LOS ANGELES (Capitol Records) - Capitol recording group Marjorie Fair has unveiled a number of concert dates in advance of the eagerly anticipated release of their widely acclaimed label debut, "SELF HELP SERENADE." The album arrives in stores nationwide next Tuesday, July 19th.
The Los Angeles-based quartet - Evan Slamka: vocals, guitar; Dain Luscombe: keyboards; Scott Lord: bass; and Mike DeLisa: drums - will herald the release of "SELF HELP SERENADE" with a summer club tour, beginning July 27th in Scottsdale, Arizona (see attached itinerary). The trek - which includes a number of all-ages dates alongside Tegan & Sara, as well as a series of shows with the hot British rock combo, 22-20s - wraps up on August 12th at Seattle's famed Crocodile Cafe. However, the band plans further touring in the fall, with dates to be announced in the coming weeks.
Recorded with producer Rob Schnapf (Beck, Elliott Smith, Foo Fighters), "SELF HELP SERENADE" showcases the remarkably inventive songwriting of the New Jersey-born Slamka. The set - which sees accompaniment from such kindred spirits as Billy Preston and Jon Brion, as well as drummer Joey Waronker (Spain, Walt Mink, Beck) - features a stunning array of musical styles, spanning haunting, piano-driven ballads, bright pop confessionals, and buoyant, melodic gems such as the high flying "Waves."
"Empty Room," the album's first single, has already begun receiving airplay on Los Angeles' influential Indie 103.1. In addition, the track - produced by Jerry Finn (Morrissey, Green Day, AFI) - has been chosen as iTunes' Single of the Week for the week of August 1st.
"SELF HELP SERENADE" has already begun earning rapturous critical acclaim. The Los Angeles Times hailed Marjorie Fair for blending "the restrained melodic style of Coldplay with atmospherics and crunching psychedelia reminiscent of the Beatles and Pink Floyd." "The songs are both melancholy and lulling," noted the New York Times, adding that "if you were to call into work sick with an aching heart, the plaintive lyrics would make for good medicine."
The album reaped unprecedented praise upon its British release earlier this year. "A candidate for debut of the year," declared Mojo's James McNair in his four-star rave. "A stroke of genius," cheered Andy Gill of The Independent, in a five-star review, dubbing the album "a modern classic." Uncut's Chris Roberts cheered: "Melodic and explosive...a rich harvest."
Marjorie Fair - Summer 2005
* with Tegan & Sara
** with 22-20s
JULY
27 Scottsdale, AZ Martini Ranch
29 Lawrence, KS Grenada Theatre *
30 Englewood, Co Gothic Theatre *
31 Albuquerque, NM Launch Pad
AUGUST
2 Milwaukee, WI Rave Bar **
3 Chicago, IL Schubas **
4 St. Louis, MO Duck Room **
5 Madison, WI Annex **
9 Los Angeles, CA Troubadour **
10 San Francisco, CA Caf? Du Nord **
12 Seattle, WA Crocodile Caf? **
