Today, Mike Krol shares his new video and single “What’s The Rhythm“, taken from his forthcoming album Power Chords, out on 25 January via Merge. Shot in East LA, director Sam Macon aimed to strip things way down to the most basic elements. Macon comments, “A killer song. A great performer. I wanted these elements to come together to create a pure extension of the song itself. We wanted to take things back to a more straightforward and, in all honesty, punk approach.” Watch video below!
On Power Chords, we find ourselves back in familiar Krol territory: aggressive and assertive, scratchy and raw, catchy as hell – but something has changed. The sounds have a new density, and so do the stories. Krol’s lyrics have always walked a fine line between self-acceptance and self-destruction, but throughout Power Chords, they reveal a new sense of self-awareness.
Of all the breakups in Mike Krol’s songs, the most harrowing story is about his breakup with music. In 2015, coming off of his best record yet and the ensuing world tour, Krol found himself in the midst of a full-blown existential crisis. He’d invested everything to create the rock-and-roll life he’d always wanted, but he wasn’t sure the life wanted him back. Power Chords picks up where 2015’s Turkey left off. It traces Krol’s journey back to punk rock, harnessing both the guitar technique and the musical redemption referenced in its title. To rediscover the power in those chords, Krol recorded for two-plus years in three separate locations (Nashville, Los Angeles, and Krol’s native Wisconsin) with the majority produced by Mike McCarthy (Spoon, Trail of Dead).
Deliriously infectious, Power Chords is an evolution in sound, structure and themes, serving as Krol’s boldest and longest record to date at 34 minutes. It’s hard-fought and hard-won, bloodied and bruised. And more importantly: defiant and triumphant.
Mike Krol embarks on a full North American tour next month before heading to Europe and the UK in support of Power Chords. Highlights include SXSW, Savannah Stopover and Treefort. Check below for a full list of dates and for album pre-order info go here.
TOUR DATES:
US Shows:
Feb 15 – San Diego, CA – Soda Bar
Feb 16 – Los Angeles, CA – Bootleg Theater
Feb 20 – San Francisco, CA – Bottom of the Hill
Feb 22 – Portland, OR – Mississippi Studios
Feb 23 – Seattle, WA – Crocodile Back Bar
Feb 26 – Minneapolis, MN – 7th Street Entry
Feb 27 – Milwaukee, WI – The Back Room @ Colectivo Coffee
Feb 28 – Chicago, IL – Empty Bottle
Mar 1 – Detroit, MI – Deluxx Fluxx
Mar 2 – Toronto, ON – The Garrison
Mar 4 – Allston, MA – Great Scott
Mar 5 – Brooklyn, NY – Rough Trade
Mar 6 – Philadelphia, PA – The Boot & Saddle
Mar 7 – Washington, DC – Comet Ping Pong
Mar 8 – Carrboro, NC – Cat’s Cradle – Backroom
Mar 9 – Savannah, GA – Savannah Stopover
Mar 10 – Atlanta, GA – The Earl
Mar 11 – New Orleans, LA – Gasa GasaMar 13-16 – Austin, TX – SXSW
Mar 19 – Denver, CO – Globe Hall
Mar 20 – Salt Lake City, UT – Kilby Court
Mar 21 – Boise, ID – Treefort Music Festival
Mar 22 – Reno, NV – Holland Project
Mar 23 – Visalia, CA – Cellar Door European Shows:Tue 02 Apr – NL – Groningen – Vera
Wed 03 Apr – DK – Copenhagen – Loppen
Thu 04 Apr – NO – Oslo – Revolver
Fri 05 Apr – SE – Stockholm – Melodybar
Sat 06 Apr – SE – Malmö – Plan B
Mon 08 Apr – DE – Hamburg – Molotow Skybar
Tue 09 Apr – DE – Berlin – Monarch
Wed 10 Apr – CZ – Prague – Underdogs’
Fri 12 Apr – CH – Geneva – La Graviere
Sat 13 Apr – FR – Lyon – Trokson N/A
Sun 14 Apr – FR – Toulouse – Les Pavillons Sauvages
Tue 16 Apr – FR – Paris – Le Gibus
Wed 17 Apr – BE – Brussels – Reflektor Cafe
Fri 19 Apr – NL – Amsterdam – Skatecafe
Sat 20 Apr – NL – Schijndel – Paaspop (festival)
UK Shows:
Mon 22 April – London – The Social
Tue 23 April – Bristol – Crofters Rights
Wed 24 April – Manchester – The Castle
Thu 25 April – Glasgow – Hug & Pint
Fri 26 April – Leeds – Brudenell Social Club
Sat 27 April – London – Test Pressing Festival, Hackney Wick