On May 3rd, 2019, Seattle group Versing will release their Hardly Art full-length debut 10000, an album that fuses lustrous noise and ebullient melody. The band’s first offering, “Tethered,” is a low-key, Daydream Nation-esque anthem with plenty of dissonance and surging, distorted guitars, plus rhythms that drive piles. Frontman Daniel Salas explains that it’s “about how people are tied together,” figuratively. “It’s a reminder of the interconnected-ness of humans, to people who make excuses for not doing the right thing” for the greater good of humanity. 

10000 will be available on LP/CD/Cassette and Digitally. You can pre-order the record today from our Mini Mart or right here. 

Today IAN SWEET released the kaleidoscopic CG animated video for “Holographic Jesus” from her acclaimed 2018 album Crush Crusher. Directed by Marty Tzonev (whose recent credits include tour visuals for Julianna Barwick), the video centers around things that Jilian does using her wrist, featuring an array of colorful objects in perpetual motion, all inspired by the lyric in the song “The sun on my wrist, on my wrist, it’s never felt like this”.

Following a stretch around the US at the end of last year, IAN SWEET kicks off 2019 with a tour across the UK and Europe. Jilian is also set to return to the Europe in April for a run of solo shows supporting Frankie Cosmos. Tickets are available now via iansweetmusic.com. For a full list of upcoming performances, head to our tour page.

Of the song, Jilian says “‘Holographic Jesus” is a song based around collecting holographic Jesus posters from various bodegas and dollar stores while living in Brooklyn. I am in no way religious but I hung them up all over my room and was constantly finding the nuances and idiosyncrasies of each one. You could turn your head the slightest and see an entirely different image reflected. I felt connected to that idea. Some people collect ceramic frogs or action figures but I collect holographic Jesus posters. This song is about the things I went through in that room while these posters were so to speak ‘watching over me.’”

Never ones to slow down for long, Seattle trio Dude York are kicking off their 2019 with a new four-track digital EP called Happy in the Meantime.  The EP, out today worldwide and available to stream or download everywhere, collects the previously-released singles “Moon” and “What Would You Do If You Had Some Money Now?” along with two unheard rockers: the addictive “Run” and arena-ready “No One In My Life Can Hear Me Scream.”

Dude York’s West Coast tour with Partner kicks of Wednesday, February 20th. See below for a full list of dates. 

02.20.19 – Vancouver, BC - Biltmore Cabaret *
02.24.19 - Seattle, WA - The Vera Project *
02.25.19 - Portland, OR - Holocene *
02.28.19 - Los Angeles, CA - The Hi-Hat *
03.02.19 - Santa Cruz, CA - Crepe Place *
03.03.19 - San Francisco, CA - Cafe du Nord  *

* - w/ Partner

Hardly Art is pleased to announce our first release of 2019: Night of the Worm Moon, a new solo album from Shana Cleveland, the singer/guitarist of acclaimed surf rock band La Luz. Out Friday, April 5th on LP, CD, digital , and cassette, this full-length record sees the California polymath expanding her sonic palette, incorporating psychedelic folk sounds with out-there subject matter and inspiration including Afrofuturism and alternate dimensions. The blissed-out “Face of the Sun” premiered this morning via Stereogum and serves as an introduction to the new direction in Cleveland’s sound.

Pre-orders for Night of the Worm Moon are available now. 

Today Lala Lala and WHY? released the music video for their new collaborative single “Siren 042.” Watch the video, which premiered this morning via The FADER, above. “Siren 042” follows the September release of Lala Lala’s critically acclaimed album The Lamb. Of the collaboration, Lala Lala’s Lillie West says, “Yoni [Wolf] once talked me down when we were on the the strongest LSD of my life and I claimed to be ‘drowning in a river of sadness.’ I text him when I’m sick. Is he my life coach? Seems that way. I am a WHY? super fan and making this song was a dream come true. I hope to trick him into letting me into his home and more collaboration soon.”

Lala Lala headlines a US tour that kicks off next Thursday, January 17th. Click here for a full list of dates. 

2018 is coming to a close, and in the spirit of holiday giving we’ve to decided to give away a complimentary sampler over on the Hardly Art Bandcamp page. From Dick Stusso to IAN SWEET, relive your favorite Hardly Art musical moments of the year with these fifteen Hardly Art hits! And as a reminder: now through the end of the year you can save 20% on all orders of $25 or more from our webstore. Happy Hardlydays, everyone, see you in the new year!

Attention holiday shoppers: the Hardly Art warehouse is closed Dec 17th - Jan 7th for year-end inventory and holiday closure.  All orders placed on or after Dec 17th will not be processed until we are back on the 7th and will not start shipping until the 8th at the earliest. And a gentle reminder: we are offering 20% off of all orders of $25 or more now through the end of the year. If you want one of our new coffee mugs, heart tees, dad hats, totes, or any of our excellent releases, act fast and have a very Happy Holidays. 

This holiday season, we’re gifting our fans with a steal of a deal in our Mini Mart. Now through the end of the year, you can enjoy 20% off of all orders over $25.

We’re also expanding our merch offerings with some new items to make your season bright: a coffee mug, stylish dad hat, Hardly Heart™ t-shirt, tote bag, and more to come! Hit up our Mini Mart today to get your shop on.

Lala Lala–the Chicago-based project of Lillie West that was recently named one of Stereogum’s Best New Bands of 2018–has released a new video for “Copycat,” off of the critically acclaimed album The Lamb, out now. The track confronts West’s feelings of alienation and boredom: “Some of this album is about being frustrated that everything is always repeating itself,” she explains. “‘Copycat’ in particular is about how everyone talks exactly the same on the Internet and it sometimes feels futile to try and be yourself.” Watch the Lillie West-directed video here.

Lala Lala have also announced their first ever headlining North American tour for early 2019. The band is currently on tour supporting WHY? and has been touring extensively throughout the summer and fall playing shows with Mothers, The Ophelias, Wolf Parade, and LVL UP. See below for a full itinerary of upcoming dates.

11/09 - Salt Lake City, UT @ Urban Lounge #
11/10 - Boise, ID @ Visual Arts Collective #
11/12 - Seattle, WA @ Neumo’s # SOLD OUT
11/13 - Portland, OR @ Revolution Hall #
11/14 - Eugene, OR @ WOW Hall #
11/15 - San Francisco, CA @ GAMH # SOLD OUT
11/16 - Los Angeles, CA @ Teragram # SOLD OUT
11/17 - Tucson, AZ @ 191 Toole #
11/19 - Austin, TX @ Mohawk #
11/20 - Dallas, TX @ Deep Ellum Art Co. #
11/21 - St. Louis, MO @ Ready Room #
11/23 - Detroit, MI @ Loving Touch #^
11/24 - Pittsburgh, PA @ Spirit Hall #^
11/25 - Hamden, CT @ Space Ballroom #
11/27 - Portsmouth, NH @ 3S Artspace #
11/28 - Boston, MA @ The Sinclair #
11/29 - Philadelphia, PA @ Union Transfer #
11/30 - Brooklyn, NY @ Elsewhere # SOLD OUT
12/01 - Washington DC @ U Street Music Hall #
12/03 - Richmond, VA @ The Broadberry #
12/04 - Durham, NC @ Motorco Music Hall #
12/05 - Atlanta, GA @ Terminal West #
12/06 - Asheville, NC @ Grey Eagle #
12/07 - Nashville, TN @ Exit / In #
12/08 - Lexington, KY @Cosmic Charlies #
01/17 - Chicago, IL @ Metro +
01/18 - Minneapolis, MN @ 7th Street Entry *
01/20 - Milwaukee, WI @ Colectivo *
01/21 - Rock Island, IL @ Rozz Tox *
01/23 - Lakewood, OH @ Mahall’s *
01/24 - Washington, DC @ Comet Ping Pong *
01/25 - Philadelphia, PA @ PhilaMOCA *
01/26 - Brooklyn, NY @ Rough Trade *
01/29 - Montreal, QC @ Casa del Popolo *
01/30 - Toronto, ON @ Baby G *
01/31 - Detroit, MI @ Deluxx Fluxx *
02/01 - Grand Rapids, MI @ Calvin College *
02/02 - Grinnell, IA @ Grinnell College *

# w/ WHY?
+ w/ Snail Mail, Varsity
* w/ Sen Morimoto 

Today we celebrate the release of IAN SWEET’s excellent new full-length Crush Crusher, the anticipated follow-up to 2016’s debut album Shapeshifter. It is out now worldwide on LP, CD, and  cassette, and available via digital retailers and streaming services. You can purchase your own copy (maybe on eye-popping orange swirl vinyl?) from our Mini Mart or finer record stores across the land. Additionally, the band is currently touring North America in support of Crush Crusher. See below for a full list of dates.

Fri, Oct 26 - Kilby Court, Salt Lake City UT (w/ Young Jesus)
Sat, Oct 27 - The Hi Dive, Denver CO (w/ Young Jesus) (Ticket Link)
Mon, Oct 29 - 7th St Entry, Minneapolis MN (w/ Young Jesus) (Ticket Link)
Tue, Oct 30 - Subterranean, Chicago IL (w/ Young Jesus)
Thu, Nov 1 - The Monarch (CA), Toronto Canada (w/ Young Jesus) (Ticket Link)
Fri, Nov 2 - Mohawk Place, Buffalo NY (w/ Young Jesus) (Ticket Link)
Sat, Nov 3 - Great Scott, Allston MA (w/ Young Jesus) (Ticket Link)
Mon, Nov 5 - The Park Church Co-op, Brooklyn NY (w/ Young Jesus) (Ticket Link)
Tue, Nov 6 - Johnny Brenda’s, Philadelphia PA (w/ Young Jesus) (Ticket Link)
Thu, Nov 8 - Pinhook, Durham NC (w/ Young Jesus) (Ticket Link)
Fri, Nov 9 - Mothlight , Asheville NC (w/ Young Jesus) (Ticket Link)
Sat, Nov 10 - Drunken Unicorn, Atlanta GA (w/ Young Jesus) (Ticket Link)
Sun, Nov 11 - Broken Strings Brewery, Orlando FL (Ticket Link)
Mon, Nov 12 - The Wilbury, Tallahassee FL (w/ Young Jesus)
Tue, Nov 13 - Gasa Gasa, New Orleans LA (w/ Young Jesus) (Ticket Link)
Wed, Nov 14 - White Oak Music Hall, Houston TX (w/ Young Jesus) (Ticket Link)
Thu, Nov 15 - Three Links, Dallas TX (w/ Young Jesus) (Ticket Link)
Fri, Nov 16 - The Mohawk, Austin TX (w/ Young Jesus) (Ticket Link)
Mon, Nov 19 - Valley Bar, Phoenix AZ (w/ Young Jesus) (Ticket Link)
Tue, Nov 20 - Soda Bar, San Diego CA (w/ Young Jesus) (Ticket Link)
Wed, Nov 28 - O’Leavers, Omaha NE (w/ Young Jesus)