Stars release Bedroom, announce tour :: Music News :: Articles

Apparent “new media” enthusiasts Stars have announced their fall tour schedule – places to promote In the Bedroom After the War, which just made its digital debut four days after completion and more than two months before disc, paper and plastic availability (Sept. 25).

“We believe that the line between the media and the public is now completely grey,” states the Canadian band’s official website. “What is the difference between a writer for a big glossy music magazine and a student writing about their favourite bands on their blog?”

The Arts & Crafts label hopes the move will curb piracy, crossing fingers that providing a legal option will affect consciousnesses of Soulseekers everywhere. “We hope you'll choose to support the band, and choose to pay for their album,” the statement reads. “However we don't think it's fair you should have to wait until September 25th to do so.”

Blogs are praising the move left and right – but will it work? Is impatience really more of a piracy motive than simple cheapness? Could this backfire by causing more illegal downloads by people who missed out on the heartfelt, guilt-tripping letter? Will the band have to fill physical copies with stickers, candy and golden concert tickets to balance out retail sales?

Either way, it’s a cool idea from a band that deserves some attention on the following dates:

September:
6 - Grand Rapids, Mich. @ Calvin College Fine Arts Center
8 - Montreal, Quebec @ Parc Jean-Drapeau (Osheaga Festival)
9 - Toronto, Ontario @ Virgin Festival

October:
17 - South Burlington, Vt. @ Higher Ground
18 - New York, N.Y. @ Town Hall
19 - Boston, Mass. @ Berklee Performance Centre
20 - Washington, D.C. @ 9:30 Club
24 - Philadelphia, Penn. @ Starlight Ballroom
26 - Carrboro, N.C. @ Cat's Cradle
27 - Atlanta, Ga. @ The Variety Playhouse
28 - Tallahassee, Fla. @ Club Downunder
30 - Austin, Texas @ Stubb's BBQ
31 - Dallas, Texas @ House of Blues

November:
2 - Chicago, Ill. @ Vic Theatre
3 - Minneapolis, Minn. @ Pantages Theatre
4 - Omaha, Neb. @ Slowdown
6 - Denver, Col. @ Gothic Theatre
8 - Tucson, Ariz. @ Rialto Theatre
9 - San Diego, Calif. @ House of Blues
10 - Los Angeles, Calif. @ The Orpheum
13 - San Francisco, Calif. @ Bimbo's 365 Club
14 - San Francisco, Calif. @ Bimbo's 365 Club
15 - Portland, Ore. @ The Crystal Ballroom
16 - Seattle, Wash. @ The Showbox