Review: Los Campesinos – Romance is Boring
Los Campesinos may think romance is boring but the album is anything but. The seven piece band gives us a wild ride of indie pop mixed with electronics and unique sounds. Romance is Boring is full of highs and lows, the fun and upbeat and the darker, more serious tunes. “In Media Res” begins this joy ride, starting off softly, building speed, and plateauing in a beautiful symphony. The opening song often defines an album and this song showcases their unique blend —somewhat erratic but it all makes sense. It’s impossible to figure out where their songs are headed but it’s what holds your interest. It’s what makes you want to keep listening.
A drum beat and unforgettable vocals dominate “A Heat Rash in the Shape of the Show Me State…” All other instruments are secondary but of course, just as essential. Pianos, violins, and saxophones all make an appearance in the song, revealing this band’s complexity. Although Los Campesinos can seem very young because of their convivial style, their music is well thought out and detailed. “Plan A” feels like it belongs in a horror movie. Eerie scratching guitars and frightened singing make up the verses. Electronics in dissonance add to this troubling tune. But the choruses liven up turning the song into something more enjoyable for our fragile ears. There are so many sounds and vocals and instruments flooding each song on Romance is Boring but Los Campesinos somehow keep the chaos organized. They don’t have catchy hooks and they don’t follow any formulas, but somehow these turbulent melodies still manage to pull you in.
Los Campesinos! Announce Tour Record Box Competition
Los Campesinos! are about to hit the road on their first tour since finishing their upcoming album. To celebrate the tour, the return to the US and the band’s general
adoration of the ‘local record shop’, they’ve decided to build the ultimate LC! fan’s prize: a hand-picked selection of records… Neatly packed in a durable
tour-proof box. The band will be filming the box’s travels across the tour, documenting everything that goes in – be it a lucky find from a bargain bin, or a
friend’s band’s signed pressing. To win the box, you’ll have to follow its travels, across the US and across the internet.
AUGUST:
04 – Webster Hall (18+) – New York, New York
05 – 9:30 Club (All Ages) – DC, Washington DC
06 – Grog Shop (All Ages) – Cleveland, Ohio
07 – Spin Nightclub (21+) – Indianapolis, Indiana
08 – LOLLAPALOOZA, Chicago
12 – Record Bar (18+) – Kansas City, Missouri
14 – Emo’s (All Ages) – Austin, Texas
15 – Granada Theatre (All Ages) – Dallas, Texas
16 – Warehouse Live (Studio) – Houston, Texas
19 – Launchpad (21+) – Albuquerque, New Mexico
20 – Hocofest Green Music Festival – Tucson, Arizona
21 – El Rey Theater (All Ages) – Los Angeles, California
22 – The Glass House (All Ages) – Pomona, California
23 – Detroit Bar (21+) – Costa Mesa, California
25 – Beauty Bar (21+) – Las Vegas, Nevada
26 – Howie and Sons Pizza – Visalia, California
27 – Brookdale Lodge Concert Hall – Santa Cruz, California
28 – Outside Lands Festival – San Francisco, California
29 – Street Scene Festival – San Diego, California
Los Campesinos! Announce UK Tour
This October sees Los Campesinos! head out on their first UK tour, in a year. These will be Los Campesinos! first shows post-Aleks’ departure and with the new Campesinos! in tow, and will also be the first opportunity to see the performance of new songs from the bands forthcoming record, in reasonably intimate surroundings.
Tour dates are as follows:
October
21 – Kasbah, Coventry
22 – Joiners, Southampton
23 – Phoenix, Exeter
24 – The Gate, Cardiff
26 – Deaf Institute, Manchester
27 – University, Newcastle
28 – Garage, London
29 – O2 Academy, Oxford
30 – Cockpit, Leeds
31 – King Tut’s, Glasgow
Sky Larkin Tour Dates just announced!
Sky Larkin, Wichita USA’s deftly wonderful Yorkshire trio, has just announced the following dates for their spring tour (many are with long-time touring partners Los Campesinos!):
March
14th LA, Spaceland
16th LA, Box8 Factory, Mixtape Music Party
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18th SXSW – Hype Machine / Sup magazine party (time tbc)
18th SXSW – Wichita showcase 12am
19th SXSW – Wichita / Mixtape Party, 7600-7699 Stillridge Drv, 4.45pm
20th SXSW – Music for Listeners Party – 3.15pm
21st SXSW – British Embassy Yorkshire party – 1.40pm
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23rd NYC, Mercury Lounge w/ The Grates -9pm
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29th Philadelphia, PA.Theatre of Living Arts w/ Los Campesinos!
30th South Burlington, VT.Higher Ground w/ Los Campesinos!
31st Montreal.QUE La Sala Rosa w/ Los Campesinos!
April
1st Toronto, ONT Opera House w/ Los Campesinos!
2nd Detroit, MI Magic Stick w/ Los Campesinos!
3rd Milwaukee, WI Turner Hall w/ Los Campesinos!
4th Minneapolis, MN Fine Line Café w/ Los Campesinos!
5th Omaha,NE Waiting Room w/ Los Campesinos!
7th Denver, Blue Theatre w/ Los Campesinos!
10th Seattle, WA Nuemos Crystall Ball w/ Los Campesinos!
11th Vancouver, BC Richards on Richard w/ Los Campesinos!
12th Portland Orm Wonder Ballroom w/ Los Campesinos!
15th San Francisco, CA Slims w/ Los Campesinos!