Pitchfork

Known for their intricate beat-driven soundscapes and dizzying displays of lyrical prowess, Subtle have really upped the geekiness with a few promotions for their new album, ExitingARM.

First, on April 4, the group will unveil a comic/graphic novel tying into the album, continuing the narrative of Subtle protagonist "Hour Hero Yes" and featuring original sounds from the Subtle-verse. The graphic novel will exist online at the Paul Riley-designed website ExitingARM.com, and Subtle will also produce a print edition entitled The OughtAlmanac of AmassedFact Vol. I.

That OughtAlmanac, available exclusively at shows, is limited to 100 copies and includes an MP3 CD containing "all 2.8 hours of the Almanac read over Subtle improv exerpts and record crackle." Oh my. It's actually the second Subtle "artifact as art", following the limited edition handmade board game released in conjunction with for hero: for fool.

Second, the lone city where people who don't know how to find album leaks will have a chance to hear ExitingARM before Lex releases it on May 13? Why, that would be Seattle, Washington. On April 11, the Emerald City's Pacific Science Center Laser Dome will host a listening party for the record complete with synchronized laser light show and Subtle ringleader Doseone's artwork. Imagine those lasers to the tune of an MP3 for ExitingARM's "The Crow", linked below.

Third, Doseone has teamed with illustrator/animator Ghostshrimp to develop a TV series (not related to Subtle) he plans to pitch to Cartoon Network's Adult Swim. Doseone and Adult Swim-- suddenly it all makes sense! And speaking of cartoons, Doseone and Subtle-mate Jel have a totally fucked up one on YouTube right now called "NOTgarfield". Check it out, if you dare, here.

And finally, of course, there are the video games. Get outside much, guys?

Oh hey, you do:

05-07 San Francisco, CA - Great American Music Hall *
05-09 Portland, OR - Doug Fir ^%
05-10 Seattle, WA - Nectar Lounge ^%
05-12 Salt Lake City, UT - Urban Lounge
05-13 Denver, CO - Bluebird Theatre
05-15 Minneapolis, MN - 7th St Entry $
05-16 Madison, WI - Annex $
05-17 Chicago, IL - Empty Bottle +
05-19 Toronto, Ontario - Sneaky Dee's
05-20 Montreal, Quebec - La Sala Rossa
05-21 Cambridge, MA - Middle East Downstairs +
05-22 Philadelphia, PA - Johnny Brenda's +
05-23 New York, NY - Knitting Factory +
05-24 Washington, DC - Rock and Roll Hotel +^
05-26 Atlanta, GA - Drunken Unicorn
05-27 Baton Rouge, LA - Spanish Moon
05-28 Austin, TX - Mohawk
05-30 Los Angeles, CA - Knitting Factory *

* with Clue to Kalo, Facing New York
^ with Efterklang
% with Slaraffenland
$ with Fog
& with Pit Er Pat
+ with Black Moth Super Rainbow