Sondre Lerche Drops First Bonus Track From Reissues, Tour Dates

Sondre Lerche @ The Great American Music Hall, from the HAD Archive

It's no secret that we here at HAD are huge vinyl fanatics, so when we heard that Sondre Lerche's first four records were being reissued, and simultaneously would be available on vinyl for the first time, we were very, very, excited. However, our excitement was not to end there.

You see, in addition to all that vinyl-flavored goodness, Lerche is giving us so much more: the reissues are backed with bonus tracks that include demos and unreleased tracks. Stereogum has the first one, a demo of "John, Let Me Go", and if it's any indicator of quality, these are going to be a real treasure trove. What's more, Lerche is also releasing his first live record, Bootlegs, from which you can hear the first track at his website. It is equally killer, and definitely representative of the quality of this live shows.

Which brings us to the final gem: Lerche is headed out on a fall tour in support of the records, and he's covering the bases. He'll be in the East, West, and middle of the US, and provided you're somewhere near a major market, you'll be able to see him. And, let us say, as devotees of his live show since his first US tour for Faces Down, it's one that you don't want to miss.

Sondre Lerche Fall 2012 Dates
9/05 New York, NY @ Bowery Ballroom
9/06 Cambridge, MA @ Paradise Rock Club
9/07 Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club
9/10 Philadelphia, PA @ World Café Live
9/11 Pittsburgh, PA @ New Hazlett Theater
9/12 Cleveland, OH @ Beachland Ballroom
9/13 Holland, MI @ Hope College – DeWitt Theatre
9/14 Chicago, IL @ Lincoln Hall
9/15 Minneapolis, MN @ Fine Line Music Café
9/18 Seattle, WA @ The Crocodile
9/19 Portland, OR @ Doug Fir Lounge
9/20 San Francisco, CA @ The Independent
9/21 Santa Ana, CA @ Constellation Room
9/22 Los Angeles, CA @ The Troubadour
9/25 Phoenix, AZ @ Musical Instrument Museum
9/26 Albuquerque, NM @ Low Spirits Bar & Stage
9/27 Dallas, TX @ Club Dada
9/28 Waco, TX @ Common Grounds
9/29 Austin, TX @ Stubbs

It's All Happening: Divine Fits Single, Record Release, and Tour

We'll be the first to admit: we've been remiss in covering the emergence of Divine Fits from studio project into real-life band, but now the time has come. Not only has the Daniel/Boeckner supergroup dropped their first legitimate single, but they've also delivered artwork for their full-length (above), and scheduled something of a mini-tour. And, frankly, we couldn't be more excited.

The single, which is available online or as a pretty vinyl 7", is fronted by the Boeckner-sung track "My Love Is Real". While it is sonically similar to Handsome Furs in both vocal approach and it's synth-laden identity, it also features hints of Daniel backing vocals on the chorus, and syncopated beats that are the Spoon frontman's hallmark. The track's b-side, "I Was Born In A Laundromat" is unquestionably a Daniel-led affair, reminiscent of the first two Spoon records in both production quality, and writing style.

In addition to these two tracks, Merge has also delivered the Daniel-fronted album cut "Would That Not Be Nice". It's nearly impossible to hear this tune and not think of Spoon's cover of "Don't You Evah". That being said, it seems that Daniel has taken on some of Boeckner's vocal reverb and synths for the track, as well as a slightly more clean spacious production approach. It definitely works, and it's a clear example of how this collaboration serves both artists' quite well.

In addition to all of this exciting new material, the band has lined up an end-of-summer tour, and is hitting both coasts, as well as a few spots in between. Tickets for the Music Hall Of Williamsburg show go on-sale tomorrow at noon.

While there are, of course, no guarantees in life, we've got a good feeling about this one. And, despite the fact that we've only heard three tracks, they're sounding damn good (stream all below). If they're any indication of what's to come, this is going to be a record, and a tour, to remember.

Divine Fits Summer/Fall 2012 Dates
AUG 03 2012 Montreal, QC at Il Motore
AUG 05 2012 Chicago, IL at Schubas
AUG 06 2012 Columbus, OH at Ace of Cups
AUG 09 2012 Salt Lake City, UT at Twilight Concert Series
AUG 14 2012 Los Angeles, CA at The Bootleg
AUG 30 2012 Seattle, WA at The Crocodile
SEP 05 2012 Toronto, ON at Lee's Palace
SEP 09 2012 Brooklyn, NY at Music Hall of Williamsburg
OCT 14 2012 San Francisco, CA at Treasure Island Music Festival