On February 6, Joan of Arc held a special performance at the Hideout in Chicago. Considered a ‘live component’ to the band’s limited-edition instrumental LP Oh Brother (released last month on Joyful Noise), the event exemplified exactly what TMT loves to experience in a live setting: the unexpected.
Not only was there a stage of 13 Joan of Arc members and buddies, but the entire performance was also conducted by TMT favorite Fred Lonberg-Holm, an experimental cellist who has performed with luminaries ranging from Peter Brötzmann and Mats Gustafsson to Wilco and Bobby Conn. Here, Lonberg-Holm used what was called the Lightbox, a system of colored light bulbs that guided each musician in this decidedly weird, experimental context. If you want to read more about the show, check out a review at Consequence of Sound.
The performance will be made available digitally on March 29 through Joyful Noise, but TMT has received the go-ahead to offer both a stream and download of the entire 45-minute performance for one week. Head on over to the Chocolate Grinder to listen and/or download.
Meanwhile, Joan of Arc have another album, Life Like, due May 10 on Polyvinyl (TMT News). Lonberg-Holm’s not involved, but just play Tribute to Masayuki (with Jim O’Rourke and Weasel Walter) at the same time and you’ll be good to go. FUCK, THAT’S A GREAT ALBUM.
Post-SXSW dates:
05.04.11 - Lawrence, KS - Jackpot Saloon
05.05.11 - Denver, CO - Hi Dive
05.06.11 - Salt Lake City, UT - Kilby Court
05.07.11 - Bozeman, MT - Zebra Cocktail Lounge
05.09.11 - Seattle, WA - The Vera Project
05.10.11 - Portland, OR - Holocene
05.12.11 - San Francisco, CA - Cafe du Nord
05.14.11 - Los Angeles, CA - The Smell
05.16.11 - San Diego, CA - Casbah
05.17.11 - Phoenix, AZ - Rhythm Room
05.19.11 - Austin, TX - The Mohawk
05.20.11 - Dallas, TX - Club Dada
05.21.11 - Fayetteville, AR - JR’s Lightbulb Club
• Joan of Arc: http://www.joanfrc.com
• Joyful Noise Recordings: http://www.joyfulnoiserecordings.com
• Polyvinyl: http://www.polyvinylrecords.com
