//02.11.2010
American Ghetto
From Satan’s Satanist to America’s Ghettos
As I sit down to get into this topic that is American Ghetto I am realizing that I have put it off for far too long. I for some reason have it in my head that I have told you all that I would be posting on this subject nearly every month since it’s completion… Well, I really have no excuse aside from our endless work schedule and our promoting of The Satanic Satanist. Before heading on I cannot help but point out how funny I find it that every time I talk about promoting the Satanist, or talking about the Satanist or doing artwork for the satanist etc. that it is somehow being overheard and taken out of context. It is just a thought, and now, we continue into Ghetto and the whats, hows, whys and whens.
To find ourselves in the Ghetto we must first deal with The Satanist. The Satanic Satanist came together in such a special way for us. It was a huge learning experience. It was finding some understanding of where our songwriting highs and lows were and trying to expand in either direction. It was an album of focus and at the time and in my mind still, it was the thought of perfecting something we have attempted basically since our bands birth. We love SONGS. Absolutely and in every way. We approached with this thought and to the best of our abilities at the time wrote songs, short and to the point. I mentioned this was a heavy task to take on. Sometimes knowing when to stop and what to cut is more difficult than any jam out or extension of verses, cutting of choruses, noise pollutions…. I said sometimes, but really, most always this is the case. Sorry noise bands, I love what some of you do, love it, but this is mostly true in my mind. We are very happy to have done this and will continue to promote that thought and that album, it is and always will be a huge point in our career and came together in so many ways thanks to Paul Q. Kolderie, Adam Taylor and Anthony Saffery, not to mention the AMAZING people at Bonnaroo, Lollapalooza and Outside Lands, Southside and Hurricane and any and all Euro festivals as well!
“Having said that” Thank you Larry David
We move into the Ghetto
As much as I am fully in love with the way the Satanist came together and better understanding of self and songwriting, there are other sides of this band and music that are worth exploring and maintaining. There has always been something very magical to me about spontaneity in the studio and onstage, improvising and basically just “going for it” and seeing what comes out. We have always had a great experience with this and I have always loved the idea of capturing a moment. Where planning a scene has its own consistency and focus, capturing a moment can somehow magnify those moments and give you a clearer and more truthful view of the world in which it exists. This idea of “capturing a moment” is exactly what we talked about as I headed back to Boston to record American Ghetto with Anthony Saffery. There are often great friendships born in music. I imagine a lot of that is due to the fact that we spend days on end for weeks and months at a time crammed into vans, hotel rooms, studios and venues with the same people. It is bound to happen. Anthony happened to be one of these lasting friendships. We discussed doing something a bit different from Satanist, doing something a bit more beat driven and just, overall, having fun with sound and doing something a bit more spontaneous. With these thoughts in mind I took a relatively short break after returning to Portland from Boston and basically flew right back out with a handful of ideas and some great conversations on direction with Anthony. Soon after returning to Camp Street and tracking the initial skeleton of the album with Anthony we were joined by Zoe Manville who had come out for some additional vocals once again and, once again did an amazing job covering our female vocal ranges… As hard as I might try, some notes are better left to those with the confidence to reach them… American Ghetto was an album that, though drum machined and programmed and synthesized, maintained a lot of feeling and the soul and heart of what this band is. Much of this was due to the fact that it is probably the most consistent album lyrically and the most true to some of the harder points of my friendships back home, some that have ended some that remain and many of which were forfeited to some poor life choices and the downfalls of small town life. It is the first time I have really gone into these things, and there was a very strange mixture of both happiness and sadness to finally get it all out. Song by song each piece is a different group, person, or place that I spent a big part of my life. From the streets we drove and the places we built bonfires and had parties. Overall a good experience that is a big part of who I am today.
There were other consistencies brought around in Ryan’s keyboard playing and Zach’s bass lines as well as Jason’s thoughts on sound and delivery. Jason has always had a great ear for this and I am not sure how often it has been mentioned. There is something really great to be said about a Ween fans ear. They hear everything. There was still the room full of instruments and gear at our disposal and still the level of excitement that was brought from Anthony Saffery and Adam Taylor. We spent our nights out with Anthony’s family in Cambridge and our days in Camp Street just riffing off one another. It was a truly great experience and is, in my opinion, one of our most important albums.
The Release: How does March 2nd sound?
We have had several talks about what this album is and what it should be and how we should release it. This has obviously taken some time and is the main reason I have waited to post this blog. This album is a very important one to me. It is very personal and it is very much a part of this band. It is a part of our growth and a part of our future. It is something that I strongly felt needed to be something for all of you, something for the people that have supported this band. We worked hard to save enough money to self-finance this record, something we could not have done without you. As much as it was discussed, we honestly feel that American Ghetto is something best left for all of you to do with as you please. On March 2nd we will make this record available to you, press, radio, retail, etc. Nobody gets the record early; we will not be soliciting reviews, airplay or any support from the industry. It is up to you to tweet about #americanghetto or to share or to send friends to buy. If you want to write/blog/play American Ghetto, March 2nd is your opportunity. It will be the same for everyone. We love all of you very much and appreciate every bit of the support. It means everything and exists only with your continued support. This album is yours, we will be doing a handful of these throughout the future of the band. Join mailing lists and follow on twitter. Send your friends. Lets take this to the next step.
Much Love,
John
I want to finish with a huge thank you to Steve and Dan and everyone at Equal Vision Records for allowing us to approach the release in this way. It took a lot of talking to get to the point where we all knew this was right to do. This label deserves your support. They are truly great people and have allowed us to do all we want. You are very appreciated EVR, thank you. Thank you as well to Anthony Saffery for all the hard work he put into this. Thank you to Adam Taylor for sitting through so many sessions of “brain storming”, ideas take time, thank you for manning the helm. Thank you to Paul Q. Kolderie for letting us take over the basement and letting us work freely. Thank you to Tjinder Singh and Steve Smith and Ian Kennedy for the additional work. Last but not least, thank you to Rich Holtzman for the trust and faith in this project and for helping us put the release together in this way and for investing every bit of his time into this project.
- 11 tracks for immediate download
- High quality MP3 (320k), Apple Lossless, or FLAC
- 12 page digital booklet w/ lyrics & liner notes
- Add T-shirt for $12
This made my day
Elliot Street Lunatic//02.11.2010
You guys are incredible
Mike Smith//02.11.2010
Perfect moment for a great message. The 2nd half of Censored Colors just began and BAM, there’s release date.
Leon Szymanski//02.11.2010
God damnit Gourley, you really are the man.
March 2nd, eh? Bring the mutha fuckin ruckus!
Prove’em wrong Gourley! Burn this ghetto to the ground!
Ps – Vinyl?
Casper//02.11.2010
This is the best news so far this year honestly…….
except the news about March 12th
And the 13th
what time you playing harvest of hope?
zachery caron//02.11.2010
You have no idea how much anticipation you just gave me. If I were planning on killing myself I’d have to wait till after March 2nd now
Jairek Maholm//02.11.2010
American ghetto on March 2nd and a Fall Of Troy Concert March 6th, you guys just made this soon to be great week even better!
Joe Lynch//02.11.2010
This is absolutely beyond exciting and I will do everything in my power to get this album heard. I love the idea of letting the fans do as they please with the record. Good luck with everything!
Chris Gorton//02.11.2010
considering how different all of your albums are, it’s hard to imagine what heights I presume will be reached next. “Oh the Places You Will Go!” myself and my hand crafted new PTM fans will be at the Dallas show the day following your release. Very exciting. I will say I was quite dissapointed when your name was not on the lineup for bonnaroo. Considering that you will have released 2 albums since last years show. Yes we will see you in Dallas but Bonnaroo is it’s own lifeform.
Kat swift//02.11.2010
Awesome news. Just got tickets to St. Vincent, and now this. I am looking forward to this.
Eric//02.11.2010
You guys should do some work with The Mars Volta! I’ve always felt a subtle underlying similarity between P.TM and TMV. They’re probably a little difficult to work with though…
Chris//02.11.2010
New She & Him album
New Gorillaz album
and now, a new P.TM album.
March is gonna rock.
Tyler//02.11.2010
I can’t wait. I fully support anything and everything you do and how you do it. Thanks.
Robbie//02.11.2010
I can’t wait for the release and hopefully another visit to Indiana.
Kelsey Godby//02.11.2010
march 2nd sounds ballin’ to me! let the wild rumpus begin!
Kelly//02.11.2010
<3
cheyenne//02.11.2010
New LCD Soundsystem
New Arcade Fire
New Black Keys
New Dead Weather
New MIA
And now New motherfucking PTM!!!!!
How can this year’s music get off to a better start?
I already love 2010 and cannot wait for the Ghetto jams!
Love you guys!
Red//02.11.2010
Doing my “Where the Wild Things Are” dance!!!
Red//02.11.2010
yay
aaron//02.11.2010
yay!
aaron//02.11.2010
Awesome, I cannot explain how excited I am about AG, heard some great things about it from people who were at the listening party. Thank you, John, Zach, Jason, Ryan & Zoe for the great music you guys keep putting out here.
Cal//02.11.2010
Hell yeah, I am so excited for this. Keep it up guys, and keep releasing what you want to release and not what other people want you to release.
Clayton//02.11.2010
hell yes guys! you guys are becoming rock gods and all so im so happy that you still remember the fans. alot of bands lose sight of that when labels get involved. oh and p.s. love the home made furniture in your new home. march 2nd my wallet, my mouse. party time.
Seanzilla//02.11.2010
HEY RED!? WE BE FIST PUMP DANCIN’ TO GHETTO ALL NIGHT BABY!
Casper//02.11.2010
thank you all so much !!!
matt koenig//02.11.2010
I can´t wait! don´t stop make music please!!! I just love all your work ! “Waiting for the band to come” …. kiss from Portugal
Alex//02.11.2010
Where’s the pre-order? Really looking forward to this. Btw the Greenman (Always Sunny, haha) on the cover is a-some.
Matt Stoker//02.11.2010
Pretty………pretty………pretty good.
Can’t wait to hear this chaps!
Matthew Haigh//02.12.2010
I have a feeling that this record is going to be very good. One thing I like about you guys is that you don’t seem to put out albums to reach a quota, or because you feel obligated to stay fresh and interesting, but because you love what you do and have so much that you want to put out there- musically, emotionally, artistically, etc. It makes me happy to hear as a fan, especially since your attitude is constantly reflected in the quality of your songs. I’m constantly re-falling in love with your music. I’m so grateful that you keep putting out these beautiful songs.
Thank you! And I can’t wait to hear American Ghetto. I’m sure it’s wonderful.
Rachel Fouche//02.12.2010
Red, you missed:
new UNKLE!
It’s going to be a good year.
Really looking forward to American Ghetto
Jim//02.12.2010
the ‘fan’ticipation is killing me.
Jessica Brasher//02.12.2010
Perfection on all levels. I don’t even know what else to say. PTM fans are such good people, too…you guys (and ZOE!!!!!! YAY FOR ZOE) are always in my heart. Sending all of my good vibes your way.
Nolan Krebs//02.12.2010
Thank You Portugal the man. Thank you.
Asa//02.12.2010
I discovered you for myself at Bonnaroo last year, incredible way to start the weekend, and still my favorite show over the 4 days on the farm. I’ve been waiting to see you all again since then….. and finally you are coming to 9:30 club. Frickin awesome, I will see you there.
B Long//02.12.2010
Such good people these people.
Michael James VanCamp//02.12.2010
Bonaarooooooooo
tim//02.12.2010
john, you are seriously my hero. your writing as a genuine person and music fan just makes your music all the more incredible. you have the support of explodinginsound.com to the fullest extent!
dan//02.12.2010
Larry David reference FTW!
Pete//02.12.2010
I’ll buy this whenever and wherever. Hopefully it’ll be on vinyl…….or at least CD. But no matter what, I will purchase this and spread the word. You guys rock.
sean//02.12.2010
Well this is the best news I’ve heard all year so far! Can’t wait to get my hands on a copy! Any word on a vinyl release and/or special package deals?
With love,
Franco
Franco Campese//02.12.2010
OH MY JESUS!!! Two of the best bands in the world are releasing on the same day!!!! Jaguar Love and P. The Man!!! I cannot wait! and every that is saying that they’ll spread the word, don’t. Portugal should stay underground. I will not stand for little fuqs that like mainstream music running around listening to this. I will kill them.
Mitch//02.12.2010
Thats sounds great!
I cant wait to hear the album!
You are so close to your fans. Thats great!
Greetings from Germany! See you guys on the road!
With love,
Helle
Helle//02.13.2010
this is gonna be awesome! you guys need to do a Canadian tour. An Atlantic Canadian tour. Come to Halifax, NS!
T.B//02.13.2010
I’m so excited! I love you guys!
kristin//02.13.2010
i’m really hopin you release this on vinyl
Tmoney//02.13.2010
This was so amazing, every portugal album seems to grow and change alittle as I grow and change alittle myself too…really excited to see the results of this album. I hope this will be pressed on vinyl!
Joe Hollier//02.13.2010
can we get a sneak preview at a song?
aaron//02.13.2010
Awesome, finally some info. I’ll be making sure people know about this. I would just like to add that I love your views on music, it’s inspiring. Keep it up.
Kolin//02.13.2010
And Mitch, shut up. That’s retarded, and they already have been featured on MTVU, so its already happening.
Kolin//02.13.2010
i really enjoy every angle of your music from the sounds you create to the words that inspire and pass through. i love the fact that you are constantly writing and releasing new stuff and the way that you are getting this one out tops them all.
jeff//02.13.2010
Thanks for another hearty update John, it is greatly appreciated.
I’ve loved every album so far and am definitely looking forward to hear what’s next. So far, every song from each record has been phenomenal to its own unique degree and I am sure it can only get better.
And after so much relentless creativity, I sincerely hope P.TM is more widely recognized in the near future. Your music helps make my time on this earth all the better, and I really hope it can do the same for every person who has yet to discover it.
To stay ‘underground’ would be a shame. In fact, I think these little exclusive scenes people try to make up are just people who cannot accept the fact that we are all part of one world.
With all due respect Mitch, I know where you’re coming from, but please reconsider your stance. Regardless of how “I will not stand for little fuqs that like mainstream music running around listening to this. I will kill them.” was meant to be taken, this severe fanaticism should not be connected with this band – much less anything. This kind of outlook is precisely the whole trouble with a lot of people in the world, and judging by his lyrics, is an outlook which I am sure John is at least trying to clear away as much as he can.
Travis//02.15.2010
my birthday is March 1st and your new record is at the top of my list! the honesty of your music transcends genre and style. i can’t wait to hear what’s next!
Lisa//02.15.2010
Any chance of getting some previews? Like with TSS. Anyway thanks for keeping us in the loop., march 2 can’t come soon enough.
Sherbert//02.16.2010
I saw the pre-order option on itunes, but i want a hard copy! Any1 know when they will be up on PTM merch now?
HELLER!//02.16.2010
Oklahoma misses you all.
Trevor//02.16.2010
I cannot wait. I will see you in DALLAS!! One day after American Ghetto!
Christian//02.16.2010
Thanks John.
Sincerely,
Andrew from Boston/ North Hampton
Andrew//02.17.2010
Hey, i was under the impression that “The Pushers Party” was going to be “The Pusherman’s Party” ?
phb//02.17.2010
I hope your persistence and passion in creating music/art never stops – you guys are a fucking joy to listen to. I can’t wait the two weeks for this one to come out.
Can we count on a few American Ghetto sketches to make their way onto t-shirts >:)?
Lewis//02.17.2010
PARDON THE INTERUPTION!!!!!!
BEAT CONNECTION! BEAT CONNECTION! BEAT CONNETCTION! BEAT CONNECTION! BEAT CONNECTION! BEAT CONNECTION! BEAT CONNECTION! BEAT CONNECTION!
CANNOT WAIT TIL MARCH SECOND!!!!
WE GONNA RAGE IT IN CINCY PORTUGAL YOU BETTER BELIEVE IT!!!
Red//02.17.2010
[...] Not even a year after releasing their 4th studio album - Satanic Satanist - Portugal, The Man is set for another album release on March 2, 2010. This album will be titled American Ghetto. I thought Satantic Satanist was a great album and a vast improvement on Censored Colors. They really found a solid sound in Satantic and I hope they continue with that sound into American Ghetto. In the quote below, Portugal said this album was going to be more electronic with beats and samplers, etc. This is really interesting, we’ll see how this one turns out. Once again amazing artwork produced by the band. Check below for the tracklist and some quotes. Check the post here from the band. [...]
Portugal, The Man new album set for March | Expressive Culture//02.19.2010
There’s previews on Amazon now.
Dopeness!
Sherbert//02.19.2010
Can’t wait for the new album! I was going to buy tickets for your show in Chicago but it’s sold out
Tingletown//02.20.2010
testing facebook comment
Brandon//02.20.2010
testing facebook comment again
Brandon//02.20.2010
testing facebook comment
Dell Taco//02.21.2010
again
Dell Taco//02.21.2010
and againss
Dell Taco//02.21.2010
testing 1 2 3 work!!
Dell Taco//02.21.2010
You guys are a recording MACHINE. Downloaded the sample song and it’s soo good.. like everything else you guys do.
Seriously you are truly an inspiration to me and a huge influence to my own music.
Much love
Jason//02.25.2010
promo video I made for the new album, spread it to all your friends!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zLBEoxkvK00
Anthony Bacala//03.11.2010
o my god! incredible album (as they all are)
Ben//03.15.2010
amazing page
Gas Electric Supplier//06.05.2010