Friday, May 14, 2010

Fang Island to tour with the Flaming Lips, US headlining dates throughout May

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
May 14th, 2010







Fang Island to tour with the Flaming Lips,
US headlining dates throughout May



"Honest and life-affirming and infectious, and it's that rare concentration of directness and simplicity that makes Fang Island so uniquely and wonderfully inclusive." Best New Music -- Pitchfork


Brooklyn's high-fiving guitar-anthem optimists Fang Island have announced dates supporting indie-rock legends the Flaming Lips in July. Prior to that mega-tour, the band embarks on US headlining dates beginning May 15th in Phoenix, leading to a triumphant NYC homecoming on May 29th with Dan Deacon to celebrate the 5th anniversary of the Cake Shop. The quintet also plays Chicago's Green Music Fest in June. Please see below for complete dates.


Fang Island recently taped a performance for Fuel TV's "Daily Habit" to air soon. Many more video appearances and special events are planned to follow in the coming months. 

Pitchfork recently hailed Fang Island's Sargent House debut album, naming it a Best New Music pick. Before that, the site debuted the quirky video for "Daisy" directed by Carlos Charlie Perez (Li'l WayneVampire Weekend). A second clip, also directed by Perez, followed for the song "Life Coach".

Fang Island's self-titled debut album hit shelves on February 23rd via Sargent House amid a wealth of praise from press, with many writers declaring it one of the Best of 2010, just two months into the new year. A digital EP featuring the popular album track "Daisy" backed with Chris Keating of Yeasayer's remix of "Absolute Place" off their Sky Gardens EP preceded the full length in January.

Its finger-tapping guitar lines, chanted vocals, triumphant harmonies and overall perky songs hearken to the sort of "Total Music" of the Jay Reatard, Ponytail, Kraftwerk, Marnie Stern, Thin Lizzy, et al. But, perhaps more so, its songs are like the music in your head at that moment when everything feels just right: that first kiss, that high score on the video game, buying your first small nation in cash... you know, good stuff. Check out MP3s for two tracks, "Daisy" (MP3 HERE) and "Life Coach" (MP3 HERE).

Fang Island began, oddly enough, as an art school project while the band members were attending the prodigious Rhode Island School of Design (also the foundation for Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Les Savvy Fav, Six Finger Satellite, Lightning Bolt and some band called the Talking Heads.) According to guitarist Jason Bartell, the goal was to "make music for people who like music." That is, music without irony that harnesses its uplifting qualities. Just like a classic rock song or classical symphony can stir us emotionally, Fang Island exists to unlock that spirit.

Fang Island is guitarist Jason Bartell, bassist Michael Jacober, guitarist Chris Georges, guitarist Nicholas Andrew Sadler, and drummer Marc St. Sauveur. They all share collective group vocal harmonies and the occasional hand claps. While Sadler is also known for his role in the debauched rock band Daughters, it is only his fretboard skill that translates between the two groups.


Fang Island live:
05/15  Phoenix, AZ @ Trunk Space
05/17  Oklahoma City, OK @ The Conservatory
05/18  Austin, TX @ Emo's
05/19  Denton, TX @ Rubber Gloves
05/20  San Antonio, TX @ Ten Eleven
05/21  Houston, TX @ House of Blues
05/24  Atlanta, GA @ Drunken Unicorn
05/25  Chapel Hill, NC @ Local 506
05/26  Baltimore, MD @ Golden West Cafe
05/27  Philadelphia, PA @ Barbary Coast
05/29  New York, NY @ CakeShop (w/ Dan Deacon)
06/26  Chicago, IL @ Subterranean 
06/27  Chicago, IL @ Chicago Green Music Fest

Fang Island with The Flaming Lips:

07/04  Atlantic City, NJ @ Showboat Casino 
07/07  Montreal, QC @ Metropolis
07/08  Toronto, ON @ Molson Ampitheater **
07/20  Pittsburgh, PA @ Ampitheater at Station Square
07/22  Lewistown, NY @ Artpark
07/23  Canadaigua, NY @ Constellation Brands Marvin Sands Performing Arts Center #
07/24  Holyoke, MA @ Mountain Park

** Also with Spoon, Tokyo Police Club
# Also with The Black Keys




Artist: Fang Island
Album: Fang Island
Label: Sargent House
Release Date: February 23, 2010

01. Dreams of Dreams
02. Careful Crossers
03. Daisy (MP3) (VIDEO)
04. Life Coach (MP3) (VIDEO)
05. Sideswiper
06. The Illinois
07. Treeton
08. Davey Crockett
09. Welcome Wagon
10. Dorian

Hi-Res photos, cover art and bio:

On the Web:


Fang Island is available for interviews. For more information, please contact Dave Clifford at dave@usthemgroup.com

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