The last two Saturdays have turned up some good records
Two new releases from Snappy Little Numbers
Buy them Here: http://snappylittlenumbers.blogspot.com/
The Manxx 7”
Sara Fischer is the voice behind The Manxx a veteran of the Denver music scene. Her catchy vocal hooks and charming songwriting mix well with the garage style rock music they play. Both “Messin’ Around” and “Hard Lessons” are strong enough to be A sides. Ripping guitars and drums pound out these hyper tracks while an organ and Fischer’s melodies help to set The Manxx apart from every other garage band out there today. The mixed black vinyl look incredible against the black and hot pink label all housed in Snappy Little Numbers standard issue sleeve. This is a great single.
Hooper 7”
Hooper is a bit of a throwback to 90’s pop punk similar to early Alkaline Trio. Hooper doesn’t try to shy away from this dated sound one bit rather they embrace it and provide two cuts that would have seen heavy rotation on many kids turntables ten years ago. The Mixed purple vinyl is a nice touch.
Husky Dudes 7” Bombay Cove Records
Husky Dudes 7” (Bombay Cove Records)
Buy it Here: http://www.bombaycove.com/p/store.html
Husky Dudes serve up 5 tracks of classic angry punk rock on their new ep 7” out now on Bombay Cove Records. The packaging is great with killer skull cover art and white vinyl. Scuzzed out fuzzy guitars, booming bass and driving drums with the classic cheap mic shouting vocals is what you get from Husky Dudes. If punk is still your thing than the Husky Dudes are for you.
BMBC 026—Hüsky Düdes EP on WHITE VINYL 7” (includes download coupon) - Grease-slick punk sorta mixes old hardcore stuff like Black Flag and Misfits with a little 90’s east bay hardcore sound and some garagey Nation Of Ulysses stuff in there. Screw it man, Los Crudos too… Not sure if there’s a way to describe straightforward angry punk in the year 2012 without allowing for some references. And these guys are definitely doing the 30-year-old dudes banging out some throwback to honor it all. So you should to!!!
Not that you give a shit (yeah, BE punk about it) but members were previously in Followed By Static, The Associates, and Toumai… See their bandcamp for show listings.
Hüsky Düdes - “Destroy My Kind” by bombay cove
Cotter Records
Thanks to Brian for taking the time to answer some questions on his label.
Why start a label?
Well its just a hobby really, I can’t front like its a big operation. But ultimately was a goal of mine so just did it. Its important to support the arts and this is one way of doing so. I just like the idea of contributing to something special.
When and how did it start?
A few years after graduating college, so 2003 ish. Releasing vinyl is expensive so I had to wait until I had a job, ha. Starting it is fairly easy, getting people to actually pay attention + listen to what you release is the tricky part.
What labels inspire you?
Huge megatroid props go to Stones Throw, Daptone, Secretly Canadian, Kill Rock Stars, Brick Records, Numero Group, and Light In The Attic.
What is the goal and purpose of your label?
I’d word it as “to release timeless music in a classic format”. I really hope people will still be listening to these releases 10+ years from now with the same enjoyment as when they first hear them.
How do you find new artists?
It varies a bit. Superstar Quamallah is someone who’s music I knew from back when he had a few releases on ABB Records. This was 1998 or so and I ended up reaching out to him almost 10 years later because I had come across some fantastic new material he was working on, but had no major plans for releasing. A few emails and phone convos later and we were ready to move forward with a 7”. I guess long story short is it doesn’t really matter (to me) how things come to light, but its extremely important that a label and the artist(s) are on the same page with the same goals in mind.
Why vinyl?
For me, its out of respect for the artists that I work with—that I care enough about their music to release it in that format. We’ve also done two cd releases in conjunction with Brick Records, but each have been complimented with a 7-inch and 10-inch record respectively.
How important is packaging to you?
HUGELY important. As a listener, cover art/packaging completely influences my enjoyment of a record. Label wise, definitely strive for a visual aesthetic that holds true to the quality and vibe of the music. It has to, no diggedy.
What are your future plans?
I’d like to release a 7” of the music they perform in the talent show in Revenge of the Nerds. So dope. Thinking a remake and that Price Paul would be the one to make it happen, but alas I don’t know him. Maybe he reads the internets though.
Do you collect vinyl?
Sure do! I started around 1998 ish with mainly indie hip-hop (which was flourishing then) to supplement a radio show I had on WUNH. Nowadays I’m all over the map genre wise and building up my 45 collection as best I can. If I fall in love with a song I’ll do all I can to have it on wax. I actually picture myself as an old man sitting in a rocking chair on my front porch listening to my records so I’m prepping for those days, ha.
How big is your collection?
Safely in the thousands and very much in need of some organization!
What are some of your go to records over the years?
Too many favies, but I’ll just say my most wanted record at the moment is a 45 of “Collage” by The Three Degrees.
We did a little digging at a record shop Saturday and found a cool lp case and loaded it with some great records.
head to OMG Vinyl for some great year end lists
Jon Barba 7” (Folktale Records)
buy it here: http://www.folktalerecords.com/releases.html
Jon Barba has a 7” limited to 300 copies on black vinyl available on Folktale Records with a very nice silk-screened cover. The A side couples a casio keyboard type drum machine with a cheapo keyboard synth pad. Jon Barba’s high vocal register is close to the whine of Bright Eyes but he maintains his own identity on “Twenty Ten” as he cries out a notebooks worth of lyrical diary confessional style poetry. “Pop Punk on CD” follows the cheapo instrumentation with a stock keyboard beat with some tasty keyboard melodies stacked on top. Jon Barba lays his heart bare and it works to great effect. This music will suck you into the world of painful adolescence all over again.
Shapers 7” (Whistler Records)
buy it here: http://whistlerchicago.com/shapers/
Shapers have a bizarre blend of noisy rock and synth pop fueled by a propulsive rhythm section that leans heavily on the bass. The best part about Shapers is their use of synths, strange sounds and the odd structures of the two tracks. Seriously a great mix of thrashing guitars done in an arty unexpected way. The tracks take you all over the map and back again with feverish energy and wild abandon. This band is worth exploring further.
The Shirks 7” (Grave Mistake Records)
buy it here: http://www.gravemistakerecords.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=3817
The Shirks blast through 3 catchy hi-adrenalin tracks of punk infused rock n roll. It is nostalgic for some of the grungier sounding rock acts of the 70’s. Even some amped up sounding garage rock with fuzzy speaker splitting guitar tones creep into the mix. The vocals are actually in the mix so if you like to be able to understand the words of your favorite punk songs than The Shirks are your band. They are probably best seen at a local basement show or a dive bar at full volume but this 7” should keep you at bay until the next gig.
Rafael Toral- Space Elements Vol. III (Taiga Records)
buy it here: http://www.taigarecords.com/shop.html’
You are guaranteed two things when you pick up a Taiga release impeccable packaging and adventurous music. Rafael Toral’s Space Elements Vol.III is available on 200g vinyl in either olive or clear and is limited to 500 copies. The sound quality on 200g vinyl is incredible, you feel like you are in the room as the musicians are recording. The performances in these grooves are improvisations and by the nature of instrument choices Toral has made repeating any of this music again is impossible. Therefore the sound captured here is a once in a lifetime experience. Oscillators, circuits and all sorts of modified equipment emit strange frequencies that weave through some fantastic percussion by a host of different players. The liner notes call it post-free jazz which is a fitting term as it is free-jazz but unlike anything you have ever heard before. Wonderfully spacial and meditative tracks are juxtaposed with more chaotic head spinning sound attacks but the balance is perfect. This is Highly Recommended.
Medical Records
Why start a label?
- This has been a dream of mine for years. Since I am not a musician or artist, I wanted to be able to contribute as well. This was my outlet for getting involved. I wanted to evolve from fan to producer. I also have tended to be a strong music evangelist to my friends and anyone who will listen my whole life. What better way to take that to the next level than by creating a label to showcase records that I feel others may enjoy?
When and how did it start?
- This has been bouncing in my head (and some of my close friends) for about 7 years or so. The biggest obstacle is of course funding. I finally reached a point in my life about 3 years ago where I had the means to realize this dream (from a monetary standpoint). That was the point where I made a serious attempt to contact artists for consideration of reissues on Medical Records. I basically had a list of about 5 records that I started with. I worked like mad to contact the artists who made those masterpieces. I scoured Myspace.com (pre-Facebook days) and the web looking for contact info or anyone who might know someone who knows someone, etc etc. Along the way, other opportunities popped out during my search which led to my first 2 releases (Deutsche Wertarbeit and Alexander Robotnick). From there, it became much easier to strike up a deal with the artists after I had established 2 solid releases.
- What labels inspire you?
— For many years now, I have been in awe of the breadth of the Vinyl On Demand catalog (Germany). I have been a subscribing member of the wave subscription for several years. Frank from VOD has been a huge help in getting my label started as far as available to answer all my startup questions along with the way. I am grateful for that help. It would be impossible not be inspired by Minimal Wave (NY). Very impressive roster and output. Dark Entries in San Francisco is a great label, and I also owe Josh a huge nod of thanks for his friendship and help with supplying me loads of label-related info and other sorts. I also love what Anna Logue (Germany) is doing as well as Mannequin (Italy). Top-notch releases and impeccable packaging!
What is the goal and purpose of your label?
— The prime directive is to make available difficult-to-find classic synth, wave, disco, and other interesting records that I personally love and feel others would appreciate. It is aimed at fans of this particular niche who want these amazingly under-appreciated gems in vinyl format with fun and collectable attributes (180gm, colored, hand-numbered, etc). Originally, I was only able to print 500 copies at a time (except for the Chrisma LPs which I was able to re-press once). Now, as I have grown and expanded, I am able to press 1000 copies which make these records widely available for everyone to enjoy who is interested in hearing them.
How do you find new artists?
— At this stage of the game, I am still on the hunt to reissue records that are out of print or otherwise unavailable (but are records that I cherish). I haven’t started releasing “new artists” as of yet, but that may be in the future. No definite plans at this time, however.
Why vinyl?
— This is a discussion that one hears a lot these days with the vinyl resurgence (but did it every truly go away?). My personal preference is for the tangible aesthetic that is only truly enjoyed by holding and playing a vinyl record. There really is nothing else like it in my book. I won’t start a debate, but I do feel vinyl simply sounds better. The tones, frequencies, and other waveforms seem to touch my ears in a special place.
How important is packaging to you?
— Packaging is always icing on the cake. I hope to continue to expand on packaging with more inserts, freebie 7”s or flexi discs, etc. I love nice thick jackets (sturdy is always good). Crisp artwork and text is very important to me. I am blessed to have my close friend, Tyler Jacobsen create (or re-create) the fine details on the artwork. His attention to detail is apparent and much appreciated!
What are your future plans?
— My next release (MR-010) is the famous Dalek I “Compass Kum’pas” LP (band AKA Dalek I Love You). This was one of those original 5 records I mentioned above that I dreamed of reissuing. For those who know it, it is widely obsessed over. For those who have not heard this… well let’s just say they are in for a treat. It is essential. It includes an insert with liner notes and a bonus flexi disc with 2 b-sides. I am VERY excited for this.
— Following Dalek I will be the underground yet equally essential Axxess LP “Novels For The Moons” (MR-011). This instrumential work is the brainchild of French multimedia artist Patrick Mimran (former owner of Lamborghini car company in the 80s). He commissioned a German electronics whiz to build a custom synthesizer on which Mr. Mimran crafted some of the most complex and inventive sequenced patterns. This will definitely take a lot of people by surprise and dazzle those following the Medical Records output.
— One more sneak peak will be the MR-012 Gay Cat Park “Synthetic Woman” LP. This is a very interesting turn for the label. Gay Cat Park is well known for the Italo disco hit “I’m a Vocoder” but the rest of their music from the 80s was UNRELEASED. In their teenage years at the time, this Italian duo wrote some of the most synthesized magical tracks that we have heard. Sure to be well received by fans of Italo disco and synthpop…
Do you collect vinyl?
— Absolutely. It is one of my favorite pastimes. You can find me frequenting the local Seattle record conventions and record stores. I hit the shops about once a week actually!
How big is your collection?
— It would be hard to calculate this at this stage. I have not consistently collected vinyl (have had waxing and waning periods), but I have been going strong for about 6 years now!)
What are some of your go to records over the years?
—— WAVE = Human League “Travelogue”, IKO “83”, Robert Gorl “Mit Dir 12”“, Polyphonic Size (VOD box), Chrisma “Chinese Restaurant + Hibernation”, Drinking Electricity “Overload + singles”, OGI “s/t”, Dalek I “Compass Kum’pas”, OMD “Dazzle Ships”, too many more to list
— SHOEGAZE = My Bloody Valentine “ANY”, Seefeel “Quique”, Silvania “En Cielo De Oceano”, Slowdive “ANY”, Insides “Euphoria”, Locust “ANY”
— ELECTRONIC = Global Communication, Aphex Twin “Selected Ambient Works Vol 1,2”, Kraftwerk “ANY”, Cluster “Zuckerzeit”, Deutsche Wertarbeit “s/t”
— OTHER = Brian Eno almost ANY but esp “Another Green World”, Steve Reich “Music For 18 Musicians”, Swans (ANY)
