Austin Sound Check

…And You Will Know Us By the Trail of Dead have posted the third installment in their studio diary. Narrated by frontman Conrad Keely, the diary gives us a peek into the world of these musicians in the midst of their creative process.
This installment documents the band’s frustrations with the recording process, including some harsh words for producer Mike McCarthy who seems to have rubbed Keely the wrong way. Luckily for those of us who are fans, the band and McCarthy managed to stick it out long enough to finish Century of Self. Though any future work together seems unlikely.
The …read more

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Art rock heroes …And You Will Know Us By The Trail of Dead have released a new video for Isis Unveiled from their new album Century of Self.
The video features lots of Conrad Keely’s face, with several little Jason Reeces thrown in for good measure. It is also replete with tons of spooky psychedelic imagery that compliments the music of Isis Unveiled well. Though, I must admit I would have cast at least one pirate in this video. The opening riff of Isis Unveiled has always sounded a little swashbuckling to me.
Have you picked up your copy of Century of …read more

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…And You Will Know Us By The Trail of Dead has released their second studio diary. Taken from the band’s Century of Self recording sessions from right here in Austin, the diary is narrated by frontman Conrad Keely.
It’s interesting to hear Keely’s observations on life in Austin, especially now that he splits his time between Texas and New York. Keely also expresses frustration with his voice and his struggle to complete lyrics. The diary includes some fantastic still shots of Keely, Jason Reece and the rest of the band in the studio.
Be sure to check out Trail of Dead’s first …read more

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Fresh on the heels of their new release Century of Self, …And You Will Know Us By The Trail of Dead has posted a new video diary from their recording sessions.
Featuring narrative by frontman Conrad Keely, the video diary is a brief glimpse into the band’s creative process, including various new techniques they employed for Century of Self.

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…And You Will Know Us By The Trail of Dead played a special in-store performance at Austin’s Waterloo records on Tuesday. Not coincidentally, their new album Century of Self was released the same day.
Check out video from the performance below, which includes my favorite new track Bells of Creation and an interview with lead singer Conrad Keely. Keely talks about Austin and how the music scene has changed since Trail of Dead first came here in the early 90’s.

Thanks to Joe Gross at Austin360 for the video tip.

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The music in Austin is always good, generally speaking. But every now and again there are times when the good music is lined-up night after night and I’d like to get on my knees and thank the music gods for the gift that is this fabulous music scene.
This is one of those weeks.
Tuesday 2/17
…And You Will Know Us By the Trail of Dead @ Waterloo Records (5pm, free instore)
You’ll be at Waterloo picking up Trail of Dead’s new album anyway, so why not check them out a free in-store performance? Get there early as it will fill up quickly.
Tribella @ …read more

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If you’re like me and you can’t wait for the new Trail of Dead album, you can stream the entire album on Spinner by clicking here.
Century of Self is due out February 17th on Richter Scale Records and is the band’s first album post-Interscope. The album cover seen above was inked by frontman Conrad Keely, entirely in ballpoint pen.
What do you think of Century of Self?
Image Courtesy Richter Scale Records

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…And You Will Know Us By The Trail of Dead have announced additions to the tour schedule I previously told you about last month.
The band has scheduled more North American dates in March, after which they will depart for their UK tour. I’m also gonna go ahead and start the rumor that we will perhaps have a Trail of Dead appearance at SXSW, as this schedule would totally allow for it.
Full tour itinerary is below for your perusal, as well as a video for Trail of Dead’s song Another Morning Stoner.

Feb 19th – …read more

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Trail of Dead and The Calm Blue Sea have both announced upcoming short run tours in early 2009. Both bands are excellent Austin music emissaries, so if either of them are coming to your area be sure to report back and let us know what you think.
Check out the full itineraries below.

…And You Will Know Us By The Trail of Dead
2/19 Dallas, TX – Granada Theater
2/24 Atlanta, GA – The EARL
2/26 Washington, DC – Rock & Roll Hotel
2/27 Brooklyn, NY – Music Hall of Williamsburg
2/28 New York, NY – Bowery Ballroom
3/1 Cambridge, MA – Middle East Downstairs
3/7 Minneapolis, MN – …read more

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…And You Will Know Us By the Trail of Dead recently talked to Billboard Magazine about their new album, entitled The Century of Self, which is set for release on February 17, 2009.
Frontman Conrad Keely talks about inspiration he drew from NYC bands like Yeasayer and and Dirty Projectors, as well as how the recording process on Century was different than on previous Trail of Dead albums.
Tracklisting for The Century of Self
“Giants Causeway”
“Far Pavilions”
“Isis Unveiled”
“Halcyon Days”
“Bells of Creation”
“Fields of Coal”
“Inland Sea”
“Luna Park”
“Pictures of an Only Child”
“Insatiable One”
“Ascending”
“An August Theme”
“Insatiable Two”
You can read the full interview on Billboard.com.
 
Image Courtesy Newscom

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