As some of you might know, we’ve also been gearing up for our very last show, at least for a while. I (Kim) have been threatening a “retirement” from music for a few years now, and it’s finally time. (For more info on that, visit my blog, Pretty New Songs.) But of course we’re planning on some big things to help me go out in style …

Next Friday, May 21, we’ll play our last Atlanta show at Kavarna, the same venue where we had both our CD release shows, and were fortunate enough to play with such bands as Hope For Agoldensummer, Dare Dukes, Night Driving in Small Towns, and countless others. Needless to say, that venue has been very kind to us and it’s only fitting that we say farewell with another “eskimo kiss presents” show, featuring some of our very best friends and favorite bands, Jupiter Watts, Michael C. Smith, and a very special guest courtesy of Atlanta’s A-List, Swing Set.

For our old friends in NC, John & I will also play a short set at this year’s WE Fest in Wilmington, on Sunday, May 30. This is part of the eskimo kiss showcase, so it’s sure to be totally awesome. I’m delighted to get to share a bill with bands that are not only on my label, but who also happen to be responsible for some of my favorite songs, ever. Bands like Citified, North Elementary, Velvet, Goner … they’ve been a huge influence on me as a musician, and I’ll be forever grateful for the opportunity I’ve had to expose their music to a wider audience. Of course there will be eskimo kiss shooters. And cupcakes! And who knows what else.

Prior to the WE Fest showcase, a few of us are playing an in-store show at Gravity Records, also in Wilmington. Beginning at 3PM Sunday afternoon you can catch The Good Graces along with John Harrison from North Elementary and Actual Persons Living or Dead. While we don’t want to drag you away from WE Fest, if you’re not into the bar thing and want something a little more low-key, then you’d probably dig this. Hope to see you!

Finally, I’m delighted to share with you one final release from eskimo kiss, Let’s Do Art and Be Best Friends, a sampler that spans the label’s 10-year history. It’s not only a best-of, but it also includes some rare/unreleased bonus tracks, many of which were recorded especially for the compilation. The Good Graces are contributing three tracks, “Over It” and “Pretty New Song” from our previous records, and a newer tune, “Pepper,” for the bonus tracks portion. It’ll be out June 15, so keep an eye on eskimokissrecords.com for all the details on that.

Whew! See, told you we were busy. Hope to see you all very soon.

Jim Combs, aka Sensitive Chaos, aka Synthejim, aka The Good Graces’s keyboardist, just released a new CD entitled “Emerging Transparency.” From the little bit I’ve had a chance to listen to so far, this is a really interesting piece of ambient, experimental electro-pop, and you should totally check it out!

Jim is having his CD release show as part of the City Skies Electronic Music Event this Saturday (Valentine’s Day!) at Kavarna in Decatur. Don’t miss it! Also, get your own copy of the disc from CD Baby!