The national press has been going wild for Palehound, the Boston-based project led by multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Ellen Kempner. For us here in Eastern Massachusetts, we’re still just psyched the Connecticut native chose to make the band’s home here in Allston after some time spent down in New York.
With residences established, Palehound is getting ready for a national closeup. In advance of the guitar-rock trio’s debut LP Dry Food, out August 14 via Exploding in Sound Records, NPR All Songs Considered today premiered new track “Cushioned Caging,” and a handful of extra tour dates have been added to Palehound’s late-summer fling. Those dates include a bunch of area appearances, including August 1 at Grandma’s House with Arm Candy, Ursula, Laika’s Orbit & Bad Boys; August 16 at Boston’s Royale with Basement, LVL UP and Adventures; and August 22 at the Sinclair in Cambridge for Exploding In Sound’s Extended Weekend with Krill, Big Ups, and Stove.
Some vital background for the uninitiated:
Palehound mastermind Ellen Kempner played everything on Dry Food aside from the drum parts, and is joined live by drummer Jesse Weiss (Grass is Green) and bassist Nick Koechel. Recorded with Gabe Wax (Wye Oak, Speedy Ortiz), the album is full of sonic and emotional twist in turns as it was written at a time in Kempner’s life that was defined by instability and uncertainty. Dry Food is highlighted by Kempner’s whispery alto voice and sophisticated musicianship, which gives the album a raw, confessional feel, even on louder, rattling tracks. While the album chronicles a particularly rough time in Kempner’s life, it does so with verve and grit, not to mention sterling musicianship and wry lyrics. Dry Food is a flag-plant by a young woman with a lot on her mind and talent to burn.
That’s a lot of rock. Check out two tracks off Dry Food below, including todays NPR spotlight, as well as Palehound’s full run of dates after the jump.
Palehound National Tour Dates
8/1: Boston, MA @ Grandma’s House w/ Arm Candy, Ursula, Laika’s Orbit & Bad Boys
8/2: Easthampton, MA @ The Flywheel w/ Arm Candy & Laika’s Orbit
8/9: Atlanta, GA @ Parts Unknown w/ Femignome, and Pretty Boy
8/10: Orlando, FL @ The Social ^
8/11: Jacksonville, FL @ 1904 Music Hall ^
8/12: Carrboro, NC @ Cat’s Cradle – Back Room ^
8/13: Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club ^
8/14: Philadelphia, PA @ Union Transfer ^
8/16: Boston, MA @ Royale ^
8/17: New York, NY @ Gramercy Theater ^
8/22: Cambridge, MA @ The Sinclair (“Exploding In Sound Extended Weekend” show) w/ Krill, Big Ups, and Stove
9/3: Poughkeepsie, NY @ The Mug w/ LVL Up, Eskimeaux
9/4: Annandale-On-Hudson, NY @ The Root Cellar w/ LVL Up, O Face, Pleistocene
9/5: Syracuse, NY @ Scarier Dome
9/6: Rochester, NY @ The Bug Jar
9/8: Ann Arbor, MI @ TBA
9/9: Kalamazoo, MI @ Millhouse
9/11: Chicago, IL @ Beat Kitchen
9/17: Austin, TX @ The Parish*
9/18: Dallas, TX @ Club Dada*
9/19: Houston, TX @ House of Blues
9/20: New Orleans, LA @ Gasa Gasa*
9/22: Atlanta, GA @ Aisle 5*
9/23: Carrboro, NC @ Cat’s Cradle – Back Room*
9/24: Washington, DC @ Rock & Roll Hotel*
9/25: Brooklyn, NY @ Music Hall of Williamsburg*
9/26: Philadelphia, PA @ Boot & Saddle*
^ = w/ Basement, LVL UP & Adventures
* = w/ Gardens & Villa