The Courage of Others is a pretty, brave record. (It’s your courage, Midlake, not someone else’s…) A lot of longtime fans seem(ed) confused/put off by its ’60s Brit folk nods, flutes, and downcast, oddball Renaissance Fair trippines, but count me among its defenders. (It’s sort of like method acting, or something.) If you’re still skeptical, go deeper into the glen via this video for “Rulers, Ruling All Things.” It was shot and directed by Midlake leader Tim Smith on Super 8 while the band was on tour in Utrecht, Holland. From the Incredible String Band font to the hazy forest sing-a-long and pensive trek to a steeple, it finds the guys continuing their kaleidoscopic time travel with a few modern split-screen flourishes.

We’ve heard some Courage songs live for the Denton Sessions. They worked well in that setting. Perhaps aware of that, the band’s releasing a live EP:

01 “Fortune” (Alternate Version)
02 “Acts of Man” (Live)
03 “Winter Dies” (Live)
04 “Small Mountain” (Live)
05 “Rulers, Ruling All Things” (Live)
06 “Van Occupanther” (Live)

The Fortune EP is out 9/21 via Bella Union. And the band’s heading on a co-headlining tour with Rogue Wave this month. Peter Wolf Crier’s the support on all dates:

09/19 – Lawrence, KS @ The Grenada
09/20 – Minneapolis, MN @ First Avenue
09/21 – Milwaukee, WI @ Turner Hall
09/22 – Grand Rapids, MI @ Ladies Literary Club
09/24 – Toronto, ON @ Opera House
09/25 – Syracuse, NY @ Westcott Theatre
09/27 – Borston, MA @ Royale
09/29 – New York, NY @ Webster Hall
09/30 – Philadelphia, PA @ Theatre of Living Arts
10/01 – Washington, D.C. @ 9:30 Club
10/02 – Carrboro, NC @ Cat’s Cradle
10/04 – Asheville, NC @ Orange Peel
10/05 – Knoxville, TN @ Bijou Theatre
10/06 – Nashville, TN @ Mercy Lounge
10/10 – Austin, TX @ Austin City Limits Festival