In a recent press release about Speedy Ortiz's new album, Foil Deer, bandleader Sadie Dupuis mentioned that the music "feels stronger." There's always been a specific confidence within the Massachusetts band's songs, even the sad ones, that dates all the way back to the fuzzy brilliance of 2012 single "Taylor Swift." But "Raising the Skate" definitely feels like the band at its most empowered, and Dupuis' diction is, per usual, razor-blade sharp. But just because I let you kill time dangling me from the quarry doesn't mean that I won't land on my feet, she sings softly during one of the song's quieter moments, before it combusts into a sneering, muscular refrain: that's cause I'm the boss, caller of the shots.
Dupuis says "Raising the Skate" is a mission statement of sorts. "It's crazy frustrating seeing women and girls, myself included, put in positions in which they have to shirk credit for their talent or otherwise risk getting dissed as overbearing and bitchy," she told FADER in an email. "Being 'the bigger person' and letting others' petulant behavior slide doesn't always make you feel big. Sometimes you have to respect yourself by telling a toxic hanger-on to get lost." Foil Deer is out April 21st via Carpark. Below, check out the band's sprawling North American tour schedule featuring gigs with Alex G, Mitski, Krill, and more.
Tour dates:
02/12/15 - Toronto, ON @ The Garrison (Red Bull Sound Select) *&
04/22/15 - Cambridge, MA @ The Sinclair *&
04/24/15 - Hamden, CT @ The Space *&
04/25/15 - New York, NY @ Bowery Ballroom *&
04/26/15 - Philadelphia, PA @ Johnny Brenda's *&
04/28/15 - Pittsburgh, PA @ Cattivo *!
04/29/15 - Cleveland Heights, OH @ Grog Shop *!
04/30/15 - Chicago, IL @ The Empty Bottle *!
5/1/15 - Madison, WI @ The Frequency *!
5/2/15 - Minneapolis, MN @ 7th St. Entry *!
5/3/15 - Iowa City, IA @ Gabe's Oasis *!
5/4/15 - Champaign, IL @ Highdive *!
5/6/15 - Washington, DC @ Black Cat *!
5/7/15 - Richmond, VA @ Strange Matter *
5/8/15 - Carrboro, NC @ Cat's Cradle Back Room *
5/9/15 - Atlanta, GA @ Shaky Knees Festival
5/11/15 - Tampa, FL @ The Crowbar *
5/13/15 - New Orleans, LA @ Gasa Gasa *
5/14/15 - Houston, TX @ Walter's Downtown $
5/15/15 - Austin, TX @ Red 7 $
5/16/15 - Dallas, TX @ Club Dada $
5/21/15 - Los Angeles, CA @ The Echo $
5/22/15 - Santa Ana, CA @ Constellation Room $
5/23/15 - Santa Cruz, CA @ The Catalyst Atrium $
5/25/15 - Portland, OR @ Mississippi Studios $%
5/26/15 - Vancouver, BC @ The Cobalt $
5/27/15 - Seattle, WA @ Barboza $
5/29/15 - Salt Lake City, UT @ Kilby Court $^
5/30/15 - Denver, CO @ Larimer Lounge $^
5/31/15 - Kansas City, MO @ The Riot Room $^
6/1/15 - Columbia, MO @ Rose Music Hall $^
6/2/15 - St. Louis, MO @ Firebird $^
6/4/15 - Detroit, MI @ UFO Factory $^
6/5/15 - Toronto, ON @ The Legendary Horseshoe Tavern $^
6/6/15 - Montreal, QC @ Bar Le "Ritz" P.D.B. $^
7/17/15 - Louisville, KY @ Forecastle Festival
* w/ Krill
& w/ Mitski
! w/ Two Inch Astronaut
$ w/ Alex G
% w/ Broken Water
^ w/ Palehound
Lead image: Shervin Lainez
