…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 video also features some cool shots of Keely and Jason Reece clowning around in the studio. Check it out above and let us know what you think.

Post from: Austin Sound Check

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 Self yet? What do you think of Isis Unveiled and the new video? I have to say that Isis Unveiled is the second best song on Century of Self, behind Bells of Creation.

Post from: Austin Sound Check

…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 tour diary here.

Post from: Austin Sound Check

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.

Post from: Austin Sound Check

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.

Post from: Austin Sound Check

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 @ Mohawk
Have you checked Tribella out yet? These uber-talented ladies just celebrated their debut EP release, which is chock full of catchy, new-wave inspired pop.

Wednesday 2/18
Adrian & The Sickness @ Flamingo Cantina
High-flying, in your face guitar driven classic rock that can’t miss.

Tiny Tin Hearts @ Jovita’s
Pop Americana that I’ve recommended here frequently. Jovita’s is a must on the Southside.

Friday 2/20
Dynamite Boy and Born to Lose @ Red 7
Drunk pop punk that you won’t regret in the morning.

Lucinda Williams @ La Zona Rosa
This week’s No Duh Recommendation. No further explanation needed.

Saturday 2/21
What Made Milwaukee Famous and The Story Of @ The River Flows East Warehouse Party [RSVP]
RSVP to get into this warehouse party, featuring some of Austin’s best pop rock, plus guest DJs from Octopus Project.

Wine & Revolution @ Beerland
Incredibly well done retro garage rock updated with a modern edge.

Pompeii @ Stubb’s
Two words describe Pompeii best: quiet intensity. Their unique brand of indie pop does not disappoint.

Sunday 2/22
Pop Unknown Rehab Party Afterparty @ Goodlife Team Garden (1114 E. Cesar Chavez)
Acoustic sets by Mitch Billeaud of The Lemurs and Schatzi’s Christian Kyle are totally worth going out on a school night.

Post from: Austin Sound Check

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?

Post from: Austin Sound Check

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 – Granada Theater – Dallas, TX
Feb 20th – Walter’s on Washington – Houston, TX
Feb 21st – One Eyed Jack’s – New Orleans, LA
Feb 23rd – The Social – Orlando, FL
Feb 24th – The EARL – Atlanta, GA
Feb 25th – Cat’s Cradle – Carrboro, NC
Feb 26th – Rock & Roll Hotel – Washington, DC
Feb 27th – Music Hall of Williamsburg – Brooklyn, NY
Feb 28th – Bowery Ballroom – New York, NY
Mar. 1st – Middle East Downstairs – Cambridge, MA
Mar 4th – Lee’s Palace – Toronto, ONT
Mar 5th – Pike Room @ The Crofoot – Pontiac, MI
Mar 6th – Logan Square Auditorium – Chicago, IL
Mar 7th – Triple Rock Social Club – Minneapolis, MN
Mar 9th – Bluebird Theater – Denver, CO
Mar 10th – The Urban Lounge – Salt Lake City, UT
Mar 12th – Neumo’s – Seattle, WA
Mar 13th – Richard’s on Richards – Vancouver, BC
Mar 14th – Berbati’s Pan – Portland, OR
Mar 16th – Slim’s – San Francisco, CA
Mar 17th – Echoplex – Los Angeles, CA
Apr 14th – Portsmouth, UK – Wedgewood Rooms
Apr 15th – Nottingham, UK – Rescue Room
Apr 16th – Manchester, UK – University
Apr 17th – Glasgow, UK – Oran Mor
Apr 19th – London, UK – Electric Ballroom
Apr 24th – Oxford, UK – O2 Academy

Post from: Austin Sound Check

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 – Triple Rock Social Club
3/9 Denver, CO – Bluebird Theatre
3/12 Seattle, WA – Neumo’s
3/16 San Francisco, CA – Slim’s
4/14 Portsmouth, UK -Wedgewood Rooms
4/15 Nottingham, UK – Rescue Room
4/16 Manchester, UK – University
4/17 Glasgow, UK – Oran Mor
4/19 Newcastle, UK – O2 Academy
4/23 London, UK – Electric Ballroom
4/24 Oxford, UK – O2 Academy

The Calm Blue Sea

01/02 Austin, TX – The Mohawk
01/03 Lawrence, KS – Jackpot
01/04 Pittsburgh, PA – Brillobox
01/05 Morgantown, WV – 123 Pleasant St
01/06 Philadelphia, PA – The Manhattan Room
01/07 Brooklyn, NY – The Charleston
01/08 New London, CT – Oasis Pub
01/09 Washington, DC – Velvet Lounge
01/10 Clarksville, TN – The Coup

Post from: Austin Sound Check

…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.

Post from: Austin Sound Check