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.

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!

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.

A track from the upcoming Rocky Votolato record, the brag and cuss, is being featured today on Spin.com — the full article can be found here.

Rocky Votolato will be climbing back in the van for a short run of dates around the release of his second album for Barsuk, the brag and cuss, out June 19th. A full US tour is being planned for the fall.

The brag and cuss, Votolato's fifth, marks a major turning point in his career. Unlike the minimal acoustic guitar and vocals of his breakthrough, makers, this is very much a band record. The album ventures at times into the classic country territory of lovers, drinkers, and the distant oasis of a truck stop on a stretch of dark highway.

If you happen to be down in Austin, TX for the annual SXSW festival this year, be sure to stop in at the Barsuk Records Showcase, Thursday March 15th, at Buffalo Billiards. The showcase will feature our bands Menomena, Aqueduct, Jesse Sykes & The Sweet Hereafter, and Rocky Votolato, with special guests Bob Mould and Say Hi To Your Mom. See you in Texas!

Barsuk Records is pleased to announce the upcoming release from Seattle's Rocky Votolato. Entitled the brag and cuss, the record will be released nationally on June 19th, and sees Rocky moving from the minimal acoustic guitar and vocals of his previous release, makers, to a fuller sound. Most of the 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 percussion, and Rick Steff (Cat Power, Hank Williams Jr.) on keyboards and accordion. Check back for details in the coming weeks.

A full US tour is planned for this coming spring — check for tour dates here.

Rocky went down to Austin this year to play the Austin City Limits festival (which, from what we hear, was a fantastically rockin' time). Three songs from his performance are now available digitally — check it out on the iTunes site.

Renowned Seattle radio station, KEXP, has chosen Rocky Votolato's portland is leaving to be their "Song Of The Day" for October 4th. Get the podcast here.

Rocky recently performed at the Austin City Limits festival to a very packed (and very happy) crowd of people. You can watch some of the songs online at the AT&T Blue Room.

Rocky will be doing a full US tour with Lucero this fall, beginning in late September and running through mid-November. Check out the dates on his shows page — and if you haven't heard his album, makers, be sure to check out the new track, tinfoil hats, just posted on his mp3 page.

A new interview just went up on the MSNBC Independent Study page, classifying Rocky as an "artist you need to know".

Check out the new video for Rocky Votolato's song white daisy passing, available online in Quicktime and Windows Media versions.

NPR examines Rocky Votolato's song white daisy passing in a piece by John Richards.

An online feature has been posted about Rocky on the Rolling Stone website.

Rocky's new album, makers, is available in vinyl format from German label Riptide Recordings. At last check, there were still a few of the limited edition blue vinyl copies available, but they're going fast...

Mark your calendars! On February 9th, Three Imaginary Girls will be hosting a "69 Love Songs" Pre-Valentine's Day Bash at the Crocodile Cafe, featuring the songs of the Magnetic Fields as interpreted by members of some of Seattle's favorite bands, including The Long Winters, Tullycraft, Visqueen, Rocky Votolato, Slender Means, Kane Hodder, Daylight Basement, Math and Physics Club, Harvey Danger, and many more. The night will be co-sponsored by 90.3 KEXP, Barsuk Records, and Magic Marker Records.

The darkly beautiful new album from Rocky Votolato, makers, is available now in the Barsuk shop — get it by itself, or in a specially priced package with a new t-shirt. Watch for the vinyl version from Riptide Recordings in the coming weeks, including a special limited edition blue vinyl version!

A free MP3 of the amazingly great track portland is leaving is now available — check it out here.

Rocky Votolato is the Band of the Day on Spin.com, with a special feature and download of a track from his upcoming CD. You can vote on each Band of the Day on the same webpage, and if enough fans vote for Rocky, he could be awarded Band of the Month or, ultimately, Band of the Year.

Mammoth Press gives Rocky's upcoming album, makers, a fantastic review. You can read it online here.