Death Letters US Gigs

Death Letters. Photo: Courtney Chavanell

Monday, March 21, 2011 at 7:00 PM

The Warehouse - La Crosse, WI

Wednesday, March 23, 2011 at 8:00 PM

7th Street Entry -  Minneapolis, MN

For tickets 

Thursday, March 24, 2011 at 8:00 PM

Panchos - Chicago, IL

For tickets

During the Great Depression of the 30’s, American blues hero Son House wrote and recorded his signature song “Death Letter”. Somewhat 76 years later in 2006, singer/guitarist Duende Ariza Lora (19 yrs old) and drummer Victor Brandt (18 yrs old) borrowed the name for their band, inspired by the song’s characteristic raw emotion and urgent rhythm. Also influenced by groups like The Thermals, Oceansize, Death Cab for Cutie, Cult of Luna and At The Drive- In, Death Letters aren’t even close to their twenties yet, but are already bursting with talent and growing experience. Hitting it off immediately in their first rehearsal, Duende and Victor became a tight musical pair and recorded their debut EP Play it like you mean it shortly afterwards. The EP was a success receiving excellent reviews. Things really kicked off when the guys, then aged 15 and 16, entered a band competition and made their first TV appearance. They went for gold and got it; a backstage gig at Holland’s finest summer festival ‘Pinkpop’. With the media all over them it was time to get serious; that same year they recorded their first full-length album.  

Dutch Impact Party at Brush Square Park

Photo: www.mcn.nl

Friday, March 18, 2011 at 5:00 PM

West Tent, Brush Square Park - Austin, TX

Free admission 

For a review of SXSW 2011 by Arjen Davidse (March 17, 2011 - in Dutch)

With support of MCN MusicXport.nl, five acts are going to perform at the Ductch Impact Party:  

The State, The Black Atlantic, Go Back To The Zoo, The Death Letters and Laura Jansen.  

The Dutch Impact Party is a initiative for foreign representatives from record companies, booking agents, venues, festivals and media. 

All five acts are also included in the export program of the Music Center of the Netherlands and will be giving one or several private showcases and perform on this year' South by Southwest, one of world's biggest showcase festivals. 

Exceptional Dutch line up at SXSW

Photo: www.therecommender.net

Friday, March 18, 2011 - Sunday, March 20, 2011

SXSW Music - Austin, TX

For complete line up and ticket info: SXSW

For a review of SXSW 2011 by Arjen Davidse (March 17, 2011 - in Dutch)
For interviews with SXSW (audio)

The Netherlands is coming to South by Southwest (SXSW) and they are looking to make an impact on one of the largest festivals the U.S. has to offer. The Dutch Impact party will offer an exceptional line up of Dutch artists including including, Laura Jansen, The Black Atlantic, Death Letters, Go Back to the Zoo and De Staat (Mascot Music). Also three other Dutch bands from The Hague will be there to perform: Pitch Blond, Pop Up Animal Kids and The Deaf. 

The SXSW Music and Media Conference celebrates its 25th Anniversary in 2011. Reaching a quarter of a century of being the biggest and most anticipated convergence of all things music, SXSW is ready to keep the reputation alive by programming the best event yet.

The Ex USA Tour

The Ex. Photo: The Ex

 
Tuesday, March 8, 2011 at 8:00 PM
Lincoln Hall (ft. Follows, K.Vandermark&Zerfu Demissie) - Chicago, IL
Admission: $15
Wednesday, March 9, 2011 at
The Rock Shop (ft. DJ Rupture) - Brooklyn, NY
For tickets
Thursday, March 10, 2011 at 7:00 PM

Le Poisson Rouge (ft. Liturgy) - New York, NY

For tickets

Friday, March 11, 2011 at 8:00 PM
Brighton Music Hall (ft. Liturgy) - Allston, MA
For tickets
Saturday, March 12, 2011 at 9:00 PM
Black Cat (DJ Rupture) - Washington D.C.,DC
For tickets
Sunday, March 13, 2011 at  8:00 PM
First Unitarian Church (ft. DJ Rupture) - Philadelphia, PA
For tickets
Tuesday, March 15, 2011 at 9:00 PM
Doug Fir Lounge (ft. Death Sentence Panda) - Portland, OR
For tickets
Wednesday, March 16, 2011 at 7:30 PM
The Vera Project - Seattle, WA
For tickets
Thursday, March 17, 2011 at 9:00 PM
Bottom of the Hill (ft. Death Sentence Panda) - San Francisco, CA
For tickets
Friday, March 18, 2011 at 8:00 PM
The Satellite (ft. Death Sentence Panda) - Los Angeles, CA
For tickets

Playing a hybrid of punk to advance their liberal socialist agenda (serving as the rough equivalent of a Dutch Crass), the Ex put out reams of records and propaganda during the '80s - each released on a different Dutch label - but in the '90s began to embrace industrial forms of percussion and improvisation more in line with Einstürzende Neubauten and Test Dept. Formed in the late '70s, the group debuted at the turn of the decade with Disturbing Domestic Peace. The year 1983 was particularly busy; two proper albums were released (Tumult and Blueprints for a Blackout) plus the singles box Dignity of Labour and an EP, Gonna Rob the Spermbank.

The Ex’s 25th CD/LP release on their own Ex Records and 123rd release in total. ‘Catch My Shoe’ is the first CD with their new singer Arnold de Boer.
The songs range from The Ex versions of high energy Gurage music from Ethiopia (‘Eyoleyo’) to hypnotic full on dance tunes like ‘24 Problems’ and ‘Double Order’. The sound is unmistakably The Ex but with new vocals and Konono style catchy guitar riffs from Arnold and crunchy baritone guitar melodies from Terrie and Andy all propelled along by Kat’s relentless driving ‘African’ beats. The songs range in subject matter from climate confusion, unexpectedly throwing surprise objects, optical illusions, deceitful cropdusters, ice picks and late trains.