Press Releases

• Oct 28 2014 JOSÉ GONZÁLEZ TO RELEASE FIRST SOLO ALBUM IN SEVEN YEARS

  JOSÉ GONZÁLEZ TO RELEASE FIRST SOLO ALBUM IN SEVEN YEARS, VESTIGES & CLAWS, FEBRUARY 17

  ALBUM TRAILER AVAILABLE FOR POSTING NOW

  Mute is excited to announce the release of José González ‘s new record, Vestiges & Claws. The album, his first in seven years, is out on February 17 and was produced by González in his home  as well as Svenska Grammofonstudion, both in Gothenburg, Sweden. It consists of years’ worth of musical sketches that in other hands might naturally sprawl wildly in sound and style, but on Vestiges & Claws González has created a collection of songs that cohere just about perfectly, ensuring his position as one of the most important artists of his generation.

  VIEW THE ALBUM TRAILER

  “It was no doubt a conscious decision to work without a producer,” said González. “I didn’t want this to be too polished, or too ‘in your face.’ Most of all, it’s fun to be in complete control of the artistic aspect. Also, I was inspired by and picked up a lot of tricks from the producers I have worked with in the past. I like to use distortion and let things be a little overdriven, which gives things a warmer sound. Sometimes people complain that my music is too muddled, but I really do not want a modern crisp sound. I’d much rather aim somewhere between Shuggie Otis and Simon & Garfunkel.”

  The result is an album that is less purist, less strict. One can find traces of inspired protest songs and eccentric folk rock on Vestiges & Claws: staccato grooves and rhythms, frustration and optimism. It’s a collection that is simultaneously confident, free and uncertain. 

  González said, “I started out thinking that I wanted to continue in the same minimalistic style as on my two previous records, but once I started the actual recordings I soon realized that most of the songs turned out better with added guitars and a more beat-like percussion, and with more backing vocals.”

  González has been far from idle in the seven years since the release of his last solo record, In Our Nature. Besides making two Junip albums and touring the world both solo and with the band, González has been active in the studio in various contexts. One project in 2013 was José’s input to the The Secret Life Of Walter Mitty soundtrack, directed by and starring Ben Stiller. Besides previously released José and Junip songs, the film also contains exclusively written material as well as an interpretation of John Lennon’s “#9 Dream.” Earlier this autumn, the AIDS awareness group, Red Hot Organization, released the compilation Master Mix: Red Hot + Arthur Russell, where González and guests play a very groovy, sax-laden version of Russell’s “This Is How We Walk On The Moon.” During this time, his song “Far Away” won the “Best Song in A Game” at the Spike Video Awards and Rolling Stone named Junip’s “In Every Direction” a Top 50 single of 2010.

  Vestiges & Claws is, however, the first album where he has chosen to include exclusively original material, largely revolving around ideas of civilization, humanism and solidarity.

  “I think that might be where there is some sort of common thread on this new record: The zoomed out eye on humanity on a small pale blue dot in a cold, sparse and unfriendly space. The amazing fact that we are here at all, an aim to encourage us to understand ourselves and to make the best of the one life we know we have — after birth and before death. And also, I’ve been okay with using rhymes this time,” González said with a smile.  He added, “In general I think that the lyrics are clearer this time. And a little less self-pitying.”

  Where Veneer and In Our Nature, might have sounded sparse and barren in parts, Vestiges & Clawshas an altogether new feeling to it, at once warmer and darker than before. He talks about how he’s found inspiration in sprawling 70’s Brazilian productions, American folk rock and West African desert blues this time. And how he’s decided to waive the principle of having everything on the album reproducible in a live context.

  González summed it up, “I’ve focused more on the role of being a producer this time around. I’ve spent more time thinking of what’s best for the song and the recording.”

  A deep, artful thinker whose singular approach to song writing and sonics sets him worlds apart, José González  is in a class by himself. He has a voice. He has a sound. He has a point of view.Vestiges & Claws — musically gorgeous, strikingly profound in lyric  — has a unique and quietly visceral power that is as an outstanding addition to what is now an impressive body of work. The album is, without question, the most highly anticipated of his career.

• Sep 10 2018 José González & the String Theory unite for new LP and tour

   

  JOSÉ GONZÁLEZ & THE STRING THEORY UNITE FOR A NEW DOUBLE LIVE VINYL LP AND INTERNATIONAL TOUR JOSÉ GONZÁLEZ & THE STRING THEORY – LIVE IN EUROPE AVAILABLE EXCLUSIVELY VIA PLEDGEMUSIC TWO-LP SET RECORDED DURING VISIONARY SONGWRITER-GUITARIST’S 2017 TOUR WITH ACCLAIMED ORCHESTRA WIDE RANGE OF LIMITED EDITION EXTRAS AND SPECIAL BUNDLES ON OFFER 2018 / 2019 INTERNATIONAL TOUR IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE STRING THEORY  LIVE VIDEO OF JOSÉ GONZÁLEZ & THE STRING THEORY PERFORMING “DOWN THE LINE” IN PARIS José González & The String Theory has officially announced the release of Live In Europe, an extraordinary two-LP live recording from recent European tour with maverick orchestra The String Theory. Live In Europe is available now for pre-order exclusively via PledgeMusic. A wide range of exclusives are on offer, including 140g and 180g double vinyl, a 24-page booklet featuring rare and behind-the-scenes photos from the tour, a limited edition 7-inch single, a unique poster and T-shirt options, guitar strings, and much more. Each order comes with an Instant Grat download of the song “Crosses.” Delivery of the Pledge pre-order will be in the winter. A digital version will be released in the spring. Due to a copyright dispute this album and offer is currently not available for customers in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France, Belgium, Netherlands and Luxembourg. PRE-ORDER LIVE IN EUROPE VIA Pledge Music. Live In Europe was recorded last year during González and The String Theory’s acclaimed collaborative tour, their second following a remarkable 2011 tour that earned them thunderous applause from across the continent. WATCH LIVE VIDEO OF “DOWN THE LINE” IN PARIS González’s partnership with the Orchestra began in 2009 during an interdisciplinary recording workshop at the Kokokaka film studio in the singer-songwriter-guitarist’s hometown Gothenburg, Sweden. Their debut live performance at Gothenburg Concert Hall in April 2010 gained high critical acclaim – prompting comparisons with Krzysztof Penderecki, Arnold Schönberg, and Nico Muhly – and proved the starting point of a remarkable long-term relationship between kindred artistic souls. The 2017 tour made sold out stops in historic theaters and concert halls across Europe, spanning Sweden, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Austria, Slovakia, Lithuania, Finland, France, Poland and The United States. The performances included stirringly original renditions of songs originally found on González’s three celebrated solo albums: 2003’s breakthrough debut VENEER, 2007’s IN OUR NATURE, and 2015’s VESTIGES & CLAWS, the latter of which saw González finding new inspiration in sprawling 70’s Brazilian productions, American folk rock, and West African desert blues. Among The String Theories myriad highlights are new visions of such classic songs as “Crosses,” “Down The Line,” “Every Age,” and “Let It Carry You,” as well has remarkable new renditions of González’s already unique versions of “Heartbeats” (written by The Knife) and Massive Attack’s “Teardrop. JOSÉ GONZÁLEZ & THE STRING THEORY Live In Europe TRACKLISTING: 1. What If 2. Every Age 3. Let It Carry You 4. The Forest 5. Cycling Trivialities 6. Crosses 7. Abram 8. Prism Part Blue 9. Vissel 10. Heartbeats 11. Down The Line 12. Stories We Build, Stories We Tell 13. Leaf Off 14. Teardrop José González’ stellar career can only be described as a dream. His classic interpretation of The Knife’s ‘Heartbeats’ provided the son of Argentinean parents with a jumpstart that has since tallied more than 200 million worldwide streams on Spotify and a major presence on radio stations around the globe. He won a range of honors, performed on high-profile network TV shows in the United States and beyond, headlined prestigious festivals, sold out concert venues on virtually all continents, and collaborated with Ben Stiller on an inventive film soundtrack. González’s warm intimate voice and tender harmonies, underlined by a dexterously plucked Spanish guitar and muted percussion deliver profoundly thoughtful lyrics largely revolving around ideas of civilization, humanism, and solidarity. A sincere, artful performer whose singular approach to songwriting and sonics sets him worlds apart, José González is in a class by himself. 2018 has already seen the release of a new digital EP, entitled JOSÉ GONZÁLEZ & THE BRITE LITES AT SVENSKA GRAMMOFONSTUDION, out now via Imperial Records, Peacefrog and Mute Records. The EP came together after González united a compelling new live band – The Brite Lites – to expand the harmonies of previously recorded songs with additional guitar and rhythmic elements. Many of these songs evolved over time, prompting González to capture their development with new recordings. The Swedish-Argentinean journeyman – backed by The Brite Lites – returned to the U.S. in August for number of dates alongside Shakey Graves, culminating at Morrison, CO’s famed Red Rocks Amphitheatre. Next, González will reteam with The String Theory for another European run, slated to visit Denmark, Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, France, Spain, Portugal, the Netherlands and a performance at the prestigious Royal Albert Hall. He will be coming to North America in March 2019. For complete details and ticket information, please visit jose-gonzalez.com/tour-dates. JOSÉ GONZÁLEZ ON TOUR 2018/2019 with The String Theory SEPTEMBER 15 – Stockholm, Sweden – Dramaten 16 – Stockholm, Sweden – Dramaten 17 – Aarhus, Denmark – Musikhuset Aarhus 18 – Copenhagen, Denmark – Copenhagen Opera House 19 – Cologne, Germany – Live Music Hall 20 -London, England – Royal Albert Hall – Sold Out 21 – Brighton, England – Brighton Dome 22 – Manchester, England – Albert Hall 23 – Bristol, England – O2 Academy Bristol 24 – Bruges, Belgium – Concertgebouw Brugge 25 – Zürich, Switzerland – Volkshaus 26 – Lausanne, Switzerland – Les Docks 27 – Hasselt, Belgium – Cultuurcentrum Hasselt 28 – Ludwigshafen, Germany – BASF – Feierabendhaus 9 – Paris, France – Salle Pleyel OCTOBER 1 – Madrid, Spain – Teatro Lope de Vega 2 – Lisbon, Portugal – Coliseu dos Recreios 3 – Valencia, Spain – Espai Rambleta 4 – Barcelona, Spain – L’Auditori 5 – Nimes, France – Paloma 6 – Luxembourg, Luxembourg – Philharmonie 7 – Utrecht, Netherlands – Tivoli Vrendenburg 8 – Hamburg, Germany – Laeiszhalle Hamburg MARCH 2019 18 – Boston, MA – Symphony Hall 19 – Buffalo, NY – Center For the Arts 20 – Washington DC – Lincoln Theatre 21 – New York, NY – Apollo Theatre 25 – Montreal, QE – Maison Symphonique – Place des Arts 26 – Toronto, ON – Danforth Music Hall 27 – Kalamazoo, MI – Kalamazoo State Theatre 28 – Chicago, IL – Chicago Theatre 31 – Portland, OR – Schnitzler Hall  APRIL 2019 2 – Seattle, WA – Paramount Theatre 4 – Oakland, CA – Fox Theatre 6 – Los Angeles, CA – Los Angeles Theatre # # #  Founded in 2007, The String Theory is a Berlin and Gothenburg-based artist collective, think tank, and experimental chamber orchestra that explores the outskirts of contemporary classical music, electro, noise, Neue Musik and pop by means of workshops, studio recordings, and live performances. In addition their collaboration with González, The String Theory have formed artistic co-operations with a stunning range of musicians and artists, among them include Einstürzende Neubauten, Wildbirds & Peacedrums, El Perro Del Mar, Tocotronic, Dieter Meier (Yello), Shara Worden (My Brightest Diamond), Tindersticks, and many others. The String Theory conductor, Berlin-based composer and producer PC Nackt, studied jazz guitar and composition at the distinguished Hochschule für Musik in Cologne and has a background in ballet, theater music, and film scores, including work with legendary director Wim Wenders. In 2002, Nackt co-founded the electro-punk band Warren Suicide as well as Chez Cherie, a recording studio in Berlin’s vibrant Neukölln district. Since 2011, PC Nackt has worked as co-producer, co-writer, and live musician alongside Berlin-based electronic music icon Sascha Ring, better known around the world as Apparat. JOSE-GONZALEZ.COM wearethestringtheory.org FACEBOOK TWITTER INSTAGRAM YOUTUBE SPOTIFY # # #