News
Plus Empty Country, Wild Nothing, Gruff Rhys, and a Wrap-up of the Week’s Other Notable New Tracks
Oct 06, 2023
By Mark Redfern (with Caleb Campbell)
Welcome to the 32nd Songs of the Week of 2023. This week Caleb Campbell, Mark Moody, Scott Dransfield, and Stephen Humphires all helped me decide what should make the list. It was a quiet week for new tracks, so we settled on a Top 7. More
Double AA Single Out Now via Bella Union
Oct 05, 2023
By Mark Redfern
Midlake and John Grant have teamed up for two new songs: “Roadrunner Blues” and “You Don’t Get To.” The latter is an expansive near-eight-minute song that builds to an extended instrumental jam at its climax. The double AA single is out now via Bella Union, the UK label home to both artists. More
For the Sake of Bethel Woods Due Out March 18 via ATO
Mar 01, 2022
By Mark Redfern
Midlake are releasing their first new studio album in over eight years, For the Sake of Bethel Woods, on March 18 via ATO. Now they have shared the album’s third single, “Noble.” The song is named after the infant son of the band’s drummer, McKenzie Smith, who was born with a rare brain disorder. More
For the Sake of Bethel Woods Due Out March 18 via ATO and Bella Union
Jan 12, 2022
By Mark Redfern
Midlake are releasing their first new studio album in over eight years, For the Sake of Bethel Woods, on March 18 via ATO. Now they have shared the album’s second single, almost title track “Bethel Woods,” via a video that stars actor Michael Peña (Ant-Man, World Trade Center, Narcos: Mexico) and was directed by Brantley Gutierrez (Paul McCartney, Arcade Fire, Tom Petty). More
Plus Ibibio Sound Machine, Yard Act, Midnight Oil, and a Wrap-up of the Week’s Other Notable New Tracks
Oct 29, 2021
By Mark Redfern (with Joey Arnone and Caleb Campbell)
Welcome to the 41st Songs of the Week of 2021. It may be Halloween on Sunday, but there weren’t any particularly spooky new songs this week. More
For the Sake of Bethel Woods Due Out March 18, 2022 via ATO
Oct 25, 2021
By Joey Arnone
Midlake have announced the release of their first new studio album in over eight years, For the Sake of Bethel Woods. It will be out on March 18, 2022 via ATO. The band has also shared a lyric video for a new song titled “Meanwhile…,” the first song release from the album. More
The Delta Sweete Revisited Due Out February 8, 2019 via Partisan/Bella Union; Also Features Norah Jones, Phoebe Bridgers, Rachel Goswell, and More
Nov 14, 2018
By Christopher Roberts
Mercury Rev have announced a new album, The Delta Sweete Revisited, where they cover Bobbie Gentry’s 1968 “country-rock opera” The Delta Sweete in its entirety, each with a different guest singer, and have shared its first single, a cover of “Sermon” featuring Margo Price. More
Love Is Magic Due Out October 12 via Partisan and Bella Union
Jul 10, 2018
By Christopher Roberts
John Grant has announced a new album, Love Is Magic, and shared its six-and-a-half-minute long title track. More
Ojalá Due Out November 3 via Bella Union
Aug 22, 2017
By Christopher Roberts
Lost Horizons is a new duo featuring former Cocteau Twins member (and Bella Union label head) Simon Raymonde and drummer Richie Thomas (who has played with The Jesus and Mary Chain, Felt, and Cocteau Twins). Their debut album, Ojalá, is due out November 3 via Bella Union. More
The Duo Also Features Richie Thomas; Album Features Sharon Van Etten, Marissa Nadler, Tim Smith, and More
Jul 06, 2017
By Christopher Roberts
Lost Horizons is a new duo featuring former Cocteau Twins member (and Bella Union label head) Simon Raymonde and drummer Richie Thomas (who has played with The Jesus and Mary Chain, Felt, and Cocteau Twins). More
Volume 1 Out Now via Dualtone/Entertainment One/Bella Union
Jun 08, 2017
By Christopher Roberts
The members of Midlake (Eric Pulido, McKenzie Smith, Joey McClellan, and Jesse Chandler) have a new supergroup named BNQT that features vocals by Pulido, but also notable singers from four other bands: Band of Horses’ Ben Bridwell, Franz Ferdinand‘s Alex Kapranos, Grandaddy‘s Jason Lytle, and Travis’ Fran Healy. More
Volume 1 Due Out April 28 via Dualtone/Entertainment One/Bella Union
Apr 13, 2017
By Christopher Roberts
The members of Midlake (Eric Pulido, McKenzie Smith, Joey McClellan, and Jesse Chandler) have a new supergroup named BNQT that features vocals by Pulido, but also notable singers from four other bands: Band of Horses’ Ben Bridwell, Franz Ferdinand‘s Alex Kapranos, Grandaddy‘s Jason Lytle, and Travis’ Fran Healy. BNQT’s debut album, Volume 1, is due out April 28 via Dualtone/Entertainment One/Bella Union. More
Volume 1 Due Out April 28 via Dualtone/Entertainment One/Bella Union
Mar 24, 2017
By Christopher Roberts
The members of Midlake (Eric Pulido, McKenzie Smith, Joey McClellan, and Jesse Chandler) have a new supergroup named BNQT that features vocals by Pulido, but also notable singers from four other bands: Band of Horses’ Ben Bridwell, Franz Ferdinand‘s Alex Kapranos, Grandaddy‘s Jason Lytle, and Travis’ Fran Healy. More
Volume 1 Due Out April 28 via Dualtone/Entertainment One/Bella Union, Listen to "Restart"
Jan 30, 2017
By Christopher Roberts
The members of Midlake (Eric Pulido, McKenzie Smith, Joey McClellan, and Jesse Chandler) have a new supergroup named BNQT that features vocals by Pulido, but also notable singers from four other bands: Band of Horses’ Ben Bridwell, Franz Ferdinand‘s Alex Kapranos, Grandaddy‘s Jason Lytle, and Travis’ Fran Healy. More
10th Anniversary Reissue Due Out October 28 via Bella Union
Aug 30, 2016
By Christopher Roberts
Midlake’s 2006-released sophomore album The Trials of Van Occupanther was both their breakthrough release and arguably remains their high point, in part due to the classic single “Roscoe.” More
Feb 06, 2014
By Laura Studarus
Midlake is hitting the road with Neil Finn for a series of acoustic shows. More
Jan 14, 2014
By Mike Hilleary
Recently releasing their new album Antiphon, Midlake have premiered a brand new music video for the record’s included single “The Old & The Young.” More
Also Features Interviews with Cut Copy, Cocteau Twins on Blue Bell Knoll, Cillian Murphy vs. Nils Frahm, Anna Calvi, Luke Temple, Willis Earl Beal, Glasser, Courtney Barnett, Midlake, Mac DeMarco vs. Beach Fossils, Dan Harmon, and more
Nov 19, 2013
By Christopher Roberts
Under the Radar is excited to announce the full details of the November/December 2013 issue, which is on newsstands now and will be out until late December/early January. It features HAIM on the cover as well as interviews with Cut Copy, Cocteau Twins on Blue Bell Knoll, Cillian Murphy vs. Nils Frahm, Anna Calvi, Luke Temple, Willis Earl Beal, Glasser, Yuck, Midlake, Yamantaka // Sonic Titan, Deltron 3030, Courtney Barnett, Mac DeMarco vs. Beach Fossils, Dan Harmon, and much more. More
"I tried to dress up as a mummy when I was about 7. I used toilet paper and was wearing long johns underneath. By the end of the trick-or-treating, I was just a kid in long johns." - McKenzie Smith
Oct 30, 2013
By Mark Redfern
We sent out the same set of Halloween-related questions to a bunch of different musicians. All Halloween week we are posting their responses. Here are some spooky answers from Eric Pulido, McKenzie Smith, and Jesse Chandler of Midlake. More
Oct 23, 2013
By Mike Hilleary
On Nov. 5 Texas musical collective Midlake will release their new album Antiphon. More
Aug 07, 2013
By Mike Hilleary
Texas ensemble Midlake have announced the release of their fourth studio album, Antiphon, the follow-up to their 2010 LP The Courage of Others. More
A 1970s Good Time Was Had by All
Sep 10, 2010
By Laura Studarus
Midlake took to the woods of Holland for their new video for Courage of Others cut,“Ruler, Ruling All Things.” We have the clip. More
Tour Kicks Off March 18th
Feb 25, 2010
By Laura Studarus
Three-time “Anticipated Albums” artist Midlake are heading out on tour in support of their (finally!) released album, The Courage of Others. In addition to headlining gigs, the band will make a stop at SXSW. We have the dates. More
Dates Are the First Since 2007 and Include SXSW
Dec 15, 2009
By Rebekka Utermohlen
Midlake has confirmed tour dates for 2010, which means this will be their first tour since 2007.The band will also be returning to SXSW. More
The Courage of Others Out February 2nd on Bella Union
Oct 27, 2009
By Kyle Lemmon
Midlake has been toiling away on the follow-up to 2006’s time-warped The Trials of Van Occupanther for so long that they were actually interviewed in both Under the Radar‘s “Most Anticipated Albums of 2008” and “Most Anticipated Albums of 2009” issues. Well, the Texas fivesome Midlake do indeed have a new album in February, February 2nd via Bella Union (February 1 in the UK and Europe) to be exact. More
Interviews
Pulido on Trump, Scary Movies, Self-Driving Cars, Stranger Things, and First Kisses
Feb 27, 2017
By Mark Redfern
For Under the Radar‘s 14th annual Artist Survey we emailed some of our favorite artists a few questions relating to 2016. We asked them about their favorite albums of the year and their thoughts on various notable 2016 news stories involving either the music industry or world events, as well as some quirkier personal questions. More
Dec 20, 2013
By Austin Trunick
Two years into recording their follow-up to 2010’s The Courage of Others, Tim Smith, Midlake‘s lead singer and songwriter since their formation, announced he was leaving the band. More
"I tried to dress up as a mummy when I was about 7. I used toilet paper and was wearing long johns underneath. By the end of the trick-or-treating, I was just a kid in long johns." - McKenzie Smith
Oct 30, 2013
By Mark Redfern
We sent out the same set of Halloween-related questions to a bunch of different musicians. All Halloween week we are posting their responses. Here are some spooky answers from Eric Pulido, McKenzie Smith, and Jesse Chandler of Midlake. More
Band is Close to Finishing Long-in-the-Works Third Album, The Courage of Others
Aug 20, 2009
By Marcus Kagler
It’s been over three years since Midlake made a splash with their sophomore effort, The Trials of Van Occupanther, a smooth lilting slice of ‘70s influenced soft rock littered with Laurel Canyon harmonies and slow rolling beauty. Currently putting the final touches on their third full length, The Courage of Others, guitarist Eric Pulido took a little time out to answer some email questions about the three-year hold up for what sounds like a vastly different, and difficult to record, new album. Midlake has been working on the album for several years now and were actually interviewed in both Under the Radar‘s “Most Anticipated Albums of 2008” and “Most Anticipated Albums of 2009” issues. Pulido promises less piano and “more guitars, flute, and incense.” More
Reviews
May 23, 2022
By Anthony Mark Happel
Midlake is a band with an interesting arc, and an idiosyncratic outside the box configuration. More
Nov 02, 2016
By Matthew Berlyant
When it was first released in the spring of 2006, Midlake‘s sophomore album was a revelation. More
Nov 20, 2013
By Dan Lucas
It’s questionable whether or not there has ever been an album released so apropos of a band’s name than this. Mid-tempo, middle of the road, and indeed middling, Antiphon nonetheless sounds aquatic and crystalline. Reverb ripples from the shimmering guitars and the percussion splashes pleasantly, but the album never manages to enchant in the manner of the previous album, 2010’s folky, psychedelic The Courage of Others. More