If it was ever true (and it probably wasn’t), that whole idea of a slacker persona existing in the Pacific Northwest has gone stale. Just ask Nü Sensae, the Vancouver-bred punk trio who can’t seem to sit still and are set to release their 2nd LP, Sundowning, via Suicide Squeeze Records on Aug 7th. The trio unveiled the video for “Swim” (See Ad Hoc debut June 27), which matches the band’s econo DIY attitude – it was shot by Cary McKnight (band member, Brody’s brother) on a VHS camcorder they got at Value Village for $20.
 
Watch/Post “Swim” Video
Listen/Post “Swim” MP3

Since forming in 2007 as the core duo of menacing bassist Andrea Lukic and octopus-armed drummer Daniel Pitout, the group has essentially devoured anything that has crossed its path, doing multiple laps around North America and releasing top-shelf DIY punk records that hit the elusive sweet spot between grunge’s most aggressive freakouts and hardcore’s best songwriting.
 
Years of hard work culminated in 2010’s TV, Death and the Devil, the band’s defining statement that landed them critical acclaim across North America. Rather than rest on their laurels, however, they continued their venomous pursuit of more with more EPs and more touring, satiating their global fanbase with a hand-crafted monthly newsletter sent through the good old-fashioned mail.
 
Refusing to repeat themselves, however, Lukic and Pitout have taken big risks with even bigger payoffs on this release. Proving just how unpredictable they can be, they abandoned their status as a duo – a favourite angle of both the media and fans – and recruited Vancouver noise rock great Brody McKnight as a full-time member. Previously working with the now-legendary group Mutators, McKnight has added another dimension of heaviness to the band’s already mind-melting sludge attack.
 
Expertly recorded by former Jackie-O Motherfucker member Josh Stevenson at his Vancouver studio, Sundowning is as engaging, terrifying and addictive as the band’s famous live show. Redefining the sound of punk while respecting and adhering to its hallowed history is no easy task, but then Nü Sensae have never been a band to make easy choices.
 
Tour Dates
July 20 – Seattle, WA – Capitol Hill Block Party
July 21 – Vancouver, BC – Khatsalano Festival (day show)
July 21 – Vancouver, BC – The Biltmore (w/ King Tuff – night show)
Aug. 3 – Vancouver, BC – Antisocial (w/ White Lung – RECORD RELEASE SHOW)
Aug. 4 – Calgary, AB – The Palomino
Aug. 5 – Edmonton, AB – Wunderbar
Aug. 6 – Calgary, AB – House Show
Aug. 7 – Regina, SK – Smith Street Sounds
Aug. 8 – Winnipeg, MB – Lo Pub
Aug. 10 – St. Paul, MN – Turf Club
Aug. 11 – Iowa City, IA – Gabe’s
Aug. 12 – Chicago, IL – The Empty Bottle
Aug. 13 – Detroit, MI – The Lager House
Aug. 14 – London, ON – Call the Office
Aug. 15 – Toronto, ON – Parts and Labour
Aug. 16 – Ottawa, ON – Babylon
Aug. 18 – Montreal, QC – Casa Del Popolo
Aug. 19 – Boston, MA – Midway Cafe (w/ Psychic Blood)
Aug. 20 – Brooklyn, NY – Death By Audio (w/ Psychic Blood)
Aug. 21 – Brooklyn, NY – Tommy’s Tavern (w/ Psychic Blood)
Aug. 22 – Philadelphia, PA – Cloud City (w/ Psychic Blood)
Aug. 23 – Pittsburgh, PA – The Shop (w/ Psychic Blood)
Aug. 24 – Cincinnati, OH – Kirby House (w/ Psychic Blood)
Aug. 25 – St. Louis, MO – Apop Records (w/ Psychic Blood)
Aug. 26 – Lawrence, KS – Replay Lounge (w/ King Tuff)
Aug. 28 – Denver, CO – Glob
Aug. 29 – Salt Lake City, UT – The Underground
Aug. 30 – Reno, NV – Holland Project
Aug. 31 – Portland, OR – House Show
Sep. 2 – Seattle, WA – Bumbershoot (11:30a – Toyota Stage)
 
Sundowning Track List:
First Born
Swim
100 Shades
Burnt Masks
Dust
Tea Swamp Park
Whispering Rule
Spit Gifting
Tyjna
Orange Roses
Curdle the Cream
First Born (Reprise)
Say What You Are
Eat Your Mind