The first time we saw Russian Circles was years ago at a SXSW showcase. They were the first band on, and it was a day showcase sponsored by Asics. In fact, the only reason a friend and I showed up was to get a pair of running shoes for free. We decided to stick around to see the first band because we’d heard a few things about them. About three minutes into their first song, standing in the midday sun by the stage, our minds were blown. The instrumental post-rock trio shredded, making much more noise than three people should, and balancing the Explosions in the Sky-like light passages with crushingly heavy volleys set them apart from other bands that play with that dynamic.
It’s hard to believe the Chicago trio have been around for six albums now, but on Friday (5), their latest, Guidance, will be out on Sargent House. After 10 years, it’s not inventing the wheel, but when they have a wheel as glorious as the one they have, there’s no need to. With Kurt Ballou manning the board for the first time, there’s a bit of a change in production, but it’s not all that noticeable. The 40-minute album is streaming on Noisey, and you should listen to it now. You’ll be able to see them on tour starting at the end of the month, with dates below.
Guidance is out on August 5th on Sargent House Records. It can be pre-ordered here.
08/26 Madison, WI @ High Noon Saloon
08/27 Minneapolis, MN @ Cedar Cultural Center
08/29 Missoula, MT @ Palace Lounge
08/30 Seattle, WA @ Neumos
08/31 Portland, OR @ Doug Fir Lounge
09/02 San Francisco, CA @ Great American Music Hall
09/03 Los Angeles, CA @ The Teragram Ballroom
09/05 Phoenix, AZ @ Crescent Ballroom
09/06 Albuquerque, NM@- Launchpad
09/07 Englewood, CO @ The Gothic Theatre
09/08 Kansas City, MO @ The Riot Room
09/09 Chicago, IL @ Metro
09/23-25 Cincinnati, OH @ Midpoint Music Festival
09/25 Detroit, MI @ El Club
09/26 Toronto, ON @ Lee’s Palace
09/28 Cambridge, MA @ The Sinclair
09/29 Philadelphia, PA @ Union Transfer
09/30 Brooklyn, NY @ Warsaw
10/01 Washington, DC @ Rock & Roll Hotel
10/02 Durham, NC @ Motorco Music Hall
10/04 Atlanta, GA @ Aisle 5
10/05 Birmingham, AL @ Saturn
10/06 Baton Rouge, LA @ Spanish Moon
10/07 Houston, TX @ Warehouse Live Studio
10/08 Austin, TX @ Barracuda
10/09 Dallas, TX @ RBC
