Wye Oak wrote what became Civilian between December of 2009 and July of 2010. The songs "are, as a whole, about aloneness (the positive kind), loneliness (the horrible kind), moving on, and letting go (of people, places, and things)," lyricist/guitarist Jenn Wasner reveals.
After recording and mixing the previous two albums themselves, Wye Oak brought in mixing engineer John Congleton (St. Vincent, Shearwater), who played a pivotal role in the sound of Civilian. "JC definitely pushed us into some exciting and sometimes scary new territory," multi-instrumentalist Andy Stack says. "It was the most that Jenn and I had ever relinquished control of our music to someone else, but it gave us a chance to step back and see the big picture, whereas on previous recordings we got embroiled in the technical details."
Civilian is a kind of 21st-century folk music, imbued with dense shoegaze guitars, nearly melodic rhythms, and impeccable splashes of electronic color. Without leaning on conventional structure, the songs beguile with fascinating chords and melodies, Jenn's voice and riveting lyrics, mesmerizing rhythms, and an intoxicating aural landscape. Just as good writing has meaning between the lines, Civilian has meaning between the sounds: the combinations of harmonies, timbres, and words summon vivid and ineffable associations just beyond reach.
Jenn sums up the meaning of the album saying, "this collection of songs is called Civilian because I believe everyone wants to be normal, but no one truly is."
Wye Oak is Jenn Wasner and Andy Stack.
wyeoakmusic.com
www.myspace.com/wyeoak
After recording and mixing the previous two albums themselves, Wye Oak brought in mixing engineer John Congleton (St. Vincent, Shearwater), who played a pivotal role in the sound of Civilian. "JC definitely pushed us into some exciting and sometimes scary new territory," multi-instrumentalist Andy Stack says. "It was the most that Jenn and I had ever relinquished control of our music to someone else, but it gave us a chance to step back and see the big picture, whereas on previous recordings we got embroiled in the technical details."
Civilian is a kind of 21st-century folk music, imbued with dense shoegaze guitars, nearly melodic rhythms, and impeccable splashes of electronic color. Without leaning on conventional structure, the songs beguile with fascinating chords and melodies, Jenn's voice and riveting lyrics, mesmerizing rhythms, and an intoxicating aural landscape. Just as good writing has meaning between the lines, Civilian has meaning between the sounds: the combinations of harmonies, timbres, and words summon vivid and ineffable associations just beyond reach.
Jenn sums up the meaning of the album saying, "this collection of songs is called Civilian because I believe everyone wants to be normal, but no one truly is."
Wye Oak is Jenn Wasner and Andy Stack.
wyeoakmusic.com
www.myspace.com/wyeoak
12/19/11
Once again, Wye Oak visited the round room at AV Club headquarters in Chicago to perform “Christmas Will Be Just Another Lonely Day” by Brenda Lee for the Holiday Undercover series. Wye Oak’s Civilian topped the AV Club’s year-end list and was included on year end lists from NPR, Paste Magazine, Magnet Magazine and more!
Watch Wye Oak’s cover of “Christmas Will Be Just Another Lonely Day” now
Wye Oak have just finished almost a year of touring in support of Civilian, but you can see them on TV on Last Call with Carson Daly when their performance re-airs December 29th. They have just announced a show at the Troubadour in Los Angeles on February 23, and an appearance at the Noise Pop Festival in San Francisco on February 24.
Wye Oak’s Civilian is available on CD, LP and digital download in the Merge store. If you enjoyed their previous visits to the AV Club Undercover, check out our limited-edition “Strangers” b/w “Mother” 7-inch (and digital) also in the Merge store.
Watch Wye Oak’s cover of “Christmas Will Be Just Another Lonely Day” now
Wye Oak have just finished almost a year of touring in support of Civilian, but you can see them on TV on Last Call with Carson Daly when their performance re-airs December 29th. They have just announced a show at the Troubadour in Los Angeles on February 23, and an appearance at the Noise Pop Festival in San Francisco on February 24.
Wye Oak’s Civilian is available on CD, LP and digital download in the Merge store. If you enjoyed their previous visits to the AV Club Undercover, check out our limited-edition “Strangers” b/w “Mother” 7-inch (and digital) also in the Merge store.
10/27/11
Wye Oak visited the tiny round room at the AV Club headquarters in Chicago twice to participate in their “Undercover” series. Each Undercover series starts with AV Club writers choosing 25 songs and inviting 25 bands they like to come to their offices in Chicago to perform.
We were not content to have these two great covers exist only on the AV Club website, and so on November 22, Merge will release “Strangers” b/w “Mother” as a limited-edition 7-inch and digital download!
In the spring of 2010, Wye Oak first visited the round room to cover The Kinks’ “Strangers.” They were joined by Jonathan Meiburg of Shearwater, and the resulting performance was one of the finalists in the AV Club’s poll for “Best of the Series.” Jenn and Andy were invited back in the spring of 2011 and this time, they chose to go a darker route. Complete with a sleeveless black hoodie and a “Wolfs Blood” tattoo, Jenn offered a spooky take on former Misfits frontman Glenn Danzig’s vocal stylings in their cover of “Mother,” complete with Callers’ Don “Donzig” Godwin on tenor horn.
Jenn says, “We had a blast participating in the AV Club’s Undercover series and were pleasantly surprised that so many people enjoyed our take on these two songs. We’re happy to have these versions released for those who were interested in owning them for themselves. Thanks to Merge and the AV Club for making it all happen.”
The AV Club visited Jenn in Baltimore to visit her favorite local haunts and discuss “Holy Holy” from Civilian as part of their new “One Track Mind” series. Watch Jenn’s episode now at the AV Club.
Pre-order the limited-edition 7-inch “Strangers” b/w “Mother” now in the Merge store. Wye Oak’s whole catalog, including their latest album Civilian and the newly released vinyl reissue of The Knot, are also available in the Merge store.
We were not content to have these two great covers exist only on the AV Club website, and so on November 22, Merge will release “Strangers” b/w “Mother” as a limited-edition 7-inch and digital download!
In the spring of 2010, Wye Oak first visited the round room to cover The Kinks’ “Strangers.” They were joined by Jonathan Meiburg of Shearwater, and the resulting performance was one of the finalists in the AV Club’s poll for “Best of the Series.” Jenn and Andy were invited back in the spring of 2011 and this time, they chose to go a darker route. Complete with a sleeveless black hoodie and a “Wolfs Blood” tattoo, Jenn offered a spooky take on former Misfits frontman Glenn Danzig’s vocal stylings in their cover of “Mother,” complete with Callers’ Don “Donzig” Godwin on tenor horn.
Jenn says, “We had a blast participating in the AV Club’s Undercover series and were pleasantly surprised that so many people enjoyed our take on these two songs. We’re happy to have these versions released for those who were interested in owning them for themselves. Thanks to Merge and the AV Club for making it all happen.”
The AV Club visited Jenn in Baltimore to visit her favorite local haunts and discuss “Holy Holy” from Civilian as part of their new “One Track Mind” series. Watch Jenn’s episode now at the AV Club.
Pre-order the limited-edition 7-inch “Strangers” b/w “Mother” now in the Merge store. Wye Oak’s whole catalog, including their latest album Civilian and the newly released vinyl reissue of The Knot, are also available in the Merge store.
10/24/11
Today, Wye Oak’s sophomore album, The Knot, is available for the first time ever on vinyl! All LP copies will include a digital download coupon.
At the end of 2009, SPIN magazine deemed The Knot one of the “10 Best Albums You May Have Missed” (along with Telekinesis’ self-titled debut!) and apparently, people took note. Since then, Jenn and Andy have put out an EP and another full-length and garnered heaps of praise from fans and critics alike for their recordings as well as for their compelling live shows. Wye Oak will join The National at the end of November, with some solo shows sprinkled in as well. Check their tour page for a full list of live dates.
Watch Wye Oak’s newest video below, for the song “Holy Holy” off of their latest album, Civilian:
Click here to view the embedded video.
The Knot track listing:
1. Milk and Honey
2. For Prayer
3. Take It In
4. Siamese
5. Talking About Money
6. Mary Is Mary
7. Tattoo
8. I Want for Nothing
9. That I Do
10. Sight, Flight
At the end of 2009, SPIN magazine deemed The Knot one of the “10 Best Albums You May Have Missed” (along with Telekinesis’ self-titled debut!) and apparently, people took note. Since then, Jenn and Andy have put out an EP and another full-length and garnered heaps of praise from fans and critics alike for their recordings as well as for their compelling live shows. Wye Oak will join The National at the end of November, with some solo shows sprinkled in as well. Check their tour page for a full list of live dates.
Watch Wye Oak’s newest video below, for the song “Holy Holy” off of their latest album, Civilian:
Click here to view the embedded video.
The Knot track listing:
1. Milk and Honey
2. For Prayer
3. Take It In
4. Siamese
5. Talking About Money
6. Mary Is Mary
7. Tattoo
8. I Want for Nothing
9. That I Do
10. Sight, Flight
09/07/11
Wye Oak recently visited Coney Island and filmed a cool video with director Jeremy Johnstone for the song “Holy Holy,” which premieres today on Pitchfork.TV. Head over to Pitchfork now or watch it below.
Click here to view the embedded video.
Tonight, Wye Oak play the first of two shows at Philadelphia’s Academy of Music with Yo La Tengo and The National. Next week, they embark on a tour opening for Okkervil River and then for Explosions in the Sky later in the month. Don’t miss them! Visit the band’s tour page for a full list of their live dates.
Wye Oak‘s latest album, Civilian, is available now on CD, LP, and digital download from the Merge store and your favorite retail outlets.
Click here to view the embedded video.
Tonight, Wye Oak play the first of two shows at Philadelphia’s Academy of Music with Yo La Tengo and The National. Next week, they embark on a tour opening for Okkervil River and then for Explosions in the Sky later in the month. Don’t miss them! Visit the band’s tour page for a full list of their live dates.
Wye Oak‘s latest album, Civilian, is available now on CD, LP, and digital download from the Merge store and your favorite retail outlets.
07/25/11
Merge’s own Wye Oak made their late-night television debut last week on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, playing “Holy Holy” and blowing ?uestlove away with Andy’s drumming skills: “@wyeoak‘s drummer just topped billy ray cyrus’ drummer for most inventive performance on a late night show!”
Watch Wye Oak on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon now.
The band have also just added tour dates with Okkervil River between their already-scheduled dates with Yo La Tengo, The National, and Explosions in the Sky! Catch them on the road this summer!
Order Civilian on CD, LP or digital in the Merge Store.
Wye Oak on tour:
$ w/ Yo La Tengo & The National
% w/ Okkervil River
# w/ Explosions in the Sky
Aug 2 Pittsburgh PA @ Club Cafe
Aug 3 Cleveland OH @ Beachland Tavern
Aug 5 Chicago IL @ Lollapalooza
Aug 5 Chicago IL @ Double Door – Lollapalooza After-party with Portugal The Man
Aug 7 Happy Valley OR @ Pickathon
Aug 9 Seattle WA @ The Crocodile w/ Say Hi
Aug 12 Los Angeles CA @ Greek Theatre w/ The Decemberists
Aug 14 San Francisco CA @ Outside Lands Music & Arts
Sept 6 Columbia MD @ Merriweather Post Pavillion $
Sept 7 Philadelphia PA @ Academy of Music $
Sept 8 Philadelphia PA @ Academy of Music $
Sept 9 Boston MA @ Bank of America Pavilion $
Sept 10 Big Indian NY @ Truck America
Sept 11 Richmond VA @ The National %
Sept 13 Raleigh NC @ The Lincoln %
Sept 14 Athens GA @ 40 Watt Club %
Sept 15 Pensacola FL @ Vinyl Music Hall %
Sept 17 Dallas TX @ Granada Theater %
Sept 19 Lawrence KS @ The Granada %
Sept 20 St. Louis MO @ The Pageant %
Sept 21 Milwaukee WI @ Pabst Theater %
Sept 24 Rochester NY @ The Club at Water Street %
Sept 28 New Orleans LA @ Tipitina’s #
Sept 29 Atlanta GA @ The Tabernacle #
Sept 30 Asheville NC @ Orange Peel #
Oct 6 Montreal Quebec @ Metropolis Theatre #
Oct 7 Toronto Ontario @ The Sound Academy #
Oct 8 Royal Oak MI @ Royal Oak Music Theatre #
Oct 10 Minneapolis MN @ First Avenue #
Oct 11 Des Moines IA @ Val Air Ballroom #
Oct 12 Kansas City MO @ Uptown Theater #
Oct 13 Oklahoma City OK @ Diamond Ballroom #
Watch Wye Oak on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon now.
The band have also just added tour dates with Okkervil River between their already-scheduled dates with Yo La Tengo, The National, and Explosions in the Sky! Catch them on the road this summer!
Order Civilian on CD, LP or digital in the Merge Store.
Wye Oak on tour:
$ w/ Yo La Tengo & The National
% w/ Okkervil River
# w/ Explosions in the Sky
Aug 2 Pittsburgh PA @ Club Cafe
Aug 3 Cleveland OH @ Beachland Tavern
Aug 5 Chicago IL @ Lollapalooza
Aug 5 Chicago IL @ Double Door – Lollapalooza After-party with Portugal The Man
Aug 7 Happy Valley OR @ Pickathon
Aug 9 Seattle WA @ The Crocodile w/ Say Hi
Aug 12 Los Angeles CA @ Greek Theatre w/ The Decemberists
Aug 14 San Francisco CA @ Outside Lands Music & Arts
Sept 6 Columbia MD @ Merriweather Post Pavillion $
Sept 7 Philadelphia PA @ Academy of Music $
Sept 8 Philadelphia PA @ Academy of Music $
Sept 9 Boston MA @ Bank of America Pavilion $
Sept 10 Big Indian NY @ Truck America
Sept 11 Richmond VA @ The National %
Sept 13 Raleigh NC @ The Lincoln %
Sept 14 Athens GA @ 40 Watt Club %
Sept 15 Pensacola FL @ Vinyl Music Hall %
Sept 17 Dallas TX @ Granada Theater %
Sept 19 Lawrence KS @ The Granada %
Sept 20 St. Louis MO @ The Pageant %
Sept 21 Milwaukee WI @ Pabst Theater %
Sept 24 Rochester NY @ The Club at Water Street %
Sept 28 New Orleans LA @ Tipitina’s #
Sept 29 Atlanta GA @ The Tabernacle #
Sept 30 Asheville NC @ Orange Peel #
Oct 6 Montreal Quebec @ Metropolis Theatre #
Oct 7 Toronto Ontario @ The Sound Academy #
Oct 8 Royal Oak MI @ Royal Oak Music Theatre #
Oct 10 Minneapolis MN @ First Avenue #
Oct 11 Des Moines IA @ Val Air Ballroom #
Oct 12 Kansas City MO @ Uptown Theater #
Oct 13 Oklahoma City OK @ Diamond Ballroom #
06/15/11
Wye Oak recently announced new tour dates with Explosions in the Sky, and have now extended the tour to include dates with Yo La Tengo and The National. Also, NPR just announced their list of their 25 favorite albums of the year (so far) and included Wye Oak’s Civilian.
Of Civilian, NPR’s Jacob Ganz wrote:
Also, last month, Wye Oak performed at the Sasquatch Music Festival at The Gorge outside of Seattle, WA. NPR has their entire set streaming now at NPR.org/music.
Civilian is available on CD, LP and digital download now in the Merge store.
Wye Oak on tour:
* – w/ Explosions in the Sky
# – w/ Yo La Tengo & The National
Jun 16 London, UK – Hoxton Bar & Kitchen
Jul 15 Hartford, CT – Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art
Jul 16 Northampton, MA – Iron Horse Music Hall
Jul 18 New York, NY – Late Night with Jimmy Fallon
Aug 03 Cleveland, OH – Beachland Ballroom
Aug 05–06 Chicago, IL – Lollapalooza
Aug 07 Happy Valley, OR – Pickathon
Aug 09 Seattle, WA – The Crocodile
Aug 12 Los Angeles, CA – Greek Theatre (w/ The Decemberists)
Aug 14 San Francisco, CA – Outside Lands Music & Arts Festival
Sep 06 Columbia, MD – Merriweather Post Pavilion #
Sep 07 Philadelphia, PA – Academy of Music #
Sep 08 Philadelphia, PA – Academy of Music #
Sep 09 Boston, MA – Bank of America Pavilion #
Sep 28 New Orleans, LA – Tipitina’s *
Sep 29 Atlanta, GA – The Tabernacle *
Sep 30 Asheville, NC – Orange Peel *
Oct 06 Montreal, QC – Metropolis Theatre *
Oct 07 Toronto, ON – The Sound Academy *
Oct 08 Royal Oak, MI – Royal Oak Music Theatre *
Oct 10 Minneapolis, MN – First Ave *
Oct 11 Des Moines, IA – Val Air Ballroom *
Oct 12 Kansas City, MO – Uptown Theater *
Oct 13 Oklahoma City, OK – Diamond Ballroom *
Of Civilian, NPR’s Jacob Ganz wrote:
“I know my thoughts, but I can hide them,” Jenn Wasner sings in the title track to Wye Oak‘s third and best album. Control, and the loss of it, seems to be an almost obsessive concern for the Baltimore duo, and on Civilian, Wasner and Andy Stack tilt the balances between restraint and indulgence, clarity and obfuscation, independence and need. They go clear-eyed, quiet and scary; they thrash with joy. Wye Oak hits hard, even when it sounds like it’s breaking down.Read NPR’s Favorite 25 (so far), listen to the NPR music crew discuss their choices, and vote for your favorite albums so far in their poll which includes even more Merge releases now at NPR.org/music.
Also, last month, Wye Oak performed at the Sasquatch Music Festival at The Gorge outside of Seattle, WA. NPR has their entire set streaming now at NPR.org/music.
Civilian is available on CD, LP and digital download now in the Merge store.
Wye Oak on tour:
* – w/ Explosions in the Sky
# – w/ Yo La Tengo & The National
Jun 16 London, UK – Hoxton Bar & Kitchen
Jul 15 Hartford, CT – Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art
Jul 16 Northampton, MA – Iron Horse Music Hall
Jul 18 New York, NY – Late Night with Jimmy Fallon
Aug 03 Cleveland, OH – Beachland Ballroom
Aug 05–06 Chicago, IL – Lollapalooza
Aug 07 Happy Valley, OR – Pickathon
Aug 09 Seattle, WA – The Crocodile
Aug 12 Los Angeles, CA – Greek Theatre (w/ The Decemberists)
Aug 14 San Francisco, CA – Outside Lands Music & Arts Festival
Sep 06 Columbia, MD – Merriweather Post Pavilion #
Sep 07 Philadelphia, PA – Academy of Music #
Sep 08 Philadelphia, PA – Academy of Music #
Sep 09 Boston, MA – Bank of America Pavilion #
Sep 28 New Orleans, LA – Tipitina’s *
Sep 29 Atlanta, GA – The Tabernacle *
Sep 30 Asheville, NC – Orange Peel *
Oct 06 Montreal, QC – Metropolis Theatre *
Oct 07 Toronto, ON – The Sound Academy *
Oct 08 Royal Oak, MI – Royal Oak Music Theatre *
Oct 10 Minneapolis, MN – First Ave *
Oct 11 Des Moines, IA – Val Air Ballroom *
Oct 12 Kansas City, MO – Uptown Theater *
Oct 13 Oklahoma City, OK – Diamond Ballroom *
04/19/11
Wye Oak visited the famous round room at the Onion AV Club Undercover headquarters in Chicago to cover “Mother” by Danzig.
Complete with a sleeveless black hoodie and a “Wolfs Blood” tattoo, Jenn offers a spooky take on former Misfits’ frontman Glenn Danzig’s vocal stylings. Jenn & Andy were joined by Callers’ Don “Donzig” Godwin on tenor horn, too.
Watch Wye Oak cover “Mother” by Danzig.
Wye Oak are the only band to be asked back for a second AV Undercover visit, because as the AV Club says “they’re awesome.” Watch their cover of The Kinks’ “Strangers” from last year’s series, too.
Civilian is available on CD, LP and digital download in the Merge store. Wye Oak just wrapped their first US tour in support of Civilian, and can next be seen channeling Dinosaur Jr at the “Our Band Could be Your Life” 10th anniversary show at the Bowery Ballroom in NYC on May 22 and the Sasquatch Festival on May 28 before heading to Europe.
Wye Oak on tour:
May 22 New York, NY Bowery Ballroom Our Band Could be Your Life Anniversary show
May 28 George, WA Sasquatch Festival
June 7 Amsterdam, NE Paradiso
June 8 Ghent, BE Vooruit
June 12 Vienna, AT Chelsea Club
June 13 Frankfurt, DE Sinkkasten
June 14 Berlin, DE Comet
June 16 London, UK Hoxton Bar & Kitchen
July 18 New York, NY Late Night with Jimmy Fallon
Aug 14 San Francisco, CA Outside Lands Music & Arts Festival
photo by Lauren Miller
Complete with a sleeveless black hoodie and a “Wolfs Blood” tattoo, Jenn offers a spooky take on former Misfits’ frontman Glenn Danzig’s vocal stylings. Jenn & Andy were joined by Callers’ Don “Donzig” Godwin on tenor horn, too.
Watch Wye Oak cover “Mother” by Danzig.
Wye Oak are the only band to be asked back for a second AV Undercover visit, because as the AV Club says “they’re awesome.” Watch their cover of The Kinks’ “Strangers” from last year’s series, too.
Civilian is available on CD, LP and digital download in the Merge store. Wye Oak just wrapped their first US tour in support of Civilian, and can next be seen channeling Dinosaur Jr at the “Our Band Could be Your Life” 10th anniversary show at the Bowery Ballroom in NYC on May 22 and the Sasquatch Festival on May 28 before heading to Europe.
Wye Oak on tour:
May 22 New York, NY Bowery Ballroom Our Band Could be Your Life Anniversary show
May 28 George, WA Sasquatch Festival
June 7 Amsterdam, NE Paradiso
June 8 Ghent, BE Vooruit
June 12 Vienna, AT Chelsea Club
June 13 Frankfurt, DE Sinkkasten
June 14 Berlin, DE Comet
June 16 London, UK Hoxton Bar & Kitchen
July 18 New York, NY Late Night with Jimmy Fallon
Aug 14 San Francisco, CA Outside Lands Music & Arts Festival
photo by Lauren Miller
04/08/11
Jenn and Andy collaborated with Baltimore artist Katherine Fahey and photographer Michael O’Leary to make a lovely video for “Fish” from their new album Civilian. Elaborate paper cuttings come to life to illustrate the story, and both Katherine & the band share their thoughts about the video at NPR.
Watch the video for “Fish” now at NPR.org.
You can see more great “behind the scenes” photos at our blog. Wye Oak are currently on tour, and Civilian is available on CD, LP and digital download.
Wye Oak on tour:
Apr 08 Detroit, MI – Magic Stick
Apr 09 Toronto, ON – El Mocambo
Apr 10 Montreal, QC – Casa Del Popolo
Apr 12 Cambridge, MA – Middle East Upstairs
Apr 14 New York, NY – Bowery Ballroom
Apr 15 Philadelphia, PA – Johnny Brenda’s
Apr 16 Baltimore, MD – 2640 Space
May 22 New York, NY – Bowery Ballroom – Our Band Could Be Your Life show
May 28 George, WA – Sasquatch Music Festival
Watch the video for “Fish” now at NPR.org.
You can see more great “behind the scenes” photos at our blog. Wye Oak are currently on tour, and Civilian is available on CD, LP and digital download.
Wye Oak on tour:
Apr 08 Detroit, MI – Magic Stick
Apr 09 Toronto, ON – El Mocambo
Apr 10 Montreal, QC – Casa Del Popolo
Apr 12 Cambridge, MA – Middle East Upstairs
Apr 14 New York, NY – Bowery Ballroom
Apr 15 Philadelphia, PA – Johnny Brenda’s
Apr 16 Baltimore, MD – 2640 Space
May 22 New York, NY – Bowery Ballroom – Our Band Could Be Your Life show
May 28 George, WA – Sasquatch Music Festival
03/11/11
Jenn & Andy kick off their US tour tonight with a sold out show at the Black Cat in DC. Listen to the whole show from the comfort of your own home beginning at 10:30 PM EST at NPR.org/music. Wye Oak’s new album Civilian was released on Tuesday and is available now on CD, LP and digital download at all of your favorite music outlets.
The full list of Wye Oak tour dates is below, don’t miss them! Civilian is available on CD, LP and digital download now in the Merge store.
Wye Oak on tour:
# = w/ Lower Dens
% = w/ Callers
Mar 11 Washington, DC – Black Cat #
Mar 12 Chapel Hill, NC – Local 506 #
Mar 13 Atlanta, GA – The Earl #
Mar 15 Norman, OK – The Opolis #
Mar 18 Austin, TX – The Parish – Merge SXSW Showcase
Mar 21 Tucson, AZ – Solar Culture %
Mar 22 San Diego, CA – Casbah %
Mar 24 Los Angeles, CA – The Echo %
Mar 25 San Francisco, CA – Bottom of the Hill %
Mar 27 Vancouver, BC – Media Club %
Mar 29 Portland, OR – Mississippi Studios %
Mar 31 Nampa, ID – Flying M Coffee %
Apr 01 Salt Lake City, UT – Kilby Court %
Apr 02 Denver, CO – Larimer Lounge %
Apr 03 Omaha, NE – Slowdown Jr %
Apr 04 Iowa City, IA – The Mill %
Apr 05 St. Paul, MN – Turf Club %
Apr 06 Appleton, WI – Lawrence University %
Apr 07 Chicago, IL – Schuba’s %
Apr 08 Detroit, MI – Magic Stick
Apr 09 Toronto, ON – El Mocambo %
Apr 10 Montreal, QC – Casa Del Popolo %
Apr 12 Cambridge, MA – Middle East Upstairs %
Apr 14 New York, NY – Bowery Ballroom %
Apr 15 Philadelphia, PA – Johnny Brenda’s %
May 28 George, WA – Sasquatch Music Festival
The full list of Wye Oak tour dates is below, don’t miss them! Civilian is available on CD, LP and digital download now in the Merge store.
Wye Oak on tour:
# = w/ Lower Dens
% = w/ Callers
Mar 11 Washington, DC – Black Cat #
Mar 12 Chapel Hill, NC – Local 506 #
Mar 13 Atlanta, GA – The Earl #
Mar 15 Norman, OK – The Opolis #
Mar 18 Austin, TX – The Parish – Merge SXSW Showcase
Mar 21 Tucson, AZ – Solar Culture %
Mar 22 San Diego, CA – Casbah %
Mar 24 Los Angeles, CA – The Echo %
Mar 25 San Francisco, CA – Bottom of the Hill %
Mar 27 Vancouver, BC – Media Club %
Mar 29 Portland, OR – Mississippi Studios %
Mar 31 Nampa, ID – Flying M Coffee %
Apr 01 Salt Lake City, UT – Kilby Court %
Apr 02 Denver, CO – Larimer Lounge %
Apr 03 Omaha, NE – Slowdown Jr %
Apr 04 Iowa City, IA – The Mill %
Apr 05 St. Paul, MN – Turf Club %
Apr 06 Appleton, WI – Lawrence University %
Apr 07 Chicago, IL – Schuba’s %
Apr 08 Detroit, MI – Magic Stick
Apr 09 Toronto, ON – El Mocambo %
Apr 10 Montreal, QC – Casa Del Popolo %
Apr 12 Cambridge, MA – Middle East Upstairs %
Apr 14 New York, NY – Bowery Ballroom %
Apr 15 Philadelphia, PA – Johnny Brenda’s %
May 28 George, WA – Sasquatch Music Festival
02/28/11
Wye Oak’s new album Civilian will be in stores on March 8, but you can stream the whole album now exclusively at NPR Music.
NPR’s Stephen Thompson says of the record, “Civilian‘s title track stands out as an alternately ominous and furious rock ringer, but the rest of the record is similarly satisfying while finding practical uses for the spaces between notes. Pay special attention to the masterfully slow-burning, quiet build of ‘We Were Wealth,’ which blooms subtly into something special. In doing so, it’s emblematic of an enormously promising band that’s doing the exact same thing.”
Stream the album now at NPR.org. Civilian is available for pre-order in the Merge store on CD, LP and digital download.
Wye Oak have a hometown CD release in-store at Sound Garden in Baltimore on March 8 at 7:30, and they will kick off their North American tour March 11 at the Black Cat in Washington, D.C. See the full list of dates below, and be sure to follow Wye Oak on twitter, too!
Wye Oak on tour:
# = w/ Lower Dens
% = w/ Callers
Mar 11 Washington, DC – Black Cat #
Mar 12 Chapel Hill, NC – Local 506 #
Mar 13 Atlanta, GA – The Earl #
Mar 15 Norman, OK – The Opolis #
Mar 18 Austin, TX – The Parish – Merge SXSW Showcase
Mar 21 Tucson, AZ – Solar Culture %
Mar 22 San Diego, CA – Casbah %
Mar 24 Los Angeles, CA – The Echo %
Mar 25 San Francisco, CA – Bottom of the Hill %
Mar 27 Vancouver, BC – Media Club %
Mar 29 Portland, OR – Mississippi Studios %
Mar 31 Nampa, ID – Flying M Coffee %
Apr 01 Salt Lake City, UT – Kilby Court %
Apr 02 Denver, CO – Larimer Lounge %
Apr 03 Omaha, NE – Slowdown Jr %
Apr 04 Iowa City, IA – The Mill %
Apr 05 St. Paul, MN – Turf Club %
Apr 06 Appleton, WI – Lawrence University %
Apr 07 Chicago, IL – Schuba’s %
Apr 08 Detroit, MI – Magic Stick
Apr 09 Toronto, ON – El Mocambo %
Apr 10 Montreal, QC – Casa Del Popolo %
Apr 12 Cambridge, MA – Middle East Upstairs %
Apr 14 New York, NY – Bowery Ballroom %
Apr 15 Philadelphia, PA – Johnny Brenda’s %
May 28 George, WA – Sasquatch Music Festival
NPR’s Stephen Thompson says of the record, “Civilian‘s title track stands out as an alternately ominous and furious rock ringer, but the rest of the record is similarly satisfying while finding practical uses for the spaces between notes. Pay special attention to the masterfully slow-burning, quiet build of ‘We Were Wealth,’ which blooms subtly into something special. In doing so, it’s emblematic of an enormously promising band that’s doing the exact same thing.”
Stream the album now at NPR.org. Civilian is available for pre-order in the Merge store on CD, LP and digital download.
Wye Oak have a hometown CD release in-store at Sound Garden in Baltimore on March 8 at 7:30, and they will kick off their North American tour March 11 at the Black Cat in Washington, D.C. See the full list of dates below, and be sure to follow Wye Oak on twitter, too!
Wye Oak on tour:
# = w/ Lower Dens
% = w/ Callers
Mar 11 Washington, DC – Black Cat #
Mar 12 Chapel Hill, NC – Local 506 #
Mar 13 Atlanta, GA – The Earl #
Mar 15 Norman, OK – The Opolis #
Mar 18 Austin, TX – The Parish – Merge SXSW Showcase
Mar 21 Tucson, AZ – Solar Culture %
Mar 22 San Diego, CA – Casbah %
Mar 24 Los Angeles, CA – The Echo %
Mar 25 San Francisco, CA – Bottom of the Hill %
Mar 27 Vancouver, BC – Media Club %
Mar 29 Portland, OR – Mississippi Studios %
Mar 31 Nampa, ID – Flying M Coffee %
Apr 01 Salt Lake City, UT – Kilby Court %
Apr 02 Denver, CO – Larimer Lounge %
Apr 03 Omaha, NE – Slowdown Jr %
Apr 04 Iowa City, IA – The Mill %
Apr 05 St. Paul, MN – Turf Club %
Apr 06 Appleton, WI – Lawrence University %
Apr 07 Chicago, IL – Schuba’s %
Apr 08 Detroit, MI – Magic Stick
Apr 09 Toronto, ON – El Mocambo %
Apr 10 Montreal, QC – Casa Del Popolo %
Apr 12 Cambridge, MA – Middle East Upstairs %
Apr 14 New York, NY – Bowery Ballroom %
Apr 15 Philadelphia, PA – Johnny Brenda’s %
May 28 George, WA – Sasquatch Music Festival
02/25/11
This year, we have a very exciting showcase featuring Merge freshmen and a couple of old friends! Get there early to meet newest Merge signees Times New Viking and stay late to see the only nighttime WILD FLAG show of the festival! In between, Apex Manor, Telekinesis & Wye Oak will be sharing songs from their new albums out this spring, and American Music Club & Versus will make a rare appearance in Austin for the festival.
Visit the Merge store to sample the most recent albums from all seven bands, and to pre-order their upcoming releases!
Merge @ SXSW 2011
Friday, March 18
The Parish (214 E. 6th Street)
Austin, TX
Doors at 7p
WILD FLAG 12:45a
Wye Oak 11:45p
Versus 10:45p
American Music Club 9:45p
Telekinesis 9p
Apex Manor 8:15p
Times New Viking 7:30p
Also, we are joining forces with the Home Slice Pizza “Music by the Slice” party again!
Home Slice Pizza
MXTS Party
1415 South Congress
Austin, TX
Thursday, March 17
Apex Manor 3:30 p
American Music Club 5p
Friday, March 18
Versus 1p
Saturday, March 19
Times New Viking 2:20 p
Wye Oak 3:30 p
Be sure to follow Merge on twitter and check back for more opportunities to see our bands at SXSW!
Visit the Merge store to sample the most recent albums from all seven bands, and to pre-order their upcoming releases!
Merge @ SXSW 2011
Friday, March 18
The Parish (214 E. 6th Street)
Austin, TX
Doors at 7p
WILD FLAG 12:45a
Wye Oak 11:45p
Versus 10:45p
American Music Club 9:45p
Telekinesis 9p
Apex Manor 8:15p
Times New Viking 7:30p
Also, we are joining forces with the Home Slice Pizza “Music by the Slice” party again!
Home Slice Pizza
MXTS Party
1415 South Congress
Austin, TX
Thursday, March 17
Apex Manor 3:30 p
American Music Club 5p
Friday, March 18
Versus 1p
Saturday, March 19
Times New Viking 2:20 p
Wye Oak 3:30 p
Be sure to follow Merge on twitter and check back for more opportunities to see our bands at SXSW!
02/17/11
When it comes to basketball, Merge HQ is a divided house (Duke / Carolina in case you have never heard of The Game of Basketball before), but this March we are all backing five of our favorite bands as they take to the local stage from March 4 through March 13.
Superchunk kicks off the madness on March 4 with their first show at the Cat’s Cradle since before the release of Majesty Shredding. Next, WILD FLAG will play Local 506 on March 11. WILD FLAG is the new “supergroup” featuring Carrie Brownstein, Mary Timony, Janet Weiss and Rebecca Cole. On March 12, Wye Oak will celebrate the release of their third album Civilian at Local 506. Telekinesis and The Love Language will wrap up Merge Madness on March 13 with an already sold out show at Local 506.
To celebrate, local record stores (listed below) will be giving away these collectible 12″ x 18″ screenprinted posters designed by our very own Maggie Fost, with the purchase of any full-length release from Merge.
Tickets are already gone for the Telekinesis / Love Language show and are going fast for the other three, so don’t waste any time getting your tickets to Superchunk, WILD FLAG & Wye Oak!
Visit the Merge store for new albums from Superchunk, Wye Oak, Telekinesis & The Love Language!
Merge Madness shows!
Mar 4 Superchunk @ Cat’s Cradle
Mar 11 WILD FLAG @ Local 506
Mar 12 Wye Oak @ Local 506
Mar 13 Telekinesis & The Love Language @ Local 506 *SOLD OUT*
Get your limited-edition Merge Madness poster at the following stores beginning Tuesday, Feb 22:
Schoolkids in Raleigh
Offbeat Records in Durham
Bull City Records in Durham
CD Alley in Chapel Hill
All Day Records in Carrboro
Superchunk kicks off the madness on March 4 with their first show at the Cat’s Cradle since before the release of Majesty Shredding. Next, WILD FLAG will play Local 506 on March 11. WILD FLAG is the new “supergroup” featuring Carrie Brownstein, Mary Timony, Janet Weiss and Rebecca Cole. On March 12, Wye Oak will celebrate the release of their third album Civilian at Local 506. Telekinesis and The Love Language will wrap up Merge Madness on March 13 with an already sold out show at Local 506.
To celebrate, local record stores (listed below) will be giving away these collectible 12″ x 18″ screenprinted posters designed by our very own Maggie Fost, with the purchase of any full-length release from Merge.
Tickets are already gone for the Telekinesis / Love Language show and are going fast for the other three, so don’t waste any time getting your tickets to Superchunk, WILD FLAG & Wye Oak!
Visit the Merge store for new albums from Superchunk, Wye Oak, Telekinesis & The Love Language!
Merge Madness shows!
Mar 4 Superchunk @ Cat’s Cradle
Mar 11 WILD FLAG @ Local 506
Mar 12 Wye Oak @ Local 506
Mar 13 Telekinesis & The Love Language @ Local 506 *SOLD OUT*
Get your limited-edition Merge Madness poster at the following stores beginning Tuesday, Feb 22:
Schoolkids in Raleigh
Offbeat Records in Durham
Bull City Records in Durham
CD Alley in Chapel Hill
All Day Records in Carrboro
02/07/11
Wye Oak are gearing up for the release of their highly anticipated third album Civilian with tour dates both here and abroad. Jenn & Andy just finished a run of dates opening for The Decemberists; a pairing that had Time Out NY wondering if “‘King’ Meloy was ceding ground to a queen of sorts, Jenn Wasner.”
Civilian has made the “most-anticipated” lists from NPR who called it “blustery and mysterious” and The AV Club who wrote that the title-track made a “whole album’s worth seem very enticing indeed.”
See live video from Wye Oak’s “secret” show during the recent blizzard in NYC, and download the title track “Civilian.”
Civilian is available for pre-order on CD and LP in the Merge store. Also in the Merge store, My Neighbor / My Creator is available again on CD (this time in green!) and digital download.
Wye Oak on tour:
# = w/ Lower Dens
% = w/ Callers
Mar 11 Washington, DC – Black Cat #
Mar 12 Chapel Hill, NC – Local 506 #
Mar 13 Atlanta, GA – The Earl #
Mar 15 Norman, OK – The Opolis #
Mar 21 Tucson, AZ – Solar Culture %
Mar 22 San Diego, CA – Casbah %
Mar 24 Los Angeles, CA – The Echo %
Mar 25 San Francisco, CA – Bottom of the Hill %
Mar 27 Vancouver, BC – Media Club %
Mar 29 Portland, OR – Mississippi Studios %
Mar 31 Nampa, ID – Flying M Coffee %
Apr 01 Salt Lake City, UT – Kilby Court %
Apr 02 Denver, CO – Larimer Lounge %
Apr 03 Omaha, NE – Slowdown Jr %
Apr 04 Iowa City, IA – The Mill %
Apr 05 St. Paul, MN – Turf Club %
Apr 06 Appleton, WI – Lawrence University %
Apr 07 Chicago, IL – Schuba’s %
Apr 08 Detroit, MI – Magic Stick
Apr 09 Toronto, ON – El Mocambo %
Apr 10 Montreal, QC – Casa Del Popolo %
Apr 12 Cambridge, MA – Middle East Upstairs %
Apr 14 New York, NY – Bowery Ballroom %
Apr 15 Philadelphia, PA – Johnny Brenda’s %
May 28 George, WA – Sasquatch Music Festival
Civilian has made the “most-anticipated” lists from NPR who called it “blustery and mysterious” and The AV Club who wrote that the title-track made a “whole album’s worth seem very enticing indeed.”
See live video from Wye Oak’s “secret” show during the recent blizzard in NYC, and download the title track “Civilian.”
Civilian is available for pre-order on CD and LP in the Merge store. Also in the Merge store, My Neighbor / My Creator is available again on CD (this time in green!) and digital download.
Wye Oak on tour:
# = w/ Lower Dens
% = w/ Callers
Mar 11 Washington, DC – Black Cat #
Mar 12 Chapel Hill, NC – Local 506 #
Mar 13 Atlanta, GA – The Earl #
Mar 15 Norman, OK – The Opolis #
Mar 21 Tucson, AZ – Solar Culture %
Mar 22 San Diego, CA – Casbah %
Mar 24 Los Angeles, CA – The Echo %
Mar 25 San Francisco, CA – Bottom of the Hill %
Mar 27 Vancouver, BC – Media Club %
Mar 29 Portland, OR – Mississippi Studios %
Mar 31 Nampa, ID – Flying M Coffee %
Apr 01 Salt Lake City, UT – Kilby Court %
Apr 02 Denver, CO – Larimer Lounge %
Apr 03 Omaha, NE – Slowdown Jr %
Apr 04 Iowa City, IA – The Mill %
Apr 05 St. Paul, MN – Turf Club %
Apr 06 Appleton, WI – Lawrence University %
Apr 07 Chicago, IL – Schuba’s %
Apr 08 Detroit, MI – Magic Stick
Apr 09 Toronto, ON – El Mocambo %
Apr 10 Montreal, QC – Casa Del Popolo %
Apr 12 Cambridge, MA – Middle East Upstairs %
Apr 14 New York, NY – Bowery Ballroom %
Apr 15 Philadelphia, PA – Johnny Brenda’s %
May 28 George, WA – Sasquatch Music Festival
| 02.23.2012 | Los Angeles, CA | Troubadour | |
| 02.24.2012 | San Francisco, CA | The Independent | Noise Pop 20th Anniversary |
If Children :: CD (Merge) 2008
The Knot :: CD/LP (Merge) 2009
My Neighbor/My Creator :: CDEP (Merge) 2010
Civilian :: CD/LP (Merge) 2011
"Strangers" b/w "Mother" :: 7" (Merge) 2011
The Knot :: CD/LP (Merge) 2009
My Neighbor/My Creator :: CDEP (Merge) 2010
Civilian :: CD/LP (Merge) 2011
"Strangers" b/w "Mother" :: 7" (Merge) 2011
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Archers of Loaf [+]
| February | ||
| 25 | San Francisco, CA | Great American Music Hall |
| 26 | Los Angeles, CA | Troubadour |
| April | ||
| 26 | New York, NY | Bowery Ballroom |
| 27 | Cambridge, MA | Middle East - Downstairs |
| 28 | Cambridge, MA | Middle East - Downstairs |
| [see all] | ||
Richard Buckner [+]
| February | ||
| 22 | New Haven, CT | BAR |
| 24 | Lexington, KY | Cosmic Charlie's |
| 25 | Atlanta, GA | Highland Inn Ballroom |
| 27 | Easton, MD | The NightCat |
| March | ||
| 02 | Bayport, NY | The Grey Horse Tavern |
| [see all] | ||
Caribou [+]
| April | ||
| 17 | Mexico City | Foro Sol |
| 18 | Mexico City | Foro Sol |
Crooked Fingers [+]
| February | ||
| 29 | Los Angeles, CA | Hotel Cafe |
Destroyer [+]
Eleanor Friedberger [+]
| February | ||
| 03 | Los Angeles, CA | Troubadour |
| 04 | San Francisco, CA | The Independent |
| 07 | Portland, OR | Mississippi Studios |
| 09 | Seattle, WA | The Crocodile |
Hospitality [+]
| February | ||
| 03 | Brooklyn, NY | Glasslands |
| 25 | San Francisco, CA | Great American Music Hall |
| 26 | Los Angeles, CA | Troubadour |
| 29 | Toronto, ON | Horseshoe Tavern |
| March | ||
| 02 | Boston, MA | Brighton Music Hall |
| [see all] | ||
Imperial Teen [+]
| February | ||
| 24 | San Francisco, CA | Cafe Du Nord |
| 25 | San Francisco, CA | Amoeba Records |
Lambchop [+]
| February | ||
| 23 | Berlin | Babylon |
| 24 | Berlin | Babylon |
| 25 | Dresden | Beatpol |
| 26 | Leipzig | Werk II |
| 27 | Vienna | Konzerthaus |
| [see all] | ||
The Love Language [+]
| March | ||
| 09 | Charlotte, NC | Visulite Theatre |
| 10 | Savannah, GA | Savannah Stopover at Ships of the Sea Museum |
| 11 | Atlanta, GA | Variety Playhouse |
| 12 | Baton Rouge, LA | Red Star Bar |
| 20 | Birmingham, AL | The Bottletree |
| [see all] | ||
The Magnetic Fields [+]
| March | ||
| 06 | Hudson, NY | Helsinki Hudson |
| 07 | Philadelphia, PA | Union Transfer |
| 10 | Minehead | All Tomorrow's Parties curated by Jeff Mangum |
| 18 | Vancouver | The Vogue |
| 19 | Seattle, WA | Neptune Theatre |
| [see all] | ||
Jeff Mangum [+]
| February | ||
| 04 | Minneapolis, MN | Pantages Theatre |
| 06 | Chicago, IL | Athenaeum Theater |
| 07 | Chicago, IL | Athenaeum Theater |
| 08 | Milwaukee, WI | Pabst Theater |
| 10 | Athens, GA | 40 Watt |
| [see all] | ||
the Mountain Goats [+]
| February | ||
| 03 | Greensboro, NC | The Blind Tiger |
| 04 | Saxapahaw, NC | The Haw River Ballroom |
| March | ||
| 09 | Denton, TX | 35 Denton |
| 13 | New York, NY | Carnegie Hall |
| 24 | New York, NY | Merkin Hall |
Portastatic [+]
| February | ||
| 11 | Chapel Hill, NC | The Cave |
| 18 | Durham, NC | Duke Coffeehouse |
| 23 | San Francisco, CA | Swedish American Hall |
Superchunk [+]
| February | ||
| 11 | Chapel Hill, NC | The Cave |
| 18 | Durham, NC | Duke Coffeehouse |
| 23 | San Francisco, CA | Swedish American Hall |
Versus [+]
| March | ||
| 09 | London | The Lexington |
| April | ||
| 10 | Brooklyn, NY | The Bell House |
M. Ward [+]
| March | ||
| 20 | London | Leicester Square Theatre |
| 21 | Paris | Le Zenith |
| 22 | Lyon | Transbordeur |
| 23 | Lille | Theatre Sebastopol |
| 25 | London | Royal Albert Hall |
| [see all] | ||
Wild Flag [+]
| February | ||
| 03 | Ghent | Vooruit |
| 04 | Paris | La Fleche D'Or |
| 05 | Koln | Gebaude 9 |
| 06 | Amsterdam | Melkweg |
| 07 | Hamburg | Uebel and Gefahrlich |
| [see all] | ||
Wye Oak [+]
| February | ||
| 23 | Los Angeles, CA | Troubadour |
| 24 | San Francisco, CA | The Independent |
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