Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Galactic on tour

It's shaping up to be quite a celebration for New Orleans. The Saints finally won the Super Bowl and on February 9th, local band Galactic will release their groundbreaking new album YA-KA-MAY, an ambitious and exhilarating merging of New Orleans musical styles, from the gender bending regional hip hop known as "bounce" to brass band, raucous funk and beyond. Never has an album so comprehensively captured the diversity and heart of the music steeped city.

Vocals are provided by a suitably eclectic roster of local legends including Allen Toussaint and Irma Thomas as well as young underground bounce artists like Cheeky Blakk, Big Freedia and Sissy Nobby. The initial critical response to YA-KA-MAY has been of unanimous acclaim.


The album's fascinating and informative liner notes were written by eminent author and musicologist. Ned Sublette, who's books include: "The World That Made New Orleans: From Spanish Silver to Congo Square" and "The Year Before the Flood: A Story of New Orleans‎."
This past weekend Galactic producer producer/horn player Ben Ellman and drummer Stanton Moore spoke with NPR's Weekend Edition about their ambitious new album.

In concurrence with the YA-KA-MAY's release, Galactic have taken their rollicking must be seen to be believed live show on the road for an extensive tour of North America. Dates are listed below.

GalacticTour Dates:
Feb 08, Washington, DC. 9:30 Club
Feb 09, Raleigh, NC. Lincoln Theatre
Feb 10, Charlotte, NC. Visulite or Fillmore
Feb 11, Charleston, SC. Music Farm
Feb 12, Atlanta, Ga. Variety
Feb 13, New Orleans, Tipitina's
Feb 15, New Orleans, Tipitina's
Feb 18, St. Louis, Mo. The Pageant
Feb 19, Lawrence, Mo. Granada or Liberty
Feb20, Denver, Co. Fillmore Theatre
Feb 21, Aspen, Co. The Belly Up
Feb 23, Missoula, Mt. The Wilma Theatre
Feb 24, Bellingham, WA. The Nightlight
Feb 25, Whistler, Canada Whistler Village Stage
Feb 26, Seattle, WA. Showbox
Feb 27, Portland, Or. Roseland Ballroom
Feb 28, Crystal Bay, NV. Crown Room at Crystal Ballroom
Mar 02, Santa Cruz, Ca. Moe's Alley
Mar 03, Solana Beach, Ca. Belly Up
Mar 04, Los Angeles, El Rey
Mar 05, San Francisco, Ca. Fillmore
Mar 06, San Francisco, Ca. Fillmore
Mar 07, Las Vegas, NV Wasted Space
Apr 08, Madison, WI Majestic Theatre
Apr 09, Minneapolis, MN Cabooze
Apr 10, Chicago, IL Vic Theatre
Apr 11, Cleveland, OH House of Blues
Apr 13, Lexington, KY Buster's
Apr 14, Asheville, NC Orange Peel
Apr 15, Nashville, TN Exit/In
Apr 16, Memphis, TN Minglewood Hall
May 1, New Orleans, LA Jazz & Heritage Festival

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