Pitchfork

Attention Craig Finn (and former GBV) groupies: It's time to restock the Miller Lite, as well-lubricated Minneapolis outfit the Hold Steady have recently announced a string of new live dates in continuing support of its 2005 sophomore LP Separation Sunday. The band previously toured throughout the U.S. earlier this summer and currently have 19 dates stretching from September through early November. And as the group's previous 2005 outing saw a number of sellout performances-- fans might want to think about dusting off that Episode III camping gear again and staking claim to a cozy slab of box office pavement. Dates:

09-09 New Britain, CT - Central Connecticut University
09-17 New York, NY - CBGB'S (Frenchkiss Records Showcase)
09-30 Hoboken, NJ - Maxwells
10-01 Lexington, VA - Washington & Lee University Outdoor Fest
10-10 Fargo, ND - VFW Hall
10-11 Winnipeg, Manitoba - West End Cultural Center
10-15 Seattle, WA - Neumo's
10-16 Portland, OR - Berbati's Pan
10-17 Eugene, OR - WOW Hall
10-18 San Francisco, CA - Great American Music Hall
10-20 Los Angeles, CA - Knitting Factory
10-22 San Diego, CA - The Casbah
10-23 Tuscon, AZ - Plush
10-25 Denver, CO - Larimer Lounge
10-27 Columbia, MO - Mojos
10-28 Chicago, IL - Logan Square Auditorium
10-30 Minneapolis, MN - First Avenue
11-05 Cambridge, MA - The Middle East
11-07 New York, NY - Webster Hall

In other Hold Steady news, both the band and their Separation Sunday track "Stevie Nix" are currently featured in the web-only "college life" series "Odds Against 7even", which began streaming weekly episodes last month. And yes, the multi-chapter show is produced by retail giant Target, but before your indie-lovin' eyes glaze over with dollar signs, guitarist Tad Kubler spoke to Pitchfork about the band's participation in the online series during a recent interview with Brian Howe:

"The kind of campaign that they're doing, it's hard to know how that will translate to the band, in terms of profile stuff, record sales, or more people coming to our shows. Because Craig and I are older, how many times do you think we've heard, 'This record is great, you guys are going to be huge!' But this kind of stuff is really helpful in terms of enjoying what you're doing and being in the moment. It's not like I'm looking for places to buy in Manhattan now because we're on the Target website."

The web series also features a number of other high-profile Pitchfork heroes, including tracks from Bloc Party (who contributed the theme song), Stars, British Sea Power, the Black Keys, and Super Furries frontman Gruff Rhys. We can smell a line of pre-faded Yo La Tengo and Bright Eyes shirts hitting the racks any day now.

* The Hold Steady: