Owen Pallett: Beyond Final Fantasy

Starting anew is synonymous with the beginning of a new year, and Final Fantasy will welcome 2010 with a new album, Heartland, as well as a return to his God-given name.

Owen Pallett has been making music as Final Fantasy since 2004, when he began using the moniker for his solo violin shows. But according to Pallett, "the laws of trademark infringement exist for good reason, and so I am voluntarily retiring my band name;" the name change will allow the musician to separate his work from the bestselling Square Enix video game franchise of the same name.

With Heartland, Final Fantasy becomes Owen Pallett, but little else is changing for the enigmatic composer. The ambitious new album was recorded over nine months in four countries, and is intended as both an album and a 45 minute orchestral piece of looped violin and voice.

In preparation for Heartland, Pallett has released the first single, "Lewis Takes Action," and shortly after the January 12 release of the album, Pallett will hit the road for a string of release shows, followed by a Canadian Tour.

Heartland Release Shows
Jan 12 Toronto, Mod Club ++Sold Out++
Jan 14 San Francisco, Bottom of the Hill
Jan 16 Chicago, Schuba's (Tomorrow Never Knows Festival)
Jan 18 New York, Bowery Ballroom
Jan 22 Hamburg, Ubel & Gefaehrlich (Spex Live Festival)
Jan 24 Paris, La Maroquinerie
Jan 25 London, Union Chapel

Canada Tour
Feb 6 Guelph, Sleman Centre (Hillside Inside Festival)
Feb 10 Halifax, St. Matthew's United Church
Feb 12 St. John's, Cochrane Street United Church
Feb 17 Kingston, Sydenham United Church
Feb 18 - 19 Wakefield, Blacksheep Inn
Feb 20 Montreal, Theatre Outremont
Feb 21 Quebec City, Le Cercle
Feb 25 London, Aeolian Hall
Feb 26 Brantford, The Ford Plan
Feb 27 Hamilton, Lincoln Alexander Centre

Learn:
Owen Pallett Eternal

Listen:
1 - Lewis Takes Action

Buy:
Domino Records