Today we're proud to introduce Dwight Smith and his musical vision to the world with the release of his debut offering--a virtual 7-inch titled Plumed Serpent. We were blown away the first time we heard the demos he sent us, and Twin Lakes co-founder Steubs articulates just why...
Plumed Serpent is now available for download on a pay-what-you-want basis over at Dwight's Bandcamp page where you can also purchase a hand-made origami-style CD-R that includes two bonus tracks recorded live at a recent performance.
Bandcamp Hunter described it as "the sort of music that reminds me that’s it’s still very possible to make vital rock and roll," comparing it to Eddy Current Suppression Ring's best work.
The Needle Drop gave it high praise as well, drawn in by "its strong, emotional edge" and "poetic lyrics."
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Michael Beach, a San Francisco-based musician who writes, records, and performs under his own name, and as a member of Melbourne-based trio Electric Jellyfish, is about to hit the road once again. Since 2008, he has toured regularly, putting out records on the Thurston Moore/Byron Coley colab label, Ecstatic Yod, as well as Twin Lakes and Spectacular Commodity. Mountains + Valleys, Beach’s latest solo effort, sees its official release November 8th as a limited-edition cassette (100) and digital download on Twin Lakes/Spectacular Commodity. But you don't have to wait till November to own it. You can grab one of these rare tapes early if you catch Beach on his upcoming fall 2011 tour, a year that also saw him tour Europe and Australia in support of his previous single, A Horse (Twin Lakes/Spectacular Commodity).
For this latest collection of songs, Beach assembled an all-star cast of West Coast musicians, including drummer Utrillo Kushner (Comets On Fire) and Raymond Raposa (Castanets) on guitar and vocals. Recorded by Trans Am’s Phil Manley, Mountains + Valleys has the same familiar feeling of intimacy on previous Michael Beach releases, mixed with an intensity reminiscent of early Sonic Youth and Sebadoh tunes. Listen to some cuts early and pre-order the entire album here.
For a complete list of tour dates click here.
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Photo credit: Mark SchoneveldThough we sold out of the very limited, first edition of MYTY KONKEROR's "I miss the future." we had set aside a handful of these lathe-cut records for band members and family that made its recording possible. But we've decided to sell those with 100% the proceeds going to the Japan Society's Earthquake Relief Fund. This out-of-print, critically-acclaimed record can be purchased here for $30. Of course, the new white vinyl edition of the album is also available from the same location...just be sure to use the drop-down menu to select "Lathe-cut for Japan" to ensure your purchase goes toward helping our brothers and sisters in Japan overcome this tragedy.
Side A
Side B
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As you may remember, the limited first run lathe-cut edition of MYTY KONKEROR "I miss the future." sold out pretty fast at the end of 2010 after appearing on several year-end "Best of" lists. We only cut 70 of those, so we are now happy to announce the official release date for a 2nd edition pressing on 140g white vinyl. The band is honored to be sharing its release party with western Massachusetts' premier literary journal Meat for Tea on March 12 at Northampton, MA's The Elevens. In addition to music by MYTY KONKEROR, Constantly Burning Fire, Sculptural Freedom, and Curious Buddies, the show will feature readings as well as performances by The Happy Hour Burlesque Troupe. We’ve been taking pre-orders here, but if you're anywhere near Noho that weekend, come out to the show and pick up a copy of the album and the newest edition of this stellar literary magazine in person.
In anticipation of its second coming, the band has just posted a new video for one of the album's standout tracks. If you dig B-movies and drag racing, check out "Cell Division."
In addition to iTunes, eMusic, and all the other major online retailers, digital downloads of the album are now available at MK's new Bandcamp site. Physical copies will also be coming to Insound.com soon.
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We are pleased to announce the release of Michael Beach’s “A Horse/The Exhilarating Rise"-- our first on 7-inch vinyl. Beach’s first single since relocating to San Francisco from Australia, "A Horse" is a clear display of the versatility he has become known for after multiple releases with Melbourne’s Electric Jellyfish (Ecstatic Yod/Twin Lakes). In the first sessions for his sophomore album, Beach brought together friend and co-producer Raymond Raposa (Castanets) and engineer Seth Lorinczi (Corin Tucker Band, Golden Bears) at Seth’s Little Golden Book Studio in Portland, Oregon. The tape hiss and sparseness of "A Horse" recall early Elliott Smith recordings mixed with upbeat Townes Van Zandt melodies, while the B-side offers a euphoric Glenn Branca-esque guitar drone with hints of White Light/White Heat-era Velvet Underground madness. Though they span a wide array of influences, both songs are held together by Beach’s single-handed approach to recording and an exploration of alienation, unity, sadness, and joy. There’s a depth to these songs that have kept them in heavy rotation here at Twin Lakes ever since Beach sent us the masters. The vinyl version of this two-song treasure officially drops on February 8th but can be pre-ordered here now. Digital downloads are immediately available on a name-your-price basis over at Beach's Bandcamp site. ]]>
In addition to a selection in IMPOSE Magazine's Best 25 Albums of 2010, we recently found out that MYTY KONKEROR's "I miss the future." was also picked for Built on a Weak Spot's Top 20 Records of 2010, as well as The Styrofoam Drone's Top 25 Albums of 2010.
As nice as it was for the record’s music to be recognized on these lists, its inclusion in Redefine Magazine's 90 Notable Album Covers from 2010(#26) might be the raddest of all. Kanye was their #1 pick…we don’t intend to lose to that guy again.
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