The Vancouver music scene contributed the members which became The New Pornographers. Whether a sly dig at preacher Jimmy Swaggart’s claim that rock and roll was the “new pornography,” or inspired by a Japanese film, singer A. C. Newman’s choice has stood the test of time.
The indie rock supergroup has become known for their ambitious takes on classic pop. Their debut album, “Mass Romantic” dropped in the fall of 2000. The band’s membership roster: Daniel Bejar (guitar, vocals, keyboards), Neko Case (guest vocalist), Blaine Thurier (cartoonist and film maker), John Collins (producer, bass), Todd Fancey (guitar), Kurt Dahle (drummer), A.C. Newman (vocals, composer), Fisher Rose (drummer) and Kathryn Calder (keyboards, vocals).
Twin Cinema was released in 2005 and garnered a good deal of critical praise, receiving near-perfect rankings from such influential outlets as Rolling Stone and Pitchfork.
Their seventh album Whiteout Conditions released on April 7th, 2017. The station is also playing the song, “Whiteout Conditions.”The album is the first to feature drummer Joe Seiders as a full-time member after replacing drummer Kurt Dahle in mid-2014. It is also the first New Pornographers album not to feature Dan Bejar. On November 29, 2018, A.C. Newman announced via Twitter that he had begun work on a future New Pornographers album. On August 2, 2019, the band announced via Twitter that it would release its new album, In the Morse Code of Brake Lights, on September 27, and released its first single from the album, “Falling Down the Stairs of Your Smile”. In a press release for the album, Dan Bejar is described as a “former (and possibly future) member” of the band. The new press photos for the band include vocalist/violinist Simi Stone, officially inducting her into the band after being an auxiliary touring member since 2015.
In July 2021, the band announced a North American tour where they would play Mass Romantic and Twin Cinema in full across simultaneous nights, as well as a reissue of Mass Romantic on vinyl. This announcement also confirmed the return of Bejar to the band, as well as the departure of both Thurier and Stone.
On January 9, 2023, A.C. Newman announced via Twitter that the band had moved to a new label, Merge Records, alongside announcing the band’s new album Continue as Guest, a new single from the album “Really, Really Light” and a new tour starting in April. The band’s new press photos confirmed Bejar’s second departure from the group – although he has a co-writing credit on “Really, Really Light”
All part of the 50 years of rock, blues and more from K-ZAP 93.3 FM and streaming at K-ZAP.org.
Discography:
Mass Romantic (2000)
Electric Version (2003)
Twin Cinema (2005)
Challengers (2007)
Together (2010)
Brill Bruisers (2014)
Whiteout Conditions (2017)
The Morse Code of Brake Lights(2019)
Continue As Guest (2023)
Sacramento’s K-ZAP 93.3 FM plays The New Pornographers . All part of 50 years of Rock, Blues and More, 24-7 on our station’s stream at K-ZAP.ORG/LISTEN/
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