Brothers-in-psych-rock-arms Pontiak and Arbouretum are going on tour together this fall in support of their recently released 12" Kale, a collection of new original tracks from both bands as well as a handful of John Cale covers. Arbouretum offer up their rendition of "Buffalo Ballet," and Pontiak delivers a potent "The Endless Plain of Fortune" and a great new interpretation of "Mr. Wilson". This limited edition split has been moving fast since it's release in July and is nearing the end of it's run. Not to fear however, as Pontiak are also touring in support of their forthcoming second full-length Sun On Sun due out on September 9th. About half way through the tour, Arbouretum has to return to Baltimore to finish the follow up to their critically acclaimed Thrill Jockey debut Rites of Uncovering. Expect new music from them in early 2009!Sep 5 Baltimore, MD Talking Head Club w/Arbouretum, Psychic Paramount
Sep 6 Philadelphia, PA Johnny Brenda's w/Arbouretum, Psychic Paramount
Sep 7 Brooklyn, NY Glasslands w/Arbouretum, Endless Boogie
Sep 8 New York, NY Cake Shop w/Arbouretum
Sep 9 New Haven, CT Cafe Nine w/Arbouretum
Sep 10 Burlington, VT The Bakery w/Arbouretum
Sep 12 Waterville, ME Colby College w/Arbouretum
Sep 13 Boston, MA PA's Lounge w/Arbouretum, Thalia Zedek Band
Sep 17 Cincinnati, OH Gypsy Hut w/Arbouretum
Sep 18 Champaign, IL Pygmalion Festival
Sep 19 Louisville, KY Ear-X-Tacy (In-Store)
Sep 20 Memphis, TN Odessa
Sep 21 Knoxville, TN Bird House w/Mountains of Moss
Sep 22 Atlanta, GA 97 Estoria
Sep 23 Atlanta, GA Drunken Unicorn
Sep 24 Asheville, NC Static Age RecordsPontiak is three brothers from the Blue Ridge farm country of Virginia. Van, Lain and Jennings Carney did not play music together until the three were older and moved to Baltimore but their enthusiasm quickly turned to obsession and soon they were building their studio in the barn on their farm and moving back to focus entirely on recording and playing. They quietly released their debut record Valley of Cats distributing it themselves on tour, but it certainly got our attention, as did the undeniable follow up album Sun on Sun which was also pressed in a limited edition of 300 and sold at shows. The results, swaggering guitar rock, straddle the line between a power trio and something whose expansive results exceed the trio format. Their broad song structures allow ample room for Van's amazing vocals and guitar work to stretch and captivate. Julian Cope described them as "straddling a wide sonic rift valley, with references that stretch from the southern latitudes of Spain's Viaje to the northern majesty of Black Sabbath and Harvey Milk via the Doors."Arbouretum hail from Baltimore and are led by Dave Heumann, who also plays with Nathan Bell of Lungfish in Human Bell. They use the basic structure of folk-affected rock songs to paint broad landscapes rich with literary allusions, loner ballads, fuzzy bass and acid drenched guitar solos. Arbouretum released their Thrill Jockey debut, Rites of Uncovering, which has been called "the best doom-folk record of all time" (XLR8R), in January 2007, and since have toured Europe and the States multiple times, including outings with Dead Meadow and Beach House. Human Bell released a debut full length earlier this year on Thrill Jockey before touring the US with Boredoms; Dave Heumann has also played with The Anomoanon, Bonnie "Prince" Billy and Cass McCombs.