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The brag & cuss marks a major turning point in Votolato’s career. With the success of his last Barsuk release, makers, he was able to quit his day job and focus on playing and touring full time. The brag & cuss moves from the minimal acoustic guitar and vocals of makers to a fuller sound. Most of this record was played by a full band, featuring James McAllister (Sufjan Stevens) on drums, Bill Herzog (Jesse Sykes & The Sweet Hereafter) on bass, Casey Foubert (Pedro the Lion) on electric guitar, banjo, mandolin and all percussion, and Rick Steff (Cat Power, Hank Williams, Jr.) on Hammond b3, piano, and accordion. Casey Foubert also co-produced the record with Votolato.
The bare emotion that made makers great is still present in spades, but this time Votolato has ventured further into classic country territory. Votolato paints broad pictures with a simple turn of phrase, and he pulls you into a world of reminiscences and feelings that are truly timeless and eminently human. A profound sense of freedom and release comes across in the new record, which in turn is more hopeful, laid-back, and embraces life with a resigned optimism.
 Enjoy an exclusive in-studio performance from Rocky Votolato (doing two songs from his most recent album, the brag and cuss), up now at Pure Volume.
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When the Pittsburgh, PA Rocky Votolato/Portugal The Man show was changed at the last minute from all-ages to 21-and-over, there were 50+ disappointed underaged kids stranded outside the venue. One of the kids volunteered his apartment as a place for an under-21 house party and, taking him up on his offer, Rocky and Portugal The Man each went up to the apartment after their performances at the club and played an impromptu 8 or 9 song set. You can read about the experience here. |
Rocky Votolato will be performing live on Puget Sound's public radio station, KUOW, tomorrow (Aug 1st) at 2pm PST. If you're not in the Seattle area, you can stream the performance on KUOW's website. |
If you've been wondering when your favorite Barsuk band is going to be coming around to your neck of the woods again, wait no longer. A dizzying number of tour dates have just been announced, including Nada Surf's US tour in October, Menomena's third big tour of the year (this time with Illinois in October and November), David Bazan's epic journey (with support Casiotone for the Painfully Alone, September through November), Rocky Votolato (playing some dates with Jesse Sykes & the Sweet Hereafter) in September and October, John Vanderslice (celebrating his new album, emerald city) and Smoosh (supporting Bloc Party in September). Check out our shows page for more details. |
Follow Rocky's brag and cuss tour by reading his tour diary, hosted by Paste Magazine, with photos and insights into life on the road. Don't miss the links (on the right of the page) to other entries. |
 New "red dragon" brag and cuss t-shirt is now available in the shop — get yours while supplies last!
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The brag and cuss, the new record from Rocky Votolato, marks a major turning point in Votolato’s career, moving from the minimal acoustic guitar and vocals of his previous release makers, to a fuller sound. The bare emotion that made makers great is still present in spades, but this time Votolato has ventured further into classic country territory. Votolato paints broad pictures with a simple turn of phrase, and he pulls you into a world of reminiscences and feelings that are truly timeless and eminently human. A profound sense of freedom and release comes across in the new record, which in turn is more hopeful, laid-back, and embraces life with a resigned optimism. |
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