Christopher Paul Stelling

“False Cities” Out Now

Just days after returning from his first European tour, Christopher Paul Stelling releases his new album False Cities today. Already lauded by SPIN, False Cities sets a more aggressive tone at its onset than last year’s debut, Songs of Praise and Scorn, but soon comes full circle with a seamless melding of both fiery hell raisers and tender ballads.

Listen here (and be sure to get yourself a copy on vinyl):

Today also sees the release of the official video for first single, “Brick x Brick,” premiered by Paste Magazine. The video was made by Stelling’s good friend, John Christopher Alberico and shot during a southern tour to SXSW and back earlier this year. Both the song and video capture the terror and beauty of highway travel, and a relentless pursuit of ones livelyhood in spite of it all. Shot in Texas, New Orleans, Alabama, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, New York, and then edited whilst on this most recent European tour, this is a video so rich and riddled with imagery it will most certainly require multiple viewings to obsorb.

In his typical fashion Stelling will spend the majority of this summer and fall on a seemingly endless tour, including stops at Bunburry Festival, Floyd Festival, and a pre- Newport Folk Festival show with friends Joe Fletcher and the Low Anthem.

TOUR DATES

6/06 – The Living Room – New York, NY
6/07 – Tin Angel – Philadelphia, PA
6/11 – Cafe Nine – New Haven, CT
6/12 – Local 121 – Providence, RI
6/13 – The Oak & The Ax – Biddeford, ME
6/14 – Radio Bean – Burlington, VT
6/17 – Divan Orange – Montreal, QC
6/18 – Horseshoe Tavern – Toronto, ONT
6/20 – Abilene Bar & Lounge – Rochester, NY
6/27 – Harvest Gallery Wine Bar – Dennis, MA
7/10 – Eddie’s Attic – Decatur, GA
7/11 – The Bluebird Cafe – Nashville, TN
7/13 – Bunbury Music Festival – Cincinnati, OH
7/16 – Rozz Tox – Rock Island, IL
7/17 – Shitty Barn Sessions – Spring Green, WI
7/18 – Thursdays on First and Third – Rochester, MN
7/20 – The Ace Bar – Chicago, IL
7/21 – The Milwaukee Opry – Milwaukee, WI
7/23 – Rumba Cafe – Columbus, OH
7/25 – Newport Blues Cafe – Newport, RI (Festival kickoff w/ The Low Anthem, Joe Fletcher & The Wrong Reasons)
7/26 – Floyd Fest at Blue Bow Pavilion – Floyd, VA
7/27 – Floyd Fest at Blue Bow Pavilion – Floyd, VA
8/16 – BSP Lounge – Kingston, NY

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Spin Debuts Christopher Paul Stelling’s New Single “Brick x Brick” / False Cities LP Available May 21st

Today was an extremely proud day for Mecca Lecca. Christopher Paul Stelling’s new single “Brick x Brick” debuted on Spin.com, who said of the track,

“…if you’re on the look for some high-energy Americana (that’s actually from America), let this songwriting guide you to greener pastures than those recently visited by the Grammys.”

We all know that nothing in this world is permanent, but often like to ignore this universal fact as we go about our days. Brooklyn, NY-based (by way of countless other places) songwriter Christopher Paul Stelling, it seems, is turning this truth into his fruitful inspiration. It’s what keeps him going and perhaps what keeps him happy, knowing that we have to try as hard as we can and express all that we can in any given day, no matter the cost.

Having released his debut record, Songs of Praise and Scorn, last year to a flurry of critical praise, Stelling now presents us with his follow-up, False Cities, to be released on May 21, 2013 via Mecca Lecca Recording Co (US)/Dollartone (CAN/EU). Even more so than his debut, this is a record with teeth. It holds on desperately in spite of it all, relentless in both angst and tenderness. Stelling has certainly brought his gothic folk stylings to a further realization on his latest effort. All vinyl & CD pre-orders made through Stelling’s Bandcamp will come with an immediate digital download — over a full month before street date! Listen to the firey lead single, “Brick x Brick,” courtesy of Spin HERE.

Stelling spent the majority of 2012 on the road, and with the coming of False Cities, he seems as determined as ever to continue in the way troubadours like him have done for centuries. Persistent and solemn, in spite of it all, but without despondency, he keeps in eager pursuit of his song and his truth. Stay tuned for a fully expanded tour schedule.

TOUR DATES

April 04 – Cafe Nine – New Haven, CT (w/ Spirit Family Reunion)

April 11 – Rockwood Music Hall (Stage 2) – New York, NY (w/ Houndmouth)

April 18 – Cedar Crest College – Allentown, PA

April 25 – Heimathafen im Pools – Gottingen, Germany (w/ Ha Ha Tonka)

April 26 – Roots On The Road – Spijkerboor, Netherlands (w/ Ha Ha Tonka)

April 28 – De Oude Rechtbank – Eindhoven, Netherlands

April 29 – Queensday Festival – Venlo, Netherlands

April 30 – De Nodige Deugd – Moorslede, Belgium

May 01 – Cowboy Up – Waardamme, Belgium

May 02 – Kaffee ‘t Hof – Middelburg, Netherlands

May 03 – Groninger Museum – Groningen, Netherlands

May 05 – Communion show at Notting Hill Arts Club – London, UK

May 07 – Woodburner – London UK (w/ John Fairhurst)

May 11 – Magic Garden Pub – London, UK (w/ John Fairhurst)

May 14 – Golden Lion – Bristol, UK (w/ John Fairhurst)

July 13 – Bunbury Music FestivalCincinnati, OH

July 17 – Shitty Barn Sessions – Spring Green, WI

July 18 – Thursdays on First and Third – Rochester, MN

July 26 – Floyd Fest – Floyd, VA

July 27 – Floyd Fest – Floyd, VA

 

CPS_FalseCities_cover-final1500pixels

Christopher Paul Stelling – False Cities

Release date: May 21, 2013

Label: Mecca Lecca Recording Co (US), Dollartone (CAN/EU)

Formats: LP, CD, Digital

PRE-ORDER

 

TRACK LISTING

1. Brick x Brick (mp3)

2. Who I Am

3. Every Last Extremist

4. You Can Make It

5. The Waiting Swamp

6. Free To Go

7. How Long

8. Homesick Tributaries

9. Writhing In Shambles

10. Go Your Way, Dear

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Video: Christopher Paul Stelling Performs at Last.fm CMJ Showcase

Taking a rest stop back in New York City between his seemingly endless tour dates, Christopher Paul Stelling played Last.fm’s CMJ showcase at The Living Room on October 17th. The video crew at Last.fm beautiful captured Stelling’s performance, including new song “Every Last Extremist.”

Every Last Extremist:

Flawless Executioner:

Mourning Train to Memphis:

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Christopher Paul Stelling Announces Fall Tour Dates

This past February, Christopher Paul Stelling unleashed his anticipated debut, Songs of Praise & Scorn. Writers marveled at Stelling’s combination of inspired lyrics, impassioned delivery, and dynamic finger-picked guitar theatrics. Touring relentlessly, Christopher Paul Stelling is quickly making his name part of the recent folk resurgence. To the party, Stelling brings a weathered soul with a genuine interest and profound respect for the deepest roots of folk music. With another tour right around the corner, Stelling has decided to share a free download of “Never Been There,” a staple of his most thrilling live perfomances.

“When this song and I finally found each other, it was as if finally something had clicked. Over the course of a couple of years, we evolved together. It’s a song of longing, regret, redemption, teetering forbearence, self-fulfilled prophesy, dreams and nightmares, and finally, of finding peace with the gnawing persistence of memories. It’s one of my absolute favorite songs to perform live, providing me with that cathartic release I crave from performance. Often, I have closed my sets with it, drenched in sweat, all but exhausted, sometimes in front of 5 people, sometimes in front of hundreds…. but this is the song that reminds me of why I love and need to play music.” —Christopher Paul Stelling

Buy Songs of Praise of Scorn on vinyl, cd, or mp3

 

CPS ON TOUR:
8/23- New York, NY- The Mercury Lounge. w/ Shovels and Rope
9/4- Brooklyn, NY- Glasslands Gallery. w/ The Loom, Group of Altos, Death Blues
9/6- Clinton, NY- Hamilton College: The Barn
9/6- Cambridge , MA- The Lizard Lounge w/Tall Heights
9/12- New Haven, CT- BAR
9/14- Utica, NY- Utica Music Fest
9/15- Saratoga Springs, NY- Cafe Lenna
9/17- Portsmouth, NH- The Red Door
9/22- Rochester, NY- The Bug Jar
9/23- Erie, PA- The Crooked I
9/25- Canton, OH- The Auricle
9/26- Barnesville, OH- Albert S George Youth Center.
9/27- Cincinnati, OH- MidPoint Music Festival
9/29- Chicago, IL- The Ace Bar
9/30- Dekalb, IL- Otto’s
10/2- Rock Island, IL - Rozz Tox
10/3- Spring Green, WI- Sh*tty Barn Sessions. w/ Pioneer
10/4- Minneapolis, MN- Bryant Lake Bowl
10/5- Milwaukee, WI, Frank’s Power Plant
10/6- Columbus, OH- Kerouac’s
10/8-Thomas, WV- The Purple Fiddle
10/9- Charlottesville, VA- The Garage
10/10- Richmond, VA- The Camel
10/11- Washington, DC- Ebenezers Coffeehouse

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New Video: Christopher Paul Stelling – “Every Last Extremist” (Look Session)

Christopher Paul Stelling recorded new song “Every Last Extremist” in Austin during SXSW with the good folks at Look Sessions

Shot, directed & edited by Andrea Alseri.

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