POLYVINYL PRESS UPDATE
March 2020
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Hey, everyone. How are you?
It's been a tough month for everyone – our artists, staff, everyone from venues, independent record stores, booking agencies, and elsewhere. Regardless, we are prouder than ever to be here, maintaining the daily responsibilities of running an independent record label, while giving the utmost focus, care, and support to those around us.
This past month, we were inspired by Bandcamp's noble initiative to donate their cut from all March 20th proceeds to the artists, and decided to take it one step further. From March 20th through March 31st, Polyvinyl waived its share of all digital revenue, and is now in the process of donating it to our respective artists. Every little bit counts, and so we're trying to do as much as we can to help.
If you haven't gotten around to watching any recent artist takeovers or live stream performances, it's provided all of us with a slice of humanity and inspiration. Thank you to Anna Burch, Pedro The Lion, Chris Farren, Jeff Rosenstock, Xiu Xiu, Squirrel Flower, Anamanaguchi, The Get Up Kids, Yumi Zouma, Hazel English, and others who have taken the time and energy to give us all some respite.
As a label, we are grateful for your support, and look forward to sharing more wonderful releases with you in the coming months ahead. We've got some really special things in the works!
Hoping you, your friends, and loved ones are all safe and healthy.
Take care of yourselves and each other.
Love,
Polyvinyl
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ANNA BURCH - If You're Dreaming (Released 4/03)
"Anna Burch’s tranquil sophomore album is lush, downtempo brilliance" –SPIN
Happy release week to Anna Burch! When Anna introduced herself on her 2018 debut Quit The Curse, it was with a concentrated wash of energetic, serotonin-boosting pop. Two years later, Burch’s follow up If You’re Dreaming sheds some of that nervous energy in favor of a deeper exploration of an internal world. If You're Dreaming has received praise and support from SPIN, NPR's All Songs Considered, The FADER, NYLON, Rolling Stone, Under The Radar, Gorilla vs Bear, Paste, Stereogum, The Line of Best Fit, Exclaim!, and more! Anna's spring dates have been rescheduled to later this summer, and her UK/EU dates are currently postponed – click here for more tour info. |
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HAZEL ENGLISH - Wake UP! (Out 4/24)
"She has continued to refine her sound while maintaining its core tenets, matching indelible melodies with crisp yet dreamy production." –Stereogum
Hazel English, the Aussie singer/songwriter transplant by way of LA, is preparing for the release of her long-awaited debut full length out later this month. Co-produced by Justin Raisen (Charli XCX, Angel Olsen) and Ben H. Allen (Deerhunter, Animal Collective), Wake UP! takes a 60s "wall of sound" approach to Hazel's already perfect pop. We've already heard the lead single " Shaking" as well as " Off My Mind," and this past month, shared the melancholy slow burner " Combat." Check out her recent features with The Talkhouse and Alice Magazine.
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POST ANIMAL - Forward Motion Godyssey (Released 2/14)
"[Forward Motion Godyssey] finds the band carving their own place in the modern psych-rock landscape." –Consequence of Sound
Leading up to March, Chicago's Post Animal had just gotten back from touring Europe and the UK with Cage The Elephant, and in the days since the release of their new album, Forward Motion Godyssey, have been keeping themselves pretty busy. The FADER's Digital Fort premiered the band's hilarious new mockumentary, Some Kind of Animal, and their recent Talkhouse chat between drummer Wesley Toledo and The New Pornographers' AC Newman is an engaging listen worth checking out. The band's US tour was unfortunately postponed, and we'll be sure to keep you posted as new dates are announced. |
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STRFKR - "Budapest (feat. Shy Boys)" & "Deep Dream"
On the heels of February's one-off single " Never The Same," Portland's native sons of synth in STRFKR followed it up with not one, but TWO additional tracks this past month – " Deep Dream" (complete with its Aidan Brezonick directed music video) and the chorally blessed " Budapest (feat. Shy Boys)". Hitting hard with a minimal arrangement of acoustic guitars, stripped down drums, and Josh Hodges' familiar weightless vocals, all three songs are warm and direct, with twisting melodies and a straightforward delivery that highlights how vulnerable the band's lyrics can be. Perhaps the band has something more up their sleeves for us? |
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YUMI ZOUMA - Truth or Consequences (Released 3/14)
"[Truth or Consequences] is the band at its most sunny and shimmering. It brings forth the best parts of the band’s sound to create lush, hook-filled soundscapes." –Under The Radar
New Zealand's Yumi Zouma just recently released their highly-anticipated Polyvinyl debut, Truth or Consequences!! The album has seen a ton of press so far, from the likes of The FADER, KCRW, NPR Music, Pitchfork, Under The Radar, Consequence of Sound, Paste, Gorilla vs Bear, Stereogum, Grammy, and elsewhere. You can check out their official music videos for " Right Track / Wrong Man," " Cool For A Second," and " Southwark". Unfortunately, the band's (sold out) US tour was canceled, and we'll be sure to keep you posted as new dates are announced. Look for more from Yumi Zouma over the coming weeks! |
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POSTPONED / RESCHEDULED TOUR DATES
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As expected, much of the Polyvinyl roster has had their touring plans disrupted by COVID-19, and as a result, their booking agents are carefully working with venues and promoters to reschedule and plan new tours to happen as soon and safely as possible. Thank you for your patience!
Click below for all of the currently scheduled dates, and look for new updates in the coming weeks and months ahead from Jay Som, of Montreal, Owen, Post Animal, Yumi Zouma, and more.
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