Points of Order:
• Always the Bridesmaid: A Singles Series debuts in October!
• Pre-order available through the Decemberists Shop.
• The Band is Currently in the Studio
• Insound throws a design party, Decemberists are implicated

Summer is upon us; our oscillating fans are circulating warm, jasmine-perfumed air through our bedrooms and ossuaries.  The taste of tangerine sorbet is perpetually on one's palette.  Our feet are finding themselves often submerged in mixing bowls filled with ice water.  Summer is upon us.

Which brings to mind a slurry of news regarding your humble Pac NW Decemberists.

First and foremost, you'll be pleased to know that we've recorded a tidy heap of material which we're releasing as 12" vinyl and digital singles over the course of three Autumnal months. This 'singles series' is aptly titled "Always the Bridesmaid" and will prominently feature songs that the Decemberists really loved but presciently felt they would not fit on the band's forthcoming LP.

The first volume will hit fine indie record stores everywhere on October 14th, and will be comprised of "Valerie Plame," and "O New England" on the A and B side, respectively. 

The second volume, "Days of Elaine" b/w "Days of Elaine (Long)" and "I'm Sticking With You," will be released on November 4th.  In celebration of both Volume 2's release and the promise of a shiny new administration, the Decemberists will be performing "Valerie Plame" on Late Night with Conan O'Brien on the 3rd of November.

The third and final volume, "Record Year for Rainfall," b/w "Raincoat Song," will be released on December 2nd.

Always the Bridesmaid: A Singles Series will be available on high-grade 12" vinyl and digital format in the US and 7" vinyl and digital in the UK. The lovely folks at Rough Trade will be overseeing the UK release of the series, Capitol Records will oversee the US digital release and the band's new imprint, Y.A.B.B. Records (in association with Jealous Butcher) will release the 12" vinyl version.  The digital release will likely be available world-wide.

You can pre-order the 12" version of the singles on colored vinyl EXCLUSIVELY through the Decemberists Shop (www.decemberistsshop.com) NOW.  You can either have them arrive at your doorstep in the three installments or you can have them, all three, delivered in one shot around the release of the 3rd single on December 2nd.  You'll be happy to know that no small effort has gone into the design and manufacture of these beauties -- each one will be on 180 gram vinyl in a rather lovely custom jacket.  The shop will also be making available two (his 'n' hers) t-shirts to coincide with the singles' release.

And this mysterious LP which proved an inhospitable home to these little pop gems?  The band is currently hard at work in the studio trying to tame its mangy throw.  It's a tough bit of leather. . .a little mossy, a little evil.  More on that later.

And what better time than summer to consider purchasing a fetching new t-shirt, as designed by Jason Munn of The Small Stakes (www.thesmallstakes.com).  Jason did a nifty design for a Decemberists t-shirt, along with 19 other bands, and you can check them all out at www.insound.com/insound20.  Drop in the code "Insound20dec" for a fan-friendly discount.

That's all for now!  Keep those toes under water!  And REGISTER TO VOTE!!!!

Yours,

The Decemberists
www.decemberists.com