J. Tillman may still be best known as the drummer for Seattle’s Fleet Foxes, but as a solo artist, he releases material at a cheetah’s pace compared to that of the Foxes. Even as Tillman continues to help pen the long-awaited Fleet Foxes sophomore album, he’s found the time to write, record, and plan a tour for his upcoming release, Singing Ax.
Well, Tillman really didn’t need too much time to conceive his seventh full-length album. Guided by legendary producer Steve Albini (Superchunk, Owls, The Jesus Lizard, Joanna Newsom, Nirvana) at his Electrical Audio studio in Chicago, he recorded Singing Ax in only three days. To aid in this brevity, Tillman chose to pass on a backing band, using only the Mellotron and drum machine for occasional accompaniment.
A complete tracklist has not been revealed, but via press release expect titles like Diamondback, One Task, Tillman’s Rag, Three Sisters”, and “A Seat at the Table”.
Prior to the release of Singing Ax September 14th via Western Vinyl, Tillman will be touring the states with Phosphorescent. The two first meet up July 27th in L.A.’s Troubadour, and will be making 11 stops across the U.S. before parting ways in Massachusetts mid-August. When they reach Bottom of the Hill in San Francisco, Little Wings will join the tour for a special appearance.
A complete list of tour dates follow. Tickets are most easily purchased through the venues’ website.
J. Tillman 2010 Tour Dates:
07/27 – Los Angles, CA @ Troubador *
07/28 – San Francisco, CA @ Bottom of the Hill * #
07/30 – Portland, OR @ Doug Fir Lounge *
07/31 – Seattle, WA @ The Crocodile *
08/03 – Minneapolis, MN @ Cedar Cultural Center *
08/04 – Milwaukee, WI @ Mad Planet *
08/05 – Chicago, IL @ Empty Bottle *
08/06 – Indianapolis, IN @ Radio Radio *
08/07 – Cleveland Heights, OH @ Grog Shop *
08/09 – Washington, DC @ Black Cat *
08/10 – Baltimore, MD @ Sonar *
08/14 – Providence, RI @ Club Hell *
08/15 – Middle East Downstairs @ Cambridge, MA *
* = w/ Phosphorescent
# = w/ Little Wings