When: 7.30pm on Tuesday 25 October 2011
Where: The Ruby Lounge, 28-34 High Street, Manchester M4 1QB

When: 7pm on Monday 31 October 2011
Where: Rescue Rooms, 25 Goldsmith Street, Nottingham NG1 5LB

When: 7pm on Tuesday 1 November 2011
Where: The Thekla, 40 The Grove, East Mud Dock, Bristol BS1 4RB

When: 7pm on Wednesday 2 November 2011
Where: Heaven, 9 The Arches, City of London WC2N 6NG

We’re delighted to be promoting some shows this autumn for one of our musical heroes, Jeffrey Lewis, and his band, the Junkyard!

Born and raised Lower East Sider, Jeffrey Lewis leads a double-life, as both a comic book writer/artist and a musician (or is that a triple-life?). His band Jeffrey Lewis & The Junkyard also has a schizophrenic existence, ranging between contemplative folk narratives and distortion-fueled garage rock. Live shows incorporate ‘low budget videos’, Jeff’s large illustrations displayed to accompany certain songs, such as his educational multi-part History of Communism or flights of fancy like The Creeping Brain.

In 2001 Jeffrey Lewis signed to Rough Trade Records (The Smiths, The Strokes, Belle & Sebastian, etc) and has since released five albums, in addition to touring the world and performing with Stephen Malkmus & the Jicks, Devendra Banhart, Black Dice, Thurston Moore, The Fall, The Vaselines, Beth Orton, Frank Black, The Fiery Furnaces, Daniel Johnston, Scout Niblett, The Mountain Goats, The Moldy Peaches, Cornershop, The Cribs, Dr. Dog, Kimya Dawson, Adam Green, Akron/Family, Roky Erickson, Au Revoir Simone, Peter Stampfel, and other luminaries.

The album Jeffrey Lewis: 12 Crass Songs, released by Rough Trade in late 2007, is a collection of songs by the legendary anarchist punk band Crass, reworked by Jeffrey into glorious folk, rock, psychedelic, orchestral and electronica productions, which dazzle the ear while losing none of the political power of the originals – an album which garnered praise from Crass themselves as well as four stars in Rolling Stone magazine and many other enviable plaudits. The most recent release by Jeffrey Lewis & The Junkyard is 2009’s ‘Em Are I, which was also widely praised; a full-page feature in Mojo Magazine declared it ‘brilliant… full of wit and musical variations’, while a 9/10 review in All Music Guide called ‘Em Are I ‘not just Lewis’ most consistent album, but also his most truly affecting and easily his most successful outing to date’.

Jeffrey’s new album A Turn In the Dream-Songs is out 10 October on Rough Trade Records. His sixth studio album on the label arrives two years after ‘Em Are I – during which time he’s recorded and toured with Kimya ‘Moldy Peaches’ Dawson, as the Bundles, and Peter Stampfel. Recorded entirely on two-inch analogue tape at Manchester’s own Analogue Catalogue all-vintage studio, the album features a five-piece band, plus assistances from members of Dr Dog, the Vaselines, Au Revoir Simone, Misty’s Big Adventure and Schwervon!, all of whom have been Jeffrey Lewis fans/touring partners in the past couple years.

‘Hands down my favorite contemporary songwriter’ – Ben Gibbard, Death Cab For Cutie

‘The best lyricist working in the US today’ – Jarvis Cocker, Pulp

Seth Faergolzia (formerly of Dufus) opens each show, with main support detailed below.

In Manchester, surf-poppers The Bell Peppers also support. Tickets are available from the venue, Common (both no booking fee), Piccadilly Records, Vinyl Exchange, Seetickets.com, WeGotTickets.com, Ticketline.co.uk, Ticketweb.co.uk and on 0871 220 0260. Please note This Many Boyfriends aren’t now supporting.

In Nottingham, tickets are available from  Seetickets.com, Alt-Tickets.co.uk, WeGotTickets.com, Ticketline.co.uk and on 0871 220 0260.

In Bristol, tickets are available from Bristol Ticket Shop, Rise Music, Seetickets.com, Alt-Tickets.co.uk, WeGotTickets.com, Ticketline.co.uk and on 0871 220 0260.

In London, tickets are available from Seetickets.com, Alt-Tickets.co.uk and on 0871 220 0260.

Manchester – Attend on: Facebook | Last.fm

Nottingham – Attend on: Last.fm

Bristol – Attend on: Last.fm