Cursive premiered “The Sun and Moon”, the first MP3 off their upcoming seventh album I Am Gemini, yesterday as a free download on RollingStone.com. The irresistibly catchy track can also be downloaded and shared via the Saddle Creek online store http://saddle-creek.com/store/515;

I Am Gemini will be released February 21st, 2012 via Saddle Creek and is now available for pre-order in the label’s online store and via iTunes. The album can be purchased in multiple formats (CD, LP, digital) and bundles through Saddle Creek, including a deluxe package that contains: exclusive colored vinyl; CD; a limited edition (only 500 copies printed) 10″ picture disc featuring “The Sun and Moon” and “The Cat and Mouse” plus two B-sides; t-shirt; and poster, among other goods. MP3s of “The Sun and Moon” and “The Cat and Mouse” can be downloaded instantly after placing a pre-order, and all pre-orders will ship two weeks ahead of release on February 7th (at which point the album will also be available to purchasers as a full MP3 download).

Known for their explosive, cathartic live show, Cursive has announced an additional four weeks of shows this spring, from March 22nd to April 21st. This new run of dates includes two shows in New York City on April 3rd and 4th at the Bowery Ballroom. The band had previously announced shows throughout the west coast, southwest, and midwest, and is also now confirmed to perform at the 20th anniversary Noise Pop festival in San Francisco, CA on February 22nd. Cursive also recently added two early March shows, at Abode in Wichita, KS on the 1st and Record Bar in Kansas City, MO on the 2nd. A current itinerary is below.

I Am Gemini is the surreal and powerful musical tale of Cassius and Pollock, twin brothers separated at birth. One good and one evil, their unexpected reunion in a house that is not a home ignites a classic struggle for the soul, played out with a cast of supporting characters that includes a chorus of angels and devils, and twin sisters conjoined at the head. Recorded at Omaha, NE’s ARC Studios and mixed at Red Room in Seattle, WA with producer Matt Bayles (Mastodon, Minus The Bear, Isis), the album marks the first time front man Tim Kasher, with the completed story already in mind, wrote album lyrics in a linear fashion from song 1 to song 13. The result is thirteen singularly cohesive song chapters that blend effortlessly into one unique narrative to create a dynamic, mind-bending, and imaginative ride. Cover artwork for I Am Gemini can now be seen below.

Cursive is the longtime trio of Kasher (vocals, guitar), Matt Maginn (bass), and Ted Stevens (guitar, vocals), with Patrick Newbery (keys) and Cully Symington (drums).

Cursive tour dates:

FEB. 12         DENVER, CO                       LARIMER LOUNGE*

FEB. 14         SALT LAKE CITY, UT             URBAN LOUNGE^

FEB. 15         BOISE, ID                           NEUROLUX^

FEB. 17         SEATTLE, WA                       NEUMO’S**

FEB. 18         VANCOUVER, BC                  MEDIA CLUB**

FEB. 19         PORTLAND, OR                    BUNK BAR**

FEB. 22         SAN FRANCISCO, CA            GREAT AMERICAN MUSIC HALL**

(Noise Pop festival)

FEB. 24         LOS ANGELES, CA                TROUBADOUR**

FEB. 25         POMONA, CA                       GLASSHOUSE**

FEB. 26         SAN DIEGO, CA                   CASBAH**

FEB. 27         TEMPE, AZ                          CRESCENT BALLROOM**

FEB. 28         ALBUQUERQUE, NM             LAUNCHPAD**

MAR. 1          WICHITA, KS                      ABODE**

MAR. 2          KANSAS CITY, MO               RECORD BAR**

MAR. 3          OMAHA, NE                        SLOWDOWN**

MAR. 22         IOWA CITY, IA                   THE MILL#

MAR. 23         MINNEAPOLIS, MN             400 BAR#

MAR. 24         MADISON, WI                    HIGH NOON SALOON#

MAR. 25         CHICAGO, IL                      LINCOLN HALL#

MAR. 26         CHAMPAIGN, IL                  HIGH DIVE#

MAR. 27         ANN ARBOR, MI                  THE BLIND PIG#

MAR. 28         PITTSBURGH, PA                 MR. SMALL’S#

MAR. 29         CLEVELAND, OH                  GROG SHOP#

MAR. 30         BUFFALO, NY                      MOHAWK#

MAR. 31         TORONTO, ONT                   HORSESHOE TAVERN#

APR. 2            BOSTON, MA                      MIDDLE EAST#

APR. 3            NEW YORK, NY                   BOWERY BALLROOM#

APR. 4            NEW YORK, NY                   BOWERY BALLROOM#

APR. 5            PHILADELPHIA, PA              UNION TRANSFER#

APR. 6            WASHINGTON, DC              BLACK CAT#

APR. 7            RALEIGH, NC                      KING’S BARCADE#

APR. 8            ATLANTA, GA                      THE EARL#

APR. 9            ST. AUGUSTINE, FL             CAFÉ ELEVEN#

APR. 10         ORLANDO, FL                       THE SOCIAL#

APR. 11         TALLAHASSEE, FL                 CLUB DOWN UNDER#

APR. 13         HOUSTON, TX                       FITZGERALD’S#

APR. 14         AUSTIN, TX                          MOHAWK#

APR. 15         DALLAS, TX                          TREES#

APR. 17         MEMPHIS, TN                        HI TONE#

APR. 18         LEXINGTON, KY                    COSMIC CHARLIE’S#

APR. 20         ST. LOUIS, MO                      OFF BROADWAY#

APR. 21         COLUMBIA, MO                     MOJOS#

* Ume support

^ Ume and M. Moriah support

** Ume and Virgin Islands support

# Cymbals Eat Guitars and Conduits support

Heading across the country in support of their latest album, Sidewalks (FADER Label), Matt & Kim are celebrating the start of the tour by releasing a remix of their new single “Block After Block” by London-based Echoes. You can get the “Block After Block (Echoes Remix)” here: http://bit.ly/oZ9m2d

Matt & Kim recently joined forces with Soulja Boy and Andrew W.K. for Converse’s Three Artists, One Song collaboration. Download the original track “I’m A Goner” and watch the music video, featuring a zombie dance party, at http://play.converse.com/blog/2011/08/16/im-a-goner/

JW- Yup! absolutely, we grew up going to a lot of hard core shows in our hometown. See, New Found Glory is from South Florida and that’s kind of where we found our hard core and pop feel. definitely a big influence.

SW- out of your 4 releases, which one is your favorite and is there a reason for that?

JW- It’s kind of weird. When people ask me that question, I don’t know what to say. I like each record as what it is. Each holds memories of places and times. It’s weird, but I like our new record a lot. It kind of pushed us to the forefront of what we’re trying to do, it says a lot on the record.

SW- You’ve been together for quite a few years; as the music industry changes, do you feel as though that influences you all as a band? how so?

JW: Not really, because we never became a band to say, ‘we’re going to sell a million records,’ or ‘we’re going to become millionaires from this,’ or anything like that. That’s never been what we’re trying to do, so as far as the business changing, record sales not doing as well, touring not being as good as it used to be, all that kind of stuff. We don’t really care. We play hardcore pop punk, a think that does not make sense at all. That should go to show that we don’t really care, that we’re just doing this to have fun.

SW: How is your relationship with your label mates?

JW: We don’t really know too many, we have done that much touring [with them], but all the ones we know are awesome dudes.

SW: How has the fan reaction been to What Separates Me From You?

JW: I think it’s going pretty good. It’s our newest stuff and our touring is all the biggest shows we’ve done, ever. I would say that it’s translating pretty well.

SW: I’ve read that your last two albums have debuted at #1 on the US indie charts, how does that feel? You were saying the success doesn’t really matter.

JW: You want to do well, but if it all started to go down hill now, I never expected any of this, so I’d be happy. Our very first touring show, we played to one person, one human being. To watch today and see how much it’s grown, it’s just insane.

SW: Who or what do you pull inspiration from now and how does that differ from what your earlier inspirations were?

JW: It’s actually pretty much the same. Any new bands or bands we’ve been with on tour, even old bands, just listening to music like, ‘I want to write a heavy part like this band has been doing.’ As far as lyrical content, Jeremy [McKinnon], just takes everyday life. Anything that you or me would experience, it’s stuff that anyone can experience.

SW: Your lyrics are very upfront, take for instance “All Signs Point To Lauderdale,” is it nerve racking putting those kinds of words and lyrics out in the open?

JW: No, because like I’ve said, we don’t care. Not to say that we’re those rockstar dudes that are like, “eff everything.” We’re not saying that, we’re respectful kids. We’re doing what we want to do, if you like it, listen to it.

SW: This isn’t your band’s first time on Warped Tour, so as veterans of sorts, how would you sum up the tour?

JW: Crowds are great, bands are great. We know our way around and we know where like, the showers are, or secret showers. We know a little bit.

SW: How would you say your music has changed throughout the years?

JW: I don’t know, because people said the old stuff was heavy, but I feel like some of the heaviest songs we’ve ever written are on the new record. 2nds Sucks, I mean geez, that song is heavy as hell. Sticks & Bricks, first song on the record! The songs have just gotten better, we’ve become better song writers.

SW: What do you think music, as a whole, is all about? How do you think the industry affects that?

JW: I don’t even know. People ask these questions, they aren’t bad questions, I’m sure some people have answers for them, but we aren’t really focused on what’s going on around us, we’re just trying to figure out what we want to do.

SW: Would you trade being in a touring band for anything?

JW: No! These are the best memories of my entire life. This is what I want to do.

SW: Any last words?

JW: Just thank you so much for doing in the interview! I know it sounds dumb, but without people like you, you keep people interested.

Big thanks to Josh for sitting down with us and to the whole band for putting on one of the best shows I’ve ever seen! The crowds get absolutely wild for these guys, I suggest never giving up and opportunity to see them!

The EP will feature more of Eisley’s signature sound of airy dreaminess delicately intertwined with breathtaking vocals, intricate, rich guitar work and whimsical lyrics.

Freeman elaborates, “Their music has always had a great sense of place, and I wish every fan could see the house they grew up in because it tells a great story. The art on the walls, the paint colors, the antique signs and paintings…their songs tie into all of that, and these little bits and pieces of their childhood home found their way into their music and creative sensibilities in one form or another. Sherri’s house, where we’re recording right now, is a continuation of that. Her personality – and that of her husband, Max – infuses every detail of the house.”

DuPree-Bemis adds, “This is the first time we’ve ever recorded a real project in our homes, we’re really excited. Being able to do this in the comfort of our own home is going to make the project really beautiful because everyone feels so relaxed.”

The Valley is now available in-stores, on tour and through online retailers such as MerchNOW, iTunes and Amazon. All upcoming tour dates for Eisley can be seen below.

THE VALLEYSCAPES TOUR
Sep 01 Colorado Springs, CO @ The Black Sheep
Sep 02 Denver, CO @ Marquis Theatre
Sep 03 Salt Lake City, UT @ Kilby Court
Sep 05 Seattle, WA @ Bumbershoot
Sep 07 Sparks, NV @ The Alley
Sep 08 Sacramento, CA @ Ace of Spades
Sep 09 Fresno, CA @ Neighborhood Café
Sep 11 San Luis Obispo, CA @ SLO Brewing Company
Sep 12 Santa Barbara, CA @ Soho
Sep 13 Anaheim, CA @ Chain Reaction
Sep 15 Albuquerque, NM @ Launchpad
Sep 16 Lubbock, TX @ Jake’s
Sep 17 San Antonio, TX @ Jacks
Sep 20 Pensacola, FL @ Seville Quarter
Sep 21 Tallahassee, FL @ Club Downunder
Sep 23 Ybor City, FL @ Crowbar
Sep 24 Orlando, FL @ The Social
Sep 25 Gainesville, FL @ Doube Down
Sep 26 Jacksonville, FL @ Jack Rabbits
Sep 27 Macon, GA @ The 567 Center
Sep 28 Oxford, MS @ Proud Larrys
Sep 30 Tyler, TX @ Liberty Hall

The Get Up Kids are currently on tour in support of the record. Dates below…

Tour Dates

January 25 – Tempe, AZ @ Clubhouse ^
January 26 – San Diego, CA @ House Of Blues ^
January 27 – West Hollywood, CA @ The Troubadour ^
January 28 – Pomona, CA @ The Glass House ^
January 29 – San Francisco, CA @ Slim’s ^
January 30 – San Francisco, CA @ Bottom Of The Hill ^
February 01 – Portland, OR @ Hawthorne Theater ^
February 02 – Seattle, WA @ Neumo’s ^
February 03- Seattle, WA @ The Knitting Factory ^
February 04 – Salt Lake City, UT @ Club Sound ^
February 05 – Denver, CO @ Marquis Theater ^
February 23 – Orlando, FL @ The Social #
February 24 – Orlando, FL @ The Social #
February 25 – St.Petersburg, FL @ State Theatre #
February 26 – Athens, GA @ 40 Watt Club #
February 27 – Carrboro, NC @ Cat’s Cradle #
March 01 – Washington, DC @ The Black Cat #
March 02 – New York, NY @ Webster Hall #
March 03 – Brooklyn, NY @ Music Hall of Williamsburg #
March 04 – Philadelphia, PA @ Theatre of the Living Arts #
March 05 – Philadelphia, PA @ Theatre of the Living Arts #
March 06 – Boston, MA @ Paradise Rock Club #
March 08 – Toronto, ON @ Phoenix Concert Theatre #
March 09 – Cleveland Heights, OH @ Grog Shop #
March 10 – Detroit, MI @ St. Andrews Hall #
March 11 – Chicago, IL @ The Bottom Lounge #
March 12 – Chicago, IL @ Lincoln Hall #
March 13 – Lawrence, KS @ The Bottleneck #

^ with Steel Train and River City Extension
# with Miniature Tigers and Brian Bonz

* With The Hold Steady

September 20        Richmond, VA           The National
September 21        Nashville, TN            Exit/In
September 22        Oxford, MS               The Lyric Oxford
September 23        Little Rock, AR          Revolution Music Room
September 24        New Orleans, LA       Republic
September 25        Birmingham, AL         WorkPlay Theatre
September 27        Charleston, SC          Music Farm
September 28        Asheville, NC             Orange Peel
September 29        Lexington, KY            Busters and Billiards
September 30        Indianapolis, IN          The Vogue
October 1               Chicago, IL                 Vic Theatre
October 2               Newport, KY               Southgate House
October 4               Washington, DC         9:30 Club
October 5               Philadelphia, PA         Trocadero
October 6               Boston, MA                 Royale Boston
October 7               New York, NY             Beacon Theatre

Hey everyone,

By now, most of you have heard, but we’re happy to officially share some wonderful news that we have been waiting to tell you for a couple of months.

2010 has been a year of reflection, reconditioning, and reconsidering what it has meant to be in this band for the last 8 years. We have come to some conclusions, we have asked questions that lead us to more questioning, and we have transformed into a brand new, old, new thing. In a phrase, what does this mean exactly? It means, “thank you.” Thank you for sharing your world with us as we have done our best to be honest, creative, and true to ourselves, our calling, and our lifeline which is you. The exciting news that we have for you is the best news that we have shared in a very long time. Together, you and Mae have brought glimpses of hope to the hopeless, food to the hungry, clothing to the cold and tired. A home has been built for a family in need. These are all things that we are truly proud of and humbled as we look back and see what this band has been able to accomplish on this journey. Yet, through all of these feats, something has lacked along the way. Now that insufficiency is no more!

We are so pleased to share with you the return of Rob and Mark to Mae!

This has been a long process of searching, renewal, and repair and yet it is true. The Mae that you grew to love through our records such as “Destination: Beautiful” and “The Everglow” is back together. We are also excited to let you know that we will be touring for the first time in a year and touring for the first time as the ‘original five’ in over three years sharing with you an experience we’d like to call, “Goodbye, Goodnight.” This reunion is something that is refreshing all of us in different, needed ways but it’s also a chance for us to say “goodbye” for a while.

After this tour, we will be hiding away, embarking on new adventures, trying out life’s opportunities as individuals with freedom and anticipation. In order for us to do this properly, we needed to “dim the lights” in the rooms of the house you and Mae have built together. Mae presents: “Goodbye, Goodnight.” is exactly our chance to do that.

We would absolutely love to see all of you at a club in your city this fall for one more night together, one more “rock show.” Since this will be our last run indefinitely, we are making sure to give you the show you’ve wanted for some time and the show that we’ve been eager to perform. We’ll be giving you the opportunity on Maeteam to tell us your favorite songs from each album so that we may try to play all of those favorites. There may even be a certain record in our collection that gets played from start to finish on some nights.

Please, please, please come and join us for “Goodbye, Goodnight” so that we may thank you for the most incredible eight years we’ve had together. Also, bring a warm “welcome back” to Rob and Mark. They have missed you just as much as you and we have missed them!

We will be announcing a chat on Maeteam in the coming days so we can answer your questions and tell you what to expect this fall and the months leading up to the tour.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!

Dave, Jacob, Zach, Rob, and Mark
-Mae

New Tour Dates:

Tues Sept 15: Scottsdale, AZ at Martini Ranch

Fri Sept 18: Anaheim, CA at Chain Reaction