Have you spent the last few days trying to figure out what to do with that holiday bonus you’re expecting from the brass? Do you have grand plans for a trip to a secluded island with a special someone? Are you planning to build a swimming pool like Clark Griswold? Or like me, will you hightail it to the Borgata and bet it all on black? Whatever you decide, be sure to leave some loot for tickets to a slew of upcoming performances by some of 2010’s rising indie stars.
The first tour on my wish list is Jack Tatum’s solo-project Wild Nothing whose melodic indie pop album Gemini (Captured Tracks) rightfully received the tag of Best New Music from Pitchfork and should appear on a few year-end lists. The 26 show tour kicks off in San Diego, CA in early February then weaves its way through the United States and Canada before wrapping up in Los Angeles, CA which is home to tourmates Abe Vigoda who will play on all the dates. The well thought out co-bill pulls into New York’s Bowery Ballroom on February 13 and will be the only area stop for the bands. Tickets are available on Friday and we’d expect this one to sell out in advance so make sure you don’t sleep on this one.
Next up we have the Brooklyn based cosmic rocker Darwin Deez who is set to hit the road in mid-January for a 29 date tour that will conclude with a big homecoming show at Bowery Ballroom on February 19. The tour will preview his long-awaited self-titled debut album that has finally received a U.S. release date of February 22 courtesy of the Lucky Number label. If you were in attendance at his sold out Mercury Lounge show in November, then you know what to expect. For those of you who missed it, check out the video below for Deez’s tale of lost love, “DNA”, and note the synchronized dancing – you’ll see it again during his live show.
Finally it’s worth noting that 4AD recording artists Broken Records will make a long overdue trek to the United States for nearly a dozen shows including stops at the Mercury Lounge and Rock Shop on February 22 and 23. The Scottish band recently celebrated the release of their second album by recording five tracks off Let Me Come Home for the 4AD Sessions series; check it out and get a feel of what they’ll be bringing to your doorstep in 2011.
