop
June 1 Los Angeles, CA The Satellite
June 2 Santa Barbara, CA Velvet Jones
June 4 San Diego, CA Soda Bar
June 5 Tucson, AZ Plush
June 8 Lawrence, KS Jackpot Music Hall
June 9 St. Louis, MO Firebird
June 10 Cincinnati, OH MOTR Street Fair
July 5 Roskilde, DK Roskilde Festival July 5-8
July 14 New York, NY 4Knots Festival
Sept 28 Champaign, IL Pygmalion Music Festival
04/30/12
Hospitality visited the infamous “tiny desk” aka the NPR Music hub in Washington, DC to perform stripped-down versions of songs from their self-titled debut album released earlier this year. Visit NPR Music to listen and watch the performance.
Watch Hospitality’s Tiny Desk Concert at NPR Music
Hospitality are currently on tour with Eleanor Friedberger through May 6 and will continue on with Here We Go Magic beginning May 14. A full list of dates can be found at the Merge tour page, and Hospitality is available on CD, LP and digital download in the Merge store.
Watch Hospitality’s Tiny Desk Concert at NPR Music
Hospitality are currently on tour with Eleanor Friedberger through May 6 and will continue on with Here We Go Magic beginning May 14. A full list of dates can be found at the Merge tour page, and Hospitality is available on CD, LP and digital download in the Merge store.
04/20/12
Record Store Day is this Saturday, April 21, and we have four very special releases to mark the occasion of one of our favorite days of the year! Also, Hospitality, the Love Language & M. Ward will visit independent record stores for celebratory in-store performances. The only way to get your hands on these releases is to visit your local independent record store on April 21.
In addition to our exclusive releases (listed below), Hospitality, the Love Language & M. Ward have special in-store performances planned for Saturday. M. Ward will be performing a sold out in-store at Fingerprints in Long Beach, CA. Hospitality will take time out of their tour with Eleanor Friedberger to perform at Horizon Records in the Bohemian Cafe in Greenville, SC at 1:30 p.m., and Stuart McLamb from the Love Language will visit Gravity Records in Wilmington, NC for a solo set around 3 p.m.
Merge exclusive Record Store Day releases available only at independent record stores:
Richard Buckner – “Willow” b/w “Lost” 7-inch
“Willow” b/w “Lost” is Richard Buckner’s first 7-inch ever and will be available exclusively on Record Store Day! Containing two new songs and a free download with purchase, the 7-inch will also include a digital-only cover of The Cars’ “Candy-O.” Watch video of Buckner performing “Willow” live at Horizon Records at RecordStoreDay.com.
M. Ward – “Primitive Girl” b/w “The Twist” & “Roll Over Beethoven” 7-inch
M. Ward’s limited-edition Record Store Day exclusive 7-inch comes less than two weeks after the release of his highly anticipated new solo album, A Wasteland Companion. The 7-inch features “Primitive Girl,” the first single from his new record, as well as two non-album b-sides including long-time live favorite “Roll Over Beethoven.”
Arcade Fire – “Sprawl II” b/w “Ready to Start” (Remixed by Damian Taylor & Arcade Fire) 12-inch
The original versions of “Sprawl II” and “Ready to Start” can be found on Arcade Fire’s GRAMMY-winning album The Suburbs, but this special 12-inch pressing marks the first physical release of the remixes of those two songs by Damian Taylor and Arcade Fire. The remix of “Sprawl II” can be heard in the dance motion-activated music video by Vincent Morisset at Sprawl2.com, while the “Ready to Start” remix has previously only been available as a bonus download with the deluxe film-bundled version of the album.
Destroyer – Destroyer’s Rubies dbl-LP reissue
Destroyer’s Rubies will be released on vinyl for the first time in the US! The double-LP reissue will be pressed in limited quantities on ruby red vinyl exclusively for Record Store Day and will include a free download of the entire album. Side 3 features “Loscil’s Rubies,” a 20-minute bonus track remixed by Scott Morgan, who also remixed the bonus tracks on 2011’s Kaputt double-LP. Listen to “3000 Flowers” from Destroyer’s Rubies via the Merge SoundCloud page.
In addition to our exclusive releases (listed below), Hospitality, the Love Language & M. Ward have special in-store performances planned for Saturday. M. Ward will be performing a sold out in-store at Fingerprints in Long Beach, CA. Hospitality will take time out of their tour with Eleanor Friedberger to perform at Horizon Records in the Bohemian Cafe in Greenville, SC at 1:30 p.m., and Stuart McLamb from the Love Language will visit Gravity Records in Wilmington, NC for a solo set around 3 p.m.
Merge exclusive Record Store Day releases available only at independent record stores:
Richard Buckner – “Willow” b/w “Lost” 7-inch
“Willow” b/w “Lost” is Richard Buckner’s first 7-inch ever and will be available exclusively on Record Store Day! Containing two new songs and a free download with purchase, the 7-inch will also include a digital-only cover of The Cars’ “Candy-O.” Watch video of Buckner performing “Willow” live at Horizon Records at RecordStoreDay.com.
M. Ward – “Primitive Girl” b/w “The Twist” & “Roll Over Beethoven” 7-inch
M. Ward’s limited-edition Record Store Day exclusive 7-inch comes less than two weeks after the release of his highly anticipated new solo album, A Wasteland Companion. The 7-inch features “Primitive Girl,” the first single from his new record, as well as two non-album b-sides including long-time live favorite “Roll Over Beethoven.”
Arcade Fire – “Sprawl II” b/w “Ready to Start” (Remixed by Damian Taylor & Arcade Fire) 12-inch
The original versions of “Sprawl II” and “Ready to Start” can be found on Arcade Fire’s GRAMMY-winning album The Suburbs, but this special 12-inch pressing marks the first physical release of the remixes of those two songs by Damian Taylor and Arcade Fire. The remix of “Sprawl II” can be heard in the dance motion-activated music video by Vincent Morisset at Sprawl2.com, while the “Ready to Start” remix has previously only been available as a bonus download with the deluxe film-bundled version of the album.
Destroyer – Destroyer’s Rubies dbl-LP reissue
Destroyer’s Rubies will be released on vinyl for the first time in the US! The double-LP reissue will be pressed in limited quantities on ruby red vinyl exclusively for Record Store Day and will include a free download of the entire album. Side 3 features “Loscil’s Rubies,” a 20-minute bonus track remixed by Scott Morgan, who also remixed the bonus tracks on 2011’s Kaputt double-LP. Listen to “3000 Flowers” from Destroyer’s Rubies via the Merge SoundCloud page.
02/22/12
Merge Records will host a showcase at the annual SXSW Music Festival in Austin, TX at Frank on Friday, March 16. As usual, we will have the best showcase of the festival including the bands below and perhaps a surprise or two. The Magnetic Fields will also be at SXSW and will play Austin City Limits Live on Friday, March 16 as well!
Visit the Merge store to sample the most recent albums from all of the bands, and to pre-order their upcoming releases! Check out the Merge SoundCloud page for songs to hear now, too!
Merge SXSW Showcase 2012
Friday, March 16 @ Frank
Doors at 7; show at 7:30
from first to last:
M. Ward
Hospitality
Eleanor Friedberger
the Love Language
Crooked Fingers
Imperial Teen
The Magnetic Fields at SXSW
Friday, March 16 @ Austin City Limits Live
Doors are at 6:30, and the band goes on at 8:30
Visit the Merge store to sample the most recent albums from all of the bands, and to pre-order their upcoming releases! Check out the Merge SoundCloud page for songs to hear now, too!
Merge SXSW Showcase 2012
Friday, March 16 @ Frank
Doors at 7; show at 7:30
from first to last:
M. Ward
Hospitality
Eleanor Friedberger
the Love Language
Crooked Fingers
Imperial Teen
The Magnetic Fields at SXSW
Friday, March 16 @ Austin City Limits Live
Doors are at 6:30, and the band goes on at 8:30
02/02/12
Hospitality released their self-titled debut album on Tuesday to great reviews and much excitement. They will celebrate the album’s release on Friday, February 3 at Glasslands in Brooklyn, and have also announced new tour dates with Merge label mates The Love Language and Wild Flag later this spring.
Hospitality is available on CD, LP and digital download in the Merge store. Watch the fun new video for “Friends of Friends,” too!
Hospitality on tour:
Feb 3 Brooklyn, NY Glasslands Gallery (Record Release Show)
Feb 25 San Francisco, CA Great American Music Hall (Noise Pop w/ Archers of Loaf)
Feb 26 Los Angeles, CA Troubadour w/ Archers of Loaf
Feb 29 Toronto, ON Horseshoe Tavern w/ Tennis
Mar 2 Boston, MA Brighton Music Hall w/ Tennis
Mar 3 New York, NY Bowery Ballroom w/ Tennis *SOLD OUT
Mar 7 New Haven, CT BAR
Mar 9 Chapel Hill, NC Local 506 w/ Tennis
Mar 10 Atlanta, GA The Earl w/ Tennis
Mar 11 Orlando, FL Orange You Glad Festival
Mar 14-17 Austin, TX SXSW Music Festival
Mar 18 Dallas, TX Bro Fest
Mar 20 Birmingham, AL Bottletree w/ The Love Language
Mar 21 Nashville, TN High Watt @ Mercy Lounge w/ The Love Language
Mar 22 Asheville, NC Emerald Lounge w/ The Love Language
Mar 30 New Haven, CT Toad’s Place w/ Wild Flag
Apr 02 Washington, DC 9:30 Club w/ Wild Flag
Apr 03 Philadelphia, PA Trocadero w/ Wild Flag
Apr 05 Chicago, IL Metro w/ Wild Flag
Hospitality is available on CD, LP and digital download in the Merge store. Watch the fun new video for “Friends of Friends,” too!
Hospitality on tour:
Feb 3 Brooklyn, NY Glasslands Gallery (Record Release Show)
Feb 25 San Francisco, CA Great American Music Hall (Noise Pop w/ Archers of Loaf)
Feb 26 Los Angeles, CA Troubadour w/ Archers of Loaf
Feb 29 Toronto, ON Horseshoe Tavern w/ Tennis
Mar 2 Boston, MA Brighton Music Hall w/ Tennis
Mar 3 New York, NY Bowery Ballroom w/ Tennis *SOLD OUT
Mar 7 New Haven, CT BAR
Mar 9 Chapel Hill, NC Local 506 w/ Tennis
Mar 10 Atlanta, GA The Earl w/ Tennis
Mar 11 Orlando, FL Orange You Glad Festival
Mar 14-17 Austin, TX SXSW Music Festival
Mar 18 Dallas, TX Bro Fest
Mar 20 Birmingham, AL Bottletree w/ The Love Language
Mar 21 Nashville, TN High Watt @ Mercy Lounge w/ The Love Language
Mar 22 Asheville, NC Emerald Lounge w/ The Love Language
Mar 30 New Haven, CT Toad’s Place w/ Wild Flag
Apr 02 Washington, DC 9:30 Club w/ Wild Flag
Apr 03 Philadelphia, PA Trocadero w/ Wild Flag
Apr 05 Chicago, IL Metro w/ Wild Flag
01/23/12
Hospitality will release their self-titled debut album next week, and have premiered their new video for “Friends of Friends” today at Stereogum.
Directed by Scott Jacobson (who also directed Superchunk’s video for “Digging for Something”) and featuring Alia Shawkat of Arrested Development and Gabe Delahaye of Videogum, the “Friends of Friends” video shows the hardships of a long-distance relationship set in iconic locations in New York & Los Angeles.
Watch “Friends of Friends” now at Stereogum
Daytrotter released their session with Hospitality today and “Eighth Avenue” is the “Song of the Day” at NPR Music! Beginning tomorrow, you can stream Hospitality in its entirety at Spotify. Subscribe now to the Merge Records New Releases to listen. And don’t forget to add user mergerecordsofficial as one of your favorites and check out all our playlists!
Other Hospitality excitement is happening this week, too. On Wednesday, January 25, Hospitality will perform on WFMU’s Seven Second Delay live from the Upright Citizen’s Brigade Theatre. Listen live at 6pm EST, or to the archive on WFMU.org! On Friday, January 27, listen to Hospitality on WNYC’s Soundcheck beginning at 2pm EST.
Hospitality is available on CD and LP now in the Merge store. Pre-orders come with a poster and 5-postcard set, while supplies last. Pre-order customers will also receive via e-mail Hospitality’s 6-song EP from 2008, which was recorded in their Red Hook apartment by Karl Blau on a 4-track recorder. Follow the band on Twitter and Facebook.
Hospitality on tour:
Feb 3 Brooklyn, NY Glasslands Gallery (Record Release Show)
Feb 25 San Francisco, CA Great American Music Hall (Noise Pop w/ Archers of Loaf)
Feb 26 Los Angeles, CA Troubadour w/ Archers of Loaf
Feb 29 Toronto, ON Horseshoe Tavern w/ Tennis
Mar 2 Boston, MA Brighton Music Hall w/ Tennis
Mar 3 New York, NY Bowery Ballroom w/ Tennis
Mar 7 New Haven, CT BAR
Mar 9 Chapel Hill, NC Local 506 w/ Tennis
Mar 10 Atlanta, GA The Earl w/ Tennis
Mar 11 Orlando, FL Orange You Glad Festival
Directed by Scott Jacobson (who also directed Superchunk’s video for “Digging for Something”) and featuring Alia Shawkat of Arrested Development and Gabe Delahaye of Videogum, the “Friends of Friends” video shows the hardships of a long-distance relationship set in iconic locations in New York & Los Angeles.
Watch “Friends of Friends” now at Stereogum
Daytrotter released their session with Hospitality today and “Eighth Avenue” is the “Song of the Day” at NPR Music! Beginning tomorrow, you can stream Hospitality in its entirety at Spotify. Subscribe now to the Merge Records New Releases to listen. And don’t forget to add user mergerecordsofficial as one of your favorites and check out all our playlists!
Other Hospitality excitement is happening this week, too. On Wednesday, January 25, Hospitality will perform on WFMU’s Seven Second Delay live from the Upright Citizen’s Brigade Theatre. Listen live at 6pm EST, or to the archive on WFMU.org! On Friday, January 27, listen to Hospitality on WNYC’s Soundcheck beginning at 2pm EST.
Hospitality is available on CD and LP now in the Merge store. Pre-orders come with a poster and 5-postcard set, while supplies last. Pre-order customers will also receive via e-mail Hospitality’s 6-song EP from 2008, which was recorded in their Red Hook apartment by Karl Blau on a 4-track recorder. Follow the band on Twitter and Facebook.
Hospitality on tour:
Feb 3 Brooklyn, NY Glasslands Gallery (Record Release Show)
Feb 25 San Francisco, CA Great American Music Hall (Noise Pop w/ Archers of Loaf)
Feb 26 Los Angeles, CA Troubadour w/ Archers of Loaf
Feb 29 Toronto, ON Horseshoe Tavern w/ Tennis
Mar 2 Boston, MA Brighton Music Hall w/ Tennis
Mar 3 New York, NY Bowery Ballroom w/ Tennis
Mar 7 New Haven, CT BAR
Mar 9 Chapel Hill, NC Local 506 w/ Tennis
Mar 10 Atlanta, GA The Earl w/ Tennis
Mar 11 Orlando, FL Orange You Glad Festival
11/30/11
Hospitality will release their self-titled Merge debut on January 31 and have announced their album release show in Brooklyn on February 3 as well as a few warm-up dates in January.
Hospitality the album has an overarching vision and should be listened to as a whole, though every song registers as a single. “Friends of Friends” could break the Hot 100 with its heavy intro, swingin’ breakdown, and horn riffs; “Betty Wang,” the lynchpin of their live set a few years back, is impossibly catchy, the story of one of Papini’s real-life colleagues at a financial day job; and “The Right Profession” is a power-pop burst of an anthem with Papini chanting the immortal line, “It’s hard to change!” (Isn’t it?) And “The Birthday,” with a sinuous, dissonant lead guitar, the lockstep rhythm of the drums, and Brian Betancourt’s nimble bass, wouldn’t be out of place on The Police’s debut record, but its epic coda makes it decidedly CinemaScope.
And after patiently honing its craft, playing concerts (and gaining converts), Hospitality has reached what will be its first apex with many more heights to come; from their modest debut in a Red Hook row house, the band has evolved from four-track low-fidelity to a luxury five-star future.
Hospitality are Nathan Michel, Brian Betancourt and Amber Papini. Pre-order Hospitality on CD or LP now in the Merge store to receive via e-mail Hospitality’s 6-song EP from 2008, which was recorded in their Red Hook apartment by Karl Blau on a 4-track recorder. Don’t forget . . . the Merge Holiday Code works on pre-orders, too!
Hospitality on tour:
Jan 11 Toronto, ON Drake Hotel
Jan 12 Detroit, MI PJ’s Lager House
Jan 14 Chicago, IL Lincoln Hall (Tomorrow Never Knows)
Jan 16 Cleveland, OH Grog Shop
Jan 17 Pittsburgh, PA Brillobox
Feb 03 Brooklyn, NY Glasslands Gallery (Record Release Show)
Hospitality the album has an overarching vision and should be listened to as a whole, though every song registers as a single. “Friends of Friends” could break the Hot 100 with its heavy intro, swingin’ breakdown, and horn riffs; “Betty Wang,” the lynchpin of their live set a few years back, is impossibly catchy, the story of one of Papini’s real-life colleagues at a financial day job; and “The Right Profession” is a power-pop burst of an anthem with Papini chanting the immortal line, “It’s hard to change!” (Isn’t it?) And “The Birthday,” with a sinuous, dissonant lead guitar, the lockstep rhythm of the drums, and Brian Betancourt’s nimble bass, wouldn’t be out of place on The Police’s debut record, but its epic coda makes it decidedly CinemaScope.
And after patiently honing its craft, playing concerts (and gaining converts), Hospitality has reached what will be its first apex with many more heights to come; from their modest debut in a Red Hook row house, the band has evolved from four-track low-fidelity to a luxury five-star future.
Hospitality are Nathan Michel, Brian Betancourt and Amber Papini. Pre-order Hospitality on CD or LP now in the Merge store to receive via e-mail Hospitality’s 6-song EP from 2008, which was recorded in their Red Hook apartment by Karl Blau on a 4-track recorder. Don’t forget . . . the Merge Holiday Code works on pre-orders, too!
Hospitality on tour:
Jan 11 Toronto, ON Drake Hotel
Jan 12 Detroit, MI PJ’s Lager House
Jan 14 Chicago, IL Lincoln Hall (Tomorrow Never Knows)
Jan 16 Cleveland, OH Grog Shop
Jan 17 Pittsburgh, PA Brillobox
Feb 03 Brooklyn, NY Glasslands Gallery (Record Release Show)
11/15/11
Hospitality are gearing up to release their self-titled debut album on January 31, and have shared a free mp3 of “Betty Wang.”
Betty Wang is a real woman who was one of the only female executives at the investment firm where Hospitality singer-songwriter Amber Papini worked. Amber admired Betty for holding her own and refusing to change her habits to fit in. “Su Chia” is Betty’s birth name, and a super-catchy chorus, too!
Stream and download “Betty Wang” now and visit iTunes to get the Hospitality two-song single that includes “Betty Wang” and “Friends of Friends” from Hospitality. Also, be sure to bookmark Merge’s “New Release Playlist” on Spotify to keep up with preview tracks from all of the new albums we have coming soon!
Hospitality – Betty Wang by Merge Records
Hospitality are Nathan Michel, Brian Betancourt and Amber Papini. Pre-order Hospitality on CD or LP now in the Merge store to receive via e-mail Hospitality’s 6-song EP from 2008, which was recorded in their Red Hook apartment by Karl Blau on a 4-track recorder.
Betty Wang is a real woman who was one of the only female executives at the investment firm where Hospitality singer-songwriter Amber Papini worked. Amber admired Betty for holding her own and refusing to change her habits to fit in. “Su Chia” is Betty’s birth name, and a super-catchy chorus, too!
Stream and download “Betty Wang” now and visit iTunes to get the Hospitality two-song single that includes “Betty Wang” and “Friends of Friends” from Hospitality. Also, be sure to bookmark Merge’s “New Release Playlist” on Spotify to keep up with preview tracks from all of the new albums we have coming soon!
Hospitality – Betty Wang by Merge Records
Hospitality are Nathan Michel, Brian Betancourt and Amber Papini. Pre-order Hospitality on CD or LP now in the Merge store to receive via e-mail Hospitality’s 6-song EP from 2008, which was recorded in their Red Hook apartment by Karl Blau on a 4-track recorder.
10/14/11
Merge will release the self-titled debut album from Brooklyn’s Hospitality on January 31.
Formed in 2007, Hospitality has evolved from a bedroom project to a 4-piece collaborative group opening for bands such as Stereolab, Wild Flag and The Rosebuds. The angular, intricate, and intelligent compositions of Hospitality signal a sophisticated new pop voice. Singer Amber Papini’s idiosyncratic songwriting and incisive lyrics coupled with the band’s rich arrangements on its self-titled debut explore youth, New York, and the bittersweet commingling of past and present in a way that feels just right, right now.
The production by Shane Stoneback (Vampire Weekend, Sleigh Bells) and band member Nathan Michel imbues the entire record with an intimate yet prodigious sound, layering period keyboards with horns, synthesizers, and treated guitars.
Stereogum described their music as “off-kilter melodic pop stylings” while Magnet described their sound as being “intimate and cinematic New York-ness.”
Listen and download “Friends of Friends,” from Hospitality and pre-order the full album on CD or LP now in the Merge store. Keep up with Hospitality at Twitter & Facebook, too!
Hospitality begin a short string of dates with The Rosebuds tonight in Detroit and will be in NYC at the Bowery Ballroom on October 18 with Eleanor Friedberger and Wild Flag.
Hospitality is Brian Betancourt, Nathan Michel, Kyle Olson, and Amber Papini.
Hospitality on tour:
Oct 14 Detroit, MI– Magic Stick w/ The Rosebuds (early show – 7pm)
Oct 15 Chicago, IL – Schubas w/ The Rosebuds
Oct 18 New York, NY – Bowery Ballroom w/ Wild Flag & Eleanor Friedberger
Oct 19 Carrboro, NC – Cat’s Cradle w/ The Rosebuds & Heather McEntire
Oct 20 Washington, DC – Rock & Roll Hotel w/ The Rosebuds
Oct 22 New York, NY – Rockwood Music Hall SPIN Magazine CMJ Day Party
Formed in 2007, Hospitality has evolved from a bedroom project to a 4-piece collaborative group opening for bands such as Stereolab, Wild Flag and The Rosebuds. The angular, intricate, and intelligent compositions of Hospitality signal a sophisticated new pop voice. Singer Amber Papini’s idiosyncratic songwriting and incisive lyrics coupled with the band’s rich arrangements on its self-titled debut explore youth, New York, and the bittersweet commingling of past and present in a way that feels just right, right now.
The production by Shane Stoneback (Vampire Weekend, Sleigh Bells) and band member Nathan Michel imbues the entire record with an intimate yet prodigious sound, layering period keyboards with horns, synthesizers, and treated guitars.
Stereogum described their music as “off-kilter melodic pop stylings” while Magnet described their sound as being “intimate and cinematic New York-ness.”
Listen and download “Friends of Friends,” from Hospitality and pre-order the full album on CD or LP now in the Merge store. Keep up with Hospitality at Twitter & Facebook, too!
Hospitality begin a short string of dates with The Rosebuds tonight in Detroit and will be in NYC at the Bowery Ballroom on October 18 with Eleanor Friedberger and Wild Flag.
Hospitality is Brian Betancourt, Nathan Michel, Kyle Olson, and Amber Papini.
Hospitality on tour:
Oct 14 Detroit, MI– Magic Stick w/ The Rosebuds (early show – 7pm)
Oct 15 Chicago, IL – Schubas w/ The Rosebuds
Oct 18 New York, NY – Bowery Ballroom w/ Wild Flag & Eleanor Friedberger
Oct 19 Carrboro, NC – Cat’s Cradle w/ The Rosebuds & Heather McEntire
Oct 20 Washington, DC – Rock & Roll Hotel w/ The Rosebuds
Oct 22 New York, NY – Rockwood Music Hall SPIN Magazine CMJ Day Party
Hospitality EP :: (Self-released) 2008
Hospitality :: CD/LP (Merge) 2012
"The Drift" b/w "Monkey" :: 7" (Merge) 2012
Hospitality :: CD/LP (Merge) 2012
"The Drift" b/w "Monkey" :: 7" (Merge) 2012
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