Shout Out Louds are back at work. It only just dawned on them what the rest of us have known for a long time: they were born to do this. This is what they do. They write songs, record them, and tour. Thats their work. Hence Work, the title of their third album.
Theyve had some time off. A six-month break to regroup, to see other things, places, and people. To work on a tan, to work on love and life. Bebban did so in Los Angeles and Adam in Melbourne, while Carl, Ted, and Eric remained in Stockholm. And when they got together again, they realized that this is what they do and what they will continue to do. A you-dont-know-what-youve-got-til-its-in-Melbourne sort of thing
Adam wrote many songs down there, in a tiny room with a little synthesizer, an acoustic guitar, and GarageBand on his laptop. The song Walls came first and then the rest, one by one (brick by brick, if you will) whilst the Australian trams passed by outside. He shared the songs with the others, who listened closely from their corners of the world, questioning and challenging himlike a good band shoulduntil the songs that make up Work had all passed the test, made the cut, and lived to tell the story.
Their last album, Our Ill Wills, was all about travel, from the song titles down to the flags that graced the cover. Although Work was written in Melbourne and recorded in Seattle (and for the first time with a non-Swede in the producers seat), its the coming-home album, the one where they decide to keep it simple: lose the percussionist, sack the string quartet, trust the songs. Or as singer Adam Olenius puts it in one of those songs: Throwing stones, theyre rolling home. It happened just like that. Each piece found its natural place.
The band got Seattleite Phil Ek to produce the album, and they describe him as a much-needed force. They wanted someone who was used to working with bands and used to doing things the old-fashioned waywith hard work and 1-2-3-4 live recordings. Fleet Foxes, Band of Horses, and The Shins are fine testaments to Phil Eks producer work ethic, so he seemed a natural choice.
Adam also says this album and the way it sounds boils down to a few things. Foremost, he is in a better place in his life. There may still be dark skies, but lately theyre only partly cloudy. In the words of Mary J Blige, no more drama. And perhaps with the change of weather came the realization that there really is no need to multilayer everything and fill all the spaces with stuff. Significant points have been made with little more to back them than an honest attempt to keep things organic, unadorned, to the point. (Revisiting John Cales albums may have played a small part in it too, if were being honest.) It all may sound quite simple, and thats the point. But simple is rarely that; simple can be awfully complicated in all its plainness, and countless are we who have tried to hide our simplicity behind overdubs, mysterious press releases, animals masks, and fabulous graphics.
Shout Out Louds may have left out the bunny ears, but just like the rest of us, they have definitely been guilty of one or two of the other misdemeanors on that list. Well, not anymore. Theyre keeping it simple now, trusting in the power of bare skin over panache. At the end of the day, its work, and they are happy to do it. And for that we are truly thankful.
// Lisa Milberg, November 2009
www.shoutoutlouds.com
www.myspace.com/shoutoutlouds
Theyve had some time off. A six-month break to regroup, to see other things, places, and people. To work on a tan, to work on love and life. Bebban did so in Los Angeles and Adam in Melbourne, while Carl, Ted, and Eric remained in Stockholm. And when they got together again, they realized that this is what they do and what they will continue to do. A you-dont-know-what-youve-got-til-its-in-Melbourne sort of thing
Adam wrote many songs down there, in a tiny room with a little synthesizer, an acoustic guitar, and GarageBand on his laptop. The song Walls came first and then the rest, one by one (brick by brick, if you will) whilst the Australian trams passed by outside. He shared the songs with the others, who listened closely from their corners of the world, questioning and challenging himlike a good band shoulduntil the songs that make up Work had all passed the test, made the cut, and lived to tell the story.
Their last album, Our Ill Wills, was all about travel, from the song titles down to the flags that graced the cover. Although Work was written in Melbourne and recorded in Seattle (and for the first time with a non-Swede in the producers seat), its the coming-home album, the one where they decide to keep it simple: lose the percussionist, sack the string quartet, trust the songs. Or as singer Adam Olenius puts it in one of those songs: Throwing stones, theyre rolling home. It happened just like that. Each piece found its natural place.
The band got Seattleite Phil Ek to produce the album, and they describe him as a much-needed force. They wanted someone who was used to working with bands and used to doing things the old-fashioned waywith hard work and 1-2-3-4 live recordings. Fleet Foxes, Band of Horses, and The Shins are fine testaments to Phil Eks producer work ethic, so he seemed a natural choice.
Adam also says this album and the way it sounds boils down to a few things. Foremost, he is in a better place in his life. There may still be dark skies, but lately theyre only partly cloudy. In the words of Mary J Blige, no more drama. And perhaps with the change of weather came the realization that there really is no need to multilayer everything and fill all the spaces with stuff. Significant points have been made with little more to back them than an honest attempt to keep things organic, unadorned, to the point. (Revisiting John Cales albums may have played a small part in it too, if were being honest.) It all may sound quite simple, and thats the point. But simple is rarely that; simple can be awfully complicated in all its plainness, and countless are we who have tried to hide our simplicity behind overdubs, mysterious press releases, animals masks, and fabulous graphics.
Shout Out Louds may have left out the bunny ears, but just like the rest of us, they have definitely been guilty of one or two of the other misdemeanors on that list. Well, not anymore. Theyre keeping it simple now, trusting in the power of bare skin over panache. At the end of the day, its work, and they are happy to do it. And for that we are truly thankful.
// Lisa Milberg, November 2009
www.shoutoutlouds.com
www.myspace.com/shoutoutlouds
03/10/10
After two sold out shows in NYC last week, Shout Out Louds are now looking forward to their North American tour during the month of May with Brooklyn buzz band Freelance Whales. With the band’s new album, Work, in stores and online now, the tour begins on May 2 at the 9:30 Club in Washington, DC, and will culminate with a performance at the El Rey Theater in Los Angeles, CA, on May 21.
In addition to the upcoming tour, the band just issued a mini-documentary on the making of Work titled “Shout Out Louds … at Work.” Directed by the band’s bassist and renowned video director Ted Malmros, “Shout Out Louds … at Work” provides a deep glimpse into the process that went into the creation of the songs that make up the new studio album. Esquire Magazine recently commended the band and their track “Walls,” naming it March’s “Perfect Pop Song of the Month” and describing it as a “truly memorable moment — too rarely does a modern pop song leave you humming an old-fashioned man-made piano hook.”
Through the alluring moving images and stills taken from interviews with the band and Phil Ek, their producer, to the Washington woodlands where Work was recorded, the mini-documentary presents itself as a diary that captures all of the emotions evoked from the pressure, as well as the excitement, of creating such a highly anticipated release.
Watch “Shout Out Louds … at Work” and order Work on CD, LP and digital download in the Merge store.
Shout Out Louds on Tour:
All shows with Freelance Whales:
02 May Washington, 9:30 Club
03 May Philadelphia, First Unitarian Church
05 May New York, Webster Hall
06 May Boston, Paradise
07 May Montreal, Cabaret Music Hall
08 May Toronto, Mod Club
10 May Chicago, Lincoln Hall
11 May Minneapolis, Varsity Theater
14 May Vancouver, Commodore Ballroom
15 May Seattle, Neumos
16 May Portland, Doug Fir
18 May San Francisco, Great American Music Hall
20 May Los Angeles, El Rey
21 May Los Angeles, El Rey (Sold Out!)
22 May San Diego, House of Blues
In addition to the upcoming tour, the band just issued a mini-documentary on the making of Work titled “Shout Out Louds … at Work.” Directed by the band’s bassist and renowned video director Ted Malmros, “Shout Out Louds … at Work” provides a deep glimpse into the process that went into the creation of the songs that make up the new studio album. Esquire Magazine recently commended the band and their track “Walls,” naming it March’s “Perfect Pop Song of the Month” and describing it as a “truly memorable moment — too rarely does a modern pop song leave you humming an old-fashioned man-made piano hook.”
Through the alluring moving images and stills taken from interviews with the band and Phil Ek, their producer, to the Washington woodlands where Work was recorded, the mini-documentary presents itself as a diary that captures all of the emotions evoked from the pressure, as well as the excitement, of creating such a highly anticipated release.
Watch “Shout Out Louds … at Work” and order Work on CD, LP and digital download in the Merge store.
Shout Out Louds on Tour:
All shows with Freelance Whales:
02 May Washington, 9:30 Club
03 May Philadelphia, First Unitarian Church
05 May New York, Webster Hall
06 May Boston, Paradise
07 May Montreal, Cabaret Music Hall
08 May Toronto, Mod Club
10 May Chicago, Lincoln Hall
11 May Minneapolis, Varsity Theater
14 May Vancouver, Commodore Ballroom
15 May Seattle, Neumos
16 May Portland, Doug Fir
18 May San Francisco, Great American Music Hall
20 May Los Angeles, El Rey
21 May Los Angeles, El Rey (Sold Out!)
22 May San Diego, House of Blues
03/01/10
In celebration of the release of their new album Work, Shout Out Louds are in New York to play a sold out show at the Music Hall of Williamsburg in Brooklyn tonight. As a special surprise for their New York fans who weren’t able to get tickets to tonight’s show, Shout Out Louds will play a free show tomorrow, March 2nd at Piano’s (158 Ludlow St. NYC). No tickets necessary, but space is extremely limited!
The show starts at 7 p.m.
Spread the word and get there early!
If you haven’t already, get your copy of Work on CD, LP and digital download now in the Merge store!
The show starts at 7 p.m.
Spread the word and get there early!
If you haven’t already, get your copy of Work on CD, LP and digital download now in the Merge store!
02/19/10
In celebration of the February 23 (this Tuesday!) release of their upcoming album, Work, Shout Out Louds are offering up a FREE MP3 Remix download of the first single “Fall Hard.” The remix was done by Boston’s electronic-pop sensation Passion Pit. Already an infectious slice of pop perfection, once in the hands of Passion Pit, “Fall Hard” becomes blissed out and, as Pitchfork described, “synthed up.”
Download the “Passion Pit Summertime Radio Remix” version of “Fall Hard” and visit the Merge store to preview the songs and pre-order Work on CD and LP.
Shout Out Louds on tour this spring!
01 Mar New York / Brooklyn, Music Hall of Williamsburg SOLD OUT!
02 May Washington, 9:30 Club
03 May Philadelphia, First Unitarian Church
05 May New York, Webster Hall
06 May Boston, Paradise
07 May Montreal, Cabaret Music Hall
08 May Toronto, Mod Club
10 May Chicago, Lincoln Hall
11 May Minneapolis, Varsity Theater
14 May Vancouver, Commodore Ballroom
15 May Seattle, Neumos
16 May Portland, Doug Fir
18 May San Francisco, Great American Music Hall
21 May Los Angeles, El Rey
Download the “Passion Pit Summertime Radio Remix” version of “Fall Hard” and visit the Merge store to preview the songs and pre-order Work on CD and LP.
Shout Out Louds on tour this spring!
01 Mar New York / Brooklyn, Music Hall of Williamsburg SOLD OUT!
02 May Washington, 9:30 Club
03 May Philadelphia, First Unitarian Church
05 May New York, Webster Hall
06 May Boston, Paradise
07 May Montreal, Cabaret Music Hall
08 May Toronto, Mod Club
10 May Chicago, Lincoln Hall
11 May Minneapolis, Varsity Theater
14 May Vancouver, Commodore Ballroom
15 May Seattle, Neumos
16 May Portland, Doug Fir
18 May San Francisco, Great American Music Hall
21 May Los Angeles, El Rey
02/02/10
Shout Out Louds’ new digital EP Fall Hard is available now for purchase and preview in the Merge store and from your favorite digital music provider.
Fall Hard track listing:
1. Fall Hard (album version)
2. Fall Hard Pt. 2
3. Can’t Explain
Shout Out Louds are offering album track “Walls” as a free download at www.shoutoutlouds.com, along with a worldwide contest to win a trip to their sold out March 1st performance at the Music Hall of Williamsburg in Brooklyn, NY. Pre-order their new full-length Work on CD and LP (with MP3 download coupon) in the Merge store.
Shout Out Louds on tour:
3/1 Brooklyn, NY Music Hall of Williamsburg SOLD OUT
5/2 Washington, DC 9:30 Club
5/3 Philadelphia, PA First Unitarian Church
5/5 New York, NY Webster Hall
5/6 Boston, MA Paradise
5/7 Montreal, QC Cabaret Music Hall
5/8 Toronto, ON Mod Club
5/10 Chicago, IL Lincoln Hall
5/11 Minneapolis, MN Varsity Theater
5/14 Vancouver, BC Commodore Ballroom
5/15 Seattle, WA Neumos
5/16 Portland, OR Doug Fir Lounge
5/18 San Francisco, CA Great American Music Hall
5/20 San Diego, CA House of Blues
5/21 Los Angeles, CA El Rey
Fall Hard track listing:
1. Fall Hard (album version)
2. Fall Hard Pt. 2
3. Can’t Explain
Shout Out Louds are offering album track “Walls” as a free download at www.shoutoutlouds.com, along with a worldwide contest to win a trip to their sold out March 1st performance at the Music Hall of Williamsburg in Brooklyn, NY. Pre-order their new full-length Work on CD and LP (with MP3 download coupon) in the Merge store.
Shout Out Louds on tour:
3/1 Brooklyn, NY Music Hall of Williamsburg SOLD OUT
5/2 Washington, DC 9:30 Club
5/3 Philadelphia, PA First Unitarian Church
5/5 New York, NY Webster Hall
5/6 Boston, MA Paradise
5/7 Montreal, QC Cabaret Music Hall
5/8 Toronto, ON Mod Club
5/10 Chicago, IL Lincoln Hall
5/11 Minneapolis, MN Varsity Theater
5/14 Vancouver, BC Commodore Ballroom
5/15 Seattle, WA Neumos
5/16 Portland, OR Doug Fir Lounge
5/18 San Francisco, CA Great American Music Hall
5/20 San Diego, CA House of Blues
5/21 Los Angeles, CA El Rey
01/12/10
Shout Out Louds’ new album, Work, will be in stores on February 23. Their North American tour will begin on May 2 at the 9:30 Club in Washington, DC, and will culminate with a performance at the El Rey Theatre in Los Angeles, CA, on May 21. Get your tickets now as their March 1st show in Brooklyn is already sold out!
In addition to the tour, the band has just released a music video for the first commercial single from Work entitled “Fall Hard” (single available exclusively via digital download on February 2). Directed by Shout Out Louds bass player Ted Malmros and his brother Tom Malmros, “Fall Hard” is a colorful moving image that director Ted describes as “a Belgian cigarettes inspired TV-show deja vú….” Watch the video now.
Pre-order Work on CD and LP (with MP3 download coupon) in the Merge store, and download album track, “Walls” at www.shoutoutlouds.com.
Fall Hard track listing:
1. Fall Hard (album version)
2. Fall Hard Pt. 2
3. Can´t Explain
Shout Out Louds on tour:
3/1 Brooklyn, NY Music Hall of Williamsburg **Sold Out!
5/2 Washington, DC 9:30 Club
5/3 Philadelphia, PA First Unitarian Church
5/5 New York, NY Webster Hall
5/6 Boston, MA Paradise
5/7 Montreal, QC Cabaret Music Hall
5/8 Toronto, ON Mod Club
5/10 Chicago, IL Lincoln Hall
5/11 Minneapolis, MN Varsity Theater
5/14 Vancouver, BC Commodore Ballroom
5/15 Seattle, WA Neumos
5/16 Portland, OR Doug Fir Lounge
5/18 San Francisco, CA Great American Music Hall
5/20 San Diego, CA House of Blues
5/21 Los Angeles, CA El Rey
In addition to the tour, the band has just released a music video for the first commercial single from Work entitled “Fall Hard” (single available exclusively via digital download on February 2). Directed by Shout Out Louds bass player Ted Malmros and his brother Tom Malmros, “Fall Hard” is a colorful moving image that director Ted describes as “a Belgian cigarettes inspired TV-show deja vú….” Watch the video now.
Pre-order Work on CD and LP (with MP3 download coupon) in the Merge store, and download album track, “Walls” at www.shoutoutlouds.com.
Fall Hard track listing:
1. Fall Hard (album version)
2. Fall Hard Pt. 2
3. Can´t Explain
Shout Out Louds on tour:
3/1 Brooklyn, NY Music Hall of Williamsburg **Sold Out!
5/2 Washington, DC 9:30 Club
5/3 Philadelphia, PA First Unitarian Church
5/5 New York, NY Webster Hall
5/6 Boston, MA Paradise
5/7 Montreal, QC Cabaret Music Hall
5/8 Toronto, ON Mod Club
5/10 Chicago, IL Lincoln Hall
5/11 Minneapolis, MN Varsity Theater
5/14 Vancouver, BC Commodore Ballroom
5/15 Seattle, WA Neumos
5/16 Portland, OR Doug Fir Lounge
5/18 San Francisco, CA Great American Music Hall
5/20 San Diego, CA House of Blues
5/21 Los Angeles, CA El Rey
| 03.23.2010 | Rostock, Germany | MAU | |
| 03.24.2010 | Hamburg, Germany | Uebel & Gefahrlich | |
| 03.25.2010 | Berlin, Germany | Astra | |
| 03.26.2010 | Dresden, Germany | Reithalle | |
| 03.27.2010 | Munchen, Germany | Backstage Werk | |
| 03.28.2010 | Zurich, Switzerland | Mascotte | |
| 03.29.2010 | Frankfurt, Germany | Mousonturm | |
| 03.30.2010 | Cologne, Germany | Burgerhaus Stollwerck | |
| 03.31.2010 | Stuttgart, Germany | Waagenhallen | |
| 04.01.2010 | Salzburg, Austria | Rockhouse | |
| 04.02.2010 | Vienna, Austria | FM4 @ RadioKuturhaus | |
| 04.03.2010 | Copenhagen, Denmark | Lille Vega | |
| 04.14.2010 | Oslo, Norway | Parkteatret | |
| 04.15.2010 | Gothenberg, Sweden | Brew House | |
| 04.16.2010 | Malmo, Sweden | KB | |
| 04.17.2010 | Stockholm, Sweden | Kagelbana | |
| 05.02.2010 | Washington, DC | 9:30 Club | |
| 05.03.2010 | Philadelphia, PA | First Unitarian Church | |
| 05.05.2010 | New York, NY | Webster Hall | |
| 05.06.2010 | Boston, MA | Paradise Rock Club | |
| 05.07.2010 | Montreal, QC Canada | Cabaret Music Hall | |
| 05.08.2010 | Toronto, ON | The Mod Club Theatre | |
| 05.10.2010 | Chicago, IL | Lincoln Hall | |
| 05.11.2010 | Minneapolis, MN | The Varsity Theater | |
| 05.14.2010 | Vancouver, BC Canada | Commodore Ballroom | |
| 05.15.2010 | Seattle, WA | Neumo's | |
| 05.16.2010 | Portland, OR | Doug Fir | |
| 05.18.2010 | San Francisco, CA | Great American Music Hall | |
| 05.20.2010 | San Diego, CA | House of Blues | |
| 05.21.2010 | Los Angeles, CA | El Rey Theatre |
Howl Howl Gaff Gaff - CD/LP - Capitol 2005
Tonight I Have To Leave It - EP - Merge 2007
Our Ill Wills - CD/LP - Merge 2007
Work - CD/LP - Merge 2010
Tonight I Have To Leave It - EP - Merge 2007
Our Ill Wills - CD/LP - Merge 2007
Work - CD/LP - Merge 2010
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Caribou [+]
| April | ||
| 19 | Manchester | Deaf Institute |
| 20 | London | Corsica Studios |
| 21 | Amsterdam | Paradiso |
| 22 | Brussels | Beursschouwburg |
| 23 | Paris | Le Point Ephemere |
| [see all] | ||
The Clientele [+]
| March | ||
| 11 | Portland, OR | Doug Fir |
| 12 | Seattle, WA | Tractor Tavern |
| 15 | Minneapolis, MN | Cedar Cultural Center |
| 16 | Madison, WI | High Noon Saloon |
| 17 | Chicago, IL | Lincoln Hall |
| [see all] | ||
The Ladybug Transistor [+]
| March | ||
| 19 | New York, NY | Bowery Electric |
Let's Wrestle [+]
| March | ||
| 15 | New York, NY | The Knitting Factory |
| 18 | Austin , TX | Cedar Street |
| 21 | El Paso, TX | Black Market |
| 22 | Scottsdale, AZ | Chyro Arts |
| 23 | Los Angeles, CA | Bootleg Theater |
| [see all] | ||
The Love Language [+]
| March | ||
| 12 | Durham, NC | Broad Street Cafe |
| 13 | Wilmington, NC | Soapbox Laundro Lounge |
| 15 | Atlanta, GA | The Earl |
| 16 | Baton Rouge, LA | Red Star Bar |
| 18 | Austin, TX | Home Slice Pizza |
| [see all] | ||
Oakley Hall [+]
| April | ||
| 02 | Brooklyn, NY | Knitting Factory |
Radar Bros. [+]
| March | ||
| 26 | Los Angeles, CA | Spaceland |
The Rosebuds [+]
| March | ||
| 19 | Asheville, NC | UNCA Alumni Hall in Highsmith |
| 20 | Carrboro, NC | Cat's Cradle |
| May | ||
| 08 | Beaufort, NC | Beaufort Music Festival |
She & Him [+]
| March | ||
| 15 | Los Angeles, CA | Largo at the Coronet |
| 25 | Los Angeles, CA | El Rey Theatre |
| 27 | Savannah, GA | Trustees Theatre (Savannah Music Festival) |
| 29 | New York, NY | Bowery Ballroom |
| 30 | New York, NY | Bowery Ballroom |
| [see all] | ||
Shout Out Louds [+]
| March | ||
| 23 | Rostock | MAU |
| 24 | Hamburg | Uebel & Gefahrlich |
| 25 | Berlin | Astra |
| 26 | Dresden | Reithalle |
| 27 | Munchen | Backstage Werk |
| [see all] | ||
Spoon [+]
| March | ||
| 18 | New Orleans, LA | Republic New Orleans |
| 19 | Birmingham, AL | Workplay Soundstage |
| 20 | Atlanta, GA | Tabernacle |
| 22 | Washington | 9:30 Club |
| 23 | Washington | 9:30 Club |
| [see all] | ||
Superchunk [+]
| March | ||
| 19 | Austin, TX | La Zona Rosa |
| April | ||
| 07 | Toronto, ON | Royal Cinema |
| June | ||
| 19 | Denver, CO | Westword Music Festival |
Telekinesis [+]
| May | ||
| 21 | Eugene, OR | Sam Bond's Garage |
| 24 | Solana Beach, CA | Belly Up Tavern |
| 25 | Los Angeles, CA | Troubadour |
| 27 | San Francisco, CA | Great American Music Hall |
| 29 | Portland, OR | Wonder Ballroom |
| [see all] | ||
Wye Oak [+]
| March | ||
| 12 | Frederick, MD | Cafe Nola |
| 13 | Pittsburgh, PA | Brillobox |
| 14 | Indianapolis, IN | Vollrath Tavern |
| 15 | Memphis, TN | Hi-Tone Cafe |
| 24 | Atlanta, GA | The Earl |
| [see all] | ||
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