Tortoise to race through North America this spring

Chicago-based indie-rock act Tortoise, which is currently touring Europe in support of its latest album, "Standards," will return to the U.S. in mid-May to open a North American outing.

Fellow Thrill Jockey label-mate Nobukazu Takemura--a Japan-based DJ--will open for Tortoise on the North American tour. Additional support from Autechre, Prefuse 73, Jet Black Crayon and Mouse on Mars will also be featured on various dates, according to Thrill Jockey.

Tortoise's European outing--which features fellow Chicago artist Kevin Drumm in the opening slot--began on March 28.

"Standards," Tortoise's fourth album, was released in February, and has been oscillating between the No. 1 and No. 2 spots on the CMJ Top 200 album chart for the past few weeks. CMJ chart information is based primarily on airplay reports from college radio stations.

Tortoise members Johnny Herndon, Dan Bitney and Jeff Parker--all multi-instrumentalists--also perform with the band Isotope 217.