In less than two weeks, IDES OF GEMINI will uncork two new ethereal sound conjurings in the form of “Cathage” and “Strange Fruit.” Set for release via Magic Bullet Records on April 18th, 2015 in honor of Record Store Day, the tracks will come available in digital and seven-inch formats.
The lingering tones of “Cathage” inhabit Side A. It begins with a doomy, acoustic summoning of the spirits of a barren world. Invocation complete, the band goes full tilt into their eclectic brand of overdriven power and command, charging onward and upward through forest and sky, dragging the doomed, sorrowful carcass of humanity itself into light. Written and recorded during the Old World New Wave (Neurot/Sige) sessions, the track offers another brilliant moment in the band’s beautifully evolving sound.
Side B is one of the most stunning and emotionally stirring covers of “Strange Fruit” ever put to tape. Written as a poem by Abel Meeropol in 1937, and set to music famously by Billie Holiday in 1939, the song stems from Meeropol’s original protest piece against the racial lynchings that marred the early 20th century in America. It has been covered many times over since — including versions by Nina Simone, Lou Rawls, Annie Lennox, Jeff Buckley, Siouxsie And The Banshees, Diana Ross, Tori Amos, and countless others. IDES OF GEMINI dug deep on this one, perfecting a uniquely somber and haunting arrangement the poem/song has simply never seen.
All copies are pressed on limited edition, one-time-only runs of clear and black vinyl. The title goes immediately out-of-print after Record Store Day. Exclusive cover art by Jas Helena rounds out this dauntingly monolithic slab of wax.
IDES OF GEMINI is currently pervading the lands with their sonic alchemy on tour with acclaimed indie rockers, Mountain Goats with various headlining performances scattered through and preceding the tour. See confirmed dates below.
IDES OF GEMINI: w/ Mountain Goats [remaining dates]:
4/07/2015 Cat’s Cradle – Carrboro, NC
4/08/2015 9:30 Club – Washington, DC
4/09/2015 Webster Hall – New York, NY
4/10/2015 Saint Vitus Bar – Brooklyn, NY * (no Mountain Goats)
4/11/2015 City Winery – New York, NY
4/12/2015 City Winery – New York, NY
4/13/2015 Union Transfer – Philadelphia, PA
4/14/2015 House of Blues – Boston, MA
4/16/2015 Bogart’s – Cincinnati, OH
4/17/2015 Majestic Theatre – Detroit, MI
4/18/2015 Vic Theatre – Chicago, IL
4/19/2015 First Avenue – Minneapolis, MN
4/21/2015 Headliners – Louisville, KY
4/22/2015 Wexner Center – Columbus, OH
4/23/2015 Mr. Smalls Theatre – Millvale, PA
IDES OF GEMINI:
4/24/2015 Wunderkammer Art Gallery – Fort Wayne, IN
4/26/2015 Riot Room – Kansas City, MO
4/27/2015 Larimer Lounge – Denver, CO
4/28/2015 Metro Bar – Salt Lake City, UT
IDES OF GEMINI features guitarist J. Bennett, drummer Kelly Johnston-Gibson and the haunting vocal prowess of singer/bassist Sera Timms, also of West Coast dark-psych conjurors Black Mare.
