Plenty of people go to see bands when they come through their town, but most people don’t think about everything that it takes to get those bands to their favorite club. Being on tour for a musician is both enlightening and daunting, as physically and mentally draining as it is stimulating. And no matter what, there are always stories to tell. In Tales From The Golden Road we let musicians tell their own stories of life on the road to get a behind-the-scenes, up-close look at what really goes down between each show.
Brooklyn outfit 79.5 have plenty to be excited about these days. Composed of “honeyed vocalists, street flautists, and psych guitarists”, the group are gearing up to release their new album Predictions on Big Crown Records. As you can hear from their single “Boy Don’t Be Afraid” (streaming below), their sound is catchy and funky, filled with group exuberant group harmonies and funky disco grooves. Their music is aimed at accomplishing two things: making you feel good and making you dance. It’s no surprise that they caught the attention of soul-psych group Chicano Batman, who have enlisted them to open their upcoming tour. The group are also collaborators and friends of Chicano Batman. This is the first tour for 79.5 and it kicks off today at the Crocodile in Seattle, WA. We are excited to share dispatches from the road from this talented group as they traverse the country hitting venues and festivals alike.
This is the first time 79.5 has ever been on the road and starting tomorrow, we are super stoked to be opening for and playing with Chicano Batman. We’re especially excited to be touring even before we release our debut record this May.
I (Kate Mattison vocals/Rhodes) am stoked to be on the road with my bandmates, and to have the opportunity to be doing keys and vocals for Chicano Batman, along with my lovely bandmates Nya & Piya– also on vocals. So, not only is is this a dope tour— we’re doing double headers the majority of it.
We first met Chicano Batman through our producer Leon Michels, who also co-owns our label and produced Chicano Batman’s new record, Freedom Is Free. We played Bowery Ballroom with them this summer, and before we even met, they had asked the three of us to join them on a couple songs for their set. We happily agreed and a beautiful musical relationship was formed. The show was great, and we all knew this could continue further.
In November 2016, we joined CB on 3 songs for a live session with their label ATO and the Wild Honey Pie Sessions, and a little buzz began about 79.5 joining them on their first US headlining tour. A few days later, we were asked to join. A wonderful fit for the two bands. The music from both bands truly compliments one another — and we are honored to be playing with and opening for such talented musicians. With Chicano Batman’s message of truth, freedom of expression & hope for humanity and 79.5’s message of love, loyalty & romance– it’s a beautiful joining of bands on the road.
We are so excited to play all of these historic venues– and right now on the West Coast– certainly The Fillmore in SF and The Roxy in LA. We’re starting the tour at The Crocodile in Seattle tomorrow, well, damn stoked about that one too.
And of course when we return to our hometown of NYC and play Bowery Ballroom on March 31.
79.5 kick off their tour with Chicano Batman tonight at The Crocodile in Seattle, WA. Check out a full list of tour dates below and stay tuned for more dispatches from the road!
79.5 Tour Dates
Feb 23 – Seattle, WA – The Crocodile
Feb 24 – Portland, OR – Star Theater
Feb 25 – Eugene, OR – HiFi Music Hall
Feb 26 – Arcata, CA – Arcata Theatre Lounge
Mar 01 – Sacramento, CA – Harlow’s
Mar 02 – San Jose, CA – The Ritz
Mar 03 – San Francisco, CA – The Filmore
Mar 04 – Los Angeles, CA – The Roxy
Mar 21 – Atlanta, GA – The EARL
Mar 22 – Asheville, NC – The Mothlight
Mar 23 – Chapel Hill, NC – Local 506
Mar 24 – Charlottesville, VA – The Southern
Mar 25 – Washington, DC – Rock & Roll Hotel
Mar 27 – Burlington, VT – Higher Ground
Mar 28 – Boston, MA — The Sinclair
Mar 31 – New York, NY – Bowery Ballroom
Apr 01 – Philadelphia, PA – The Foundry @ The Fillmore
Apr 02 – Pittsburgh, PA – James Street Ballroom
Apr 04 – Toronto, ON – The Velvet Underground
Apr 05 – Detroit, MI – El Club
Apr 06 – Grand Rapids, MI – The Stache @ The Intersection
Apr 07 – Chicago, IL – Lincoln Hall
All dates w. Chicano Batman and Sad Girl
