Master of the tuneful growl, J Mascis, will release his first solo album, Several Shades of Why, on March 15 via Sub Pop, which will coincide with a spring tour of North America.
Several Shades is “nearly all acoustic,” and is meant to display a “delicacy” that isn't always associated with J Mascis or Dinosaur Jr. Collaborating with folks like Kurt Vile (who will join him on tour), Sophie Trudeau (A Silver Mount Zion), Kurt Fedora, Kevin Drew (Broken Social Scene), Ben Bridwell (Band of Horses) and a few others, Mascis has come up with an album that is soulful (even by his standards) and downright folky.
“Not Enough,” with its lone tambourine shake and vocal harmonization, is a toe-tapper that you can almost hear being played while you wait out on the porch for the table at Cracker Barrel.
Several Shades is being released around SXSW, so Mascis says “I guess I'll play there.” But if you can't wrangle a ticket to Austin, catch him at one of the dates below. Given that he isn't sure whether he's going to have a backing band, it will surely be interesting.
J Mascis 2011 North American Tour
March
10 Thu, Ithaca, New York, Castaways*
11 Fri, Toronto, Ontario, Great Hall
22 Sat, Brattleboro, Vermont, Headroom Stages
23 Sun, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, World Live Cafe*
24 Mon, New York, New York, Mercury Lounge*
25 Tue, Brooklyn, New York, Music Hall of Williamsburg*
26 Wed, Boston, Massachusetts, Brighton Music Hall*
30 Sun, Cleveland Heights, Ohio, Grog Shop*
31 Mon, Ann Arbor, Michigan, Blind Pig*
April
01 Fri, Chicago, Illinois, Subterranean*
02 Sat, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 7th Street Entry*
07 Fri, Atlanta, Georgia, The Earl*
08 Sat, Athens, Georgia, The Melting Point*
09 Sun, Asheville, North Carolina, The Grey Eagle*
10 Mon, Carrboro, North Carolina, Cat's Cradle*
29 Sat, Seattle, Washington, Tractor Tavern**
30 Sun, Portland, Oregon, Dante's**
May
03 Thu, Santa Cruz, California, Crepe Place**
04 Fri, San Francisco, California, The Independent**
05 Sat, Long Beach, California, Alex's Bar**
06 Sun, Echo Park, California, Echo**
07 Mon, San Diego, California, The Casbah**
*with Kurt Vile and the Violators
**with Black Heart Procession
