Beirut, "TBA"

One of the largest surprise hits of 2006 was Beirut's Gulag Orkestar, which received widespread acclaim for its innovative combination of Balkan and pop melodies.  Even more surprising was that it was the
work of one 19-year-old kid, Zach Condon, and done almost completely in his bedroom.  Now, two years later, Condon has just completed six months of work on his follow up record, which evokes the forgotten
charms of older approaches to pop music.

The new record (yet to be titled) will be released on October 9th on Ba Da Bing!, and  features a notable shift in sound from Gulag. With song titles like "Nantes" and "Cherbourg," the record is more a love
letter to French culture. Featuring thirteen tracks in all, this new album continues on the trajectory that began with the Lon Gisland EP, where the entire eight member band plays along on the recordings.
Besides the eight member orkestar and guests, Owen Pallett of Final Fantasy adds lush string arrangements to the songs, as well as guest vocals on a track entitled "Cliquot."

The album was recorded in two separate sessions - at the A Hawk and a Hacksaw practice space, and at Arcade Fire's ornate studios outside of Montreal.  To date, Gulag Orkestar has sold over 100,000 copies
worldwide.

Beirut will be playing a limited number of North American shows this fall in theatrical venues.  Colleen, whose new album Les Ondes Silencieuse is out this month on The Leaf Label, will open.

Tour dates:

September 23rd - Princeton, NJ - Terrace F Club
September 24th – New York, NY  - Worldess Music Series @ Society for Ethical Culture
September 26th -  New York, NY  - Delacorte Theater
September 30th – Montreal, QU – La Salla Rosa
October 2nd -  Toronto, ONT  - Danforth Music Hall
October 4th – Chicago, IL  Portage Theater
October 8th – San Francisco, CA - Herbst Theater
October 9th – San Francisco, CA - Herbst Theater
October 10th – Los Angeles, CA - Avalon

Tracklisting:

0. A Call To Arms
1. Nantes
2. A Sunday Smile
3. Guyamas Sonora
4. La Banlieu
5. Cliquot
6. The Penalty
7. Forks and Knives (La Fête)
8. In The Mausoleum
9. Un Dernier Verre (Pour la Route)
10. Cherbourg
11. St. Apollonia
12. The Flying Club Cup
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