The New Orleans duo will also embark on a month-long tour with Splashh and Brass Bed celebrating their new label and album
Back in early January, Polyvinyl Records announced the signing of Ted Joyner and Grant Widmer, aka Generationals. If the new home was not enough, they also revealed the details behind their third full length album, Heza. After nearly three years, two full length albums, and one EP on Park The Van Records (Dr. Dog, The Spinto Band), Heza will be the band’s first release on Polyvinyl.
High school pals and New Orleans natives, Joyner and Widmer have been making music while attending Louisiana State. They, along with a few other classmates, formed The Emaes Era. After a four-year stint the band broke up. Joyner and Widmer moved back to their hometown and began making music under the name Generationals.
On their debut album Con Law, it was clear that the pair had a knack for crafting lush pop melodies. A handful of the songs from the album scored major commercial placement. Their strongest single, “When They Fight, They Fight” was the track behind Bloomingdale’s holiday campaign. The record featured a sunny and bright ’70s California vibe and Phil Spector-esque production.
Two years later the band released their sophomore follow-up, Actor-Castor. By this time, the Generationals sound had evolved into a more guitar-driven indie pop sound. Elements from Con Law still existed, but now it was blended with a focus on infectious hooks. With their migration to Polyvinyl, the Generationals have polished and refined their sound and are poised to break out.
In October of last year, the duo self-released a three song EP that gave a peek into what can be expected on Heza. Songs like “Lucky Numbers” and “Sale City” let synths fuel and push them. The first single from Heza, “Spinoza” has the band taking more of a surf-inspired route with hints of their earlier Con Law-era tracks. The range of genres the Generationals have come to embrace truly demonstrates the strength of their songwriting.
Days after their album is released, Generationals will take it out on the road to play for the masses. Starting where it all began, the tour kicks off in Baton Rouge on April 11th and wraps up exactly one month later in Atlanta. Splashh and Brass Bed will share the road with them. On April 21st the Generationals and Splashh will make a stop here in Philadelphia at Johnny Brenda’s as they make their way up the East Coast.
Check out the tour dates below and be on the look out for Heza at your local record store!
Apr 11 – Baton Rouge, LA @ Mud + Water *
Apr 12 – Birmingham, AL @ The Bottletree *
Apr 13 – Knoxville, TN @ Pilot Light *
Apr 14 – Chapel Hill, NC @ Local 506 *
Apr 16 – Richmond, VA @ Strange Matter *
Apr 17 – Washington, DC @ Rock and Roll Hotel *
Apr 18 – Harrisburg, PA @ FED LIVE *
Apr 19 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Club Cafe *
Apr 21 – Philadelphia, PA @ Johnny Brenda’s *
Apr 22 – New York, NY @ Bowery Ballroom *
Apr 25 – Allston, MA @ Great Scott *
Apr 27 – Portland, ME @ Space
Apr 28 – Rochester, NY @ Bug Jar #
Apr 30 – Winooski, VT @ The Monkey House #
May 01 – Montreal, Canada @ Casa Del Popolo #
May 02 – Toronto, Canada @ The Garrison #
May 03 – Cleveland, OH @ Grog Shop #
May 04 – Chicago, IL @ Lincoln Hall #
May 05 – Milwaukee, WI @ Hotel Foster #
May 06 – Minneapolis, MN @ 7th St. Entry #
May 09 – St Louis, MO @ Old Rock House #
May 10 – Nashville, TN @ The High Watt #
May 11 – Atlanta, GA @ The EARL #
* w/ Splashh | # w/ Brass Bed
