In our modern world of cloud-based music platforms, constantly evolving digital technology, and human-robot marriage debates, perhaps nothing is more dated than that old 20th-century concept of ‘analog touring.’ From the concepts of ‘inclement weather’ and ‘exhaust fumes resultant from the incineration of prehistoric plants and animal goo,’ to the notion that distance is a function of rate x time and the quaint, ‘round’ design of the wheel; almost everything about the anachronistic concept of physically traveling from place to place to hock one’s wares to a gullible and toothless throng of common yokels is just plain laughable by today’s standards.
And yet, there are still some diehard ‘Empiric-a-philes’ who persist in the odd perpetuation of these traveling medicine shows, insisting that the tangible, a posteriori experience of an old-fashioned rock ‘n’ roll consort cannot be replicated by today’s impressive wealth of technological resources. Case in point: Times New Viking, whose latest album, Dancer Equired will be released April 26 via Merge in the US, have already declared their intentions to “hit the road” in order to promote it the old-fashioned way, despite much eye-rolling from their web-savvy musical peers and safety concerns from the scientific community at large. Beginning later this month in Europe, and then traversing the United States in May and June, a brick-and-mortar ‘tour’ of this magnitude will require a staggering amount of time, money, resources, and stamina. And considering that all music everywhere is enjoyed completely free of charge despite its enormous cost to the artist to produce, heaven only knows how they plan to pay for it.
Meanwhile, federal governments across Europe and in the US are urging fans of Times New Viking to stay indoors and consume the band’s new music from the safety, privacy, and digitality of the International Chocolate Grinder. Patrons who choose to venture to any of the following physical exhibitions do so at their own risk.
04.21.11 - Nantes, France - Pole Etudiant
04.22.11 - Groningen, Netherlands - Vera
04.23.11 - Amsterdam, Netherlands - OCCII
04.25.11 - Norwich, UK - Fuzz @ Project Norwich
04.27.11 - Manchester, UK - Deaf Institute
04.28.11 - York, UK - The Duchess
04.29.11 - Wrexham, UK - Rope @ Central Station
04.30.11 - Glasgow, UK - Nice n’ Sleazy’s
05.01.11 - Leeds, UK - Brudnell for Live in Leeds
05.02.11 - Liverpool, UK - Club Lazy Genius @ Mojo
05.03.11 - London, UK - Upset the Rhythm @ XOYO
05.04.11 - Paris, France - Fleche D’Or
05.06.11 - Salzburg, Austria - Yeah!Club/ME @ Rockhouse
05.07.11 - Celje, Slovenia - Kino Metropol
05.09.11 - Vienna, Austria - B72
05.26.11 - Boston, MA - Great Scott
05.27.11 - Brooklyn, NY - Knitting Factory
05.28.11 - Hoboken, NJ - Maxwell’s
05.29.11 - Philadelphia, PA - Johnny Brenda’s
05.30.11 - Washington, DC -Black Cat
06.02.11 - Carrboro, NC - Local 506
06.03.11 - Atlanta, GA - The Earl
06.06.11 - Dallas, TX - Club Dada
06.07.11 - Austin, TX - Mohawk
06.11.11 - San Diego, CA - Casbah
06.12.11 - Los Angeles, CA - The Satellite
06.14.11 - San Francisco, CA - Rickshaw Stop
06.16.11 - Portland, OR - Bunk Bar
06.21.11 - Seattle, WA - Sunset Tavern
06.22.11 - Vancouver, BC - Media Club
06.24-25.11 - Calgary, AB - Sled Island
06.28.11 - Minneapolis, MN - 7th St Entry
06.29.11 - Chicago, IL - Empty Bottle
06.30.11 - Bloomington, IN - The Bishop
• Times New Viking: http://timesnewviking.net
• Merge: http://www.mergerecords.com
