News

Chicago guitarist, composer and improviser Bill MacKay's informed and creative approach to the electric guitar is breathtaking. Fountain Fire, his second Drag City solo album (and third DC album overall, including the 2017 duet album with Ryley Walker, SpiderBeetleBee), signals new flares in Bill's flame-stoking fascination with traditional and improvised music, burning everything down to a charred, smoking essence. His playing is free yet precise amid magnetically compelling compositions, and, for the first time, he sings, with all the sweetness... (read more)

 I Have to Feed Larry's Hawk is unrivaled as standout record of the year in 2019. The latest from Tim Presley's White Fence is a keenly engaging listen, revealing a depth in the detail that provides aural stimulation for days! It's the kind of music that makes you wonder, with awe, how it might be played live - well folks, now you have the opportunity to find out! Behold, Tim Presley's White Fence announce the IHTFLH European tour, set to land this coming August!... (read more)

Music might be fun! It's an interactive experience, not a chore - or worse, a meaningless task repeated endlessly for an unclear reason, like clicking on a playlist and going about your regular, everyday (TEDIUM) business. That's why Drag City/Sea Note are proud to bring back a favorite format from the days of standalone physical records: 7 inches, baby! Times TWO. And you KNOW what 7 and 7 is...

On April 5th, a pair of established-yet-enigmatic acts are dropping two very distinct singles.... (read more)

Back in print for the first time this era is David Berman's Actual Air. Released in paperback edition in 1999 by the now-defunct Open City and praised everywhere in the then-ascendant print press industry (including names that still make waves today like The New Yorker and GQ), David Berman's first (and only) book of poetry was and is a journey though shared and unreliable memory. Uncannily inspired, Berman's poems walk you through doors into rooms where where one might hear "I can't remember... (read more)

An expressive voice, the gift of raw talent, organic sex appeal...yes, we ARE talking about Neil Hamburger! With Still Dwelling, Neil brings the full weight of his personality to the mic, vocalizing new life into some of the greatest songs of his era. Dare we say, superior versions? You bet. His latest video from the album is for "Lonely" (written by Mark Eitzel and originally recorded by American Music Club for their 1988 album California). Stunning arrangements from partner-in-crime Erik Paparozzi transform the... (read more)

Swerving between out-of-focus parable, travel diary, pep talk, polemic, love song, and lullabye, Wand's forthcoming long-player Laughing Matter has its eyes on a lot of prizes. With lyrical and musical shades varying between Wand's darkest nights and most pastoral days, there's a nuanced, eclectic emotional scope on Laughing Matter that's not been quite so nakedly apparent on any previous Wand release.

Their second single from the forthcoming release is "Thin Air," which demonstrates their evolving desires to break every convention they encounter,... (read more)

Allways and forever, CAVE are easily in the top 1% of live groups (their records are ace, too, of course!) this planet has to offer. Now that they've done damage to much of the USA in support of their latest and greatest, Allways, it's only appropriate they head over to their favourite European hot spots to share their uniquely gripping n' ripping live experience! The dudes have always gotten on well with the heads in Iberia, as the routing may show - but please... (read more)

Activity Apparatus
An Installation of Sight + Sound
Co-Presented with Haley Fohr
Opening Reception on March 30th
8PM-11PM
Drinks provided by Land & Sea Dept. 

Haley Fohr (of Circuit Des Yeux) and Drag City are teaming up to create a unique, fully immersive, sensory-active space in April of 2019 at the prestigious Soccer Club Club gallery in Chicago's Belmont-Cragin District. “Activity Apparatus” features paintings and visual works by Judith Lindbloom, Bill Nace, Meghan Remy... (read more)

From sunshiney, smog-filled streets to an avian-strewn state of ur-nature, Mike Donovan's seen his share of the world, making records and playing shows all over the past 20 years with Sic Alps, Ty Segall, The Peacers and most recently, himself.

In June of 2017, Mike led The Peacers sophomore effort, Introducing the Crimsmen, into the world. On 4/20 of '18, his own sophomore solo release How to Get Your Record Played In Shops hit. And now, a hot 23... (read more)

Since 2004, OM have burned their name into the desert sky and the sands of scorched earth! OM albums are rituals, personal convictions transcribed into verse and playing the music live is a visceral, emotional, catharsis of soul and spirit. Al & Emil are bringing their rhythmic rumblings smack dub in middle of our wintery season to vibrate good news: they've got a West Coast tour beginning this weekend in Seattle! With dates stretching up and down the Pacific; OM aim to bring heavenly, wavy... (read more)