The Hold Steady have a new -- brand-new -- home. Razor & Tie has announced the launch of a new imprint, Washington Square, which will make its label debut with the sixth full-length of the much-loved bar-band-with-brains, "Teeth Dreams," to be released March 25th.
“We are huge fans of The Hold Steady and could not be more excited that they will help us launch the new label. Washington Square will be a home for groundbreaking artists both established and new, who will make music that is vital and inspiring,” said Cliff Chenfield, Razor & Tie's co-CEO.
Washington Square will also be issuing albums from Deaf Havana and the New York-based Born Cages, and is in the planning stages of a showcase during SXSW in Austin, Texas. Asked who will be leading the imprint, a label spokeperson told Billboard that "Washington Square will be staffed by Razor & Tie and, when appropriate, will have additional resources."
“We’re excited for this new chapter,” says Hold Steady's Craig Finn in a statement. “We’re really proud of our new record," said Tad Kubler, “this is an exciting time for us. Making the new record has been a journey for the band, and the results exceeded even our own expectations. Can't wait for people to hear it."
The announcement comes as The Hold Steady is set to celebrate its tenth year, launching a decade ago with the prescient "Positive Jam" and going on to become one of a very select few modern bands to be featured the cover of the Village Voice. The band will be celebrating the milestone with -- what else? -- a tour, set to start in Memphis on January 29 and snake north, capping off with two tenth anniversary shows in Brooklyn and Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
In addition to the forthcoming full-length, the band is set to release a benefit EP of covers titled "RAGS," with proceeds going towards the K + L Guardian Foundation, set up for the children of departed New Jersey writer, booker and event manager "Jersey Mike" Van Jura
