From what I’m reading, it seems like, after 5 years, the Hidden Cameras are finally getting the love they’ve always deserved. Unfortunately, all this buzz is centering around a record that won’t be out for at least another 3 months, and in that time, I’m sure the momentum will slow. This reminds me of my theory that record labels should put the digital album up for sale at the same time the promos go out, but I don’t want to digress, I just want to pass along Hidden Cams news. So. The new disc, Awoo. Depending on where you live, it’s either out on August 4th, 9th, or 15th, or September 5th or 19th. Yes, we in the US get the short end, we’re the September 19th date.

The tracklist, if you care about such things:

Death of a Tune
Awoo
She’s Gone
Lollipop
Fee Fie
Learning the Lie
Follow These Eyes
Heji
Heaven Turns To
Wandering
For Fun
Hump from Bending
the Waning Moon

A UK-only 7″ of “Awoo” b/w “Why I Understand” will be out on Rough Trade on 9/30.

Also out soon: A 10″ vinyl of the Cams’ debut, Ecce Homo on UK label Earworm. It’s either red vinyl or a picture-disc, I can’t figure out which. Limited to 650 copies.

And don’t forget the CD release of the previously vinyl-only Arms Of His Ill album of four-track Mississauga Goddam demos/companion pieces. Out on Absolutely Kosher on 7/18.

Tour Dates:

6/18 Gothenburg, Sweden - Joel Gibb and Jens Lekman performing as a duo @ Kulturhuset Underjorden
6/23 NYC, NY - Joel Gibb, Jay Brannan, Gentleman Reg, Clint Michigan, DJ Stephin Merritt @ Joe’s Pub
7/5 Philadelphia, PA - First Unitarian Church
7/6 Brooklyn, NY - Prospect Park, w/ Broken Social Scene
7/21 Detroit , MI - Magic Stick
7/22 Chicago, IL - Wicker Park Festival
7/28-7/30 Guelph, ON - Hillside Festival, w/ Feist, Sarah Harmer, The Stills, Jason Collett, The Constantines
8/12 Kingston, ON - Wolfe Island, w/ The Constantines, Wintersleep, Great Lake Swimmers, John Rae & the River
9/2-9/3 Montreal, QC - Parc Jean Drapeau, Osheaga Festival

I was so stoked to see them at SXSW a few years ago, but Joel Gibb got detained at the border. That sucked.

Anyway, for the few of you out there that aren’t familiar with the Hidden Cams, I shall explain thusly: If the Magnetic Fields are the hand-holding, stolen-kisses of Brokeback Mountain, then the Hidden Cameras are the zoom-lensed, sweaty, man-on-man action of HOT RODS AND MAN HOLES VOL. 69.