For their spring tour, Circa Survive is partnering with the non-profit organization Invisible Children to raise awareness about the war in Uganda - a region in East Africa that has suffered from civil unrest since the early 1980’s.

Circa Survive will join tourmates Thrice and Pelican in donating prizes to The Invisible Children Spring Music Raffle, which will include an autographed Masters of Maple Snare Drum and a hand-painted First Act guitar from Circa Survive. In addition, the band will be releasing an exclusive, unreleased song during the tour with profits going to Invisible Children.

“We don’t want to just raise money with this,” said Brendan Ekstrom from Circa Survive. “We want to raise awareness so people really know where this money is going. It means a lot to us to be able to use our art to be involved with something so important.”

For more on Invisible Children, visit their official website.

The full-U.S. tour featuring Thrice, Circa Survive, and Pelican begins April 16th and ends May 30th. For tickets and information, visit Circa Survive’s official website.

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The Indie Review

By Sean Duregger
March 8, 2008

Artist: The Out_Circuit
Album: Pierce the Empire With a Sound
Label: Lujo Records
Rating:

Nathan Burk (of Frodus fame) is my new hero. With his project The Out_Circuit, he has continued to push the envelope on post-punk and experimental music. The Out_Circuit’s sophomore release, Pierce the Empire With a Sound is a masterpiece that combines beauty with aggression and is the first album of 2008 to really stand out above everything else.

Pierce the Empire With a Sound is not a conventional album, and pretty much requires you to listen all the way through and enjoy this album as a whole. In today’s download culture, we’re getting re-wired to only focus on the songs we like and The Album takes on a secondary role to The Single. The Out_Circuit won’t make sense to you as just A Single. There is too much going on for you to only enjoy one song. One minute Nathan’s vocals are full of post-punk/hardcore aggression, only to turn on a dime to a hushed and relaxed vocal. The Out_Circuit’s combination of full band portions of songs to strictly electronic and ambient sounds is something you need to hear, I can’t do it justice by describing it.

Another aspect I enjoy about Pierce the Empire With a Sound, is the guests Nathan collaborates with. Collaborations with Dustin Kensrue of Thrice, Sean Ingram of Coalesce, Rachel Burke of Beauty Pill, as well as members of Roadside Monument, The Epochs, Haram, make this album a diverse and satisfying listen.

The Out_Circuit’s Pierce the Empire With a Sound is the first great masterpiece of 2008. Groundbreaking and non-conforming to any set genre, it will be something we all will be enjoying and talking about for a long time.

Stand Out Tracks:

“Come Out Shooting”

“The Contender”

“Across the Light”

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Lujo Records has been busy sending me updates! I’m excited for the new Out_Circuit album! Once I receive my copy, I’ll be featuring them on the show in January.

NEW OUT_CIRCUIT RECORD AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ODER NOW!

You can own a copy of The Out_Circuit’s new record, Pierce The Empire With A Sound MONTHS ahead of time. It doesn’t hit streets until February, but it’s available now in the store section of the Lujo website! You can buy it by itself for $10, or as part of an Out_Circuit/Nate Burke 9 cd package deal for $30 which includes both OC records, Night Is Invisible, Brahm, and 5 comps that feature OC songs! Read on for more info on the new record and don’t miss the collaborations!

“The Out_Circuit makes music in reference to a state of mind. On their debut record, Burn Your Scripts, Boys, the state of mind was mellow, moody and atmospheric. For the bands’ sophomore effort, Pierce the Empire With A Sound, mastermind Nathan Burke holds to the bracing-yet-beautiful instrumental melodies that Burn Your Scripts was noted for, but builds on those, positioning them opposite a heavier sound actualized by occasionally screamy vocals and a driving rhythm section. Collaborations with Dustin Kensrue of Thrice, Sean Ingram of Coalesce, and Rachel Burke of Beauty Pill are only appropriate here. Pierce The Empire With A Sound offers you that rare space where darkness and beauty collide.” Check out tracks from the new record HERE and get your copy today!!

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Photo: MTVu.com

[Equal Vision Records] Watch a short video clip of Dustin Kensrue from Thrice performing solo on MTVu Ahead of the Curve. He only had one minute to write and film this little piece of a song, and this is what came out.

Dustin Kensrue’s solo album, Please Come Home (Buy CD) is available now on Equal Vision, and the new Thrice album, The Alchemy Index: Volumes I and II will be in stores October 16th on Vagrant Records.

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The Indie Review
By Sean Duregger
September 13, 2007

Artist: Dustin Kensrue
Album: Please Come Home
Label: Equal Vision Records
Rating:

On January 23, 2007 , Thrice frontman, Dustin Kensrue released his first solo album, Please Come Home. I was a little late in hearing the album, but it seems so was everyone else. Thankfully Dustin is starting to get more press and attention regarding this album. It is an album that is full of Dustin’s blood, sweat and tears and is an album that has struck me on a personal level more than any album has this past year.

Dustin has a very personal way of writing. He writes songs that suck you into a story in a very intimate way, you almost feel like you’re right there with him as he tells you about his experiences. Whether he’s talking about his relationship with his wife (”Pistol“), a prodigal son (”Please Come Home“) to his personal religious beliefs (”I Believe“), Dustin never forces his stories and views. These are almost like conversations set to music.

So, I’ve told you what I think about the songwriting. Let’s talk about the music. You all know that Thrice is one of the most exciting rock outfits to come along in the past 5 or so years. Dustin’s solo songwriting is on the opposite end of the spectrum from Thrice. This is an Americana, Country, Alt-Country album with a Johnny Cash, Bruce Springsteen, Ryan Adams feel. Please Come Home is a very eclectic album, with every song standing on it’s own. Solid production and a heartfelt vocal performance help round out this album.

Dustin Kensrue has proven himself as someone who can stand alone as a singer/songwriter. Please Come Home is an album that has touched me on a personal level and is an album that I’ll be listening for years to come. I’m already looking forward to Dustin’s future solo releases (as well as new Thrice! The Alchemy Index, vol I & II: Fire and Water. In stores 10.16.2007.)

Stand Out Tracks:

“Pistol”
“Please Come Home”
“Blood & Wine”

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 IndieUprising #13: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (655)

Music By: Ashcroft. Dustin Kensrue. The Kings of Lowertown. Monument, Monument. Nada Surf. After the Tragedy. Dakota Darling. The Hint. Jared Sagal. Howl Griff. Raining and OK. The Midnight Renewal. Mirrors. Victory Lane.

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