Beirut: Gulag Orkestar double disc on 4AD, Touring with Calexico
Beirut has signed with the UK label 4AD, distributing Beirut around the globe, starting with a double disc version of Gulag Orkestar on November 6. Gulag Orkestar was originally released in the United States on Ba Da Bing in May of 2006. It is interesting to note that Beirut is no longer listed as one of the artists on Ba Da Bing.
A limited edition vinyl EP is being released on Chouette, titled Lon Gisland, in October. The EP will be the 2nd disc in the extended release of Gulag Orkestar. The tracklisting for Lon Gisland is:
- Elephant Gun
- My Family’s Role In The World Revolution
- Scenic World (Version)
- The Lon Gisland Sound
- Carousels
The band began a two month tour in the US with a Hawk and a Hacksaw (Jeremy Barnes' band from Neutral Milk Hotel). Beirut will play six shows with Calexico in the UK in November as the album is hitting the streets. Ba Da Bing! states that Condon has "recruited an impressive live orkestar (including accordion, violin, baritone sax, and euphonium)."
4AD gave a tremendous remark about Beirut's debut, saying, "The Gulag Orkestar is one of the most exciting debut releases in years." Emusic chimed in with "the best indie rock record of the 19th Century."
Beirut is headed by Zach Condon. Zach released an electronic album at age 15 under the name Real People. He dropped out of school at 16 and traveled Europe before falling in love with the music he now creates. At 20 years old, Zach released Gulag Orkestar, produced by Jeremy Barnes of Neutral Milk Hotel. The instruments on Gulag Orgestar were handled by Jeremy and Zach, giving one the impression a large orkestar were performing, featuring an assortment of instruments with the flavor of Balkan gypsy music.
Beirut – Mount Wroclai
Beirut – Postcards From Italy
Beirut – Scenic World
Beirut on iTunes
Beirut on Emusic
Beirut Tour Dates:
Sept 22 – Durham, NC – Duke Coffeehouse
Sept 23 – Greensboro, NC – Flying Anvil
Sept 24 – Atlanta, GA – Variety
Sept 29 – Swarthmore, PA – Swarthmore Campus
Oct 4 – Toronto, ON – Horseshoe Tavern
Oct 5 – Ottawa, ON – Zaphod Beeblebrox
Oct 7 – Montreal, QC – Le National
Oct 12 – Chicago, IL – Empty Bottle
Oct 14 – Minneapolis, MN – Triple Rock
Oct 18 – Seattle, WA – Crocodile
Oct 19 – Portland, OR – Holocene
Oct 20 – San Francisco, CA – Great American Music Hall
Oct 21 – Los Angeles, CA – Troubadour
Oct 24 – Santa Fe, NM – College of Santa Fe
Oct 26 – Albquerque, NM – Launchpad
Oct 28 – Austin, TX – Emo's
Oct 31 – Gateshead, England – Sage w/ Calexico
Nov 1 – Glasgow, Scotland – ABC 1 w/ Calexico
Nov 2 – Dublin, Ireland – Olympia w/Calexico
Nov 3 – Liverpool, England – Academy w/Calexico
Nov 4 – Sheffield, England – Octagon w/Calexico
Nov 5 – London, England – Camden Roundhouse w/Calexico
Nov 11 – Paris, France – Les Inrocks
Nov 16 – Providence, RI – Leung Gallery
Nov 18 – Bennington, VT – Bennington Campus
Nov 21 – New York, NY – Bowery Ballroom
Nov 22 – New York, NY – Bowery Ballroom