Mount Moriah will release Miracle Temple, their breakthrough second LP and first new album for Merge Records, on February 26 in the US and March 4 in UK.
Fiercely contemporary yet rich with classic influences, Mount Moriah's Miracle Temple sports bigger arrangements, louder guitars, bolder vocals, and more soulful rhythms than their acclaimed self-titled debut. Through their artful personal storytelling, the band develops a piercing portrait of a "New South" where progressive traditions are still fitfully breaking free from conservative ones. Mount Moriah's cathartic vision for their home and themselves is writ large in their lovingly critical negotiation with romantic, political, and gender identities; geographical perspective; confrontation and forgiveness. The drive for change, resolute but tinged with regret, is arrestingly captured in the cover image of a burning barn.
Singer/guitarist Heather McEntire says, "I feel like there's a lot of confrontation in this record that stems from the confidence we developed doing the first one by ourselves." That newfound clarity of purpose results in music that balances nervy beauty and resounding force, in beautifully wrought lyrics that compress condemnation and confession into subtle poetry. "Things that were almost questions before are more like answers now," says guitarist Jenks Miller. "There was a timidity to Heather's voice on the first record, singing in this naked way without distortion. Now, it's commanding, which allows the arrangements to do more."
McEntire and Miller are at the heart of Mount Moriah. Bassist Casey Toll joined the band in 2010, while James Wallace provided drums, organ, and piano on the album. Miracle Temple was recorded over five days at Beech House in Nashville and co-produced by Mark Nevers, Miller, and McEntire; mixed by Nevers; and mastered by Alex McCollough. McEntire, Miller, and Toll wrote the music, with all lyrics by McEntire except for "Union Street Bridge," co-written with the poet Sarah Messer. Additional tracking was done by Miller, James Wallace, Jeff Crawford, Jaron Pearlman, and Daniel Hart. The expanded arrangements feature an impressive variety of guest stars. Hart provides violin, and Allyn Love plays pedal steel. Indigo Girl Amy Ray sings gospel-tinged backing vocals alongside Bibis Ellison, Ryan Gustafson, and Midtown Dickens Will Hackney and Catherine Edgerton.
Recently released on vinyl for the first time, Mount Moriah's self-titled debut quickly put them on the national radar. They were tapped for a national tour with the Indigo Girls; endorsed by Pitchfork, NPR, The Onion A.V. Club, Stereogum, PopMatters, and others; named the creators of North Carolina's best 2011 album by Shuffle Magazine; and featured on Bon Iver's celebrity playlist on iTunes. Much acclaim focused on the riveting stage presence of McEntire, hailed by the Mountain Goats' John Darnielle as the kind one rarely discovers, a sentiment echoed by Paste Magazine's Shane Ryan who wrote: "McEntire fits into that rarified subgroup of charismatic performers. When she sings, the transformation begins. The energy is evident in her eyes and in her voice, a powerful instrument capable of finding the perfect emotional tone within the lyrics. I left the venue knowing Heather McEntire will be huge."
Fiercely contemporary yet rich with classic influences, Mount Moriah's Miracle Temple sports bigger arrangements, louder guitars, bolder vocals, and more soulful rhythms than their acclaimed self-titled debut. Through their artful personal storytelling, the band develops a piercing portrait of a "New South" where progressive traditions are still fitfully breaking free from conservative ones. Mount Moriah's cathartic vision for their home and themselves is writ large in their lovingly critical negotiation with romantic, political, and gender identities; geographical perspective; confrontation and forgiveness. The drive for change, resolute but tinged with regret, is arrestingly captured in the cover image of a burning barn.
Singer/guitarist Heather McEntire says, "I feel like there's a lot of confrontation in this record that stems from the confidence we developed doing the first one by ourselves." That newfound clarity of purpose results in music that balances nervy beauty and resounding force, in beautifully wrought lyrics that compress condemnation and confession into subtle poetry. "Things that were almost questions before are more like answers now," says guitarist Jenks Miller. "There was a timidity to Heather's voice on the first record, singing in this naked way without distortion. Now, it's commanding, which allows the arrangements to do more."
McEntire and Miller are at the heart of Mount Moriah. Bassist Casey Toll joined the band in 2010, while James Wallace provided drums, organ, and piano on the album. Miracle Temple was recorded over five days at Beech House in Nashville and co-produced by Mark Nevers, Miller, and McEntire; mixed by Nevers; and mastered by Alex McCollough. McEntire, Miller, and Toll wrote the music, with all lyrics by McEntire except for "Union Street Bridge," co-written with the poet Sarah Messer. Additional tracking was done by Miller, James Wallace, Jeff Crawford, Jaron Pearlman, and Daniel Hart. The expanded arrangements feature an impressive variety of guest stars. Hart provides violin, and Allyn Love plays pedal steel. Indigo Girl Amy Ray sings gospel-tinged backing vocals alongside Bibis Ellison, Ryan Gustafson, and Midtown Dickens Will Hackney and Catherine Edgerton.
Recently released on vinyl for the first time, Mount Moriah's self-titled debut quickly put them on the national radar. They were tapped for a national tour with the Indigo Girls; endorsed by Pitchfork, NPR, The Onion A.V. Club, Stereogum, PopMatters, and others; named the creators of North Carolina's best 2011 album by Shuffle Magazine; and featured on Bon Iver's celebrity playlist on iTunes. Much acclaim focused on the riveting stage presence of McEntire, hailed by the Mountain Goats' John Darnielle as the kind one rarely discovers, a sentiment echoed by Paste Magazine's Shane Ryan who wrote: "McEntire fits into that rarified subgroup of charismatic performers. When she sings, the transformation begins. The energy is evident in her eyes and in her voice, a powerful instrument capable of finding the perfect emotional tone within the lyrics. I left the venue knowing Heather McEntire will be huge."
05/22/13
Mount Moriah performed songs from Miracle Temple for World Cafe and chatted with host David Dye. The session will air today on NPR’s World Cafe.
Mount Moriah was chosen as one of SPIN’s 5 Best New Artists and Popmatters deems Miracle Temple “a lush, deeply layered, sunburst of a record.” Other positive reviews can be found at Pitchfork, the A.V. Club, American Songwriter, MTV Hive and more! Also, watch their stripped down performance of “Bright Light” for WFUV at Austin’s famous Hotel San Jose & their visit to WBEZ Chicago’s Afternoon Shift. And, the lovely video for “Bright Light” is on YouTube.
Miracle Temple is available now on CD, LP and digital download in the Merge store. Also, available at your local record store, at iTunes, Amazon, Spotify & Rdio.
Mount Moriah on tour:
June 13 Pittsburgh, PA Club Cafe
June 14 Cleveland, OH Beachland Tavern
June 15 Columbus, OH The Basement
June 16 Bloomington, IN The Bishop
June 17 St. Louis, MO Old Rock House
June 18 Lawrence, KS Replay Lounge
June 20 Denver, CO Hi Dive
June 21 Omaha, NE The Waiting Room
June 22 Dubuque, IA Eronel
June 23 Minneapolis, MN 7th St. Entry
June 24 Madison, WI The Frequency
June 25 Columbia, MO Mojo’s
June 26 Nashville, TN The High Watt
Mount Moriah was chosen as one of SPIN’s 5 Best New Artists and Popmatters deems Miracle Temple “a lush, deeply layered, sunburst of a record.” Other positive reviews can be found at Pitchfork, the A.V. Club, American Songwriter, MTV Hive and more! Also, watch their stripped down performance of “Bright Light” for WFUV at Austin’s famous Hotel San Jose & their visit to WBEZ Chicago’s Afternoon Shift. And, the lovely video for “Bright Light” is on YouTube.
Miracle Temple is available now on CD, LP and digital download in the Merge store. Also, available at your local record store, at iTunes, Amazon, Spotify & Rdio.
Mount Moriah on tour:
June 13 Pittsburgh, PA Club Cafe
June 14 Cleveland, OH Beachland Tavern
June 15 Columbus, OH The Basement
June 16 Bloomington, IN The Bishop
June 17 St. Louis, MO Old Rock House
June 18 Lawrence, KS Replay Lounge
June 20 Denver, CO Hi Dive
June 21 Omaha, NE The Waiting Room
June 22 Dubuque, IA Eronel
June 23 Minneapolis, MN 7th St. Entry
June 24 Madison, WI The Frequency
June 25 Columbia, MO Mojo’s
June 26 Nashville, TN The High Watt
03/26/13
After an action-packed trip to SXSW, Mount Moriah are currently on tour in support of their critically-acclaimed sophomore album Miracle Temple. Today, they have announced even more dates beginning June 13 in Pittsburgh. A full list of tour dates is below including spring dates with labelmates Telekinesis.
Building on 2011′s self-titled release, Miracle Temple boasts fuller arrangements, replete with forceful vocals and lyrics that read like prize-winning poetry. The instrumentation’s more soulful, the choruses more rambunctious, and the band’s vision of the South is even more intricate — and conflicted — than it was before. No stone goes unturned: whether it’s meditations on gender or reminisces of ex-lovers, Miracle Temple supplies both eloquence & rock ‘n’ roll in abundance.
Mount Moriah was chosen as one of SPIN’s 5 Best New Artists and Popmatters deems Miracle Temple “a lush, deeply layered, sunburst of a record.” Other positive reviews can be found at Pitchfork, the A.V. Club, American Songwriter, MTV Hive and more! Also, watch their stripped down performance of “Bright Light” for WFUV at Austin’s famous Hotel San Jose & their visit to WBEZ Chicago’s Afternoon Shift. And, the lovely video for “Bright Light” is on YouTube.
Miracle Temple is available now on CD, LP and digital download in the Merge store. Also, available at your local record store, at iTunes, Amazon, Spotify & Rdio.
Mount Moriah on tour (new dates in bold):
March 26 Philadelphia, PA Johnny Brenda’s
March 27 Washington, DC DC 9
April 4 Winston-Salem, NC Phuzz Fest
April 12 Carrboro, NC Cat’s Cradle
April 21 Portland, OR Doug Fir Lounge*
April 22 Sacramento, CA Blue Lamp*
April 24 San Francisco, CA Bottom Of The Hill*
April 25 Los Angeles, CA The Echo*
April 27 San Diego, CA Casbah*
April 28 Phoenix, AZ The Crescent Ballroom*
April 30 Austin, TX The Parish*
May 1 Denton, TX Dan’s Silverleaf*
May 3 Birmingham, AL The Bottletree*
May 18 Jarvisburg, NC BURG Festival @ Sanctuary Vineyards
June 13 Pittsburgh, PA Club Cafe
June 14 Cleveland, OH Beachland Tavern
June 15 Columbus, OH The Basement
June 16 Bloomington, IN The Bishop
June 17 St. Louis, MO Old Rock House
June 18 Lawrence, KS Replay Lounge
June 20 Denver, CO Hi Dive
June 21 Omaha, NE The Waiting Room
June 22 Dubuque, IA Eronel
June 23 Minneapolis, MN 7th St. Entry
June 24 Madison, WI The Frequency
June 25 Columbia, MO Mojo’s
June 26 Nashville, TN The High Watt
* = w/ Telekinesis
Building on 2011′s self-titled release, Miracle Temple boasts fuller arrangements, replete with forceful vocals and lyrics that read like prize-winning poetry. The instrumentation’s more soulful, the choruses more rambunctious, and the band’s vision of the South is even more intricate — and conflicted — than it was before. No stone goes unturned: whether it’s meditations on gender or reminisces of ex-lovers, Miracle Temple supplies both eloquence & rock ‘n’ roll in abundance.
Mount Moriah was chosen as one of SPIN’s 5 Best New Artists and Popmatters deems Miracle Temple “a lush, deeply layered, sunburst of a record.” Other positive reviews can be found at Pitchfork, the A.V. Club, American Songwriter, MTV Hive and more! Also, watch their stripped down performance of “Bright Light” for WFUV at Austin’s famous Hotel San Jose & their visit to WBEZ Chicago’s Afternoon Shift. And, the lovely video for “Bright Light” is on YouTube.
Miracle Temple is available now on CD, LP and digital download in the Merge store. Also, available at your local record store, at iTunes, Amazon, Spotify & Rdio.
Mount Moriah on tour (new dates in bold):
March 26 Philadelphia, PA Johnny Brenda’s
March 27 Washington, DC DC 9
April 4 Winston-Salem, NC Phuzz Fest
April 12 Carrboro, NC Cat’s Cradle
April 21 Portland, OR Doug Fir Lounge*
April 22 Sacramento, CA Blue Lamp*
April 24 San Francisco, CA Bottom Of The Hill*
April 25 Los Angeles, CA The Echo*
April 27 San Diego, CA Casbah*
April 28 Phoenix, AZ The Crescent Ballroom*
April 30 Austin, TX The Parish*
May 1 Denton, TX Dan’s Silverleaf*
May 3 Birmingham, AL The Bottletree*
May 18 Jarvisburg, NC BURG Festival @ Sanctuary Vineyards
June 13 Pittsburgh, PA Club Cafe
June 14 Cleveland, OH Beachland Tavern
June 15 Columbus, OH The Basement
June 16 Bloomington, IN The Bishop
June 17 St. Louis, MO Old Rock House
June 18 Lawrence, KS Replay Lounge
June 20 Denver, CO Hi Dive
June 21 Omaha, NE The Waiting Room
June 22 Dubuque, IA Eronel
June 23 Minneapolis, MN 7th St. Entry
June 24 Madison, WI The Frequency
June 25 Columbia, MO Mojo’s
June 26 Nashville, TN The High Watt
* = w/ Telekinesis
02/28/13
Merge Records will host a showcase at the annual SXSW Music Festival in Austin, TX at our favorite music venue The Parish. As usual, we will have the best showcase of the festival. If you are in Austin, come see a few of your favorite Merge bands and meet our new additions! Divine Fits will also be performing at SXSW, too. A full list of Merge band performances is below.
Visit the Merge store to sample the most recent albums from all of the bands, and to pre-order their upcoming releases! Check out the Merge SoundCloud page for songs to hear now, too!
Merge 2013 SXSW Showcase
Thursday, March 14
The Parish (214 E. 6th St.)
8pm BARREN GIRLS
9pm WILLIAM TYLER
10pm MIKAL CRONIN
11pm MOUNT MORIAH
12am TELEKINESIS
1am SHOUT OUT LOUDS
Tuesday 3.12
9:30 pm DIVINE FITS Cirque du Soleil event – ACL Live at the Moody Theater (310 W. Willie Nelson)
12:30 am DIVINE FITS VICE showcase (401 E. Cesar Chavez)
Wednesday 3.13
1:35 pm SHOUT OUT LOUDS Under the Radar party – Flamingo Cantina (515 E. 6th)
2 pm MOUNT MORIAH Urban Outfitters (2406 Guadalupe)
5 pm SHOUT OUT LOUDS Paste party – The Stage on Sixth (508 E. 6th)
1 am DIVINE FITS IFC showcase – Vice Bar (302 E. 6th)
Thursday 3.14
9:30 am DIVINE FITS KGSR broadcast – W Austin (200 Lavaca)
12:10 pm WILLIAM TYLER Chicken Ranch party – Hole in the Wall (2538 Guadalupe)
12:30 pm MOUNT MORIAH Paste party – The Stage on Sixth (508 E. 6th)
2 pm WILLIAM TYLER End of an Ear (2209 S. 1st)
2:05 pm MIKAL CRONIN Pitchfork party – 1100 Warehouse [inside] (1100 E. 5th)
4 pm SHOUT OUT LOUDS Filter party – Cedar Street Courtyard (208 W. 4th)
4:30 pm TELEKINESIS Music by the Slice – Home Slice Pizza (1415 S. Congress)
4:30 pm WILLIAM TYLER Flatstock Stage curated by Panache – Convention Center (500 E. Cesar Chavez)
8 pm MERGE SHOWCASE The Parish (214 E. 6th)
12 am DIVINE FITS Filter showcase – Lustre Pearl (97 Rainey)
Friday 3.15
12 pm DIVINE FITS Public Radio Day Stage – Convention Center (500 E. Cesar Chavez)
12 pm SHOUT OUT LOUDS Rolling Stone party – La Zona Rosa (612 W. 4th)
1:30 pm TELEKINESIS KEXP live broadcast – Mellow Johnny’s (400 Nueces)
1:30 pm WILLIAM TYLER Music by the Slice – Home Slice Pizza (1415 S. Congress)
2 pm MIKAL CRONIN Trouble in Mind showcase – Tillery Park (801 Tillery)
2 pm SHOUT OUT LOUDS Brooklyn Vegan party – Old Emo’s (E. 6th & Red River)
2:10 pm MOUNT MORIAH Music by the Slice – Home Slice Pizza (1415 S. Congress)
5 pm SHOUT OUT LOUDS Filter party – Clive Bar (609 Davis)
6 pm DIVINE FITS w/ Jim James – Auditorium Shores (800 W. Riverside Dr.)
8:25 pm MIKAL CRONIN Panache showcase – Hotel Vegas [outside stage] (1500 E. 6th)
Saturday 3.16
1 pm MIKAL CRONIN Waterloo Records (600A N. Lamar)
1:30 pm MOUNT MORIAH KDHX Twangfest – Broken Spoke (3201 S. Lamar)
5:15 pm TELEKINESIS A.V. Club party – The Mohawk [inside] (912 Red River)
Visit the Merge store to sample the most recent albums from all of the bands, and to pre-order their upcoming releases! Check out the Merge SoundCloud page for songs to hear now, too!
Merge 2013 SXSW Showcase
Thursday, March 14
The Parish (214 E. 6th St.)
8pm BARREN GIRLS
9pm WILLIAM TYLER
10pm MIKAL CRONIN
11pm MOUNT MORIAH
12am TELEKINESIS
1am SHOUT OUT LOUDS
Tuesday 3.12
9:30 pm DIVINE FITS Cirque du Soleil event – ACL Live at the Moody Theater (310 W. Willie Nelson)
12:30 am DIVINE FITS VICE showcase (401 E. Cesar Chavez)
Wednesday 3.13
1:35 pm SHOUT OUT LOUDS Under the Radar party – Flamingo Cantina (515 E. 6th)
2 pm MOUNT MORIAH Urban Outfitters (2406 Guadalupe)
5 pm SHOUT OUT LOUDS Paste party – The Stage on Sixth (508 E. 6th)
1 am DIVINE FITS IFC showcase – Vice Bar (302 E. 6th)
Thursday 3.14
9:30 am DIVINE FITS KGSR broadcast – W Austin (200 Lavaca)
12:10 pm WILLIAM TYLER Chicken Ranch party – Hole in the Wall (2538 Guadalupe)
12:30 pm MOUNT MORIAH Paste party – The Stage on Sixth (508 E. 6th)
2 pm WILLIAM TYLER End of an Ear (2209 S. 1st)
2:05 pm MIKAL CRONIN Pitchfork party – 1100 Warehouse [inside] (1100 E. 5th)
4 pm SHOUT OUT LOUDS Filter party – Cedar Street Courtyard (208 W. 4th)
4:30 pm TELEKINESIS Music by the Slice – Home Slice Pizza (1415 S. Congress)
4:30 pm WILLIAM TYLER Flatstock Stage curated by Panache – Convention Center (500 E. Cesar Chavez)
8 pm MERGE SHOWCASE The Parish (214 E. 6th)
12 am DIVINE FITS Filter showcase – Lustre Pearl (97 Rainey)
Friday 3.15
12 pm DIVINE FITS Public Radio Day Stage – Convention Center (500 E. Cesar Chavez)
12 pm SHOUT OUT LOUDS Rolling Stone party – La Zona Rosa (612 W. 4th)
1:30 pm TELEKINESIS KEXP live broadcast – Mellow Johnny’s (400 Nueces)
1:30 pm WILLIAM TYLER Music by the Slice – Home Slice Pizza (1415 S. Congress)
2 pm MIKAL CRONIN Trouble in Mind showcase – Tillery Park (801 Tillery)
2 pm SHOUT OUT LOUDS Brooklyn Vegan party – Old Emo’s (E. 6th & Red River)
2:10 pm MOUNT MORIAH Music by the Slice – Home Slice Pizza (1415 S. Congress)
5 pm SHOUT OUT LOUDS Filter party – Clive Bar (609 Davis)
6 pm DIVINE FITS w/ Jim James – Auditorium Shores (800 W. Riverside Dr.)
8:25 pm MIKAL CRONIN Panache showcase – Hotel Vegas [outside stage] (1500 E. 6th)
Saturday 3.16
1 pm MIKAL CRONIN Waterloo Records (600A N. Lamar)
1:30 pm MOUNT MORIAH KDHX Twangfest – Broken Spoke (3201 S. Lamar)
5:15 pm TELEKINESIS A.V. Club party – The Mohawk [inside] (912 Red River)
02/27/13
Mount Moriah released Miracle Temple yesterday to much acclaim including a Stereogum premiere of their new video for “Bright Light.”
Directed by Habib Yazdi and produced by Hueism Films, the video showcases the excitement of a Mount Moriah live performance with an EMDR light therapy effect. Stereogum writes, “Director Habib Yazdi has made, at least one one level, a simple performance video, but he’s slathered it with so many color filters and lens flares that it comes out looking altogether more psychedelic.”
Watch the video for “Bright Light” now at Merge’s YouTube
Miracle Temple has been met with universally positive reviews from Pitchfork, the AV Club, American Songwriter, MTV Hive and more. Don’t miss Mount Moriah on tour this spring including dates with labelmates William Tyler and Telekinesis.
Miracle Temple is available now on CD, LP and digital download in the Merge store. Also available at your local record store, at iTunes, Amazon, Spotify & Rdio.
Mount Moriah on tour:
March 6 Charleston, SC Tin Roof
March 7 Jacksonville, FL Jack Rabbits
March 8 Orlando, FL Will’s Pub%
March 9 Atlanta, GA Drunken Unicorn%
March 10 Mobile, AL Alabama Music Box&
March 11 Baton Rouge, LA Spanish Moon&
March 13-17 Austin, TX SXSW
March 18 Chicago, IL Schubas
March 19 Detroit, MI Magic Stick Lounge
March 20 Toronto, ON The Drake
March 21 Montreal, QC Casa del Popolo
March 22 Boston, MA Cafe 939
March 23 New Haven, CT Cafe Nine
March 25 New York, NY Mercury Lounge
March 26 Philadelphia, PA Johnny Brenda’s
March 27 Washington, DC DC 9
April 4 Winston-Salem, NC Phuzz Fest
April 12 Carrboro, NC Cat’s Cradle
April 21 Portland, OR Doug Fir Lounge*
April 24 San Francisco, CA Bottom Of The Hill*
April 25 Los Angeles, CA The Echo*
April 27 San Diego, CA Casbah*
April 28 Phoenix, AZ The Crescent Ballroom*
April 30 Austin, TX The Parish*
May 1 Denton, TX Dan’s Silverleaf*
May 3 Birmingham, AL The Bottletree*
% = w/ William Tyler
& = w/ William Tyler & Dent May
* = w/ Telekinesis
Directed by Habib Yazdi and produced by Hueism Films, the video showcases the excitement of a Mount Moriah live performance with an EMDR light therapy effect. Stereogum writes, “Director Habib Yazdi has made, at least one one level, a simple performance video, but he’s slathered it with so many color filters and lens flares that it comes out looking altogether more psychedelic.”
Watch the video for “Bright Light” now at Merge’s YouTube
Miracle Temple has been met with universally positive reviews from Pitchfork, the AV Club, American Songwriter, MTV Hive and more. Don’t miss Mount Moriah on tour this spring including dates with labelmates William Tyler and Telekinesis.
Miracle Temple is available now on CD, LP and digital download in the Merge store. Also available at your local record store, at iTunes, Amazon, Spotify & Rdio.
Mount Moriah on tour:
March 6 Charleston, SC Tin Roof
March 7 Jacksonville, FL Jack Rabbits
March 8 Orlando, FL Will’s Pub%
March 9 Atlanta, GA Drunken Unicorn%
March 10 Mobile, AL Alabama Music Box&
March 11 Baton Rouge, LA Spanish Moon&
March 13-17 Austin, TX SXSW
March 18 Chicago, IL Schubas
March 19 Detroit, MI Magic Stick Lounge
March 20 Toronto, ON The Drake
March 21 Montreal, QC Casa del Popolo
March 22 Boston, MA Cafe 939
March 23 New Haven, CT Cafe Nine
March 25 New York, NY Mercury Lounge
March 26 Philadelphia, PA Johnny Brenda’s
March 27 Washington, DC DC 9
April 4 Winston-Salem, NC Phuzz Fest
April 12 Carrboro, NC Cat’s Cradle
April 21 Portland, OR Doug Fir Lounge*
April 24 San Francisco, CA Bottom Of The Hill*
April 25 Los Angeles, CA The Echo*
April 27 San Diego, CA Casbah*
April 28 Phoenix, AZ The Crescent Ballroom*
April 30 Austin, TX The Parish*
May 1 Denton, TX Dan’s Silverleaf*
May 3 Birmingham, AL The Bottletree*
% = w/ William Tyler
& = w/ William Tyler & Dent May
* = w/ Telekinesis
02/18/13
On February 26, new albums from Mount Moriah and Shout Out Louds will be available in stores. Thanks to the magic of the internet, you can listen to both albums in their entirety now!
Where 2011′s Mount Moriah tended towards the simpler, Miracle Temple boasts fuller arrangements, replete with forceful vocals and lyrics that read like prize-winning poetry. The instrumentation’s more soulful, the choruses more rambunctious, and the band’s vision of the South is even more intricate — and conflicted — than it was before. No stone goes unturned: whether it’s meditations on gender or reminisces of ex-lovers, Miracle Temple supplies both eloquence & rock ‘n’ roll in abundance. Mount Moriah was chosen as one of Spin’s 5 Best New Artists and Popmatters deems the album “a lush, deeply layered, sunburst of a record.”
Listen to Mount Moriah’s Miracle Temple now at Pitchfork Advance
When the time came to work on the songs that would become Optica, Shout Out Louds wanted to return to the playful spirit that first brought them together ten years ago. Instead of “work,” they wanted to dance! NPR’s Stephen Thompson writes, “Which brings us around to Optica, the new fourth album by the Swedish band Shout Out Louds, and particularly its song ‘Illusions.’ Listening to it in 2013, it’s as if someone traveled back in time 30 years and slipped The Thompson Twins the biggest hit of their career, and now a young band is tapping into our shared nostalgia by rehashing a hit that’s somehow been lodged in our memory banks all along. ‘Illusions’ may be brand-new, but it already feels eternal.”
Listen to Shout Out Louds’ Optica now at NPR’s First Listen
Full tour dates for both bands are listed below. Mount Moriah’s Miracle Temple and Shout Out Louds’ Optica are both available for pre-order on CD and LP now in the Merge store.
Mount Moriah on tour:
March 6 Charleston, SC Tin Roof
March 7 Jacksonville, FL Jack Rabbits
March 8 Orlando, FL Will’s Pub%
March 9 Atlanta, GA Drunken Unicorn%
March 10 Mobile, AL Alabama Music Box&
March 11 Baton Rouge, LA Spanish Moon&
March 13-17 Austin, TX SXSW
March 18 Chicago, IL Schubas
March 19 Detroit, MI Magic Stick Lounge
March 20 Toronto, ON The Drake
March 21 Montreal, QC Casa del Popolo
March 22 Boston, MA Cafe 939
March 23 New Haven, CT Cafe Nine
March 25 New York, NY Mercury Lounge
March 26 Philadelphia, PA Johnny Brenda’s
March 27 Washington, DC DC 9
April 4 Winston-Salem, NC Phuzz Fest
April 12 Carrboro, NC Cat’s Cradle
April 21 Portland, OR Doug Fir Lounge*
April 24 San Francisco, CA Bottom Of The Hill*
April 25 Los Angeles, CA The Echo*
April 27 San Diego, CA Casbah*
April 28 Phoenix, AZ The Crescent Ballroom*
April 30 Austin, TX The Parish*
May 1 Denton, TX Dan’s Silverleaf*
May 3 Birmingham, AL The Bottletree*
% = w/ William Tyler
& = w/ William Tyler & Dent May
* = w/ Telekinesis
Shout Out Louds on tour:
March 11 Brooklyn, NY Music Hall of Williamsburg
March 13-16 Austin, TX SXSW Music Festival
May 7 Washington, DC 9:30 Club
May 8 Philadelphia, PA Union Transfer
May 10 New York, NY Webster Hall
May 11 Boston, MA Paradise
May 13 Montreal, QC La Sala Rosa
May 14 Toronto, ONT The Opera House
May 15 Detroit, MI The Magic Bag
May 16 Chicago, IL Metro
May 17 Minneapolis, MN Varsity Theater
May 22 San Francisco, CA Great American Music Hall
May 23 Los, Angeles, CA El Rey
May 24-27 George, WA Sasquatch Festival
Where 2011′s Mount Moriah tended towards the simpler, Miracle Temple boasts fuller arrangements, replete with forceful vocals and lyrics that read like prize-winning poetry. The instrumentation’s more soulful, the choruses more rambunctious, and the band’s vision of the South is even more intricate — and conflicted — than it was before. No stone goes unturned: whether it’s meditations on gender or reminisces of ex-lovers, Miracle Temple supplies both eloquence & rock ‘n’ roll in abundance. Mount Moriah was chosen as one of Spin’s 5 Best New Artists and Popmatters deems the album “a lush, deeply layered, sunburst of a record.”
Listen to Mount Moriah’s Miracle Temple now at Pitchfork Advance
When the time came to work on the songs that would become Optica, Shout Out Louds wanted to return to the playful spirit that first brought them together ten years ago. Instead of “work,” they wanted to dance! NPR’s Stephen Thompson writes, “Which brings us around to Optica, the new fourth album by the Swedish band Shout Out Louds, and particularly its song ‘Illusions.’ Listening to it in 2013, it’s as if someone traveled back in time 30 years and slipped The Thompson Twins the biggest hit of their career, and now a young band is tapping into our shared nostalgia by rehashing a hit that’s somehow been lodged in our memory banks all along. ‘Illusions’ may be brand-new, but it already feels eternal.”
Listen to Shout Out Louds’ Optica now at NPR’s First Listen
Full tour dates for both bands are listed below. Mount Moriah’s Miracle Temple and Shout Out Louds’ Optica are both available for pre-order on CD and LP now in the Merge store.
Mount Moriah on tour:
March 6 Charleston, SC Tin Roof
March 7 Jacksonville, FL Jack Rabbits
March 8 Orlando, FL Will’s Pub%
March 9 Atlanta, GA Drunken Unicorn%
March 10 Mobile, AL Alabama Music Box&
March 11 Baton Rouge, LA Spanish Moon&
March 13-17 Austin, TX SXSW
March 18 Chicago, IL Schubas
March 19 Detroit, MI Magic Stick Lounge
March 20 Toronto, ON The Drake
March 21 Montreal, QC Casa del Popolo
March 22 Boston, MA Cafe 939
March 23 New Haven, CT Cafe Nine
March 25 New York, NY Mercury Lounge
March 26 Philadelphia, PA Johnny Brenda’s
March 27 Washington, DC DC 9
April 4 Winston-Salem, NC Phuzz Fest
April 12 Carrboro, NC Cat’s Cradle
April 21 Portland, OR Doug Fir Lounge*
April 24 San Francisco, CA Bottom Of The Hill*
April 25 Los Angeles, CA The Echo*
April 27 San Diego, CA Casbah*
April 28 Phoenix, AZ The Crescent Ballroom*
April 30 Austin, TX The Parish*
May 1 Denton, TX Dan’s Silverleaf*
May 3 Birmingham, AL The Bottletree*
% = w/ William Tyler
& = w/ William Tyler & Dent May
* = w/ Telekinesis
Shout Out Louds on tour:
March 11 Brooklyn, NY Music Hall of Williamsburg
March 13-16 Austin, TX SXSW Music Festival
May 7 Washington, DC 9:30 Club
May 8 Philadelphia, PA Union Transfer
May 10 New York, NY Webster Hall
May 11 Boston, MA Paradise
May 13 Montreal, QC La Sala Rosa
May 14 Toronto, ONT The Opera House
May 15 Detroit, MI The Magic Bag
May 16 Chicago, IL Metro
May 17 Minneapolis, MN Varsity Theater
May 22 San Francisco, CA Great American Music Hall
May 23 Los, Angeles, CA El Rey
May 24-27 George, WA Sasquatch Festival
02/08/13
A little Merge Madness is heading west this spring! Telekinesis and Mount Moriah are teaming up to tour the west coast beginning in Portland on April 21.
Telekinesis will release Dormarion on April 2. Following a visit to the SXSW Music Festival in March, the band will begin their tour with Mount Moriah as support in Portland on April 21 and continue through Birmingham on May 3. The new Telekinesis band features Rebecca Cole of Wild Flag, Erik Walters of The Globes and Eric Elbogen of Say Hi. Telekinesis will conclude their first tour in support of Dormarion with the Sasquatch Festival on May 24.
Mount Moriah will release Miracle Temple on February 26, and have already announced tour dates beginning March 6 in Charleston, multiple appearances at the SXSW music festival, and their album release show at the Cat’s Cradle in Carrboro, NC on April 12. William Tyler, whose Merge debut Impossible Truth will be in stores on March 19, will also join Mount Moriah on several dates and perform at SXSW.
A full list of dates for both bands is below. Visit the tour section of our website for updates and download our free Merge app for your Apple or Android mobile device to meet up with other Merge fans at the shows.
Telekinesis’ Dormarion is available for pre-order on CD and LP in the Merge store. Preorders will include a free, limited edition flexi-disc of a demo version of “Ghosts and Creatures” while supplies last. Mount Moriah’s Miracle Temple is also available for pre-order on CD and LP. LP preorders for both will include a free Merge Records slipmat.
Telekinesis on tour:
March 13-17 Austin, TX SXSW
April 21 Portland, OR Doug Fir Lounge*
April 24 San Francisco, CA Bottom Of The Hill*
April 25 Los Angeles, CA The Echo*
April 27 San Diego, CA Casbah*
April 28 Phoenix, AZ The Crescent Ballroom*
April 30 Austin, TX The Parish*
May 1 Denton, TX Dan’s Silverleaf*
May 3 Birmingham, AL The Bottletree*
May 4 Atlanta, GA Drunken Unicorn%
May 5 Chapel Hill, NC Local 506%
May 6 Washington, DC Black Cat Backstage%
May 7 Philadelphia, PA Johnny Brenda’s%
May 9 New York, NY Bowery Ballroom%
May 10 Allston, MA Brighton Music Hall%
May 11 Montreal, QC Il Motore%
May 12 Toronto, ON Horseshoe Tavern%
May 14 Cleveland Heights, OH Grog Shop%
May 15 Chicago, IL Lincoln Hall%
May 16 Madison, WI High Noon Saloon%
May 17 Minneapolis, MN 7th St. Entry%
May 18 Kansas City, MO Riot Room%
May 20 Denver, CO Hi Dive
May 21 Salt Lake City, UT Urban Lounge%
May 22 Nampa, ID Flying M Coffee
May 24 George, WA Sasquatch Music Festival
* = w/ Mount Moriah
% = w/ Deep Sea Diver
Mount Moriah on tour:
March 6 Charleston, SC Tin Roof
March 7 Jacksonville, FL Jack Rabbits
March 8 Orlando, FL Will’s Pub%
March 9 Atlanta, GA Drunken Unicorn%
March 10 Mobile, AL Alabama Music Box&
March 11 Baton Rouge, LA Spanish Moon&
March 13-17 Austin, TX SXSW
March 18 Chicago, IL Schubas
March 19 Detroit, MI Magic Stick Lounge
March 20 Toronto, ON The Drake
March 21 Montreal, QC Casa del Popolo
March 22 Boston, MA Cafe 939
March 23 New Haven, CT Cafe Nine
March 25 New York, NY Mercury Lounge
March 26 Philadelphia, PA Johnny Brenda’s
March 27 Washington, DC DC 9
April 4 Winston-Salem, NC Phuzz Fest
April 12 Carrboro, NC Cat’s Cradle
April 21 Portland, OR Doug Fir Lounge*
April 24 San Francisco, CA Bottom Of The Hill*
April 25 Los Angeles, CA The Echo*
April 27 San Diego, CA Casbah*
April 28 Phoenix, AZ The Crescent Ballroom*
April 30 Austin, TX The Parish*
May 1 Denton, TX Dan’s Silverleaf*
May 3 Birmingham, AL The Bottletree*
% = w/ William Tyler
& = w/ William Tyler & Dent May
* = w/ Telekinesis
Telekinesis will release Dormarion on April 2. Following a visit to the SXSW Music Festival in March, the band will begin their tour with Mount Moriah as support in Portland on April 21 and continue through Birmingham on May 3. The new Telekinesis band features Rebecca Cole of Wild Flag, Erik Walters of The Globes and Eric Elbogen of Say Hi. Telekinesis will conclude their first tour in support of Dormarion with the Sasquatch Festival on May 24.
Mount Moriah will release Miracle Temple on February 26, and have already announced tour dates beginning March 6 in Charleston, multiple appearances at the SXSW music festival, and their album release show at the Cat’s Cradle in Carrboro, NC on April 12. William Tyler, whose Merge debut Impossible Truth will be in stores on March 19, will also join Mount Moriah on several dates and perform at SXSW.
A full list of dates for both bands is below. Visit the tour section of our website for updates and download our free Merge app for your Apple or Android mobile device to meet up with other Merge fans at the shows.
Telekinesis’ Dormarion is available for pre-order on CD and LP in the Merge store. Preorders will include a free, limited edition flexi-disc of a demo version of “Ghosts and Creatures” while supplies last. Mount Moriah’s Miracle Temple is also available for pre-order on CD and LP. LP preorders for both will include a free Merge Records slipmat.
Telekinesis on tour:
March 13-17 Austin, TX SXSW
April 21 Portland, OR Doug Fir Lounge*
April 24 San Francisco, CA Bottom Of The Hill*
April 25 Los Angeles, CA The Echo*
April 27 San Diego, CA Casbah*
April 28 Phoenix, AZ The Crescent Ballroom*
April 30 Austin, TX The Parish*
May 1 Denton, TX Dan’s Silverleaf*
May 3 Birmingham, AL The Bottletree*
May 4 Atlanta, GA Drunken Unicorn%
May 5 Chapel Hill, NC Local 506%
May 6 Washington, DC Black Cat Backstage%
May 7 Philadelphia, PA Johnny Brenda’s%
May 9 New York, NY Bowery Ballroom%
May 10 Allston, MA Brighton Music Hall%
May 11 Montreal, QC Il Motore%
May 12 Toronto, ON Horseshoe Tavern%
May 14 Cleveland Heights, OH Grog Shop%
May 15 Chicago, IL Lincoln Hall%
May 16 Madison, WI High Noon Saloon%
May 17 Minneapolis, MN 7th St. Entry%
May 18 Kansas City, MO Riot Room%
May 20 Denver, CO Hi Dive
May 21 Salt Lake City, UT Urban Lounge%
May 22 Nampa, ID Flying M Coffee
May 24 George, WA Sasquatch Music Festival
* = w/ Mount Moriah
% = w/ Deep Sea Diver
Mount Moriah on tour:
March 6 Charleston, SC Tin Roof
March 7 Jacksonville, FL Jack Rabbits
March 8 Orlando, FL Will’s Pub%
March 9 Atlanta, GA Drunken Unicorn%
March 10 Mobile, AL Alabama Music Box&
March 11 Baton Rouge, LA Spanish Moon&
March 13-17 Austin, TX SXSW
March 18 Chicago, IL Schubas
March 19 Detroit, MI Magic Stick Lounge
March 20 Toronto, ON The Drake
March 21 Montreal, QC Casa del Popolo
March 22 Boston, MA Cafe 939
March 23 New Haven, CT Cafe Nine
March 25 New York, NY Mercury Lounge
March 26 Philadelphia, PA Johnny Brenda’s
March 27 Washington, DC DC 9
April 4 Winston-Salem, NC Phuzz Fest
April 12 Carrboro, NC Cat’s Cradle
April 21 Portland, OR Doug Fir Lounge*
April 24 San Francisco, CA Bottom Of The Hill*
April 25 Los Angeles, CA The Echo*
April 27 San Diego, CA Casbah*
April 28 Phoenix, AZ The Crescent Ballroom*
April 30 Austin, TX The Parish*
May 1 Denton, TX Dan’s Silverleaf*
May 3 Birmingham, AL The Bottletree*
% = w/ William Tyler
& = w/ William Tyler & Dent May
* = w/ Telekinesis
01/22/13
Mount Moriah shared “Bright Light” from their forthcoming new album Miracle Temple via SPIN today. In their premiere, SPIN described the track as a “luminous Southern-rock shuffler.”
Listen & share “Bright Light” now at the Merge SoundCloud page
Where 2011′s Mount Moriah tended towards the simpler, Miracle Temple boasts fuller arrangements, replete with forceful vocals and lyrics that read like prize-winning poetry. The instrumentation’s more soulful, the choruses more rambunctious, and the band’s vision of the South is even more intricate — and conflicted — than it was before. No stone goes unturned: whether it’s meditations on gender or reminisces of ex-lovers, Miracle Temple supplies both eloquence & rock ‘n’ roll in abundance.
Miracle Temple is available for pre-order now in the Merge store on CD and LP. LP pre-orders will receive a free Merge slipmat. Mount Moriah’s self-titled debut is now available on LP in the Merge store as well.
Mount Moriah on tour:
March 6 Charleston, SC Tin Roof
March 7 Jacksonville, FL Jack Rabbits
March 8 Orlando, FL Will’s Pub
March 9 Atlanta,GA Drunken Unicorn
March 11 Baton Rouge, LA Spanish Moon
March 13-17 Austin, TX SXSW
March 18 Chicago, IL Schubas
March 19 Detroit, MI Magic Stick Lounge
March 20 Toronto, ON The Drake
March 21 Montreal, QC Casa del Popolo
March 22 Boston, MA Cafe 939
March 23 New Haven, CT Cafe Nine
March 25 New York, NY Mercury Lounge
March 26 Philadelphia, PA Johnny Brenda’s
March 27 Washington, DC DC 9
April 4 Winston-Salem, NC Phuzz Fest
April 12 Carrboro, NC Cat’s Cradle
Listen & share “Bright Light” now at the Merge SoundCloud page
Where 2011′s Mount Moriah tended towards the simpler, Miracle Temple boasts fuller arrangements, replete with forceful vocals and lyrics that read like prize-winning poetry. The instrumentation’s more soulful, the choruses more rambunctious, and the band’s vision of the South is even more intricate — and conflicted — than it was before. No stone goes unturned: whether it’s meditations on gender or reminisces of ex-lovers, Miracle Temple supplies both eloquence & rock ‘n’ roll in abundance.
Miracle Temple is available for pre-order now in the Merge store on CD and LP. LP pre-orders will receive a free Merge slipmat. Mount Moriah’s self-titled debut is now available on LP in the Merge store as well.
Mount Moriah on tour:
March 6 Charleston, SC Tin Roof
March 7 Jacksonville, FL Jack Rabbits
March 8 Orlando, FL Will’s Pub
March 9 Atlanta,GA Drunken Unicorn
March 11 Baton Rouge, LA Spanish Moon
March 13-17 Austin, TX SXSW
March 18 Chicago, IL Schubas
March 19 Detroit, MI Magic Stick Lounge
March 20 Toronto, ON The Drake
March 21 Montreal, QC Casa del Popolo
March 22 Boston, MA Cafe 939
March 23 New Haven, CT Cafe Nine
March 25 New York, NY Mercury Lounge
March 26 Philadelphia, PA Johnny Brenda’s
March 27 Washington, DC DC 9
April 4 Winston-Salem, NC Phuzz Fest
April 12 Carrboro, NC Cat’s Cradle
01/02/13
We have a very exciting year ahead, so let’s get this party started with new songs from our first five releases of 2013. All are available for pre-order now in the Merge store. Happy New Year!
Amor de Días - “Jean’s Waving” from The House at Sea
Radar Brothers – “If We Were Banished” from Eight
Shout Out Louds – “Blue Ice” from Optica
Mount Moriah – “Younger Days” from Miracle Temple
William Tyler – “Cadillac Desert” from Impossible Truth
Amor de Días - “Jean’s Waving” from The House at Sea
Radar Brothers – “If We Were Banished” from Eight
Shout Out Louds – “Blue Ice” from Optica
Mount Moriah – “Younger Days” from Miracle Temple
William Tyler – “Cadillac Desert” from Impossible Truth
12/10/12
Mount Moriah have released “Younger Days” the first track from Miracle Temple on Pitchfork.com, and have announced their first run of tour dates this spring.
Listen to “Younger Days” now at SoundCloud
Fiercely contemporary yet rich with classic influences, Mount Moriah’s Miracle Temple sports bigger arrangements, louder guitars, bolder vocals, and more soulful rhythms than their acclaimed self-titled debut. Through their artful personal storytelling, the band develops a piercing portrait of a “New South” where progressive traditions are still fitfully breaking free from conservative ones. Mount Moriah’s cathartic vision for their home and themselves is writ large in their lovingly critical negotiation with romantic, political, and gender identities; geographical perspective; confrontation and forgiveness.
Miracle Temple is available for pre-order now in the Merge store on CD and LP. Also, throughout the holiday season, LP pre-orders will receive a free Merge slipmat. Mount Moriah’s self-titled debut is now available on LP in the Merge store as well. Don’t forget . . . the Merge Holiday Code works on pre-orders, too!
Mount Moriah on tour:
March 6 Charleston SC Tin Roof
March 7 Jacksonville FL Jack Rabbits
March 8 Orlando FL Will’s Pub #
March 9 Atlanta GA Drunken Unicorn &
March 13-17 Austin, TX SXSW Music Festival
March 18 Chicago, IL Schubas ^
March 19 Detroit, MI Magic Stick Lounge ^
March 20 Toronto, ON The Drake ^
March 21 Montreal, QC Casa del Popolo ^
March 22 Boston, MA Cafe 939 ^
March 23 New Haven, CT Cafe Nine ^
March 25 New York, NY Mercury Lounge ^
March 26 Philadelphia, PA Johnny Brenda’s ^
March 27 Washington, DC DC9 ^
April 4 Winston-Salem, NC Phuzz Fest
April 12 Carrboro, NC Cat’s Cradle %
# w/ William Tyler
& w/ Snowmine + William Tyler
^ w/ Blessed Feathers (co-headline)
% w/ Mac McCaughan
Listen to “Younger Days” now at SoundCloud
Fiercely contemporary yet rich with classic influences, Mount Moriah’s Miracle Temple sports bigger arrangements, louder guitars, bolder vocals, and more soulful rhythms than their acclaimed self-titled debut. Through their artful personal storytelling, the band develops a piercing portrait of a “New South” where progressive traditions are still fitfully breaking free from conservative ones. Mount Moriah’s cathartic vision for their home and themselves is writ large in their lovingly critical negotiation with romantic, political, and gender identities; geographical perspective; confrontation and forgiveness.
Miracle Temple is available for pre-order now in the Merge store on CD and LP. Also, throughout the holiday season, LP pre-orders will receive a free Merge slipmat. Mount Moriah’s self-titled debut is now available on LP in the Merge store as well. Don’t forget . . . the Merge Holiday Code works on pre-orders, too!
Mount Moriah on tour:
March 6 Charleston SC Tin Roof
March 7 Jacksonville FL Jack Rabbits
March 8 Orlando FL Will’s Pub #
March 9 Atlanta GA Drunken Unicorn &
March 13-17 Austin, TX SXSW Music Festival
March 18 Chicago, IL Schubas ^
March 19 Detroit, MI Magic Stick Lounge ^
March 20 Toronto, ON The Drake ^
March 21 Montreal, QC Casa del Popolo ^
March 22 Boston, MA Cafe 939 ^
March 23 New Haven, CT Cafe Nine ^
March 25 New York, NY Mercury Lounge ^
March 26 Philadelphia, PA Johnny Brenda’s ^
March 27 Washington, DC DC9 ^
April 4 Winston-Salem, NC Phuzz Fest
April 12 Carrboro, NC Cat’s Cradle %
# w/ William Tyler
& w/ Snowmine + William Tyler
^ w/ Blessed Feathers (co-headline)
% w/ Mac McCaughan
11/28/12
Mount Moriah will release Miracle Temple, their breakthrough second LP and first new album for Merge Records, on February 26 in the US and March 4 in UK.
Fiercely contemporary yet rich with classic influences, Mount Moriah’s Miracle Temple sports bigger arrangements, louder guitars, bolder vocals, and more soulful rhythms than their acclaimed self-titled debut. Through their artful personal storytelling, the band develops a piercing portrait of a “New South” where progressive traditions are still fitfully breaking free from conservative ones. Mount Moriah’s cathartic vision for their home and themselves is writ large in their lovingly critical negotiation with romantic, political, and gender identities; geographical perspective; confrontation and forgiveness. The drive for change, resolute but tinged with regret, is arrestingly captured in the cover image of a burning barn.
Singer/guitarist Heather McEntire says, “I feel like there’s a lot of confrontation in this record that stems from the confidence we developed doing the first one by ourselves.” That newfound clarity of purpose results in music that balances nervy beauty and resounding force, in beautifully wrought lyrics that compress condemnation and confession into subtle poetry. “Things that were almost questions before are more like answers now,” says guitarist Jenks Miller. “There was a timidity to Heather’s voice on the first record, singing in this naked way without distortion. Now, it’s commanding, which allows the arrangements to do more.”
McEntire and Miller are at the heart of Mount Moriah. Bassist Casey Toll joined the band in 2010, while James Wallace provided drums, organ, and piano on the album. Miracle Temple was recorded over five days at Beech House in Nashville and co-produced by Mark Nevers, Miller, and McEntire; mixed by Nevers; and mastered by Alex McCollough. McEntire, Miller, and Toll wrote the music, with all lyrics by McEntire except for “Union Street Bridge,” co-written with the poet Sarah Messer. Additional tracking was done by Miller, James Wallace, Jeff Crawford, Jaron Pearlman, and Daniel Hart. The expanded arrangements feature an impressive variety of guest stars. Hart provides violin, and Allyn Love plays pedal steel. Indigo Girl Amy Ray sings gospel-tinged backing vocals alongside Bibis Ellison, Ryan Gustafson, and Midtown Dickens’ Will Hackney and Catherine Edgerton.
Recently released on vinyl for the first time, Mount Moriah’s self-titled debut quickly put them on the national radar. They were tapped for a national tour with the Indigo Girls; endorsed by Pitchfork, NPR, The Onion A.V. Club, Stereogum, PopMatters, and others; named the creators of North Carolina’s best 2011 album by Shuffle Magazine; and featured on Bon Iver’s celebrity playlist on iTunes. Much acclaim focused on the riveting stage presence of McEntire, hailed by the Mountain Goats’ John Darnielle as the kind one rarely discovers, a sentiment echoed by Paste Magazine’s Shane Ryan who wrote: “McEntire fits into that rarified subgroup of charismatic performers. … When she sings, the transformation begins. The energy is evident in her eyes […] and in her voice, a powerful instrument capable of finding the perfect emotional tone within the lyrics. … I left the venue knowing Heather McEntire will be huge.”
Miracle Temple is available for pre-order now in the Merge store on CD and LP. Also, throughout the holiday season, LP pre-orders will receive a free Merge slipmat. Mount Moriah’s self-titled debut is now available on LP in the Merge store as well. Don’t forget . . . the Merge Holiday Code works on pre-orders, too!
Fiercely contemporary yet rich with classic influences, Mount Moriah’s Miracle Temple sports bigger arrangements, louder guitars, bolder vocals, and more soulful rhythms than their acclaimed self-titled debut. Through their artful personal storytelling, the band develops a piercing portrait of a “New South” where progressive traditions are still fitfully breaking free from conservative ones. Mount Moriah’s cathartic vision for their home and themselves is writ large in their lovingly critical negotiation with romantic, political, and gender identities; geographical perspective; confrontation and forgiveness. The drive for change, resolute but tinged with regret, is arrestingly captured in the cover image of a burning barn.
Singer/guitarist Heather McEntire says, “I feel like there’s a lot of confrontation in this record that stems from the confidence we developed doing the first one by ourselves.” That newfound clarity of purpose results in music that balances nervy beauty and resounding force, in beautifully wrought lyrics that compress condemnation and confession into subtle poetry. “Things that were almost questions before are more like answers now,” says guitarist Jenks Miller. “There was a timidity to Heather’s voice on the first record, singing in this naked way without distortion. Now, it’s commanding, which allows the arrangements to do more.”
McEntire and Miller are at the heart of Mount Moriah. Bassist Casey Toll joined the band in 2010, while James Wallace provided drums, organ, and piano on the album. Miracle Temple was recorded over five days at Beech House in Nashville and co-produced by Mark Nevers, Miller, and McEntire; mixed by Nevers; and mastered by Alex McCollough. McEntire, Miller, and Toll wrote the music, with all lyrics by McEntire except for “Union Street Bridge,” co-written with the poet Sarah Messer. Additional tracking was done by Miller, James Wallace, Jeff Crawford, Jaron Pearlman, and Daniel Hart. The expanded arrangements feature an impressive variety of guest stars. Hart provides violin, and Allyn Love plays pedal steel. Indigo Girl Amy Ray sings gospel-tinged backing vocals alongside Bibis Ellison, Ryan Gustafson, and Midtown Dickens’ Will Hackney and Catherine Edgerton.
Recently released on vinyl for the first time, Mount Moriah’s self-titled debut quickly put them on the national radar. They were tapped for a national tour with the Indigo Girls; endorsed by Pitchfork, NPR, The Onion A.V. Club, Stereogum, PopMatters, and others; named the creators of North Carolina’s best 2011 album by Shuffle Magazine; and featured on Bon Iver’s celebrity playlist on iTunes. Much acclaim focused on the riveting stage presence of McEntire, hailed by the Mountain Goats’ John Darnielle as the kind one rarely discovers, a sentiment echoed by Paste Magazine’s Shane Ryan who wrote: “McEntire fits into that rarified subgroup of charismatic performers. … When she sings, the transformation begins. The energy is evident in her eyes […] and in her voice, a powerful instrument capable of finding the perfect emotional tone within the lyrics. … I left the venue knowing Heather McEntire will be huge.”
Miracle Temple is available for pre-order now in the Merge store on CD and LP. Also, throughout the holiday season, LP pre-orders will receive a free Merge slipmat. Mount Moriah’s self-titled debut is now available on LP in the Merge store as well. Don’t forget . . . the Merge Holiday Code works on pre-orders, too!
09/18/12
On October 2, Merge Records will release the self-titled debut album from North Carolina’s Mount Moriah on limited-edition LP. Available for the first time on vinyl, Mount Moriah was described by NPR Music as “an infectious brew of gospel, folk, rock and country that asks questions of the establishment while looking at love from every angle.”
The band will follow up the vinyl release of its debut album with a brand-new full-length in early 2013. Mount Moriah will also perform as part of Merge’s CMJ showcase on October 18 at Mercury Lounge in New York and join Mirah for east coast shows in November.
As record store clerks in Chapel Hill, NC, Heather McEntire (of post-punk veterans Bellafea) and Jenks Miller (of heavy-psych/metal outfit Horseback) spent their evenings creating Mount Moriah as an outlet for their mutual interest in classic American folk and rock music. Born in North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains, McEntire weaves narratives into spectral tapestries imbued with the complex majesty of the South and its deep-seated spirituality. With nods to both classic folk-rock and their contemporaries, Mount Moriah challenges existing traditional folk music forms with arrangements born from Miller’s interest in minimalism and sound texture.
The limited-edition vinyl pressing of Mount Moriah, which was originally released in 2011 on CD and digital by Jenks and Heather’s own Holidays for Quince label, will include a full album download plus exclusive bonus tracks of radio sessions done last year in support of the album. Pre-order Mount Moriah on limited-edition LP with exclusive bonus tracks now in the Merge store.
Stream Mount Moriah in its entirety via the band’s website and watch the new video for “Plane” at PasteMagazine.com. Follow Mount Moriah on Twitter and Facebook, too.
Mount Moriah – “Lament”
Track Listing:
1. Only Way Out
2. Social Wedding Rings
3. Plane
4. Lament
5. Old Gowns
6. Reckoning
7. We Don’t Need Much
8. Hail, Lightning
LP-Exclusive Bonus Tracks:
1. Lament (Live at KCMP The Current 7/15/11)
2. Social Wedding Rings (Live at Oregon Public Broadcasting
2/23/12)
3. Only Way Out (Live at Oregon Public Broadcasting 2/23/12)
4. Reckoning (HearYa Live Session 7/11/11)
5. Honey (Live at WCBE Columbus 2/9/12)
6. Only Way Out (Live at KDHX St. Louis 2/11/12)
7. Lament (Live at KDHX St. Louis, 2/11/12)
Mount Moriah on tour:
10/18 New York, NY Mercury Lounge Merge CMJ Showcase w/ William Tyler, Mac McCaughan, Eleanor Friedberger, Telekinesis & Reigning Sound
11/11 Brooklyn, NY Union Pool
11/12 Northampton, MA Iron Horse Music Hall
11/13 Philadelphia, PA Johnny Brenda’s
11/14 Washington, DC Rock and Roll Hotel
The band will follow up the vinyl release of its debut album with a brand-new full-length in early 2013. Mount Moriah will also perform as part of Merge’s CMJ showcase on October 18 at Mercury Lounge in New York and join Mirah for east coast shows in November.
As record store clerks in Chapel Hill, NC, Heather McEntire (of post-punk veterans Bellafea) and Jenks Miller (of heavy-psych/metal outfit Horseback) spent their evenings creating Mount Moriah as an outlet for their mutual interest in classic American folk and rock music. Born in North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains, McEntire weaves narratives into spectral tapestries imbued with the complex majesty of the South and its deep-seated spirituality. With nods to both classic folk-rock and their contemporaries, Mount Moriah challenges existing traditional folk music forms with arrangements born from Miller’s interest in minimalism and sound texture.
The limited-edition vinyl pressing of Mount Moriah, which was originally released in 2011 on CD and digital by Jenks and Heather’s own Holidays for Quince label, will include a full album download plus exclusive bonus tracks of radio sessions done last year in support of the album. Pre-order Mount Moriah on limited-edition LP with exclusive bonus tracks now in the Merge store.
Stream Mount Moriah in its entirety via the band’s website and watch the new video for “Plane” at PasteMagazine.com. Follow Mount Moriah on Twitter and Facebook, too.
Mount Moriah – “Lament”
Track Listing:
1. Only Way Out
2. Social Wedding Rings
3. Plane
4. Lament
5. Old Gowns
6. Reckoning
7. We Don’t Need Much
8. Hail, Lightning
LP-Exclusive Bonus Tracks:
1. Lament (Live at KCMP The Current 7/15/11)
2. Social Wedding Rings (Live at Oregon Public Broadcasting
2/23/12)
3. Only Way Out (Live at Oregon Public Broadcasting 2/23/12)
4. Reckoning (HearYa Live Session 7/11/11)
5. Honey (Live at WCBE Columbus 2/9/12)
6. Only Way Out (Live at KDHX St. Louis 2/11/12)
7. Lament (Live at KDHX St. Louis, 2/11/12)
Mount Moriah on tour:
10/18 New York, NY Mercury Lounge Merge CMJ Showcase w/ William Tyler, Mac McCaughan, Eleanor Friedberger, Telekinesis & Reigning Sound
11/11 Brooklyn, NY Union Pool
11/12 Northampton, MA Iron Horse Music Hall
11/13 Philadelphia, PA Johnny Brenda’s
11/14 Washington, DC Rock and Roll Hotel
| 06.20.2013 | Denver, CO | Hi Dive | |
| 06.21.2013 | Omaha, NE | The Waiting Room | w/ the Cave Singers |
| 06.22.2013 | Dubuque, IA | Eronel | |
| 06.23.2013 | Minneapolis, MN | 7th St. Entry | |
| 06.24.2013 | Madison, WI | The Frequency | |
| 06.25.2013 | Columbia, MO | Mojo's | |
| 06.26.2013 | Nashville, TN | The High Watt | |
| 09.05.2013 | Raleigh, NC | Hopscotch Music Festival | September 5-7 |
Mount Moriah :: LP reissue (Merge) 2012
Miracle Temple :: CD/LP (Merge) 2013
Miracle Temple :: CD/LP (Merge) 2013
loading...