The Joy Formidable tour w/Howling Bells
The Joy Formidable finally released their debut album, A Balloon Called Moaning on Tuesday. They’ve made the album available for purchase as a special CD/Poster package as well as a free download here. Their latest single, ‘Cradle’, was released last week and is available as a limited edition 7-inch from Try Harder Records.
As if they weren’t already having the best year ever – what with the release of their debut, appearances at Latitude, Reading and Leeds and fresh off a tour with White Lies – the trio will be on the road in March with another favorite of mine, Australia’s Howling Bells (who just released their much-anticipated follow-up, Radio Wars). Seems like a proper pairing, right? Maybe Howling Bells’ dark side will provide a fitting balance to TJF’s sunny disposition.
I just love this band, more than words can say. I’d wager part of it is my love and admiration of 90s, female-fronted alternative bands like Echobelly and Lush. Plus, they sound so amazingly, enthusiastically, unapologetically happy! Not to turn this into some kind of social commentary, but it seems to me that happiness and optimism aren’t such bad feelings to encourage right now. Corny as it may sound, we could all use a smile from time to time, and TJF are a surefire way to find one.
And there’s no way I’m passing up a chance to post their two lovely videos!
TOURDATES:
19 Feb Newcastle Academy 2
10 Feb Preston Mad Hatter (FREE SHOW)
21 Feb Cambridge Portland Arms
22 Feb Birmingham Bar Academy
28 Feb London Lexington
3 Mar Bristol Fleece w/Howling Bells
4 Mar Portsmouth Wedgewood Rooms w/Howling Bells
5 Mar Oxford Zodiac w/Howling Bells
7 Mar Guilford Boiler Rooms
8 Mar Birmingham Barfly w/Howling Bells
9 Mar Norwich Arts Centre w/Howling Bells
10 Mar Newcastle Cluny w/Howling Bells
11 Mar Glasgow Classic w/Howling Bells
13 Mar Aberdeen Moshulu w/Howling Bells
14 Mar Sheffield Plug w/Howling Bells
15 Mar Manchester Club w/Howling Bells
16 Mar Liverpool Academy 2 w/Howling Bells
28 Mar London 93 Feet East
I’m so glad The Joy Formidable’s album is finally here! And Howling Bells’ new one is pretty good too.