Broken Bells announce their first tour

In the wake of their new band’s self titled Columbia Records debut charting at #7 and selling just shy of 50,000 in its first week (and reaching as high as #1 on iTunes), James Mercer and Brian Burton a/k/a Danger Mouse have confirmed Broken Bells first ever tour. The dates commence May 18 in San Diego and will include stops in 16 North American cities with support by The Morning Benders

In addition to being the year’s highest charting debut album by an alternative/rock band, Broken Bells’ has met with an insanely and unanimously positive critical reception: Rolling Stone has hailed the album as “the year’s coolest left field pop disc” in a 4-star lead review, while Wired described it as “crazy good stuff” and Entertainment Weekly praised it as a “subtly savory sonic morsel.”

The mere handful of shows the band has played to date have fared likewise, selling out as quickly as tickets could be processed, and dazzling crowds in Los Angeles, New York, and most recently Austin. Witnessing one of these first few performances, US Weekly likened the Broken Bells live experience to “being at a cozy, intimate underground basement party somewhere in Northern California with the best art rock band on the coast providing the soundtrack.”

Broken Bells features Mercer on vocals, guitars and bass while Burton plays organ, drums, piano, synths and bass. The pair play all instruments on the album with the exception of a full string section arranged by Daniele Luppi. Broken Bells was recorded by Todd Monfalcone and Kennie Takahashi at Mondo Studio in Los Angeles and produced by Danger Mouse.

Each a long-time fan of the other’s work, Burton and Mercer first met face-to-face backstage at the 2004 Roskilde Festival in Copenhagen. The pair immediately hit it off and kept in touch over the prevailing half decade and in May 2008 seized the opportunity to finally collaborate on original music together. Broken Bells was pared down from more than 20 pieces of new music.

BROKEN BELLS NORTH AMERICAN TOUR 2010
The Morning Benders to support

Tue-May-18-10 San Diego – Humphrey’s Concerts by the Bay
Wed-May-19-10 Los Angeles – Henry Fonda Theatre
Fri-May-21-10 San Francisco – Regency Ballroom
Mon-May-24-10 Portland – Wonder Ballroom
Tue-May-25-10 Seattle – Showbox at the Market
Wed-May-26-10 Vancouver – Commodore Ballroom
Sat-May-29-10 Denver – Gothic Theatre
Mon-May-31-10 Chicago – Vic Theater
Tue-Jun-01-10 Detroit – St. Andrews Hall
Wed-Jun-02-10 Toronto – Queen Elizabeth Theatre
Fri-Jun-04-10 Boston – Royale NightClub
Sat-Jun-05-10 NY – The Fillmore New York at Irving Plaza
Sun-Jun-06-10 Philadelphia – Electric Factory
Mon-Jun-07-10 Washington, DC – 9:30 Club
Thu-Jun-10-10 Atlanta – Center Stage
Fri-Jun-11-10 Athens – 40 Watt Club