This Month In Releases: November 2013

 
Welcome to our favorite local releases post for the month of November!! In this post we loving offer up the 10 EPs/LPs and 3 compilations that constituted our favorite local listens to emerge in the last month. As always, the rules are as follows: all records were released during the month of November by either a local artist or a local record company. They appear in no particular order and singles and 7" were not included (unless they were EP length). If I didn't include your release I either didn't like it, didn't hear it, or one or both of us has the wrong release date. Click the link in the album title for more from each artist. Enjoy!

EPs/LPs:

Paul Nelson, ‘Vortex’ (Medical Records)

electronic, new wave, cosmic disco 
This one and only release from Portland's Paul Nelson originally appeared as a limited press in 1981, but has long since been out of print. Medical Records breathes new life into this lost synth classic. 

=TOTEM=, ‘Nocturnal EP’ (self-released)
electronic, experimental, ambient house 
I don't know where this came from, but I have it on good authority that this is not the last we'll be hearing from =TOTEM=. This ambient house artist is an unending well of interesting loops and carefully crafted themes. 

Sandrider, ‘Godhead’ (Good To Die)
hard rock, stoner rock 
FUCK. Never passive and never PC; 'Godhead' is every bit the sonic assault that you needed.

Geist and the Sacred Ensemble, ‘Beyond This Vessel’ (Moon Glyph)
psychedelic folk, freak-folk 
GATSE follows up their 2011 debut 'In Search of Fabled Land' with a great new record on Oakland's Moon Glyph Records. Experimental psychedelic music with burning hot vibes that redefine the word primal.

Stephen Steinbrink, ‘Arranged Waves’ (Holy Page Records)
indie, experimental pop 
Been waiting for more from Stephen since "Tangerine" first appeared on Antiquated Future's 'Well, I Don't See Why Not Vol. 4' last month. The record bears some similarity to Lake (no surprise since 3 of the 4 members were involved in the production), but I also hear a little bit of Elliot Smith as well. 

Parasol, ‘Not There’ (Lost Sound Tapes)
indie pop, pop-punk
This 3-piece anarcho pop-punk band from MA is all lovable, nasally vocals, and killer hooks. It was so good that we felt we had to break our rule of only featuring one release per label on this series of posts. 

No Statik, ‘Unity and Fragmentation’ (Iron Lung)
hardcore, punk, powerviolence
The bay area foursome return to Iron Lung with a killer full length of harsh powerviolence that takes absolutely no prisoners. Push play and watch the world burn.

Parzival, ‘Pisces Rising’ (self-released)
singer/songwriter 
Check out our interview with this fabulous local singer-songwriter here!

Chants, ‘I Feel Like I Feel It’ (Hush Hush Records)
electronic, nocturnal vibes 
More great night bus vibes from Hush Hush, this time via Madison, WI's Jordan Cohen. Tune in and tune out.

Dogbreth, ‘Sentimental Health’ (Lost Sound Tapes)
indie pop, alt rock, confessional pop 
I fell in love with Dogbreth's 2011 debut 'Chookie' the instant I heard it. It's been a long wait, but 'Sentimental Health' is exactly what I've been waiting for from Tristan and crew. 

Compilations/Mixes:

Various artists, ‘Do You Believe In Magick Mix’ (by Cairo Seattle)

various sounds 
Good local stuff culled from artists that recently have, or will play the space in the near future.

Various artists, ‘Soft Spectrum II’ (arranged by Kyoga)
ambient, chill, electronic 
Sweet compilation of electronic material put together by Olympia's Kyoga to benefit the Bronies For Good Foundation. Downloads are limited, so if you don't wanna donate then grab the release from the link in the notes. 

Various Artists, ‘I Am The Center: Private Issue New Age Music in America 1950-1990' (Light in the Attic)
new age 
Check out our album review here!

This Month In Releases: October 2013

 

Welcome to our favorite local releases post for the month of October!! There are 12 EPs/LPs and two compilations featured here, but believe me when I tell you that it took quite a bit of work to whittle down the list of potentials even to this point. As always, the rules are as follows: all records were released during the month of October by either a local artist or a local record company. They appear in no particular order and singles and 7" were not included (unless they were EP length). If I didn't include your release I either didn't like it, didn't hear it, or one or both of us has the wrong release date. Click the link in the album title for more from each artist. Enjoy!

EPs/LPs:

Slow Year, 'Slow Year' (Hush Hush Records)
2-step, electronic, nocturnal, beats
 
Detective Agency, 'Detectius Privats' (self-released)
rock, garage pop

Lovers without Borders, 'Detective' (K Records) 
crash pop, love rock, indie pop

Levantine, 'No One EP' (PYT Records) 
electronic, Nu-disco, dance

Soft Shadows, 'Reverb is for Lovers' (Neon Sigh)
nugaze, dreampop, indie rock, noise pop

Biosexual, 'The Window Wants The Bedroom' (Debacle Records) 
experimental pop, synth noise, free improvisation
check out our review here!

New Weather, 'New Weather' (Butterscotch Records)
ambient, drone, electronic


Leatherdaddy, 'The Plague House' (self-released) 
prog/math rock, psychedelic, alt rock,
Check out our review here!

Ubu Roi, 'Nice Dude EP' (Help Yourself Records) 
punk rock 

La Luz, 'It’s Alive' (Hardly Art) 
surf rock, pop

Blue Sky Black Death, 'Glaciers' (Fake Four Inc.)
electronic, indie pop, hip-hop


Battleground Grammer, 'BGG' (self-released) 
EDM, hip hop, instrumental





Mixes and Compilations:

Various Artists,  'Super Adaptoid Space Tape', (Lo-Flydelity Records) 
 beats, glitch hop, loops, instrumental

Various Artists, 'Well, I Don't See Why Not, Vol. 4' (Antiquated Future) 
 indie folk, electronic ambient, lo-fi--various.

This Month In Releases: September 2013

Another month and another set of killer local releases. As always, the rules are as follows: all records were released during the month of September by either a local artist or a local record company. They appear in no particular order and singles and 7" were not included. If I didn't include your release I either didn't like it, didn't hear it, or one or both of us has the wrong release date. Also, no descriptions again this month, just BC tags. Stay well! 

LPs/EPs:

Monogamy Party, “False Dancers” (Good to Die)
noise-punk, noise-rock, post-punk

Lindseys, “Religious Sexts” (Off the Books)
garage, punk, hardcore punk, pop punk

Weed, “Deserve” (Couple Skate)
rock, grunge pop

White Boy Scream, “Urge” (Hanged Man)
experimental, choral, drone, industrial musique, concrete noise 

Play “Red Movies” (Medical Records)
electronic, new wave, cosmic disco, disco, minimal synth

Wishbeard, “It’s All Gonna Break” (self-released)
rock, seattle, dream pop, psychedelic, shoegaze

TJ Max, “Wrong to Run” (Debacle Records)
experimental, drone, free improvisation, noise soundtrack, synth
 

The Telescopes, "Harm" (Neon Sigh)
dreampop, fuzzpop, neon pop, noise drone


Cock & Swan, “Secret Angles” (Hush Hush Records)  
electronic, ambient chill, dream pop, late night, trip hop  
The Smoke Clears, "Listen" (Further Records)
electronic, ambient, downtempo house 
 
Lake, "The World Is Real" (K Records)
home recording, pop lo-fi
 

Compilations, Mixes, Other:

iji, “Cool Dream/InCelebration + Bonus Tracks” (Lost Sound)
indie folk indie pop rock iji twee 

Haunted Horses, "Live at Chop Suey" (self-released)
industrial post-apocalyptic satanic-space-jams

This Month In Releases: July 2013

Hey everyone. These are our favorite local releases for the month of July. The rules, as always, are as follows: all records were released during the month of July by either a local artist or a local record company. They appear in no particular order and singles and 7" were not included. Sorry, no beautiful descriptions this time due to non-blog related responsibilities, but I've included some genre descriptors and sample tracks to help you peruse. Support your local scene and stay well!


LP/EPs: 

Under EP Placeholder (Hush Hush Records)--electronic, night bus, atmospheric beats


Body 11 “Youth” (Medical Records)--new wave, minimal synth, ebm


Dreamsalon “Dreamsalon” (Skrot Up--reissue)--industrial, pop, kraut, experimental


Heatwarmer with the Extended Universe “Dessert Menu EP” (self-released)--post-world, nu jazz,


Eleanor Murray “Bury Me Into The Mtn” (self-released)--indie folk, experimental

Mitts, “E-Motions” (self-released)--indie rock/pop, punk, weirdo pop


Moose Portrait, “Psycho-Pop” (CTPAK Records)--experimental funk, indie pop


Lake "Circular Doorway" (K Records)--lo-fi pop, indie pop/rock



Hunx and his Punx (Hardly Art)--punk/hardcore
http://soundcloud.com/hardlyartrecords/hunx-and-his-punx-too-young-to-be-in-love


Princess “Selling Sulphur” (self-released)--grunge, post-hardcore, punk


Midday Veil "The Current" (Translinguistic Other)--prog rock, psychedelic, experimental, electro


Dragons, “Musical Witchcraft” (Wizards of the Ghost)--alternative rock, lo-fi pop



Compilations: 

OK Wife OK Vol ii. (Lost Sound Tapes)--experimental pop/indie

This Month in Releases: June 2013

LPs/EPs (IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER):

Hausu, Total (Bridgetown, Hardly Art)
This record is staggering in scope—assimilating the melodic introspection of the late 80’s D.C. post-hardcore scene (e.g. Rites of Spring, Fugazi) with the biting urgency of west-coast emotive hardcore (see Gravity Records) and patches of highly proficient math and indie-rock style arrangements. 

Neighbors, I Love Neighbors (Lost Sound Tapes)
Admittedly, the terms “slacker” and “lo-fi” don’t inspire much hope in me for more than nostalgia-mining, but Neighbors channel freakbeat/mod, garage, and protopunk influences in a way that feels both familiar and fresh. On what is by far their most cohesive work to date the band demonstrates their penchant for producing pop music that's as dancable as it is relatable.
 

Golden Gardens, Narcissus (Neon Sigh)
Despite Narcissus' brevity it is fairly epic in scope. The four tracks, each strongly differing both sonically and lyrically from one another, make up a concept piece chronicling the cycle of infatuation, from the high of the initial crush to the depths of the aftermath. New fans will fall for the gorgeous dream-pop ambiance, and old fans will find that both members have grown increasingly confident in their abilities.

Sibling Rivalry, Only Child (self-released)
Arising from the ashes of The Family Band, Sibling Rivalry is an alt/indie rock band from Seattle and Redmond, WA. On the first official non-single offering from the band, the 6 piece delivers with a collection of endearing, post-rock flavored tracks that harbor just enough kick to keep your summer days mellow but danceable. 
 

Hibou, Dunes (self-released)
Former Craft Spells drummer Peter Michel returns with his highly anticipated second EP. On songs like "Sunder" Michel demonstrates that the indie pop acumen he demonstrated on his Glow/Hollow single was just the tip of the iceberg. Dude is only 19; really interested to see where he goes next!
 

Secret Colors, Days Off (Group Tightener) 
On his latest release, and first for Brooklyn's Group Tightener label, Matt Lawson expands the scope of his Secret Colors moniker to include an approach more akin to traditional dance music. Although we thoroughly appreciated his improvisational catalog, it's obvious from his recently work with the now defunct Stephanie and collaborations with Jeff Johnson of the Numbs that Lawson has much more than that up his sleeve. "Days off" is his biggest step yet into that bold new direction and we dig it.
  

Widesky, Flotsam (Bridgetown)
Seth Chrisman is a multi-instrumentalist from New Mexico that records ambient drone-scapes under the moniker of Widesky. On Flotsam, Chrisman ruminates on the concepts of oceanic turbulence and debris as they pertain to the physical and emotional world, and the results are staggering. So staggering, in fact, that Bridgetown has already had to run a second pressing of the cassette.
 

Pitschouse, Pitschouse (self-released)
Without a doubt, the first EP from dream/indie-pop band Pitschouse is one of our favorites to come out of Seattle this year. By melding wistful guitar work with playful piano melodies and a unique sense of warmth, the trio has managed to created a highly distinctive sound that more than stands up to repeat listening. Finger's crossed that the next few months will yield a physical copy of this record. 7/8 update: I am a complete tool; you can buy the physical CS or CD through Jigsaw Records here.

Mutant Video, Missing Fingers (Iron Lung)
Iron Lung describes MUTANT VIDEO as "The penultimate hash-mark in the workbench of John Carpenter meets American punk soundtrack-core" and we couldn't agree more. Though Missing Fingers is somewhat darker than their previous work, largely by virtue of its austerity and growing hardcore undercurrent, these songs find the band as evocative as ever.

Teams, One World 開発 (Fin Records)
I've been a fan of teams since I first heard their collaboration with Personal La Ave, "Freak Licker", on their 2011 debut full-length. However, on their latest for Seattle's Fin Records, they show off a somewhat more bare approach to dance music than in previous releases--ultimately trading their former chill-wave leanings for an approach more indebted to the Chicago house scene. Great for a lazy afternoon.
 

Warm Static, Static Session 1 (self-released)
This is not an official release per se, it's a loosely structured live session that was recorded by Alex Miller at Warm Static's first Seattle show at the Josephine on June 8th. However, as improvisational musings go this is really phenomenal. For this set, the project, which remains the experimental playground of JetMan Jet Team drummer Quin Dickinson, was expanded to include synthesizers and samples from Alex Nagy (also of JJT). Find a quiet spot and listen. It's just a shame you can't see Randall Skrášek's gorgeous visuals too.

  

Mixes/Compilations:

Anacortes Unknown Music Series Vol 3 sampler (assembled by The Business Records)
The Anacoretes Unknown Music Series Vol 3 is taking place this July 19th, 20th, and 21st at The Unknown in Anacortes; however, Anacortes' The Business Records put together a really nice preview mix featuring Karl Blau, The Hive Dwellers, LAKE, Genders and many more. 

 


Twitch and Gloam: Dark Sounds from the Pacific Northwest (Flat Field Records)
Named CityArt's album of the month, this compilation from the folks at Flat Field Records is gorgeous, dark, and available now for consumption. 
 

This Month in Releases: May 2013

I haven't decided yet whether or not this will be a reoccurring piece, but every month our region is graced with so many quality releases that it seems appropriate to pay homage to my favorites with a special post. The rules are simple: each release is a fresh issue/or reissue from a local artist or label, singles were not included unless they were EP length, and of course, the actually release date had to have been in the month of May. If you don't see your favorite release here then I either don't like it, haven't heard it, or one or both of us has the wrong release date. If you're certain it isn't the latter then feel free to drop me a line via the comments section or through our Facebook. Enjoy!

LPs/EPs (IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER):

 

Tender hips, City EP (self-released)

Tender Hips are the latest in a string of exceptional Walla Walla bands that have relocated to the Seattle area in the last year. On their first EP they mix equal parts tenacity, technical prowess, and pop sensibility to produce an exceptional release that only gets better with repeat listening.

Big Eyes, Almost Famous (Grave Mistake)
The widely anticipated sophomore album from Seattle's Big Eyes arrives on the heels of several successful 7"s (including splits with Audacity and Mean Jeans), and it definitely doesn't disappoint. On Almost Famous the threesome have managed to polish and expand their sound, but without compromising the punk energy that has made them a local staple.

Land of Pines, The Long Defeat (Fin Records)

This EP is everything we're looking for in an indie rock release: heavy yet playful, catchy but never trite or obvious. The five-some seem just as comfortable swapping male and female vocalists as they do swapping heavy ominous guitar work for indie pop sensibility and we think you'll love it too.

Panabrite, Xenon District (VCO Records)
Seattle's Panabrite, aka Norm Chambers, returns with yet another album full of thick and suspenseful ambient music fit for some lost prolific sci-fi film. In a genre where even the best practitioners are too often lost to obscurity, the texture and scope of Xenon District make a statement that is very hard to ignore.  

Mace, The Metamorphosis Through Dreams (Further Records) 
Enrico Cesaro, aka Mace, is a young producer from Padua and The Metamorphosis Though Dreams marks his first physical release--lucky for us he choose our very own Further Records as the vehicle with which to make his entrance. Consisting of dark, beat-heavy waves of synth, this record is a late night drive soundtrack waiting to happen.

 

Katie and the Lichen, Yours Truly (Lost Sound Tapes)

On their 3rd full-length record, and their first for Seattle's Lost Sound Tapes, K&TL provide still more evidence of their ability to write poignant, yet charming pop/folk music. Keep a look out for the 5 piece on tour in the next few months as they wind their way around the west coast with fellow Vancouver natives Ok Vancouver Ok.

Stalebirth, Comepuppy (self-released)

I'm sure that for many people this is where the discussion about "what constitutes music" ensues. However, despite what you call it, I don't think that anyone who honestly listens to Comepuppy can say that it isn't powerful and evocative. Whether they're dealing in thick atmospheric noise, uneasy free jazz, or haunting piano work, Stalebirth prove here that they're an integral part of what makes the Seattle scene so unique.

 
Thunder Grey Pilgrim Folk Assembly, Der Auftrag und Verlust (live) (self-released)

Clocking in at just under 23 minutes, this live track was recorded at Hollow Earth Radio on the 25th of April during the Debacle Fest Preview Show. The live format and the expansion of the act into a trio to include cello and violin contributions (and hence the "Folk Assembly" moniker) works beautifully with the dark and eerie TGP sound established on earlier releases.

 

 

Near Paris, Near Paris (Crispy Nuggets/Medical Records)

This compilation/reissue-plus of minimalist and new wave music from Columbus OH's Near Paris consists of a rare EP from 1985 plus 7 additional tracks from the period. It's just another in a series of awesome releases that Medical Records has endeavored to bring back to life in the last few years.

 

We Are Loud Whispers, Suchness (Hardly Art)

This debut LP is the product of a long distance collaboration between Seattle's Sonya Westcott (Arthur & Yu) and Japan's Ayumu Haitani (4 Bonjour's Parties). Sonically the project resembles a more free-form version of the Postal Service (i.e. heavier on the DNTEL), and it is delightful.

 
The Colorplates, Agony and Ecstasy (Green Monkey Records)

The Colorplates were an art punk/post punk band that formed in Seattle in 1979 and eventually disbanded in 1982. These recordings, which were sourced from a number of disparate formats over the course of their career, provide an interesting retrospective on the evolution of this relatively short-lived, but very listenable group.

 

Mixes/Compilations: 

What's Up Seattle, Mixtape No. 2 (self-released)

Seattle-based blog What's Up Seattle returns with its newest sampling of Seattle's music community. Although a these songs cover a multitude of styles, they tend to favor the darker/noisier end of the spectum.

Justin Timbreline, Ass to shake your music to (self-released)

While we wait for more music from him, CTPAK Records' Timbreline has provided us with a pretty stellar mix of dance tracks. Check it out!

 

Various Artists, Skylight Remixes Vol. 1 (Hush Hush Records)
Seattle's Hush Hush Records return with a wonderful collection of remixes of their flagship artist's debut album. The wide breadth of approaches undertaken here provide more than enough impetus to keep an eye out for more from DJ Alex and crew in the future.