After a 15 year hiatus, Sunset Rubdown announces their new studio album “Always Happy to Explode” to be released on Spencer Krug’s own label Pronounced Kroog on September 20th, 2024.
Twenty years ago, Spencer Krug began Sunset Rubdown as a solo project for his low-fi recordings, distinct from his work with Wolf Parade. By 2005, it evolved into a full band with Michael Doerksen, Jordan Robson-Cramer, and Camilla Wynne. They released their third critically-acclaimed album, “Dragon Slayer”, in 2008 and played their final show in Tokyo in 2009. After more than a decade apart, Krug had a dream about reuniting the band and emailed the members. They eagerly agreed, leading to a successful reunion tour. With new bassist Nicholas Merz, Sunset Rubdown decided to create a new album, fueled by the fun they rediscovered on tour.
Reappearing Rat, the leading single from Sunset Rubdown’s “Always Happy to Explode” is an upbeat, acoustic guitar-driven ode to the tiny monster that lives in our heads — the one that makes itself known anytime blessings such as serenity, clarity, or acceptance are on our emotional horizons. “A kind of irresponsible and lazy surrender to the notion that we’re all just stuck with ourselves, this song is for those times you think “Why won’t that person just leave?”, only to realize you’re referring to yourself. For better or worse, we live in our brains. Apparently so does the rat”, says Spencer Krug.
The recording features Spencer Krug on acoustic guitar and vocals, Camilla Wynne on keyboard / omnichord and vocals, Nick Merz on bass, and Jordan Robson-Cramer on drums. It was recorded, more or less, live off the floor record at a studio called The Noise Floor, under the guidance of producer & engineer Jordan Koop.
It is also accompanied by a music video directed by Vancouver’s Derek Janzen, starring Aaron Read, filmed in various locations in Vancouver, BC. Derek Janzen is an award-winning filmmaker and musician living in Vancouver BC on the unceded territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ Tsleil-Waututh) nations. His work has been featured in Pitchfork, Vulture, Booooooom, The FADER, Stereogum, NoBudge, and other nice places.
Pre-order “Always Happy to Explode” here.
Tracklist:
1. Losing Light
2. All Alright
3. Candles
4. Snowball
5. Ghoulish Hearts
6. Reappearing Rat
7. Cliché Town
8. Worm
9. Fable Killer
Album credits:
• All songs by Spencer Krug / Sunset Rubdown
• Recorded by Jordan Koop at The Noise Floor
• Mixed By Jace Lasek at Breakglass Studios
• Mastered by Harris Newman at Greymarket Mastering
• Produced by Sunset Rubdown and Jordan Koop
• Cover portraits by Patrick MacLachlan
• Design by J.P.J.
The new release will be supported by a North American tour running from October 10th to October 30th, 2024. See all dates below.
North American Tour Dates 2024:
10/10/24 Thu Vancouver BC Rickshaw Theatre
10/11/24 Fri Seattle WA Crocodile
10/12/24 Sat Portland OR Wonder Ballroom
10/14/24 Mon San Francisco CA Bimbo’s
10/15/24 Tue Los Angeles CA Teragram Ballroom
10/16/24 Wed Tucson AZ 191 Toole
10/18/24 Fri Austin TX The Parish
10/19/24 Sat Dallas TX Club Dada
10/20/24 Sun Baton Rouge LA Chelsea’s
10/21/24 Mon Atlanta GA Terminal West
10/22/24 Tue Durham NC Motorco Music Hall
10/23/24 Wed Washington DC Black Cat
10/24/24 Thu Philadelphia PA First Unitarian Church
10/25/24 Fri Catskills NY Glen Falls House
10/26/24 Sat Northampton MA Iron Horse Music Hall
10/27/24 Sun New York NY Irving Plaza
10/29/24 Tue Montreal QC La Tulipe
10/30/24 Wed Toronto ON Concert Hall
Tickets here.
Sunset Rubdown is a Canadian art rock band from Montreal, initially a solo project by Spencer Krug of Wolf Parade in 2005. The band soon expanded to include Camilla Wynne, Jordan Robson-Cramer, and Michael Doerksen. Known for their surreal, mythological lyrics and unique musical compositions, they released acclaimed albums such as “Shut Up I Am Dreaming” (2006) and “Dragonslayer” (2009), both of which earned Pitchfork’s “Best New Music” distinction. Following their disbandment in 2009, Sunset Rubdown reunited in 2022, announcing a new album, “Always Happy to Explode”, set for release on September 20th, 2024. The current lineup features Spencer Krug, Camilla Wynne, Nick Merz, and Jordan Robson-Cramer.
Line-up:
Spencer Krug – Piano, synth, acoustic guitar, vocals
Camilla Wynne – Keyboard, omnichord, vocals
Nicholas Merz – Bass, vocals
Jordan Robson-Cramer – Drums, electric guitar, percussion, vocals
Weblinks:
www.instagram.com/sunsetrubdown
linktr.ee/spencerkrug
