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Lee Ranaldo working on solo album that rocks, playing shows & other stuff

by Andrew Sacher

Lee Ranaldo with Sonic Youth in August (more by Dana (distortion) Yavin)
Lee Ranaldo

Sonic Youth’s Lee Ranaldo, whose solo work had previously been highly experimental and noise-driven, is currently working on his first rock-oriented solo album, with material more similar to his Sonic Youth contributions. Lee and his new band, which includes Alan Licht, Irwin Menken and Sonic Youth bandmate Steve Shelley, played their first show opening for Wild Flag at The Bell House in October. They opened their set with the song, “Angles,” which Lee introduced as “kind of a love song that goes out to a couple dear friends of mine who are going through some shit right now.” Maybe he was talking about these friends? Videos of Lee and band playing that song and another called “Xtina” is below.

Lee and his band will play their next NYC show performing songs from the upcoming album on December 16 at Glasslands. Tickets for the show are on sale now.

Lee is also performing as part of NY Guitar Fest at Merkin Hall with Kaki King on January 12. Tickets for that performance are still available.

Lee is also featured on David Amram‘s poetry album, David Amram Poetry Jam, along with Casey Cyr, Steve Dalachinsky, Albert Kausch, Rich Martin, and Ron Whitehead. The album can be purchased at CD Baby.

Lee, a photographer on the side, has also been posting pictures from Occupy Wall Street to his page on SonicYouth.com.

In related news, Thurston Moore is one of the artists scheduled for Lincoln Center’s American Songbook 2012 Season and will play an acoustic set on February 2. Tickets are available as a presale, though they require a password.

All dates and videos below…


Lee Ranaldo – “Angles” at The Bell House 10/15/11

Lee Ranaldo – “Xtina” at The Bell House 10/15/11

Lee Ranaldo — 2011/2012 Tour Dates
12/16/11 Glasslands Brooklyn, NY (band)
01/12/12 Merkin Hall New York, NY (solo) w/ Kaki King

Thurston Moore — 2011/2012 Tour Dates
Sun, Nov 27 Button Factory Dublin, Ireland
Mon, Nov 28 The Arches Glasgow, Scotland
Tue, Nov 29 Brudenell Social Club Leeds, UK
Wed, Nov 30 The Ritz Manchester, UK
Fri, Dec 2 Union Chapel London, UK
Sat, Dec 3 ATP Festival Minehead, UK
Mon, Dec 5 Volksbuhne Berlin, Germany
Tue, Dec 6 Munchner Kammerspiele Munich, Germany
Wed, Dec 7 Teatro Comunale Ferrara, Italy
Thu, Dec 8 Auditorium Parco della Musica Rome, Italy
Fri, Dec 9 Teatro Dal Verme Milan, Italy
Sat, Dec 10 Moods / Kilbi Im Exil Zurich, Switzerland
Sun, Dec 11 La Gaite Lyrique Paris
Mon, Dec 12 De Duif Amsterdam
Tue, Dec 13 Vooruit Concertzaal Ghent
Thu, Feb 2 The Allen Room at Lincoln Center New York, NY