KEXP Premiere: Ceremony - The L-Shaped Man

KEXP Premiere
05/12/2015
Jim Beckmann
photo by Shawn Brackbill

A bad breakup rarely calls for celebration, but it is a cause for Ceremony. The Bay Area band builds their fifth full-length around singer Ross Farrar's recent romantic split, narrating his loss and resulting loneliness almost chronologically. The L-Shaped Man isn't all about doom and gloom, though, and as the band continues their transformation away from their frenetic hardcore origins toward a sound more akin to the songwriters of their namesake, Joy Division, they maintain a tight precision and sonic clarity, all the while conveying a devastating, yet relatable, sense of raw emotion.

The L-Shaped Man is due May 19th on Matador, but you can listen to the entire LP on through our exclusive premiere below. Also, but sure to catch Ceremony on tour this summer. They'll be at Neumos in Seattle on July 15th. Grab your tickets here and find more dates here.

Related News & Reviews

KEXP Premiere

Video Premiere: Small Feet - Rivers

Simon Stålhamre may be the creative force behind Small Feet, but it was not until he found the assistance of his band mates Jacob Snavely and Christopher Cantillo along with the inspiration of an island cabin residence that he was able to create music without self-sabotaging. It's a good thing he f…


Read More
KEXP Premiere The Roadhouse

KEXP Premiere: Barna Howard - Quite A Feelin'

I love this record. Barna Howard is my new favorite artist. His previous, acoustic self-titled debut, which I played some last year, only hinted at this Missouri native, now Portland based artist's easy songwriting skills. His latest, Quite A Feelin', is already in the running for my album of the y…


Read More