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Today is a big one for us, and all fellow Dirty on Purpose fans. When we signed DoP on to create a brand new EP for us from scratch, we knew it would be special, but we had no idea the end result would be Dead Volcanoes, a record that exists on its own terms within the DoP cannon. Like their previous EP Like Bees, Dead Volcanoes takes the niche that the band have found for themselves (sweetened, Americana-influenced indie pop) and churns its ingredients to a fine, yummy pulp.
The final track of the EP, today’s exclusive “Canned Fumes” is no exception to the rule. Sung by guitarist George Wilson, the song borrows amply from bands like the Jesus and Mary Chain, hinting at a return of DoP’s more shoegaze aspects from a few years (and albums) ago. The pace is slow and dreamy, the perfect closer to a record that we’ve grown to adore since its first track, the ballad "Leaving", debuted on the site close to when we firist launched. It’s the end of a chapter in our relationship with DoP, but nowhere near the end of the book. We have way more goodies in store with this bunch, but for now, here’s Dead Volcanoes in its entirety. Enjoy…
Sounds like: The Jesus and Mary Chain, My Bloody Valentine, The Magnetic Fields
We remember seeing Brooklyn-based My Best Fiend play a show a couple of years back and being transported by their droning experimental alt rock and mesmerizing DIY light show. They fell off our radar for a while but we’re proud to say that they’re back in full force. Their debut album is about to drop, and we got our mitts on some of their new songs to share with you guys. We liked them so much that we decided to sign My Best Fiend to RCRD LBL for an EP, obviously something we don’t take too lightly. The first two tracks we’re releasing are the laid-back, Stone Roses-esque “Lazy Bones” and the rocking “Maniac” both available on their upcoming self-titled album. It’s like it’s the ‘90s all over again, and though we never thought we’d say this at the time, that’s definitely not a bad thing.
Say hello to the newest RCRD LBL signings: NYC epic rock four-piece ALOKE. ALOKE (that's all caps, natch) just finished up recording their new album, What a Sight It Shines at Night with legendary alt. rock producer Steve Albini, so you know it’s going to be amazing. The opening bars of “Head on a String” are even strongly reminiscent of the Albini’s old cohorts the Pixies, with a little post-millennial epic prog thrown in for good measure. You’ll be seeing a lot of these guys ‘round these parts soon, so check out these two tracks from What a Sight… and see why we’re geeked out for this band to join our roster.
So it would seem that Mother Nature finally got in through her thick skull that it’s spring over the Northeast, so the birds are singing, kids are skipping their way to school, and the windows to the office are wide open (then again, we said this last week literally hours before getting caught in a frigid torrential downpour on our way home from a night out). Anyway, our point being, we have the perfect song for today, from our RCRD LBL band CoCo B’s (but then again, it’s always sunny and bright for them, as they hail from Long Beach, CA). So maybe they write super happy pop songs by osmosis? The song is called “Give Up The Money (1982)” and it’s one of those chugging, mid-‘90s alt. rock numbers that will always remind us of times where we would cut school to go to McDonald’s and listen to Superdrag with our friends (true story).
We’ll be releasing more songs by CoCo B’s in the near future, so keep an ear out. In the meantime, here’s “Give Up The Money (1982)” along with the band’s previous RCRD LBL singles, “Bluebird” and “Modern Lover”.
We have an incandescent new White Denim single for you today, entitled “Goldie Locks”, and we sincerely can’t think of a more graciously unhinged way to start off your morning. Like the demented bastard children of the Minutemen and the clan of degenerates from The Hills Have Eyes, White Demin unashamedly blast through the landscape with their searing mix of blues-y southern rock and shambolic post punk. “Goldie Locks” is the epitome of that sound, with its riff straight out of an old MC5 record, condensed and solidified to a couple minutes of unfiltered rock ‘n’ roll.
White Denim have a lot of stuff coming up, like a US and UK tour, a new EP entitled Let’s Talk About It, and the kind of British press reserved for the American bands that are about to blow up bigger than big. Check out their web site for more info and tour dates, and of course download their past RCRD LBL singles below!
Today, we are very proud to release an exclusive new single from Soft Circle, the solo project of ex-Black Dice drummer/visual artist and all-around man of flavor Hisham Bharoocha. This is Soft Circle's first release since 2007's acclaimed Fool Bloom LP (see Pfork link at bottom) and represents a turn of sorts from the impressionistic, mellower vibes of his previous work. "Night Hike", available exclusively via RCRD LBL, is a driving, percussive track that recalls the electronic wizardry of his former tourmates Prefuse 73 and Battles and should serve as a great taste of what Bharoocha plans to cook up for his next full length. It was recorded by producer/musician Rusty Santos (Animal Collective, Panda Bear) and you hope you love it as much as we do.
Be sure to catch Soft Circle on tour with the Boredoms all this week (Bharoocha served as the musical director of their epic 77BOADRUM event in NYC last year) and watch this space later today for an exclusive video interview courtesy of our bros at the FADER.
Our homies Dirty on Purpose are releasing a brand new, exclusive track from their RCRD LBL EP Dead Volcanoes today, entitled “The Thing About Getaways”. Even more so than their previous singles, this track is straight up urban Americana, with guitars almost cribbed from the Bruce Springsteen Book of Awesome. With Joe Jurewicz holding down the ‘90s-nostalgia vocals, “The Thing About Getaways” is DOP’s indie-poppiest song yet, possessing that guitar jangle reminiscent of the Wedding Present or Felt, only raised on the hard pavement of NYC. There’s a reason why this band is one of the best in the city right now, and have been for the past five years: there’s a core of sincerity here, a level of songwriting concocted from the age-old formula of guitar + sitting alone in bedroom writing = heart-wrenching indie-folk.
Dirty on Purpose are headlining Mercury Lounge on April 4, and as a special treat to you guys, we’re giving away a pair of tickets via our mailing list. All you have to do is enter your email address in the little RCRD LBL Mailing List field on your right (if you have already given us your email then, hey, you’ve already entered!). In addition to the tickets, you'll also be getting a DOP gang sign button, a sticker and a specially made, limited edition DOP T-shirt. Awesome, right?
This is bound to be a show to remember. We’ve been following this band ever since we first moved to NYC as wee little indie rockers years ago, and even though we’re all grown ups now, a headline set at the Mercury Lounge is sure to transport us back to the good old days of Sin-é and Pianos (anyone?). Not to mention it's always fun to see Mahogany and Shooting Spires. See you down the front...
We’re super proud to welcome Minneapolis post-rock band Artifact Shore to the RCRD LBL, and we’re sure you’ll enjoy their particular brand of energetic punk. Artifact Shore can play totally pummeling, slightly psychedelic tunes (“2 in 24”) or more laid-back, cerebral experimental rock (“Fun is Near”). It’s something for everybody, and personally we’re psyched to see where this band will be taking their music as they grow along with us. Check out “2 in 24” and “Fun is Near” off of the Fun is Near LP below.
Today we’re streaming three songs from a brand spanking new RCRD LBL signing: The Henry Clay People. Busting out of Glendale, CA, these guys sound like Pavement crossed with some serious ‘90s heavy guitar Brit pop vibes. There’s no way to listen to their songs without smiling, and that’s why we signed them: they remind us of everything we used to (and still) love about insightful guitar music. Oh, and they can carry a pretty decent pop tune. Check out the streams below and be sure to check back for more from The Henry Clay People…
