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Friday, April 26th, 2024  

The Decemberists — at the Greek Theatre, Los Angeles, CA, May 2, 2015

The Decemberists photo sets

at the Greek Theatre, Los Angeles, CA, May 2, 2015
at Chicago Theater, Chicago, Illinois, March 23, 2015
Portland, OR July 18, 2009
The Decemberists at the Hollywood Palladium on May 19, 2009

News

The Decemberists Share New Song “All I Want Is You”

As It Ever Was, So It Will Be Again Due Out June 14 via YABB Records and Thirty Tigers

Apr 25, 2024

The Decemberists are releasing a new album, As It Ever Was, So It Will Be Again, on June 14 via YABB Records and Thirty Tigers. Now they have shared the album’s third single, “All I Want Is You.” More

11 Best Songs of the Week: John Grant, The Decemberists, Storefront Church, Bat For Lashes, and More

Plus Maya Hawke, Elbow, Julia Holter, Parsnip, and a Wrap-up of the Week’s Other Notable New Tracks

Mar 22, 2024

Welcome to the tenth Songs of the Week of 2024. This week Andy Von Pip and Scott Dransfield both helped me decide what should make the list. We settled on a Top 11 this week, narrowed down from the 16 songs we seriously considered. More

The Decemberists Announce New Album, Share 19-Minute New Song “Joan in the Garden”

As It Ever Was, So It Will Be Again Due Out June 14 via YABB Records and Thirty Tigers

Mar 19, 2024

The Decemberists have announced a new album, As It Ever Was, So It Will Be Again, and shared a new song from it, the epic 19-minute closing track, “Joan in the Garden.” More

12 Best Songs of the Week: Beth Gibbons, Caroline Polachek and Weyes Blood, Yard Act, and More

Plus Amen Dunes, Mannequin Pussy, A. Savage, Laetitia Sadier, and a Wrap-up of the Week’s Other Notable New Tracks

Feb 09, 2024

Welcome to the fifth Songs of the Week of 2024. This week Andy Von Pip, Mark Moody, Matt the Raven, Scott Dransfield, and Stephen Humphries all helped me decide what should make the list. We settled on a Top 12 this week, narrowed down from the 20 songs we seriously considered. More

The Decemberists Share First New Song in Six Years, “Burial Ground,” and Announce Tour

The Song Features James Mercer of The Shins; Ratboys to Open Almost All Dates

Feb 06, 2024

The Decemberists have shared their first new song in six years, “Burial Ground.” James Mercer of The Shins provides backing vocals on the song. They have also announced some new North American tour dates for this spring and summer. Ratboys will be the opener on almost all the dates. More

The Decemberists Announce Summer Tour Dates

Tickets Go On Sale This Friday

Jan 25, 2022

The Decemberists have announced tour dates for summer 2022. Tickets will go on sale to the public this Friday (January 28) at 10 a.m. local time. More

Under the Radar Announces The Protest Issue with Japanese Breakfast and HAIM on the Covers

Issue 68 Out Now and Also Includes Julien Baker, Wolf Alice, Tegan and Sara, Arlo Parks, Fleet Foxes, Jessie Ware, Shamir, Lucy Dacus, Valerie June, David Byrne, Julian Casablancas, and Much More

Apr 21, 2021

Under the Radar is excited to announce the full details of our new print issue, which is out now nationwide (on newsstands, in such stores as Barnes & Noble and Books-A-Million, and elsewhere) and available to buy directly from us here. The issue features Japanese Breakfast and HAIM on the two covers and is another edition of The Protest Issue, which examines the intersection of music and politics and features musicians photographed with protest signs of their own making. More

Watch Jim James, Julien Baker, and The Decemberists Cover “What the World Needs Now Is Love”

Burt Bacharach Cover For Newport Folk Festival Also Features Andrew Bird, Hiss Golden Messenger, Glen Hansard, and More

Aug 04, 2020

This weekend was the finale of the entirely virtual Newport Folk Festival, aptly dubbed “Our Voices Together,” as it features upward of 20 artists covering Burt Bacharach’s classic “What the World Needs Now Is Love.” The cover was led by Jim James of My Morning Jacket and music directed by Chris Funk of The Decemberists, wrapping up the week-long virtual fest. More

The Decemberists Announce 20th Anniversary Tour Dates

20 Years Before the Mast U.S. Tour Dates This Summer

Feb 11, 2020

Ready to feel old indie rock fans? The Decemberists have just announced a 20th anniversary tour. The 20 Years Before the Mast tour dates happen across the U.S. this summer. More

The Decemberists Share New Song “Traveling On”

Traveling On EP Due Out December 14 via Capitol

Nov 30, 2018

The Decemberists released a new album, I’ll Be Your Girl, back in March via Capitol. They are releasing a new EP, Traveling On, on December 14, also via Capitol. More

10 Best Songs of the Week: Rose Elinor Dougall, Phoebe Bridgers, Sharon Van Etten, and More

Plus James Yorkston, Telekinesis, Sneaks, TEEN, TOY, and a Wrap-up of the Last Two Weeks' Other Notable New Tracks

Nov 30, 2018

We didn’t do a Songs of the Week last week due to the Thanksgiving holiday and long weekend. Beyond the fact that we were taking a break from work, there simply weren’t enough songs released last week to justify a Songs of the Week wrap up. More

The Decemberists Share Affecting Video for “Once In My Life” Featuring a Guardian Angel of Sorts

Autumn de Wilde Directed the Video and It Stars Her Brother Jacob

Jul 17, 2018

The Decemberists released a new album, I’ll Be Your Girl, back in March via Capitol. Now they have shared a video for one of the album’s highlights, “Once In My Life.” Autumn de Wilde directed the video, which stars her seven-foot-two-inches tall brother Jacob de Wilde as a guardian angel of sorts. More

May 30, 2018

If you support Under the Radar‘s Patreon page at the minimum contribution of at least $1.00 a month you get access to our Patreon-only feed featuring exclusive content only available to Patreon supporters and you will also help keep one of the last print music magazines strong and vital. More

Under the Radar Announces Spring 2018 Issue with Courtney Barnett on the Cover

Issue 63 Also Includes Interviews with MGMT, The Decemberists, Belle & Sebastian, The National, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Fleet Foxes, Parquet Courts, Noel Gallagher, Spoon, and More

Mar 28, 2018

Under the Radar is excited to announce the full details of our Spring 2018 Issue, which is out now digitally via Under the Radar’s app and the magazine apps Readly and Zinio. The print version has shipped out to subscribers and stores and will be on all newsstands soon. The issue features Courtney Barnett on the cover. More

Mar 22, 2018

The Decemberists released a new album, I’ll Be Your Girl, last Friday via Capitol. On Tuesday night the band stopped by Jimmy Kimmel Live! to perform two songs from the album: “Severed” and “We All Die Young” (which featured a mean sax solo). More

Soundtracking the Resistance – Causing Chaos in Iraq

The 15th Anniversary of the Iraq War Approaches

Mar 17, 2018

This week we look back on foreign invasions of years gone by, plus Trump turmoil, Russian spies, Neil Young laughing at the NRA, and Conor Oberst in his President Bush bashing days. More

Album of the Week: Mount Eerie

Now Only Out Now via P.W. Elverum & Sun

Mar 16, 2018

This week’s album of the week serves as a follow-up to the most stark, moving and genuinely heartbreaking records of last year, Mount Eerie‘s A Crow Looked At Me. Charting Phil Elverum’s immediate situation and emotional response to the death of his wife Geneviève in 2016, not long after the birth of the couple’s only child, a daughter, the album was a brutally honest document of death and grief delivered with remarkable, soft, melodic directness. More

10 Best Songs of the Week: Parquet Courts, Neko Case, Beach House, and More

Plus The Beat Escape, The Decemberists, Simian Mobile Disco, JB Dunckel, and a Wrap-up of the Week's Other Notable New Tracks

Mar 09, 2018

After a couple of strong weeks for Songs of the Week, it was more much more of a challenge this week to come up with 10 songs we were truly excited about. But we’re really fully passionate about this week’s Top 5 and stand behind the rest of the Top 10. More

The Decemberists Share New Song “Once In My Life”

I’ll Be Your Girl Due Out March 16 via Capitol

Mar 09, 2018

The Decemberists are releasing a new album, I’ll Be Your Girl, on March 16 via Capitol. Previously they shared its first single, “Severed” (it was one of our Songs of the Week). Now they have shared another song from the album, album opener “Once In My Life.” More

10 Best Songs of the Week: Mount Eerie, of Montreal, Gwenno, Yo La Tengo, Ought, and More

Plus The Decemberists, Young Fathers, The Sea and Cake, Mouse on Mars, Lucy Dacus, and a Wrap-up of the Week's Other Notable New Tracks

Jan 19, 2018

2018 is coming on strong with lots of fantastic new tracks this week in our second Songs of the Week post of the year. Like last week, it was definitely a challenge to narrow it down to only 10. Preoccupations, The Spook School, Hinds, Yamantaka // Sonic Titan, St. Vincent remixed by Kelly Lee Owens, Eels, and Hinds all could have easily made the Top 10, but it was a competitive week. More

Jan 19, 2018

This week we’re joined by Nate Lacy from Mimicking Birds who talks the wonders and dangers of nature, plus we have medicals, shutdowns, presidential racism, and a sad loss. More

The Decemberists Announce New Album, Share New Song “Severed”

I'll Be Your Girl Due Out March 16 via Capitol

Jan 17, 2018

The Decemberists have announced a new album, I’ll Be Your Girl, and shared its first single, “Severed.” I’ll Be Your Girl is due out March 16 via Capitol. John Congleton produced the album. Below is “Severed,” followed by the album’s tracklist and cover art. More

Dec 15, 2017

The Decemberists have teamed up with Lin-Manuel Miranda for the #HamilDrops project, which will share previously unreleased songs by Miranda related to his hit musical Hamilton. The first offering is “Ben Franklin’s Song,” which features lyrics by Miranda and music by The Decemberists’ frontman Colin Meloy and the band. More

Soundtracking the Resistance - Fascists in America

Examining Trump's Response to the White Supremacist Rally and Violence in Charlottesville, Virginia

Aug 18, 2017

With the President outdoing himself in a bid to appear like a terrible human being, there’s only really one thing to talk about this week. Still, read on and you might find a few positive developments outside his Charlottesville debacle. More

May 09, 2017

Two of the Pacific Northwest’s biggest artists, Death Cab for Cutie and The Decemberists, have teamed up for a benefit concert for both Planned Parenthood and the ACLU. It’s an acoustic benefit that goes down on June 9 at the Paramount in Seattle. Sera Cahoone will be the support act. More

Watch Jenny Lewis, Tegan and Sara, Moby, Colin Meloy, and More Perform in Bed for Bedstock

Charity Event Also Features Warpaint, Norah Jones, Lucy Dacus, and More

Nov 29, 2016

Today was Bedstock, an Internet charity music festival. It featured videos of various musicians performing songs in bed, including Jenny Lewis, Tegan and Sara, Moby, Warpaint, Norah Jones, Lucy Dacus, Radiation City, and others. More

Listen: The Decemberists Share Previously Unreleased “The Crane Wife 1, 2 & 3 (Demo)”

The Crane Wife 10th Anniversary 5-LP Box Set Due Out December 9 via Capitol/UMe

Nov 18, 2016

The Decemberists are putting out a deluxe 10th anniversary reissue of 2006’s The Crane Wife on December 9 via Capitol/Ume. It includes five red vinyl LPs and features the original album, B-sides, bonus tracks, outtakes, and demos. Now the band has shared a previously unreleased demo of the near 13-minute long “The Crane Wife 1, 2 & 3.” More

The Decemberists’ Crowd-Funded Board Game “Illimat” Raised $416,628, Ten Times Their Goal

In Collaboration with Illustrator Carson Ellis and Game Designer Keith Baker

Nov 04, 2016

The Decemberists are releasing a board game named Illimat. As we previously reported, it’s been crowd funded on Kickstarter. The Kickstarter campaign just ended and did the band meet their goal? You could say that. In fact they raised nearly 10 times their goal. More

The Decemberists Announce Deluxe “The Crane Wife” Reissue with Lin-Manuel Miranda Essay

10th Anniversary 5-LP Box Set Due Out December 9 via Capitol/UMe

Oct 24, 2016

The Decemberists have announced a deluxe 10th anniversary of their 2006 album The Crane Wife. The limited edition vinyl box set is due out December 9 via Capitol/Ume. More

The Decemberists Are Putting Out the Crowd Funded Board Game “Illimat”

In Collaboration with Illustrator Carson Ellis and Game Designer Keith Baker

Oct 04, 2016

The Decemberists are releasing a board game named Illimat. How very Decemberists of them! It’s been crowd funded on Kickstarter and has already more than doubled the $42,812 goal (it’s at $104,571 as we write this), with 30 days to still go. The game was put together in collaboration with their longtime illustrator Carson Ellis (also frontman Colin Meloy’s wife) and game designer Keith Baker. More

Oct 09, 2015

The Decemberists’ the 5-song Florasongs EP comes out today via Capitol and today they’ve also released a new video. But the song is actually taken their most recent album, What a Terrible World, What a Beautiful World, which was released back in January of this year. More

Sep 11, 2015

The Decemberists have announced a new 5-song EP and shared its first single. The Florasongs EP is due out on October 9 via Capitol. Below you can listen to the first single, “Why Would I.” More

May 04, 2015

On May 2, The Decemberists stopped by The Greek Theatre in Los Angeles, CA. More

Mar 29, 2015

On March 23, The Decemberists performed at The Chicago Theater. More

Watch: The Decemberists Sing YouTube Comments

Best. Album. Promotion. Ever.

Jan 23, 2015

Every internet crawler worth his salt knows that nothing good can come from reading the comments. That is, unless you’re a member of The Decemberists. More

Jan 13, 2015

Next week on Jan. 20 The Decemberists return with their seventh studio album What A Terrible World, What A Beautiful World. More

Listen: The Decemberists – “The Wrong Year”

What a Terrible World, What A Beautiful World Out Jan 20 on Capital

Dec 16, 2014

Today The Decemberists premiered “The Wrong Year,” a cut from their seventh album, What a Terrible World, What a Beautiful World, due out Jan 20 on Capital. More

Watch: The Decemberists Perform “Make You Better” On “Conan”

What a Terrible World, What A Beautiful World is Due Out Jan 20 on Capital

Dec 04, 2014

The Decemberists stopped by Conan last night to air What a Terrible World, What A Beautiful World cut, “Make You Better.” More

Watch: The Decemberists - “Lake Song” Lyric Video

What A Terrible World, What A Beautiful World Out Jan. 20

Dec 02, 2014

Due to kick off 2015 in style with the release of their newest album What A Terrible World, What A Beautiful World, The Decemberists have shared an intimate lyric video for the record’s included track, “Lake Song.” More

Nov 24, 2014

Following the release of a teaser last week, The Decemberists have premiered the full music video to “Make You Better,” the lead single off their forthcoming album What A Terrible World, What A Beautiful World. More

Nov 21, 2014

The Decemberists have posted a preview of their upcoming music video for “Make You Better,” the lead single off the band’s forthcoming LP What A Terrible World, What A Beautiful World. More

The Decemberists Announces North American Tour

What a Terrible World, What a Beautiful World Out Jan. 20

Nov 17, 2014

Poised to release their brand new album What a Terrible World, What a Beautiful World on Jan. 20, The Decemberists have announced plans for their first North American tour in over three years. More

Nov 03, 2014

Early today, The Decemberists gave us a listen to “Make You Better,” the first track from their forthcoming album What a Terrible World, What a Beautiful World. Now there’s a tracklist to go with that. More

Listen: The Decemberists – “Make You Better”

What a Terrible World, What a Beautiful World is Due Out Jan 20 on Capitol

Nov 03, 2014

Last week, The Decemberists announced their album in fine form, with frontman Colin Meloy busking on the streets of Brooklyn. More

The Decembrists Announce New Album By Having Colin Meloy Busk In Brooklyn

LP Titled What a Terrible World, What a Beautiful World

Oct 24, 2014

The Decemberists have announced the upcoming release of What a Terrible World, What a Beautiful World, the follow-up to the band’s 2011 LP The King Is Dead. More

Jun 02, 2014

Releasing his brand new solo LP Beauty & Ruin this week, former Hüsker Dü frontman Bob Mould has teamed up with the folks over at Funny or Die for a music video of his lead single “I Don’t Know You Anymore.” More

Watch: The Decemberists Perform Two New Songs at Boston Calling

Possibly Called “Lake Song” and “Philomena”

May 29, 2014

It was a minute since we’ve heard from The Decemberists—and then the Portland band stopped by Parks and Recreation and reminded us why we all loved them in the first place. More

Mar 28, 2014

We’re not ones for the summer television hiatus—but forgive us when we say that we wish the season finale of Parks and Recreation would get here now. More

Mar 06, 2014

Decemberists fans, start your engines. The Portland-based orchestral rock collective will return to the stage on May 30. More

Listen: Colin Meloy - “Do You Remember Walter?” (The Kinks Cover)

Featuring on New Colin Meloy Sings... Covers EP

Oct 25, 2013

Next week The Decemeberists’ Colin Meloy will set off on a new solo tour, bringing with him the latest installment of his Colin Meloy Sings… cover EPs. More

Aug 20, 2013

On Dec. 6, the Coen brothers will release their newest film, Inside Llewyn Davis, depicting a week in the life of a young folk singer living in Greenwich Village in the winter of 1961 as he struggles for his big break. More

The Decemberists’ Colin Meloy Announces Solo Tour

Covers EP To Be Sold on the Road

Jul 30, 2013

The Decemeberists’ frontman Colin Meloy has announced plans for a new solo tour, his first in five years. More

Watch: The Decemberists Visit “The Simpsons”

Also Patton Oswalt and Portlandia's Fred Armisen and Carrie Brownstein

Dec 10, 2012

Last night on The Simpsons the town of Springfield was invaded by a whole mess of special guests. More

The Decemberists To Appear On “The Simpsons”

Visit the Citizens of Springfield

Aug 29, 2012

Joining the ranks of George Harrison, The Ramones, Red Hot Chili Peppers, The White Stripes, U2, and a select number of yellow-ized musical artists, The Decemberists have revealed that they will guest as themselves during the new fall season of The Simpsons. More

Listen: The Decemberists - “One Engine”

Off the Soundtrack for The Hunger Games

Feb 13, 2012

As mentioned earlier this year, The Decemberists are among a number of notable musical artists contributing to the soundtrack of The Hunger Games’ star-studded film adaptation. More

The Decemberists Announce First Live Album

Titled We All Raise Our Voices To The Air

Jan 12, 2012

The Decemberists have announced that they will be releasing their first live album as a follow-up to last year’s studio work The King Is Dead. More

Jan 03, 2012

Just as the Twilight films have done in years past, the upcoming adaptation of The Hunger Games is tapping into its audience’s rabid fandom by putting together a soundtrack featuring chart-topping names and high-profile indie artists. More

Nov 02, 2011

Here are the streams for upcoming albums from The Decemberists, The Beach Boys, Phantogram and Laura Veirs. More

Oct 28, 2011

Check out the new track from The Decemberists (found on the Long Live the King EP). More

Watch: The Decemberists Play Austin City Limits

Down by the Water/Calamity Song

Oct 20, 2011

Check out The Decemberists at Austin City Limits. We have the video. More

Under the Radar Magazine Announces 10th Anniversary Issue Featuring Joanna Newsom and Fleet Foxes

Plus: Paul Rudd vs. The Divine Comedy, plus interviews with Broadcast, Grandaddy, The Flaming Lips, Bat For Lashes, Rilo Kiley, Broken Social Scene, and much more

Oct 19, 2011

Under the Radar is excited to announce the release of the indie music and entertainment print magazine’s 10th Anniversary Issue which hits newsstands next week. The extra-sized 10th Anniversary Issue features cover artists Joanna Newsom and Fleet Foxes Robin Pecknold together in an exclusive photo shoot and joint interview. Exclusive video taken during the cover shoot of Robin Pecknold and Joanna Newsom arm wrestling can be found here. More

Watch: The Decemberists - “Calamity Song” Video

Directed Michael Schur, co-creator of Parks and Recreation

Aug 22, 2011

Still riding high off the success of their latest full-length The King Is Dead, The Decemberists have been unveiled a fitting, word-nerd music video for the track “Calamity Song.” More

Aug 17, 2011

Check out photos from Day Three of the Outside Lands Festival, held in the historic Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, CA. The gallery includes photos of Arcade Fire, The Decemberists, tUnE-yArDs, Little Dragon, Beirut, Junip, !!!, Lord Huron and Major Lazer. More

Watch: The Decemberists Cover Sugar

Part of the AV Undercover Project

Aug 09, 2011

The AV Club recently invited The Decemberists into the studio. We have the video. More

Wye Oak Announce More Tour Dates

Opening Dates For The Decemberists, The National, Okkervil River and More

Jul 27, 2011

Wye Oak has announced more fall tour dates in support of March release, Civilian. More

First Chapters of Colin Meloy’s “Wildwood” Released

Cover Designed by Meloy's Wife, Artist Carson Ellis

Jul 22, 2011

The Decemberists frontman Colin Meloy and his wife, artist Carson Ellis, recently inked a book deal for their Wildwood Chronicles series, and now you can preview four chapters from the first book. We have the details. More

Premiere: Live From Nowhere Near You: Volume Two Full Album Stream

Rare and Unreleased Songs from Elliott Smith, Ryan Adams, Bright Eyes, James Mercer, Modest Mouse, Wilco, and much more

Jul 19, 2011

Last week Under the Radar premiered an unreleased Ryan Adams song, “Shine Through the Dark,” and now we’re pleased to premiere a full stream of the album it’s taken from —the 64-track charity compilation Live From Nowhere Near You: Volume Two, which is out today via Greyday Records. The album features rare and unreleased tracks from the likes of Elliott Smith, Bright Eyes (featuring Spoon’s Britt Daniel), The Shins’ James Mercer, Modest Mouse, Wilco, Daniel Johnston, The Helio Sequence, Blue Giant (featuring members of Sleater-Kinney, The Decemberists, and Viva Voce), and much more. More

Jul 19, 2011

The Decemberists recently hit up the iTunes studios to record and exclusive live session. We have the tracklist. More

Okkervil River Announces Additional Fall Tour Dates

“Your Past Life as a Blast” to be Released on 7”

Jul 06, 2011

Okkervil River have announced they will be extending their fall tour dates in support of their May release, I Am Very Far. More

May 04, 2011

Sad news from The Decemberists today. Keyboardist/accordionist Jenny Conlee (a member of the band since day one) has been diagnosed with breast cancer. We have the details. More

Apr 14, 2011

The Decemberists revealed this gem today—a video for The King is Dead cut, “This is Why We Fight.” We have the video. More

Arcade Fire, Phish, Muse Headline Outside Lands 2011 Fest

Lineup Also Includes The Black Keys and MGMT, Among Others

Apr 11, 2011

Outside Lands recruits a solid lineup for their 2011 fest. We have the details. More

Mar 07, 2011

The Decemberists have added June dates to their never-ending jaunt in support of new album The King is Dead. We have the dates and info on their Record Store Day exclusives. More

The Decemberists Want You to Make a Slideshow

Mix Photos Shot by Autumn De Wilde

Mar 03, 2011

The Decemberists are getting interactive. The band is offering fans a chance to mix up beautiful black and white photos shot by Autumn De Wilde to create the ultimate slideshow/music video. More

Feb 16, 2011

Colin Meloy (The Decemberists), James Mercer (The Shins/Broken Bells), and Corin Tucker (Sleater-Kinney/Corin Tucker) stopped by the not-quite so real world of Portlandia—a sketch show written by Saturday Night Live’sFred Armisen and Sleater-Kinney/Wild Flag’s Carrie Brownstein. More

Feb 15, 2011

Celebrating its 10th anniversary, the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival’s four-day entertainment extravaganza has unveiled its 2011 lineup. More

Under the Radar Announces Winter 2011 Issue and Death Cab for Cutie Cover

Issue Includes Interviews with R.E.M., Bright Eyes, The Decemberists, Cut Copy, Jens Lekman, Okkervil River, Panda Bear, Lykke Li, Iron and Wine, Elbow, Duran Duran, Destroyer, and more

Feb 11, 2011

Under the Radar’s Winter 2011 issue is about to hit stands. The cover features Death Cab for Cutie, who gave writer Matt Fink insight into the band’s forthcoming album, Codes and Keys (due out in May). The issue also includes interviews with Bright Eyes, British Sea Power, The Dears, The Decemberists, Destroyer, The Dodos, Duran Duran,Elbow, Iron and Wine, Lykke Li, R.E.M., Telekinesis, Toro Y Moi, The Antlers, The Big Pink, Cymbals Eat Guitars, Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros, Jens Lekman, Okkervil River, Panda Bear, Vivian Girls, Anna Calvi, Porcelain Raft, Smith Westerns, Yuck, and more.

More

Feb 07, 2011

Still got The Decemberistsnumber one album, The King is Dead on repeat? Craving more? A new kids song and a late night performance simply not enough for you? How ‘bout some tour dates? More

The Decemberists Take on “Yo Gabba Gabba”

Teaching Adults and Kids Alike

Feb 02, 2011

While new Decemberists album The King is Dead has listeners flexing their S.A.T. vocab skills, Colin Meloy and the gang are also setting out to teach kids on a new episode of Yo Gabba Gabba. We have the clip. More

The Decemberists Hit #1

Congratulations to Our Favorite Literary Band!

Jan 26, 2011

Today, The Decemberists charted their first career number one with new album, The King is Dead. More

The Decemberists Take On Leno

Band Plays “Down By The Water”

Jan 21, 2011

The Decemberists stopped by The Tonight Show With Jay Leno last night to play The King is Dead cut, “Down By The Water.” More

Listen to New Decemberists Now

The King is Dead! Long Live The Decemberists!

Jan 03, 2011

Just in time to spruce up your first day back in the office, NPR is offering up a first listen of sixth Decemberists full-length, The King is Dead. More

The Decemberists Drop Exclusive 7” Single

Band Also Scheduled Additional New York Show

Dec 13, 2010

The indie folk-rock outfit releases limited edition 7” single of “January Hymn,” a track off upcoming LP The King Is Dead. More

The Decemberists Plot Possible Musical

Collaboration in the Works With American Idiot Director Michael Mayer

Dec 08, 2010

The Decemberists have never been ones to shy away from the big expression. Heck, their last full-length The Hazards of Love was a multi-part, rock opera. It doesn’t get bigger than that. Now the expressive Portlanders are taking their theatrics to the stage. More

The Decemberists Play Conan

The King Is Dead!

Nov 19, 2010

Last night, The Decemberists took the stage at Conan. With a little help from Gillian Welch, the Portland-based band played “Down by the Water”—a cut from forthcoming album, The King Is Dead. More

The Decemberists Plan 2011 Tour

The Party Begins January 25, 2011

Nov 15, 2010

The Decemberists are hitting the road in 2011 in support of forthcoming album, The King is Dead (out January 18, via Capitol Records).

More

Nov 11, 2010

The Decemberists’ previously announced new album The King is Dead got an extra dose of visuals today when the band released the album art. More

The Decemberists Announce Details of New LP, Release New MP3

Record Features R.E.M.'s Peter Buck, and Presumably Arcane References to Russian Literature

Nov 02, 2010

The Decemberists are set to release their new LP in January 2011. We have the details, along with a widget link to a brand new track from the album. More

The Decemberists Play Three New Songs at Bumbershoot

“Down by the Water,” “June Hymn,” and “Rise to Me”

Sep 10, 2010

Last weekend at Bumbershoot, The Decemberists (who have been in the studio hard at work on follow up to 2009 rock opera, The Hazards of Love) surprised the audience, debuting three new songs “Down by the Water,” “June Hymn,” and “Rise to Me. More

May 14, 2010

Sad but true, sometimes you can have too much of a good thing. Well, sad for us that is. Swamped with back issues—which I’m all sure we can agree is a good thing—Under the Radar is passing them on to you with a sale on selected issues. The question is, can you have too much of a good thing? We’re offering two dollars off most available back issues! More

The Decemberists Announce April 30th Benefit In Astoria Oregon, Record With Peter Buck

Artist Jessica Schleif Able to Pay Medical Bills…With a Little Help From Her Friends

Apr 01, 2010

When Oregon-based artist Jessica Schleif was left with a pile of medical bills, her friends The Decemberists came riding to the rescue. On April 30th the band will be playing their only scheduled date this year at the Liberty Theater in Astoria with all proceeds benefiting her recovery. More

The Decemberists Get Animated In New Album-Length Video

Here Come the Waves: The Hazards of Love Visualized Out December 1st

Nov 19, 2009

After a cohesive concept album and ambitious stage show, what’s left? If you’re The Decemberists, why not make a movie? Their effort arrives December 1st. More

Oct 14, 2009

Still basking in the glow of summer memories of Bonnaroo? How about finding a little bit of that festival cheer in your Christmas stocking? Beginning December 15th, you’ll get your chance to make that dream a reality with a Live From Bonnaroo 2009 DVD. More

Aug 05, 2009

The Decemberists and Andrew Bird played a show in Portland, OR on July 18th. Photographer Michele Yamamoto was there to capture the action. Check out the full gallery of photos of The Decemberists here, and Andrew Bird here. More

Jul 28, 2009

Here to usher you into the waning summer months and nearly through the whole of autumn are a slew of recently announced tours from indie luminaries to hip hop incendiaries. Spanning from August to November, east to west, there’s sure to be something near you. New tour dates announced for The Decemberists, Mos Def, The Mars Volta, Ray LaMontagne, Nurses, Bell X1, and Wavves. More

The Flaming Lips and MGMT Top 3rd Annual Treasure Island Fest Lineup

Plus The Decemberists, Beirut, The Streets, Grizzly Bear, Girl Talk, Yo La Tengo and Dan Deacon

Jul 13, 2009

It’s official: MGMT and the Flaming Lips will headline the two days of Noise Pop and Another Planet Entertainment‘s third annual Treasure Island Music Festival, to be held in the midst of San Francisco’s beautiful Indian Summer, Oct. 17-18. Plus The Decemberists, Beirut, The Streets, Grizzly Bear, Girl Talk, Yo La Tengo, The Walkmen, Dan Deacon, others set to play. More

Austin City Limits Festival 2009 Lineup Announced

Over 130 Acts In 3 Days, including The Dead Weather, Sonic Youth, Grizzly Bear, Lily Allen, and The Decemberists

Apr 29, 2009

Though the early bird 3-day passes have been sold out since last year, the preliminary lineup for the Austin City Limits Music Festival has only recently been announced. More

Isn’t It A Lovely Night for the Decemberists?

More tour dates have been announced along with a Colbert Report appearance

Apr 14, 2009

In support of their most epic release to date, The Decemberists have announced a bulk of the second leg of the “A Short Fazed Hovel” 2009 tour. More



Interviews

Dec 09, 2021

Colin Meloy, front person and principle songwriter for the Pacific Northwest-based indie band The Decemberists, says he grew up admiring artists who were vocal about their politics. Now, as an adult, Meloy says he intentionally uses his platform to speak his mind on issues important to him. Today, that means speaking out about neuro diversity. More

May 14, 2018

A little ways south of his longtime home of Portland, OR, Colin Meloy has spent the past four years living on a five acre farmstead with his wife and two sons. Listed on the historic registry, the property dates all the way back to the mid-19th century. More

Winning to Lose: The Indie Rock Revolution a Decade and a Half Later

Paul Banks, Wayne Coyne, Kevin Drew, Black Francis, Ben Gibbard, Jens Lekman, Murray Lightburn, Colin Meloy, Nina Persson, Laetitia Sadier, and More on Indie Rock's Identity Crisis

Mar 20, 2017

In 2001, when Under the Radar‘s first issue was released, the music industry had reached a transitional moment. In January, Apple introduced its iTunes program to the world, laying the groundwork to forever change how listeners interfaced with their music. More

A Decade of Indie: The Rise of the Outsiders

A Discussion with Geoff Barrow, Isaac Brock, Wayne Coyne, Bradford Cox, Black Francis, Scott Kannberg, Jason Lytle, Mac McCaughan, Colin Meloy, and Chris Walla

Nov 10, 2009

Though it’s reputed to be the most widely spoken musical language in the world today, rock and roll was born on the margins. More


Reviews

Mar 14, 2018

The Decemberists’ allure has always been their ability to sweep the listener away from the doldrums of everyday life into an enchanting universe where old-world characters merged with new-world musical motifs. More

Dec 09, 2016

Ten years ago, Colin Meloy and his merry band of murder balladeers broke out from the indie label circuit with their Capitol Records debut, The Crane Wife. By that point, we all knew The Decemberists as a quirky Portland outfit with a flare for folk-tinged storytelling and a particular appeal to bookish liberal arts majors. More

Jan 16, 2015

Terrible World is the band’s first studio LP since 2011’s The King Is Dead, and it reveals a band older, wiser, and less reliant on the quirks and gimmicks of earlier releases (see: “The Crane Wife” parts 1-3, “The Mariner’s Revenge Song,”The Hazards of Love, et al). In place of that are more intricate arrangements, more varied tempos and song structures, and subject matter befitting musicians now firmly in middle age. More

Nov 23, 2011

The Decemberists’ last album, The King is Dead, was a deliberately ramshackle affair. Inspired by Peter Buck’s mandolin and Gillian Welch’s off-key harmonizing, the nasal-voiced, hyper-literate Colin Meloy and his band of merry noisemakers stripped their prog-leaning sound way back to an Americana core. More

Jan 17, 2011

The Decemberists have never been shy about their Anglophilia, their early releases often marked by dark, Victorian tales. More

Jan 27, 2010

The Decemberists’ 2009 album The Hazards of Love now has an animated album-length video companion, one that brings to mind those ‘60s and ‘70s rock ‘n’ roll films that were often watched with chemical enhancement. More

Nov 02, 2009

UCLA’s Royce Hall is a beautiful little venue. Ornately decorated, acoustically lush and comfortable in size, the theater lends itself well to all manner of performances. And on October 19th, Portland’s The Decemberists brought their fun blur of theater and rock show to the hall. More

May 26, 2009

As anyone who has been to a Decemberists show can testify, a show is certainly ensured. This year’s The Hazards of Love, which acts more like a rock opera than all previous endeavors, was presented last Tuesday night on its own terms. With minimal stagecraft, The Decemberists performed Hazards in its entirety in their first set and a mixed bag in its second. More

Mar 19, 2009

If Colin Meloy has, up to this point, written four full albums worth of excellent short stories, The Hazards of Love is his first crack at a novel. More