Austin psychedelic rock outfit The Bright Light Social Hour have announced the release of their sophomore album, Space Is Still the Place on March 10, 2015 via Frenchkiss Records. The 10-track collection was written, performed, produced and engineered by the band at their home studio in Austin, TX, and mixed by Chris Coady (Beach House, TV On The Radio, Future Islands).
The Bright Light Social Hour convened while Curtis Roush and Jack O’Brien attended graduated school together at the University of Texas in Austin. Following graduation, they released their first self-titled LP in 2010. In the months and years that followed, their songs won over their hometown, and they scored six awards at the SXSW 2011 Austin Music Awards.
Listen to the single“Infinite Cities” below…
Space is Still the Place encompasses the idea of a “Future South,” which was developed by the band after touring across the country, heavily in the South, over the last few years. While on the road, the band usually stayed with people in various cities instead of hotels and gained a new perspective on the struggle young Americans faced after experiencing it first-hand.
“It was shocking,” said Curtis. “We realized how few individuals were working jobs they felt self-actualized by to some extent. They’re pedaling for survival. Our generation has grown up in continuous financial crises, a lot of unemployment, a lack of opportunity, widening inequality, and pervasive issues of race, gender, and class. We’re taking a lens to some of these gritty realities and espousing an optimistic, frontier-looking gaze into the future. ‘Future South’ is both an aesthetic and political statement. We’re taking forms and influences from soul, blues, and gritty southern music and ushering them forward. The idea evinces the south can be a vibrant egalitarian place. You can love barbecue and not be racist.”
The band will celebrate the release of their album with two performances in New York at Mercury Lounge and at Stubb’s in their hometown of Austin, TX before hitting the road for a Spring tour, making stops in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco and more. See full routing below, and for more information, visit www.thebrightlightsocialhour.com/dates.
Spring Tour Dates:
2/15 Miami, FL @ Coconut Grove Arts Festival
2/21 Laredo, TX @ Jalapeño Festival
3/5 New York, NY @ Mercury Lounge (Early Show)
3/6 New York, NY @ Mercury Lounge (Late Show)
3/7 Philadelphia, PA @ Boot & Saddle
3/27 Austin, TX @ Stubb’s **Official Album Release Show**
3/31 New Orleans, LA @ Gasa Gasa
4/1 Pensacola, FL @ Vinyl
4/2 Jacksonville, FL @ Jack Rabbits
4/3 Orlando, FL @ Social
4/4 Tampa, FL @ State Theatre
4/7 Atlanta, GA @ The Earl
4/8 Carrboro, NC @ Cat’s Cradle
4/9 Washington DC @ DC9
4/10 Brooklyn, NY @ Baby’s All Right
4/11 Boston, MA @ Middle East (Upstairs)
4/12 Burlington, VT @ High Ground Lounge
4/14 Montreal, QC @ Quai Des Brumes
4/15 Toronto, ON @ Horseshoe Tavern
4/16 Grand Rapids, MI @ Founders Taproom
4/17 Chicago, IL @ Empty Bottle
4/18 Cincinnati, OH @ Woodward Theatre
4/19 St. Louis, MO @ Off Broadway
4/22 Little Rock, AK @ Stickyz
4/23 Tulsa, OK @ Vanguard
4/24 Dallas, TX @ Kessler
4/28 El Paso, TX @ Lowbrow Palace
4/29 Phoenix, AZ @ Valley Bar
5/1 Los Angeles, CA @ Bootleg Theatre
5/2 Costa Mesa, CA @ Wayfarer
5/3 San Francisco, CA @ Chapel
5/5 Portland, OR @ Mississippi Studios
5/6 Vancouver, BC @ Media Club
5/8 Seattle, WA @ Tractor Tavern
5/9 Spokane, WA @ The Barlett
5/10 Boise, ID @ Neurolux
5/12 Salt Lake City, UT @ Kilby Court
5/13 Denver, CO @ Bluebird
