"Dark Horses" lead single; "Vice Verses" release date!

EDIT: "Vice Verses" release date has been moved to September 27, 2011.

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Thanks @voiceradio for the heads up!

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According to AllAccess, a reputable radio news site, "Dark Horses" is slated to be the lead single off of "Vice Verses," and hits Modern Rock/Alternative radio August 2, 2011.



Also on the site, we have a release date for "Vice Verses!" Switchfoot's eighth studio album will be hitting stores September 20, 2011!

Mark your calendars, Footsoldiers, and be on the look out for more info right here!

2010 Holiday Package time!

For up to date (most of the time) news and original opinions before they hit the update, follow us on Twitter!

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Hey friends. It's that time of year again! Switchfoot has just unleashed their latest holiday package, and it's looking to be one of their best in quite some time. There are two options this year:




As you can see, they are both similar, save for the fact that the Deluxe package features an exclusive new hoodie in place of a t-shirt of your choice. Also, the deluxe package comes with a pair of Ultimate Ears headphones to the first 250 customers.

So if you're into that sort of thing, grab it now!

Merch Package
Deluxe Package

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For those of you wondering whether the "Eastern Hymns for Western Shores" EP will be released separately, the answer is "probably."

From Twitter:
- @switchfoot “@chrispochiba: @switchfoot can we buy the ep separately?” EP will prob be avail separately sometime in 2011, thx!

For those of you who didn't get the email newsletter for this month (yours truly included), here is an excerpt of the story behind "Eastern Hymns for Western Shores," as well as the rest of the package.

First up is something we are really excited about, a new EP called "Eastern Hymns For Western Shores". These songs were recorded during the time between "Nothing Is Sound" and "Oh! Gravity". For years the masters to these sessions were thought to be lost/stolen, but they have at last been recovered. Recorded and mixed within the same week, these six songs showcase a darker and more mysterious sound for the band, and we're excited that they will finally be heard. We went all out with the packaging for it too. Each song on the EP has it's own unique postcard and it's all wrapped up like you just picked them up from the gift shop on your travels around the world. We really hope you like it!

Also in the mix is something we've never done before... a calendar! We made a 2011 wall calendar with some of our favorite shots from the last year and it even has Switchfoot-related dates in it so you can keep up on all your Switchfoot birthdays and such.

As always we have our hand-signed limited edition Christmas Card as well. Rounding out the package is either your choice of any t-shirt in the store (standard package), or a brand-new hoodie (deluxe package) that we released just for this package!

And lastly, if you act fast, the first 250 to order the deluxe package will receive a pair of the brand new Ultimate Ears UE 100 earphones courtesy of Ultimate Ears. We are especially fond of these earphones not only because we use Ultimate Ears Custom Monitors on stage but our very own Jon Foreman is featured on the back of the UE 100 package! If you miss your chance to pick up the Ultimate Ears earphones in our Christmas package, be sure to go and like their Twitter and Facebook pages where they give away free earphones every weekday.

Thanks for making 2010 our best year ever and here's to a great 2011!

^I'm stoked to have this package. Are you?

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Oh and lastly, a fun note. Our friend Jeanna from LOBH and I helped collaborate on the creation of the calendar. Once you see it, let us know what you think!

BREAKING: Switchfoot's iTunes Session record will be available internationally on September 6!

For up to date (most of the time) news and original opinions before they hit the update, follow us on Twitter!

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That's right. Got word from management that all you international peeps will be able to download the awesome new Switchfoot "iTunes Sessions" record on September 6! Mark your calendars!

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Next, we have some chart stuff that I have obviously been slacking off on. It might have something to do with the fact there is very little in the way of movement this week.

"The Sound" sits tight at No. 10 on Alternative Songs, despite an almost 100 spin increase from last week.

"Your Love Is a Song" jumps from 39-38 on Adult Pop Songs, sticks at No. 16 on Christian CHR, and back up a spot to No. 20 on national Christian Songs.

Another fun bit of chart news, the new "iTunes Session" album was (and as of now still is) the No. 5 Alternative Album on the iTunes Store, and "Hello Hurricane" has reached back up to No. 10 on that same chart, thanks to the $8.99 deal.



The sessions disc also has reached as high as No. 22 on the overall albums chart, with "Hurricane" re-surging back up to No. 67. Needless to say, it's been a great week for Switchfoot!

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Billboard reports that Switchfoot's music and live video clips will be returning to ESPN during the 2010 college football season.

Atlantic doesn't cease to amaze with the undying support for this band. So great.

BREAKING: Switchfoot releases "iTunes Session" on (of course) iTunes

For up to date (most of the time) news and original opinions before they hit the update, follow us on Twitter!

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The Switchfoot camp is never short on surprises. Today, the band is putting out an "iTunes Sessions" record on Apple's iTunes Music Store. It's a collection of live studio recordings of some of their songs.

Before we cut to the chase, here's what the front page of iTunes looks like this morning:



Once you click into that menu, another surprise pops up:




NOT ONLY is there a brand new set of live recordings from the band, "Hello Hurricane" is being offered at the discounted price of $8.99 (USD). If you have not picked up this masterpiece of a record, do so now!

Link to the launch page here.

Link to the iTunes session here.

^Be sure to leave a positive review/rating on the iTunes store. That goes a long way in boosting any album in the store.

NOTE: UK and international fans, no word yet on whether the iTunes Sessions release is releasing overseas. As of now, U.S.-only... sorry, friends.

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Really, you've got to give HUGE props to Atlantic Records for all the beautiful things it's done for the band during this record cycle. Not only does the band have it's first Top 10 Billboard hit in six years, countless ESPN boosts, and a ton television show spots and commercials, but now the band has got an iTunes Sessions record and a front page feature on the iTunes Music Store.

What more lies ahead for this band? "The Sound" is still gaining spins daily, and "Your Love Is a Song" is slowly inching up on the Hot AC charts. Good times still to come, my friends!

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Also, be sure to check out the new fall tour dates with The Almost on Switchfoot.com! I'm sure more are forthcoming, so hang tight!

"Hello Hurricane" Releases!

"Hello hurricane, goodnight moon." - Jon Foreman

After nearly three years, Switchfoot has unleashed their latest collection of tunes upon the world. A musical journey through the valleys and the peaks, a labor of love, a career-defining record, "Hello Hurricane" is bound to be just as special to the fans as it is for the band. Hello, hurricane, nice to meet you!

And as if nature itself is rising up to the challenge, Hurricane Ida is set to unleash itself upon the Atlantic coast of America. Amazing.

If you haven't gotten your copy yet, be sure to pick it up today at your local retailer, or online. It's already No. 5 on iTunes!



iTunes (Deluxe)
iTunes (Regular)
Amazon (Deluxe mp3)

"Hello Hurricane."



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To commemorate and celebrate the release of this monumental album, I was thinking that we should make a concerted effort to make #hellohurricane trending all of tomorrow. I think it's also very appropriate, because people will probably be thinking it's referring to Hurricane Ida. So, here's what we're going to do, and we need as much boardie participation as possible.

1. Tweet #hellohurricane non stop throughout the day. Make sure you limit it to only three hashtags, or it will not count.

2. At or around this time:
9pm London/5pm New York/2pm Los Angeles/8am Sydney, we are ALL going to tweet like crazy at the same time, and make a huge burst of tweets. Our friend and fellow boardie Deborah said it worked last with Tegan and Sara's new Album Sainthood, and it was a trending topic all day long and even made it to #2 trending topic

3. Have fun and get creative. I'm sure you're all more creative than I am.

4. Also, be sure to work in links to iTunes or switchfoot.com in order to direct casual twitter users to Switchfoot.


So can we do this? Can we?? We need as many of you helping as possible! Any other ideas/suggestions to help out?

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JesusFreakHideout reviewed "Hello Hurricane" and gave it 4 1/2 stars.

Switchfoot continues to make solid albums that have a distinctive "Switchfoot sound," but they still progress in an ever-so-subtle way. For this project, they return to high energy rock and roll roots that sound great without being over-produced. The lead single "Mess of Me" is raw and alive with frantic energy, with a crunchy guitar riff that recalls The White Stripes before dropping into a wailing blues bridge. "The Sound" is a fist-pumping rock anthem with a bass-heavy, Led Zeppelin feel. "Free" mixes in a layer of strings for dramatic effect, and "Bullet Soul" is a catchy rock tune that is the pure Switchfoot fun we've come to know and love.

Read the rest of the review here.

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Sign On San Diego did an excellent story about Switchfoot. San Diego is giving Switchfoot a TON of love, by the way. More on that later. But check this out:

Few multimillion-selling rock bands can match Switchfoot when it comes to having no public image to speak of and maintaining a low profile. But that is exactly the way this veteran North County band — whose seventh album, “Hello Hurricane,” will be released Tuesday — likes it.

“To be honest, a big reason for that is San Diego and how accepting people here were of any form of musical expression, which — when you’re in high school — is really rare,” said Jon Foreman, 33, the band’s lead singer, guitarist and principal songwriter.

“When we were at San Dieguito High School, we’d play gigs with jam bands and punk bands, and it was all accepted. I feel like that’s been carried on in Switchfoot and it gives you a confidence that you don’t have to be something you’re not. We’ve often talked about how so many bands are so connected with an image, like ska or whatever current musical fad is passing through, and when that fad goes away, then the band goes away, too.”

Switchfoot, which early on was inspired by such seminal San Diego bands as Rocket From the Crypt and Three Mile Pilot, kicks off a monthlong national tour tonight at El Cajon’s 1,142-seat East County Performing Arts Center. The five-man band is now in its 13th year, which is almost an eternity by modern rock standards.

With the release of “Hello Hurricane,” its first album for Atlantic Records after three for Columbia (and several previous indie label releases), Switchfoot has taken a bold step forward, sonically and lyrically, a partial reinvention.

A dozen songs strong and inspired in part by the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, the album rocks with a newfound ferocity on songs that at times match the anthem-like qualities of U2 in its prime. The heavier moments are offset by several finely textured ballads, which are infused with a melancholic sense of longing for meaning in these troubled times.

Read the whole article here.

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In other San-Diego-loves-Switchfoot-news, 91x paid them a visit to their studio before they broadcast their Ustream performance of "Mess of Me" and "The Sound." Also, 94.9 KBZT in San Diego played "Hello Hurricane" in its entirety at around 8 p.m.

Jon Foreman tweet: - Thanks to 91 x for dropping by the studio and 94.9 for playing our whole record right now!

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The Badger Herald, a university paper, did a review of "Hello Hurricane" that gave the album 3 of 5 stars. Eh, here's an excerpt:

The flip-flop of emotions keeps Hello Hurricane interesting, but it can only do so much. While some songs stand out and have great musical moments, others take a turn for the worse — unmemorable and unimaginative. For such powerful imagery, Switchfoot fails to shake things up on Hello Hurricane, and ends up delivering a mild storm instead of the massive hurricane they were hoping for.

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For those of us who didn't see the first "Hello Hurricane" tour show, here's a nice, full video of Switchfoot playing "Hello Hurricane," complete with Drew Shirley opening up with the ooo's. EPIC.

Watch here.

Here are some more videos from that show:

Hello Hurricane (again)



Mess of Me



Only Hope



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As you all know, Switchfoot played a Ustream performance yesterday. It was very brief, so I wasn't able to catch it on time, but check out what happened on Twitter:



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There's a "Hello Hurricane" ad on the sidebar of Absolutepunk.net. That site usually is brutal towards Switchfoot. Looks like this record is turning heads!

Jon Foreman wrote songs with Karl Denson

UPDATE:
In other updated news, we've heard back from management that Ustream AND the band will be keeping archived copies of the broadcast. So never fear if you have to miss it. I recommend you don't though, so you can ask questions and interact! :)

Also, the upcoming webcast is on ustream's front page!



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And the record, "Brother's Keeper" is out today! Here is a snippet of the review from AllMusic, talking about Jon Foreman's involvement:

Denson wrote or co-wrote 10 of the set's 11 tunes, two of them with Switchfoot's lead singer Jon Foreman (the set opener and first single "Shake It Out," and "Mighty Rebel"). Foreman penned the stellar "The Drums of War,"

Here's Jon's tweet about it:

- Twas honored to sing/write tunes on my friend/hero Karl Denson's new record-it's out mañana! info: http://bit.ly/3Yp6qQ

Be sure to pick up a copy on iTunes if you have some cash to spare!

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My good friend Bryant designed a new t-shirt featuring lyrics from Switchfoot's song, "Always." It is personally my favorite line of the song: "every breath is a second chance."

Check it out HERE

We're going to need you to VOTE for it, by going over, signing up, and giving him a 5 vote. If he wins, I believe the clothing company will adopt his shirt. Wouldn't you like an "Always"-themed t-shirt? I know I would.

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UPDATE: ON THE OFFICIAL CAMERA STREAM, IT'S LOOKING LIKE THE SHOW IS STARTING AT 5 PM PST, RATHER THAN 5:30 PM PST. Plan accordingly!

Today is the day of Switchfoot's live stream. Make sure you go here for the stream, or you can watch it right here on our site. We've embedded the player and live chat at the top of our page!

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The "Mess of Me" video has been a HUGE success, my friends. 110,000 views in one week, is one of the best opening performances by a Switchfoot I've ever seen. Take a breather. You've all done an excellent job promoting, spreading, and (dare I say) spamming this video to all your friends. More music videos are coming, so we'll need to have energy to go at it all over again. :)

AGAIN, HIGH FIVES ALL AROUND!

Switchfoot tweeted their appreciation:

- thanks for getting our #messofme video http://tinyurl.com/mykb5c up above 110,000 views! pre-order is soon, I swear!

GIANT "Hello Hurricane" Album Art; Join the Facebook Event!

We have found the largest copy of the "Hello Hurricane" album art on the web. Tada!



Isn't it beautiful? (Click to enlarge)

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Our friend Byrant and I have started a Facebook event for "Hello Hurricane." It's not an actual gathering, but rather, the goal is to spread the word to everyone you know about the new record coming out. So, if you're on Facebook, attend the event, and invite ALL you friends.

We'll keep updating you on the exciting news coming up through there as well as on here. :]

Oh, by the way, Bryant designed some pretty sweet banners and flyers that you can print or post online! Check em out:




Feel free to save the files to your desktop and print them out if you'd like!

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Top-40 Charts has a news story on Switchfoot. No new info there.

BRENTWOOD, TN. (Top40 Charts/ Sparrow Records) - Switchfoot's new studio album, HELLO HURRICANE, is now scheduled to release on October 6, and the multi-platinum San Diego band is already hinting at several exciting pre-order deals (to begin in August) here.
Pre-order option formats include digital download, standard CD, vinyl (including digital download), deluxe CD/DVD, and a collector's edition with CD, DVD, B-sides, a hardcover 84-page photo book, and exclusive poster.
'HELLO HURRICANE acknowledges the storms that tear through our lives,' says Switchfoot front man Jon Foreman.


'This album is an attempt to respond to those storms with an element of hope, trying to understand what it means to be hopeful in a world that keeps on spinning.'

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No Switchfoot show yesterday, but Jon Foreman played a solo set at Bippy's in Boise. Here's a photo of the packed house from Twitter:

- jon just fully took over bippy's. pretty sure this place is at capacity. luv, @andybarron http://twitpic.com/c32aw



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Switchfoot's "Hello Hurricane" UNLEASHES October 6; "Mess of Me" to Mainstream and Active Rock; "Always Yours" to CHR

EMI CMG has a release detailing, and introducing Switchfoot's new release. We now have a concrete release date, October 6, 2009.

We also have a comprehensive overview of the marketing that will take place for this album, and quite frankly, it sounds absolutely exciting. Here is the entire release, reproduced here:

Overview

“Hello Hurricane acknowledges the storms that tear through our lives,” states Switchfoot singer and songwriter Jon Foreman. “This album is an attempt to respond to those storms with an element of hope, trying to understand what it means to be hopeful in a world that keeps on spinning.”

With Hello Hurricane, Switchfoot is set to thrive in 2009 with a newfound independence: a new home studio HQ, a new label, and a return-to-roots creativity and sense of purpose. After ten non-stop years of working as the world’s most humble multi-million selling rock band, the hard-charging North County San Diego-based quintet saw recording sessions for their aptly-titled seventh full-length album as a unique chance to reassess, reflect, and rededicate.

“We built our own studio so we wouldn’t be paying and playing by the hour,” says Foreman of their self-styled Studio of the Foot home. Beginning in 2007, the band tracked more than 80 songs and allowed themselves to get lost in the music again and get back to basics. “That’s why we see this album as a new beginning of sorts,” continues Foreman, citing the inspiration that likewise moved bandmate/brother Tim Foreman (bass), Chad Butler (drums), Jerome Fontamillas (keyboards), and Drew Shirley (guitar). “For us it was a feeling of true freedom.”

The album’s driving and urgent “Mess of Me” – with its personal declaration of independence, as Foreman passionately announces to the world that “I wanna spend the rest of my life alive!” – powerfully demonstrates the edge behind the new tones. Not content to settle into a single groove, the band moves from the high flying album opener, “Needle and Haystack Life,” to songs like the stirring “Always Yours” and the sweetly soaring “Your Love is a Song,” which – by its very nature – cries out for many waving hands illuminated by a blue cell phone glow.

The anthemic, riff fueled “This is the Sound,” with its utterly timely generational themes, finds Foreman spitting, “This is the sound from the discontented mouths of a haunted nation!” The “Hello Hurricane” title track is even more poignant when it comes to the band’s perspective on themselves and the world around them. “I’m not talking about ‘Rock You Like a Hurricane,’” says Foreman with a wink before turning reflective. “There is a real despair that I see when we travel around the country… and its music that people turn to in a time like this. I wanted to reach out to those people with song.”

BUY! HERE'S WHY:

* Elaborate box set includes the following: Hello Hurricane CD; DVD featuring live and behind the scenes footage (Approximately 1 hour long); Additional live DVD; 85 page color book featuring images of the band in studio and on tour; Plus other exclusive content.

*Highly anticipated new album from Switchfoot (2 ½ years since last record)

*Very established, devoted fanbase. Over 4 million albums sold.

*Multi-format radio strategy: “Always Yours” goes to Christian AC / CHR in Mid August, “”Mess of Me” to Mainstream Rock, Active Rock & Christian Rock Mid Aug.

*Switchfoot is a highly active touring band: 15-20 City headlining tour in October around release of record. Opening act for 2 Dave Matthews Band shows in So. Cal (9/12-13). Co-headlining tour with Blue October in July / Aug (21 dates)

*Comprehensive Online campaign includes numerous streaming concerts for fans, promotions on all Social Networks and all key Christian websites

*Pitching major features and stories in Christian and Mainstream PR outlets.

*Delivering album and music video to 6,800 Church Youth Workers and 400 Church denominational leaders

*Music video for “Mess of Me” worked to all Christian and Mainstream outlets

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Next, here's an email that Switchfoot sent out about the new packages announced yesterday. I'm really starting to dig the artwork, but here is the email in its entirety, below:

"Hello Hurricane acknowledges the storms that tear through our lives...this album is an attempt to respond to those storms with an element of hope, trying to understand what it means to be hopeful in a world that keeps on spinning." - Jon Foreman

Hola Amigos!

The time has come: Hello Hurricane is scheduled for an October release, with a pre-order starting in early August. We will let you know exact details later this month...

All pre-orders get an instant download of:
• 1st single "Mess Of Me"
• a few tunes from the "Best Yet DVD - Switchfoot Live In Nashville"
• Live in-studio video download of "Mess of Me"

Every physical copy of the record we ship will also receive the entire "Best Yet DVD - Live In Nashville" It was recorded on the Music Builds Tour and we're pretty amped for you to see how it turned out! We'll have these with us out on the road soon for the folks who pre-order the new CD at a show. 

Here are the 5 options to pre-order Hello Hurricane:

 
1. digital download of album
2. standard CD edition
3. vinyl with digital download of album
4. deluxe cd/dvd edition
5. collector's deluxe edition - includes cd/dvd/bsides, hardbound 84 page photo book, exclusive poster
Also, stay tuned for more info on Hello Hurricane listening parties... we'll have details coming at you soon. 

As always, thanks for listening, and hope to see you on the road soon. We can't wait for you to hear this one! 

- Tim, Chad, Jon, Jerome and Drew

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It all sounds so beautiful. I would like to think that Switchfoot is going to work hard on the mainstream front as well. From the above outline of Switchfoot's "Hello Hurricane" marketing strategy, it is looking like a focus is being placed on mainstream outlest as well.

It's also really good to hear that Switchfoot is working "Mes of Me" to the Mainstream Rock/Active Rock demographic. Knowing that sometimes details aren't always completely transferred, I'm hoping Switchfoot gets a at the Modern Rock format as well, as that one is the biggest of the Rock-based formats. We shall see.

I'm also intrigued by the CCM-only single too, "Always Yours." Do you think it will sound like a Christian song? Or will it be accessible as a possible mainstream single as well in the future? I know it's kinda hard to tell, but just for the sake of discussion...

And also, what are you all going to do, as far as purchasing goes? Will you go with the digital download? Vinyl? Collector's Deluxe Edition? Discuss it all here! I like to talk. :]

NEWS FLASH: New Switchfoot EP coming to our "Shores"

This just in from our friends at Land of Broken Hearts. They have news from inside sources that a new Switchfoot EP has been recorded and could be arriving soon:

2008/2009 has been a great time to be a Switchfoot fan hasn't it? Not only did we get Jon's EPs, and Fiction Family, but we learned that the guys have actually recorded four new albums when we thought that they only were recording one. But now... the news gets even better. Switchfoot inside sources have shared with Land of Broken Hearts EXCLUSIVELY the following information: there's another release coming. It's called "Eastern Hymns for Western Shores" and it's an EP of unreleased Switchfoot songs. (AKEE!) The guys are really excited about this, however they're just not sure how and when to release it... but it will be coming soon.
Cue mass fan freak-out.
We'll post more information as it is revealed.

^mass fan freak-out commenced. What do you all think of this news?

Switchfoot New Album Title: Hello Hurricane

Fresh fresh news from the Twitter feed:

- Sept. 2009: "Hello Hurricane."
TBD 2010: "Vice Verses"

Much love, amigos. -jon, tim, chad, jerome, drew



"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" - Job

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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ok, I'm a little more calm now. hehe. So the press and media has begun to heat up again over the past few days with these new announcement of four albums from Switchfoot. Here are some links:

Indievision Music
Punk disasters
Driveby Media
Absolute Punk.net
Tunelab

Nice to see that we can finally add the label "In the News" to this post again. Feels so good.

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So, the Dove Awards happened a few nights ago, and as usual, Switchfoot got shut out in all their nominations. However, 'Prince Caspian' took home a Dove Award for "Instrumental Album of the Year." Congrats to Disney and everyone involved for the honor. Too bad "This Is Home" stood no chance...

Read the story here

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And, for your random Switchfoot/Jon Foreman/Fiction Family sighting of the day:

Fiction Family's song "Look For Me Baby" was featured in hardcore band Underoath's latest video update:



?? Nice.

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And, some Twitter posts that got lost in translation:

April 23, 2009

- jon and I to the studio after a very fruitful morning of photo shoot prep. luv, @andybarron http://twitpic.com/3uoza



- Lunch break. Keith came by, romey is hangin tough, drew and tim look slightly confused. http://twitpic.com/3v0ft



early April 24, 2009

- Just finished mixing 'sing it out'. Back later today to announce the album title... http://twitpic.com/3vsxp



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So, we have the new album titles for the next two records coming from Switchfoot. Love em? Hate em? Let us know. We'd love to hear your opinion. I for one enjoy both titles greatly; "Hello Hurricane" has got to be one of the more epic album names in quite a while.

Switchfoot New ALBUM RELEASE DATE

UPDATE: Swichfoot has officially denied this release date, saying that it's actually going to be August or September when this album is released. We sincerely apologize for any misunderstanding we may have caused. We're just as disappointed as the rest of you.

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New Release Tuesday (which is seldom wrong on these types of things) has announced a RELEASE DATE for the brand new Switchfoot record that is coming out.

And the big day is... ~drum roll please~:

JULY 14th, 2009

Mark your calendars folks. Probably one of the most anticipated Switchfoot albums EVER is going to be released two weeks into the month of July. Can you say, STOKED?!



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In another piece of interesting news, the Switchfoot guys call on the Jonas Brothers(?!?) to rescue them:



I thought this was rather humorous; especially the fact that the tone of theirs makes makes it sound like they are talking to little children (which, in fact, is true!)

Anyhow, check out Invisiblechildren.com for more info on The Rescue

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That'll do it for today's updates. We'll go back to a more regular schedule of Twitter updates and recaps and what-not. For today, let this news sink in. The new Switchfoot record is nigh!

Fiction Family Release Day!

Today is the day! It's finally here! Fiction Family's debut album is ready for the world! Take some time today, amidst the craziness of the inauguration of President Barack Obama and everything else around the planet, to pick up the album (if you haven't already). Here's some purchase links. Please note that there are two versions of the album on iTunes, and they seem to be priced the same for some odd reason. Might be fixed by morning, but grab it while you can! Be sure to check back throughout the day for updates on charts and stuffs...

iTunes Basic

Features the standard 12 tracks, and nothing more.

iTunes Bonuse Version

So far, this is a real bargain. Featuring the same $9.99 price point as the basic, it features three b-side tracks (Jon Foreman's "Resurrect Me," Sean Watkins' "No Other Needs," and Fiction Family's cover of The Cure's "Friday I'm In Love"). While you're at it, you get the music video for "When She's Near" along with the whole package!

OR

your could try Amazon or buy directily from the band at Bandfarm (and plus, you get the actual cd!)

I might be working on putting together a review of the album once I get it, so maybe look out for that? (if you care... hehe)


Fiction Family - When She's Near from ATO Records on Vimeo.

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The reviews are pouring in for the Fiction Family record. Here are some of them, the good, the bad, and the ugly:

Allmusic (3/5)

The fact that Fiction Family was nearly released by Starbucks says much about the music contained herein, with its emphasis on coffeehouse guitar progressions and wistful melodies. Foreman and Watkins recorded the disc themselves, finding brief moments between tours to trade ideas and build the songs layer by layer. Fiction Family is slightly sprawling as a result, having been compiled over a number of years, but the track list takes strength in diversity as it alternates between sprightly duets and slow, Elliott Smith-styled melancholia.

Jesusfreakhideout (4.5/5)

Though it would be easy to simply say that Fiction Family sounds like what would happen with Switchfoot and Nickel Creek had a kid, the complexity runs deeper. There are touches of Bon Iver along the way, and other ambient acoustical acts. Every track on this self-titled debut is of a completely different construction than the song before it, and each has its own story to tell. From the simple acoustic ballad "Not Sure," about being unable to let go of a lover, to the catchy, fun, ready-for-radio "When She's Near," to the Bon Iver-esque "Elements Combined"... every song has its own feel. It's a welcomed change from the norm.

And the not so good...

Streetband

To say that the instrumentation on their self-titled music CD is nearly flawless is also true. In fact, most elements of this recording, when examined individually, are quite good. But after listening to the CD, the one thing I remembered - was not remembering much of anything. While musically a good project, Fiction Family had no single on it that just stuck in the back of my head. In fact, try as I might, for the life of me, I couldn’t remember any of the songs I had just listened to.

(Ok, since when does music have to be catchy?!!!)


Anyways, the last one:

Christianity Today (4.5/5)

That said, there are certainly hints of Christian beliefs to be found. It'd be interesting to know how most interpret that "magic book" referenced in "Throw It Away," containing the so-called magic words, "Give your love, live your life each and every day." Later in the album, "Closer than You Think" encourages us to hold close to the vision of heaven that encourage us and compels us to press on: "You've got a vision of some far off day, beautiful and bright/A carrot out of reach, but always in your sight/There's an icon in your mind that stands for happiness someday/A picture on the wall of a kingdom far away/But oh, it's closer than you think/Oh, it's breathing in between."

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Our friend Jeanna from LOBH posted some videos on Youtube of Jon Foreman and Sean Watkins playing several covers at the Fiction Family show she went to. Please give them a listen and comment! Yeahhh!

The Man in Me


Keep the Car Running


More for the Sender


^awesome stuff Jeanna, despite the little camera pics in between... ;)

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CHARTS

Fiction Family's "When She's Near" continues to steadily climb Triple-A radio charts, and currently sits at No. 39.

These three stations are currently spinning the songs with regularity. Make sure you at least request ONE of these stations AT LEAST to play the song. Any bonus requesting, or if you request at all three stations, would be legendarily rad. Thanks for the help! Let's make this song a hit!

WFPK/Louisville, KY:
E-mail: studio@wfpk.org
Call: (502) 814-WFPK (9375).

WXPN/Philadelphia
Phone: 215-573-WXPN
Email: requests@xpn.org
Web: http://xpn.org/requests

WEHN/Long Island, NY
Contact

Also,

Jon Foreman's solo single, "Your Love Is Strong" continues to fare well on CHR radio, coming in at No. 26 this week.

Switchfoot - The Best Yet Release Day!

Switchfoot has come a long way. Today, we finally formally (I suppose) close the door on an era. The Sony years have come and gone, and "The Best Yet" is a closing of that chapter in the band's career. Here's to many more years, and many more great hits from the band. Can't wait 'til the new album hits stores, and we'll be raving about them, best-case-scenario, a few months from now. For now, lets take the time to remember the past 11 years of the band's existence, and look to the future, with Jerome's sunglasses on. "The future looks so bright you needa wear shades..." ;)

BUY:

iTunes
Amazon
Amazon Mp3
Bandform (Standard)



Deluxe

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Here's a review of "The Best Yet" posted on JFH.org.

SOURCE

The writer makes a good point about how other less-deserving bands have gotten better treatment for their "greatest hits." (THIRD DAY?!?!)

Ok.

Also, a new "Limbs and Branches" review:



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On myspace, there's a new celebrity playlist posted last Friday, of Switchfoot's "Memories of Home While Touring" playlist, featuring songs by Feist, Mute-math, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, The Cure, penelope, Death Cab for Cutie, silversun pickups, Delta Spirit, PHOENIX, and My Morning Jacket. Check it out. Pretty sweet!

Jon Foreman - Limbs and Branches Release Day!

Happy release day everyone! It seems like just yesterday that Jon Foreman was set to release the first set of his planned seasonal EP series. "Fall" was one of those records that can hit you right where you're at. It certainly did that for me...

Now, a little less than a year later, Jono has released another record, this time in full LP form. "Limbs and Branches" caught us all by surprise when we first heard about it. At least on my part, I had questions about it, like: "Wait, a greatest hits album already?" or "We just got Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer... why the rush?" or "Curse you EMI, you money-lusting power-hungry buffoons!"

But, in typical Switchfoot fashion, Jon threw in a little twist, quieted all the rumors, and answered the questions with grace. The fans were able to vote for the songs on the setlist, and he tweaked the final list to create a tracklisting that is as universally encompassing as possible. The idea was to make it easier on casual listeners to join on this musical journey many of us have been on the past 12 months. Four EP's can definitely get confusing.

Sure, it's hard to capture the homegrown, organic feel of the four separate EP's in one long playing album, but "Limbs and Branches" is a solid compilation. The two "new guys" fit right in too... the new tunes "Broken From the Start" and "Over the River" round out a large, year-in-the-making journey that Jon Foreman has taken us on. 26 songs. 5 great releases. One amazing songwriter. Here's to Foreman and many more amazing songs!

Buy it now!

iTunes
Amazon
www.jonforeman.com

--------------------------------------------------

Here are some reviews, some of the first ones for "Limbs and Branches"

Soul Audio

JFH

The Album Project

News from the Fiction Family MUSIC VIDEO front?; "This Is Home" to feature on a new Disney Compilation

YES! It is indeed true. A music video has been shot for the apparent lead single from Fiction Family's upcoming album, "When She's Near." Here's what Sean Watkins posted on the duo's myspace blog!

Wednesday, October 22, 2008


Video news from Sean

So last wednesday, we made a Fiction Family music video. It's for the song When She's Near. I wont say too much about it cause i dont want to spoil the plot and ruin it for you but i will say it involved me taped to and pushed around in a dolly and jon being carried around like some Biblical king in transit for hours on end. It also involved some very stealthy gorilla video shooting on the part of our director....oh and a pizza party at the end of the day! Not sure when it'll be done and up for you folks to see but in the meantime i'll put up some pics that our good buddy and photog took at the shoot. wheeeee! -sean

----------------------------

Exciting news for sure. We'll see what happens with this. I have to imagine ATO Records will be able to secure good placing for the video.

But aside from that, I'm just excited to see it! This Fiction Family project is finally coming together! We've been waiting for awhile, and I have to say its great timing. Go Jon Foreman and Sean Watkins! The REAL SeanJon represent!

----------------------------

In other news, Switchfoot's "This Is Home" will be featured in a brand new Disney compilation coming out November 25, 2008 called "Disney Box Office Hits." It will include the popular songs from Disney's latest hit movies. SOURCE



This should prove interesting. From what it looks like on the audio preview, it will be the Soundtrack version. So maybe very soon, iTunes will have both versions of the song (radio and soundtrack) available for single download? We can only hope, unless Disney pulls another fast one...

This could also explain why they're possibly shipping the song to radio once more? The timing is all coming together. "The Best Yet" November 4, "Disney Box Office Hits" November 25, and the "Prince Caspian" DVD in December. We shall see.... stay tuned friends! =)

Fiction Family Tracklisting Announced on Spin.com!

(Thanks playingforkeeps! from the official message boards.)

Call it Pop-Grass: Fiction Family is a new cross-genre collaboration between religious power-pop rock band Switchfoot's Jon Foreman and bluegrass-tinged acoustic act Nickel Creek's Sean Watkins.

The project's self-titled debut album, written and recorded by Watkins and Foreman at their homes in San Diego, is set to arrive via ATO Records January 20. The two musicians, who met when their bands shared a bill a few years ago, trade lead vocals on the new set, which also features an eclectic array of instrumentation, including baritone ukulele, piano, organ, mandolin, and steel guitar. Nickel Creek fiddle player Sara Watkins adds her expertise to a few tracks.

"The album was recorded and written in parts," Foreman tells SPIN.com. "Because Nickel Creek and Switchfoot are both hard working, touring acts, we were rarely home from tour at the same time. Consequently the tracks were passed back and forth between Sean and I. Whoever was home from tour would chip away at the songs with no real expectations at all, mainly just for ourselves and for the love of the song I suppose. We came up with a few cowboy rules for the project: No double tracking. No pussyfooting. No tuning of vocals."

Fiction Family tracklisting:
1. "When She’s Near"
2. "Out of Order"
3. "Not Sure"
4. "Betrayal"
5. "Elements Combined"
6. "War in My Blood"
7. "Throw It Away"
8. "Closer Than You Think"
9. "Please Don’t Call It Love"
10. "Mostly"
11. "We Ride"
12. "Look For My Baby"

SOURCE

UPDATE (1:52 PM): the myspace has been updated!

-----------------------------------------

I'm excited for this. Needless to say, this has been a record that has been highly-anticipated since we first heard about Fiction Family's previous incarnation, The Real SeanJon

Fiction Family Album Art has been Released!

www.fictionfamily.com

Taken from Nickel Creek's online store:

You may have heard about Sean and Sara's 6 year residency at the LA club, Largo. Frequent special guests include Benmont Tench (of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers), Greg Leisz and Fiona Apple. Thus began The Watkins Family Hour.

Besides performing live as The Watkins Family Hour, Sean has been focusing most of his attention on Fiction Family, a band he formed with Switchfoot front man, Jon Foreman. Their debut album will be released on January 20th through ATO Records, A full tour will follow, be sure to check out his website for the latest news.


---------------------

ATO Records is putting this out! Amazing! We now know Starbucks will not be putting this record out. This is sad news, considering how huge the record would've been, but ATO is the distributing label of Radiohead and Switchfoot, so it's not going to be to bad.

This is excellent news!

Fiction Family Release Date Set for January 20, 2009!

Yes, folks, it has been confirmed on the official Nickel Creek website. (Nickel Creek is the band from which the great Sean Watkins hails from).

SOURCE (Thanks to my great buddy, Jesse, for this great find!

Wootage. I hear that this is going to be a huge record, in terms of promotion. If Starbucks indeed is putting this thing out, we can count on it.

Official News: Tim Foreman Speaks on the Switchfoot "Best Yet" Compilation

Just posted on the Switchfoot message boards, "hot off the press"

Hey all, here's the real details, hot off the press:

Switchfoot - the best yet

release date (tent): Nov 4, 2008



1. Dare You To Move
2. Meant To Live
3. Stars
4. Oh! Gravity
5. This is Home (full band version, not soundtrack version)
6. Learning to Breathe
7. Awakening
8. This Is Your Life
9. On Fire
10. Only Hope
11. Dirty Second Hands
12. Love is the Movement
13. Company Car
14. Lonely Nation
15. The Shadow Proves The Sunshine
16. Concrete Girl
17. Twenty-Four
18. Beautiful Letdown

What is it?

It's a 'best of' CD that Sony is releasing this fall, a typical move for a major label when one of their artists parts ways. Our first 6 albums were recorded with RE:think/EMI (the first 3) and Sony (albums 4-6), so they are working together on this.

Do we like it?

Ha, well first of all, it doesn't really matter as far as the business is concerned. Sony and EMI own the masters to these albums, so they don't need to ask us. Record companies do this sort of thing all the time (Radiohead's greatest hits album for example). It's the music business, and this is how they make money. This isn't good or bad, it just is.

However, we don't hate it at all, and here's why. We chose the songs. These are songs that we would like to play for someone who has never heard of switchfoot. After-all, isn't that the whole purpose of a 'best of' cd? It's not for the die-hard fan, it's for the guy that missed the boat the first time, but wants to still get on. I've been that guy before, so I'm not anti. If these songs are able to reach a few more pairs of ears, cool. It's definitely not something that was a part of our plan for this year as a band, but in the grand scheme of things, I think it's pretty minor. If it sounds cool to you, get it. If not, don't.

Are we proud of it?

These are some of the songs that we are most proud of, for various reasons. Of course, there's lots of others that we are also really proud of, but they might not be songs we would pick for a first listening experience. 18 songs is already a lot of songs all at once. There is quite a wide musical journey expressed in that list, and we're very proud of that part of our history as a band. We also were able to talk Sony into letting our very-own Andy Barron do all the artwork, and we're really proud of him. Go Andy! Beyond that, we've been digging into the vault to find rare video content for the deluxe edition, so that the hard-core fan that does decide to buy it won't be disappointed.

I guess I'm saying all of this because I know that these songs mean just as much to many of you as they do to us, and that's really important to us. It means a lot to us that so many of you care so much about these songs, and the way that they are presented. That's precisely why we have chosen to be an independent band moving forward, and why we're so excited about releasing a brand new record next year, and the future after that. I also know that times are tough, and you work really hard for your money, which is why we've always tried to keep our costs down at shows and stuff. And I guess I just don't want anyone within our family to feel like a major label is squeezing them dry. You're in charge here. If you don't think it's worth it, then please pass, save your hard-earned money for a 1/4 tank of gas. Or, if it sounds exciting to you, then get it for that reason, and not because you're the victim of some well-crafted corporate scheme. Be empowered and be free to make your own choice. We love you guys, and we've been trying to navigate this final farewell from Sony very carefully, so that no one is taken advantage of, and we're happy with how it has played out so far. More importantly, we're excited to put this behind us and finish making what we already believe to be our best record yet. Hope to see you all on the road this fall,

love, tim

my personal thoughts later... but have a great day everyone. Thanks to Tim for clearing it all up for us. Apparently the previously released info is slightly off...

"The Best Yet" and "Limbs and Branches" news, tracklistings, etc.

Yes, we are beginning to receive some news on the compilations due out October 28, 2008 from Switchfoot and Jon Foreman. Here's the report from JFH:

NEWS SOURCE: EMI CMG
August 20, 2008

Jon Foreman is known as the frontman for multi-platinum selling rock band Switchfoot, but he’s quickly developing a unique following of his own with his solo EPs. All 4 EPs have connected deeply with fans and have earned widespread acclaim from press and media. The music has also connected with TV and Film audiences, with “The Cure for Pain” featured in the season finale of Grey’s Anatomy, and the film Bella.

Foreman's next project, Limbs and Branches, releases October 28th and collects the most popular songs from his 4 EPs Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer, and adds 2 new songs. With standard Jewel Case packaging, Limbs and Branches is designed to be the long-running SKU for Jon Foreman’s solo material. As a solo artist, Foreman has sold well over 100,000 EPs.

The track list for Limbs and Branches, which is subject to change, is:
01. The Cure For Pain
02. A Mirror Is Harder To Hold
03. My Love Goes Free
04. Behind Your Eyes
05. Your Love Is Strong
06. Southbound Train
07. Lord, Save Me From Myself
08. Learning How To Die
09. House Of God, Forever
10. Equally Skilled
11. NEW SONG - TBD
12. NEW SONG TBD

Also on October 28th, Jon Foreman's band Switchfoot will release The Best Yet, their first greatest hits compilation. The Best Yet features the best songs from all their albums, including their smash hits “Meant to Live” and “Dare You To Move”, as well as the radio hits “Stars”, “Oh! Gravity.”, “Awakening” and “This is Your Life”. Also included is the recent Top 20 single “This is Home”, featured in Walden Media / Walt Disney Entertainment’s film The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian.

Over the course of 10 years, Switchfoot has become of the most respected bands in Christian music and is known for creating groundbreaking music that is compelling for both its sound and presence, and socially aware lyrics. With their breakthrough album The Beautiful Letdown, Switchfoot’s music resonated with a broader audience that wanted more than this world had to offer, and saw 2 singles climb into the Top 10 of pop radio. Switchfoot will be on tour this Fall with Third Day & Jars of Clay on The Music Builds Tour.
Switchfoot

The track list for The Best Yet is:
01. This Is Home
02. Dare You To Move
03. Meant To Live
04. This Is Your Life
05. The Beautiful Letdown
06. On Fire
07. Stars
08. The Shadow Proves the Sunshine
09. Awakening
10. Oh! Gravity.
11. Learning To Breathe
12. Only Hope
13. Love is the Movement
14. Company Car
15. Concrete Girl

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Thanks to insideREVOLUTION, we have the artwork for the two projects:




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Opinion:

In my opinion, the tracklisting for the Jon Foreman project sounds fairly good enough, although I do wish that "Love Isn't Made" made the final cut. Also interested to find out whether Jon is going to go forward with letting the fans vote on songs to include.

That sad, I'm excited to hear the two new songs!


"The Best Yet" Switchfoot compilation on the other hand is slightly confusing. Besides the inexplicable inclusion of "The Beatiful Letdown" (song) and "Concrete Girl," there is also the strange order in which the tracks are listed. "This Is Home" as the lead-off track is slightly bizarre to me, and the only explanation I can think of is that Columbia wanted to use the latest Switchfoot single as a bit of a selling point, and putting it first on the list could help in that regard...? I don't know... haha.

Discuss!