Pitchfork

[Posted Tuesday, October 7th, 2003 04:00:00 Pitchfork Central Time]

Presently, there are two painfully enchanting women packing their bags somewhere in Omaha. Tucking away guitars and keyboards and adorable knit sweaters in elegant vintage suitcases, Orenda Fink and Maria Taylor, the most delicate and serene of the Saddle Creek stable, are preparing to depart on a tour of gargantuan proportions in support of their forthcoming album, Hold On Love.

As recently reported by the 'Fork, the new release, which comes directly on the heels of the band's September single "The Drinks We Drank Last Night," is heralded by Saddle Creek Records as a logical evolution of the band's musical approach, an album which still boasts the ethereality that characterized their earlier output, but rounds the sound out a tad as well. But don't take the label's word for it. Chances are, with their expansive touring schedule, Azure Ray will be coming to a dusty watering hole or venue near you sometime in the near future. Spanning three calendar months and several time zones, the quickly approaching 43-date tour will see the wintry Azure Ray hawking new material in select European cities and all over the U.S.of A. So, put on a scarf and your best crying pants and run out to catch some halting beauty this winter! The dates:

10-17 Gothenburg, Sweden - Pusterviksbaren (w/ Pernice Brothers)
10-18 Malmo, Sweden - KB (w/ Arab Strap)
10-19 Hamburg, Germany - Molotow
10-20 Detmold, Germany - Alte Pauline
10-22 Berlin, Germany - Magnet
10-23 Frankfurt, Germany - Dreikoenigskeller
10-24 Milan, Italy - La Casa 139
10-25 Terramo, Italy - Galadhrim
10-27 Amsterdam, Holland - Paradiso
10-28 Nottingham, England - The Social
10-29 London, England - 93 Feet East
10-31 Bristol, England - Polish Club (w/ Nina Nastasia)
11-01 London, England - Rota
11-05 St. Paul, MN - Turf Club
11-06 Des Moines, IA - Vaudeville Mews
11-07 Chicago, IL - The Abbey
11-08 Detroit, MI - Magic Stick
11-09 Cleveland, OH - Grog Shop
11-10 Cincinnati, OH - Southgate House
11-12 Philadelphia, PA - Khyber
11-13 Brooklyn, NY - Northsix
11-14 Boston, MA - Middle East
11-15 New York, NY - Knitting Factory
11-16 Washington, D.C. - Black Cat
11-17 Baltimore, MD - Ottobar
11-19 Wilmington, NC - Soapbox
11-20 Carrboro, NC - Cats Cradle
11-21 Atlanta, GA - The Earl
11-22 Athens, GA - 40 Watt
11-24 Birmingham, AB - Zydeco
11-25 Baton Rouge, LA - Red Star
11-27 Houston, TX - TBA
11-28 Denton, TX - Rubber Gloves
11-29 Austin, TX - Emo's
12-01 Tucson, AZ - Solar Culture
12-03 Los Angeles, CA - Troubadour
12-04 San Diego, CA - Casbah
12-05 Pomona, CA - Glass House
12-06 San Francisco, CA - Bottom of the Hill
12-08 Portland, OR - Berbati's Pan
12-09 Seattle, WA - TBA
12-12 Denver, CO - Larimer Lounge
12-13 Omaha, NE - Sokol Underground