Ted Leo Joins the Touch and Go Family

Touch and Go is thrilled to announce the addition of Ted Leo to our roster of artists. Known as much for his exuberant live performances as for his stellar pop-punk anthems and intelligent songwriting, Ted has a long and distinguished indie rock pedigree. Albums such as The Tyranny of Distance, Hearts of Oak, and Shake the Sheets (all recorded with his band The Pharmacists) have garnered heaps of critical acclaim and the appreciation of scores of dedicated fans. And it's not hard to see why: Ted's songwriting prowess is matched equally by his ferocious guitar playing. His energy, dedication, and unending commitment to his work are inspiring, and the entire Touch and Go camp is truly honored to have him join our family!

Ted had the following to say about signing to Touch and Go:

"As sad as I am that circumstances have forced a move from Lookout! Records, I'm insanely happy and thankful to be able to make that move over to Touch & Go. T&G is a label that has provided me, personally, with amazing music for 25 years; over those years, I have become friends with many of their artists and staff, and it's an honor to now be a real part of their ongoing ruling-ness. In many ways, this decision was an incredibly hard one to make, since I also have great respect for and friendship with a number of other labels who we have been talking to, and what I'm about to say could also apply to them, but in a very big way, T&G's history is my history, like Lookout!'s history is my history, like Gern Blandsten's history is my history -- American Punk Rock, True Believers, the Real Deal. In a world that seems hell-bent on driving itself further and faster down the shitter every day, these things remain not just important, but the absolute core of our endeavors. Believe me when I tell you that it is in this overly dramatic (granted), but absolutely true (none-the-less) spirit that I thank my lucky stars for all those that I have worked with in the past, and the ability to join Touch & Go to take it higher in the future."

In addition, Ted Leo and the Pharmacists will be touring throughout March. Supporting acts Duke Spirit and Les Aus are two recent discoveries of Ted's, from England and Spain, respectively. He will also be playing 3 dates at the 2006 South By Southwest Festival. And he'll top the whole thing off by performing at this year's Coachella Festival. Make sure to catch one of these great shows. Dates are below -

Tour Dates:

3/02 Brooklyn, NY - The Hook
3/03 Providence, RI - The Living Room
3/04 Boston, MA - Paradise
3/05 New Haven, CT - Toads Place
3/06 Rochester, NY - Bug Jar
3/07 Cleveland, OH - Grog Shop
3/08 Ann Arbor, MI - Blind Pig
3/10 Chicago, IL - Abbey Pub
3/11 Newport, KY - Southgate House
3/12 Nashville, TN - Exit/In
3/13 Little Rock, AR - Vino's
3/14 Dallas, TX - Gypsy Tea Room
3/15 San Antonio, TX - Sanctuary
3/19 Houston, TX - Walter's
3/20 Baton Rouge, LA - Chelsea's Cafe
3/22 Athens, GA - 40 Watt Club
3/23 Charlotte, NC - Casbah at Tremont Music Hall
3/24 Washington, DC - Black Cat SOLD OUT
3/26 New York, NY - Knitting Factory

* all dates with Duke Spirit, Les Aus

SXSW Dates:

3/16 Austin, TX - The Parish Room
3/17 Austin, TX - Red 7
3/18 Austin, TX - Emo's Alternative Lounging

Coachella:

4/30 Indio, CA - Coachella Valley Music Festival