The Constellations to release “Southern Gothic”

The Constellations will release their debut album Southern Gothic on EMI’s Virgin Records on June 8. Rising stars of the Atlanta scene, the band—which is fronted by charismatic vocalist Elijah Jones—is set for a breakout year in 2010. Southern Gothic was produced by Ben H. Allen (Animal Collective, Gnarls Barkley), and features guest appearances by Cee-Lo and Asher Roth. The band is currently giving away a free mp3 of the album’s opening track “Setback” at www.theconstellationsmusic.com.

Following recent tours with the Greyboy Allstars and RJD2, The Constellations’ upcoming touring plans will include a run of headlining dates with a stop at Brooklyn Bowl in New York City (Feb. 3), opening dates with Hockey (March 11-April 8), and their SXSW debut (March 18-21). The band will also head to the UK for a five night residency in London (March 1-5), and release the 7” “Setback/Love Is A Murder” in the UK through the indie label Parallel Lines on March 8.

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Southern Gothic is all about what happens in The Constellations’ Atlanta stomping grounds afterhours, a spectacle rife with seedy scenes and eccentric personalities, and propelled by a manic energy that hustles the audience deeper into the unexpected. Your tour guide on this madcap adventure is the magnetic frontman and vocalist Elijah Jones—the ringleader of the twisted circus that is The Constellations—who spent two years writing and recording the album with producer Ben H. Allen.

“Atlanta is strange,” says Jones, “because we’re all basically pushed together.” The hip-hop heads, punk rockers, and indie kids all rub shoulders and mix it up. Southern Gothic reflects that inclusive diversity in its far-reaching sound. One expects nothing less from a singer who cites Tom Waits and Cee-Lo of Goodie Mob and Gnarls Barkley as his musical heroes, working with a producer who name-checks Fela Kuti and Gorillaz among their record’s key influences.

The band’s name refers to the myriad musicians from the regional scene who either contributed to making the album or have since played in The Constellations live band. One luminary who drops in is Cee-Lo, who added a verse to the electro-rocker “Love Is A Murder.” Another guest is suburban rapper Asher Roth, lending his playful rhymes to “We’re Here To Save The Day.” Other highlights include the funk number “Felicia,” for which Jones drew inspiration from the laidback ‘70s vignettes of Iggy Pop and Lou Reed, and the album’s centerpiece, “Step Right Up (A Tribute To Tom Waits).”

THE CONSTELLATIONS – 2010 TOUR DATES

Feb. 2 The Note West Chester, PA

Feb. 3 Brooklyn Bowl Brooklyn, NY

Feb. 4 Great Scott Allston, MA

Feb. 5 Snow Barn West Dover, VT

Feb. 10 529 Atlanta, GA

Mar. 1 Barfly London, UK

Mar. 2 The Flowerpot London, UK

Mar. 3 Hoxton Square London, UK

Mar. 4 Underbelly London, UK

Mar. 5 Club NME @ Koko London, UK

Mar. 11 7th Street Entry Minneapolis, MN w/ Hockey

Mar. 12 Schuba’s Tavern Chicago, IL w/ Hockey

Mar. 13 Outland on Liberty Columbus, OH w/ Hockey

Mar 15 Bowery Ballroom New York, NY w/ Hockey

Mar. 16 Johnny Brenda’s Philadelphia, PA w/ Hockey

Mar. 17 Rock n Roll Hotel Washington, DC w/ Hockey

Mar. 18-21 SXSW Austin, TX

Mar. 22 Local 506 Chapel Hill, NC w/ Hockey

Mar. 23 Mercy Lounge Nashville, TN w/ Hockey

Mar. 24 Drunken Unicorn Atlanta, GA w/ Hockey

Mar. 25 Café 11 St. Augustine, FL w/ Hockey

Mar. 26 Club Downunder Tallahassee, FL w/ Hockey

Mar. 27 Bottle Tree Birmingham, AL w/ Hockey

Mar. 29 Thirsty Hippo Hattiesburg, MS w/ Hockey

Mar. 30 Spanish Moon Baton Rouge, LA w/ Hockey

Apr. 1 Warehouse Live Houston, TX w/ Hockey

Apr. 2 Emo’s Austin, TX w/ Hockey

Apr. 3 The Loft Dallas, TX w/ Hockey

Apr. 6 Larimer Lounge Denver, CO w/ Hockey

Apr. 7 Kilby Court Salt Lake City, UT w/ Hockey

Apr. 8 Wonder Ballroom Portland, OR w/ Hockey