Empty Cellar Records is more than stoked to present the sophomore full-length LP by San Francisco’s elusive pop wizard, Dylan Shearer, at once a continuation of his distinctive and infectious melodic sensibilities and an evolution, fully exploring the romance and isolation only hinted at in previous releases. Perhaps familiar, Dylan is a stand-out artist on the popular San Francisco compilation, In a Cloud: New Sounds from San Francisco.

Raven Sings The Blues and Ad-hoc co-premiered the album, Porchpuddles, this morning. Check out the opening track below, or at either of the above links:

We have been listening to this record non-stop since we received the tracks from Dylan. It is unlike any contemporary release out there. But, don’t take our word for it… take Tim Cohen’s (Magic Trick, Fresh & Onlys):

“There is a new specter among us. Dylan Shearer’s throaty baritone seems to have been borne on the slow-moving winds off some far-away coast. Plaintive and honest, his voice recalls Syd Barrett, Bill Fay, Skip Spence, and others whose words and melodies never seemed in a rush to get anywhere, yet always arrived fully formed in the listener’s ear nonetheless. Porchpuddles, Shearer’s second full length and first for San Francisco’s hodge-podge Empty Cellar records, is rare in its perfect timelessness. Sounds are heard and understood perfectly, yet the combination of these sounds is beyond a simple pop understanding. Songs of longing and songs of seeming indifference are bedded together seamlessly. Perhaps, questions about the record’s origin and its mysterious creator will abound, for taken at face value, Porchpuddles has little to no recognizable counterpart in today’s one-hit warehouse. Indeed, there is a new specter among us; let us all welcome in the ghost of the present.”
– Tim Cohen

This first pressing (limited to 500 copies) comes in a classic uncoated tip-on sleeve. Keeping with the times, all LPs include a high quality download of the full album plus seven bonus tracks!

You can pre-order the LP HERE

Pillars and Tongues find peace in change – constantly in motion and thoughtfully redirecting their sonic trajectory. Even songs that have been recorded and released are not safe from their restless deconstructionist tendencies. In this spirit we are pleased to present the reworked “Palms To Tell.” Now entitled “(Laid) Palms To Tell,” this re-envisioning of The Pass and Crossings standout track showcases the mercurial nature of their songwriting. Though it is most definitely the same song, the new instrumentation brings to light new interpretations and provokes new emotions. Alongside the reworked track is a new music video (their second video from The Pass and Crossings – watch the first one here) directed by Alex Babbit. Babbit has created a seriously beautiful and nostalgic pairing for the new arrangement, which No Fear of Pop described as, “gorgeously colorful and aptly arcane.”

As a companion to the new video and a preview for their tour, Pillars and Tongues has also released a free three-song digital single also titled (Laid) Palms to Tell.  The new single includes the reworked track along with two others, all previously unreleased. The single is available for download at the their bandcamp.

Pillars and Tongues are embarking on a five-week tour that will take them across the states. More dates are being added as we write this, so check here for the most up-to-date tour listings.

TOUR DATES:

05/28 North Manchester, IN – The Firehouse
05/29 Indianapolis, IN – Mediumship w/ Thee Open Sex + Church of the Infinite Space Ritual
05/30 Louisville, KY – Zanzabar w/ Man Forever + New Mother Nature
05/31 Knoxville, TN – The Pilot Light w/ North America
06/02 New Orleans, LA – The Allways Lounge w/ Picnic + Julie Odell
06/03 Austin, TX – Church of the Friendly Ghost @ The Salvage Vanguard Theater
06/04 Austin, TX – Skinny’s Ballroom
06/06 Marfa, TX – El Cosmico
06/08 Santa Fe, NM – High Mayhem w/ Extremadura (ft. Jeremy Barnes) + Black Iron Trio
06/09 Albuquerque, NM – Gold House w/ Drake Hardin + Young Lungs
06/10 Taos, NM – Taos Ale House w/ A Hawk and a Hacksaw + Art of Flying
06/14 Sedona, AZ – Chocola Tree
06/15 Flagstaff, AZ – Cottage House
06/23 Sacramento, CA – Animal House
06/24 Nevada City, CA – Haven Underground w/ Requa Cambium, Exquisite Corps, The Still Sea
06/25 Chico, CA – Cafe Coda
06/27 Portland, OR – The Purple Church w/ Sun Angle + And and and

(((folkYEAH!))) Presents:
Wed, May 9, 2012
Sweet Chariot
Joseph Childress
Big Eagle

Doors: 8:00 pm / Show: 9:00 pm
Brick & Mortar Music Hall
1710 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94103
San Francisco, CA
$8.00 – $10.00