Drone legends, Earth, sign to Fire Records and prepare for a number of special releases coming out later this year. Known for their ever-evolving sound, exploring drone metal, minimalist doom, ambient country, psychedelic rock, and cinematic folk, the influential project led by Dylan Carlson, have left an indelible mark on modern music. Earth will also head out on the road across North America, UK, and Ireland this spring with a stop-off at this year’s Desertfest held in London on 18th May.
Earth have come a long way since the early 90s when they had a reputation as “the most hated band in Seattle”. As it turned out, like many maligned pioneers, Earth were simply ahead of their time. In the mist of the great grunge goldrush, audiences were baffled by the sight of Dylan Carlson (and his various collaborators) churning snail-paced riffs out of their electric guitars. As for stagecraft, Carlson would perform while seated or even positioned behind his amplifiers, to command his feedback and volume. At one of Sub Pop’s showcase concerts, Ultra Lame Fest in 1992, the audio engineer was so unimpressed that he cut the sound during Earth’s first song. Admittedly, that song was 25 minutes long. “We were not popular,” laughs Carlson today.
Carlson often jokes he had “one good idea” and ran with it. In reality, Carlson’s had loads of great ideas. This is apparent in Earth’s continuing discography. While their style remains anchored in lingering repetition, every Earth record is different to the last.
When Earth returned in the 2000s, with Adrienne Davies on drums, Carlson resisted the temptation to rehash the sound on which Sunn O))) and others had since capitalized. In 2019 Earth pared back down to the core duo of Carlson and Davies, with the guitarist limiting his layers of effects in order to hone a more “sensual” style.
“She’s put in the time!” says Carlson of Earth’s longest serving member apart from himself. “Adrienne is an incredibly unique drummer and a unique individual in general… I literally can’t think of another drummer who plays like her.”
On their upcoming activities, Earth are excited to work with Fire Records. “We were talking to a bunch of labels and Fire were the first one who didn’t immediately ask us for our streaming numbers,” enthuses Carlson. “They recognise that we’re one of those niche bands that still sell physical products instead of being in some weird internet bubble.” He identifies various acts on the roster as likeminded sonic mavericks: Spacemen 3, Royal Trux, Bardo Pond, The Bevis Frond… “We’ve become one of those bands that has the whole ‘legacy act’ thing,” he notes. “But I’m also always trying to do new stuff so it seems like a cool spot to be able to do that.”
Looking back at their journey, Earth have always transcended themselves. As they prepare new material, they’re ready to do it again.
2025 Live Dates
01 Apr: Blueberry Hill Duck Room, St Louis, MO, US
03 Apr: Growlers, Memphis, TN, US
04 Apr: No Dice New Orleans, LA, US
05 Apr: White Oak Music Hall, Houston, TX, US
06 Apr: Paper Tiger, San Antonio, TX, US
08 Apr: Don Burro, Chichuahua, Mexico
10 Apr: London Pub, Hermosillo, Mexico
12 Apr: Solar Culture, Tucson, AZ, US
12 Apr: Tarros Chicali, Yuma, AZ, US
13 Apr: Jacumba Hot Springs Hotel, Jacumba Springs, CA, US
14 Apr: Lodge Room, Los Angeles, CA, US
15 Apr: The Chapel, San Francisco, CA, US
17 Apr: Coconino Center for the Arts, Flagstaff, AZ, US
18 Apr: Tumbleroot Distillery, Santa Fe, NW, US
19 Apr: Resonant Head, Oklahoma City, OK, US
20 Apr: Rubber Gloves (Patio), Denton, TX, US
07 May: The Wiltern, Los Angeles, CA. US*
18 May: Desertfest, London, UK
19 May: Brudenell Social Club, Leeds, UK
20 May: The Cluny, Newcastle, UK
21 May: Room 2, Glasgow UK
22 May: Black Box, Belfast, UK
23 May: The Pavillion, Cork, Ireland
24 May: Whelans, Dublin, Ireland
w/ Oneothrix Point Never
