In addition to releasing the band’s first full-length album since 2006’s Fading Trails, Magnolia Electric Co. has announced a series of 25 tour dates that will carry it across the U.S. throughout July and August. Amongst the tour dates in support of the new record will be a Twin Cities gig, the band set to perform at Minneapolis’ 7th St. Entry on August 7. Josephine, which was recorded with engineer Steve Albini at his Electrical Audio Studios in Chicago, is being described as a very emotional affair for the band,

“(Jason) Molina’s concept album is an honest-to-God effort on the part of Magnolia Electric Co. to pay tribute to the life and spirit of fallen bassist Evan Farrell (R.I.P. December 2007). Molina said each tune is a good faith attempt to make real Evan’s hopes for the record. And in doing so, Evan’s spirit becomes part of the concept.”

Sounds a bit heavy, no?

Along for the entire tour is the San Diego-based quartet, the Donkeys. Most recently the band has been subject of discussion concerning its possible involvement in the television series Lost. Pitchfork reports,

On a recent episode, the character Jin (Daniel Dae Kim) is heard listening to a Geronimo Jackson song called “Dharma Lady”, and last week, the song appeared as a free download on iTunes. Over on the “Lost” message board Dark UFO, someone noticed that “Dharma Lady” is almost the exact same song as “Excelsior Lady” by the Donkeys. The Donkeys are a San Diego retro-rock band on Dead Oceans; they are not a mysterious 1970s band. Confusing!

Lost aside, the Donkeys continue to tour in support of last year’s release, Living on the Other Side.

07/10 Bloomington, IN: Russian Recordings
07/11 Chicago, IL: Schuba’s
07/12 Chicago, IL: The Hideout (The Donkeys will not be playing this date)
07/14 Newport, KY: Southgate House
07/15 Pittsburgh, PA: Andy Warhol Museum
07/16 Buffalo, NY: Mohawk
07/17 Cambridge, MA: Middle East
07/18 Northhampton, MA: Iron Horse
07/20 Washington, DC: Black Cat
07/21 Chapel Hill, NC: Local 506
07/22 Athens, GA: 40 Watt
07/23 Memphis, TN: Hi-Tone
07/24 Denton, TX: Rubber Gloves
07/25 Austin, TX: Mohawk
07/27 Tucson, AZ: Solar Culuture
07/28 Los Angeles, CA: Echo
07/29 San Francisco, CA: Bottom of the Hill
07/31 Portland, OR: Doug Fir
08/01 Seattle, WA: Crocodile
08/03 Salt Lake City, UT: Urban Lounge
08/04 Denver, CO: Hi-Dive
08/05 Kansas City, MO: Record Bar
08/06 Omaha, NE: Waiting Room
08/07 Minneapolis, MN: 7th Street Entry
08/08 Dubuque, IA: Busted Lift

Magnolia Electric Co. “Josephine” (mp3)
Magnolia Electric Co. “Lonesome Valley” (mp3)
Magnolia Electric Co. “Doing Something Wrong” (mp3)
Magnolia Electric Co. “The Dark Don’t Hide It” (mp3)
Magnolia Electric Co. “Leave the City” (mp3)
Magnolia Electric Co. “Cross the Road” (mp3)

Official | MySpace | Wikipedia || Purchase @ Amazon

The Donkeys “Walking Through a Cloud” (mp3)
The Donkeys “Nice Train” (mp3)

Official | MySpace