The second video from Weird is animated, colorized, and directed by Jed Davis.

Juliana, speaking to Consequence of Sound, where the video premiered today:

The repeated “All Right, Yeah” in the choruses was my attempt to write a big, dumb hook that people could sing along to at hockey games or football games or other sports events. I was thinking of Blur’s “Song 2” and its “Woo Hoo!” choruses. I want to be the song that comes on in the stadium after a big goal, or touchdown, or whatever. I also had an alternate image of drunken pals with their arms around each others’ shoulders, jumping up and down and yelling “All Right, Yeah!” all together as a group, at some celebratory gathering like a wedding reception or graduation party. I wanted this song to work in these kinds of contexts. I don’t know if I succeeded. Probably not. My dreams for my songs are often at odds with the world outside of my head.

Read the whole article in Consequence of Sound's Origins series - "a new music feature in which we give an artist we like a chance to dig into what inspired their latest song":

https://consequenceofsound.net/2019/01/juliana-hatfield-origins-all-right-yeah-video/

From an excellent interview by Grant Walters for Albumism:

GW: You mentioned this sort of default mode that you adhere to when you’re writing songs. I’m curious to know as an artist where and when your observations of the world around you engage? What ignites your motivation to create a piece of music?

JH: Well, I guess it depends on where my head is at while I’m writing. When I was making Pussycat before ...Olivia Newton-John, I was caught up in national current events, and that was kind of all-consuming at the time, and that’s just what was on my mind. It was my reaction to everything going on coming up to the presidential election. And then, when I was younger, I was just totally self-absorbed in writing about my own angst and anguish and my emotional problems. I was just really wrapped up in that.

I think now, rather than just looking inward, I’m trying to place myself in the context of the world around me a little bit more—just talking about how I see things, how I see myself in the world as it is today. With the new album, it’s seeing myself as kind of an outsider in society. It started out as wanting to make an album about the comfort of living in a very small space, and not venturing out much and having a very small radius of an existence—like, a five-block radius outside of a small apartment. And just how comforting that can be rather than isolating.

I mean, that was the concept, and it became a little bit more than that, but it was coming to terms with a solitary life and trying to see it in a positive way rather than any other way.

Grant also puts Juliana on the spot to pick her 5 favourite records of all time.

Juliana is interviewed by Warren Kurtz for Goldmine, who are also giving away a couple of copies of Weird if you're happy to enter a draw by subscribing to their mailing list.

The interview covers various aspects of the new album recording and ends with a question about the UK shows in May. Juliana:

It will be with a band. I haven’t been there with a band in a long time. Todd will be playing drums. Dean Fisher will be on bass, who some remember from The Juliana Hatfield Three. In the meantime, I am working on two more videos and a short film, all from the album.

Originallly broadcast last night on the Unchained show for Wolverhampton's WCR FM in the UK, here's another radio interview with Juliana.

This was part of the second hour of Garry Foster's show and his interview (recorded in November 2018) begins after the 22 minute mark.

Topics include the solitude / outsider theme of Weird, how the recording / songwriting process was a bit different this time, and some Olivia chat.

Juliana was interviewed by David Eastaugh for The C86 Show on Future Radio in the UK, in a show broadcast earlier this week.

Of note: Juliana extols her successful working relationship with American Laundromat Records and her intention to continue releasing albums on a regular schedule. She also quotes some lines from David Lynch.

The whole show from 5 minutes in features songs from Juliana's career. The interview bits start after 12 minutes.

View fullsize

A Juliana Hatfield 11oz Coffee Mug is the latest addition to American Laundromat Records' merchandise offerings.

https://www.alr-music.com/collections/misc/products/juliana-hatfield-coffee-mug

View fullsize

American Laundromat Records, announcing a return of the fabulous 1993 Blake Babies compilation album:

We are beyond excited to reissue this fantastic Blake Babies collection on vinyl. It's always been a favorite and we worked with John, Freda and Juliana on every aspect of the reissue.

Our good friend and long-time collaborator Sean Glonek at SRG Studios handled remastering, and Carl Saff in Chicago cut metal. Vinyl was pressed by hand at Burlington Record Plant in Burlington, VT. The artwork has been recreated from the original Mammoth art but with a little twist thanks to the skill and creativity of award-winning designer, Aaron Tanner of Melodic Virtue. We also included the liner notes and photos from the original CD booklet as a newly-designed inner sleeve. We're very proud of this reissue and hope you enjoy it.

The scheduled release date is March 2019 and orders are being taken now at:

https://www.alr-music.com/collections/out-now/products/blake-babies-innocence-and-experience-vinyl-reissue

View fullsize

There are also t-shirts available at the same link. American Laundromat say:

The official Blake Babies T-Shirt design is from a drawing John Strohm did 20+ years ago. Our good friend Lonny Unitus, who is an amazing illustrator, recreated John's drawing for screenprinting purposes and added the Nicely, Nicely typography. It's an exclusive design and will only be available for a limited time.

Juliana, writing for Talkhouse about an album she loved this year:

The Voidz’ Virtue is a really fun album about serious things. It’s swimming in disillusionment and the shame of being alive. It’s like the sound of original sin—oh, how we have fucked this all up. It’s not only our own failings and weaknesses that are disappointing, but also our society’s dishonesty and corruption, into which we are sometimes drawn. Julian Casablancas sings “I’ve been bathing in the blood of our success” on ”Aliennation.” Elsewhere: “I want out of this world” (“Pink Ocean”), “I lost what’s mine” (“Qyurryus”), “What does it matter?” (“Pointlessness”), and “No one will care about this in ten years” (“All Wordz Are Made Up”).

Read more of Juliana's words at:

https://www.talkhouse.com/best-of-2018-the-voidz-virtue-is-juliana-hatfields-favorite-album-of-the-year/

As premiered today in an article at Vanyaland, here's Juliana's new video for Lost Ship, taken from the forthcoming Weird album.

The article features quotes from Juliana and director Rachel Lichtman on the making of the video and its location at Deer Island in Winthrop, Massachussetts.

View fullsize

American Laundromat Records:

To celebrate the one-year anniversary of Juliana's Olivia Newton-John tribute, we're doing a very special 500 unit LP pressing with alternative cover art and cool vinyl colors. Please note in addition to the Cream and Pink/Purple Splash available on our website, there are 100 translucent clear vinyl that will only be available at select independent record shops.

Orders are being taken now with shipping anticipated for February 14, 2019. Ordering info and details of the indie shops at:

https://www.alr-music.com/collections/out-now/products/juliana-hatfield-sings-olivia-newton-john

The album only came out in April so it's unclear which calendar they have at ALR for their "one-year anniversary," but this is some pretty vinyl and lovely artwork nonetheless!

On the subject of the ON-J tribute, it is now owned by John Farrar, who wrote many of the songs and produced their original recordings:

Giving the incomparable John Farrar @julianahatfield CD for his belated Birthday! Birthday 🎁 🍰 🎂 pic.twitter.com/x72FuSwnEl

— lisa locicero (@lisalocicerogh) December 10, 2018

Juliana performed 6 songs for the BIRN Alive show on Berklee Internet Radio Network yesterday, including 2 new ones from the forthcoming Weird album.

This is a really good session.

Accompanied by Mike Oram, she played:

• My Sister
• Wonder Why
• Suspended In Time
• Lost Ship
• Everything's For Sale
• Failure

Video was streamed on Facebook and is currently available (without the need for a Facebook account) at:

https://www.facebook.com/thebirn/videos/208000820130246/

The audio is also available to listen (albeit only for the next couple of weeks) at radiofreeamerica.com

Thanks to Carlos for the links and info.

View fullsize

Laura Kidd (aka She Makes War), writing about her love of Juliana's music:

I can’t tell you how overjoyed I am to be playing two gigs with The Juliana Hatfield Three next May. Grab your tickets now!

Tuesday 21st May 2019 – London, O2 Academy, Islington – TICKETS

Wednesday 22nd May 2019 – Bristol, Thekla – TICKETS

The music of Juliana Hatfield permeated my consciousness via the “Reality Bites” soundtrack a LONG time ago, and I’ve held her up as an inspiring icon of musical brilliance and prolificism ever since. She’s just so HER.

I'm thrilled about this news. I've been a fan of Laura's music for a few years. She has 4 excellent albums including her recently released Brace For Impact, and is a perfect choice to play with the JH3 at these UK shows.

shemakeswar.com

View fullsize

Lyndsey Parker, writing for Yahoo Music at the conclusion of an interview with Juliana focused on the Olivia Newton-John covers album:

Hatfield’s next album of originals, Weird, comes out Jan. 18. So, will Weird be influenced by Juliana Hatfield Sings Olivia Newton-John? “I think everything I do is influenced by my love for Olivia Newton-John,” Hatfield answers. “She has an authenticity and a humility that you don’t always see in every megastar. Yeah, she put on the costumes and the hair and makeup and all that jazz, but she was never pushing it too hard. It seemed like she always had this sort of quiet confidence in who she was, and she didn’t have to pretend to be anything that she wasn’t. I will always respond to that in some way.”

A few Instagram posts by American Laundromat Records from recent weeks:

View this post on Instagram

These beauties arrived safely today from our friends at @musicolrecording in Columbus, OH. @julianahatfield “Weird” bonus 7” available exclusively on our store (link in profile). #julianahatfield #jeddavis #americanlaundromatrecords #45rpm #exclusiverelease #vinyl #vinylcollection #vinylcollector #vinyladdict #vinyljunkie #vinylporn #nowspinning #limitededition #independentrecordlabel #srgstudios

A post shared by American Laundromat Records (@americanlaundromat) on Nov 16, 2018 at 2:57pm PST

View this post on Instagram

Sneak peak at the orange vinyl pressing of Juliana’s “Weird.” Burlington Record Plant is knocking it out of the park with these custom vinyl colors. #julianahatfield #vinyljunkie #vinylpressing #vinyladdict #vinylcollection #33rpm #orange #orangevinyl #vinylporn #burlingtonvermont #madeinnewengland #madeintheusa #indierock #indierecordlabel #customcolor

A post shared by American Laundromat Records (@americanlaundromat) on Nov 8, 2018 at 11:57am PST

View this post on Instagram

@julianahatfield “Weird” LP’s officially on press. This is a quick photo our good friends at @burlingtonrecordplant sent us with a sneak peak at the back cover and blue vinyl color. It’s gorgeous! #julianahatfield #newalbum #bluevinyl #vinyladdict #vinylcollection #33rpm #vinylporn #madeintheusa

A post shared by American Laundromat Records (@americanlaundromat) on Nov 7, 2018 at 10:48am PST

View fullsize

Huge thanks to long term friend of liveontomorrow.co.uk and regular contributor Carlos Lopez for conducting this interview with Frankie O'Malley of The Safes:

Chicago's garage power pop multi instrumentalists and band of brothers, The Safes, have recently released a heartfelt tribute to the one and only Juliana Hatfield. A limited red coloured 7" on American Laundromat Records with covers of fan favorites 'Universal Heart-beat' and 'I See You' with accompanying vídeos for both tracks that have received the seal of approval from Juliana herself.

(CL) Juliana Hatfield has a very extensive musical career. It goes back to her start in Boston's thriving music underground scene in the mid 80's with The Blake Babies. How did you discover Juliana's music and become a fan?

(FO'M) We first heard Juliana Hatfield played on the best radio station in Chicago, WLUW, regularly when "Hey Babe" came out. We all just loved the songs and the singing so much! We’ve been fans ever since!

Were any other songs considered besides 'Universal Heart-beat' and 'I See You' for the tribute?

No, not really... I mean doing "My Sister" and "Spin the Bottle" was talked about a little after we made our decision to record the other two songs. But it was really an afterthought. So we just went with our gut picks!

“Learning these songs was a challenge; Juliana Hatfield has so many gifts as a songwriter!”

How did the rehearsals go learning the songs as a band before recording?

Ha! For The Safes, rehearsals for this recording session were particularly unique! We had asked Ted Ansani and Mike Zelenko of Material Issue (one of our all-time favorite bands!) to be our rhythm section for this single. And working with them was such a thrill! Very easy! Very laid back and 100% professional and tons of fun! Not everyone just gets to pick a lifetime favorite and have them be into it and for it to work so well! It really was special and super fun! Ted and Mike are aces! And learning these songs was a challenge; Juliana Hatfield has so many gifts as a songwriter! The chords in "I See You", speaking for myself, I know I learned some new fingers for that one! Also she can change the melody on every verse and have the melodies improve saving the best for the last verse. This skill of hers is a super unique thing about her songs! Not everyone does this, most songwriters have a melody for the verse, one for the chorus, maybe a bridge but Juliana Hatfield has these songs where the verse melody changes every verse. It's so cool I love it! My brother Patrick writes songs like that too; I wish I could. And learning the left hand keyboard part for “Universal Heart-Beat” was very difficult!

Every bass run is just little different from the other and they are all so on the money.

Whose idea was it to work with Steve Albini who has worked with so many legendary bands like Pixies and Nirvana?

Mine! Seemed such a natural for this single and turned out to be hands down a very good call if I do say so myself!

How did the recording process go compared to your previous experiences making a record?

Um, I'd say very similar in most ways! The Safes are always prepared to knock it out of the park in the studio. No fussing about. Steve was awesome! Very professional, fast, very smart, very easy to work with. Gotta say it was one hell of an experience to record two Juliana Hatfield songs with Steve Albini and Ted & Mike. It's hard to express exactly but it was pretty magical I'll say!

View fullsize

American Laundromat Records have been very supportive of Juliana's recent recordings. Were you surprised at the opportunity to work with them?

I wouldn't say I was surprised because our dear friend Nicole Anguish of Daykamp Creative does a load of artwork for American Laundromat Records and got our music to the label owner, Joe Spadaro! But I was thrilled to find out that Joe liked The Safes enough to release a single of us doing a tribute to Juliana Hatfield for sure!!! Very happy about that!

Your videos for both tracks on the tribute are really fun to watch. Did the band had any input on the concepts or did you let the director surprise you with ideas?

We had zero to do with the music videos other than knowing and being lucky enough to be friends with two super-cool and mega-talented artists who both did amazing work making these videos!

Wendy Norton of Norton Videos created our “Universal Heart-Beat” video:

James William Glass created our “I See You” music video:

From what I have read Juliana really liked your takes on her songs. How did that make the band feel?

Well, we were over the moon when we heard that. Juliana Hatfield gave us such great feedback on our versions of her amazing songs! I mean, that really made me feel great I must say! And I know the rest of The Safes feel the same. Super rad! Thank you Juliana!

Besides Juliana what other bands have inspired The Safes?

So many it's impossible to list them all but here are some that come to mind Andalusian Dogs, The Breeders, Fetchin Bones, The Cramps, etc...

I know you have been touring recently. What's next for the band?

Well I'm proud to say The Safes have maintained a very steady schedule; write songs, record songs, release music and tour in support! So continuing to do that next should always remain what’s next for The Safes until the end of time!

Thank you Frankie for your time and sharing your memories. All the best to you and The Safes.

---

links for the single:
Buy the 7 inch single at American Laundromat Records
Listen at Apple Music
Listen at Spotify

other The Safes links:
Bandcamp
thesafes.com
Instagram
Facebook
Twitter

Oh my! What a treat this is.

Uploaded 30 years after it took place by RoadToRuane - the "Billy Ruane live archive preservation," here's a Blake Babies show featuring Evan Dando.

I think this was just before that little "tour" we did in the Southeast. By the end of that, this lineup was really good.

— John P. Strohm (@johnpstrohm) November 1, 2018

opening for one of my all-time favorites, Game Theory. (also, love that you're wearing your own band shirt. HAR!)

— Todd A. Philips (@taphilips) November 1, 2018

View fullsize

The Juliana Hatfield Three! UK! 2019!

UPDATE 2: Brighton & Glasgow shows added!

UPDATE 1: London date is May 21. Birmingham venue is O2 Institute, not O2 Academy as I wrongly listed originally. Hope to see friends old and new in May! - Craig.

May 2019, UK
20 Brighton - The Prince Albert
21 London - O2 Academy Islington
22 Bristol - Thekla
23 Nottingham - Rescue Rooms
24 Glasgow - CCA
25 Manchester - Academy - part of Gigantic Vol 5 All Day Festival
26 Birmingham - O2 Institute

Juliana's official site says "more European shows to be announced.". Update April 3, 2019 - Juliana now says these 7 UK dates are now the only scheduled European shows.

New album info time!

It's called Weird and is due for release on January 18, 2019.

Here's the first single - It's So Weird:

The new album by Juliana Hatfield featuring 11 brand new tracks. Available January 18, 2019 on CD, LP, CD, DL via www.alr-music.com

From American Laundromat Records blog post:

Freda Love Smith (Blake Babies, Sunshine Boys) and Todd Philips (Lemonheads, The Juliana Hatfield Three) each played drums on multiple songs while Hatfield played all of the other instruments (and some additional drums).

Album Bio:

Laura Fisher has written liner notes as an "Album Bio", which is effectively the first review. An excerpt:

Why wouldn’t you want to block out the world? Hatfield asks us. Outside the home are people who misread your facial expressions (“Staying In”), whose gestures of love feel like efforts to possess you (“It’s So Weird”), who drag you into a vortex of lies and gaslighting (“Paid to Lie”), and who have allowed every last shred of human experience to be commodified, from dignity, religion, and privacy to fake IDs and opioids (“Everything’s For Sale”). Outside the glowing orb of independence are other people’s demands, their power plays, their lies and misinterpretations. Who needs it?

Artwork:

View fullsize

Track List:

1. Staying In
2. It's So Weird
3. Sugar
4. Everything's For Sale
5. All Right, Yeah
6. Broken Doll
7. Receiver
8. Lost Ship
9. Paid To Lie
10. No Meaning
11. Do It To Music

Bonus 7" Track List:

1. On Your Feet
2. The Family Stain

View fullsize

Order Info:

Orders are being taken now for Vinyl, CD, Cassette, and Bonus 7 inch vinyl in a variety of specialist bundles at https://www.alr-music.com/products/juliana-hatfield-weird

The album is also being distributed through Cargo Records in the UK.

T-shirts & Other Merch:

If that's not enough, American Laundromat Records also have a couple of new Juliana t-shirts for sale, for delivery in January 2019, and now Iron-On Patches too:

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize