For southern rock band The Constellations, its debut record, Southern Gothic, has got to be big. Otherwise, they can enjoy playing dive bars and bar mitzvahs the rest of their career. But with production from Ben H. Allen (Animal Collective, Gnarls Barkley) and a cameo by Cee-Lo, they’re aiming for the big leagues, and with the likes of the Soul Machine lending a hand, the prospects are even brighter for a band with a big old helping of hype. L’chaim, gang.
Cee-Lo’s contribution is on the anthem “Love Is A Murder”, which promises to be nothing short of pure electro rock goodness. While having Cee-Lo on your album would be a nod for any act, this collaboration is a case of keeping it in the neighborhood. That neighborhood in question being the hotbed of Atlanta, GA. More than just a shared hometown, lead singer Elijah Jones said the diversity of the Southern Mecca makes up the very core of the album.
“Atlanta is strange,” says Jones, “because we’re all basically pushed together.” The “we” refers to the city’s huge hip-hop presence and its equally furious and influential punk scene. No wonder artists like the aforementioned Cee-Lo and Tom Waits top Jones’ list of influences. And on an album with odes to ’70s Iggy Pop and where Asher Roth gets respect, those two icons don’t seem so absurd.
If you want to hear how all of this blends together for yourself, check The Constellations out on tour opening for Hockey starting March 11th. The band will play a few solo shows beforehand, including a stop in London where they’ll release the 7″ “Setback/Love Is A Murder” on March 8th. Check out “Love Is A Murder” below, and you can also download “Setback” here. Southern Gothic is available June 8th on Virgin Records.
The Constellations 2010 Tour Dates:
02/02 – West Chester, PA @ The Note
02/03 – Brooklyn, NY @ Brooklyn Bowl
02/04 – Allston, MA @ Great Scott
02/05 – West Dover, VT @ Snow Barn
02/10 – Atlanta, GA @ 529
03/01 – London, UK @ Barfly
03/02 – London, UK @ The Flowerpot
03/03 – London, UK @ Hoxton Square
03/04 – London, UK @ Underbelly
03/05 – London, UK @ Club NME @ Koko
03/11 – Minneapols, MN @ 7th Street Fury *
03/12 – Chicago, IL @ Schuba’s Tavern *
03/13 – Colombus, OH @ Outland on Liberty *
03/15 – New York, NY @ Bowery Ballroom *
03/16 – Philadelphia, PA @ Johnny Brenda’s *
03/18 – 03/21 – Austin, TX @ SXSW
03/22 – Chapel Hill, NC @ Local 506 *
03/23 – Nashville, TN @ Mercy Lounge *
03/24 – Atlanta, GA @ Drunken Unicorn *
03/25 – St. Augustine, FL @ Cafe 11 *
03/26 – Tallahassee< FL @ Club Downunder *
03/27 – Birmingham, AL @ Bottle Tree *
03/29 – Hattiesburg, MS @ Thirsty Hippo *
03/30 – Baton Rouge, LA @ Spanish Moon *
04/01 – Houston, TX @ Warehouse Live *
04/02 – Austin, TX @ Emo’s *
04/03 – Dallas, TX @ The Loft *
04/06 – Denver, CO @ Larimer Lounge *
04/07 – Salt Lake City, UT @ Kilby Court *
04/08 – Portland, OR @ Wonder Ballroom *
* = w/ Hockey