Hidden Shoal News
Todd Tobias "Medicine Show" Out Now!
Hidden Shoal is excited to announce the official CD release of Medicine Show, the debut solo album by musical experimentalist, Guided By Voices producer and long-time Robert Pollard collaborator Todd Tobias. All CD orders come with an immediate download of the album as well as an exclusive bonus download of the previously un-released Night Above Ground EP.
After years of producing Guided By Voices, playing in Circus Devils with Robert Pollard, and helping to create the music for Pollard’s solo albums, Todd Tobias is striking out on his own with his debut solo album. Defiantly unique and vividly realised, Medicine Show is a multi-faceted instrumental opus, evoking a shadowy steampunk dystopia. By turns nightmarish and hauntingly beautiful, the three-dimensional musical universe that Tobias conjures across 40 minutes is totally addictive. From the dark GBV-esque groove of ‘Night of the Club Foot’, through the gaseous synths of ‘Pre-Dawn Visitation’, evoking a hallucinogen-fuelled walk among a misty moon-lit forest, to the visceral lurch of single ‘Manatoc Enters The City / The Long Fall’, Medicine Show plays out like the soundtrack to a Terry Gilliam movie starring Tom Waits, each song a totally immersive scene, leading inexorably into the next.
“Call an album Medicine Show and some music buffs might expect something very different to this 15 track exercise in edgy atmospherics and controlled noise, but it’s tribute to Todd Tobias’s skill as a producer and arranger that the pace never slackens and that he’s quite effectively produced the audio equivalent of a graphic novel, one that will keep you listening right up until its cataclysmic final moments.” – DOA
Head to the Hidden Shoal Store to purchase the album on CD or in digital format. The CD comes as a limited numbered edition of 200 in a beautiful Stuart Medley designed, 4 panel gatefold with insert. All CD orders come with an immediate download of the album as well as an exclusive bonus download of the previously un-released Night Above Ground EP. Pre-orders have been extremely popular so remaining stock is limited.
New Track From Markus Mehr's Forthcoming Album "On"
Hidden Shoal Recordings is proud to announce the release of ‘Flaming Youth’, the new single by German experimental ambient artist Markus Mehr, taken from his forthcoming album On.
‘Flaming Youth’ tentatively fizzes into life as though fragments of static are being received from the heavens. As the static begins to clear, a gorgeous sleepy-eyed loop surfaces, bleeding through like a blissful, mesmerising surge of mangled lounge-jazz. ‘Flaming Youth’ continues Mehr’s ongoing exploration of texture versus melody, taken from his new album On, the second album in an ambitious triptych that began with the acclaimed In and will be completed by the forthcoming Off. On’s eight diverse tracks employ samples, field recordings and slathers of Mehr’s trademark distorted drones.
“one of the best releases so far this year and one which will absolutely be appreciated by fans of abstract ambient music and soundscapes” – Petal on In
“In this blissful wanderlust Mehr succeeds in spades creating a completely engrossing, engaging and all together reliable album full of the most powerful ambient-drone tracks this year” – Tome to the Weather Machine on Lava
On is preceded by In, the first part of the triptych, comprising two monumental tracks, ‘Komo’ and ‘Ostinato’, each of which clocks in at around 25 minutes, circling around and building upon hypnotic instrumental motifs. Off, released on 24 January 2013, includes the most epic piece yet, ‘Transit’, which clocks in at 49 minutes and will be performed live in collaboration with video artist Stefanie Sixt, who created the video to Mehr’s single ‘Cousteau’.
‘Flaming Youth’ is available for free download from the Hidden Shoal Store. It is taken from the forthcoming album On, available from 21 June 2012.
Todd Tobias Review on Delusions of Adequacy
Todd Tobias’s debut solo album Medicine Show has just received a cracking review over at Delusions of Adequacy. Pop along to DoA to read the review, or visit Todd’s review section in his artist profile on the Hidden Shoal site. While you’re at it, you can stream the album in full at the Hidden Shoal Store. Get to it.
Beautiful New Music Video for Kramies 'Inventors'
‘Inventors’, the centrepiece of Kramies‘ acclaimed EP The European, now has a gorgeous video clip in which to bathe your visual cortex while your ears are busy blissing out. ‘Inventors’ is the dark, shadowy heart of The European, a ballad of subtle intensity. The track is counterbalanced by the snow drenched, dreamlike visuals of the music video, shot by Kevin Ott and Kramies’ wife Renee Gardner and edited and post produced by Hidden Shoal’s very own Cam Merton.
“Kramies Windt is on to something here. The songwriter’s debut five-track EP for Hidden Shoal marries wafting synth textures and an acoustic guitar bedrock to well-honed direct songcraft, making every cut a keeper… the chilly expanse of “Coal Miners Executive Club” and its comforting refrain of “We can pace ourselves” swirl inside the head, and “Antiquarian Days” evokes John Lennon at his most reflective… Mr. Windt’s grand sweeping gestures are never empty, and his hooks are never cheap. It’s no wonder that with each subsequent listen, I find myself enjoying The European more and more.” – PopMatters
The European, produced by Todd Tobias (Guided By Voices, Robert Pollard), is available now through Hidden Shoal Recordings in digital format as well as a numbered, limited edition of 100 CD postcards.
Video Trailer for Markus Mehr's New Album "On"
Markus Mehr‘s new album On is coming next month – and it’s a blinder. To whet your appetite, video artist Stefanie Sixt has created a sublime trailer featuring excerpts of several of On‘s tracks, including upcoming single ‘Flaming Youth’.
On is the second album in a triptych that began with the acclaimed recent release In, and ends with next January’s Off. On is released on 21 June, preceded by ‘Flaming Youth’ on 18 May, 2012. Check out all Markus Mehr releases, including free downloads, at the Hidden Shoal Store.
Hidden Shoal Turns Six!
Throughout the month of May 2012, Hidden Shoal Recordings is celebrating its sixth birthday. Later in the month will be the release of the latest free sampler album, Triangulating Nature, which compiles 12 singles released over the last 12 months. Other delicious surprises will be revealed in the coming weeks, so stay tuned for more info.
Since starting up in Perth, Western Australia in 2006, Hidden Shoal has developed an enviable roster of genre-defying global and local recording artists. With 40+ acts from 10+ different countries, ranging from British ambient artist Antonymes through to American musical experimentalist Todd Tobias and beyond, the committed team at Hidden Shoal continues to play an integral role in promoting exciting new independent music.
Come join us and keep an eye on the Hidden Shoal Store for lots of cool special birthday deals!
Todd Tobias's Medicine Show Gets Standing Ovation From Fluid Radio
Todd Tobias’s ultra-awesome new solo album Medicine Show has just received a fantastic review over at Fluid Radio. What do you mean you don’t know who Todd Tobias is? He’s that dude who’s worked with Robert Pollard and Guided By Voices, and plays in Circus Devils! Sheesh! Get with the program!
Head over to the Hidden Shoal Store to stream the album in full and place your pre-order for the CD, which gives you an immediate download of the album, plus a free download of the bonus EP Night Above Ground. Get to it and we’ll forgive you for the whole ‘Who’s Todd Tobias?’ thing.
Medicine Show by Todd Tobias Available for CD Pre-Order & Digital
Hidden Shoal is excited to announce the availability of CD pre-orders and digital downloads for Medicine Show, the debut solo album by musical experimentalist, Guided By Voices producer and long-time Robert Pollard collaborator Todd Tobias. All CD orders come with an immediate download of the album as well as an exclusive bonus download of the previously un-released Night Above Ground EP.
After years of producing Guided By Voices, playing in Circus Devils with Robert Pollard, and helping to create the music for Pollard’s solo albums, Todd Tobias is striking out on his own with his debut solo album. Defiantly unique and vividly realised, Medicine Show is a multi-faceted instrumental opus, evoking a shadowy steampunk dystopia. By turns nightmarish and hauntingly beautiful, the three-dimensional musical universe that Tobias conjures across 40 minutes is totally addictive. From the dark GBV-esque groove of ‘Night of the Club Foot’, through the gaseous synths of ‘Pre-Dawn Visitation’, evoking a hallucinogen-fuelled walk among a misty moon-lit forest, to the visceral lurch of single ‘Manatoc Enters The City / The Long Fall’, Medicine Show plays out like the soundtrack to a Terry Gilliam movie starring Tom Waits, each song a totally immersive scene, leading inexorably into the next.
“A psychedelic boat ride that leads to a poorly lit and wicked place, where even the nursery rhymes of youth become foreboding…” – AllMusic on Circus Devils’ Ringworm Interiors
Head to the Hidden Shoal Store to preview and order the album ahead of its official release on the 26th of April. The CD comes as a limited numbered edition of 200 in a beautiful Stuart Medley designed, 4 panel gatefold with insert. All CD orders come with an immediate download of the album as well as an exclusive bonus download of the previously un-released Night Above Ground EP.
Massive Batch of Markus Mehr Reviews
Markus Mehr‘s latest album In, the first of a triptych, has been receiving glowing reviews left, right and centre. To keep track of the lovin’, pop along to Markus’s reviews section, or visit any of the following wonderful music review sites to find out why everyone’s been getting juiced up: Luna Kafe, Ambient Blog, A Closer Listen, Igloo magazine, Absolute Punk, The Silent Ballet, Reviewed Music, Petal, Textura, and Leonard’s Lair. Wowser!
Visit Soundcloud to hear excerpts from In‘s two epic tracks, ‘Komo’ and ‘Ostinato’:
And, of course, visit the Hidden Shoal Store to purchase the album in CD and digital formats. Part two of the triptych, On, will be released on 21 June, with the final part, Off, coming in January 2013.
New Single From Elisa Luu – Free Download!
Hidden Shoal Recordings is proud to announce the release of ‘Se fosse per me’, the new single by Italian ambient electronica artist Elisa Luu, taken from her forthcoming second album. Download the track for free here.
Blossoming into life like a field of neon flowers, ‘Se fosse per me’ is all eyes-wide and life-affirming. It imbues its wistful tones with light through buoyant beats and skittering horns, leading into a reflective textured coda. Elisa Luu’s trademark blend of digital manipulation with analogue warmth, chiming tones with immersive drones, is on virtuoso display, whetting the appetite for her upcoming second album Un Giorno Sospeso.
Though digitally crafted, Elisa Luu’s music is warm, inviting and uniquely human, betraying a vulnerability and sensitivity that is rarely found in the male-dominated sphere of electronica. With its sighing, lilting qualities, Elisa Luu’s music reawakens a sense of childlike wonder and adventure with every sprawling and sparkling track. This alchemical touch is in full bloom on long-awaited second album Un Giorno Sospeso, which takes the glorious blueprint of debut Chromatic Sigh and accentuates the highlights and shadows, making for a deliciously disorientating trip.
“fully-formed music-making that blends melody-based song structures and bold instrumental arrangements into a thoroughly satisfying whole” – Textura
“an astonishingly talented artist, crafting immersive and emotive soundfields with ease” – Luna Kafe
Head to the Hidden Shoal Store to grab the track and hear more from Elisa Luu ahead of her sophomore album Un giorno sospeso, out 1st June.
Hidden Shoal MixTape
