Pitchfork

Earlimart are known for a few things-- palling around with the late Elliott Smith, a deft wit in the title department, being pretty good-- but they're not exactly renowned for their prolificacy. In fact, in their decade or so of existence, they've averaged about one album every two years, and the space between 2004's Treble & Tremble and last year's Mentor Tormentor was-- as you math majors have already worked out-- three years.

But that may well be changing. Having pared their lineup down to a two-piece for their last LP, Aaron Espinoza and Ariana Murray crafted its follow up, Hymn and Her, "rather quickly," and expect to have it out July 1on the Shout! Factory subsidiary Majordomo. What's more, the pair have made a vow to "release at least one record every fiscal year for the next 10 years. Or, unless Aaron and Ari decide that they don't want to," according to a press release. Cheeky.

Still, this fiscal year, we'll get Hymn and Her, recorded at the band's very own Ship Studio in Eagle Rock, CA. Due perhaps to its more spontaneous creation, the disc is described as the band's most "organic and diverse" set yet. Oh, sure, that's what you'll be telling us about the follow-up come tax time next year.

You'll have plenty of chances to sneak a peek at Hymn and Her at next week's SXSW. Beyond that, there's nothing in the way of tour plans, though between Austin and the album's release, "Ari will be busy writing her first musical 'Hop Sing'......some sorta kung fu/bob fosse thing............i'll be busy with volunteer work at the gas station......and working on my moustache............," according to a MySpace post from Espinoza.

Hymn and Her:

01 Song For
02 Face Down in the Right Town
03 Before It Gets Better
04 For the Birds
05 God Loves You the Best
06 Great Heron Gates
07 Cigarettes and Kerosene
08 Teeth
09 Logically Follow
10 Hymn and Her
11 Town Where You Belong
12 Tell Me

Earlimart:

03-12 Austin, TX - Austin Convention Center (Blaze TV SXSW broadcast)
03-13 Austin, TX - Antone's (Spaceland SXSW party)
03-14 Austin, TX - Salvage Vanguard Theater (Porchlight Pop Fest)
03-14 Austin, TX - Buffalo Billiards (SXSW showcase)
03-15 Austin, TX - Ear Studios (WOXY SXSW broadcast)
03-15 Austin, TX - Homeslice Pizza (SXSW party)