Jonathan Coulton on tour in support of new album

Jonathan Coulton speaks to the outcast in all of us, in the voices of characters we know from our own sad little lives. His ability to turn unusual subject matter into ultra-catchy pop songs has earned him praise from outlets like BLURT, Engadget, Brooklyn Paper, and certainly from his exceptionally passionate fan base. Today marks the release of Coulton’s new album, Artificial Heart, on Jocoserious Records. The album, which was produced by John Flansburgh of They Might Be Giants, is currently streaming in its entirety on AOL Spinner and Paste Magazine. Coulton has released new videos for two Artificial Heart album tracks this week! The video for “Nemeses” features an appearance by duet vocalist John Roderick of The Long Winters. Watch the video, shot and directed by John Flansburgh of They Might Be Giants, on the YouTube “Music Spotlight” where it premiered today. Check out Coulton’s “Still Alive”video, featuring Sara Quin of Tegan and Sara where it premiered on IGN.

The album opens with “Sticking to Myself”, a blistering, high-energy song about finding success, and then tearing it all down. “Nemeses”suggests that the only real way to bring meaning into your life is to find your own worst enemy. “Good Morning Tucson”is a highly singable pop song about an aging morning news anchor who one day finally loses it. The album’s title track, “Artificial Heart," has a bouncy, joyful melody that can't quite mask the feeling that drastic measures are sometimes worse than the problems they are trying to solve.

Artificial Heart is Jonathan Coulton’s first album of all new material since his infamous 2006 “Thing A Week” series, during which he created 52 musical pieces in 52 weeks. It's a strong addition to an already impressive discography that spans a decade. His song “Still Alive” is the closing soundtrack to the video game “Portal," and was awarded “Best Original Vocal Pop Song” in 2008 by the Game Audio Network Guild. This year, Coulton was asked back to write “Want You Gone," a song for Portal’s long awaited sequel. Be sure to catch Jonathan Coulton on tour now with They Might Be Giants!


Jonathan Coulton Tour Dates
11/08: Vancouver, BC @ Venue
11/09: Seattle, WA @ Showbox SoDo
11/10: Portland, OR @ Crystal Ballroom
11/11: Arcata, CA @ Van Duzer Theatre
11/12: San Francisco, CA @ Fillmore
11/13: San Francisco, CA @ Fillmore
11/16: Anaheim, CA @ House of Blues
11/17: Solana Beach, CA @ Belly Up Tavern