Norfolk & Western

Norfolk & Western serves up Dinero Severo

Big news from The Norfolk & Western camp:

After spending the better part of the year touring with other folks (Adam with M. Ward, Rachel with Jolie Holland & Mirah, Dave with Jolie Holland & Loch Lomond), we have completed our record and are driving to your town! (Depending on where you live).

Regardless of your whereabouts, we are proud to share with you our new album Dinero Severo.

And they mean it.  Head on over to norfolkandwestern.org to stream the new album in its entirety, basking in it’s dulcet tones and occasional, well placed cacophony. (All you need to do is sign up for their newsletter.)

We recorded it over the last couple of years, mostly in our hometown of Portland save for a few songs which were tracked in Puerto de Santa Maria, Spain. See, not only the fancy bands get to eat Manchego, drink copious amounts of Spanish wine and roam the beaches where Columbus set sail to discover India.
We will be streaming the record here on our website through October while we head out on tour with Mirah.

Tour Dates (w/ Mirah)

09-30 Fargo, ND The Aquarium
10-01 Minneapolis, MN Cedar Cultural Centre
10-02 Madison, WI Orpheum Theater – Stage Door
10-03 Chicago, IL Shubas (2 shows)
10-04 Detroit, MI The Guardian Building
10-06 Toronto, ON The Mod Club
10-07 Montreal, QC Il Motore
10-08 Burlington, VT Higher Ground Lounge
10-09 Somerville, MA Somerville Theater
10-10 New York, NY Bowery Ballroom
10-11 Philadelphia, PA World Cafe Live Upstairs
10-12 Charlottesville, VA The Southern
10-14 Decatur, GA Eddie’s Attic
10-15 Nashville, TN Mercy Lounge
10-16 St. Louis, MO Biliken Club
10-17 Lawrence, KS Jackpot Saloon
10-19 Denver, CO Walnut Room
10-21 Salt Lake City, UT In the Venue
10-22 Garden City, ID Visual Arts Collective
10-24 Portland, OR The Woods

What’s New Norfolk?

photo: Chad Crouch

Norfolk and Western have been stirring. They revealed a cavalcade of new songs at their recent sold out show at The Doug Fir which have been recently committed to tape at The Type Foundry Studio, and a session in Spain. Willamette Week leaked the descriptively named (take a breath) track “Sue and The Short Order Cook From Chesterfield” about a month back. I think the band would like you to bear in mind that this is an unfinished, unmastered version.

“Sue and The Short Order Cook From Chesterfield”

We’d also like to draw attention to a gem of wax which was released just last summer. Norfolk & Western and Graves interpret the classic NW doo-wop of The Fleetwoods in the six song Fleetwoods Hack. Go buy one now (only 9 bux! with a hand-letterpressed cover!). Issued by the Olympia upstart PIAPTK, this 10″ vinyl release (or CDr for $6 if you, gasp, don’t spin wax) is a satisfying and sweet tribute. Fleetwoods who? Trust me you know. Their hits “Come Softly To Me” and “Mr. Blue” were #1 hits in 1959: indeed, they hold the distinction of being the first band ever to top the Billboard Charts twice in a single year. (Factoids!) And, The Fleetwoods were just high school kids from Olympia, Wa. that composed their songs as A Capellas. They didn’t play instruments!

The following track was available at the fine blog Cable and Tweed (so we’re presuming it to be free’n’legal): Norfolk & Western with The Graves -“Mr. Blue”

While we’re shining spotlights on things past, why not post that Hinah Gift Session from way, way, way back in 2002 with Peace Harbor. It’s a sweet one:

1 – Norfolk & Western “No Else Where He Can Go”
2 – Adam Selzer “Far From My Lair”
3 – Norfolk & Western “A Marriage Proposal”
4 – Norfolk & Western “Final Gratitude”
5 – Norfolk & Western “Of Divided Night”
6 – Peace Harbor “Torch Song”
7 – Peace Harbor “In My Room”

Word on the street is Norfolk & Western are taking the pick of the litter from recent and future sessions for the next album release. The name, track list, and release date are all TBD.

Thankfully they will be sharing some of these tasty morsels with us in April on tour in the West with the engaging and amiable Weinland