CONTEST: Limited Edition Decemberists Poster

A truly fabulous collector's item!

'Sea Lined Paper' is featured within The Insound 20.

Enter to win it here!

A victor will be randomly chosen & announced on 10/28.

Visit The Decemberists on MySpace.

MP3: The Decemberists - Billy Liar

The Decemberists Reveal Fall Tour Dates

Be sure to catch the band at:

11/5 New York, NY - Terminal 5
11/6 Boston, MA - The Orpheum
11/7 Philly, PA - Electric Factory
11/8 Baltimore, MD - Ram's Head
11/9 Ithaca, NY - Cornell University
11/11 Montclair, NJ - Wellmont Theatre
11/24 Los Angeles, CA - The Wiltern
11/25 San Fran, CA - Warfield Theatre
11/29 Portland, OR - Crystal Ballroom
11/30 Seattle, WA - The Moore Theatre

Learn all about their forthcoming EPs here.

MP3: The Decemberists - We Both...

The Decemberists Unveil New Collection

Always The Bridesmaid consists of...

Volume I (out on 10/14):
'Valerie Plame'
'O New England'

Volume II (out on 11/4):
'Days Of Elaine'
'Days Of Elaine (Long)'
'I'm Sticking With You'

Volume III (out on 12/2):
'Record Year'
'Raincoat Song'

Further info can be found here.

MP3: The Decemberists - Billy Liar

Colin Meloy Interviewed By The Sun

Amongst the artists he mentions:

Shirley Collins
Morrissey
Fleetwood Mac

Read the full feature here.

MP3: Colin Meloy - We Both Go Down Together

Colin Meloy Debuts New Decemberists Tune In Seattle

Enjoy 'Zoot' below. Visit The Decemberists on MySpace. MP3 at bottom of post.


MP3: The Decemberists - We Both Go Down Together

The Decemberists Announce Last-Minute Obama Benefit Gig

Here's the dirt: *For those in the vicinity of Portland, Oregon this weekend, The Decemberists will play an hour long set at a Rally with Barack Obama THIS SUNDAY, May 18th. The rally will take place at The Bowl in Waterfront Park, Corner of SW Columbia St. and Naito Pkwy, just south of the Hawthorne Bridge. Doors open at 12:30 pm and The Decemberists will play shortly thereafter. The event is free and open to the public. Tickets are not required, but an RSVP is strongly encouraged. Admission is on a first-come, first-served basis.*

For further info, head here.

MP3: The Decemberists - Billy Liar

Colin Meloy Guest DJs On NPR

Amongst yesterday's selections:

The Smiths - The Boy With The...
Anne Briggs - Willie O'Winsbury
Scritti Politti - Little Knowledge

Listen to the entire playback here.

MP3: Colin Meloy - We Both Go... (Live)

Colin Meloy Covers The Smiths At Portland In-Store

Watch The Decemberists frontman tackle 'Ask' below. Visit Colin at his MySpace page.


MP3: Colin Meloy - We Both Go Down Together (Live)

Colin Meloy Live LP: Cover Art, 1st Single, Track Listing

Here's what to expect on April 8th:

1 Devil's Elbow
2 We Both Go Down Together
3 Evoking A Campfire Singalong (Banter)
4 The Gymnast, High Above The Ground
5 Here I Dreamt I Was An Architect & Dreams
6 Dracula's Daughter
7 Wonder
8 A Brief Introduction To Shirley Collins (Banter)
9 Barbara Allen
10 The Engine Driver
11 On The Bus Mall
12 A Skull, A Ship And A Sheep (Banter)
13 California One & Youth And Beauty Brigade & Ask
14 The Bachelor And The Bride
15 A Cautionary Song
16 Red Right Ankle
17 Bandit Queen

View his upcoming tour dates here.

MP3: Colin Meloy - We Both Go Down Together

Decemberists Frontman Announces Solo Tour

Colin Meloy is at it again.

His live LP will be released in April.

All upcoming gigs below:

4-7 Austin, TX - La Zona Rosa
4-8 Dallas, TX - Granada Theater
4-10 Atlanta, GA - Variety Playhouse
4-11 Asheville, NC - Orange Peel
4-12 Charlottesville, VA - Satellite
4-13 Washington, DC - 9:30 Club
4-15 Somerville, MA - Theatre
4-16 Brooklyn, NY - Music Hall
4-17 Brooklyn, NY - Music Hall
4-21 Chicago, IL - Park West
4-22 Milwaukee, WI - The Pabst
4-23 Madison, WI - Barrymore
4-25 Lawrence, KS - Liberty Hall
4-26 Boulder, CO - Fox Theatre
4-28 LA, CA - Henry Fonda Theatre
4-29 Santa Cruz, CA - The Rio Theatre
4-30 San Francisco, CA - The Fillmore
5-02 Seattle, WA - Showbox
5-03 Portland, OR - Wonder Ballroom

Visit Colin at his MySpace page.

MP3: Colin Meloy - I Know Very Well How I Got My Name

The World Of B-Sides & Rarities, #389

Colin Meloy - I Know Very Well How I Got My Name

Another acoustic cover from 2005's Sings Morrissey EP.

Head here for more info on the project.

Visit The Decemberists at their official site.

MP3: Colin Meloy - I Know Very Well...

The World Of B-Sides & Rarities, #369

The Decemberists - The Perfect Crime 2 (JB Mix)

Lit rock meets downtempo electro.

Learn more about Junior Boys via MySpace.

MP3: The Decemberists - The Perfect... (JB Mix) [alt link]

The World Of B-Sides & Rarities, #323

Colin Meloy - Pregnant For The Last Time

The Decemberists frontman tackles Moz.

Enjoy his rendition of 'Jack The Ripper' here.

Photo courtesy of Rolling Stone.

MP3: Colin Meloy - Pregnant For The Last Time

The World Of B-Sides & Rarities, #269

Colin Meloy - Jack The Ripper

Decemberists frontman goes solo and covers Moz.

The result is quite impressive.

Enjoy the acoustic homage below.

Read about Morrissey's latest battle with NME here.

MP3: Colin Meloy - Jack The Ripper

The World Of B-Sides & Rarities, #250!

Colin Meloy - Live On KEXP

Setlist:
Devil's Elbow
The Engine Driver
Barbara Allen
Everything I Try To Do...
Clementine

Photo courtesy of Filter.

MP3: Colin Meloy - Live On KEXP

The Decemberists Plus Vintage Sports Clips Equals

Check out a brilliant fan video for Picaresque's 'The Sporting Life' below. Great job!

MP3: The Decemberists - Billy Liar

Decemberists Cancel Remainder Of US Tour

The band has just issued the following statement: *One of our band members has been ill for a while but we thought all would be well in time for these tour dates. After a couple shows, though, it has become clear that the illness is much worse than we had initially realized. We need to return home so our friend can mend. It saddens us to disappoint our fans. We hope everybody understands it is only because of an extreme situation that we had to cancel a tour we've all been excited about doing since the idea was originally hatched. Our deepest apologies but at this time no plans are being made to reschedule the dates. Ticket holders should seek refunds at POP.*

MP3: The Decemberists - I Was Meant For The Stage

Decemberists Cancel European Tour Dates Due To Illness

The band explains: “With much regret The Decemberists have canceled the remainder of our European tour. One of our band members is ill and needs to return immediately home to mend. Our deepest apologies to all of our fans whom have purchased tickets to our forthcoming European shows. Unfortunately our calendar doesn’t allow us to return to Europe at any point soon so please refund tickets at point of purchase. It saddens us to disappoint our fans. We hope everybody understands that it is because of an extreme situation that we had to make such an abrupt change in plans.”

The following October gigs are affected:

9 Dublin Vicar Street
10 Liverpool Academy
11 Newcastle Academy
12 Glasgow Academy
13 Leeds Metropolitan University

Thanks for the heads up on this one, TLOBF.

MP3: The Decemberists - I Was Meant For The Stage

Decemberists Tackle 'Weeds' Theme

I think out of all the cover versions of Malvina Reynolds's epic tune, 'Little Boxes', I'm still partial to Jenny Lewis & Johnathan Rice's take on the track (circa Season 2 of Weeds). That's not to say that The Decemberists failed with their attempt. Take a listen below to hear how Colin & the gang approached the two-minute ditty.

Thoughts?

MP3: The Decemberists - Little Boxes

Decemberists Create 'Long/Short' Tour

Great idea! Here's more via Filter Mag: *Love The Decemberists but hate the trendy MTV fans who only come to hear “O Valencia”? Or how about those chin-strokers slowly tapping their feet to the proggy epics like “The Tain”? Well, The Decemberists are getting ready to split their audiences in two with a series of dual shows in each town, with a tour titled "The Long and Short of It."

"Long" evenings will focus on the band's epic, progressive compositions. "Short" nights (while no shorter in set length) will highlight their more succinct, pop-leaning material. A limited number of pre-sale tickets, designed by long-time Decemberists illustrator Carson Ellis will be available to the public on a first-come, first-served basis beginning this Saturday, August 25th, at Noon EST here. Fans will need to buy tickets to both shows to qualify, but will receive a $10 discount and a free poster. Tour dates:

October:
28 Chicago, IL - Vic Theater *
29 Chicago, IL - Vic Theater #

November:
01 New York, NY - Terminal 5 *
02 New York, NY - Terminal 5 #
03 Boston, MA - Orpheum *
04 Boston, MA - Orpheum #
06 Winston-Salem, NC - Millennium Center *
07 Winston-Salem, NC - Millennium Center #
09 Washington, DC - 9:30 Club *
10 Washington, DC - 9:30 Club #
11 Washington, DC - 9:30 Club *
12 Washington, DC - 9:30 Club #
15 Columbus, OH - Lifestyle Communities Pavilion *
16 Columbus, OH - Lifestyle Communities Pavilion #
18 Milwaukee, WI - Riverside Theater *
19 Milwaukee, WI - Riverside Theater #
23 San Francisco, CA - The Fillmore *
24 San Francisco, CA - The Fillmore #
25 San Francisco, CA - The Fillmore *
26 San Francisco, CA - The Fillmore #
29 Los Angeles, CA - The Wiltern *
30 Los Angeles, CA - The Wiltern #

December:
01 San Diego, CA - Spreckels Theatre *
02 San Diego, CA - Spreckels Theatre #
05 Portland, OR - Crystal Ballroom *
06 Portland, OR - Crystal Ballroom #
07 Portland, OR - Crystal Ballroom
08 Seattle, WA - Moore Theatre *
09 Seattle, WA - Moore Theatre #

* = "Long of It"
# = "Short of It"

(photo via Eliot Wilder)

MP3: The Decemberists - Summersong