Photo by Shawn Brackbill
Perhaps it’s a coincidence that we CoSigned LVL UP on the same day the band premiered “Spirit Was”, the latest impressive track from their forthcoming Sub Pop debut Return to Love. We don’t really believe in coincidences, but we do believe in LVL UP and their mystical ability to invoke the lo-fi juggernauts of the late ‘90s.
“Spirit Was” validates that belief and then some, sounding like the best kind of cross between the fuzz of Dinosaur Jr. and the chilled-out, understated poetry of Silver Jews. Listen to the track above and read our CoSign interview with the band, in which they also cite contemporary influences such as Ovlov and Alex G. Ready for another strange coincidence? They’ll be on tour with both acts at various points this fall. Scroll down to check out their full tour itinerary, and preorder Return to Love before it drops on September 23rd.
Return to Love Album Artwork:
LVL UP 2016 Tour Dates:
09/07 – New Brunswick, NJ @ The Saint
09/08 – Harrisonburg, VA @ Crayola House
09/09 – Richmond, VA @ Gallery 5
09/10 – Raleigh, NC @Hopscotch Festival
09/11 – Washington, DC @ DC9 +
09/20 – Boston, MA @ Great Scott
09/21 – Montreal, QC @ Pop Montreal (Bar Le “Ritz” PDB) ~
09/22 – Burlington, VT @ Arts Riot ~
09/23 – Durham, NH @ University of New Hampshire
09/24 – New York, NY @ Market Hotel %
09/25 – Philadelphia, PA @ PhilaMOCA
09/28 – New Haven, CT @ Bar
09/29 – New York, NY @ Bowery Ballroom ^
09/30 – Kingston, NY @ BSP Kingston
10/11 – Minneapolis, MN @ Dagger
10/14 – Missoula, MT @ Palace Lounge
10/15 – Boise, ID @ Neurolux
10/16 – Olympia, WA @ Track House
10/17 – Seattle, WA @ The Black Lodge
10/18 – Portland, OR @ Analog Cafe
10/20 – San Francisco, CA @ Bottom of the Hill ^
10/21 – San Francisco, CA @ Bottom of the Hill ^
10/22 – Pomona, CA @ VLHS
10/23 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Echoplex ^
10/24 – Phoenix, AZ @ Rebel Lounge
10/26 – Denver, CO @ Hi Dive
10/28 – Bloomington, IN @ The Void
10/29 – Gambier, OH @ Kenyon College
10/30 – Louisville, KY @ Zanzabar *
11/01 – Nashville, TN @ The High Watt *
11/02 – Birmingham @ The Syndicate Lounge *
11/03 – New Orleans, LA @ Siberia *
10/04 – Austin, TX @ TBA
10/05 – San Antonio, TX @ The Paper Tiger
11/06 – Dallas, TX @ Three Links *
11/08 – Kansas City @ Davey’s Upstairs *
11/09 – Omaha, NE @ Milk Run *
11/10 – Madison, WI @ The Frequency *
11/11 – Chicago, IL @ Subterranean *
11/12 – Lansing, MI @ The Blind Pig *
+ = w/ All Dogs
~ = w/ Eskimeaux
% = Record Release Show w/ Ovlov and Vagabon
^ = w/ Bear Vs Shark
* = w/ Alex G and Brandon Can’t Dance