Chicago new-wave quartet California Wives is preparing for the release of their anticipated full length debut, Art History. Produced by Claudius Mittendorfer (Interpol, Neon Indian, Wild Nothing), the album is set for a September 4 release with Vagrant, a few weeks before the band embarks on a national tour with Stars and Diamond Rings. California Wives debuted Art History‘s first single ‘Purple’ last month, and its forthcoming video will be premiered as a commercial on September 6 during the 2012 MTV Video Music Awards.
In 2009, the band’s lead vocalist / keyboardist Jayson Kramer made a decision to leave behind a promising career in medicine for a professional go at music. Around this time he moved back to his hometown of Chicago where he was introduced to drummer Joe O’Connor, and bassist Dan Zima. It was via their shared appreciation of music and compatible chemistry that California Wives was formed in 2009, with the current lineup being cemented in 2012 upon the new addition of lead guitarist Graham Masell. The new Art History LP follows the band’s 2010 EP Affair, which won over local and national press, with My Old Kentucky Blog raving, "This could be the next buzz band everyone is talking about." After making their SXSW debut that year, Joy Division / New Order’s Peter Hook took notice, appointing the band to open his headlining set at The Light at Chicago’s Metro Cabaret.
Listen to single "Purple" below, via Soundcloud:
California Wives Headlining Shows
9/12 – Chicago, IL – Lincoln Hall (CD Release Show)
9/16 – Cleveland, OH – Beachland Tavern
9/17 – Toronto, ON – Parts and Labour
9/18 – Buffalo, NY – Ninth Ward
Tour Dates w/ STARS and Diamond Rings
9/20 – Portland, ME – Port City Music Hall
9/21 – Boston, MA – Paradise
9/22 – New York, NY – Webster Hall
9/23 – Washington, DC – 9:30 Club
9/25 – Charlottesville, VA – Jefferson Theater
9/26 – Carrboro, NC – Cat’s Cradle
9/27 – Charlotte, NC – Visulite Theatre
9/28 – Atlanta, GA – Variety Playhouse
9/29 – Nashville, TN – Mercy Lounge
10/2 – Louisville, KY – Headliners Music Hall
10/3 – Cincinnati, OH – 20th Century Theatre
10/4 – Indianapolis, IN – Deluxe @ Old National Centre
10/5 – St. Louis, MO – Plush
10/6 – Columbia, MO – The Blue Note
10/9 – Lawrence, KS – The Bottleneck
10/10 – Tulsa, OK – Cain’s Ballroom
10/11 – Little Rock, AR – Revolution Music Room
10/12 – Houston, TX – Fitzgerald’s Upstairs
10/13 – Dallas, TX – Granada Theatre
10/17 – San Diego, CA – House of Blues
10/18 – Los Angeles, CA – Mayan Theater
10/19 – Santa Cruz, CA – Rio Theatre
10/20 – San Francisco, CA – The Fillmore
