Yesterday, Polyvinyl Records posted a teaser with some slowed down music and word scrambles, teasing something that would be announced today. As one BV commenter guessed, the band being teased was Pedro the Lion, who have now officially announced that they signed to the label! Frontman David Bazan also said in a statement that the band are hitting the studio today to begin work on their first album since 2004's Achilles Heel (released on Jade Tree). Here's his full statement:



Today is the first day back in the studio as Pedro the Lion. After writing and arranging a handful of new songs, then rehearsing and arranging them further with the band, we're ready to record a couple of them for a new album. I didn’t realize what calling my music Pedro the Lion again would mean to me, but it’s re-connected me to parts of myself and my history (both sonic and personal) that I had lost touch with. This re-awakening is making the process so much more enjoyable and I’m grateful for the chance to do this again.

As a music fan I’ve watched Polyvinyl thrive in a brutal marketplace and grow their seminal roster to include even more bands that I’m downright obsessed with. As a cog in the music business I’ve gotten to know and appreciate their inner workings gradually through mutual friends and colleagues over many years of visiting their offices in Champaign, Illinois. So when looking for a record label for Pedro the Lion I realized pretty quickly that Polyvinyl was a fantastic fit. I am so thrilled to be working with them.

Pedro the Lion began a reunion tour in December, and they have plans to hit NYC on August 14 at Bowery Ballroom (tickets) and August 15 at Music Hall of Williamsburg (tickets). Hopefully we'll hear some of the new music by then.

Polvinyl have also released an official live video from one of the band's December shows. Watch that and the video announcing the signing, along with an updated list of tour dates, below.

Pedro the Lion -- 2018 Tour Dates

02/08/18 - St Louis, MO @ Old Rock House

02/09/18 - Kansas City, MO @ Record Bar

02/10/18 - Tulsa, OK @ The Vanguard

02/12/18 - Dallas, TX @ Trees

02/13/18 - Austin, TX @ Mohawk

02/14/18 - Houston, TX @ Rockefellers

02/16/18 - New Orleans, LA @ One Eyed Jacks

02/17/18 - Birmingham, AL @ Saturn

02/18/18 - Gainesville, FL @ High Dive

02/19/18 - Orlando, FL @ The Social

02/21/18 - Carrboro, NC @ Cat's Cradle

02/22/18 - Atlanta, GA @ Terminal West

02/23/18 - Nashville, TN @ Exit/In

05/08/18 - Vancouver, BC @ Biltmore Cabaret

05/09/18 - Portland, OR @ Revolution Hall

05/12/18 - San Francisco, CA @ The Independent

05/13/18 - Oakland, CA @ Starline

05/14/18 - Los Angeles @ CA @ Teragram

05/17/18 - Solana Beach, CA @ Belly Up Tavern

05/18/18 - Phoenix, AZ @ The Crescent Ballroom

05/20/18 - Denver, CO @ Bluebird Theatre

05/21/18 - Fort Collins, CO @ Washington's

05/22/18 - Salt Lake City, UT @ Urban Lounge

05/23/18 - Boise, ID @ Neurolux

05/24/18 - Missoula, MT @ Top Hat

08/06/18 - Indianapolis, IN @ The HI-FI

08/07/18 - Ferndale, MI @ Loving Touch

08/08/18 - Toronto, ON @ Lee's Palace

08/10/18 - Allston, MA @ Brighton Music Hall

08/11/18 - Philadelphia, PA @ Union Transfer

08/12/18 - Washington, DC @ Black Cat

08/14/18 - New York, NY @ Bowery Ballroom

08/15/18 - Brooklyn, NY @ Music Hall of Williamsburg

08/16/18 - Millvale, PA @ Mr. Small's Theatre

08/17/18 - Cleveland, OH @ Grog Shop

08/18/18 - Newport, KY @ Southgate House - Revival Room

08/20/18 - Davenport, IA @ Raccoon Motel

08/21/18 - Omaha, NE @ The Waiting Room

08/22/18 - Minneapolis, MN @ Fine Line

08/23/18 - Milwaukee, WI @ Turner Hall

08/24/18 - Chicago, IL @ Thalia Hall