Pitchfork

If Devone Hynes-- formerly of Test Icicles and presently, by himself, Lightspeed Champion-- isn't certifiable, he's certainly got us fooled. Certifiably talented, that is! One gander at the video for "Galaxy of the Lost" (which the folks at Domino will issue as a UK single July 16 July 30) and you realize there are at least two parts smart for every dollop of madness. The single will be backed with "Waiting Game", which is what curious fans will have to play for, like, two more weeks.

Hynes has his next couple UK moves planned as well. A second single, "Midnight Surprise", is due October 22, while a third, "Tell Me What It's Worth", arrives January 8 of next year. Expect the album, Falling Off the Lavender Bridge, to drop at last on January 21 overseas.

Lightspeed Champion has a handful of mostly UK dates on the way this summer. How exactly a dude from something-core coulda-beens Test Icicles wound up opening for Bright Eyes and Final Fantasy I'll never understand (although working with Mike Mogis in Omaha probably has something to do with it). But, perhaps, therein lies the true greatness of the Champion.

Champ:

07-02 Paris, France - Batacian *
07-03 London, England - Shepherd's Bush Empire *
07-04 London, England - Shepherd's Bush Empire *
07-05 London, England - TBA
07-06 Birmingham, England - Birmingham Academy *
07-07 London, England - TBA
07-14 Manchester, England - Manchester University Student Union #
07-19 London, England - 229
08-04 Norfolk, England - Kimberly Hall (Tales of the Jackalope Fest)
08-05 London, England - Shoreditch Music Festival
08-10 London, England - Victoria Park (Underage Festival)
08-11 London, England - Victoria Park (Field Day Festival)
09-03 Leeds, England - Leeds Faversham ^
09-05 Manchester, England - Manchester University ^
09-06 London, England - ULU ^

* with Bright Eyes
# with Final Fantasy
^ with Tilly and the Wall