Wintersleep - The 2008 Summer Tour with Wolf Parade

One of Canada's greatest band slinks out of its relative seclusion this month. In 2007 Wintersleep released Welcome to the Night Sky - their third full-length release. But the band failed to tour the US and the music was denied a non-Canadian audience. This month and into August, Wintersleep will embark on a star-studded US tour that is sure to garner new fans and the respect of the US record industry again. On most dates Wintersleep will team up with mega-talented Canadian peers Wolf Parade. Rock festivals this summer will put them into contact with the Foo Fighters, the Flaming Lips, Tokyo Police Club, Death Cab for Cutie, Cold Play and Tom Petty amongst others.

Welcome to the Night Sky (2007)

This record was never properly released in the US


Welcome to the Night Sky: The Album was produced by Scottish technician Tony Doogan who has done wonders with Belle and Sebastian and David Byrne. The first single to be released in Canada last year was "Weighty Ghost." The song was remixed by Michael Bauer whose credits include My Morning Jacket and Coldplay.

I am one of the converted Americans. In March of 2007, Wintersleep played a small number of dates in the US before the release of "Welcome to the Night Sky." The band had not formulated all the tracks and were touring primarily on the strength of their amazing 2006 (sophomore) album here in the States. (Oddly, both of Wintersleep's first two albums are untitled.) I was certainly interested in the band before hand, but I wanted to experience the full show. It was rumored from folks who had seen the band at the 2006 SxSW and during dates with The Tragically Hip, that this band was simply stellar. I am more than happy to relay the rumors were absolutely true. The sound is amazing and unique.

Wintersleep


Immediately after taking in one of the Best Shows of My Life - I requested an interview with Wintersleep Bassist Jud Haynes. In one of Haynes final interviews before leaving the band, we explored the Wintersleep sound and discussed what it's like being in a band from Nova Scotia.... (link - highly recommended).

Citing his desire to pursue other interests, Jud Haynes left the band - but only after putting his mark on the "Welcome to the Night Sky" album. Bass guitar duties since his departure and for the 2008 tour have since been taken up by Holy Fuck's Mike Bigelow.

2008 Summer Dates:

Jul 20 - Summersonic Festival
(Citadel Hill) Halifax, Nova Scotia
Jul 24 - with Wolf Parade
Palladium Ballroom Dallas, Texas
Jul 25 - with Wolf Parade
La Zona Rosa Austin, Texas
Jul 26 - with Wolf Parade
Spanish Moon Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Jul 27 - Pemberton Festival
Pemberton, British Columbia
Jul 28 - with Wolf Parade
Variety Playhouse Atlanta, Georgia
Jul 29 - with Wolf Parade
Disco Rodeo Raleigh, North Carolina
Jul 30 - with Wolf Parade
Electric Factory Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Jul 31 - with Wolf Parade - SOLD OUT
Terminal 5 New York, New York
Aug 1 - with Wolf Parade
Terminal 5 New York, New York
Aug 2 - with Wolf Parade - SOLD OUT
Paradise Boston, Massachusetts
Aug 3 - with Wolf Parade
Metropolis Montreal, Quebec
Aug 9 - Wolfe Island Music Festival
Wolfe Island, Ontario
Sep 6 - V Fest @ Toronto Island Park
Toronto, Ontario

Wintersleep
Web / Myspace / Wikipedia

Comments

Anonymous said…
this song is one of my faves for months on my ipod and i did not know they were canadian!
a decent public education system is worth its weight in gold
Anonymous said…
love wintersleep. was disappointed to see that the show in boston was sold out even before they were added to the bill.

didnt know bassist left though... interesting.
thanks for the great post.

can you get me into the boston gig?

jeff

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