st vincent acts up on new album

February 19, 2009, 5:14 pm

Filed under: news, trouser press | Tags: 2009, alan pedder, annie clark, music, st vincent

Annie Clark’s “technicolour animatronic rides” coming in May

After asking us so perfectly to wed her back in ‘07, Annie Clark has decided she was just pretending all along…or at least, that’s the tenuous link we’ve concocted in the 10 seconds since we got the press release about the new St Vincent album, Actor. Yes, we were that excited. Out on May 4th through 4AD, the 11-track album finds the fearsomely talented Ms Clark teaming up with producer John Congleton, presumably an old friend from her Polyphonic Spree days, to bring us what sounds like an even more ambitious album than the first. Annie describes the songs as “technicolour animatronic rides”, which sounds good to us. The topical first single ‘Actor Out Of Work’ is out on April 20th.

In addition to Annie’s own masterful guitar work and keys, the album features woodwinds from Sufjan Stevens and Björk collaborators Hideaki Aomori and Alex Sopp, with extra rhythmic beef from Midlake’s McKenzie Smith and Paul Alexander and a trio of percussionists, as well as some other bods. Annie takes her St Vincent show to SXSW next month as part of the 4AD and Billions Corporation showcases. Info on a full US and European tour is expected soon.

Actor
01 The Strangers
02 Save Me From What I Want
03 Neighbours
04 Actor Out Of Work
05 Black Rainbow
06 Laughing With A Mouth Of Blood
07 Marrow
08 The Bed
09 The Party
10 Just The Same But Brand New
11 The Sequel

ST. VINCENT TOPS “PURE ENCHANTMENT” (SPIN) OF 2007 DEBUT WITH STUNNING NEW ALBUM ‘ACTOR’ OUT MAY 5 ON 4AD

AWARDS’ FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR CONFIRMS TWO SXSW PERFORMANCES, MARCH 18 AND 20

On May 5, 4AD will release ‘Actor’ the anticipated new album by St. Vincent (nee Annie Clark), and the follow-up to her first album ‘Marry Me,’ one of the most acclaimed debuts of 2007. ‘Actor’ was co-produced by Clark and John Congleton (Modest Mouse, Polyphonic Spree etc…) and features eleven new songs, all written and arranged by Clark.

‘Actor’ takes the ambitious compositional and sonic underpinnings of Clark’s debut as a starting point and never looks back. The arrangements are more masterful, the songwriting grander, the performances ever more confident and inspired.

Clark, “a playful chanteuse [and] fearsome shredder” (NY Times), sings and plays guitar, bass and keys on ‘Actor,’ with woodwind contributions from Hideaki Aomori (Sufjan Stevens) and Alex Sopp (Bjork, Phillip Glass), and additional rhythm section work by McKenzie Smith and Paul Alexander of Midlake. Other musicians on the album include Mike Atkinson (French horn, score consultant), Daniel Hart (violin, sarongi), William Flynn (bass), and percussionists Jeff Ryan, Matthias Bossi, and Aynsley Powell.

St. Vincent will preview songs from ‘Actor’ with two shows at this year’s South by Southwest conference in Austin: Wednesday, March 18 at the Central Presbyterian Church as part of the 4AD showcase, and Friday, March 20 at Antone’s as part of the Billions Corporation showcase. Clark will also tour the U.S. this year with Bonnaroo and Sasquatch! Festival performances already confirmed and a full itinerary to be announced soon.

The first St. Vincent album ‘Marry Me’ earned widespread praise – including a memorable 2008 article in The New York Times Magazine – and heralded the arrival of “a bewitching entertainer who demands every second of your attention” (Chicago Tribune). Clark toured extensively in support of ‘Marry Me’ with artists like The National, Death Cab for Cutie, and Arcade Fire, and was named Female Artist of the Year at the 2008 PLUG Independent Music Awards. Before recording as St. Vincent, Annie Clark was a member of The Polyphonic Spree and Sufjan Stevens’ touring band, and performed with Glenn Branca’s guitar orchestra.

Taking over San Francisco...

Noise Pop

Taking over San Francisco...

Ashley Schaeffer

Contributing Writer

Deerhunter

Between February 24th and March 1st, venues all over San Francisco will be literally bursting at the seams with an influx of the best independent music, film, and art around. That’s six days of string-bending, eye-popping, mind-blowing stimulation taking place at some of the city’s hottest spots, including The Roxie, Great American Music Hall, and (most appropriately) The Independent. The occasion is Noise Pop, a colorful and multi-faceted festival in its 17th year that is rapidly gaining a reputation as SF’s ultimate music festival. As such, it’s an event that is not to be missed.

With so many musical acts, it’s hard to know where to begin. Experimental noise rock band Deerhunter will usher in the event at Mezzanine for the Opening Night Party, and math rock group Les Savy Fav will bring it to its close. In between, there’s an abundance of acts to choose from. There’s Goblin Cock, an intriguing troupe of shrouded metal rockers with an inclination toward comic books and fantasy; there’s St. Vincent, a charmingly quirky singer/songwriter with her own unique brand of delicate, playful tunes; and the Mountain Goats, Ra Ra Riot, and Sleepy Sun are just a few of many other acts you can catch that week.

Stephen Malkmus

Not to be overshadowed by the musical lineup, Noise Pop’s Film Festival will include Johnny Cash at Folsom Prison, I Need That Record: The Death (Or Possible Survival) of the Independent Record Store, and Largo, a film that puts the spotlight on the magic that is worked on stage at this Hollywood club. In addition, there are gallery art shows, a craft fair, and a music industry conference.

There’s something for everyone…and then some. You can purchase badges that grant access to all Noise Pop shows and events here.

Tuesday, February 24th

Opening Night Party with Deerhunter and Lilofee, Mezzanine, Doors: 8:30, Show: 10:00PM
City Arts and Lectures with John Darnielle, Herbst Theatre, Show: 8:00 PM
Antony and the Johnsons, Nob Hill Masonic Center, Show: 8:00 PM

Wednesday, February 25th

Kool Keith

Noise Pop Happy Hour with The Aimless Never Miss, Benders, Doors: 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Film: Johnny Cash at Folsom Prison, The Roxie, Show: 7:00 PM
Art: Sights of Sounds, Park Life, Show: 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
The Mountain Goats (Solo), Swedish American Music Hall, Doors: 6:30 PM, Show: 7:30 PM
Stephen Malkmus (Solo), Great American Music Hall, Doors: 7:00 PM, Show: 8:00 PM
Sleepy Sun, Bottom of the Hill, Doors: 7:00 PM, Show: 8:00 PM
French Kicks, The Independent, Doors: 7:30 PM, Show: 8:00 PM
Matt Costa, Slim’s, Doors: 7:00 Show: 8:00pm
Film: Ashes of American Flags, The Roxie, Show: 9:15 PM

Thursday, February 26th

St. Vincent

Noise Pop Happy Hour with Scissors for Lefty, Benders, Doors: 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Film: Of All the Things, Artist’s Television Access, Show: 7:00 PM
Thao Nguyen, Swedish American Music Hall, Doors: 6:30 PM, Show: 7:30 PM
Josh Ritter (Solo with String Quartet), Great American Music Hall, Doors: 7:00 PM, Show: 8:00 PM
Martha Wainwright, Slim’s, Doors: 7:00 PM, Show: 8:00 PM
Goblin Cock, The Rickshaw Stop, Doors: 8:30 PM, Show: 9:00 PM
From Monument to Masses, Bottom of the Hill, Doors: 8:00 PM, Show: 9:00 PM
Thee Oh Sees, Café Du Nord, Doors: 8:00 PM, Show: 9:00 PM
Film: Largo, Artist’s Television Access, Show: 9:00 PM
Kool Keith: Dr. Octagon vs. Dr. Dooom & Mike Relm, Mezzanine, Doors: 8:00PM, Show: 9:00PM

Friday, February 27th

Les Savvy Fav

Industry Noise, Swedish American Hall, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Noise Pop Happy Hour with Maus Haus, Benders, Doors: 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Art: The Art of Noise Pop, Mini Bar, Show: 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Film: Agile Mobile Hostile: A Year with Andre Williams, Artist’s Television Access, Show: 7:00
St. Vincent, Great American Music Hall, Doors: 7:00 PM, Show: 8:00 PM
The Morning Benders & The Submarines, Slim’s, Doors: 7:00 PM, Show: 8:00 PM
Ra Ra Riot, The Independent, Doors: 7:30 PM, Show: 8:00 PM
Dear and the Headlights, Bottom of the Hill, Doors: 7:30 PM, Show: 8:30 PM
Port O’Brien, Café Du Nord, Doors: 8:00 PM, Show: 9:00 PM
Film: Gogol Bordello Non-Stop: A Gypsy-Punk Documentary, Artist’s Television Access, Show: 9:00 PM

Saturday, February 28th

Pop n’ Shop, The Verdi Club, 12:00PM – 4:00PM
Noise Pop Happy Hour with Music for Animals, Doors: 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM
The Matches, Bottom of the Hill, Doors: 12:00 PM, Show: 1:00 PM
Film: Seven Signs: Music, Myth and the American South, Artist’s Television Access, Show: 2:00 PM
Themselves, Apple Store Downtown, Show: 2:00
Film: I Need That Record: The Death (Or Possible Survival) of the Independent Record Store, Artist’s Television Access, Show: 4:00 PM
Bob Mould, Swedish American Music Hall, Doors: 6:30 PM, Show: 7:30 PM
AC Newman, The Independent, Doors: 7:30 PM, Show: 8:00 PM
Portugal. The Man, Café Du Nord, Doors: 8:00 PM, Show: 9:00 PM
Clues, The Rickshaw Stop, Doors: 8:30 PM, Show: 9:00 PM
Sholi, Bottom of the Hill, Doors: 8:00 PM, Show: 9:00 PM
Flosstradamus & N.A.S.A., Mezzanine, Doors: 8:00 PM, Show: 9:00 PM

Sunday, March 1st

No Age, Bottom of the Hill, Doors: 12:00 PM, Show: 1:00 PM
Film: Loki, Artist’s Television Access, Show: 2:00 PM
Film: Nightflight: Born Again, Show: 4:15 PM
Les Savy Fav, Mezzanine, Doors: 7:00 PM, Show: 8:00 PM

Win Tickets to Check Out Noise Pop 17

Attention SF Readers: Win Tickets to Check Out Noise Pop 17 [Contest]

7:11 am Monday Feb 16, 2009

by Caroline Stanley

Noise Pop 17 is taking over San Francisco next week and we are all set to give away tickets to some of this year’s buzziest shows. Here’s how it works: Write 200 dazzling words about your most hilarious, audacious, and/or embarrassing act of music fandom and publish your mini-essay as a comment on this post by 10 p.m. this Sunday, February 22nd. Make sure to leave a valid email address so we have a direct way to contact you.

The top three entries will be announced on Flavorwire on Tuesday the 24th and will each receive a pair of tickets to the following shows as prizes:

First Prize: Kool Keith: Dr. Octagon vs. Dr. Dooom & Mike Relm

Second Prize: St. Vincent with Cryptacize, Rafter, That Ghost

Third Prize: Flosstradamus & N.A.S.A. (co-headline) with Wallpaper

Although the contest is technically open to all Flavorwire readers, please note that these concerts are in San Francisco and we don’t have the bones to fly you all the way across the country to hang out with Kool Keith. Thus priority will be given to local residents and/or those contestants planning on being in the Bay Area during Noise Pop. (In other words, if you’re a lucky winner and then reveal that you’re Chicago-based, we’ll be mad.) And yes, spelling and grammar count, but not as much as all out hilarity and copious self deprecation.

Bonne chance!

St. Vincent at Other Music Manhattan

February 9th, 2009 by Ollie

I came across St. Vincent via Vimeo HD videos and found her music to be very good and something I would listen to on a regular basis. I love finding new artist to listen to. Her real name is Annie but her “superhero” name is St. Vincent. She played at the Other Music shop in NYC. Check out the video, it’s worth listening to.

Source: Other Music/Vimeo HD

ST. VINCENT from Dig For Fire on Vimeo.