Wednesday, September 30, 2015

The Jesus and Mary Chain Working on New Album

The Jesus and Mary Chain Working on New Album

The Jesus and Mary Chain's last studio album was 1998’s Munki. Now, the band are back in the studio together and are working on the next album, Consequence of Sound reports. Jim Reid told Time Out New York, "We actually just started recording."

He continued, "It’s early days, but I would say it’s a more mature sound for the Mary Chain. But let’s just wait and see." Read the full interview here.

Earlier this year, the band released a new live album.

Watch the video for "Just Like Honey":



from Latest News - Pitchfork http://ift.tt/1KNiwCM

Eddy Current Suppression Ring Announce First Show in Six Years

Eddy Current Suppression Ring Announce First Show in Six Years

After Australian garage rock greats Eddy Current Suppression Ring released Rush to Relax back in 2010, they quietly went on hiatus. Aside from the 2011 compilation So Many Things, the band's members have kept busy with other bands and projects. The band will return next year for a special one-off performance.

The band will headline Golden Plains on March 13 in Meredith, Australia for their first show in six years. It happens 10 years (to the day) after they played the first Golden Plains. The festival's website reports that the band are calling the show a one-off, but they also clarify that the band's members "prefer to avoid bold declarations on their future."

In the five years since they released their last album, Mikey Young (aka Eddy Current) has done a lot of work as an engineer. He's also a member of Total Control. Brendan Huntley (aka Brendan Suppression) is a member of Boomgates.



from Latest News - Pitchfork http://ift.tt/1KMNBq7

Trent Reznor Talks About Moog Synths in Video Soundtracked by the Haxan Cloak

Trent Reznor Talks About Moog Synths in Video Soundtracked by the Haxan Cloak

Moog Music is discontinuing the production of the Minimoog Voyager, which was launched in 2002 as a continuation of the original Minimoog synthesizer. Moog will produce 600 more units before the line comes to an end. They've now enlisted Nine Inch Nails' Trent Reznor for a video in which he discusses his relationship with the synthesizer. The video was scored by the Haxan Cloak. Watch it below.

Recalling how the Moog Prodigy was the first synthesizer he ever owned, Reznor calls purchasing it "the greatest day of my life." He also told the story of meeting Bob Moog, who invented the Moog synthesizer, at an early Nine Inch Nails show.

In making his score, the Haxan Cloak used a Minimoog Voyager and a prototype of the Mother-32, Moog's newest analog synth.



from Latest News - Pitchfork http://ift.tt/1Vnrkr5

Sunn O))) Announce Kannon LP

Sunn O))) Announce Kannon LP

Photo by Peter Beste

Sunn O))) have announced Kannon, a new studio album due December 4 through Southern Lord. It was produced by Randall Dunn, who also did 2006's Altar and 2009's Monoliths and Demolitions, and features contributions from Attila Csihar (Void), Oren Ambarchi, Rex Ritter, and Steve Moore.

The LP's title is drawn from Kannon, the Buddhist goddess of mercy. The album includes liner notes written by critical theorist Aliza Shvarts, which explore the band's relationship to Kannon's namesake. 

Additionally, a limited edition clear vinyl of Kannon will be released on Record Store Day's Black Friday, which takes place November 27. 

Sunn O))) have also curated a stage at Le Guess Who? Festival, which takes place November 19-22 in Utrecht, Netherlands. Chelsea Wolfe, Marissa Nadler, Julia Holter, Magma, and Circuit des Yeux are some of the artists who will play, as will Sunn themselves. 

Kannon:

01 Kannon 1
02 Kannon 2
03 Kannon 3



from Latest News - Pitchfork http://ift.tt/1FF1XtQ

Early Neneh Cherry Track "Dead Come Alive" Surfaces

Early Neneh Cherry Track "Dead Come Alive" Surfaces

In the mid-1980s, Neneh Cherry recorded "Dead Come Alive", a one-off track with On-U Sound founder Adrian Sherwood's group the Circuit. It didn't see the light of day, but Sherwood has unearthed the track for Science Fiction Dancehall Classics, a new On-U Sound compilation curated by Trevor Jackson. Listen to the track above. Below, watch a video mix for the compilation created by Jackson.

In a statement to Pitchfork, Sherwood talked about the song:

This is one of the first tunes I did with a drum machine, working with Steve Beresford. I think it was a LinnDrum, which they'd just got in at Berry Street studios in 83, they were really expensive at the time. 

I met Neneh in 1979 because the band I was working with, Creation Rebel, got invited on this 'Simply What's Happening' tour, which was pretty groundbreaking in the way it mixed up different styles of music. It was Don Cherry, Happy House (Lou Reed's backing band at the time), The Slits, and Prince Hammer. After that me and Neneh ended up squatting a place together in Battersea in 1980, and we're still friends to this day.

The liner notes give some background on "Dead Come Alive":

In some ways predicting the electro-fied sound of Neneh’s worldwide pop success with the Raw Like Sushi album, “Dead Come Alive” stems from a mid-80s period when Adrian took a production hiatus from his beloved reggae, deeply upset by the murder of his friend Prince Far I (he would later rekindle the dub flame when the opportunity arose in 1986 to work with hero Lee “Scratch” Perry). Instead he explored the possibilities of new studio technology. Early samplers and drum machines were put through their paces on work for the Tommy Boy label and remixes for the likes of Depeche Mode. Discovered in a dusty corner of the On-U tape archive, this unreleased recording is presented for the first time on this album.

Trevor Jackson Presents: Science Fiction Dancehall Classics compiles classics, rarities, and unreleased tracks from On-U Sound. It comes out October 2. 

Read our Update with Neneh Cherry.

Watch Neneh Cherry perform "Spit Three Times" at Pitchfork Music Festival:



from Latest News - Pitchfork http://ift.tt/1KLLrap

Flying Lotus Shares Trailer for Short Film FUCKKKYOUUU, Featuring His Score

Flying Lotus Shares Trailer for Short Film FUCKKKYOUUU, Featuring His Score

Flying Lotus has shared the trailer for FUCKKKYOUUU, a short film that features a score he wrote. Directed by Eddie Alcazar, FUCKKKYOUUU premiered earlier this year at Sundance's NEXT Fest. Watch the trailer below via Hypetrak.

The film's description reads, "With the ability to travel in time, a lonely girl finds love and comfort by connecting with her past self. Eventually faced with rejection she struggles with her identity and gender, and as time folds onto itself only one of them can remain."

FUCKKKYOUUU isn't Flying Lotus' first experience in film. In January, he said he was writing a movie; he also said WOKE, his new project with Shabazz Palaces and Thundercat, was inspired by a script he wrote a few years ago. In 2014, he scored a short film starring Noomi Rapace as well as Imperial Dreams, a short starring John Boyega (Star Wars: The Force Awakens) that debuted at Sundance.

Watch Flying Lotus and Thundercat on Pitchfork.tv's "Over/Under":



from Latest News - Pitchfork http://ift.tt/1Rgg6ii

Father John Misty Shares Behind-the-Scenes Clip for Making-Out-With-Himself Video

Father John Misty Shares Behind-the-Scenes Clip for Making-Out-With-Himself Video

Recently, Father John Misty released the surreal video for "The Night Josh Tillman Came to Our Apartment", in which Tillman encounters a depressed version of himself at a bar and, after a romantic evening, hooks up with himself.

Today, Tillman has shared a behind-the-scenes clip chronicling the making of the video. We meet Tillman's body double and hear what was actually said during the filming. (Including this awesome pick-up line: "Hey, sulky-buns, you look handsome over here by yourself.") 

Offering an explanation as his hand is bandaged, Tillman says, "I was jerking off onto my cat, and it got me pretty good."

Read our feature on Father John Misty, "How to Make Love".



from Latest News - Pitchfork http://ift.tt/1O8fv3J

John Carpenter Announces First Live Performance

John Carpenter Announces First Live Performance

John Carpenter will perform his music live for the first time ever at All Tomorrow's Parties festival in Iceland, which takes place July 1-3, 2016 in Keflavík. The performance will comprise selections from this year's Lost Themes LP, his scores from movies like Halloween, Christine, and They Live, and new music. Carpenter will be joined by by his son Cody Carpenter, his godson Daniel Davies, and a full live band for the show. Below, watch a trailer announcing the performance. 

Earlier this year, when Pitchfork's Evan Minsker asked Carpenter about touring, he laughed and said, "We will absolutely do a tour—all you gotta do is pay us a million dollars and we'll play for you."

Revisit that interview here.

On October 16, Lost Themes Remixed will arrive on vinyl via Sacred Bones. It collects reworks from Zola Jesus, Blanck Mass (Fuck Buttons' Benjamin John Power), Foetus' JG Thirlwell, ohGr, Prurient, and more. Listen to Uniform (the Men's Ben Greenberg and ex-Drunkdriver Michael Berdan)'s remix of "Vortex" below:



from Latest News - Pitchfork http://ift.tt/1QLdiJ6

Lana Del Rey Shares Ethereal "Music To Watch Boys To" Video

Lana Del Rey Shares Ethereal "Music To Watch Boys To" Video

Lana Del Rey has shared a new video for "Music To Watch Boys To", off her new album Honeymoon. In the clip, Del Rey lounges in paradise – two gramophones by her side – and joins a host of ethereal women swimming underwater. True to the song's title, there are also shots of some boys playing basketball. Watch it below.

Previously, Del Rey has shared a video for "High By The Beach".

Read our Pitch post "Mac DeMarco, Lana Del Rey, and the Fading Ideal of a Forever Love."



from Latest News - Pitchfork http://ift.tt/1KRPvno

The Velvet Underground: The Complete Matrix Tapes Box Set to Be Released

The Velvet Underground: The Complete Matrix Tapes Box Set to Be Released

In November and December 1969, between the release of their self-titled LP and the following year's Loaded, the Velvet Underground held a residency at two venues in San Francisco: the Family Dog and the Matrix (a pizza parlor-turned-concert hall opened by Jefferson Airplane's Marty Balin). All in all, the Velvets performed for 18 nights, and a significant portion of the gigs were captured on a four-track recorder.

Now, recordings from those shows will be released as a four-disc box set, The Velvet Underground: The Complete Matrix Tapes. Arriving November 20 via Polydor/Universal Music Enterprises, the collection compiles 42 recordings, including nine previously unreleased tracks.

According to a press release, The Velvet Underground: The Complete Matrix Tapes focuses on two gigs in November 1969: November 26 (the same day that former President Nixon authorized the Vietnam draft lottery) and November 27 (Thanksgiving).

Many of the collection's tracks have been released before, on the 1974 release 1969 The Velvet Underground Live, on 2001's Bootleg Series, Vol. 1: The Quine Tapes, and last year's Super Deluxe Edition of the self-titled album's reissue. However, this marks the first time all of the tapes will be available commercially as a single release.

The collection's highlights include previously unreleased versions of "Some Kinda Love", "Sweet Jane", and "After Hours", among others. Find the entire tracklisting below.

Rolling Stone editor David Fricke wrote the liner notes for the new collection. 

The Complete Matrix Tapes isn't the only Velvet Underground release coming soon; the 45th anniversary edition of Loaded is due out October 30.

Read our "Invisible Hits" column on the elusive "Sweet Sister Ray".

The Velvet Underground: The Complete Matrix Tapes:

Disc One

01 I’m Waiting For The Man (Version 1)
02 What Goes On (Version 1)
03 Some Kinda Love (Version 1)
04 Heroin (Version 1)
05 The Black Angel’s Death Song
06 Venus In Furs (Version 1)
07 There She Goes Again (Version 1)
08 We’re Gonna Have A Real Good Time Together (Version 1)
09 Over You (Version 1)
10 Sweet Jane (Version 1)
11 Pale Blue Eyes (Version 1)
12 After Hours (Version 1)

Disc Two

01 I’m Waiting For The Man (Version 2)
02 Venus In Furs (Version 2)
03 I Can’t Stand It (Version 1)
04 There She Goes Again (Version 2)
05 Some Kinda Love (Version 2)
06 Over You (Version 2)
07 After Hours (Version 2)
08 We’re Gonna Have A Real Good Time Together (Version 2)
09 Sweet Bonnie Brown/Too Much
10 Heroin (Version 2)
11 White Light/White Heat (Version 1)
12 I’m Set Free

Disc Three

01 We’re Gonna Have A Real Good Time Together (Version 3)
02 Some Kinda Love (Version 3)
03 There She Goes Again (Version 3)
04 Heroin (Version 3)
05 Ocean
06 Sister Ray

Disc Four

01 I’m Waiting For The Man (Version 3)
02 What Goes On (Version 2)
03 Some Kinda Love (Version 4)
04 We’re Gonna Have A Real Good Time Together (Version 4)
05 Beginning To See The Light
06 Lisa Says
07 New Age
08 Rock and Roll
09 I Can’t Stand It (Version 2)
10 Heroin (Version 4)
11 White Light/White Heat (Version 2)
12 Sweet Jane (Version 2)

Here's one version of "Heroin" from the band's stint at the Matrix:



from Latest News - Pitchfork http://ift.tt/1O27ZWE

Tyler, the Creator Launches Animated Series "The Jellies", About a Family of Jellyfish

Tyler, the Creator Launches Animated Series "The Jellies", About a Family of Jellyfish

Tyler, the Creator has a new venture: an animated series called "The Jellies". Co-written and voiced by Tyler and "Loiter Squad" co-star Lionel Boyce, and animated by Augenblick Studios, the show is about a family of jellyfish. Below, watch a trailer capturing the moment their human son discovers he's adopted.

"The Jellies" is available exclusively through Tyler's Golf Media app.

Watch Odd Future do "Radicals" at Pitchfork Music Festival:



from Latest News - Pitchfork http://ift.tt/1O85hjU

Antony Blasts "Shameful and Pathetic" Pope Francis for Meeting With "Misguided Cretin" Kim Davis

Antony Blasts "Shameful and Pathetic" Pope Francis for Meeting With "Misguided Cretin" Kim Davis

Antony Hegarty has written a Facebook post criticizing Pope Francis for secretly meeting with Kim Davis, the Kentucky county clerk who was briefly jailed for her refusal to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples. "Apparently Pope Francis was working behind the scenes to undermine gay rights in America," Antony wrote. "How shameful and pathetic of him."

Find the full text below:

Apparently Pope Francis was working behind the scenes to undermine gay rights in America. How shameful and pathetic of him. I have been so impressed with his approach to climate and his call to end the death penalty. But for him to make insidious comments about how the "traditional family" is under threat (presumably from gay marriage) and then to secretly meet that poor misguided cretin Kim Davis... I am glad that he is mobilizing his flock to care about nature, but i would still prefer that they would all just go to their heaven now and leave the rest of humanity and nature in peace here on earth. Pope Francis seems still to be causing harm and burning witches in the name of Christ, just like his forefathers. Christ himself might weep with shame. Francis attempts to distract us from Catholic sexual predators with a smokescreen of fake moralizing about gay people and their rights to live as equals in society. Pope Francis should line up one hundred gay, lesbian and transgendered people from around the world and wash and kiss their feet. He should issue a formal apology on behalf of the church for centuries of persecuting, torturing and killing us in the name of their god. Or are we not worthy of his humility, unlike criminals, the American indigenous, and the poor? Jesus Wept. - Anohni

The meeting took place during the Pope's visit to Washington D.C. last week, as The New York Times reports. In refusing to issue the licenses, Davis frequently cited her Christian faith. 

The Facebook post was signed "Anohni", the name under which Antony's forthcoming record, Hopelessness, will be released.



from Latest News - Pitchfork http://ift.tt/1Wy7DtM

Oneohtrix Point Never, Sunn O)))'s Stephen O'Malley to Play Tinnitus Shows Presented by Pitchfork's Show No Mercy and Blackened Music

Oneohtrix Point Never, Sunn O)))'s Stephen O'Malley to Play Tinnitus Shows Presented by Pitchfork's Show No Mercy and Blackened Music

Pitchfork's Show No Mercy and Blackened Music are happy to announce the ninth and tenth installments of the Tinnitus series that focuses on composers of extreme sound.

The next installment takes place on October 25 at National Sawdust in Brooklyn (80 N 60th St.). Sunn O)))'s Stephen O'Malley, Reg Bloor, and Andrew Hock will perform. Tickets are $15; it takes place at 9 p.m.

On November 20, the series will host Oneohtrix Point Never at Villain in Brooklyn (50 N 3rd St). Daniel Lopatin's new album Garden of Delete is coming later this year. Tickets to the show are $20; it starts at 9 p.m.

Read "Right Brain", Mike Powell's feature on Oneohtrix Point Never.

Watch Lopatin and Nate Boyce's MoMA PS1 collaboration:



from Latest News - Pitchfork http://ift.tt/1FEj67d

Jay Z, Beyoncé, Prince, Nicki Minaj, Lil Wayne, Usher, T.I., More to Play Tidal Concert in Brooklyn

Jay Z, Beyoncé, Prince, Nicki Minaj, Lil Wayne, Usher, T.I., More to Play Tidal Concert in Brooklyn

Tidal has announced Tidal X: 10/20, a concert that will be staged at Brooklyn's Barclays Center on October 20. It'll feature performances from Beyoncé, Jay Z, Prince, Nicki Minaj, Lil Wayne, Usher, T.I., Alessia Cara, Damian Marley, Fabolous, Flatbush Zombies, and more. The concert, which is being billed as "a tribute to fans and a call to action," will be streamed through Tidal.

Proceeds from tickets presale will be matched by Tidal, and all proceeds from the concert will be donated to the New World Foundation



from Latest News - Pitchfork http://ift.tt/1PNsaqm

My Morning Jacket Share Psychedelic "Compound Fracture" Video

My Morning Jacket Share Psychedelic "Compound Fracture" Video

My Morning Jacket have shared a video for their track "Compound Fracture", from this year's The Waterfall. Directed by Danny Clinch, it features footage from their tour-closing concert at Colorado's Red Rocks Amphitheatre last month, rendered in kaleidoscopic effects. Watch it below.

"The spirit and electricity we felt playing at Red Rocks was one of the most magical experiences we’ve ever had," the band said in a statement. "Having our friend Danny [Clinch] and TourGigs there to capture that moment was something we treasure - now we’re so excited to be able to share that special night with everyone through this video." Clinch described the video as "a modern take on psychedelia, which suits My Morning Jacket perfectly."

Revisit our interview with My Morning Jacket's Jim James.



from Latest News - Pitchfork http://ift.tt/1M1pm5B

The Weeknd Performs "Can't Feel My Face" and "The Hills" in BBC Radio 1 Session

The Weeknd Performs "Can't Feel My Face" and "The Hills" in BBC Radio 1 Session

Photo via BBC Radio 1's Twitter

The Weeknd was today's guest on the BBC Radio 1 "Live Lounge". He played Beauty Behind the Madness tracks "Can't Feel My Face" and "The Hills", performing the latter with a minimal guitar accompaniment. Listen below.



from Latest News - Pitchfork http://ift.tt/1FDVjEi

Tuesday, September 29, 2015

Disclosure Stream Live "American Express Unstaged" Concert With James Corden

Disclosure Stream Live "American Express Unstaged" Concert With James Corden

Photo by Pooneh Ghana

Tonight, Disclosure are performing live at Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena as part of American Express' "Unstaged" concert series. James Corden ("The Late Late Show") executive produced the concert. Watch a livestream of the performance below.

In the past the "American Express Unstaged" series has brought together Vampire Weekend and Steve Buscemi, Arcade Fire and Terry Gilliam, Jack White and Gary Oldman, the Killers and Werner Herzog, and more for shows.

Disclosure recently released their sophomore album Caracal.

Read our feature on Disclosure, "Brothers Gonna Work It Out".

Watch their full set from Pitchfork Music Festival Paris 2013:



from Latest News - Pitchfork http://ift.tt/1iK5zQA

Ty Segall Forms New Band GØGGS With Ex-Cult's Chris Shaw and Charles Moothart of Fuzz

Ty Segall Forms New Band GØGGS With Ex-Cult's Chris Shaw and Charles Moothart of Fuzz

Photo via GØGGS' Tumblr

GØGGS is Ty Segall's newest project with Ex-Cult's Chris Shaw and Fuzz bandmate Charles Moothart. The band have shared their first single, "She Got Harder". The song will be released in November through In the Red Records. Listen to it above and read Shaw's introductory message below via GØGGS' Tumblr.

CHAPTER ONE: GØGGS IS BORN.Ty and I decided we were going to start a band together when Ex-Cult opened for his band on the Slaughterhouse tour in 2013. A couple years later when the plans were solidified, it only made sense that thrash master Charles Moothart should get in on the experience. The three of us have been friends for years at this point, crashing at each others houses and riffling through each others record collections after a night of performing, partying, or both. This is not a side-project, it is a necessity. GØGGS is three heads, one spine, circling the drain of the wasteland known as mother earth.
The A side to the debut single “She Got Harder” (out this November on In The Red Records) is one of the first songs we came up for this project, with an Iggy Pop cover (Featuring Zumi Rosow) thrown on the B-Side for maximum damage.The album dropping next year (featuring guests Cory Hanson of Wand, Denee Petracek of Vial, and Mikal Cronin) will lead us into the second chapter of the GØGGS saga. Smoke the Wurm. A new player enters the game.  –Chris Shaw

Segall recently announced another new band, Broken Bats. He will also release a new record with Fuzz, II, in October. His T. Rex cover records Ty-Rex will be reissued in November. Ex-Cult released their EP Cigarette Machine earlier this year.

Read our interview with Ty Segall.

Watch him perform "Wave Goodbye" at Pitchfork Music Festival 2012:



from Latest News - Pitchfork http://ift.tt/1FCBu0f

WFUV Announces Compilation Featuring Father John Misty, Courtney Barnett, Tweedy, Future Islands, and More

WFUV Announces Compilation Featuring Father John Misty, Courtney Barnett, Tweedy, Future Islands, and More

The noncommercial, listener-supported New York radio station WFUV has announced its latest compilation of live-recorded songs, FUV Live 18. The album contains tracks by Courtney Barnett, Father John Misty, Tweedy, Future Islands, Twin Shadow, and more. Find the full tracklisting below.

FUV Live 18 is available in exchange for a donation to WFUV during the station's fall membership drive, which begins October 5. WFUV DJs will play the album in alphabetical order by artist during the drive.

FUV Live 18:

01 Brandi Carlile: "The Eye"
02 Calexico: "Falling From the Sky"
03 Colin Meloy: "Make You Better"
04 Courtney Barnett: "Pedestrian at Best"
05 Dawes: "All Your Favorite Bands"
06 Elle King: "Ex's and Oh's"
07 Father John Misty: "Strange Encounter"
08 Future Islands: "Back in the Tall Grass"
09 Greg Holden: "Boys in the Street"
10 JD McPherson: "Head Over Heels"
11 Laura Marling: "False Hope"
12 Leon Bridges: "Coming Home"
13 The Lone Bellow: "Watch Over Us"
14 Madisen Ward & The Mama Bear: "Silent Movies"
15 Mumford & Sons: "Broad-Shouldered Beasts"
16 Rhiannon Giddens: "Black Is the Color"
17 The Staves: "Black and White"
18 Tweedy: "Flowering"
19 Twin Shadow: "I'm Ready"
20 Violent Femmes: "Kiss Off"
21 Wolf Alice: "Moaning Lisa Smile"

Watch Father John Misty perform "Strange Encounter" live in Studio A at WFUV:



from Latest News - Pitchfork http://ift.tt/1WwIH5T

R.E.M.'s Peter Buck Announces New Album Warzone Earth Featuring Jeff Tweedy and Krist Novoselic

R.E.M.'s Peter Buck Announces New Album Warzone Earth Featuring Jeff Tweedy and Krist Novoselic

Former R.E.M. guitarist Peter Buck has announced his latest solo record, Warzone Earth. It's out October 16 via Little Axe Records. Jeff Tweedy, Krist Novoselic, and Buck's super-Earth bandmates Scott McCaughey, Bill Rieflin, and Kurt Bloch will appear on the record, according to Stereogum. Mingering Mike designed the cover art. See the first alternate cover above and the second alternate cover art below, along with Buck's statement to R.E.M.'s official website.

I've just had an exciting couple of weeks working with Tucker Martine on the new record by The Jayhawks which is a stunning tour de force. I think it will blow a lot of minds. I spent yesterday with my good friend Mike, who came to town to add some Millsian glamour to the proceedings. And I am pleased to announce this morning my new magnum opus Warzone Earth is now available. The record features two alternate covers by the folk art legend Mingering Mike. I never thought I'd look so good in tights!
All kidding aside, it's the best solo record I have made, and I'm excited for it to be out in the world. It's available through littleaxerecords.com who distributes the record. It should also be available in all the cool independent record stores in your neighborhood, once again, vinyl only, but feel free to make a cassette for your friends.
~Peter


Read our review of Buck's last solo LP, I Am Back to Blow Your Mind Once Again.

Watch a clip from REMTV, a documentary about R.E.M.'s relationship with MTV:



from Latest News - Pitchfork http://ift.tt/1YNraZk

The Laramie Project

High school theater director Tom Schulz is putting together an October 2015 production of The Laramie Project.

from Singapore American School http://ift.tt/1OF4WVW

Robyn and Joseph Mount (Metronomy), Jarvis Cocker, and Sébastien Tellier Share New Songs Under Pseudonyms

Robyn and Joseph Mount (Metronomy), Jarvis Cocker, and Sébastien Tellier Share New Songs Under Pseudonyms

In January, Oneohtrix Point Never announced that he scored the film PartisanRobyn and Joseph Mount (of Metronomy), Jarvis Cocker and Jason Buckle (of All Seeing I), and Sébastien Tellier contribute songs to the film, as well, but they've all done so under pseudonyms, according to BrooklynVegan.

Robyn and Mount team up as Tony Primo and Nixxie for "The Hardest Thing to Do"; Cocker and Buckle are Spann N the Werx, who contribute "Friday Night"; and Tellier performs "I Eat It at Home" as Albert Mondo. The video for each song features karaoke-style singalong lyrics. Watch all three below.

Partisan is available on DVD and digitally on October 14.

Read our interview with Robyn.

Tony Primo and Nixxie: "The Hardest Thing to Do":

Spann N the Werx: "Friday Night":

Albert Mondo: "I Eat It at Home":

Watch an interview with Robyn for Pitchfork.tv:



from Latest News - Pitchfork http://ift.tt/1MZdvL9

Chance The Rapper Teams With Kyle For "Remember Me?"

Chance The Rapper Teams With Kyle For "Remember Me?"

California-based rapper Kyle rapped on "Wanna Be Cool", off Surf, Chance the Rapper's album with his band The Social Experiment. On Friday, he'll release his new album Smyle via Indie-Pop, featuring "Remember Me?", which includes a hook from Chance. Listen to it above via Stereogum.

Revisit "Wanna Be Cool":



from Latest News - Pitchfork http://ift.tt/1JArXBu

Deerhunter Create Interactive Fading Frontier Influences Map

Deerhunter Create Interactive Fading Frontier Influences Map

Deerhunter's new album Fading Frontier is out October 16 via 4AD. Bradford Cox has drawn an interactive map of influences that went into the record. You can check it out below.

The map includes influences such as R.E.M., Tom Petty, Caetano Veloso, Al Green, J.G. Ballard, Pablo Neruda, old linen, iced Earl Grey tea, "souless new car smell", the car accident Cox was in last winter, and more. Clicking on most of the phrases will take you to an associated video, Wikipedia page, PDF, and so forth. One entry takes you to a page for Cox's dog, Faulkner (who seems to be really into squirrels.)

In an interview with Vulture, Cox discussed some of the influences. On "the decline of the music industry," he said:

The music industry is a giant shrieking ghost. It means nothing. It never meant much. It’s just an appalling apparition. It has no vitality. How can you expect much from someone who thinks only of profit? They’re simple creatures. I might sound so arrogant. I’m not a socialist in any dogmatic way. I don’t believe that I have the answer. I think John Cassavetes had the best answer for the creation and distribution of art: Pay for it yourself, do it yourself.

Preordering Fading Frontier through the 4AD store will get you a screenprinted copy of the map.

Read "Beyond Nostalgia", our Deerhunter feature.

Revisit the video for "Breaker":



from Latest News - Pitchfork http://ift.tt/1h7VgEN

Nicki Minaj Getting TV Show Based on Her Life

Nicki Minaj Getting TV Show Based on Her Life

Photo via Nicki Minaj's Facebook

Nicki Minaj has always been into acting – she studied theatre at Manhattan's LaGuardia High School and has lent her talents to films like The Other Woman and Ice Age: Continental Drift, not to mention "Saturday Night Live". Now, she's breaking into television, with ABC Family planning a comedy series based on her life growing up in Queens, New York, as Deadline reports. In addition to acting in the as-of-yet-untitled program, Minaj will serve as one of its executive producers. The pilot will be shot this winter in Queens.

Kate Angelo (Sex Tape, The Back-Up Plan) will write the script, which focuses on Minaj's upbringing in an immigrant family (she was born in Trinidad & Tobago and moved Stateside as a child).

“Nicki Minaj is a force to be reckoned with at everything she touches,” ABC Family’s Executive Vice President for Programming and Development Karey Burke told Deadline. “Nicki is an international superstar, yet not everyone knows how inspiring and hilarious her true story is, and we can’t wait to share it with the world.”

In a statement, Minaj stated, “This is one of the more unique adventures I’ve ever embarked on. I couldn’t be more proud and excited to team up with an amazing group of people to give the world something really special.”

Relive the final round of our Nicki Minaj Singles Tournament.

Watch the video for "Anaconda":



from Latest News - Pitchfork http://ift.tt/1KIRUTr

SOPHIE Releasing Singles Collection With "Silicon Product" (That Sure Looks Like a Sex Toy)

SOPHIE Releasing Singles Collection With "Silicon Product" (That Sure Looks Like a Sex Toy)

Producer SOPHIE's new release, PRODUCT, is out November 27 via Numbers. It collects eight singles, including "Lemonade""Bipp""Hard", and "Elle". It's being released on CD (available in pink or black "silicon bubble cases" or jewel cases), vinyl, as WAV files, or as a regular digital download. It can also be purchased as a "silicon product," seen above, which comes with a digital download. (As for the "silicon product"'s intended usage... figure it out.) Find the tracklist below, along with the artwork.

PRODUCT was also being sold as a puffy jacket, sunglasses, and platform shoes, but those are all sold out.

Read our Rising interview with SOPHIE.

SOPHIE:

01 Bipp
02 Elle
03 Lemonade
04 Hard
05 MSMSMSM
06 Vyzee
07 L.O.V.E. 
08 Just Like We Never Said Goodbye



from Latest News - Pitchfork http://ift.tt/1KP62Yj

Ariel Pink Discusses His Favorite Songs on Pitchfork.tv's "Playlist"

Ariel Pink Discusses His Favorite Songs on Pitchfork.tv's "Playlist"

Pitchfork.tv's "Playlist" is a series in which artists pick a list of favorite tracks and discuss what each one means to them. In this episode, Ariel Pink chats about "Throw It Away" by the Germs, "Slice O' Life" by 45 Grave, "The Itchy Glowbo Blow" by Cocteau Twins, and more.

Below, watch the full episode, featuring Pink's commentary, as well as clips of each song. Click on the links contained within the video to hear the full songs.

Previous episodes of "Playlist" featured Panda Bear, How to Dress Well, Courtney Barnett, and Caribou.



from Latest News - Pitchfork http://ift.tt/1LMJTik

The Go! Team Announce First U.S. Tour in Five Years

The Go! Team Announce First U.S. Tour in Five Years

The Go! Team have announced their first U.S. tour in five years. Joining Go! Team main man Ian Parton on the trek will be original members Ninja and Sam Dook, along with Cheryl Pinero, Maki, and Simone Odaranile. Find the dates below.

The Go! Team released The Scene Between earlier this year.

The Go! Team:

10-08 Ebisu, Japan - Ebisu Liquid Room
10-10 Shizuoka, Japan - Asagiri Jam Festival
10-30 Bilbao, Spain - Bime Festival
11-07 Cardiff, Wales - Sŵn Festival
01-16 Chicago, IL - Venue TBA 
01-18 San Francisco, CA - Great American Music Hall 
01-19 Los Angeles, CA - Roxy 
01-21 New York, NY - Brooklyn Bowl 
01-22 Boston, MA - Sinclair 
01-23 Philadelphia, PA - Underground Arts
01-24 Washington, DC - Black Cat

Watch the Go! Team's video for "The Scene Between":



from Latest News - Pitchfork http://ift.tt/1juDPjJ

Lorde Has an Illicit Affair in Disclosure's Violent "Magnets" Video

Lorde Has an Illicit Affair in Disclosure's Violent "Magnets" Video

Disclosure have dropped a video for "Magnets", their collaboration with Lorde that appears on the recently released Caracal. In the clip, Lorde has an illicit affair with an older man. Eventually, everything ends in violence. Watch it below. 

Read our interview with Disclosure, "Brothers Gonna Work It Out".

Watch Disclosure's full performance at Pitchfork Music Festival Paris:



from Latest News - Pitchfork http://ift.tt/1h7tXu9

Steve Albini E-Mail About How Much He Hates Dance Music Turned Into Billboard Advertisement

Steve Albini E-Mail About How Much He Hates Dance Music Turned Into Billboard Advertisement

Diagonal label boss Oscar Powell also releases music as Powell via XL. His latest single, "Insomniac", (coming soon on XL), features a vocal sample from Steve Albini that dates to his time fronting Big Black. Ahead of its release, Powell emailed Albini to get sample clearance and explain how much Big Black's music meant to him. However, as the Quietus reports, Albini gave more than his approval—he also included a long rant on how much he hates dance music.

Powell asked if he could use the e-mail to promote the single, and when Albini responded, "still don't care," the text was turned into a billboard by XL. It can be found on London's Commercial Street. Check it out above, and read the e-mail below.

Although he says he hasn't heard "Insomniac", Albini wrote:

I am absolutely the wrong audience for this kind of music. I've always detested mechanized dance music, its stupid simplicity, the clubs where it was played, the people who went to those clubs, the drugs they took, the shit they liked to talk about, the clothes they wore, the battles they fought amongst each other...

Basically all of it: 100 percent hated every scrap.

The electronic music I liked was radical and different, shit like the White Noise, Xenakis, Suicide, Kraftwerk, and the earliest stuff form Cabaret Voltaire, SPK and DAF. When that scene and those people got co-opted by dance/club music I felt like we'd lost a war. I detest club culture as deeply as I detest anything on earth. So I am against what you're into, and an enemy of where you come from but I have no problem with what you're doing...

In other words, you're welcome to do whatever you like with whatever of mine you've gotten your hands on. Don't care. Enjoy yourself.

Steve

Read our list of Albini's 10 best records.



from Latest News - Pitchfork http://ift.tt/1KOFgPM

Rob and Nate Corddry, Badger From "Breaking Bad" Impersonate Robert Pollard in Ricked Wicky Video

Rob and Nate Corddry, Badger From "Breaking Bad" Impersonate Robert Pollard in Ricked Wicky Video

Guided by Voices' Robert Pollard's Ricked Wicky project released Swimmer to a Liquid Armchair, their third album of 2015, last Friday via Guided by Voices Inc. Today comes the video for "Poor Substitute", directed by Mike Postalakis.

Inspired by Andy Warhol's "Screen Tests", the video depicts Rob Corddry (Hot Tub Time Machine, "The Daily Show", "Ballers", Nate Cordry ("Mom", The Invention of Lying), Matt Jones (Badger from "Breaking Bad"), and Seth Morris ("Childrens Hospital", Step Brothers), all doing their best Pollard impressions.

Postalakis previously directed the Corddrys and Jones in Guided by Voices' "Planet Score" video and Rob Corddry in GBV's "Bad Love Is Easy to Do" video.



from Latest News - Pitchfork http://ift.tt/1MXTRPE

Flying Lotus Talks WOKE, His New Project With Shabazz Palaces and Thundercat

Flying Lotus Talks WOKE, His New Project With Shabazz Palaces and Thundercat

Photo by Tim Saccenti

Yesterday, Flying LotusShabazz Palaces, and Thundercat announced a new collaborative project called WOKE. They also released their first single, "The Lavishments of Light Looking", featuring Parliament-Funkadelic legend George Clinton. Pitchfork hopped on the phone with FlyLo to talk about the project's origins, working with Clinton, their future plans, and more. 

Pitchfork: How did the project first come together?

Flying Lotus: The WOKE project started about three years ago. I, myself, and some screenwriter friends of mine started writing a script  for feature film called WOKE. It was something that we developed for quite a while. Initially, it was going to star Ishmael [Butler] from Shabazz Palaces and Jeremiah Jae. We worked on it for a while, started workshopping, but there's always the financial issue—I haven't found anyone who is going to invest in the film.

But I wanted to keep the project going somehow. It's about music, it's about musicians, and so I decided, Why don't we just try and build up some momentum through music and maybe do the film after? We started working earlier this year on music. We did a few songs. We have a few things. We're just going to let it build naturally, see what happens. We're not going to rush to finish it. Jeremiah Jae is also part of WOKE too, but maybe more so as a producer. I'm not sure. We haven't really defined anything, really, other than the fact that we're going to keep working on stuff.

Pitchfork: Does that mean you don't have any plans to release an album?

FL: There's nothing set in stone. We have a bunch of ideas. There's about like nine songs kind of floating around. There's more stuff with George [Clinton], too. We've done a lot of recording over this year. I want to make sure that all the stuff that we do is in the same room together. I'm not trying to do e-mail shit; I really want it to be organic and a true collaboration.

Pitchfork: How did you involve George Clinton in the project?

FL: George—he kind of naturally started floating around too, man. He and I had been in touch earlier this year, and he joined me at Glastonbury. When he comes out to Los Angeles, he comes to the studio and we lay out some ideas. He happened to be around when we were working on the song, so it was perfect that it worked out that way. George is amazing. He's so sharp and he's got so many ideas still. It's such a crazy thing witnessing him and his process.

Pitchfork: Where did the name WOKE come from?

FL: The script has a lot to do with dreams and stuff and astral experiences, so the title just kinda fit. I don't know what the spark was that made the name, but then I just decided on WOKE because it was just very simple and very much what the film is about. 

Pitchfork: How did "The Lavishments of Light Looking" come together in the studio? 

FL: That song is one of the first songs that we came up with, Ishmael and myself. He flew into L.A. and stayed at my house for a few days; we knocked out a bunch of ideas, and this was the one that I just kinda started building out. He came here and I would just make tracks, and he would be writing, and then we would have something recorded. We have a bunch of ideas, not all of them finished, but a lot of good starting points. This was the first one that we just had to follow through on, and Ish works really fast. He gets all of his ideas out really fast and he was pretty much waiting on me to do my verse for a very long time, because it takes me forever to get into the headspace and vocals. For him, it's like nothing.

Hopefully we get to hear him on the production at some point, and just turn it around. I want different production, too. I want Thundercat to produce songs. I want Jeremiah Jae to produce some stuff and I want Ishmael and Shabazz to produce some stuff, and then maybe I'll do the vocals. I want to mix it up a little bit.

Pitchfork: Is WOKE something you can see yourself taking on tour?

FL: To be honest, I hope so. The whole point of doing it this way was we were like, let's just see what happens if we put this one out there, see if people fuck with it, see if people want this to continue. If that's the case, yeah, we've already been talking about how awesome it would be. Before the track happened, we just talked about how cool it would be if we got together in the studio. Now, I'm like, What's going to happen if we actually make this project, or actually make an album, or actually make the film now. You know? So it's cool. I really hope that it just kind of unfolds naturally, as most things tend to in my creative life.

Watch Flying Lotus and Thundercat on Pitchfork.tv's "Over/Under":



from Latest News - Pitchfork http://ift.tt/1FAdJpo

Florence and the Machine Cover Skrillex, Diplo, and Justin Bieber's "Where Are Ü Now"

Florence and the Machine Cover Skrillex, Diplo, and Justin Bieber's "Where Are Ü Now"

Florence and the Machine were today's guests on the BBC Radio 1 "Live Lounge". As well as performing "Ship to Wreck", "Sweet Nothing", "What Kind of Man", "Queen of Peace", and "Delilah", they covered "Where Are Ü Now" (ft. Justin Bieber), a track from Skrillex and Diplo's Jack Ü project. Hear the chat and session below; for the Jack Ü cover, skip to 23:20.



from Latest News - Pitchfork http://ift.tt/1O5DgJG

Sleater-Kinney's Corin Tucker Interviews Chvrches' Lauren Mayberry About Songwriting, Sexism, Literature

Sleater-Kinney's Corin Tucker Interviews Chvrches' Lauren Mayberry About Songwriting, Sexism, Literature

Photos via Corin Tucker Band and Chvrches' Facebook pages

Chvrches' new album Every Open Eye came out last week. For its release, Sleater-Kinney's Corin Tucker sat down with singer Lauren Mayberry to discuss lyric writing, her favorite books, and the sexist abuse she's received from online trolls, concertgoers, and media figures. Read it here via Interview magazine, and check out some excerpts below.

When Tucker asks for Mayberry's favorite authors or poets, Mayberry responds:

I've been re-reading the Jessica Valenti book, Full Frontal Feminism. I've been reading Between The World And Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates; I saw him on "The Daily Show" talking about it and immediately after that I had to order that book. Then "The Daily Show" ended, and I was very sad. I felt like I was weeping for a week.

Anne Carson and Angela Carter are folks I hold close to my heart because they have such unique ways of telling stories. I think in reading a few sentences of text you can just tell the tone, and that's something I love in prose writers, but in lyricists as well. That's how I feel about you guys: I always can tell with Sleater-Kinney's melodies or lyrics that it's yours.

Asked about her lyric-writing process, Mayberry says she keeps a notebook, "so when I'm walking around or when we're on tour, I'll write down words or phrases. We tend to write the music first, with a nonsense folk melody. I feel like that would be a funny bonus release at some point—all the nonsense I write down. I have 400 Chvrches songs on my computer with me scat-singing and it's like, "What is this?" It's horrible."

The chat's second half broadly concerns Mayberry's public experiences of misogyny, as well as the significance of online anonymity in troll culture:

MAYBERRY: I did an interview today with a reasonably respected British journalist and he actually asked me in the interview, "Do you think you'd like to take some time out of music in the next few years to focus on your personal life? I don't know if you have a partner but have you considered how you would juggle children with touring?" I had never been asked that question before. I was like, "Well that's not really your business, pal."

TUCKER: Do you think a male musician would ever be asked that question?

MAYBERRY: Well, I didn't want to scream on the phone at him. In my head, I was like, "I'll find a polite way of getting out of it." I figured if I was like, "Dude that's incredibly rude, condescending, and offensive," then I'm going to get tired of [being] that person who does that all the time. It's inevitable that people are going to find out about my natural, god-given feminist rage. People are like, "Why are you angry all the time?" It's like, I'm not angry. I'd like to think I'm a reasonably nice person, but unfortunately when those conversations come up, it does make me angry. It should make people angry. I did wonder in the interview if this guy was real-life trolling me.

TUCKER: I agree. There are so many times that as a woman in the music industry you're asked questions no male musician would ever be asked. For me being a mom and having two kids, I don't think men who are fathers in bands are being asked the responsibility questions, about touring with kids—up until recently. Recently there has been a cultural shift with fathers being parents, and it's totally crucial. I do think we have a long way to go in terms of the culture around women still being career women, and asking a woman about her career and her work, just seeing them as fully validated human beings in the workplace. It's so important that you are speaking up about this because so many women experience it and don't have a way to talk about it. It's incredibly hurtful and really unacceptable. If we don't speak up about it, how do we expect to change it? Do you think that people are more prone to hateful language online, when it is anonymous?

MAYBERRY: We've had a few things at shows, but nothing as extreme and as aggressive as we've had online. I think the anonymity factor really wraps it up. It's a weird protection for people. It's so risky, because how do you ever crack down on that without cracking down on free speech in general, which is incredibly important? A part of me thinks that Twitter and message boards are worse because of the anonymity factor. I have a personal Twitter for band purposes, but I don't use social media a lot. I fall in a weird age gap. I was on band message boards when I was 16, but I was on the early curve of Facebook. I did it for work when I worked in media, and I did it for the band, but I can't relate to the idea that you live your life online. Part of me feels like I don't really get drawn into a negative way of thinking about it. For us, the Internet has been really amazing, and I think it's a place of great passion, creativity, and knowledge. Seeing people communicate about the band online has been amazing, but I think a lot of people spend a lot of time talking about what they hate rather than what they love. I don't want to get trapped in that.

Read the full chat at Interview.

Read "A Certain Rebellion", our feature on Sleater-Kinney.

Read "Keeping it Unreal: In the Studio With Chvrches".

Watch Chvrches perform "Clearest Blue" at Pitchfork Music Festival 2015:



from Latest News - Pitchfork http://ift.tt/1iYDcim

The Outdoor Guide to Vaasa

The Outdoor Guide to Vaasa - Finland’s sunniest city!

Öjberget, Vaasa

Outdoor destinations

There’s plenty of nice nature trails around Vaasa which all can be found here. You can find coordinates and pdf maps on that website, though in general the trails are well marked and there’s an info board + map at the start. If you have a car or bike, I can recommend the Öjenin luontopolku which is a nice 4 km loop with a fire place at the middle, which makes it ideal for adventures with kids. On the island of Vaskiluoto there’s a large forest trail which also is also groomed in winter for cross country skiing.

Öjenin luontopolku

The Kvarken Archipelago is Finland’s only UNESCO World Heritage site and an ideal destination to go birdwatching, a family or weekend hike or a packrafting adventure. You will need a car or bike to get there (walking along the road is no fun), but it is worth it - the raising land is a sight to behold.

You prefer water sports? Good that Vaasa has at least half a dozen of fine beaches, with the one at Hietasaari probably being the easiest to reach and the most popular, too. The Vaasa SUP Station is also located there and a great opportunity to rent a SUP board and try our Stand Up Paddling. The photos from their sunset paddles look awesome, so check out their Instagram feed. In winter Hietasaari is also a good starting point to go Nordic Skating on the Baltic, or take your kite-surfing gear and hit the ice on the Eteläinen Kaupunginselkä.

Vaasa SUP Station

Bouldering outdoors in Vaasa is so easy, you almost stumble over the blocs! 27 Crags has you covered and is your guide to the best bouldering and climbing in town. If you actually prefer climbing with a rope then Falkiin Kallio is the nearest crag of note, or you take the ferry to Umeå where there’s bigger and longer routes! In winter the crag at Höstvesi is good for whacking some ice, too.

Skiing in Vaasa is also possible at the nearby Öjberget Ski Centre. You can check if its open from ski.fi, though at 45 m elevation and the longest slope being 325 m long don’t expect long runs! However, in town there are 14 cross country skiing loipes, so if you come here in winter and enjoy some kick’n’glide take your skis along!

You can go packrafting and kayaking in town right from any of the many beaches and shores, but be careful around the harbour. At Varppi you can rent a kayak or rowing boat if you don’t bring your own. A much nicer area to go paddling is the Kvarken Archipelago or one of the rivers. And if you prefer a short cruise, also that is possible in summer, with the old post boat being the most beautiful cruise as it has been sailing since 1679.

Öjberget, Vaasa

If you want to do long bicycle rides you’re in luck, though. There’s plenty of great cycling here, and Vaasa being in Pohjanmaa - the “flat country” - you won’t need to bother with long climbs. However, because we’re next to the Baltic expect wind, and as it goes - if there’s wind there’s going to be headwind. If you prefer to cycle around town, then the ride along the shore is a nice way to explore some of the best views of Vaasa and also grab an ice cream or a Toast Skagen at Strampen. And if you look for some singletrack to shred check out the trail on the Vaasanseudun MTB website.

Nice parks for a pick nick include the Satamapuisto next to Kuntsi and the adjoining Hovioikeudenpuisto as well as Hietasaari, the tiny island just in front of Vaasa.

In case of Rain: Outdoors, Indoors

There’s plenty of gyms and sports halls in Vaasa, though you likely will need a membership to train in them. A better choice if the weather is not cooperating is the nice swimming hall of Vaasa, which has a 50 m pool for good work outs as well as a jump pool and a couple of kids’ pools. And this being Finland it obviously has a fine Sauna, too!

Vaasa Vesitorni

The Watertower of Vaasa houses the city’s climbing gym, which has public hours each Wednesday and Sunday from 18 to 20 o’clock. There’ currently two walls, one 17 m long with some overhang and one 20 m high wall, with a third wall being under construction.

The modern art museum Kuntsi is well worth a visit if you like art, and there’s also the rather nice Tikanojan taidekoti which is a good place to spent time. The Pohjanmaa Museum is actually four museums in one, of which the Terranova natural science exhibition is interesting to learn more about the Kvarken Archipelago.

There are only limited outdoor-sy happenings in Vaasa, but the yearly Outdoor Recreation Day which usually happens every February is a good event to attend. You can learn about ice climbing, try nordic touring skating and ice fishing, eat a Pulla or Makkara and learn about other winter activities offered in the area.

Hyperlite Mountain Gear UltaMid & IcePack

Outdoor shopping

Vaasa’s offerings in terms of outdoor equipment are OK. Don’t expect to find gear from Arc’teryx, Patagonia, Norrøna, Primus or Helsport in town, though if you like Fjällräven, Haglöfs, Salomon et al. you will find them at the Intersport shop just off the main square. Also the Hypermarkets just a wee bit outside of the centre carry some outdoor equipment, from fishing tackle to sleeping pads and backpacks.

On the other hand there are at least half a dozen Bike Shops in Vaasa, with Pyöräliike Viertola in Rauhankatu 20 being my favourite. They carry Pelago Bicycles and are friendly & professional, and also sell used bikes.

As fas as I know there’s no possibility to rent gear in town, but you can always check kuin oma for renting gear in Finland.

Dusk

Sleeping outdoors & indoors

Stealth camping in Vaasa is no problem whatsoever. There are so many forests and parks close to the centre that camping out is not a problem. Some of the beaches are a great option, or if you want to be really on your own cycle or walk out to Pilvilampi and camp there. The Everymen’s Right is your friend in Finland, so just stay at least 100 m away from a house and you’re good to go.

If you prefer to sleep indoors, then check the AirBnB listings in Vaasa, there’s currently 28 houses, flats and rooms on offer in town which range from cozy old wooden houses to modern flats with sea view. Hotels, Cottages and B&Bs can be found on the Vaasa website, and if you want to go camping then the Top Camping Vaasa place is your only option.

Locus Gear Hapi Sil & Salsa Mukluk

Food & Cafés

What are the best Cafés in Vaasa? Well, all those that are closed on Sundays. Seriously though, don’t expect a Café to be open on Sunday in this town. I haven’t figured out why they are closed, but on the rare occasion that they are open on a Sunday they are full. But any other day of the week they welcome your business, and it’s a hard toss-up which of these four Cafés is my favourite.

Konsulinnan kahvihuone serves a great lunch with a delicious salad table, their coffee is arguably the best in town and you get a free 2nd cup. Also their cakes are superb, and the atmosphere in the old building is wonderful. Sweet Vaasa makes tasty cakes and salads, the Othello Bakeries also have great traditional pastries and the Wasa Konditoria in the old market hall has a great atmosphere and sells goods from Finland’s best bakery, Aroma. Aroma itself is located a bit outside of town in Kvevlax and a great stop for a coffeeneuring trip with your bike. Café Raawka should be on your list if you like raw food - it’s on my list for this weekends Café trip to town!

Brita Cake at Konsulinnan kahvihuone

Magakoro is Vaasa’s Sushi Restaurant and my favourite option for a tasty lunch in the centre. Their sushi are fresh, tasty and will always make you wish you’d have taken one more. For Dinner the Pizzabistro Marco Polo is the best choice for Pizzas in town. Delicious, freshly made pizzas and a cozy atmosphere with friendly staff will make for a good start into the evening. Tom Yum Thai is a great Thai Restaurant which makes tasty food and has very friendly staff, and my choice for Asian food when eating out. I haven’t yet been to Villd, the Pop-Up Restaurant from Ossi Palonevan, but plan to go there while it is here in Vaasa till the end of October. Locally sourced foods from the Baltic and forests for a uniquely Finnish dining experience - what’s not to look forward to?

©Veera Kujala

Microadventures!

More than a couple of days in Vaasa? Take a bike and ride to visit Isokyrö and visit the Kyrö Distillery Company and taste the worlds best Gin for Gin & Tonic! You also might be able to grab a bite and witness some live music at this small distillery, but check their website and reserve a table if you plan to visit.

If you’re more than a couple of days in town you owe it to yourself to head out to the Kvarken Archipelago, Finland’s only UNESCO World Heritage Site and see how the land rises from the sea, spot a white-tailed eagle and traditional boat sheds. It’s a great place to visit summers as winters, and will surely will make you feel like you’re in a far-away, wild place.

Svedjehamn harbour

Meteoria Söderfjärden is probably the biggest meteorite crater in Finland, and right in the middle there’s a birdwatching tower to observe the cranes and other birds passing through in spring an autumn. Meteoria is the most important resting and feeding place for cranes in Finland and a great place to observe these birds. There’s also a small museum next to the tower, and it’s easy to reach by bike or car.

Stundars is an open air museum with over sixty traditional buildings from the region, from a windmill to a fishermen’s hut. It’s a great place to visit in summer when it is open, or during one of the special events like the handcrafts fair. There’s also trail that leads to it from the Meteoria and it’s close to Sundom, the small village just a few kilometres away from Vaasa.

Getting around town and to Vaasa

The centre of Vaasa is compact enough that you can walk from the Railway Station to Hietasaari in 15 minutes, or from the Swimming Hall to Palosaari in about 25 minutes. There’s no easy way to loan a bike in Vaasa, and the public transportation is also not good - a couple of busses with drivers who seem to think they’re in a rally car, you’re better off walking.

Getting to Vaasa is fastest and most affordable by airplane. The airport is small and efficient and it’s just a 35 minute flight to Helsinki. If you like to see more of the country then travelling by bus is an option, either by Matkahuolto or with the cheap Onnibus. If you prefer unreliable transportation which is expensive then the Finnish Railways should be your choice. If you’re in Sweden you also can fly from Stockholm to Vaasa, or take the Wasaline Ferry from Umeå for a more relaxed way to arrive in town.

Flying with Finnair to Vaasa

Outdoor folks in Vaasa

There are outdoorsy people in Vaasa, though they are mostly organized in Clubs for their specific sports as you saw above, so you might want to check out their happenings if you want to socialize. However, to find like-minded outdoorsy people you can browse the Instagram Tag for Vaasa and also search on Twitter for tweeps from Vaasa. And then there’s obviously me on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

Crossing of one of the ridges ended up as a muddy wade through a bed of reeds and what not, while being chased by a flight of hungry horse flies - part of the game :)

London, Tokyo, Stockholm and onwards!

Liked this Outdoor Guide to Vaasa, but you’re more likely to visit Stockholm, Tokyo and San Francisco next? Well, you’re in luck! Direct your browser to the Outdoor Guide Directory and check out the other Guides from across the globe!



from Hiking in Finland http://ift.tt/1KHQfNO