The Radar Brothers died on January 29, 2008. The band was on stage at the Echo in Los Angeles playing the record release show for their new album, Auditorium. What should have been a joyful celebration of their new record turned into a wake. The audience already knew that the three members sharing the stage with singer/guitarist Jim Putnam had announced their plans to leave, so when the band invited their L.A. musician friends on stage for a final sing-along, it felt like the end.
Not so fast! Jim Putnam has been playing and recording music his entire life. After a brief hiatus, his passion prevailed. The past 18 months have seen the emergence of a newly energized Radar Brothers. In bass player Be Hussey and drummer Stevie Treichel, Putnam has found two partners who are equally passionate about the band. Like pretty much every band worth caring about, this new collaboration began with live performances. The guys built a tight bond while touring together in the U.S. and Europe, and writing together was the natural next step. March 23, 2010-the release date of their new album, The Illustrated Garden-represents the culmination of the Radar Brothers' rebirth.
The Illustrated Garden is the punchiest, most lyrically direct set of songs the band has released to date. The songs are unmistakably Radar Brothers, but the Treichel/Hussey rhythm section often pushes them in unexpected directions ('Rainbow' and 'Horses Warriors' are particularly surprising). Putnam's the same nature-loving guy, but on songs like 'Dear Headlights' and 'Xmas Lights,' there's a little less to read between the lines.
Putnam records through his Phase IV Intergalactic Recording Facility (a legacy he inherited from his father Bill Putnam, who was one of the innovators of modern recording technology with the founding of Universal Audio (www.uaudio.com), and bandmate Hussey's L.A.-based recording studio, comp ny (www.comp-ny.com).
As you might expect from a band featuring two engineers, the songs were meticulously crafted. Using Putnam's vintage Sphere Eclipse C console and lots of analog tape, the songs have a warm and layered sound while incorporating the spontaneity of a live performance. It's a refreshing balance not easily accomplished by most bands.
Radar Brothers are Jim Putnam, Be Hussey, and Stevie Treichel. Keyboard player Brian Cleary (The Movies) and guitarist Dan Iead (The Broken West) will join the new Radar Brothers touring band and play on future recordings.
www.radarbros.com
Not so fast! Jim Putnam has been playing and recording music his entire life. After a brief hiatus, his passion prevailed. The past 18 months have seen the emergence of a newly energized Radar Brothers. In bass player Be Hussey and drummer Stevie Treichel, Putnam has found two partners who are equally passionate about the band. Like pretty much every band worth caring about, this new collaboration began with live performances. The guys built a tight bond while touring together in the U.S. and Europe, and writing together was the natural next step. March 23, 2010-the release date of their new album, The Illustrated Garden-represents the culmination of the Radar Brothers' rebirth.
The Illustrated Garden is the punchiest, most lyrically direct set of songs the band has released to date. The songs are unmistakably Radar Brothers, but the Treichel/Hussey rhythm section often pushes them in unexpected directions ('Rainbow' and 'Horses Warriors' are particularly surprising). Putnam's the same nature-loving guy, but on songs like 'Dear Headlights' and 'Xmas Lights,' there's a little less to read between the lines.
Putnam records through his Phase IV Intergalactic Recording Facility (a legacy he inherited from his father Bill Putnam, who was one of the innovators of modern recording technology with the founding of Universal Audio (www.uaudio.com), and bandmate Hussey's L.A.-based recording studio, comp ny (www.comp-ny.com).
As you might expect from a band featuring two engineers, the songs were meticulously crafted. Using Putnam's vintage Sphere Eclipse C console and lots of analog tape, the songs have a warm and layered sound while incorporating the spontaneity of a live performance. It's a refreshing balance not easily accomplished by most bands.
Radar Brothers are Jim Putnam, Be Hussey, and Stevie Treichel. Keyboard player Brian Cleary (The Movies) and guitarist Dan Iead (The Broken West) will join the new Radar Brothers touring band and play on future recordings.
www.radarbros.com
05/04/10
Spring has sprung and it is time for a new free Merge sampler! Featuring hit songs from the latest albums of Radar Brothers, Spoon, Let’s Wrestle, She & Him and more, visit amazon.com now to download all fourteen free songs with special cover art by Let’s Wrestle’s Wesley Patrick Gonzalez!
As always, you can find new albums from all of these artists and more in our handy Merge store.
Free Merge 2010 digital sampler track listing:
1. Radar Brothers – Horses Warriors (from The Illustrated Garden)
2. Let’s Wrestle – I Won’t Lie to You (from In the Court of the Wrestling Let’s)
3. Destroyer – The Very Modern Dance (from Streethawk: A Seduction)
4. Shout Out Louds – Fall Hard (from Work)
5. Spoon – Written in Reverse (from Transference)
6. Lou Barlow – Don’t Apologize (from Goodnight Unknown)
7. She & Him – Thieves (from Volume Two)
8. Superchunk – Learned to Surf (from Leaves in the Gutter)
9. Alec Bathgate – Glide (from Stroke: Songs for Chris Knox)
10. The Clientele – I Wonder Who We Are (from Bonfires on the Heath)
11. Caribou – Odessa (from Swim)
12. The Clean – In the Dreamlife U Need a Rubber Soul (from Mister Pop)
13. Wye Oak – I Hope You Die (from My Neighbor / My Creator)
14. Lambchop – Give It (from Live at XX Merge)
As always, you can find new albums from all of these artists and more in our handy Merge store.
Free Merge 2010 digital sampler track listing:
1. Radar Brothers – Horses Warriors (from The Illustrated Garden)
2. Let’s Wrestle – I Won’t Lie to You (from In the Court of the Wrestling Let’s)
3. Destroyer – The Very Modern Dance (from Streethawk: A Seduction)
4. Shout Out Louds – Fall Hard (from Work)
5. Spoon – Written in Reverse (from Transference)
6. Lou Barlow – Don’t Apologize (from Goodnight Unknown)
7. She & Him – Thieves (from Volume Two)
8. Superchunk – Learned to Surf (from Leaves in the Gutter)
9. Alec Bathgate – Glide (from Stroke: Songs for Chris Knox)
10. The Clientele – I Wonder Who We Are (from Bonfires on the Heath)
11. Caribou – Odessa (from Swim)
12. The Clean – In the Dreamlife U Need a Rubber Soul (from Mister Pop)
13. Wye Oak – I Hope You Die (from My Neighbor / My Creator)
14. Lambchop – Give It (from Live at XX Merge)
05/04/10
Radar Brothers have added some new tour dates including the Silverlake Jubilee and several shows opening for Modest Mouse to their summer show calendar! Don’t miss your chance to experience in person what The AV Club described as “that feeling of being happily sunbaked and mildly delirious, subsisting on pure sensory intake.”
The Illustrated Garden is available now in the Merge store!
Radar Brothers on tour (new dates in bold):
^ = w/ Modest Mouse
5/23 Los Angeles, CA Silverlake Jubilee
6/17 San Diego, CA Soda Bar
6/18 Santa Cruz, CA The Crepe Place
6/21 Portland, OR Mississippi Studios
6/22 Seattle, WA Sunset Tavern
6/24 San Francisco, CA Rickshaw Stop
7/07 Tempe, AZ Yucca Tap Room
7/09 Santa Fe, NM Paolo Soleri Amphitheatre ^
7/10 Broomfield, CO First Bank Center ^
7/12 Sioux Falls, SD Ramkota Exhibit Hall ^
7/13 Fargo, ND Hub at the Venue ^
7/14 Minneapolis, MN Orpheum Theatre ^
The Illustrated Garden is available now in the Merge store!
Radar Brothers on tour (new dates in bold):
^ = w/ Modest Mouse
5/23 Los Angeles, CA Silverlake Jubilee
6/17 San Diego, CA Soda Bar
6/18 Santa Cruz, CA The Crepe Place
6/21 Portland, OR Mississippi Studios
6/22 Seattle, WA Sunset Tavern
6/24 San Francisco, CA Rickshaw Stop
7/07 Tempe, AZ Yucca Tap Room
7/09 Santa Fe, NM Paolo Soleri Amphitheatre ^
7/10 Broomfield, CO First Bank Center ^
7/12 Sioux Falls, SD Ramkota Exhibit Hall ^
7/13 Fargo, ND Hub at the Venue ^
7/14 Minneapolis, MN Orpheum Theatre ^
04/06/10
Radar Brothers’ new album, The Illustrated Garden was released late last month to fabulous reviews, and now we have more opportunities for you to see them live!
As Spin described, the audience at our SXSW showcase was “smitten” as Radar Brothers played to a packed house. “The bros” have added new shows in southern California, and we are expecting more soon! Get your copy of The Illustrated Garden on CD and digital download now in the Merge store!
Radar Brothers on tour
4/17 Los Angeles, CA Echo Curio
4/26 Los Angeles, CA Echo
6/17 San Diego, CA Soda Bar
6/18 Santa Cruz, CA The Crepe Place
6/21 Portland, OR Mississippi Studios
6/22 Seattle, WA Sunset Tavern
6/24 San Francisco, CA Rickshaw Stop
“Each track glows like a golden hour snapshot capturing a certain sunset idealism.” ~Pitchfork
“The record spins the mood that Radar Brothers fans have come to expect: that feeling of being happily sunbaked and mildly delirious, subsisting on pure sensory intake.” ~The Onion AV Club
“Singer/guitarist Putnam’s languid, dreamy songs are melodic, moody, and always a treat to listen to.” ~Tape Op
As Spin described, the audience at our SXSW showcase was “smitten” as Radar Brothers played to a packed house. “The bros” have added new shows in southern California, and we are expecting more soon! Get your copy of The Illustrated Garden on CD and digital download now in the Merge store!
Radar Brothers on tour
4/17 Los Angeles, CA Echo Curio
4/26 Los Angeles, CA Echo
6/17 San Diego, CA Soda Bar
6/18 Santa Cruz, CA The Crepe Place
6/21 Portland, OR Mississippi Studios
6/22 Seattle, WA Sunset Tavern
6/24 San Francisco, CA Rickshaw Stop
“Each track glows like a golden hour snapshot capturing a certain sunset idealism.” ~Pitchfork
“The record spins the mood that Radar Brothers fans have come to expect: that feeling of being happily sunbaked and mildly delirious, subsisting on pure sensory intake.” ~The Onion AV Club
“Singer/guitarist Putnam’s languid, dreamy songs are melodic, moody, and always a treat to listen to.” ~Tape Op
03/15/10
Merge will be well-represented at the SXSW Music Festival in Austin this year with eight bands and two special Our Noise events. Our bands will be playing all over the city during the festival, so if you will be in Austin, keep your eyes peeled for all of the cool daytime parties being announced daily.
Our helpful flyer is below – click to make it larger & to print it to take with you! Share the link on your twitter & Facebook, too!
Spoon are headlining the NPR show at Stubbs BBQ on Wednesday, March 17 (12:15 am) and She & Him are playing a free, open to the public show at Auditorium Shores on Saturday March 20 (8 pm). Superchunk are playing a free Village Voice day party at La Zona Rosa on March 19 (3 pm).
Merge Showcase @ Cedar Street Courtyard
208 West 4th St b/t Colorado & Lavaca
Thursday, March 18th
7 PM
(from first to last)
Special Guest
Let’s Wrestle
Radar Brothers
She & Him
Wye Oak
Lou Barlow + the missingmen
The Love Language
Merge @ Homeslice Pizza’s “Music by the Slice” Party
1415 Congress Ave.
Free & Open to the public
Thursday, March 18:
1:30 pm The Love Language
2:15 pm Radar Brothers
Friday, March 19:
Noon Let’s Wrestle
3:45 Wye Oak
6:45 Lou Barlow
Also, book events!
Our Noise event @ Book People (603 N. Lamar Blvd)
Wednesday, March 17 at 6PM
Free & Open to the Public
Mac & Laura will read selections from their book, Our Noise, and will perform covers of songs from selected bands mentioned in the book. They’ll be available to sign books afterwards, too.
Our Noise panel @ SXSW Convention Center
Thursday, March 18 at 2PM
Open to convention registrants only
Michael Azerrad will moderate a Q&A-style event with Mac & Laura about Our Noise and 20 years of Merge Records.
Our helpful flyer is below – click to make it larger & to print it to take with you! Share the link on your twitter & Facebook, too!
Spoon are headlining the NPR show at Stubbs BBQ on Wednesday, March 17 (12:15 am) and She & Him are playing a free, open to the public show at Auditorium Shores on Saturday March 20 (8 pm). Superchunk are playing a free Village Voice day party at La Zona Rosa on March 19 (3 pm).
Merge Showcase @ Cedar Street Courtyard
208 West 4th St b/t Colorado & Lavaca
Thursday, March 18th
7 PM
(from first to last)
Special Guest
Let’s Wrestle
Radar Brothers
She & Him
Wye Oak
Lou Barlow + the missingmen
The Love Language
Merge @ Homeslice Pizza’s “Music by the Slice” Party
1415 Congress Ave.
Free & Open to the public
Thursday, March 18:
1:30 pm The Love Language
2:15 pm Radar Brothers
Friday, March 19:
Noon Let’s Wrestle
3:45 Wye Oak
6:45 Lou Barlow
Also, book events!
Our Noise event @ Book People (603 N. Lamar Blvd)
Wednesday, March 17 at 6PM
Free & Open to the Public
Mac & Laura will read selections from their book, Our Noise, and will perform covers of songs from selected bands mentioned in the book. They’ll be available to sign books afterwards, too.
Our Noise panel @ SXSW Convention Center
Thursday, March 18 at 2PM
Open to convention registrants only
Michael Azerrad will moderate a Q&A-style event with Mac & Laura about Our Noise and 20 years of Merge Records.
01/07/10
On March 23, Radar Brothers will release The Illustrated Garden. Jim Putnam has found a new band of brothers in bass player Be Hussey and drummer Stevie Treichel, two partners who are equally passionate about the band.
The original line-up of Radar Brothers died on January 29th, 2008. The band was on stage at the Echo in Los Angeles playing the record release show for their new album, Auditorium. However, after a brief hiatus, the new configuration of Radar Brothers began with live performances. Jim, Be and Stevie built a tight bond while touring together in the US and Europe. Writing together was the natural next step and March 23rd, 2010 represents the culmination of the Radar Brothers rebirth.
The Illustrated Garden is the punchiest, most lyrically direct set of songs the band has released to date. The songs are unmistakably Radar Brothers, but the Treichel/Hussey rhythm section often pushes them in unexpected directions.
Radar Brothers will perform at SXSW in March and a US tour is planned for early summer. Brian Cleary (The Movies), keyboard player and guitarist Dan Iead (The Broken West) will join Radar Brothers touring band and on future recordings.
Download a free MP3 of “Horses Warriors” from The Illustrated Garden now!
The original line-up of Radar Brothers died on January 29th, 2008. The band was on stage at the Echo in Los Angeles playing the record release show for their new album, Auditorium. However, after a brief hiatus, the new configuration of Radar Brothers began with live performances. Jim, Be and Stevie built a tight bond while touring together in the US and Europe. Writing together was the natural next step and March 23rd, 2010 represents the culmination of the Radar Brothers rebirth.
The Illustrated Garden is the punchiest, most lyrically direct set of songs the band has released to date. The songs are unmistakably Radar Brothers, but the Treichel/Hussey rhythm section often pushes them in unexpected directions.
Radar Brothers will perform at SXSW in March and a US tour is planned for early summer. Brian Cleary (The Movies), keyboard player and guitarist Dan Iead (The Broken West) will join Radar Brothers touring band and on future recordings.
Download a free MP3 of “Horses Warriors” from The Illustrated Garden now!
And The Surrounding Mountains [cd] (Merge) 2002
Fallen Leaf Pages [cd] (Merge) 2005
Auditorium [cd] (Merge) 2008
Fallen Leaf Pages [cd] (Merge) 2005
Auditorium [cd] (Merge) 2008
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Arcade Fire [+]
| July | ||
| 31 | Montreal | Osheaga Festival |
| August | ||
| 01 | Boston, MA | Bank of America Pavillion |
| 02 | Philadelphia, PA | Mann Centre for the Performing Arts |
| 04 | New York, NY | Madison Square Garden |
| 05 | New York, NY | Madison Square Garden |
| [see all] | ||
Lou Barlow [+]
| August | ||
| 17 | Milford, CT | Daniel Street |
| 18 | Washington, DC | Rock N Roll Hotel |
| 19 | Carrboro, NC | Cat's Cradle |
| 20 | Asheville, NC | Grey Eagle |
| 21 | Nashville, TN | The Basement |
| [see all] | ||
Richard Buckner [+]
| July | ||
| 31 | Baltimore, MD | Ram's Head Live |
| September | ||
| 08 | Asheville, NC | The Grey Eagle |
| 09 | Columbia, SC | Columbia Museum of Art |
| 10 | Raleigh, NC | Hopscotch Music Festival |
| 11 | Charlotte, NC | Evening Muse |
| [see all] | ||
Caribou [+]
| September | ||
| 15 | Ottawa, ON | Babylon |
| 18 | London, ON | Victoria Park Bandshell |
| 24 | Cincinnati, OH | Midpoint Music Festival |
| 25 | Champaign-Urbana, IL | Pygmalion Festival |
| October | ||
| 04 | Seattle, WA | Showbox at the Market |
The Clientele [+]
| September | ||
| 06 | Seattle, WA | TBA |
| 07 | Portland, OR | Doug Fir |
| 09 | Oakland, CA | New Parish |
| 10 | San Francisco, CA | Independent |
| 11 | Los Angeles, CA | Echoplex |
| [see all] | ||
Fucked Up [+]
| July | ||
| 30 | Moscow | Aktzal |
| August | ||
| 06 | Hertfordshire | Standon Calling |
| 07 | Kent | Hevy Festival |
| 08 | Blackpool | Rebellion Festival |
| 09 | London | Hoxton Bar & Grill |
| [see all] | ||
Let's Wrestle [+]
| September | ||
| 04 | Los Angeles, CA | FYF Fest |
| 05 | Santa Barbara, CA | Club Mercy Presents |
| 06 | San Francisco, CA | Great American Music Hall |
| 08 | Seattle, WA | Neumo's |
| 09 | Vancouver, BC | Rickshaw Theatre |
| [see all] | ||
The Love Language [+]
| August | ||
| 28 | Wilmington, NC | The Soapbox |
| September | ||
| 03 | Atlanta, GA | The Earl |
| 04 | Charlotte, NC | Visulite Theatre |
| 11 | Raleigh, NC | Hopscotch Festival |
| 12 | Nashville, TN | Exit / In |
| [see all] | ||
Polvo [+]
| August | ||
| 12 | Pittsburgh, PA | Brillobox |
| 13 | Toronto, ON | Lee's Palace |
| 14 | Montreal, QC | La Sala Rossa |
The Rosebuds [+]
| September | ||
| 10 | Raleigh, NC | Hopscotch Festival |
She & Him [+]
| August | ||
| 26 | Salt Lake City, UT | Twilight Music Series |
| 28 | Omaha, NE | Anchor Inn |
| 29 | St. Louis, MO | LouFest |
| 30 | Kansas City, MO | Uptown Theatre |
| September | ||
| 01 | Nashville, TN | Ryman Auditorium |
| [see all] | ||
Spoon [+]
| August | ||
| 02 | Philadelphia, PA | Mann Centre for the Performing Arts |
| 04 | New York, NY | Madison Square Garden |
| 05 | New York, NY | Madison Square Garden |
| 06 | Washington, DC | Merriweather Post Pavilion |
| 07 | Chicago, IL | Lollapalooza |
| [see all] | ||
Superchunk [+]
| September | ||
| 16 | Durham, NC | The Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University |
| 17 | Washington | 9:30 Club |
| 18 | New York, NY | Bowery Ballroom |
| 19 | Brooklyn, NY | Music Hall of Williamsburg |
| 21 | Boston, MA | Royale |
| [see all] | ||
Teenage Fanclub [+]
| September | ||
| 22 | Toronto, ON | The Legendary Horseshoe Tavern |
| 23 | Toronto, ON | The Legendary Horseshoe Tavern |
| 24 | Montreal, QC | Le National |
| 25 | Boston, MA | Royale |
| 27 | New York, NY | Bowery Ballroom |
| [see all] | ||
Telekinesis [+]
| August | ||
| 31 | St. Louis, MO | Firebird |
| September | ||
| 01 | Urbana, IL | Canopy Club |
| 02 | Chicago, IL | Lincoln Hall |
| 03 | Detroit, MI | Magic Stick |
| 04 | Toronto, ON | El Mocambo |
| [see all] | ||
Versus [+]
| August | ||
| 12 | Brooklyn, NY | Rock Shop |
| 13 | Toronto, ON | Lee's Palace |
| 14 | Montreal | La Sala Rossa |
| September | ||
| 21 | Boston, MA | Royale |
| 22 | Philadelphia, PA | Trocadero Theatre |
Wye Oak [+]
| August | ||
| 17 | Milford, CT | Daniel Street |
| 18 | Washington, DC | Rock N Roll Hotel |
| 19 | Carrboro, NC | Cat's Cradle |
| 20 | Asheville, NC | Grey Eagle |
| 21 | Nashville, TN | The Basement |
| [see all] | ||
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