Bowerbirds and Megafaun, two of the finest musical acts this state has to offer, are on the road together for a six-week jaunt that began Monday in Washington, D.C. and ends Aug. 17 in Atlanta. (A full list of tour dates is below the jump). It will bring the bands north to Canada and west to Washington, and will bring their music to a nation, that, by all appearances, is ready to hear what we’ve treasured in our backyards for a few years now. The latest on both, after the jump, and our usual disclosures apply…

Bowerbirds, whose wonderful sophomore LP, Upper Air, was released yesterday by Dead Oceans, stopped by the NPR offices in D.C. for a ‘Tiny Desk Concert,” featuring their touring bassist, Megafaun’s Brad Cook. The live set streamed live Tuesday, and is archived here.

Other bands to have been featured on the ‘Tiny Desk Concert” series include The Avett Brothers, Shearwater, Julie Doiron and Dr. Dog. Suffice it to say, Bowerbirds is in good company here. Raleigh resident Josh Love also reviewed the record for Pitchfork today, awarding it a 7.2 of 10.0 and that Bowerbirds “aren’t trying to guilt you into making a donation to PETA, and they sure as shit aren’t trying to take you on some lysergic-fueled trip.” OK, thanks!

On the Megafaun side of things, the band’s superlative Gather, Form & Fly is slated for a July 21 release via Hometapes. Though, for any out-of-staters reading this, the records are pressed and available on tour. They’re also up for pre-order. Anticipation for the record, it would seem, is building. National press outlets Pitchfork and Rolling Stone have given Megafaun some pre-release hype.

True ‘Faun fanboys can keep track of the band’s whereabouts on their newfangled tour blog, which ‘is currently maintained by Sara from Hometapes (who’s along for the ride).” She might not be in Megafaun, but she knows the difference between ‘whose” and ‘who’s,” so at least there’s that.

MEGAFAUN + BOWERBIRDS TOUR

07/06/09 Washington, DC – Black Cat

07/07/09 Philadelphia, PA – Johnny Brenda’s

07/08/09 New York, NY – Bowery Ballroom

07/10/09 Providence, RI – Club Hell

07/11/09 Northampton, MA – Iron Horse Music Hall

07/12/09 Cambridge, MA – TT The Bear’s Place

07/13/09 Montreal QC, Canada – La Sala Rossa

07/14/09 Toronto ON, Canada – Sneaky Dees

07/15/09 Cleveland, OH – Beachland Tavern

07/16/09 Pontiac, MI – The Pike Room at The Crofoot

07/17/09 Indianapolis, IN – Vollrath Tavern

07/20/09 Iowa City, IA – The Mill

07/21/09 Minneapolis, MN – 7th St. Entry

07/22/09 Omaha, NE – Slowdown

07/26/09 Denver, CO – Hi Dive

07/27/09 Salt Lake City, UT – Kilby Court

07/29/09 Vancouver BC, Canada – The Biltmore Cabaret

07/30/09 Seattle, WA – Triple Door

07/31/09 Anacortes, WA – Department of Safety

08/01/09 Portland, OR – Mississippi Studios

08/03/09 San Francisco, CA – Cafe du Nord

08/04/09 Los Angeles, CA – The Echo

08/05/09 San Diego, CA – Casbah

08/06/09 Phoenix, AZ – Rhythm Room

08/10/09 Tucson, AZ – Club Congress

08/12/09 Denton, TX – Hailey’s

08/13/09 Austin, TX – The Mohawk

08/14/09 Houston, TX – Walter’s On Washington

08/15/09 New Orleans, LA – One Eyed Jacks

08/16/09 Birmingham, AL – The Bottletree

08/17/09 Atlanta, GA – The Earl