On May 19, 2009 Iron and Wine will issue Around the Well (Sub Pop), a 2-CD/3-LP collection of rare tracks ranging from out-of-print to never-before-released. In support of Around the Well Iron and Wine will be performing ten intimate shows in five cities. Each individual show will be wholly unique, as Iron and Wine will turn the set list over to the fans to create. In addition, Iron and Wine have begun work on the follow-up to The Shepherd’s Dog and plan to release a new album in spring, 2010.

Around the Well
The tracks collected on Around the Well span from Iron and Wine’s earliest sessions which yielded the band’s debut (2002’s The Creek Drank the Cradle) through material recorded for 2007’s The Shepherd’s Dog. The double-disc collection is broken up into two sections. The first half is an assortment of hushed home recordings, unedited and raw, and the second highlights moments captured in the confines of proper studios with the help of other musicians, friends and engineers. The album’s title comes from a line in the song “The Trapeze Swinger,?? a fan favorite which was written for and included in the movie In Good Company. Three more songs written and recorded for the film finally make their appearance here as well: “Belated Promise Ring,?? “God Made the Automobile?? and “Homeward, These Shoes.?? Around the Well also brings together hard to find covers such as The Flaming Lips’ “Waitin’ for a Superman?? and New Order’s “Love Vigilantes,?? along with one of Iron and Wine’s earliest originals, “Sacred Vision,?? which appeared on a compilation for Sound Collector magazine.

Iron and Wine . Around the Well
Disc 1
1. Dearest Forsaken
2. Morning
3. Loud as Hope
4. Peng! 33
5. Sacred Vision
6. Friends They Are Jewels
7. Hickory
8. Waitin' for a Superman
9. Swans and the Swimming
10. Call Your Boys
11. Such Great Heights
(Vinyl break occurs between “Friends?? and “Hickory.??)

Disc 2
1. Communion Cups & Someone's Coat
2. Belated Promise Ring
3. God Made the Automobile
4. Homeward, These Shoes
5. Love Vigilantes
6. Sinning Hands
7. No Moon
8. Serpent Charmer
9. Carried Home
10. Kingdom of the Animals
11. Arms of a Thief
12. The Trapeze Swinger
(Vinyl break occurs between “Sinning?? and “No Moon.?? At nearly ten minutes, “The Trapeze Swinger?? will stand alone on the third piece of vinyl.)

Iron and Wine Spring 2009 US Tour
Tickets for these shows go on sale February 20, 2009. Each show will feature a unique set list, determined by Iron and Wine fans. Beginning March 6th and running thru March 30th right here, at www.ironandwine.com, fans can vote by city and night for the songs they’d like to see performed each evening. For those who can’t attend, the shows will be made available after the tour is completed, in some cases days after, on Iron and Wine’s official live recording site Played Last Night, www.playedlastnight.com.

Monday, May 4, 2009
Seattle, Vera Project (w/ Yogoman Burning Band)

Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Seattle, Triple Door (w/ Alela Diane)

Wednesday, May 6, 2009
San Francisco, Swedish American Hall (w/ Yogoman Burning Band)

Thursday, May 7, 2009
San Francisco, Swedish American Hall (w/ Magic Leaves)

Friday, May 8, 2009
Los Angeles, Masonic Hall at Hollywood Forever Cemetery (w/ Alela Diane and DJ Small Town Talk)

Saturday, May 9, 2009
Los Angeles, Troubadour (w/ Yogoman Burning Band)

Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Chicago, Lakeshore Theatre (w/ Katie Stelmanis)

Wednesday, May 13, 2009 . Chicago, Schuba’s ?

Sunday, May 17, 2009
New York, Abrons Arts Center (w/ Lia Ices)

Monday, May 18, 2009
New York, Abrons Arts Center (w/ partyface)

*All shows go on sale February 20, 2009. Tickets are will-call only. They are NON-TRANSFERABLE. No advance hard tickets will be issued. Purchaser must present ID at the door to claim tickets. NO EXCEPTIONS.