News

LATELY AND GREATLY

So what have you been up to lately, nothing? That’s cool…well as for us, lately we’ve noticed people looking at us funny. Like they’re sort of expecting something. Like they’re saying, go ahead, Drag City – act the fool! Say something stupid and then offer us a record. Yeah, put out another bunch of records while you’re at it. Churn them out of your military-industrial cervix, why don’t you? Like we’re some kind of predictable force in this world. It rankles, it... (read more)

Sophia Knapp just can't sit still! Must have something to do with the weird weather we've been having this year, huh? It's really hard to say; we're having trouble determining what's up from down, what's real and what's a mirage... where is the horizon, anyway? Can it be reached? Are we at its precipice? Wow, today just got scary.. but fear not, friend! One month removed from the latest Cliffie Swan release, Memories Come True, Sophia Knapp brings us back from the brink with... (read more)

Doncha ever wonder whether all musicians really are lazy and pretentious, looking for any possibility to work at nothing all day? Well judging from what we see in our insider position, we're here to tell you that's all bullshit. Look at Bill Callahan: dude's been on tour for weeks without a break, wearing that suit night after night, and what does he do when he sees a day off on the schedule? Tells his tour manager to book a fucking show, that's what! Tonight,... (read more)

Now that the audiobook Victory Chimp, A Book has made it to the street from which it came, Neil Hagerty and his Howling Hex are cleaning up after the party that the last two years of research, recording and remixing represented - a sensible process, since revisiting this text meant unpacking two-plus decades of cultural detritus and reanimating certain aspects of the same in new disembodied forms to support the reading of the text (all by seasoned pros, don't worry). As we have raved and... (read more)

UPDATE: Sirius XM Outlaw Country DJ Steve Earle celebrates the late, great Mickey Newbury and the release of the new box set "An American Trilogy" on his "Hardcore Troubadour Radio" show on Saturday 9 pm ET and replaying on Sunday 9 am ET. Tune In!

Aha, remember when Waylon Jennings had a TV show? Remember what TV is? This was way back in 1995, back when dial-up was still a thing. Back then, when we still needed tangible media. Life was slower back then and... (read more)

Drag City remains and forever will be the label of the people-- shooting beers, pounding shots and generally loosening up after a hard day's night in the salt (and/or coal-) mines, just like the rest of you. Our artists generally agree; if you're drinking right now, it's likely that AZITA is saddled up right next to ya, Amstel Light in hand! Especially if you're at the Rainbo Club here in Chicago, up around the bend from DCHQ. Conveniently (for her), AZITA plays a free... (read more)

This guy, Bonny, he's everywhere, man. Today, catch him on NPR's All Things Considered working on a story called The Natural State, about the recent, mysterious swarm of earthquakes that have rattled the land of Arkansas. We never knew there were multiple definitions for the word "fracking," but apparently it's also something to do with extracting natural gas from deep within the Earth. This type of "fracking" may have caused these earthquakes, apparently, as you'll learn from listenin'. The... (read more)

Warning: the Drag City T-shirt is now back in print, but don't try to get through customs wearing one - they're just too sick! We tried to warn this unlucky fellow, and look where he is, now. Actually, do you know where he is? This photo was sent to us anonymously and freaked us the fuck out! Last thing Drag City needs is (more) blood on its hands! Maybe we should start a relief fund for this sad chap - if anyone knows the origins... (read more)

Good Lawd!! We can't believe it's been two-plus months since The High Llamas unleashed Talahomi Way - the latest greatest chapter in the pitch-perfect discography from Sean O'Hagan and his crew - but then, what is time, anyway? To celebrate the occasion of this record existing, an occasion which never ends, we approached the mighty, mercurial VAN DYKE PARKS to have a chat with old friend Sir O'Hagan. The resulting transatlantic git-down was EPIC - more epic than a stack of High Llamas and... (read more)

Again and again, AMERICA! Yeah, that special weekend is upon us. In ever-patriotic style, Colonel Bill Callahan got something special for all y'all Drag City troopers: the new video for Apocalypse center-piece, "America!" Timing is everything, ain't it? Hell yes! That is exactly what timing is, everything. So for just a few little minutes, put down your damn bottle rockets and strip off your Uncle Sam mask so's you can fully revel in the eye-popping mini-drama this profusely animated beauty detonates onto your screen. "America!"... (read more)