It's been a big week for Dan Mangan. The Vancouver songwriter released his latest album, Club Meds, just two days ago (January 13), and now his recently launched label Madic Records has announced its first full-length release.
The record comes from Calgary act Astral Swans, which is the alias of Extra Happy Ghost!!! leader Matthew Swann. It's called All My Favorite Singers Are Willie Nelson, and it will be out on February 24.
A press release describes the music as "stark psychedelic folk" that draws on '60s folk, '80s no wave, '90s grunge and punk rock. It's said to be "more structured" than Swann's work as Extra Happy Ghost!!!, but with an "experimental spirit denies the haphazard 'singer-songwriter' label."
The album was largely recorded live in Swann's living room, with overdubs added with Brad Hawkins of Ghostkeeper. In a statement, Swann said that the songs are about "confronting our strange ways of experiencing personhood, in the moral gorge between ideals and inadequacies."
For a taste of this, scroll to the bottom of the page to hear the beautifully forlorn "Beginning of the End." Previously released album cuts "You Carry a Sickness" and "Park Street" are also below.
Also below, see the album tracklist and Astral Swans' tour schedule. Fittingly, Swann will be opening up for Dan Mangan + Blacksmith on their upcoming tour with Hayden.
All My Favorite Singers Are Willie Nelson:
1. There Are Ways to Get What You Want
2. Beginning of the End
3. Let Their Faces All Blur Out
4. Please Don't Leave Me Strange
5. What Calms You Down, Freaks Me Out
6. You Carry a Sickness
7. Park Street
8. September
9. Holly
10. My Conscience Don't Work in the New World
11. Attention
12. Grass Girl
Tour dates:
02/18 Halifax, NS - Rebecca Cohn Theatre *
02/19 Fredericton, NB - The Fredericton Playhouse *
02/21 Montreal, QC - Corona Theatre *
02/24 Kingston, ON - Grand Theatre *
02/26 London, ON - London Music Hall *
02/27 Ottawa, ON - Theatre at NAC *
03/01 Guelph, ON - River Run Centre *
03/05 Winnipeg, MB - The Garrick *
03/06 Saskatoon, SK - O'Brians Event Centre *
03/07 Regina, SK - Darke Hall *
03/09 Banff, AB - Eric Harvie Theatre *
03/10 Calgary, AB - Jack Singer Concert Hall *
03/11 Edmonton, AB - Francis Winspear Centre for Music *
03/13 Vancouver, BC - Vogue Theatre *
03/14 Vancouver, BC - Vogue Theatre *
* with Dan Mangan + Blacksmith, Hayden
The record comes from Calgary act Astral Swans, which is the alias of Extra Happy Ghost!!! leader Matthew Swann. It's called All My Favorite Singers Are Willie Nelson, and it will be out on February 24.
A press release describes the music as "stark psychedelic folk" that draws on '60s folk, '80s no wave, '90s grunge and punk rock. It's said to be "more structured" than Swann's work as Extra Happy Ghost!!!, but with an "experimental spirit denies the haphazard 'singer-songwriter' label."
The album was largely recorded live in Swann's living room, with overdubs added with Brad Hawkins of Ghostkeeper. In a statement, Swann said that the songs are about "confronting our strange ways of experiencing personhood, in the moral gorge between ideals and inadequacies."
For a taste of this, scroll to the bottom of the page to hear the beautifully forlorn "Beginning of the End." Previously released album cuts "You Carry a Sickness" and "Park Street" are also below.
Also below, see the album tracklist and Astral Swans' tour schedule. Fittingly, Swann will be opening up for Dan Mangan + Blacksmith on their upcoming tour with Hayden.
All My Favorite Singers Are Willie Nelson:
1. There Are Ways to Get What You Want
2. Beginning of the End
3. Let Their Faces All Blur Out
4. Please Don't Leave Me Strange
5. What Calms You Down, Freaks Me Out
6. You Carry a Sickness
7. Park Street
8. September
9. Holly
10. My Conscience Don't Work in the New World
11. Attention
12. Grass Girl
Tour dates:
02/18 Halifax, NS - Rebecca Cohn Theatre *
02/19 Fredericton, NB - The Fredericton Playhouse *
02/21 Montreal, QC - Corona Theatre *
02/24 Kingston, ON - Grand Theatre *
02/26 London, ON - London Music Hall *
02/27 Ottawa, ON - Theatre at NAC *
03/01 Guelph, ON - River Run Centre *
03/05 Winnipeg, MB - The Garrick *
03/06 Saskatoon, SK - O'Brians Event Centre *
03/07 Regina, SK - Darke Hall *
03/09 Banff, AB - Eric Harvie Theatre *
03/10 Calgary, AB - Jack Singer Concert Hall *
03/11 Edmonton, AB - Francis Winspear Centre for Music *
03/13 Vancouver, BC - Vogue Theatre *
03/14 Vancouver, BC - Vogue Theatre *
* with Dan Mangan + Blacksmith, Hayden
