Austin, TX based Ume (pronounced ooo-may) will be self-releasing their new EP Sunshower, online and as a limited edition CD, Tuesday, February 24th, and we couldn't be more psyched. The Texas trio has built a reputation as one of indie rock's heaviest live bands. On their new EP, the power of Ume's live show has been captured and surpassed. Lauren Larson's ferocious guitar riffs and fiery vocals have been combined with a melodic beauty that completely transcends their previous efforts. With a rock-solid rhythmic foundation provided by Eric Larson on bass and Jeff Barrera on drums, Ume delivers a unique combination of catchy pop sweetness, delay-drenched noise, and jaw-dropping intensity.
Recorded in 2008 by Frenchie Smith at The Bubble studios in Austin,TX, Sunshower highlights Ume's sonic evolution. Stand out tracks "The Conductor," and "Pendulum" combine moments of melodic tenderness with epic hooks and some of the heaviest riffs you'll hear this year. The intensity takes an entirely different shape on the elegant "Sunshower," as the song's lush vocals and hypnotic rhythms highlight Ume's dynamic progression. These three tracks offer a perfect glimpse of what to expect from the band's upcoming full length, which they will begin recording in June this year.
Building on the momentum of their busy 2007/08 schedule, which saw stops at both CMJ, SXSW, and Fun Fun Fun Fest, along with a leak of Sunshower landing on Gang of Four bassist Dave Allen's top ten list for 2008 (
pampelmoose.com), and tracks from the EP getting spins on Seattle's KEXP, Portland's KNRK, and Austin's 101X, Ume plans to spend much of 2009 furthering their reputation as one of today's most powerful and refreshing new bands. With regional and national tours leading up to and following the EP's release and a full-length in the works, Ume is set to be one of this year's breakout acts.
EPK: Ume - Press Tracks available for Download or Stream: The Conductor: http://umemusic.com/epk/songs/Ume-EP-The_Conductor.mp3 Sunshower: http://umemusic.com/epk/songs/Ume-EP-Sunshower.mp3 UPCOMING SHOWS:
Jan. 7th - Dallas, TX @ The Lounge
Jan. 24th - Austin, TX @ Mohawk
Jan. 31st - Houston, TX @ Walter's
Feb. 7th - San Antonio, TX @ The Warhol
Feb. 26th - Denton, TX
Feb. 27th - Tulsa, OK @ Soundpony
Feb. 28th - Oklahoma City, OK @ The Conservatory
March 18th - 21st - SXSW
"How could I have not known about Ume? An Austin trio fronted by a whirling dervish of a singer / guitarist who in the standard PR band head shot looks like she wouldn't hurt a fly; yet give her a guitar, a Marshall stack and a mic and stand back, way back...File under - Do Not Overlook and Go Tell Your Friends..." Dave Allen (Gang of Four)
"May be the most promising female voice to smack the indie rock world in years" Grayson Currin -
Independent Weekly: Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill
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Ume To Release New Sunshower E.P. February 24th
The Sword to Release Sophomore Album Gods of the Earth on 24th Mar, '08