News

Hello friends! It's been a good bit since we've given you a full update on all the Lovitt happenings. We have been hard at work on what is turning out to be a banner year for the label. Fresh off our first ever SXSW showcase, with five incredible releases in the works, there is plenty to look forward to. So, without further ado... First, Stephen Howard from Pinebender has been working on his solo project, called The Quieting Syrup. His first ever full length album, Songs About A Sick Boy, will be out on CD in July . A total of 12 songs written over a period of 12 years, the album focuses almost exclusively on his health battles and subsequent emotional fall out, following the ebb-and-flow cycles of affection, addiction, and ailments. Tour dates around the release should be announced in the near future. We are excited to welcome The Mercury Program to the Lovitt family. This highly influential band has been one of our favorites for years and we are honored to be working with them. Their new full length entitled Chez Viking will be available on both LP and CD later this year. This will be their first full length album in more than seven years, and believe us, it is worth the wait! Fin Fang Foom have finished the tracking for their new full length, recorded by renowned producer Brian Paulson, and have entered the mixing and mastering stages. Look for the record to be released in the fall, with plenty of touring in support of it!  Ben Davis & The Jetts are also putting the finishing touches on their new record, which we will have out later in the year. In even more release news, Des Ark is hoping to finish their long awaited new full length album later in May. We're hoping to get this one out later in the year as well. We can't wait! The first pressing of Pygmy Lush's stunning Mount Hope is all sold out on vinyl, and is already being re pressed on heavy weight vinyl. The re-pressing will come with a free download code for an mp3 version of the album. It was re cut at Chicago Mastering, and sounds terrific!  Now in tour news, Frodus came back with a bang at our SXSW showcase in Austin last month, and have announced even more tour dates to come. Their shows in May will feature Liam from Dillinger Escape Plan on bass, and their shows in June will be with Jake Brown, who played bass in Decahedron. They are hoping to announce even more shows later in the year. We will also be re-issuing And We Washed Our Weapons In The Sea on vinyl sometime in the future. You do not wanna miss one of their rare shows. Dates are as follows: May 8th: Baltimore, MD @ Talking Head Club May 9th: Philly, PA @ The Barbary May 10th:  Brooklyn, NY @ Death by Audio June 18th: Orlando, FL @ Redlight Redlight June 19th: Gainesville, FL @ Common Grounds June 20th: Washington, DC @ Black Cat / Van Pelt In more Pinebender side project news, guitarist Chris Hansen has a solo project of his own, which he calls Paletazo. He is currently on tour in Europe! All dates will be accompanied by The Love Of Everything, Bobby Burg's (Make Believe, Joan Of Arc) project. You can check out some of Chris' songs and his tour dates on myspace Denali will be playing a few shows during the summer. The first two will be in early June and tickets are already on sale and moving fast. Don't miss your chance to catch this rare performance, as you can never be sure when the next Denali show is going to be. Dates are as follows: Friday, June 5:   Philadelphia, PA @ The First Unitarian Church Saturday, June 6:  Washington, DC @ The Black Cat w/ KI:Theory, Pygmy Lush No, we did not forget about our SXSW showcase! It's hard to believe this happened over a month ago, as it seems like yesterday that we were sweating in the oppressive Austin heat and running around doing last minute preparation for the show. We are so glad that it turned out to be a smashing success! We wanted to thank those of you who came out to our showcase at South By Southwest in Austin, TX last month. We especially want to thank Courtney from Slip Productions for all of her hard work. There's no way it would have happened without her passion and initiative. Lovitt bands all played incredible sets. Through the course of the day the show was at capacity! Not bad for our first showcase during SXSW. PLEASE, if you happen to have pictures or video from this event, don't hesitate to send them to Brian. Good stuff might have the chance to get into the upcoming Lovitt Transmissions Volume 2 DVD!  So we all know that social networking can be stressful, with the amount of groups there are to belong to, but we encourage you to stick with it and become an official fan of the Lovitt Records facebook page! We are still trying to sort through this whole facebook page business, but the more official fans we have, the better! Click here to become an official fan: You can also follow us on Twitter LAST BUT NOT LEAST, we have some new items in the distro section of our web store including the 2xLP of Frodus Conglomerate International and the new Auxes Night Terrors Tour EP and the new amazing Picore (Spain) full length. We are also having a sale on certain items in our web store as we are trying to make some room for all of these new releases! Please stay tuned for more Lovitt news, as we are still working out all the details on our several upcoming releases. We are still as excited as ever to be releasing vital and exciting independent music.  Much love, The Lovitt Team

Hello, Auxes kicks off their second European tour tonight with Challenger. Songs from both bands will be mixed up into one set. Auxes and Challenger, this tour, will be Dave Laney, Al Burian, Pete Wagner and John Bowman. The dates are as follows: Apr 16, 2009 - Würzuburg, Germany @ Cafe Cairo Apr 17, 2009 - Trier, Germany @ Ex Haus Apr 18, 2009 - Freiburg, Germany @ KTS Apr 19, 2009 - Saint Etienne, France @ l'assommoir Apr 20, 2009 - Caen, France @ Bar Laplace Apr 21, 2009 - Bilbao, Spain @ Aurki Apr 22, 2009 - Gijon, Spain @ Savoy Club Apr 23, 2009 - Lisbon, Portuga @ O século Apr 24, 2009 - Don Benito, Spain @ The Rincón Pío Sound Apr 25, 2009 - Zaragoza, Spain @ avv Arrebato Apr 26, 2009 - Madrid, Spain @ TBA Apr 27, 2009 - Barcelona, Spain @ Inciviczone Apr 28, 2009 - Toulouse, France @ Bodega El Camino Apr 29, 2009 - Milano, Italy @ Dauntaun Apr 30, 2009 - Torino, Italy @ The Velvet Club May 01, 2009 - Arezzo, Italy @ Karemaski Art Lab May 02, 2009 - Napoli, Italy @ Cellar Theory May 03, 2009 - TBA, Italy @ TBA May 04, 2009 - Vicenza, Italy @ Centro Tecchio May 05, 2009 - Slo Koper, Slovenia @ TBA May 06, 2009 - Ljubljana, Slovenia @ Rog May 07, 2009 - Budapest, Hungary @ Feszek May 08, 2009 - Vienna, Austria @ Tuewi May 09, 2009 - Passau, Germany @ Zeughaus May 10, 2009 - Brno, Czech Republic @ Sklenena Louka May 11, 2009 - Prague, Czech Republic @ 007 May 12, 2009 - Dresden, Germany @ AZ Conni May 13, 2009 - Leipzig, Germany @ Atari May 14, 2009 - Berlin, Germany @ Lokal May 15, 2009 - Braunschweig, Germany @ Nexus May 16, 2009 - Hamburg, Germany @ Störte May 17, 2009 - Göttingen, Germany @ JUZ May 18, 2009 - Aachen, Germany @ AZ May 19, 2009 - Giessen, Germany @ AK44 The Auxes full length is available for order. The LP version is on 140-gram vinyl and comes with a coupon for a free MP3 download of the entire album. Take Care, Lovitt

Hello, Lovitt Records and Slip Productions will be doing a joint showcase during SXSW week. We joined forces because we care about good music and want to share our love with you. We have been working non-stop to create the best possible show and just as we were about to announce the amazing line up we got the the following communique from The Frodus Conglomerate International: "2009 has seen the world economy crumble due to the unethical practices of businessmen and corporate oligarchy. The current administration with the assistance of Ben Bernanke, Chairman of the United States Federal Reserve, has reached out to the Frodus Conglomerate International for aid. Calls were made, doors were closed and numbers adjusted. After weeks of vicious negotiation both parties agreed on a proper course of action. The Frodus Conglomerate International will address the public for the first time in 10 years on Saturday March 21, 2009, at 4:30 pm in Austin, Texas. Austin will be the first of several public forums to address current global conditions forewarned by the FCI in years past. The Conglomerate has employed Liam Wilson of the Dillinger Escape Plan to supply bass guitar for this address while Nathan Burke organizes his North-West Contingency. We are the economic police." In addition to announcing Frodus playing, we are happy to announce the rest of the amazing line-up! The show will take place on Saturday, March 21st at the Radio Room in Austin, Texas, on two stages. The current schedule is: Stage One (times are approximate) 11:45 - Edie Sedgwick 12:15 - The Medications 12:50 - Quieting Syrup 1:20 - Tight Phantomz 1:55 - Pygmy Lush 2:40 - Auxes 3:25 – Ben Davis & The Jett$ 4:10 - Des Ark 5:00 - Milemarker Stage Two (times are approximate) 11:30 - Head of Skulls! 12:00 - The Poison Arrows 12:35 - Young Widows 1:15 - The Life and Times 1:50 – Pinebender 2:45 - Silver Scooter 3:40 - The Van Pelt 4:35 - Frodus 5:15 - Cursive DJ sets by Team Fabrication and Neil O'Brien from The Van Pelt. There will be a suggested donation of $10 at the door. SXSW badges will not get you in. If you want to be on the paid reserve list, you can go ahead and pay pal $10 to: [email protected]. Those who do this will get a show poster and some other goodies. Get there early! Come out and support independent music and be a part of the best show this year.

Lovitt Records and Slip Productions will be doing a joint showcase during SXSW. It will take place on Saturday March 21st on two stages at The Radio Room from 11:30am to 6:00pm. The confirmed bands are: Head of Skulls! , The Poison Arrows , Young Widows, The Life and Times, Pinebender, Silver Scooter, The Van Pelt, Cursive, Edie Sedgwick, The Medications , Quieting Syrup, Tight Phantomz, Pygmy Lush, Auxes, Ben Davis & The Jett$, Des Ark and Milemarker. There will be a suggested donation of $10 at the door. SXSW badges will not get you in. If you want to be on the paid reserve list, you can go ahead and pay pal $10 to: [email protected]. Those who do this will get a show poster and some other goodies.

We are very excited to announce that we will be releasing the next record by The Mercury Program. The new record will be titled Chez Viking (see below for the track listing). The final mastering was completed this week - by the amazing Bob Weston at Chicago Mastering Service. No official release date yet, but the current plan is to have it out in late Spring/early Summer. The band hopes to do some limited touring around the release. Track Listing: 1. Chez Viking 2. Arrived/Departed 3. Backseat Blackout 4. Katos 5. Stand & Sing 6. The Church of Cause and Effect 7. Fluorescent Laces

We have a few new Lovitt related releases in the store. The first one is a limited 7" from METZ which features Hayden from The Grey . The other one is a 12" from Head of Skulls! who are from Chicago and feature Chris from Pinebender . Both are highly recommended releases. Check them out!

For those with Emusic, on Jan 26th, the Auxes song Radio! Radio! will be the featured free download of the day. Enjoy!

The Auxes Meow! EP is now back in stock!

Hello, Des Ark kicks off their second European tour this week. They will be playing both their quiet and loud songs on this tour. The dates are as follows: Nov 13, 2008 - Braunschweig, Germany @ Nexus Nov 14, 2008 - Frankfurt, Germany @ Exzess Nov 15, 2008 - Nancy/Laxou, France @ Soap Box Club Nov 16, 2008 - Paris, France @ Sans Plomb Nov 17, 2008 - Lyon, France @ Grrrd Gerland Nov 18, 2008 - Geneve, Switzerland @ Le Kab/L?Usine Nov 19, 2008 - TBA, Germany Nov 20, 2008 - Leipzig, Germany @ LiWi w/ Lake Me, Gem Andrews Nov 21, 2008 - Göttingen, Germany @ JuZI w/ Lake Me, Gem Andrews Nov 22, 2008 - Cologne, Germany @ Kulturbunker (Ladyfest) w/ Lake Me, Gem Andrews Nov 23, 2008 - Bremen, Germany @ Friese w/ Lake Me, Gem Andrews Nov 24, 2008 - Hamburg, Germany @Fundbureau w/ Lake Me, Gem Andrews Nov 25, 2008 - Aalborg, Denmark @ 1000 Fryd w/ Lake Me, Gem Andrews Nov 26, 2008 - Copenhagen, Denmark Nov 27, 2008 - Berlin, Germany @ Lokal Nov 28, 2008 - TBA, Czech Republic Nov 29, 2008 - TBA, Czech Republic Nov 30, 2008 - Vienna, Austria @ House Show Dec 01, 2008 - Budapest, Hungary @ Feszek Dec 03, 2008 - Vicenza, Italy @ Bar Sartea w/ Daitro Dec 04, 2008 - Arezzo, Italy @ Karemaski w/ Daitro Dec 05, 2008 - Firenze, Italy @ Squat Fest w/ Daitro Dec 06, 2008 - Winterthur, Switzerland @ Gaswerk Dec 07, 2008 - Freiburg, Germany @ KTS Dec 08, 2008 - Munich, Germany @ Kafe Kult Dec 09, 2008 - Würzburg, Germany @ Immerhin The band will be posting pictures and writings about the tour on their blog. Take Care, Lovitt

Hello, Auxes just started a European tour in support of their upcoming full length, Sunshine. The dates are as follows: Sep 13, 2008 - Heidelberg, Germany @ Exhibition Sep 14, 2008 - Vienna, Austria @ Tuewi Sep 15, 2008 - Budapest, Hungary @ Kuplung w/ Marionette ID TBA Sep 16, 2008 - Lublijana, Slovenia @ Menza Pri Koritu Sep 17, 2008 - Vicenza, Italy @ Bar Sartea Sep 18, 2008 - Arrezzo, Italy @ TBA Sep 19, 2008 - Livorno, Italy @ TBA w/ TBA Sep 20, 2008 - Italy Sep 21, 2008 - France Sep 22, 2008 - Freiburg, Germany @ KTS Sep 23, 2008 - Germany Sep 24, 2008 - Munich, Germany @ Kafe Kult Sep 25, 2008 - Mannheim, Germany @ JUZ Sep 26, 2008 - Dortmund, Germany @ FZW Sep 27, 2008 - Nürnberg,, Germany @ Königstor (practise space) Sep 28, 2008 - Dresden, Germany @ AZ Conni w/ TBA Sep 29, 2008 - Leipzig, Germany @ LiWi w/ TBA Sep 30, 2008 - Germany Oct 01, 2008 - Jena, Germany @ Kassablanca w/ TBA Oct 02, 2008 - Trier, Germany @ Ex Haus Oct 03, 2008 - Amsterdam, Netherlands Oct 04, 2008 - Aachen, Germany @ AZ Oct 05, 2008 - Germany Oct 06, 2008 - Hamburg, Germany @ Flora Oct 07, 2008 - Aalborg, Denmark @ 1000 Fryd Oct 08, 2008 - Kiel, Germany @ Schaubude Oct 09, 2008 - Hannover, Germany @ TBA Oct 10, 2008 - Braunschweig, Germany @ Nexus Oct 11, 2008 - Gottingen, Germany @ T Keller Oct 12, 2008 - Giessen, Germany @ AK 44 The new full length is available for pre-order on the website. The LP version is on 140-gram vinyl and comes with a coupon for a free MP3 download of the entire album. Take Care, Lovitt