Every once in a while, in a mini-miscarriage of justice, an album will go straight to a FADER editor's heart without ever making it into The FADER itself—Now, Now's early-2012 Threads LP was one of them. Though the band's straightforward alt-rock sound differs from most of my usual listening, Threads was easily my most-played album last year. Their new, short video for opener "The Pull" is sensual and cool, but it's just a tease—on the album, the song's climax really hits a second after the track ends, when the next song crashes and starts. So for the proper experience, when the video ends, hit play on one of these gems:
Below, I chatted with Now, Now's lead singer Cacie Dalager about the effect of constant touring on cats. Check out the band's ridiculous upcoming schedule at the bottom.
You seem like you've been on tour forever. Upon your eventual return home, how will you apologize to the dead house plants and T-shirts that didn't make it into the travel suitcase? What will you tell them to console them? Every time I get home I actually do apologize to my cat. She is the only one that gets a formal apology or any consoling. As far as clothing goes, most of it is cycled in and out of my suitcase depending on the tour. So no one is left out for too long. But to be honest, I've worn pretty much the same shirt every single show this whole year of touring. So even the clothing that doesn't get left behind is lonely in my suitcase.
What are your other essentials to bring on the road? I have a weird Japanese pillow my aunt sent me that I can't sleep without. So I have to bring it everywhere I go. I have a notebook/dream journal where I write down my dreams and lyric ideas and/or weird experiences on the road. I've been trying to be better about documenting this time period of my life, so I've been carrying around disposable cameras. Noise canceling headphones have changed my life on tour. Also, my retainers.
There's a bunch of cat-themed merch in you shop. What's the best advice you'd give to someone thinking about adopting a kitten? Get a rescue kitten!!!! They have the best personalities.
I saw you tweeted about fellow Minnesotan Doss when we posted a remix she did a few months ago—any other artists you want to share a little love with? Yeah, Doss is cool! We've known each other for a long time. Brad [Hale, the band's drummer] and I have been listening to Haim a lot lately. I just bought their EP and 7-inch on vinyl, which I am super excited about. There is also a rad decently new local band from Minneapolis called Prissy Clerks that I'm in love with. Another awesome local artist and one of the few writers that have really kept my attention over the years is Haley Bonar. Everything she does is incredible. I am also in love with A$AP Rocky. I am 100% obsessed with that dude. He is a genius.
Tour Dates:
* = Heavy & Light Acoustic Charity Tour
# = w/ Minus The Bear, Circa Survive
JANUARY
19 – Minneapolis, MN – First Avenue (The Current/KCMP 20th Anniversary)
25 – Madison, WI – High Noon Saloon (FRZN Fest)
29 – San Diego, CA – House of Blues*
30 – West Hollywood, CA – House of Blues*
FEBRUARY
01 – Salt Lake City, UT – The Complex*
02 – Denver, CO – Gothic Theatre*
04 – Houston, TX – House of Blues*
05 – Dallas, TX – House of Blues*
06 – New Orleans, LA – House of Blues*
08 – Nashville, TN – Cannery Ballroom*
09 – Detroit, MI – St. Andrews Hall*
10 – Chicago, IL – House of Blues*
12 – Philadelphia, PA – Theatre of Living Arts*
13 – New York, NY – Irving Plaza*
14 – Boston, MA – Paradise Club*
15 – Silver Spring, MD – The Fillmore Silver Spring*
16 – Atlanta, GA – The Loft*
18 – Orlando, FL – House of Blues*
27 – New York, NY – Bowery Ballroom (w/ Bob Mould)
MARCH
01 – Toronto, ON – Horseshoe Tavern (w/ Bob Mould)
02 – Detroit, MI – Magic Stick (w/ Bob Mould)
06 – Columbus, OH – Newport Music Hall #
07 – Bloomington, IL – The Castle Theatre #
08 – Covington, KY – The Madison Theater #
11 – Louisville, KY – Headliners Music Hall #
12 – Royal Oak, MI – Royal Oak Music Theatre #
14 – Burlington, VT – Higher Ground #
15 – Providence, RI – Lupo’s Heartbreak Hotel #
16 – Portland, ME – State Theatre #
17 – Poughkeepsie, NY – The Chance #
19 – Huntington, NY – The Paramount #
20 – Stroudsburg, PA – Sherman Theater #
22 – Charlotte, NC – The Fillmore Charlotte #
23 – Raleigh, NC – Lincoln Theatre #
24 – Charleston, SC – The Music Farm #
25 – Jacksonville, FL – Free Bird Live #
26 – Gainseville, FL – Side Bar #
27 – Ybor City, FL – The Ritz Ybor #
28 – Athens, GA – Georgia Theatre #
29 – Memphis, TN – New Daisy Theatre #
30 – Oklahoma City, OK – Diamond Ballroom #
