Fist City Sign to Black Tent Press, Prep New LP

BY Josiah HughesPublished Nov 4, 2011

After releasing their debut album Hunting You on Dead Beat Records last year, Lethbridge, AB post-punk rockers Fist City followed it up with a number of singles and a cassette. Now, they've revealed plans for their second album, which will appear on Los Angeles imprint Black Tent Press.

According to Fist City guitarist Evan Van Reekum, the band became acquainted with Black Tent Press -- which has released records by Bonnie 'Prince' Billy and David Pajo, among others -- through new labelmate and weirdest-dude-in-Canada contender Tonetta.

"We became pals with Tonetta and went to his apartment in Toronto," Van Reekum tells Exclaim! "We gave him a CD of our first record, then he talked Black Tent Press into doing our LP because he liked it so much. Also, I pestered the shit outta label owner Dirk Knibbe -- or at least that is what he says."

The new LP is expected in May 2012 and will be called It's 1983, Grow Up. According to Van Reekum, the writing process is coming along nicely.

"It's mostly all written. We're just working on a few more songs," he says. "There's a lot more pop in this one, but overall a similar sound. I want this one to be really grungy. The content of the album will be more cohesive and focused as well."

With plans to record the LP at Lethbridge's Mammoth Cave studio this winter, the LP will be in good company when it drops.

"We are very excited to be on the same label as a few of our musical heroes," Van Reekum admits. "Namely, Bonnie 'Prince' Billy and David Pajo. It is a great feeling. Black Tent is a really great label run by a very classy fellow. He used to work for Drag City, which has been my favourite label since I was a kid... that connection really blows me away."

Fist City also have some famous fans in Canada, most notably in Fucked Up frontman Damian Abraham, who sung their praises in the NME before debuting their "Debbie Get Yr Boa" video on The Wedge.

"Damian was so great to us!" Van Reekum says. "He played our video on The Wedge, which was a really awesome milestone for all of us -- for Lethbridge. As far as the NME mention, it was a really proud moment for the band. It is hard to tell if it made a difference or not."

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