Pitchfork: Jen Wood Trio Tours Japan

Jen Wood Trio Tours Japan
Hello Kitty roadcases don't stand out as well as they should in Osaka baggage claim

There's a definite element of duality in Jen Wood's career so far. On the one hand, she's a capable and well-liked vocalist who has contributed to a plethora of respected independent bands: The Black Heart Procession, Juno, and most recently harmonizing quite sweetly with terminally heartbroken cutie Benjamin Gibbard on The Postal Service's "Nothing Better" and "Such Great Heights." On the other hand, although she's been something of a fixture on the Seattle scene for some time, both with Tattle Tale and several solo releases, she seems to have a bit of trouble keeping her albums on the market. But hey, she's in good company-- how the hell did When Your Heartstrings Break ever go out of print?

Well, now she's at it again, and this time she's getting all Juliana Hatfield on our asses, with a new EP and a supporting tour from her new outfit, the Jen Wood Trio-- featuring Tomo Nakayama and Joel Harmon of Asahi (the band, not the beer company). The self-titled EP was issued by Japan's Face Hand Shy Records this month (and can be yours for just 1,300 yen!) or you can head on over to the Missing Records website, order yourself a good old American copy, and support the economy. The Jen Wood Trio be touring Japan in support of the EP in February, after which they should be heading over to this side of the Atlantic. Or Pacific (it's a big round ball, people, just pick a side!). Anyway, here are the dates:

02-07 Osaka, Japan - Detaj (w/ Kazumi Nikaidoh, Eishi)
02-08 Kyoto, Japan - Metro (w/ Kazumi Nikaidoh, Eishi)
02-09 Fukuoka, Japan - Rooms (w/ Kazumi Nikaidoh, Kervei Heithel, The Munz)
02-11 Tokyo, Japan - Nest (w/ Sequence Pulse, Akeboshi)
02-13 Tokyo, Japan - Super Deluxe
02-14 Tokyo, Japan - Nest (w/ Kazumi Nikaidoh, Acoustic Dub Messengers)
02-15 Nagoya, Japan - Tokuzo (w/ Kazumi Nikaidoh)