Tag: Beths

The Beths’ new single, “A Real Thing,” is indeed a really good thing.

Photo by Frances Carter

The Beths return with “A Real Thing,” their first new song since the release of 2020’s Jump Rope Gazers. “A Real Thing” comes as The Beths begin their long-awaited North American headline tour, which has been rescheduled twice due to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis. Last year, the band released Auckland, New Zealand, 2020, a live concert recording that showcased the infectious energy The Beths bring to every performance, and what audiences have been so dearly missing.

 “‘A Real Thing’ is a kind of anxiety dream. It’s a bit muddled, a bit frantic, a bit sinister,” says lead singer Liz Stokes. “It’s what came out of my guitar in late 2020, post NZ election (and U.S. election). I was limply reaching for optimism about the future, but was really just marinating in dread.” Ultimately playing more apocalyptic scenarios of climate change in her head, Stokes’ lyrics include specific references to how New Zealand has dealt with sea level rise in the past: “In NZ people sometimes use tyres and cement to build retaining walls by the water, to try to stop the land being eroded away as the sea encroaches. It doesn’t really work.” It’s a poignant image for a band that has had to navigate the constant changes in our present moment.

The deep bond between Stokes, lead guitarist Jonathan Pearce, bassist Benjamin Sinclair, and drummer Tristan Deck, has allowed them to overcome challenging circumstances and that’s present in the upbeat urgency of “A Real Thing.” It’s palpable from the very start and paired with the band’s signature bright, raucous guitar hooks and cooing harmonies; the song races and soars, much like an increasing heart rate. The Beths’ infectious and insightful songwriting on “A Real Thing” is an exciting marker of more excellent work to come, and the perfect way to mark the beginning of tour. 

Stream/Watch “A Real Thing”The Beths Tour Dates

Tickets available from thebeths.com

Tue. Feb. 15 – Austin, TX @ Empire Garage
Wed. Feb. 16 – Dallas, TX @ Club Dada (SOLD OUT)
Fri. Feb. 18 – Atlanta, GA @ Masquerade (Hell) (SOLD OUT)Sat. Feb. 19 – Nashville, TN @ Mercy Lounge
Wed. Feb. 23 – New York, NY @ Webster Hall (SOLD OUT)
Thu. Feb. 24 – Philadelphia, PA @ Underground Arts (SOLD OUT)
Fri. Feb. 25 – Washington, DC @ Black Cat (SOLD OUT)
Sat. Feb. 26 – Boston, MA @ Royale
Mon. Feb. 28 – Hamden, CT @ Space Ballroom
Wed. Mar. 2 – Chicago, IL @ Metro
Fri. Mar. 4 – Minneapolis, MN @ Fine Line
Thu. Mar. 10 – Sydney, AU @ The Factory Theatre (SOLD OUT)
Fri. Mar. 11 – Brisbane, AU @ The Zoo (SOLD OUT)
Sat. Mar. 12 – Melbourne, AU @ The Night Cat (SOLD OUT)
Sun. Mar. 27 – Southampton, UK @ The LoftMon. Mar. 28 – Leeds, UK @ Brudenell Social Club (SOLD OUT)
Tue. Mar. 29 – Glasgow, UK @ St Luke’s
Thu. Mar. 31 – Manchester, UK @ Club Academy
Sat. Apr. 2 – Birmingham, UK @ The Castle and Falcon
Sun. Apr. 3 – Bristol, UK @ Exchange
Mon. Apr. 4 – London, UK @ O2 Forum Kentish Town
Tue. Apr. 5 – Brighton, UK @ Concorde II
Thu. Apr. 7 – Paris, FR @ Point Ephémère
Fri. Apr. 8 – Lyon, FR @ Le Marché Gare
Sat. Apr. 9 – Dudingen, CH @ Bad Bonn
Sun. Apr. 10 – Lausanne, CH @ Le Romandie
Tue. Apr. 12 – Milan, IT @ BikoWed. Apr. 13 – Munich, DE @ Feierwerk
Fri. Apr. 15 – Vienna, AT @ B72
Sat. Apr. 16 – Prague, CZ @ Underdogs’
Mon. Apr. 18 – Berlin, DE @ LidoTue. Apr. 19 – Copenhagen, DK @ VEGA Ideal Bar
Wed. Apr. 20 – Hamburg, DE @ Molotow
Thu. Apr. 21 – Cologne, DE @ Bumann & Sohn
Fri. Apr. 22 – Brussels, BE @ Ancienne Belgique
Sat. Apr. 23 – Amsterdam, NL @ Paradiso
Sun. Apr. 24 – Esch-sur-Alzette, LU @ Kulturfabrik
Sat. Jul. 24 – Seattle, WA @ Capitol Hill Block Party
Sun. Aug. 14 – Toronto, ON @ Lee’s Palace

Keep your mind open.

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[Thanks to Patrick at Pitch Perfect PR.]

Top 40 albums of 2016-2020: #’s 35 – 31

As always whenever one makes such a list, there are many albums you want to include but you have to draw the line somewhere. That line was drawn at 40 records, and we’re now at the top 35.

#35: Night Beats – Who Sold My Generation (2016)

No question mark. That’s one of the first things you notice when you look at the cover of Who Sold My Generation. It’s not a question. The album is a statement. It’s a rough, bluesy, psyched-out statement about how the Nights Beats‘ generation was sold out by one-percenters, trickle-down economics, and the tech industry.

#34: Partner – In Search of Lost Time (2017)

Hey, rock is supposed to be fun. Remember that? Well, Partner do. That’s pretty much their motto, and In Search of Lost Time reminds us that rock is often best served with massive riffs, shredding solos, lyrics everyone will remember and love (and sing at live gigs), and themes of sex, drugs, and, well…rock.

#33: Föllakzoid – I (2019)

There’s no way this album should’ve worked. The three members of Föllakzoid each recorded their own parts separately and then gave those parts to their engineer, who hadn’t heard any of them, and then more or less told him, “Make a record.” As my wife asked when I told her this story, “Then whose album is it?” The answer, according to Föllakzoid, is “Everyone’s.” It’s theirs because they made the parts, the engineer’s because he put them together into some kind of krautrock / Blade Runner sequel synthwave soundtrack, and the listener’s because he / she will interpret it however they want.

#32: The Beths – Future Me Hates Me (2018)

These pop-rockers from New Zealand weren’t on my radar until I stumbled across this record while working at WSND. I was floored by their great hooks, sharp lyrics, and the sense of fun that permeated the entire record. They blew up on radio across the globe with songs like the title track (about dreading a relationship as soon as it begins) and “Whatever” – an ode to slacker aesthetic.

#31: The KVB – …Of Desire (2016)

I don’t remember where I first heard …Of Desire, but it grabbed me and would not let go. This sexy shoegaze album never gets old and is suitable for everything from a synthwave / goth DJ set to waiting in your car for a train to pass to having sex to a quiet dinner at home. The duo use all their vintage analog gear to maximum effect, making you feel like you’re floating in some kind of electric warmth.

Come back soon as I crack open the top 30 albums of the last five years.

Keep your mind open.

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The Beths announce 2020 spring U.S. tour.

The Beths will tour the U.S. in Spring 2020 to preview new music from their forthcoming album out next year on Carpark Records. After selling out shows at Brooklyn’s Music Hall of Williamsburg, Washington, DC’s Union Stage and Chicago’s Lincoln Hall on previous tours, the band will play more intimate venues on this run. They recently sat down with Paste while in the studio to discuss the forthcoming album and tour. Read the feature here.

The Beths earned praise from critics and fans alike for their debut full length, Future Me Hates Me. In addition to being ranked #42 in Paste’s “50 Best Indie Rock Albums of the 2010s,” the album received glowing reviews from NPR Music, Pitchfork, Rolling Stone, The A.V. Club, Stereogum, and more. The band recently won Best Alternative Artist and Best Group at the 2019 Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards while also being nominated for Breakthrough Artist of the Year, Album of the Year, and Single of the Year.

Tickets for the band’s Spring 2020 U.S. tour are on sale now.
The Beths Tour Dates:
Sat. March 7 – Auckland, NZ @ Villa Maria*
Thu. March 12 – Marlborough, NZ @ Framingham Harvest Concert
Wed. April 15 – Seattle, WA @ Laserdome
Thu. April 16 – Portland, OR @ Doug Fir Lounge (tickets)
Fri. April 17 – Bend, OR @ Volcanic Theatre Pub (tickets)
Sat. April 18 – Oakland, CA @ The New Parish (tickets)
Sun. April 19 – Los Angeles, CA @ Zebulon (tickets)
Mon. April 20 – Phoenix, AZ @ Valley Bar (tickets)
Wed. April 22 – Austin, TX @ The Parish (tickets)
Thu. April 23 – Dallas, TX @ Three Links (tickets)
Fri. April 24 – Houston, TX @ Satellite Bar (tickets)
Sat. April 25 – New Orleans, LA @ Gasa Gasa (tickets)
Sun. April 26 – Nashville, TN @ The Basement (tickets)
Tue. April 28 – Washington, DC @ Pearl Street Warehouse (tickets)
Wed. April 29 – Philadelphia, PA @ Kung Fu Necktie (tickets)
Thu. April 30 – Brooklyn, NY @ Rough Trade NYC (tickets)
Fri. May 1 – Pittsburgh, PA @ The Smiling Moose (tickets)
Tue. May 2 – Cleveland Heights, OH @ Grog Shop (tickets)
Wed. May 3 – Chicago, IL @ Cobra Lounge (tickets)

*w/ A-Ha & Rick Astley

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The Beths release their version of “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” just in time for the holidays.

The Beths Release “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” 7-Inch
Via Carpark Records
Listen Here

February/March North American Tour On Sale Now


[Photo by Mason Fairey]
The Beths’ Future Me Hates Me is “one of the most impressive indie-rock debuts of the year” (Pitchfork). Its first 3 pressings sold out only 2 months after release and have tallied over 1.5 million Spotify streams. Stereogum recently named The Beths one of the “40 Best New Bands Of 2018” and Rolling Stone is currently featuring them in their Hot Issue. While Paste has designated Future Me Hates Me one of “The 50 Best Albums of 2018.”

To celebrate a banner year, The Beths are releasing a 7-inch featuring a moving rendition of “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” via Carpark Records. Recorded in three separate continents on their first proper world headline tour, The Beths ditch the usual uptempo, guitar-driven numbers, for a slow-building serenade propelled by strings. The B-side, only available on the physical 7-inch, features a special demo version of Future Me Hates Me favorite “Happy Unhappy.” All profits from the 7-inch go toGirls Rock Camp Foundation.

Having recently completed a North American tour this fall selling out Seattle, Chicago, Boston, New York City (x2), Philadelphia and Washington, DC, The Beths will return in February and March to headline their biggest shows yet including Music Hall of Williamsburg in Brooklyn, First Unitarian Church in Philadelphia and Lincoln Hall in Chicago.  A full list of dates is below and tickets are on sale now.

Stream “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas”:
http://smarturl.it/thebeths_christmas
The Beths Tour Dates:
Fri. Dec. 14 – Wellington, NZ @ Meow (tickets)
Sat. Dec. 15 – Warkworth Town District, NZ @ Leigh Sawmill Café (tickets)
Wed. Dec. 19 – Sydney, AUS @ Lansdowne Hotel (tickets)
Thu. Dec. 20 – Northcote, AUS @ Northcote Social Club (tickets)
Sat. Dec. 22 – Fortitude Valley, AUS @ Black Bear Lodge (tickets)
Wed. Jan. 23 – Dublin, IE @ The Grand Social (tickets)
Thu. Jan. 24 – Dublin, IE @ Olympia Theatre (w/ Death Cab for Cutie) (tickets)
Fri. Jan. 25 – Manchester, UK @ Albert Hall (w/ Death Cab for Cutie) (SOLD OUT)
Sat. Jan. 26 – Glasgow, UK @ O2 Academy Glasgow (w/ Death Cab for Cutie) (tickets)
Mon. Jan. 28 – Nottingham, UK @ Rock City (w/ Death Cab for Cutie) (tickets)
Tue. Jan. 29 – Leeds, UK @ O2 Academy Leeds (w/ Death Cab for Cutie) (tickets)
Wed. Jan. 30 – Bristol, UK @ O2 Academy Bristol (w/ Death Cab for Cutie) (tickets)
Thu. Jan. 31 – London, UK @ Hoxton Square Bar & Kitchen (tickets)
Fri. Feb. 1 – London, UK @ Eventim Apollo (w/ Death Cab for Cutie) (tickets)
Sat. Feb. 2 – Paris, FR @ Le Trianon (w/ Death Cab for Cutie) (tickets)
Sun. Feb. 3 – Antwerp, BE @ De Roma (w/ Death Cab for Cutie) (tickets)
Tue. Feb. 5 – Utrecht, NL @ TivoliVrendenburg, Grote Zaal (w/ Death Cab for Cutie) (tickets)
Wed. Feb. 6 – Cologne, DE @ Live Music Hall (w/ Death Cab for Cutie) (tickets)
Thu. Feb. 7 – Berlin, DE @ Astra Kulturhaus (w/ Death Cab for Cutie) (tickets)
Sat. Feb. 9 – Hamburg, DE @ Große Freiheit 36 (w/ Death Cab for Cutie) (SOLD OUT)
Sun. Feb. 10 – Copenhagen, DK @ VEGA Musikkens Hus – Store Vega (Main Hall) (tickets)
Mon. Feb. 11 – Stockholm, SE @ Cirkus (w/ Death Cab for Cutie) (tickets)
Tue. Feb. 12 – Oslo, NO @ Sentrum Scene (w/ Death Cab for Cutie) (tickets)
Thu. Feb. 21-Sun. Feb. 24 – Orere Point, NZ @ Splore 2019 (tickets)
Tue. Feb. 26 – Toronto, ON @ The Garrison (w/ Bad Bad Hats) (tickets)
Wed. Feb. 27 – Montreal, QC @ Casa Del Popolo (w/ Bad Bad Hats) (tickets)
Thu. Feb. 28 – Boston, MA @ Brighton Music Hall (w/ Bad Bad Hats) (tickets)
Fri. Mar. 1 – Brooklyn, NY @ Music Hall of Williamsburg (w/ Bad Bad Hats) (tickets)
Sat. Mar. 2 – Washington, DC @ Union Stage (w/ Bad Bad Hats) (tickets)
Sun. Mar. 3 – Philadelphia, PA @ First Unitarian Church (w/ Bad Bad Hats) (tickets)
Tue. Mar. 5 – Cleveland, OH @ Beachland Ballroom (w/ Bad Bad Hats) (tickets)
Wed. Mar. 6 – Chicago, IL @ Lincoln Hall (w/ Bad Bad Hats) (tickets)
Thu. Mar. 7 – Nashville, TN @ The Basement (w/ Bad Bad Hats) (tickets)
Fri. Mar. 8 – Atlanta, GA @ The Earl (w/ Bad Bad Hats) (tickets)
Sat. Mar. 9 – Savannah, GA @ Savannah Stopover (w/ Bad Bad Hats) (tickets)
Mon. Mar. 11-Fri. Mar. 15 – Austin, TX @ SXSW (w/ Bad Bad Hats)
Sat. Mar. 16 – Dallas, TX @ Not So Fun Wknd (w/ Bad Bad Hats)  
Sun. Mar. 17 – Houston, TX @ Satellite Bar (w/ Bad Bad Hats) (tickets)
Thur. May. 16 – London, UK @ The Dome (tickets)

[“Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” 7-inch]
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