New Magnetic Fields Album Gets Release Date, Title
Thanks to reader Joe Roberman, this morning we discovered the following announcement on Stephin Merritt's website:
"The Magnetic Fields are happy to announce that their new album, titled Distortion, will be released on Nonesuch Records on January 15, 2008. The band will perform a small number of U.S. tour dates in February and March. Specific details regarding venues and ticket pre-sales will be announced shortly."
Nice. It's been awhile since we've heard from the Magnetic Fields; their last record, i, came out in 2004. In the meantime, Merritt's kept busy writing Showtunes, hanging with the Gothic Archies, appearing on Fox, and shilling for Volvo, but we're glad to see he's back to the main event.
Xiu Xiu, Deerhoof, Why? Members Help AIDS Orphans
Jamie Stewart has taken on AIDS in song (see Knife Play's "Hives Hives"), and he'll soon take it on in real life as well.Along with Deerhoof's Satomi Matsuzaki and Why?'s Yoni Wolf, the Xiu Xiu mastermind will DJ at a benefit he helped put together for Kenya's Nyumbani, whose Children's Home houses orphans of parents claimed by AIDS. The event, called "Give In", takes place November 16 at Oakland, California's LoBot (Lower Bottom) Gallery.
Attendees are asked to present a donation of $7-$20 at the door, with proceeds going to Nyumbani. Nyumbani also sponsors outreach programs to increase AIDS and HIV+ awareness, and runs Nyumbani Village, "a self-sustaining community to serve orphans and elders who have been left behind by the 'lost generation' of the AIDS pandemic."
Even if you can't make the benefit, you're encouraged to learn more and donate directly at the Nyumbani website.
UPDATE: Kill Rock Stars has announced that they will match the amount of money raised at the party with their own donation.
As reported last week, Xiu Xiu deliver Women as Lovers, their sixth proper LP, January 29 via Kill Rock Stars. They also have that Polaroid book-cum-compilation out in November, and cover a Why? track on the U.S. version of Why?'s forthcoming single "Hollows", due November 19 on Anticon (the European version, sans Xiu Xiu, is expected November 18 on Tomlab). Deerhoof, meanwhile, play the ATP-sponsored Release the Bats Halloween shindig in London November 2.
PB&J; Nab Besnard Lakes as Openers; Peter Goes Solo
It's like a Neil Diamond song come to life, really: From the wilds of Canada to the snowdrifts of Sweden, they're coming to America! Montreal's Besnard Lakes have been added as support on all dates of Stockholm residents Peter Bjorn and John's forthcoming U.S. tour, which kicks off November 23 in Houston. It's a short tour, sure, but a good fit nonetheless. If anybody could help kick that jammin' PB&J set-ender into the next municipality, it's the Lakes.
Peter Bjorn and John have a short string of gigs in the UK with Maps early next month, while-- what's this?-- Peter Morén plays a solo set at NYC's Joe's Pub November 19. The same night as cabaret legend Ute Lemper, no less! Apparently, this show isn't a one-off thing either. According to the Joe's Pub website, Peter's got a whole solo album in the works:
"Peter writes a lot of songs-- too many to fit in the prospect of just one band with three songwriters, so in his spare time he has recorded a solo album that bears some kinship with Paul Simon, Tim Hardin, Brian Eno, John Cale, Caetano Veloso, Robyn Hitchcock, the Go-Betweens and maybe the Shins' acoustic ballads."
Sounds good! As for the Joe's Pub gig, "Peter will mostly play by his lonesome, but may invite guests or have some special treats up his sleeve."
And Peter's not the only one doing his own thing. Björn Yttling is producing the debut full-length from Swedish singer and Röyksopp/Kleerup collaborator Lykke Li; he'll join her for two NYC gigs this week, playing various instruments.
Seems PB&J have also made good on their promise to make up those Canadian dates they scrapped in favor of MTV last month. The trio has lined up Toronto and Montreal gigs in January, plus two more shows to boot.
As for the Besnard bunch, as previously mentioned, Jagjaguwar just last week reissued the Lakes' 2004 debut Volume 1. [MORE...]
Natalie Portman's Mixtape Tracklist Revealed
Upon reading the story we ran mere hours ago about the forthcoming Natalie Portman-curated Big Change: Songs for FINCA compilation that heads to iTunes on October 30, Portman herself flew to our Chicago headquarters outfitted in full Padmé Amidala dress, rang our buzzer, and stormed into the office demanding that we pay for her dry cleaning.*She then politely handed us the compilation's tracklist, which is the after the jump. Turns out Tokyo Police Club, Vetiver, Wooden Wand, and Thee More Shallows, among many others, join the Shins, Beirut, Antony and the Johnsons, Devendra Banhart, M. Ward, and Norah Jones on the list of contributors. Also, Bjorn Yttling of Peter Bjorn & John did the Shins remix. Those freakin' guys are everywhere.
* This did not happen. [MORE...]
Ipecac Recordings Roster Becomes Toys
Mike Patton, Qui, Isis, Melvins, Dalek-- now tiny and adorable!
Still, these Ipecac toys are really nifty-looking, with a lot more personality (if a slightly higher chance of coming to life and murdering your face) than, say, a Kindercore set might. Each figure will be available individually in a limited edition of 500, with a new one arriving each month.
Stay tuned for updates from our "Mike Patton regresses into childhood watch '07" as they come.
As for Ipecac, their next release is Brian Retzell's score to the recently released vampire flick 30 Days of Night, out October 30. [MORE...]
Le Loup Sign to Memphis Industries in the UK, Tour
You know how we like to keep you in the Loup
Seems Sam Simkoff and his Le Loup have been snapped up by Memphis Industries in the UK, home to the Go! Team, the Pipettes, Field Music, and more.
Memphis will issue Le Loup's debut with the super long, folk art-inspired title-- The Throne of the Third Heaven of the Nations' Millennium General Assembly, don't you know-- December the 3rd over there. The disc is already out in the States on Sub Pop-sidiary Hardly Art.
Le Loup had been playing shows alongside fellow District of Columbia residents Georgie James; illness, however, caused the James gang to cancel their plans for the next few weeks. Le Loup will soldier on sans Georgie for two more shows, then pick things right back up in December on another quick jaunt, this one with Margot & the Nuclear So and So's. [MORE...]
Burrito Brothers Set Kicks Off Parsons Archival Series
The Flying Burrito Brothers "Live" at the Avalon 1969 is but the first volume in the newly inaugurated Amoeba Records imprint's "Gram Parsons Archives" series, set to raid the vaults of the late country-rock legend."Live" showcases Parsons' twang-psych supergroup (also boasting Parsons' fellow ex-Byrd Chris Hillman) spreading its wings on a pair of April 1969 gigs opening for the Grateful Dead at San Francisco's legendary Avalon Ballroom.
Recorded by sound engineer/acid maker Owsley Stanley, the gigs are packed with some of Parsons' trad-country favorites never before heard on other Burrito Brothers records. The set also features the debut of a couple home-recorded bonus tracks, as well as a 24-page photo book with rare images of Parsons and company. Get "Live" November 6. [MORE...]
Caribou is how we North Americans refer to our wild reindeer, and it's also what Dan Snaith's been calling the smiley psych-outs he's been making ever since he left Manitoba in the rear view. But whaddya call a Caribou who's managed to make its way to Europe? Superintelligent, you say? Dan does have that doctorate, after all.
Allow me to cut the crap: following his string of North American dates currently in progress, Dan "Caribou" Snaith will head to Europe in mid-November for a monthlong tour. Of course, these are merely the most pressing of Dan's plans for trans-Atlantic travel: he and some stellar company will keep the peace at next May's Pitchfork vs. ATP festival in Rye, England. [MORE...]
Georgie James Cancel Dates Due to Illness
Better up that vitamin C intake pronto, and don't skimp on the zinc, neither: there's a bug going around, and it's reducing hardened indie rockers to puddles on the floor. Err... metaphorical puddles on the floor. Because that would be gross.
Take, if you will, the case of Georgie James' John Davis, who-- due to that pesky illness of his-- has been forced to pull the plug on a couple weeks' worth of dates. Consider the nastiness that follows, lifted from their MySpace blog, to be your tonic:
"Basically, I've been sick for the past few weeks and things haven't improved at all. Since it's been four nights in a row onstage of me wondering if I can remain conscious til the end of the set, we decided to just take two weeks off to recover."
Good plan. Now through November 8 in Omaha, all Georgie James appearances anywhere beyond the Robitussin aisle are off (though the shows they've ducked out on, with Le Loup, Aqueduct and others, appear to be going on without them). Dates have yet to be announced for a planned European tour in December, but we're assured it's still on, and the band promises to make up the missed gigs on a U.S. tour next March. Here's hoping you kids don't suffer from hay fever! [MORE...]
Decemberists Kick Off "Long and Short of It" Tour
Photo by Rich Orris and Marina Teper
While the Decemberists themselves are prepared to give fans (except those in the UK) both "The Long and Short of It", we'll just skip to the good part: The band's blazillionth tour in support of last year's The Crane Wife kicks off this weekend-- Sunday, October 28 to be exact, in Chicago.
As a reminder, the tour's dates come in pairs, with the first night in each city dedicated to the band's proggier side (the "Long of It" shows) and the second night showcasing their pop tendencies (the "Short of It" shows).
There are a couple exceptions sprinkled into the schedule, however. On November 13 in Pittsburgh, the band will perform a regular set (that is neither Long nor Short) at a WYEP-organized benefit show for CASA and Family Resources. And then on December 7 in the Decemberists' hometown of Portland, Oregon, they'll play a show at the Crystal Ballroom that is also neither Long nor Short. Rather, it's a "fan's choice evening", with the set list made up of fan requests made over on the Decemberists message board.
Or, if you are among those who feel that recorded documentation of live shows beats the shows themselves, there is always the option to stay in and listen to the Decemberists on that 93XRT live comp that just came out, you grump. [MORE...]
Photos: The Pipettes [Los Angeles, CA; 10/25/07]
Photos by Akmal Naim
Those three heartbreakers from across the pond-- the Pipettes, of course-- finally made amends with the continent they'd so long ignored, as their North American tour officially commenced last night at Los Angeles' Echoplex. The polka-dotted trio danced and clapped their way through a whopping 22 songs-- including new tracks not on their debut album.
You can catch the Pipettes in an American town near you before they head back across the (other) pond to Japan and Australia in December. Unless that American town happens to be San Diego, as the Pips show tonight at the House of Blues has been canceled due to the fires. :(
More photos and tour dates below.
[MORE...]
Beirut, Black Lips, Edwyn Collins, Yeasayer Play Swn
Plus: Two Gallants, the Cribs, School of Language, Pony Up!, Sons and Daughters, Duke Spirit
In addition to all the awesomeness a wristband will afford, there's a pair of separately ticketed shows going on around the festival. The Cribs, Those Dancing Days, and Shrag will play November 9 for an additional fee, while BBC Radio 1 DJ Annie Mac, Cassius, and more follow suit the night after. A wristband will get you into everything else, however, and individual tickets will be sold at the door of every other show when available.
Not content to merely offer music, Sŵn will also feature film screenings. Reels set to run: freak folkie favorite Valerie and Her Week of Wonders, the Saint Etienne-scored trio of This Is Tomorrow, Finisterre, and What Have You Done Today, Mervyn Day?, a Vashti Bunyan documentary teaser, music videos, and more.
Do you have a news tip for us? Anything crazy happen at a show you attended recently? Do you have inside info on the bands we cover? Is one of your favorite artists (that's not somebody you know personally) releasing a new record you'd like to see covered? You will remain completely anonymous, unless we are given your express permission to reveal your identity. (Please note that publicists, managers, booking agents, and other artist representatives are generally exempt from this rule, but will also be granted anonymity if requested.)
Wed: 12-26-07: 05:00 PM CST
Radiohead Celebrate New Year With Webcast
Wed: 12-26-07: 04:00 PM CST
Jay-Z Leaves Def Jam Presidency
Wed: 12-26-07: 02:46 PM CST
R.I.P. Oscar Peterson, 1925-2007
Fri: 12-21-07: 07:00 AM CST
The Pitchfork Guide to New Year's Eve
Tue: 12-18-07: 04:30 PM CST
Indie Bands Sue Camel, Rolling Stone Over Ad
- Photos: Wu-Tang Clan [Chicago, IL; 12/15/07]
- Photos: Thrill Jockey 15th Anniversary [Chicago, IL; 12/14-12/15/07]
- Kim Deal Talks New Breeders Album, Pixies, German
- Country Singer J.D. "Cast" King R.I.P.
- Minor Threat Turns Condiment, But Ian Doesn't Mind
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- Kim Deal Talks New Breeders Album, Pixies, German
- Country Singer J.D. "Cast" King R.I.P.
- Minor Threat Turns Condiment, But Ian Doesn't Mind
- Pollard Records 7" With Decemberists, Quasi Members
- Los Campesinos! Reveal Album Tracklist, Release Date
- Swell Return With New Album, Rarities Collection
- Mission of Burma Have a Burmese Mission
- Oldham, Faun Fables Release Letting Go Demos
- Photos: GZA Performs Liquid Swords [New York, NY; 12/13/07]
- Thrill Jockey B-Day Bash: Become Yr Fave Album Cover!
- The Decemberists to Return to the Road in January
- Rocket From the Crypt Resurrected on Live CD/DVD
- Lupe Fiasco Plots Sizable U.S. Tour, Cool Happenings
- Radiohead Reveal Cool In Rainbows CD Packaging
- Kindercore Serves Up Xmas Charity Comp/Comic Book
- Black Lips Release Very Limited Edition Single
- Portastatic, Annuals, Rosebuds Rock Trekky Recs Xmas
- Beach House Team With Papercuts for 2008 Tour
- Labels Seek Apology From Rolling Stone for Camel Ad
- Electrelane Organize Anti-Trafficking Benefit
- Donations Sought for Ailing Country Singer Cast King
- Madonna, Leonard Cohen Inducted Into Rock Hall
- Harry Potter Bands Rock Against Media Consolidation
- My Bloody Valentine Headline Benicassim Festival
- Sambassadeur Let Migration Free in the States
- Kevin Barnes, Jeff Mangum in Wacky Elephant 6 Movie
- Liars, No Age Announce Joint Tour
- Justice Release "Phantom" Single
- Stephen Malkmus Talks Trash
- Ike Turner R.I.P.
- Calexico Tour-Only Jams Now Digital Via Touch & Go
- Bradford Cox Publicly Apologizes to Samara Lubelski
- Yorke Preps 12"s With Field, Four Tet, Burial Remixes
- Diplo Remixes Spoon's "Don't You Evah" for Charity
- Robyn Invites Us to "Be Mine" on Latest Single, Dates
- Morrissey Reveals New Single Details
- Liars, No Age Members Team for Sissy Spacek Show
- Black Lips Add Tour Dates (Yep) Again
- Explosions to "Drop off the Face of the Earth" After Tour
- Yeasayer Announce Big 2008 Tour
- Final Fantasy Song Jacked for Ad Leads to
AngerLawsuitTotally Sweet Music Festival - Okkervil River Drop Free Covers Mixtape, Add Gigs
- The Mars Volta Whip Up More Dates
- Radiohead Pad Out Tour With New Dates
- Jens Lekman Plots 2008 Dates
- Photos: ATP's Nightmare Before Christmas [Minehead, England; 12/07-12/09/07]
- Marina Leaves Bonde do Role
- Ghostface, Raekwon, Kweli Guest on New Hi-Tek Disc
- Built to Spill Keep on Trucking Into 2008
- The Cure Lend Guitar to West Memphis Three Auction
- RZA Sets out on Solo Tour, Wu-Tang Clan Add Dates
- Un-T.V. Eye: December 10-16, 2007
- Various Production Leave XL, Plan Releases
- Clark Sneaks Out New EP, Preps Album, Tours
- Wilco to Play "The Complete Wilco" in Chicago
- Silver Mt. Zion Overcome Triskaidekaphobia on 13 Blues
- David Pajo's Dead Child Plan Attack on Quarterstick
- Cat Power Plans Charity Mission Abroad
- Bonde do Role Cancel Remaining Tour Dates
- Photos: Primavera Club Festival [Barcelona, Spain; 12/03-12/08/07]
- Mirah, the Blow Team Up for West Coast Tour
- Black Mountain Announce West Coast Dates
- Albert Hammond Jr. Talks New LP, Songcraft, Strokes
- Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings Add Winter Dates
- Too $hort(!) Contributes to In Rainbows Remix Record
- Robyn, I'm From Barcelona, Shining Play EuroSonic
- Karlheinz Stockhausen R.I.P.
- Kanye, Wilco, Flaming Lips Items in Darfur Auction
- Dead Meadow Herald New LP With Show, Pre-Release
- Waits, Weller, B-more Club on "The Wire" Soundtracks
- The Mountain Goats Reveal 2008 Dates
- Photos: Dewey Cox and the Hard Walkers [Chicago, IL; 12/06/07]
- Sufjan to Play Tibet House Benefit
- Bjork "Declares" New Single Details
- Underworld Reschedule Tour
- Murdoch, Albarn, Harvey Write Charity Postcards
- Dan Deacon to Greyhound Buses: Fuck You!
- HEALTH Sketch Out 2008 Dates
- Malkmus/Jicks Reveal Emotional Trash Tracklist
- Camel, Rolling Stone Under Fire for Indie Rock Ad
- DeVotchKa Sign to Anti-, Ready New Album
- Wilco Announce Spring U.S. Tour
- Mike Patton Lends Voice to Creatures in I Am Legend
- Nick Cave Announces Single, Soundtrack Releases
- Photos: David Shrigley's Worried Noodles in Concert [New York, NY; 12/05/07]
- Bauhaus Mark Final Breakup With Final Album
- Destroyer, Amy Millan, Tokyo Police Club on CBC Comp
- Photos: Yo La Tengo Hanukkah Show [Hoboken, NJ; 12/04/07]
- Atlas Sound Announces North American Tour
- Hot Chip Reveal Intimate U.S. Shows
- Nas, Rihanna, Method Man Rarities on Def Jam Comp
- Jason Isbell (ex-Drive-By Truckers) Does Big Tour
- Photos: Kevin Drew with Metric's Jimmy Shaw and Chikita Violenta [Mexico City, Mexico; 12/03/07]
- Antony Announces New Album Title, Bjork Video
- Silver Jews Reveal Lookout Tracklist, 2008 Live Plans
- Earth Return With New Album, Live Dates
- M.A.N.D.Y. Craft Fabric 38 With Boratto, Booka Shade
- Photos: Deerhoof with Ken Kagami [Miami, FL; 12/04/07]
- Radiohead Freeloading to End December 10
- Art Brut Line Up 2008 Dates
- Nick Lowe Reissues, Expands Jesus of Cool
- The Futureheads Reunite With the Road
- The Moldy Peaches Reunite for Juno Premiere
- The Breeders Return With Mountain Battles
- Destroyer Brings Trouble in Dreams on New Album
- Blue Note Collects Classic Hip-Hop Sample Material
- Mike Ladd Sends Nostalgialator Stateside via Def Jux
- R.I.P. UGK's Pimp C
- Hersh, Donelly on All-Female Neil Young Tribute CD
- New Autechre Album Due in March
- Merge Bundles Big Dipper Albums Into Remastered Set
- Morrissey Brings the Pain to NME Via Blog
- Jeff Tweedy, Cool Kids Rock for Obama
- Regina Spektor Further Postpones Shows
- Radiohead Further Flesh Out European Tour Itinerary
- Aesop Rock Plots 2008 European Tour
- Yo La Tengo Freewheel Into 2008 on Tour
- Photos: The Clean / Times New Viking [New York, NY; 12/01/07]
- Super Furry Animals Tour, Do Gigs With Fiery Furnaces
- Witch, RTX, Turbonegro Kickstart Volcom Singles Club
- Daniel Lanois Unveils Sixth Solo Album, Film
- Rare Book Room Comp (Ft. Avey Tare, Deerhunter, Silver Jews) Release Details Announced
- Un-T.V. Eye: December 3-9, 2007
- Devin the Dude + France + Architecture in Helsinki = !?
- Joanna Newsom Lines Up More Orchestral Dates
- T.I., Lil Wayne, Chamillionaire on Crunk Hits Vol 4
- Maximo Park Celebrate Hometown With Beer, Bus Tour
- Constantines Issue Limited Edition 7"
- Radiohead Firm Up Tour a Wee Bit
- Born Ruffians to Issue Colorful Debut LP in Spring
- Califone, Sparhawk, Kozelek Help Do Presidential Songs
- Pumpkins, JAMC, QOTSA, Air, CSS Rock Aussie V Fest
- Lupe Fiasco Talks The Cool, Cheeseburgers, Retirement
- Mahjongg to Finally Issue New Record on K
- Blood on the Wall Ready Third Album
- Sufjan's Literary Event Back On for December 17
- Klaxons Go Crazy for France on Latest Single
- Foals Sign to Sub Pop in U.S.
- The Mars Volta Reveal Dates, Puzzling Download
- The Mary Onettes Issue Debut in the States
- The Teenagers Lust for Scarlett Johansson on Single
- Jackson Reissues Thriller With Kanye, will.i.am, Akon
- Band of Horses Sandwich Tour With More Dates
- New Portishead Album Due in April
- Radiohead's "Jigsaw" Single Details Fall Into Place
- Dean & Britta, Keren Ann Link Up for Spring Tour
- Stars Extend Tour Even More
- Shia LaBeouf Working on Cage Biopic
- Child Ballads (ex-Jonathan Fire*Eater) Send EP to U.S.
- Morrissey to Sue NME Over Immigration Remarks
- Boris Smile for New Album
- U.S. Gets Hey Willpower [ft. Imperial Teen, Tussle] LP
- St. Vincent Extends Tour
- Merge Auctions Arcade Fire, Spoon Posters for Charity
- Weird Weeds, Future Rapper Play Chris Schlarb Events
- Black Lips, Deerhunter, Mastodon to Appear in ATL Doc
- MMJ Sell Live "Oregon Trail" Picture Disc for Charity
- Growing Sign to the Social Registry for 7", Mini-Album
- Beyonce's Sister Solange Samples Boards of Canada
- Radiohead Announce More Tour Dates, Sorta
- Vetiver Plan Remix 12", Covers Album, New LP
- Belle & Sebastian Fete Glasgow in Calendar
- Pinback Play a Bevy of Radio Station Christmas Shows
- Be Your Own Pet Get Awkward on New LP
- The Locust's Van Robbed
- Forrest, Lucky Dragons Do Deathbomb Arc Tape Club
- Hot Chip, Optimo, Studio, Maps Remix Love Is All
- Tonight's Sufjan Stevens Literary Event Postponed
- Driver Who Killed Silkworm Drummer Sentenced
- Gutter Twins Announce Release Date, Shows
- Photos: Electrelane [Glasgow, Scotland; 11/27/07]
- Editors, Hot Hot Heat Link Up for Winter Tour
- Morrissey Signs to Polydor/Decca in UK
- Photos: Los Campesinos! / The Most Serene Republic [Los Angeles, CA; 11/27/07]
- Sufjan, Bjork, Arcade Fire in Rock for Kids Auction
- Evangelicals' New Album Descends on Dead Oceans
- The Big Sleep Record Forever, Tour With Thermals
- Black Lips Announce Huge 2008 Tour
- Jens Lekman, A Place to Bury Strangers Join P4K ATP
- New My Bloody Valentine Album: Not Digital-Only
- Fogarino/Franklin's Setting Suns EP Finally Emerges
- Crystal Castles Reveal Debut LP Details
- The Rumble Strips Postpone U.S. Dates
- Interpol Live, Remix EPs Available Right Now
- Radiohead Announce First 2008 Dates
- Kanye West Makes Nice With Evel Knievel
- Bright Eyes' Oberst Forms Band With M. Ward?
- Ryan Adams and the Cardinals Line Up West Coast Tour
- Lavender Diamond Join Traveling John Waters Xmas
- Arcade Fire Add More 2008 Dates
- Coil Issue Naples as Vinyl Box Set With Bonus LP
- Weezer LP6 Site Declared Hoax, Alone Pushed Back
- Simian Mobile Disco Hustle Into 2008 With More Shows
- R.E.M.'s Mills Plays New Orleans Charity Event in D.C.
- Herbert Seeks Phoned-In Vocals for New Big Band LP
- Un-T.V. Eye: November 26-December 3, 2007
- Richard Hawley Steps Out on Stage and Screen
- The Clean Plan Some Shows
- James Murphy, Nelly Furtado on Fucked Up Holiday 7"
- Wu-Tang Clan Reveal 8 Diagrams Tracklist, Add Dates
- Morrissey Plans 2008 Gigs
- Photos: Dinosaur Jr. [Boston, MA; 11/24/07]
- My Bloody Valentine Plan Digital Self-Release for LP
- DJ Shadow and Cut Chemist Join for "Hard Sell" Tour