THE BLACK AND WHITE YEARS CONFIRMED FOR AUSTIN CITY LIMITS AND ANNOUNCE ADDITIONAL TOUR DATES

Named "Austin's Best New Local Band 2008" (Austin Chronicle) earlier this year, THE BLACK AND WHITE YEARS—Scott Butler (vocals, guitar, keys), Landon Thompson (guitar, keys, vocals), John Aldridge (bass and brass) and Billy Potts (drums)–has confirmed an appearance at the city’s Austin City Limits festival Saturday, September 27. The band has also announced a number of shows leading up to the festival, including stops rescheduled from earlier this year in New York and Boston.

Armed with their “angular post-punk guitar carefully structured over jittery synths and polyrhythmic beats” (Austin Chronicle, 3/15/08), the band recorded their self-titled debut album with producer Jerry Harrison (Talking Heads and Modern Lovers’ keyboardist/guitarist). The album was originally released earlier this year regionally and on iTunes through Austin’s Brando Records. Its national release will include three new tracks (release date TBD).

THE BLACK & WHITE YEARS’ not-to-be-missed live show was recently written about by Spin.com. Of their Minneapolis date with the Presidents of the United States of America, the site stated that “…with a set of extremely danceable, discotheque-ready tunes, Austin’s The Black and White Years seemingly leapt out of a portal from the late 1970s. And though their music was in stark contrast to the Presidents, the band easily solicited new fans, possessed by the songs off their Jerry Harrison-produced debut.” (5/7/08)

The band’s fanbase has been steadily growing across the country, as they break through at college radio. In its first four weeks out, the album and debut single “Power to Change” has been added to 120 stations, including a #1 debut at core station WONC in Chicago. The track has also made it to the top of influential Albany, NY/Manchester, VT modern rock station WEQX’s playlist where it spent four weeks at the #1 position.

My Old Kentucky Blog recently said of the single, “…everything comes together on ‘Power To Change’…Harrison builds verses purposefully; adding layer upon layer of keyboard and percussion to create a snaky, pulsating mass of abstract sound that recalls the best Berlin Bowie/Eno collaborations. Top it off with vocalist Scott Butler's inspired yelping and transient tics and what you are left with is pure ass-shakin' pabulum. Garnish with olives or lemon twist, and clear the dancefloor.” (4/18/08) myoldkyhome.blogspot.com/2008/04/kneejerk-rxn-black-and-white-years.html.

To hear music from THE BLACK AND WHITE YEARS and for the latest news, visit:
www.blackandwhiteyears.com
www.myspace.com/blackandwhiteyears

THE BLACK AND WHITE YEARS Tour Dates:

For press requests, an MP3 of “Power to Change” for use on blogs and to RSVP to any of the shows, contact:
MSO     818.380.0400
Shazila Mohammed (national, NYC), x238        shazila@msopr.com     
Chelsi Schriver (tour), x231                            cschriver@msopr.com