The Pains of being inspired

Photo by Annie Powers

The Pains of Being Poor at Heart have released one of the most talked about debuts of 2009, and it is becoming clear that there is a fertile wellspring of talent in this New York quartet.

A mere seven months since its eponymous debut hit the streets amid critical acclaim, The Pains of Being Poor at Heart have announced the September 22 release for a follow-up EP, Higher than the Stars. With one foot wading in the New Wave of the '80s, another in the fuzzed-out shoegazing of the '90s, and a 21st century mindset, the quartet has a adept situational awareness and a sound that is warmly familiar, nearly to the point of nostalgia, but with a modern metropolitan approach, a soundtrack for city streets.

To preempt the release of Higher than the Stars, the group has unveiled the title track, accompanied by a tour itinerary beginning in early September and leading the band across the U.S. and Canada. Supporting acts include the Depreciation Guild, as well as emerging act Cymbals Eat Guitars.

Higher Than the Stars EP (Slumberland - Fortuna Pop - 2009)
1. Higher Than the Stars 2. 103 3. Falling Over 4. Twins 5. Higher Than the Stars (Saint Etienne Visits Lord Spank Mix) - CDEP version only

The Pains of Being Pure at Heart on tour:
Sep 05 2009 Middle East Downstairs, Boston, Massachusetts &+
Sep 06 2009 La Sala Rossa Montreal, Quebec &+
Sep 07 2009 Horeshoe Tavern Toronto, Ontario &+
Sep 08 2009 Logan Square Auditorium Chicago, Illinois &+
Sep 09 2009 Stage Door at the Orpheum Madison, Wisconsin &+
Sep 10 2009 The Slowdown Omaha, Nebraska &+
Sep 12 2009 Monolith Festival Morrison, Colorado
Sep 13 2009 Kilby Court Salt Lake City, Utah &+
Sep 14 2009 Neurolux Boise, Idaho &+
Sep 15 Neumo's Seattle, Washington &+
Sep 17 2009 MFNW / Doug Fir Portland, Oregon &+
Sep 18 2009 Great American Music Hall San Francisco, California &+
Sep 19 2009 Troubadour Los Angeles, California &+
Sep 21 2009 Casbah San Diego, California &+
Sep 22 2009 Club Congress Tucson, Arizona &+
Sep 24 2009 Lola's Fort Worth, Texas &+
Sep 25 2009 The Mohawk Austin, Texas &+
Sep 26 2009 One Eyed Jacks New Orleans, Louisiana &+
Sep 27 2009 Club Down Under (Florida State University) Tallahassee, Florida &+
Sep 28 2009 The Earl Atlanta, Georgia &+
Sep 29 2009 Local 506 Chapel Hill, North Carolina &+
Sep 30 2009 Black Cat, Washington DC &+
Oct 01 2009 Ottobar Baltimore, Maryland &+
Oct 03 2009 New York, NY Webster Hall &+
Oct 05 2009 First Unitarian Church Philadelphia, Pennsylvania &+

& = w/ The Depreciation Guild
+ = w/ Cymbals Eat Guitars

Learn:
The Pains of Being Pure at Heart online

Listen:
Track 1 - Higher than the Stars

Buy:
The Pains store