Passafire is back with their fifth studio album, Vines, set for worldwide release on November 11th. Vines is the band’s debut release for leading reggae label Easy Star Records. Since the 2011 release of their chart-topping (#1 Billboard and iTunes Reggae) album Start From Scratch, the Savannah, GA-based quartet continues to raise their profile to the top of the exploding U.S. reggae scene.
Much of Vines was recorded just outside of El Paso, TX at the legendary Sonic Ranch Studios, the largest residential recording studio complex in the world. Acts as diverse as Animal Collective, Sublime, Gogol Bordello, and Band of Horses have all shared the unique facilities and atmosphere where the new album was recorded. It was finished in the band’s own home studio, which allowed for a much more relaxed, off the clock approach to the final sessions. After the recording was completed, Passafire worked with Paul Leary (of the Butthole Surfers), who produced their last album, to nail down the final mixes. Leary’s impressive resume includes work with Sublime, Pepper, Slightly Stoopid, U2, Meat Puppets, and Daniel Johnston, to name a few. Vines is Passafire’s most ambitious release to date, thanks in large part to the focus of the current line-up – singer/guitarist Ted Bowne, drummer Nick Kubley, bassist/vocalist Will Kubley and keyboardist Mike DeGuzman. The results find its makers at a creative peak combined with a comfort level on stage and in the studio that Passafire has never achieved before. Early critical praise of Vines is already coming in, with The Pier enthusiastically stating, “…the tracks have a maturity and depth to them, traits gained only by working out material together on the road.”
The band’s relentless touring schedule has gained a loyal national following with notable performances at festivals including the Vans Warped Tour, Wakarusa, and the California Roots Festival. 2013 has only accelerated the bands’ momentum on the road. On October 4th, Passafire will kick off an extensive tour co-headlining with friends and scene-mates Ballyhoo! The string of 29-dates is aptly titled the “BrewHaHa” Tour. Details can be found here: http://bit.ly/1awfy2z
Starting today (September 30), Vines is available for digital pre-order on iTunes: http://smarturl.it/9nm635. The iTunes pre-order includes an instant grat track of “Earthquake,” the album’s first track. The physical CD pre-order is available through Easy Star’s web store (http://smarturl.it/v82oum) where fans can also add in newly designed T-shirts for men or women. The first 100 CDs pre-ordered will be signed by the band. First week (9/30-10/7) pre-orders will also receive a 25% discount off their order. In addition, anyone who pre-orders the physical will get a full download of the album on release day.
Fall BrewHaHa Tour Dates:
Oct 04 @ The Maquerade. Atlanta, GA
Oct 05 @ Downtown Melbourne Street Party. Melbourne, FL
Oct 06 @ Culture Room. Fort Lauderdale, FL
Oct 09 @ Visualite Theatre. Charlotte, NC
Oct 10 @ New Earth. Athens, GA
Oct 11 @ The Jinx. Savannah, GA
Oct 12 @ Oktoberfest. Myrtle Beach, SC
Oct 13 @ Ziggy’s Tavern. Winston Salem, NC
Oct 15 @ Southgate House Revival. Newport, KY
Oct 16 @ Birdy’s. Indianapolis, IN
Oct 17 @ The Majestic. Madison, WI w/ Tribal Seeds
Oct 18 @ Bottom Lounge. Chicago, IL w/ Tribal Seeds
Oct 19 @ Kobo. Columbus, OH
Oct 20 @ Magic Bag. Detroit, MI
Oct 22 @ Peabody’s. Cleveland, OH
Oct 23 @ Water Street. Rochester, NY
Oct 24 @ The Note. West Chester, PA
Oct 25 @ Baltimore Sound Stage. Baltimore, MD
Oct 26 @ California Roots: The Carolina Sessions.Wilmington, NC
Oct 27 @ Capitol Ale House. Richmond, VA
Oct 29 @ Stanhope House. Stanhope, NJ
Oct 30 @ Higher Ground. Burlington, VT
Oct 31 @ StageOne. Fairfield, CT
Nov 01 @ Revolution Bar & Music Hall. Amityville, NY
Nov 02 @ The State Theatre. Falls Church, VA
Nov 03 @ Martin’s. Roanoke, VA
Nov 06 @ Vinyl Music Hall. Pensacola, FL
