Slaraffenland
We're On Your Side

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What their label says...

"We have waited a while...still it'll take us some time" begins "Meet andGreet." Vocal harmonies ring out to the pulsing beat of a delayed floor tom.A guitar wakes up the reeds. The subtle organic percussion of handclaps punctuates the amplified air, the music becoming a distinct human synthesis.This is a pop song. This is Slara enland. Based in Denmark, theyembrace the art of shape, of space, and of slow gratification, hand-carvingtheir sound with the diligence and artistry often associated with theirnation's design heritage. This year, Slara enland reintroduces themselveswith the magnificent release of We're on Your Side. The new LP and CD fromHometapes connects the points between stage and studio -- bringingSlara¬enland's virtuosic musicianship, pop sensibility, emotional directness,compositional experimentalism, and the road-proven energy of theirlive performance into absolute, impeccable, and addictive focus. This isthe record Slara enland fans have been waiting for -- and the sound,remarkably accessible, that should summon thousands more.Slara enland began as a whisper across the American landscape - a mysteriousname, a menagerie of instruments, and the frontier of self-bookedtours were the calling card this five-piece from Copenhagen. In what waslike a reunion of long lost friends, Slara enland joined Hometapes in 2006, making their national debut at CMJ that year. Their groundbreaking albumPrivate Cinema followed in 2007, lighting up the eyes of music listenerseverywhere, Pitchfork declaring, "The album as a whole is a brave perambulation,drawing on the acidic thunderstorms and gorgeous lullabies"and Stereogum deeming Slara enland a "band to watch," placing themalongside the likes of Vampire Weekend, Cold War Kids, and My BrightestDiamond on their curated tribute to Radiohead, OKX).The waves created by Private Cinema washed ashore in both the US andEurope, with Slara enland appearing at landmark festivals Roskilde, SPOTand SXSW in the following months. The year 2008 was highlighted bySlara enland's US tour with countrymen/friends/collaborators Efterklangand the release of the Sunshine EP, a bona fide souvenir of their exuberantand prodigious live performances (see Brooklyn Vegan for a recount of theirknockout Knitting Factory show in NY) and a sneak peek into the future ofSlara enland -- and specifically, We're on Your Side. "There is no doubt thatthe tours we've done in the US have made us a better band," says Slara enland'sMike Taagehøj. Limited to short tours in their home country, the American club scene has definitely played the role of the "sixth man" in thegrowth of Slara enland, who debuted songs from We're on Your Side attheir SXSW performances this year.We're on Your Side is available September 15 from Hometapes. Deluxepackaging featuring the art of Cody Hudson (Chicago-based proprietor ofStruggle Inc.) will accompany the vinyl LP and compact disc release.