The husband and wife duo of Kori Gardner and Jason Hammel, known to indie rock fans as Mates of State, is nearing completion of its next album. It's due some time early next year on Barsuk, and will be the follow up to 2006's Bring it Back. The group is getting some big name production help on the album from the likes of Death Cab for Cutie's Chris Walla, Spoon drummer Jim Eno, and Peter Katis, who has worked with the National and Interpol. The new tunes reportedly find Gardner abandoning the organ she's used on the other four Mates of State albums for a variety of keyboards including a Hammond, synthesizers, and acoustic piano.
The band has three New York City appearances slated for October that are already sold out. But after that, Mates of State has three more gigs fans can still get tickets to. Follow on after the jump for details on those.
Mates Of State Get Busy On Fifth Album (Billboard)
10/24 Northampton, MA - Iron Horse
10/25 Boston, MA - Museum of Fine Arts
11/4 Austin, TX - Fun Fun Fun Fest