A pared down acoustic trio of the ever-evolving Mice Parade will embark on a brief tour of the Northeastern U.S. in April, shortly before the release of the full band’s first live album via FatCat Records. They will be play Bar Night Club in New Haven on Wednesday, April 18.
Joining founder and multi-instrumentalist Adam Pierce (also a member of Swirlies) on stage will be classical guitar virtuoso Dan Lippel and a special guest Icelandic female vocalist (to be announced shortly). The newly quieter threesome will feature Pierce on vocals, guitar and Spanish cajón drum. The group will perform reworked versions of material spanning Mice Parade’s kaleidoscopic catalogue, including the debut of several songs from their ninth studio album, Candela, slated for release this fall on FatCat.
The band’s as-yet-untitled live album is a stark contrast to the live ensemble’s new stripped down sound. Recorded at shows in England and France in 2010, the live recordings feature a seven-piece band, including two drummers, two guitarists, a bassist and a keyboardist in addition to vibes, samples and vocals from Pierce and Caroline Lufkin, who inject a newfound energy into the studio creations. The musically expansive album features songs from Mice Parade’s last four albums, including tracks from their 2010 release What It Means To Be Left-Handed (FatCat Records), and live favorite “Double Dolphins on the Nickel.” Pierce calls the album “our proudest achievement yet.”
Throughout their impressive career Mice Parade have explored post-rock, IDM, African rhythms, Spanish flamenco, indie rock, instrumental, Tropicália and much more. Next up, the always unpredictable Pierce and his cohorts have an album of catchy shoegaze pop on the way. The band’s ninth studio album, Candela, will be their first ever using standard tuning.
