What would it sound like if mystical unicorns cranked up the ethereal knob on their synthesizers and acted out select scenes from The X-Files while high on ecstasy? It would probably sound a lot like what The Guardian calls Montreal-based artist Grimes’ “outer-limits pop.” The lady behind the jams is Canadian Claire Boucher, a shining light of the DIY loft scene based around Lab Synthèse, a huge former textile factory where punk rock attitude and atmospheric R&B get down and make beautiful little textured electronica babies. Grimes’ last release, a split album with fellow Canadian D’Eon, has been racking up accolades, and now she’s got yet another album, Visions, coming out January 31 on Arbutus. Grand total: four albums, two years. (There MUST be unicorns involved. There’s no other possible explanation.)
Anyway, Ms. Boucher and her merry band of magical creatures will be heading out on the road this winter along with pals Born Gold. This isn’t Grimes’ first time on the road — she opened for Lykke Li on her 2011 fall tour — but this could be the first time audiences get to bathe in her hazy occult soundscapes before she blows up into the big time. Check your Chinese Astrological calendars and tell me I’m wrong! It’s on there. 2012: Year of the Grimes.
Visions tracklisting:
01. Infinite ♡ Without Fulfillment
02. Genesis
03. Oblivion
04. Eight
05. Circumambient
06. Vowels = Space and Time
07. Visiting Statue
08. Be a Body (侘寂)
09. Colour of Moonlight (Antiochus) (feat. Doldrums)
10. Symphonia IX (My Wait Is U)
11. Nightmusic (feat. Majical Cloudz)
12. Skin
13. Know the Way (Outro)
Dates:
02.18.12 - Vancouver, BC - Fortune Sound Club
02.20.12 - Seattle, WA - Sunset Tavern
02.21.12 - Portland, OR - Holocene
02.24.12 - Los Angeles, CA - Echo
02.25.12 - San Diego, CA - Soda Bar
02.27.12 - Phoenix, AZ - Rhythm Room
02.29.12 - Austin, TX - Lambert’s
03.01.12 - Denton, TX - Dan’s Silverleaf
03.02.12 - New Orleans, LA - LBC Quad at Tulane University
03.03.12 - Oxford, MS - Cats Purring
03.05.12 - Atlanta, GA - Drunken Unicorn
03.06.12 - Tampa, FL - The Orpheum
03.07.12 - Orlando, FL - Backbooth
03.08.12 - Miami, FL - Bardot Miami
03.13.12 - Minneapolis, MN - 7th Street Entry
03.14.12 - Chicago, IL - Empty Bottle
03.19.12 - Toronto, ON - Legendary Horseshoe Tavern
03.20.12 - Pittsburgh, PA - Brillobox
03.21.12 - Baltimore, MD - Str8 Cavin
03.22.12 - Philadelphia, PA - Kung Fu Necktie
03.23.12 - New York, NY - Mercury Lounge
03.24.12 - Brooklyn, NY - Glasslands
03.26.12 - Allston, MA - Great Scott
03.31.12 - Montreal, QC - Cabaret Mile End
• Grimes: http://www.myspace.com/boucherville
• Arbutus: http://www.arbutusrecords.com
