Small Black :: JAGJAGUWAR

Formed at the tail-end of 2008 as a bedroom recording project, Small Black first made waves with their eponymous debut EP. Recorded in the attic of singer Josh's uncle's remote Long Island beach-house/surfboard workshop, it served as an ideal introduction to the group with its pulsing patchwork synths and addictive, stay-gold hooks that seemed to unfurl themselves gradually over repeated listens. Slightly more immediate and polished than its predecessor, Small Black's debut LP New Chain remained a continuation of this contrasting ethos -- a delirious smudging of the lines between melancholy and nostalgia, tension and celebration, unabashed pop music and experimentation. Next, the band wanted to combine their aesthetic with overt sampling, inspired by legendary beatsmiths like RZA, DJ Premier and J Dilla. Enter the Moon Killer mixtape. A free full-length release through Small Black's website, Moon Killer not only openly borrows from sources as rich and diverse as Nas, Pere Ubu, Drake and the Carpenters, but features multiple drop-ins from Das Racist MC Heems, as well as remixes from Star Slinger and Phonetag. What truly stands out is the ease with which Small Black folds their source material into their own inimitable sound. It's a legitimate step forward for the band -- a sizeable stride closer to what they've been hearing in their heads this whole time. Currently, the band is hard at work on a new full-length for Jagjaguwar, to be released sometime in 2012.

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Happy Release Day // Small Black’s ‘Limits of Desire’ Out Now

Posted: May 14th, 2013 by katie

Happy release day!! Small Black’s Limits of Desire is now available at iTunes, Amazon, SC Distribution, and your local record store. Better go ahead and get your copy! Then check out the beautiful “Free At Dawn” video – posted below.

Small Black played their first show of the season last Friday at the opening reception for their Limits of Desire art show. You can check out photos from the gallery HERE. The band starts their full tour at the end of May. You’ll find the full list of dates and ticket links HERE.

Filed under: amazon, iTunes, limits of desire, record store, Release Day, sc distribution, Small Black

ALBUM STREAM // Small Black’s ‘Limits of Desire’ Playing at Pitchfork, Tour Starts Friday

Posted: May 6th, 2013 by katie

Small Black’s new record, Limits of Desire, is ready for your ears. Pitchfork Advance has the exclusive album stream with all ten songs just waiting to enter the world. Head there now.

There’s no question of liking the album. You’re going to love it. When you discover that feeling, head to SC Distribution, iTunes or Amazon for your very own copy of Limits of Desire, out officially next Tuesday!

Filed under: album stream, amazon, iTunes, limits of desire, sc distribution, Small Black

Small Black Announce LIMITS OF DESIRE Art Show

Posted: April 23rd, 2013 by katie

Small Black are all set to host an art show exploring the themes of their new album, Limits of Desire. As a collaborative event, the show will feature work by 17 artists (full list found below), working in various media. The band paired with Lindsay Aveilhe, an Independent Curator and the Research Associate for the Sol LeWitt Wall Drawings Catalogue Raisonnée, to curate the show.

“Inspired by the title track, the exhibition gathers artists whose work confronts or responds to the arbitrary framework of wants or desires upon which we exist, as well as the ways in which that framework can be restricting. For these artists, the limits of desire are manifest in their artistic process, in their relationship with materials and in their treatment of content.” – Lindsay Aveilhe

LIMITS OF DESIRE will take place at Dunham Gallery with an opening reception held Friday, May 10 from 7:00 – 10:00pm. Small Black plan to DJ the after-party from 10-11pm. Join the Facebook event for additional details. See you there.

Artists featured in LIMITS OF DESIRE:
Morgan Blair (created the art for the band’s first two albums)
Dan Baker (runs intricate lights shows for the band’s live performances)
Agnes Thor (frequently photographed the band)
Scarlett Hooft Graafland (created the striking cover image for Limits of Desire)
Roman Liška
Ethan Cook
Adam Kremer
Peter Rostovsky
Jen Schwarting
Lauren Luloff
Jess Fuller
Joe Baptista
Kim Hoeckele
Borden Capalino
Ian Swanson
Anna K. Miller
Austin Nelson

Filed under: dj, Dunham Gallery, lindsay aveilhe, May 10, Small Black

WATCH // Small Black New Premiere Video for “Free At Dawn,” Pre-Order ‘Limits Of Desire’ Now at SCD, iTunes & Amazon

Posted: April 15th, 2013 by katie

Happy Monday. Small Black are bringing this week in with a brand new video for their song “Free At Dawn.” Premiering along with an exclusive interview at Interview Magazine, the video was directed by Yoonha Park and inspired by Hollis Frampton’s experimental 1970′s film Zorns Lemma. “Free At Dawn” stands as an ode to Brooklyn, capturing beautiful shots of the city and all on 16mm film.
Watch above.

Small Black’s Limits of Desire is officially out on May 14, but you can pre-order the album now! Head to SC Distribution for the deluxe bundle (pictured below), which includes: the album on both CD and limited-edition white vinyl, 12×12″ print with artist portraits (for the first 200 orders), 17×22″ glossy poster and a digital download code redeemable April 30. The record is also available at iTunes and Amazon!