Hidden Shoal News
Fantastic New Book from Scene Point Blank
Our friends at Scene Point Blank have just published a wonderful new book, “All Downhill From Here“. Those of you who are regular readers will know the quality of writing SPB have continually produced and “All Downhill From Here” catalogues some of the cream of the crop including interviews with artists such as Henry Rollins, Polar Bear Club and coverage of albums by the likes of PJ Harvey, Sufjan Stevens and Public Enemy. In the words of the Scene Point Blank Team,
“After 10 years of web exclusives, Scene Point Blank is releasing a book. The collection contains our favorite interviews and reviews with brand new intros and insights into our history. Over 300 pages of interviews and music devotion to the underground scene.”
Grab yourself a copy here and check out the site in full here.
Outstation's "Let The Mess Shine In" Now Available For Streaming and Download!
Hidden Shoal is excited to be able to share the brilliant 1999 album Let The Mess Shine In from the Craig Hallsworth-led, Perth-based Outstation. Loud, brash, melodic and always engaging, Outstation lit the stage up wherever they played. Let The Mess Shine In captures this raw power beautifully. The band consisted of Craig Hallsworth (guitar, vocals), Jim Butterworth (bass), Jamie Hamilton (drums).
“…one of the most ferociously heavy live bands going round in the mid-90s. They played ear-splitting indie rock and were killer live. Critically acclaimed, sadly underappreciated, they were a true gem, delivering top shelf servings of gritty indie rock.” – Life is Noise
Thanks to the band, the album is now available in full for streaming and download via the Hidden Shoal SoundCloud. Fans of Hallsworth’s work should also check out his current project Tangled Star and his previous band The Slow Beings whose releases are available now through Hidden Shoal.
"The Wooden Heart" Review Love at SpaceRockMountain
Fantastic and fun review of Kramies The Wooden Heart at the always awesome SpaceRockMountain. Here’s a glimpse,
“This record has three things going for it:
1. It is being released by Hidden Shoal, one of the best labels around putting out dreamy pop music.
2. Folks involved with Guided by Voices and Grandaddy have helped with the production.
3. The recording quality is immaculate without sounding processed.” – SpaceRockMountain
perth "What's Your Utopia?" in WCBN Top Ten Chart
US college radio love continues to grow for perth‘s What’s Your Utopia?. The album just scooped the number 1 CMJ radio add at KBRP and has just debuted in the WCBN chart at number 8!
More Glowing Reviews for Kramies' "The Wooden Heart"
The Wooden Heart has been receiving a slew of brilliant reviews of late and none better than these reviews from two French publications – A Decouvrir Absolument IndiePopRock. Both reviews are written in the native tongue so we’ll attempt to translate a little here (please excuse our Google assisted translation!),
“… this EP is folk, velvet, intimate, a rich work in minor tones, we see touches of these people and that the creator is actually so and so so and so helped by another and another ( you can see the great artists are there) , the production is perfect, but these things do not explain enough what a wonderful listening experience this is and the fantastic spell it emanates. What I want is to give you the desire to become human during the time of this disc, closing the eyes little by little on the brilliant artwork of Jérôme Sevrette ( I quote a great love for the work of the photographer and his good taste when choosing work) and find out that The Wooden Heart is a true work of art , vital, indispensable . God I love music.” – A Decouvrir Absolument
“Built on a base dark and melancholic pop, these six songs enjoy a delectable atmospheric character that is reminiscent of the old inspirations of the genre. On the fly, we instantly think of Mercury Rev, Sparklehorse or Slowdive. Kramies moves in the same folk-rock liberator and vocal register, with one exception. Because unlike the three references cited above, his compositions are delicately enamelled electronic textures, handling the organic aspect of his work with shadowy and enigmatic feelings ( The Beginning, Upon The Northern Isles ). Psychedelic light points on the pieces where Lytle is involved ( Sea Otter Cottage, Clocks Were All Broken ) also recall that wander in a dreamlike music involves some risk taking.” – IndiePopRock
[The] Caseworker Review Round Up
[The] Caseworker’s brilliant 2013 album Voices Out There has continued to garner glowing press wherever it has been covered. And why wouldn’t it? It’s such a deeply affecting, atmospheric slab of hypnotic pop that it becomes almost impossible to not be lost in its ever evolving charms. Here’s a round-up of recent reviews out of Europe and the US that espoused the same feelings – Luna Kafe (Norway), Music Won’t Save You (Italy), Polyphonia (Poland) and Tome To The Weather Machine (USA). Check the links to read the reviews and then soak in the album and grab some free downloads at the Hidden Shoal Store.
'The Wooden Heart' One of the Singles of the Week at Rocksucker
Kramies stunning title track plucked from his recently released EP The Wooden Heart has just scooped a single of the week pick over at Rocksucker. Check it out here and then download the single for free here.
Kramies Featured at Warmer Climes
The brilliant Warmer Climes project, run by the lovely Vlad Stoian, asks artists to create an imaginary mixtape along with descriptions of their 10 all time favourite tracks. The project includes lists and writings from such artists as Boards of Canada, Gotye, Nathan Fake, My Brightest Diamond and many, many more, including our very own Kramies! The Hidden Shoal gem who recently gave us the sublime EP The Wooden Heart (along with contribution from Jason Lytle and Todd Tobias) has presented his fantastic top ten list which you can check out now at Warmer Climes.
perth's "What's Your Utopia?" in the CJSW Top 30!
Jumpel's "Bloc4" In The Top Ten of 2013 at Nowamuzyka
We are still playing catch up with all the wonderful press that came in over the xmas break. Here is a lovely accolade for a brilliant release from a wonderful Polish zine. Lukasz Komla over at Nowamuzyka placed Jumpel’s Bloc4 at number 7 in his best of 2013 list.
Head here to read the review in Polish (you made need a Polish friend or put up with Google’s attempt at translation). Then head to the Hidden Shoal Store to stream the album in full, grab yourself a copy on CD or in digital formats and download some free singles.
Hidden Shoal MixTape
