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2010-09-29: New York City

Northern Aggression

Been a while, right? I've spent most of the last few months either in the studio (finishing the new albums with the Miracle 3 and The Baseball Project), in airports (flying to various duo shows in Norway and Wales with the fabulous Jason Victor) or out in Tucson (last weekend, forming a one-night SuperTrainWreckPearlsFromChaosGroup with Howe Gelb, Robyn Hitchcock, Thøger Lund, Victoria Williams and Linda—any video/audio evidence of that show out there?)

But both records are finished, the summer's whistle-stop touring is about to give way to lengthier ventures and the next few weeks will be a rapid-fire release of news, song previews, videos, artwork and tour dates. Consider that a warning, threat, teaser or non sequitur depending upon your point of view.

First of all, as you may have seen on these pages, there's been some excitement in Minnesota about "Don't Call Them Twinkies," a song that I wrote for the next Baseball Project album with Craig Finn who sings the track. We mixed the song 2 weeks ago and sent it over to our friend Kevin Dutcher who chooses the music for the Twins home games. Two weeks later it has become the war chant for the surging team and will probably be getting more attention as the Twins go to the playoffs next week. You can check out the tune on the link somewhere near where your eyes are looking right now.

And then there's "Northern Aggression," my first new album with the Miracle 3 since 2005's "...tick...tick...tick." I'm pleased to say that Yep Roc Records has picked up the album for US release and you'll be able to order copies from them or Blue Rose Records (depending upon your side of the Atlantic) in the coming weeks in advance of the late November release date.

But in the meantime, check out "Resolution," the first single from the new album. And a special "making-of" video will be coming later in the week, thanks to our good pal Ford Loving who used to drive us up and down and side to side across the European continent. Ford has become a whiz kid in video editing and did a fine job of documenting what went down in Richmond, Virginia last April.

Am I excited? You bet. I've always said that the months in the studio and the months on the road compliment themselves perfectly and provide a good balance. Tour long enough and you're just dying to hunker down, disappear and come up with new songs and ideas. Sequester yourself in the studio long enough and you can't wait to show what you've done via CDs, websites and, of course, touring. This is that magic moment in the middle. The anticipation. The exhaling. Now excuse me while I take on some mid-level celebration.

RECENT FAVES:

  • MEJICO MAXICO—MEXICAN INSTITUTE OF SOUND (CD)
  • MEXICAN INSTITUTE OF SOUND (live at Tucson's HocoFest)
  • CAFÉ POCA COSA (restaurant, Tucson)
  • THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT (movie)
  • APPLE MAGIC TRACK PAD (geek gear)
  • BAND OF JOY—ROBERT PLANT (CD)
  • MEAT PUPPETS (Live at Tucson's HoCoFest)
  • MAD MEN SEASON 5 (TV show)
  • BLUE SMOKE PULLED PORK SANDWICH (Citi Field baseball chow)
  • FJORD (Oslo Restaurant)
  • BEFORE TODAY—ARIEL PINK'S HAUNTED GRAFFITI (CD)
  • HERE'S TO TAKING IT EASY—Phosphorescent (CD)
  • PAVEMENT (live at the Williamsburg Waterfront)
  • GREENPOINT, BROOKLYN, USA (Fleshtones song and neighborhood explored while mixing "Northern Aggression")
  • FULL HOUSE HEAD--ENDLESS BOOGIE (CD)
  • WILCO (live at Solid Sound Festival, North Adams, MA)

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