Partly inspired by the true story of the Salton Sea, a failed river redirection to assist Californian agricultural development at the turn of the 20th century, Rafael Anton Irisarri’s The Unintentional Sea mimics the ideas of transformation of place. During the1950s, this ecological disaster was seized and rebranded by corporate land developers, turning it into a dream getaway destination. Before long, record temperatures and a rising level of water mineralization led to the mass death of fish and other wildlife, and in turn so too did the resort town’s population, leaving behind a vast post-human deserted wasteland. This unintentional sea had given life and now has taken it away.

The follow-up to the much acclaimed The North Bend, this album continues Irisarri’s development of landscape inspired musical renderings. Like the Salton Sea of today his latest edition is a gently churning portrait of fluidity. It’s a record that sounds like staring at a vast ocean in light breeze. Layer upon layer of currents swirl below the surface, while gentle surges and waves coalesce creating fleeting patterns and moments of intermeshed sonics. As these elements meet and break away again, a sense of motion – both micro and macro – is created, a rendering of the ocean calm before the inevitable storm. Coated in a thick blanket of bass tonality, flickers of light catch on the crests of these waves, uneasy jewels of sonic light that appear as quickly as they disappear.

Available from Room40 now.

Victory and Associates write rock anthems that you did not know you needed. punk rock passion, post punk sass, big riffs, etc. Take the parts of huge classic rock you may actually WANT to turn up, mix it with the parts of indie rock that ROCK, get it moving with driving, energetic force and you are on the trail to victory… and associates. 

Try to catch them on tour, and grab their new record — Better Luck Next Life.

Based in Nashville, but raised in a coal miner’s company house on the banks of Buffalo Creek, WV, Stone Jack Jones is the descendant of four generations of coal miners.  After being rejected from military service in Vietnam due to epilepsy, and discouraged from pursuing the coal mining business, Jack decided to start wandering.  By the time he landed in Nashville, where he met Roger Moutenot, Patty Griffin, and Kurt Wagner, Jack had worked as a carny, an escape artist, a ballet dancer, a professional lute player, and even owned a late night performance art club in Atlanta.

Stone Jack Jones’ 3rd full-length, Ancestor, was produced with Roger Moutenot (known for his work with Yo La Tengo, Sleater Kinney, They Might Be Giants, and many other incredible artists) and features collaborations with Patty Griffin, members of Lambchop, and Courtney Tidwell.  The tales on Ancestor distill Jack’s lifetime of experience into songs that use the esoteric narratives of an American rambler to elucidate the celestial worlds within each of us.  Intensely meditative, the album patiently explores the hardness of the coal mines, the mystery of suicide, the comfort of a dog’s acceptance, the idea that forgetting all you know can be the first step towards hearing and reconnecting with your muse, and one man’s gratitude for the love he’s been given and the life he’s had the chance to live.  Pre-order from Western Vinyl now!

Mix the Hot Club of Paris with the sweaty soul of Dixieland, a couple blades of bluegrass, a pinch of ragtime beat, and a western swinging swagger and you’ve just conjured the sound of The Appleseed Collective. Over the past few years, the band has put the pedal to the metal touring the country in support of their 2012 release, Baby to Beast.

Formed in 2010, The Appleseed Collective has become a force of nature driven by their local community and developed by a strong sense of do-it-yourself drive. In an age of corporations and climate change, the band’s commitment to buying & selling local, eating from gardens, and being their own bosses has led to the kind of success that feels simply organic.

Everybody brings something fresh to the table. Upon returning from a trip to New Orleans, guitarist Andrew Brown had a song in his heart that just wouldn’t quit–when a chance meeting introduced him to Brandon Smith, violinist and improvisation enthusiast, Andrew knew he’d found the Stephane Grapelli to his Django Reinhardt. Vince Russo, percussionist and van-packing expert, speaks freely and cleverly with each clack of the washboard or ding of the short-order cook’s bell. Katie Lee brings a vocal range that is a force to be reckoned with. It’s angelic one moment and powerhouse the next, all complemented by twinkling banjo melodies. And the addition of double bassist Ben Rolston to the mix delivers a level of musicality and jazz sophistication that sends hearts a-flutter.

Grab the new album – Young Love

The Pressure was formed out of one very important thing; love of the original Jamaican rocksteady sound. In 2008, DJ started putting together musicians to start forming what would be that sound, and over the years of refining the lineup, song writing, and show playing we’ve finally put together something we believe you will love.

They have written songs like “Devotion” and “Everytime You Go” that bring in a sweet sultry mix of American soul with downbeat reggae, or “Worn Cruciform” that dig’s into the 70’s reggae revival sound, or “Kingston Review” that pays approbation to the bluebeat ska sound of the 60’s. There is something for everyone in their debut album, but unequivocally you will find this record to be the timeless sound you go back to over and over again.   Available Now!

One of the more elaborate vinyl packages we have worked on is now available from Sleeping At Last — it is the triple-LP collection entitled Yearbook.  The package includes twelve album-sized art cards featuring each of the 12 Yearbook covers (lyrics to every song on the backs) — each track being released on vinyl for the first time ever!

Daughter of Mennonite missionaries, Rachel Ries hails from the inspiring, vast expanses of South Dakota, by way of Zaire. Her formative years were filled with Congolese spirituals, Mennonite hymns and The Carpenters. Currently splitting her time between rural Vermont and New York City, she crafts sly and compassionate songs for the crooked hearted. With a clear voice and steady hand, she pulls the listener into her world of city grit, country dirt, and her open-eyed search for redemption and reason.

Returning from a years-long hiatus, Rachel is releasing her third long player, Ghost of a Gardener on Feb 18, 2014. Her voice at times echoes that of Regina Spektor or early Maria Muldaur and this new album is full of thoughtful and inventive arrangements. Fingerpicked melodicism pairs with sweeping strings & analog synths while a Merle Haggard-style drinking song struts with trumpets and close knit harmonies. The album, produced by Ries along with Secretly Canadian artist David Vandervelde, also includes Emmett Kelly (Bonnie “Prince” Billy, Cairo Gang), Gregory Alan Isakov, Evan Bivins (Cary Ann Hearst, Duncan Sheik), members of Brooklyn’s Cuddle Magic, strings from RSVQ and long-time bandmate Ariel Bolles.

You can pre-order the record now, and obtain a free track!

As a band, Elizabeth and the Catapult has released two full length albums under Verve Records and one self titled EP, which the band produced and released on their own. Over the past 8 months, she has toured in Kishi Bashi’s band, played with the Shins and the Waterboys, made an EP with Richard Swift; and in January, her new album – Like It Never Happened will hit the streets.  Pre-order is coming soon!