Despite the inherent toxicity of the Internet, silver linings still tend to appear here and there. In regards to the impending clusters of words you are about to read, I’m talking about the obliteration of musical stereotypes - specifically those based around geography. I want you to imagine - if you wouldn’t mind - the... Continue Reading →
I’ve never been the type of person who would sneak into someone’s bedroom and steal a glance at their private journal. However, the universe did thrust one upon me not too many years ago when I was exploring the shelves and crevices of an antique shop in Lincoln, Nebraska. Its nameless spine caught me eye... Continue Reading →
Though artistic sincerity in general has always been the underlying seed from which most quality underground music sprouts from, I feel that within the last decade or so the more conventional/aged sub-genres (such as lo-fi indie rock [I know, I hate the word ‘indie” too, but it really did used to mean what it implied... Continue Reading →
There are many reasons artists avoid delving into previously discarded tracks. Perhaps they are self conscious - terrified of opening a window that would shed light on what they perceive to be a less talented/developed version of their musical selves. Or maybe they are afraid that the perspectives they explored so long ago may grossly... Continue Reading →
I’m of the belief that side projects should be surprising — meaning that I hope the music is nearly unrecognizable in relation to its creator or the creator’s band. Vocalists usually have a harder time with this — especially when you think of someone like Maynard or Beth Gibbons. The distinctiveness of a voice is... Continue Reading →
Chances are, if you’re reading this you are most certainly well-acquainted with Orange Milk Records. I assume anyone who’s interested in left-field music is at least aware of their monolithic presence in the cassette dimension — if not dutifully and respectfully obsessed. Yes, for the better part of the last decade, co-owners Seth Graham and... Continue Reading →
“Unpopular music on tape” is how the description of Newcastle, United Kingdom label Panurus Productions reads. I’m sure there are plenty of seasoned digital marketers out there who might openly scoff at such a tagline. But, as those of us who are unapologetically immersed in cassette culture know, this sort of phrase most certainly elicits... Continue Reading →
Puzzle Time is a four-way split curated by Nicholas Langley, owner of United Kingdom label Third Kind Records. Complete with tracks from four different artists (Langley himself included) and an actual puzzle designed by Bristol-based illustrator Takora, the album (in the words of Walt Whitman) truly contains multitudes. Bary Center’s opening tracks are pensive and... Continue Reading →
Strategic Tape Reserve is a cassette label owned by Eamon Hamill (possibly the most well-spoken lad in the underground music game) -- who operates out of Cologne, West Germany. Though STR's canon is not genre-specific in any way, the complete body of work shares a common theme of explorative home-brewed quality. In an effort to... Continue Reading →
Hausu Mountain is a legendary Chicago-based experimental label (owned and operated by duo Max Allison and Doug Kaplan) that has been churning out quality noises and transmissions since 2012. Unlike many labels, the Hausu dudes go out of their way to restock tapes (for two years after the album release date) when they get low -... Continue Reading →
Album Reviews, Label Spotlights, and More 