Chicago-based, newly-Christened quartet Joan of Arc have gone ahead and made things a little easier on everyone. Gone are the days of extensive contributors, noisy interruptions, and foolhardy electronic meandering. Joan of Arc are a new beast, one that craves unique simplicity. The first step toward this new day is the recent announcement from Polyvinyl that Joan of Arc have quietly added guitarist/BFF Victor Villarreal (Cap’n Jazz, Ghosts and Vodka, Owls) to the fold for the band’s new LP, Life Like, due May 10 in the usual formats (and very limited blue cassettes!). Villarreal will join life-long Joan of Arc frontman Tim Kinsella, bassist Bobby Burg, and drummer Theo Katsaounis as the newly downsized functioning unit.
The new nine-track LP was recorded in five days following a rigorous 20-date European tour, and was produced by Windy City buddy Steve Albini at his famed Electrical Audio studios in Chicago. You can listen to a single from the album, “Love Life,” over at the album’s pre-order page (conveniently). Joan of Arc are set to play three days at this year’s SXSW Festival in mid-March, and then will begin a proper tour of the States in May.
Life Like tracklist:
01. I Saw the Messed Blinds of My Generation
02. Love Life
03. Like Minded
04. Life Force
05. Night Life Style
06. Howdy Pardoner
07. Still Life
08. Deep State
09. After Life
Dates:
03.16.11 - Austin, TX - SXSW
03.17.11 - Austin, TX - SXSW
03.18.11 - Austin, TX - SXSW
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
• Polyvinyl: http://www.polyvinylrecords.com