More about: Pixies

The 13 September release date for Pixies' new album Beneath The Eyrie is looming and to remind us all the band have put out their first radio single along with a video.

Titled 'Catfish Kate', the song follows their instant grat track 'On Graveyard Hill' and comes with a video.

Same as the album, the single was recorded at Dreamland Studios near Woodstock, New York state, and sonically it's incredibly punchy. It sounds like you're in the room with the band playing. Every drum kick is felt, every subtly on the guitar cuts through.

Black Francis' words are intent on getting the tale of 'Catfish Kate' across and melodic throughout. Being able to reel off a barnstorming topline melody as strong as the one in the chorus' here and make it sound effortless is part of the band's appeal.

Accompanying the instantly grabbing new track is an animated video of the scenes described in the lyrics. We see the rivers, creatures, mountains, catfish and most other subjects in the track.

It emphasises Pixies' wild imagination and knack for vivid, atmospheric lyrics.



As for their last track, ‘On Graveyard Hill’, we gave a favourable review: "The recording truly captures that energy and adrenaline of going to see them at a gig, whilst still sounding refined and the obsessional work of an audiophile band.”

As well as the radio single and instant grat track, the band have released the 12-episode podcast 'It’s A Pixies Podcast' to promote their album, narrated by acclaimed journalist Tony Fletcher. It offers an unparalleled insight into the album creation process.

The trailer celebrates the podcast features as something “unprecedented.” And it emphasises the uncompromising ways they went to get the footage, saying every part of the process of recording the album, every waking hour is committed to tape. 

The podcast started 27 June and episode seven airs this Thursday (8 August). It is available on all major podcast platforms.

Elsewhere, Pixies are on tour. They will be in the UK during their album release week. See the full stretch of UK and Ireland dates below.

SEPTEMBER

12 - De La Warr Pavilion, Bexhill
13 - Motorpoint Arena, Cardiff
14 - Pavilions, Plymouth
16 - O2 Academy, Birmingham
17 - O2 Academy, Leeds
18 - O2 Apollo, Manchester
20 - Alexandra Palace, London
21 - O2 Academy, Newcastle
22 - O2 Academy, Glasgow
23 - Usher Hall, Edinburgh
25 - Ulster Hall, Belfast
26 - Olympia Theatre, Dublin, Ireland

Issue Four of the Gigwise Print magazine is on pre-order now! Order here.

More about: Pixies