James Blackshaw Was Always a Young God, But Now It’s Official

London-based 12-string guitarist James Blackshaw has shown scant loyalty to record labels in his relatively short album career, giving a bit more love to Tompkins Square than others, but it seems he has finally found a home with Young God Records. Young God houses early works by acoustic wunderkinds Devendra Banhart and Akron/Family, who, come to think of it, should probably tour with Blackshaw immediately. If you're unfamiliar with him, this label switch should convince you to give him a listen, even if “12-string acoustic guitar, instrumental only” makes you want to run screaming off a cliff. Blackshaw is completely one with his instrument, creating exquisite, rolling landscapes of sound that completely consume the senses, never losing momentum for a second, leaving you hanging even after the song surpasses the 10-minute mark. I especially recommend him to city-dwellers who want to make their fire escapes feel like wraparound porches. Blackshaw's first YGR release will be called The Glass Bead Game and will drop in late spring of 2009.

But wait! You don't have to hold out till then, because he's touring in support of his last release for Tompkins Square, Litany of Echoes. Michael Gira of Young God described his live show as “no effects, nothing, just a mic on his guitar, [and] the room was filled with swirling overtones and a million points of light.” Sounds like someone's excited about his new toy, but can you blame him? For these dates, Blackshaw is joined by equal parts Portland rockers Grails and Drag City folkie Meg Baird.

Finger cymbals discouraged:
02.19.09 – San Francisco, CA – Cafe du Nord #
02.20.09 – Santa Cruz, CA – Folk Yeah Presents #
02.21.09 – Los Angeles, CA – Spaceland #
02.22.09 – San Diego, CA – Casbah #
02.24.09 – Oakland, CA – Stork Club
02.26.09 – Seattle, WA – Tractor Tavern @
02.27.09 – Portland, WA – Dantes @
03.02.09 – Philadelphia, PA – Kung-Fu Necktie %
03.03.09 – Baltimore, MD – Talking Head Club % $
03.04.09 – New York, NY – Le Poisson Rouge % &
03.05.09 – Boston, MA – Brattle Theatre % +
03.07.09 – Brooklyn, NY – Issue Project Room %
03.08.09 – New Haven, CT – BAR %

# Grails

@ Earth and Sir Richard Bishop

% Meg Baird

$ Arbouretum

& Heather O'Donnell

+ Michah Blue Smalldone

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