Lotus | Fall 2008 Tour Dates and New Album

It looks like Lotus has finalized a massive fall tour and plan to release a new album on October 14, called Hammerstrike. I last caught Lotus in Charlottesville for a seriously sweaty dance party. The place was sold out and packed to the gills. I was rather impressed at how well they had honed their improv chops and were able to get the party moving. So it’s no surprise that they’re able to headline some larger venues on this next tour. These young dudes from Philly have really come a long way.

Although Lotus is definitely more of a live band, they can piece together a decent album. Here’s a brief write-up of Hammerstrick according to the SCI Fidelity:

Hammerstrike (October 14, 2008/SCI Fidelity) finds the band reaching back in order to move forward. Primarily recorded live in one room to analog tape by Bill Moriarty (Dr. Dog, Man Man), the album captures a sound that harkens back to the 70’s but never slips into nostalgic retreads. The compositions are focused and melodic, filled out with orchestration including swelling violins and cellos, banjo, wordless choirs, and electronic noises. Though the tracks range from dance floor ready rockers to soaring post-rock instrumentals, the album is held together by a sanguine spirit pervading each track. The big guitars, feedback, and distortion serve an optimistic purpose. It is a decidedly American feel that invokes big skies, open roads, and a zealous yet naïve pursuit of the idea that defeat will never be conceded.

Heh, “sanguine spirit.” You gotta love those promo copy-writers at SCI Fidelity. Sounds interesting.

Full tour dates after the jump…

Lotus | Fall 2008 Tour Dates

September 24 Mercury New York NY The Debut of Hammerstrike in its Entirety
September 25 Revolution Hall Troy NY
September 26 Higher Ground Burlington VT
September 27 Paradise Rock Club Boston MA
October 6 Canopy Club Urbana IL
October 7 The Blue Note Columbia MO w/ Elastik Soul
October 8 The Old Rock House St. Louis MO w/ The Egg
October 9 Slowdown Omaha NE w/ Somasphere
October 10 Ogden Theater Denver CO w/ BLVD
October 11 Aggie Theatre Ft. Collins CO w/ BLVD
October 14 Orpheum Theater Flagstaff AZ w/ BLVD
October 15 Belly Up Tavern Solana Beach CA w/ BLVD
October 16 The Roxy Hollywood CA w/ Region of Darkness, BLVD
October 17 Great American Music Hall San Francisco CA
October 18 McDonald Theatre Eugene OR w/ BLVD
October 19 Crystal Ballroom Portland OR w/ BLVD
October 22 The Cabooze Minneapolis MN w/ Family Groove Company
October 23 Majestic Theatre Madison WI w/ Family Groove Company
October 24 Miramar Theatre Milwaukee WI w/ Family Groove Company
October 25 Park West Chicago IL w/ Family Groove Company
October 26 The Intersection Grand Rapids MI w/ Garganta
October 28 Skully’s Music-Diner Columbus OH w/ Papadosio
October 29 House of Blues Cleveland OH w/ Papadosio
October 30 Lulu’s State College State College PA
October 31 Theatre of Living Arts Philadelphia PA w/ Grimace Federation
November 1 9:30 Club Washington DC
November 2 The National Richmond VA w/ SeepeopleS
November 5 Neighborhood Theatre Charlotte NC w/ SeepeopleS
November 6 Cat’s Cradle w/ SeepeopleS
November 7 Orange Peel Asheville NC w/ SeepeopleS
November 8 Georgia Theatre Athens GA w/ SeepeopleS
November 9 Music Farm Charleston SC w/ SeepeopleS
November 11 Freebird Live Jacksonville FL w/ SeepeopleS
November 12 Beta Bar Tallahassee FL w/ SeepeopleS
November 13 Proud Larry’s Oxford MS w/ SeepeopleS
November 14 Tipitina’s Uptown (Indoors) New Orleans LA w/ SeepeopleS
November 15 Antone’s Austin TX w/ SeepeopleS
November 26 Chameleon Club Lancaster PA
November 28 Mr. Small’s Theatre Millvale PA
November 29 Fillmore NY at Irving Plaza New York NY
December 30-31 Fox Theatre Boulder CO