Big Hassle Media NY
40 Exchange Pl, Ste. 1900
New York, NY 10005
P 212.619.1360
Big Hassle Media LA
3685 Motor Ave Suite 240.
Los Angeles, CA 90034
P 424.603.4655
Ken Weinstein
Big Hassle Media
weinstein@bighassle.com
212-619-1360
Jake Whitener
Big Hassle Media
whitener@bighassle.com
424-603-4655
Otero War – Caveman
You can only go so far on cool points alone. Since Caveman first formed in 2010 they’ve claimed a spot for themselves at the center of the New York music scene, become in-demand DJs, toured the world (sharing stages with The War on Drugs Jeff Tweedy, and Weezer), and gotten love from everyone from Pitchfork to the New York Times. Now the band–Matthew Iwanusa, lead guitarist James Carbonetti, bassist Jeff Berrall, keyboardist Sam Hopkins and multi-instrumentalist Matthew Prescott Clark–is aiming higher.
Caveman is done being an indie rock band playing for indie rock fans alone. They have their sights set on bigger goals, so on their third time around they made their biggest-sounding album yet.
Otero War was created over the course of three years, completely inverting the ramshackle methods used to make 2011’s CoCo Beware and their 2013 self-titled LP. This time frontman Matthew Iwanusa has taken the wheel of the creative process, bringing to it a level of patience, precision, and quality that exceeds anything he’s ever done before. Iwanusa wrote most of these songs in the back of tour vans with a laptop and a portable keyboard, then spent years rewriting, examining every part to make sure it was exactly right, and eventually abandoning an album’s worth of insufficiently killer songs before hitting the studio with the band. There the group refined the songs even further, filling them out with arrangements that bring together their distinctive musical personalities into one united whole, showing off the seemingly effortless collaborative energy that only comes with years of hard work.
It was more work, but worth it. The result is a whole new Caveman: The songs are stronger and more spacious, with carefully constructed melodies and a more judicious use of folksy four-part harmonies and washes of synthesizer pads, leaving more room for Iwanusa’s instantly memorable vocal parts. Iwanusa’s lyrics have also evolved from vaguely sketching a typical twenty-something’s romantic frustrations to examining larger, more broadly existential matters, like figuring out your place in the world.
While Iwanusa’s stepped further out front as a songwriter, arranger, and singer, Otero War is still a group effort made with contributions from the band’s entire unofficial extended family. Albert Di Fiore, who engineered their last album, returns with an expanded role to produce. Iwanusa’s father contributes string arrangements. Longtime friend and New York punk-scene legend Johnny T, who over the years has employed members as bartenders and DJ’s at his bars, helped the band get signed as the first rock act on Cinematic Music Group, home to rappers Joey Bada$$, G Herbo and Cam’ron.
Otero War is clearly the most mature album the band has created, but that doesn’t mean it’s a drag–in fact it could be the most fun music they’ve made so far. Iwanusa’s singular vision of blending Springsteen and Wilco’s polished roots rock with the soaring emotional drama of Tears for Fears and the Human League has never seemed clearer, or stronger. From the buoyant vocal melodies that make the opening track “Never Going Back” take flight, to the hip-shaking rhythms that hold up “Life Or Just Living” (which Matt calls his best song yet), to the contagious, triumphant mood on standout cut “Lean On You,” the album overflows with the joyous energy of a songwriter and a band finding their stride and flexing their newfound power for the first time. You can hear them enjoying the freedom from the confines of the expectations that have surrounded them until now, and looking out at a much bigger world to conquer.
PITCHFORK PREMIERES VIDEO FOR CAVEMAN SINGLE
“NEVER GOING BACK”
OTERO WAR OUT JUNE 17th VIA CINEMATIC
SUPPORTING FRIGHTENED RABBIT ON NATIONAL TOUR THROUGH THIS MONTH
WATCH // EMBED “NEVER GOING BACK”
“An optimistic, anthemic jam.”
FADER
“…the set is distinctly their most mature to date, and could be something of a mainstream breakthrough for the band.”
Billboard
“On ‘Never Going Back,’ bright synths and rhythmic guitar strums elevate a melodic vocal and hook that will be stuck in your head for the rest of the day. It seems Caveman are coming into their own; I think we are in for a treat with Otero War.”
Stereogum
“…rousing new song with a strong bossgaze vibe. The main complaint is that at 3 minutes the track is too short, it leaves you wanting more!”
Under The Radar
New York’s Caveman premiered their new video for their critically acclaimed single “Never Going Back” on Pitchfork. The video was directed by acclaimed fashion photographer and director Steven Sebring and is available to watch // embed here.
“Never Going Back” is from the band’s forthcoming album Otero War, which will be released by Cinematic Music Group (Joey Bada$$, G Hebro, Cam’ron) on June 17th, 2016. Otero War is available for pre-order here.
Caveman are currently on an extensive North American tour with Frightened Rabbit this month, where the band is previewing new songs from Otero War.
Additionally, the band is scheduled to play several major festivals this summer including Shaky Knees in Atlanta, GA, Forecastle in Louisville, KY, Panorama in NYC and Outside Lands Music Festival in San Francisco, CA.
Caveman Tour Dates
Thu May 05 – New York, NY @ Terminal 5*
Fri May 06 – Philadelphia, PA @ Electric Factory*
Sat May 07 – New Haven, CT @ College Street Music Hall*
Sun May 08 – Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club*
Mon May 09 – Boston, MA @ House of Blues*
Wed May 11 – Charlottesville, VA @ The Southern#
Thu May 12 – Saxapahaw, NC @ Haw River Ballroom*
Fri May 13 – Knoxville, TN @ The International*
Sat May 14 – Atlanta, GA @ Terminal West*
Sun May 15 – Atlanta, GA @ Shaky Knees Festival
Tue May 17 – San Antonio, TX @ Paper Tiger*
Wed May 18 – Dallas, TX @ Granada Theater *
Fri May 20 – Phoenix, AZ @ Crescent Ballroom*
Sat May 21 – Solana Beach, CA @ Belly Up Tavern*
Sun May 22 – Santa Ana, CA @ The Observatory*
Tue May 24 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Fonda Theatre*
Thu May 26 – San Francisco, CA @ The Regency Ballroom*
Fri May 27 – Sacramento, CA @ Ace of Spades*
Tue May 31 – Chicago, IL @ Virgin Hotel Chicago
Wed Jun 01 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Club Cafe
Fri Jul 15- Louisville, KY @ Forecastle Festival
Sat July 23- Randall’s Island Park, NY @ Panorama Festival
Fri August 5- San Francisco, CA @ Outside Lands Festival
* = with Frightened Rabbit
# = with Avers
About
Since Caveman first formed in 2010 they’ve claimed a spot for themselves at the center of the New York music scene, become in-demand DJs, toured the world (sharing stages with The War on Drugs, Jeff Tweedy, and Weezer), and received critical praise from the most prestigious media. Now the band – Matthew Iwanusa, lead guitarist James Carbonetti, bassist Jeff Berrall, keyboardist Sam Hopkins and multi-instrumentalist Matthew Prescott Clark – is aiming higher.
Caveman have their sights set on bigger goals, so on their third time around they made their biggest-sounding, most ambitious album yet.
Otero War was created over the course of three years, completely inverting the ramshackle methods used to make 2011’s CoCo Beware and their 2013 self-titled LP. While Iwanusa’s stepped further out front as a songwriter, arranger, and singer, Otero War is still a group effort made with contributions from the band’s entire unofficial extended family. Albert Di Fiore, who engineered their last album, returns with an expanded role to produce. New confidant Michael Brauer was brought in to mix. Iwanusa’s father even contributes string arrangements. Longtime friend and New York punk-scene legend Johnny T, who over the years has employed members as bartenders and DJ’s at his bars, helped the band get signed as the first rock act on Cinematic Music Group, home to rappers Joey Bada$$, G Herbo and Cam’ron.
For press inquiries, please contact:
Ken Weinstein
Big Hassle Media
212-619-1360
Jake Whitener
Big Hassle Media
424-603-4655
 |
“An optimistic, anthemic jam.”
STREAM CAVEMAN’S NEW ALBUM
OTERO WAR NOW VIA APPLE MUSIC
OTERO WAR OUT FRIDAY VIA CINEMATIC
STREAM OTERO WAR VIA APPLE MUSIC HERE
“An optimistic, anthemic jam.” FADER
“…the set is distinctly their most mature to date, and could be something of a mainstream breakthrough for the band.” Billboard
“On ‘Never Going Back,’ bright synths and rhythmic guitar strums elevate a melodic vocal and hook that will be stuck in your head for the rest of the day. It seems Caveman are coming into their own; I think we are in for a treat with Otero War.” Stereogum
“…rousing new song with a strong bossgaze vibe. The main complaint is that at 3 minutes the track is too short, it leaves you wanting more!” Under The Radar
Apple Music is now streaming the new album Otero War by Caveman! Otero War comes out this Friday via Cinematic.
Caveman is also set to play several major festivals this summer including Forecastle in Louisville, KY, Panorama in NYC and Outside Lands Music Festival in San Francisco, CA. They also play LouFest and Austin City Limits in the fall. Headline dates will be announced very soon.
Check out the previously released video for the lead single “Never Going Back,” which premiered on Pitchfork. The video was directed by acclaimed fashion photographer and director Steven Sebring and is available to watch // embed here. You can also hear “Human” and “80 West” from Otero War here.
Caveman Tour Dates
Fri Jul 15- Louisville, KY @ Forecastle Festival
Sat Jul 23- Randall’s Island Park, NY @ Panorama Festival
Fri Aug 5- San Francisco, CA @ Outside Lands Festival
Sat Sep 10- St. Louis, MO @ Lou Fest
Fri Sep 30- Austin, TX @ Austin City Limits
Fri Oct 7- Austin, TX @ Austin City Limits
About
Since Caveman first formed in 2010 they’ve claimed a spot for themselves at the center of the New York music scene, become in-demand DJs, toured the world (sharing stages with The War on Drugs, Jeff Tweedy, and Weezer), and received critical praise from the most prestigious media. Now the band – Matthew Iwanusa, lead guitarist James Carbonetti, bassist Jeff Berrall, keyboardist Sam Hopkins and multi-instrumentalist Matthew Prescott Clark – is aiming higher.
Caveman have their sights set on bigger goals, so on their third time around they made their biggest-sounding, most ambitious album yet.
Otero War was created over the course of three years, completely inverting the ramshackle methods used to make 2011’s CoCo Beware and their 2013 self-titled LP. While Iwanusa’s stepped further out front as a songwriter, arranger, and singer, Otero War is still a group effort made with contributions from the band’s entire unofficial extended family. Albert Di Fiore, who engineered their last album, returns with an expanded role to produce. New confidant Michael Brauer was brought in to mix. Iwanusa’s father even contributes string arrangements. Longtime friend and New York punk-scene legend Johnny T, who over the years has employed members as bartenders and DJ’s at his bars,helped the band get signed as the first rock act on Cinematic Music Group, home to rappers Joey Bada$$, G Herbo and Cam’ron.
###
2000x2000
Album Cover
1500x1500
1537x1537
2764x3215
2000x1124