Hidden Shoal News
Iretsu's Fang Released, Available Now!
Hidden Shoal Recordings today announced the release of the new album Fang by Portland-based avant-pop quartet Iretsu.
Fang is full to the brim with intention and energy. Iretsu set out to write and record a playful, diverse yet accessible album – and they’ve nailed it. Written in four improv sessions and then broken apart and rebuilt, these songs bounce off each other in compelling directions, revealing addictive new pop dimensions with each spin. From the chiming glockenspiel and wavering synth of the opening title track to the atmospheric throb of closer ‘Particles’, Fang is a wild, beautiful ride. Single ‘Humbuzzer’ is tightened to its maximum potential around an elastic post-punk tune, driven by a fantastic rhythm section and given lift-off by Ryan Cross’s keening vocal. Twilit ballad ‘Sleep’ is carried into the night sky by its eerie whistling line. And ‘Sexy, No?’ has one the catchiest and indelible hooks you’re likely to hear.
“Why you should care: Because it sounds like Deerhoof + some guy who likes Sparks. Weird combo? You bet.” – ‘Humbuzzer’ chosen in You Aint No Picasso’s “Favourite Songs of March 2010”
“the band’s sound is dreamy and hard to resist… Once it makes its way into your playlist, your brain, your life, this is the type of album that’s hard to set aside” – Popmatters on The Moon And Stars Remain In The Morning Sky
Fang is available worldwide in CD and digital formats through Hidden Shoal Recordings. Head to the Hidden Shoal Store for all download and purchase links and read a full press release here.
Iretsu – Hey You Iretsu – Hey You
Takeaway Tunes Pop-Up Music Shop
Awesome Perth label and general doers of musical good Love Is My Velocity have set up a Pop-Up local music store as part of the WAMI Festival. In the words of the good LIMV folk,
“For the first time, LIMV present a pop-up local music shop to promote Perth’s hardworking independent labels. Come by 54 Lake Street (opposite the Elephant & Wheelbarrow) browse through a great range of CDs, records, vinyl, t-shirts, merchandise and related products. Stock is sourced from a thriving community of local labels, including Meupe, Hidden Shoal, Walking Horse Records, Badminton Bandit, Owls, Heartless Robot and Jarrah Records. The goods of the independent Perth bands and musicians are also represented. For local music lovers this will be the place to score hard-to-find wares and new special edition merchandise. For those newbies it’s the perfect introduction to a wealth of WA music.”
Hidden Shoal has also provided some freebies as if there wasn’t already enough incentive to wrap yourself in the splendour that is Perth music. Perth peeps should get their collective asses down to the store at 54 Lake St from Wednesday 19 May to Sunday 23 May between 11am and 9pm. Besides the store LIMV have also set up the Takeaway Tunes Temporary Recording Studio where a bunch of amazing Perth bands and artists will record tracks that will be uploaded to the LIMV site for free download. You can even stare the band out as they try to concentrate during the sessions (staring contests not endorsed bu Hidden Shoal)! Check times and details here.
Boxharp – "The Green" Digital Pre-Release
Hidden Shoal Recordings has announced the digital pre-release of the album The Green by American ambient experimental pop duo Boxharp.
The Green is a startlingly beautiful space that sees the intermingling of the ancient and modern, the handcrafted and the technologically enhanced. Lunar half-light, crackling fires and legends weave amid aching synths, dizzying digital edits and startling atmospheres – all clothed in the inimitable tones of vocalist Wendy Allen. Akin to classic dreampop, stripped of the guitars and rebuilt with the parts of old gramophones, twine and birdsong.
The title track exudes a kind of earthbound celestialism that makes it at once intimate and expansive. ‘Hick’s Farewell’ and ‘Leatherwing Bat’ have the feel of eerie Celtic folksongs re-imagined as affecting synthpop. Lovable pop nugget ‘Konnarock VA’ nestles alongside airy tapestries like ‘The Moon’s The North Wind’s Cookie’ and ‘Rootfires’. The intangible is rendered tactile; the prosaic mystical.
“shows that experimental pop needn’t sacrifice the pop element to be interesting and original” – Music Musings and Miscellany on the Loam Arcane EP
“sparkling pure, like dancing snowflakes on a beautiful cold and sun-touched winter’s day. Harmonically waving between Allen’s pretty angelic voice, and the delightfully silvery ambient tones” – Luna Kafe on single ‘Rainbirds’
Boxharp recently featured in a January 2010 article in British newspaper The Guardian as one of David Bowie’s current favourite artists, and promptly received a full-page feature on Bowie’s official website.
The Green is now available digitally through Hidden Shoal and all good digital stores. The album will see its official CD release on the 2nd of June, 2010. Download the album here and read a full press release here.
Boxharp – Leatherwing Bat Boxharp – Leatherwing Bat
Markus Meher Featured on Indie Lauchpad Podcast
Markus Mehr’s first release here on HSR was featured this week on the Indie Launchpad Podcast #140. The track Hubble truly is a must hear (and for once it’s not us just saying it). We eagerly await his full release later this year! Take a look and listen here.
Hidden Shoal Treated by Shalgrenzen
Late last week German blog Shalgrenzen indulged in our catalog. Releasing a bunch of mini reviews from a few of our artists, including reviews on recent releases from the likes of Boxharp, Iretsu and Markus Mehr and also taking a step back to last year looking at Hotels with Where Hearts Go Broke. Each review was beautifully treated take a read here or for those who aren’t fluent read the (roughly translated) except here.
Boxharp Album Release Date Changes
Some news for all you fine folk anxiously awaiting the upcoming sumptuous Boxharp full length. The official CD release of Boxharp’s The Green will be pushed back to the 2nd of June, however the album will still be available as a digital pre-release on the original release date of the 4th of May.
This is truly a stunning album and for those of you waiting to purchase on cd we can assure you that the extra wait is worth it. In the meanwhile make sure you grab the free download of the title track here.
Boxharp – The Green Boxharp – The Green
Salli Lunn ‘Parachutes Forever’ Single Released – Free Download
Hidden Shoal Recordings has announced the release of ‘Parachutes Forever’, the debut single by Danish spectral noise-rock quartet Salli Lunn.
‘Parachutes Forever’ rises and falls in vertiginous shifts, carried by thunderous rhythms, skewed guitar patterns and the compelling vocal presence of Lasse Skjold Bertelsen. It’s a superb demonstration of Salli Lunn’s mastery of light and shade. At its brightest, glockenspiel patterns and chiming guitar arpeggios highlight the hope and yearning woven throughout the track; at its darkest, thick coils of bass, pounding drums and wrenching chord changes deepen the atmosphere of foreboding and menace.
The track is an essential taster for the expansive forthcoming debut album Heresy and Rite produced by Jonas Munk (Manual). On Heresy and Rite Salli Lunn are utterly bewitching, weaving dark magic in the bleak hinterland of guitar-driven atmospherics, stirring in equal parts pop melody and angular noise. From the tumbling drums and lurching coda of opener ‘The Frame of Reference’ to the stunning finale ‘The First Cause’, the band walk a tightrope between bright-eyed songcraft and shadowy textures that threaten to overwhelm.
‘Parachutes Forever’ is available as a free download until the release of Heresy and Rite on July 6th, 2010. Head to the Hidden Shoal Store to grab the track and read a full press release here.
Salli Lunn – Parachutes Forever Salli Lunn – Parachutes Forever
Salli Lunn Sign to Hidden Shoal
Hidden Shoal Recordings is proud to announce the signing of Danish spectral noise-rock quartet Salli Lunn to its roster of artists.
Salli Lunn weave dark magic in the bleak hinterland of guitar-driven atmospherics, stirring in equal parts pop melody and angular noise. Songs rise and fall in vertiginous shifts, carried by thunderous rhythms, skewed guitar patterns and the compelling vocal presence of Lasse Skjold Bertelsen. Across the expansive terrain of debut album Heresy and Rite, Salli Lunn are utterly bewitching.
Heresy and Rite is released internationally through Hidden Shoal on CD and mp3 on July 6th, preceded by the single ‘Parachutes Forever’ on April 29th, which will be available as a free download. The album will be released in Denmark through Duck On The Walk Records with the band launching the Danish release of the album tonight (23rd April)!
The Caribbean Interview on the HSR Blog
Our trusty Marketing Assistant Jamie Barrett caught up with The Caribbean after their 2010 SXSW. Pop over to the HSR Blog to read the interview…
Mukaizake and Apricot Rail at RTR's In The Pines
RTR’s In The Pines is on again this year – their biggest and arguably their best fundraiser – and Hidden Shoal will be there to support! This year we’re chuffed to announce that Apricot Rail and Mukaizake are on the bill, both having been on hiatus for the last three months. So put it in your diaries everyone, and come on down on May 2nd for the festivities. You can see the full bill here and purchase tickets here. While you’re at it, take a listen to RTR here.
Hidden Shoal MixTape
