New album Chopper is out this Friday on
Sub Pop
In celebration of Kiwi Jr.’s Chopper, the band’s third album out later this week, you can now watch the official video for “The Sound of Music,” directed by Laura-Lynn Petrick (who has also directed videos for Weyes Blood and Jessica Pratt). The song features backing vocals from Canadian singer Dorothea Pass (U.S. Girls, Jennifer Castle).
Jeremy Gaudet says of the song, “Some names are so loaded that I can’t resist inserting them into a song, and Julie Andrews is one. Her name brings up a certain feeling. I didn’t rewatch the movie before writing the song, so it’s from memory, but I knew “So Long Farewell” and “I Have Confidence”. There’s this idea of her marriage falling apart after the success of the movie – she was married young to a production designer. I don’t really know how it all went down, but my version makes for good drama. This is Kiwi Jr at our most melodramatic. The song borders on fanfiction, which is something I usually try to avoid, however this started to get juicy and I had to follow it through.”
Chopper will be available Friday, August 12th worldwide on CD/LP/CS/DSPs through Sub Pop, with the exception of Canada through the band’s Kiwi Club imprint. The album was recorded and produced in Toronto by Sub Pop labelmate Dan Boeckner (Wolf Parade, Handsome Furs, Operators).
Kiwi Jr. will also play two London, UK shows in September.
Sept 19 – The Victoria, London, UK (SOLD OUT)
Sept 20 – The 100 Club, London, UK
Bandcamp, in its “Album of the Day” review (Aug. 2nd), had this to say about Chopper, “A central force in the jangle pop renaissance, the Toronto quartet helped curate a transcontinental safe space for Flying Nun admirers—the Slumberland crew in Oakland; Jeanines and UV-TV in New York; Young Guv et al. in Toronto…With their vibrant third LP, Kiwi Jr. swing from the jangle tree and tell the story of an underdog up against an indifferent world.”
Chopper is still available for preorder from Sub Pop. LP preorders from megamart.subpop.com and select independent retailers in North America will receive the limited Loser edition on crystal clear vinyl (while supplies last). Meanwhile, preorders through select independent retailers in the UK and EU will receive the limited Loser edition on clear vinyl (while supplies last).
Kiwi Jr. – Chopper – Tracklisting
1. Unspeakable Things
2. Parasite II
3. Clerical Sleep
4. Night Vision
5. The Extra Sees the Film
6. Contract Killers
7. The Sound of Music
8. Downtown Area Blues
9. Kennedy Curse
10. The Masked Singer
FOLLOW KIWI JR
My life is a soundtrack, i track my life through music, photography is my passion, my escape, my expression. Without both i have pieces missing, thankfully i’m blessed and get to combine both.
Born in Manchester, lived in Australia for 22 years where i was heavily involved in the Australian Music Industry, firstly in bands (Singer) and then managing bands (all original), I moved back to the UK, Wales specifically 10 years ago