Saint Etienne tell us about what they're listening to on tour (which starts tonight)
Saint Etienne‘s North American tour celebrating the 20th anniversary of their terrific 1998 album, Good Humor, starts tonight (9/5) at Bowery Ballroom (tickets), moves to Brooklyn on Thursday (9/6) at Warsaw (tickets), and then heads to DC, Boston, Montreal, Toronto, Chicago, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. They’ll be doing two sets at each stop: first Good Humor in full, then a second set of of “hits, old classics, and a brand new song or two.” You can check out all tour dates, along with a stream of Good Humor, below.
Bob Stanley, Pete Wiggs and Sarah Cracknell are all crate-diggers — they put out Saint Etienne-branded mix CDs when not making their own records (like last year’s Home Counties) — and they’ve put together a playlist of songs they’ve been digging lately. It’s a mix of old and new and you can check those out, plus their commentary on the tracks. below.
One other cool thing of note. The band have put together two exclusive releases just for this tour that they’ll be selling at the merch table: the Surrey EP, featuring brand new previously unreleased recordings; and the 20-track Mondo Casino, “a decades-spanning double CD companion to Casino Classics that contains rare and in-demand mixes, many on CD for the first time.” Unfortunately due to problems at the pressing plant, the CDs won’t be at the shows — you’ll have to fill out an order form, it’s $30 for both including shipping. (At the merch table’s the only place you can order.) More info on the releases is here and read more on how the order form works here.
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SAINT ETIENNE – WHAT WE”RE LISTENING TO ON TOUR
The Fernweh – “Next Time Around”
The best thing to happen in Liverpool since Jurgen Klopp arrived. They supported us on our Home Counties tour – their harmonies are just beautiful. [Sarah]
Jane Weaver – “The Architect”
Jane’s last couple of albums are just perfect melancholic electropop. I seem to hear her music a lot in clothes shops these days, oddly. [Sarah]
Grubby Mitts – “The Mountain And I”
I think they’re a twelve-piece now, with a brass section and a flautist. Their new album is heartbreaking. I’m not sure who’s going to release it. [Bob]
Playa – “Cheers 2 U”
The title song fom a great semi-lost 1998 R&B album. Half of it was produced by Timbaland. Nice and minimal, more great harmonies. [Pete]
Dean McPhee – Sky Burial
Yorkshire’s own John Fahey. Amazing atmospheric guitar playing. [Bob]
Modern Studies – “Mud And Flame”
Rob St John is one of the most talented people in Britain today. He’ll probably have written a novel by the time we’re back from tour. [Pete]
Kero Kero Bonito – “Flamingo”
Insanely catchy. Gus from KKB co-wrote a couple of songs on Home Counties. Really lovely people. Less than half our age. Terrifying. [Bob]
Charlie Rich – “I Feel Like Going Home”
I found a bunch of Charlie’s records in Seattle last year and they’ve been in heavy rotation since. Our soundman Johnny Mac found this one for me. Maybe he thought I was homesick. [Bob]
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Here’s a playlist with all of Saint Etienne’s selections, bookended by Good Humor songs.
Saint Etienne – ‘Good Humor’ 2018 Tour Dates
Wed Sept 5 New York NY – Bowery Ballroom
Thur Sept 6 Brooklyn NY – Warsaw
Fri Sept 7 Washington DC – Union Stage
Sun Sept 9 Boston MA – Brighton Music Hall
Mon Sept 10 Montreal QC – Thèâtre Fairmont
Tue Sept 11 Toronto ON – Mod Club
Thur Sept 13 Chicago IL – Park West
Sat Sept 15 San Francisco CA – The Chapel (SOLD OUT)
Sun Sept 16 Los Angeles CA – Fonda Theatre
