Think back to when Zach Braffs indie smash film Graden State came 0ut. The film got a fantastic reception (I still re watch it constantly), as well as its soundtrack. One of the bands that really saw their career take a boost from this soundtrack was The Shins. The band were always indie darlings but now they actually saw some mainstream fame. They were Sub-Pop heroes who could make a dent in the billboard charts as well as with critics and bloggers.

Well The Shins have grown up now. It has been almost been 8 years since “Oh, Inverted World” if you can believe it. The band announced that they are leaving their label Sub-Pop. Who knows where they will end up next, but my guess is a pretty big label. I am fine with this as long as they stay true to themselves. Then again we are talking about The Shins, they don’t seem like the type of band who would completely change their sound. We shall find out soon, word is that the band is working on their new album. Their is a rumor that James Mercer has been seen with Danger Mouse,  possibly a hint that a solo album is on the way?

If you want to catch the band during their free agency period these tour dates are your chance:

5/02 – Bellingham, WA @ Western Washington University
5/04 – Seattle, WA @ Showbox
5/05 – Seattle, WA @ Showbox
5/06 – Portland, OR @ Crystal Ballroom
5/07 – Portland, OR @ Crystal Ballroom
5/09 – Oakland, CA @ Fox Theater
5/10 – Los Angeles, CA @ Hollywood Palladium
5/11 – San Diego, CA @ SOMA
5/13 – Richmond, VA @ The National
5/14 – Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club
5/15 – Baltimore, MD @ Ram’s Head Live
5/16 – Philadelphia, PA @ Electric Factory
5/17 – Montclair, NJ @ Wellmont Theater
5/18 – New York, NY @ Terminal Five

[mp3] : The Shins – New Slang

[mp3] : The Shins – Baby Boomerang