Rock & Indie 474 Items

Since 1995, orphaned by their previous project, the three founding members of Zu (Jacopo Battaglia, Luca Mai and Massimo Pupillo) had been hanging out in the historic small room in Piazza Degli Zingari in Rome, every day, all day long, working nights and sometimes sleeping directly in the basement so as not to waste time. Looking for their own voice, without excluding any direction: electronics, tapes, sequencer (Film Nero) cello (played by their friend Francesco Chiari), and of course their first iconoclastic outbursts on bass sax and drums. One can obviously hear the shared love for NoMeansNo and Ruins, but much more was already part of Zu's DNA, including an instinctive ability to digest the myriad listens and influences that permeated them, without ever copying anything but transforming everything into their own personal voice. After about two years of intense and continuous rehearsals, this tape was the first demo they sent out, recorded in that room by their friend Giampaolo Felici, with whom they shared that space and with whom years later they would also found Ardecore. The cassette went around so much that the Zu themselves could not find a single copy of it, until one mysteriously reappeared, intact and still perfectly listenable, which transferred and mastered became, more than 25 years later, THE Lost Demo

Since 1995, orphaned by their previous project, the three founding members of Zu (Jacopo Battaglia, Luca Mai and Massimo Pupillo) had been hanging out in the historic small room in Piazza Degli Zingari in Rome, every day, all day long, working nights and sometimes sleeping directly in the basement so as not to waste time. Looking for their own voice, without excluding any direction: electronics, tapes, sequencer (Film Nero) cello (played by their friend Francesco Chiari), and of course their first iconoclastic outbursts on bass sax and drums. One can obviously hear the shared love for NoMeansNo and Ruins, but much more was already part of Zu's DNA, including an instinctive ability to digest the myriad listens and influences that permeated them, without ever copying anything but transforming everything into their own personal voice. After about two years of intense and continuous rehearsals, this tape was the first demo they sent out, recorded in that room by their friend Giampaolo Felici, with whom they shared that space and with whom years later they would also found Ardecore. The cassette went around so much that the Zu themselves could not find a single copy of it, until one mysteriously reappeared, intact and still perfectly listenable, which transferred and mastered became, more than 25 years later, THE Lost Demo

Back in print with new artwork !

In January 1999, after years of continuous daily rehearsals, Zu entered the studio to record Bromio. The album was released in October of the same year to immediate and enthusiastic feedback from the press and the public, and a few months later Zu began to play on stages all over Europe. But the band's inexperience in recording work weighed on them, because the impact they had live was not present in the sound of the CD at all. So it was that during the slightly forced hiatus from 2020 onwards, they finally found the time to reopen those recordings, rework them in various ways, resonate some parts and release Bromio 25 years later in a sound that was much closer to the impact and sound system of their live performances. Listening to it again 25 years later, it still sounds fresh and vibrant, not tied to any predetermined genre or fashion of the moment (it is curious and almost comical that they were called 'jazzcore' when in fact the basis of their sound drew much more from prog and metal). Enjoy !

In January 1999, after years of continuous daily rehearsals, Zu entered the studio to record Bromio. The album was released in October of the same year to immediate and enthusiastic feedback from the press and the public, and a few months later Zu began to play on stages all over Europe. But the band's inexperience in recording work weighed on them, because the impact they had live was not present in the sound of the CD at all. So it was that during the slightly forced hiatus from 2020 onwards, they finally found the time to reopen those recordings, rework them in various ways, resonate some parts and release Bromio 25 years later in a sound that was much closer to the impact and sound system of their live performances. Listening to it again 25 years later, it still sounds fresh and vibrant, not tied to any predetermined genre or fashion of the moment (it is curious and almost comical that they were called 'jazzcore' when in fact the basis of their sound drew much more from prog and metal). Enjoy !

“The origin of this record is a weird one. In 2019, we had just returned from two long European tours when we decided to take a ‘little break’ from the road. You all know what happened next. That ‘little break’ turned into a couple of years and during that time Dane, our drummer, decided to quit the band and music in general (no hard feelings). Sean [Hoffman] and I had a discussion and thought about ending the band as a whole, but I knew I had to go out on my own terms. I had an ace in the hole, though. Jeff Murray, drummer from LA rippers The Shrine. I had been friends with Jeff and The Shrine’s founder, Josh Landau since our ‘Scavenger’ 7-inch came out, around 2012. We had run into them in Berlin a few months back and I knew they weren’t playing anymore. I called Josh first, ’cause asking a dude if you can take his drummer, is like asking your girlfriend’s dad if you can marry her. And Josh said ‘go for it.’ And Jeff was in.

“Honestly if he had said no, that would have been the end. I had written a ton of stuff since our last album but I had shelved most of it. I was trying too hard—basically. Eventually Sean, Jeff and I said, ‘Fuck it, let’s make a ‘Fake Live’ record—like Kiss or Slayer did. John Dwyer from Osees was opening his new studio, Discount Mirrors, and it seemed like the perfect place to record it. We settled on re-recording a bunch of old stuff while simultaneously demoing our new material, as the three of us were now starting to really get in the groove. The result is Strange Masters Vol. 1.

“These are not new songs. These are Zig Zags classics re-recorded with a ripping-ass band that’s old and angry and just wants to get on with it. We are already on to recording the next album of new songs. That one is coming soon, but in the meantime, enjoy this one…while you still can!” —Jed Maheu (guitars/vocals for Zig Zags)

Multi-award-winning singer-songwriter and leading UK jazz vocalist Zara McFarlane releases Sweet Whispers - Celebrating Sarah Vaughan. The album honours the jazz great who inspired her on her own artistic journey and whose centenary year is marked in 2024."Sweet Whispers" is more than a run-through of some of Vaughan"s most popular songs. It"s not hard to imagine the immense task in selecting those songs, after all, Vaughan"s recording career spanned 50 years notching up almost 60 albums (plus nearly 30 again in compilations and box sets). Through a thoughtfully chosen selection of songs, formed across months in collaboration with producer, and the album"s clarinettist and saxman, Giacomo Smith - Zara journeys through the musical life of Sarah Vaughan, from her first to last recording, bringing to life and breathing new life into some of her best and less familiar songs. But importantly, the songs that mean the most to Zara.

These four songs, recorded in 1977, are the only recordings of the original 4-piece line-up of the Australian band X featuring Ian Rilen (Rose Tatoo), Steve Lucas, Ian Krahe, and Steve Cafiero. Three of the songs (Home is Where the Floor Is, TV Cabaret Rules, and Hate City) were released on the 1985 compilation "Why March When You Can Riot" while Good On Ya Baby was later re-recorded for the X-Aspirations LP. While their debut LP, X-Aspirations, is rightly lauded as an Australian punk classic, this batch of songs is often overlooked because they never received a wide release. This is the band at their most snotty and rambunctious. This is an authorized one-time press of 500 copies on black vinyl by Dirt Cult and Green Noise Records

Winston Hytwr is a co-release presented by K and Perennial.Born in Columbus, Ohio in March 1993, Winston Hightower is a prolific home recording artist with an expansive discography that crawls across space and genre. A staple in the Midwestern punk/DIY scene, his first work under the eponymous moniker was a self-released tape in January 2015. Since then, he has put out over 100 songs on tape, online and on video. The music defies easy categorization, and instead breezes through a landscape of synths that effortlessly blend pop, rock, rap and jazz. In doing so, Hightower continues to build a cohesive, ever-morphing experiment in pushing the boundaries of underground guitar music, all with his signature wit and charm. This body of work is almost entirely written and recorded alone in his room, causing many to refer to him as `the Black R Stevie Moore,' a fitting epithet as his influences likewise include modern "lo-fi" progenitors such as Guided by Voices and Vivian Girls. Hightower has released much of his own work and more on his tape label, the FAH-Q Catalog, which boasts over 12 releases (http://www.thefahqcatalog.com/) He has also collaborated with numerous other Ohio legends such as members of Times New Viking, Slant 6, and Ron House. Both mysterious and effervescent, Winston shape shifts into roles that have also included pro skater (UNITY, Adidas) and touring hardcore guitarist/bassist (most recently with the groups Minority Threat and Twompsax). With such an extensive pedigree, andhaving toured ceaselessly since he was a teenager, it's shocking that Winston Hightower is largely unknown outside of the Midwest. K records is thus thrilled to be putting out his first ever record, "Winston Hytwr" [KLP292/PRNL50] which will cull songs from his previous and impossible to find releases.Remixed by Capt. Tripps Ballsington and Remastered by Amy Dragon. This release continues the rich tradition of DIY bands crafting instant pop hits entirely on their own terms, which has long been the hallmark of the Interna...

What Kind of Human Have I Become is a new vehicle helmed by Matt Plunkett (Cuticles, The Trendees, etc.). Conceived as a solo endeavor, the designation got a bit blurry following an invitation to record his new songs with Stefan Neville (Pumice, etc.) at the studio he shares with Ben Holmes (Oksun Ox, etc.) in Auckland.

Once in the studio, Plunkett’s songs puffed in a wholly new way with Neville at the controls, and backing and bits from both Neville and Holmes perhaps channeling Nag and Bendie. Fans of Matt’s past and current activities will find much to rejoice in here; Avoiding The Diggy Diggy Dogs plucks three songs from the sessions. More to come in due time.

Limited to 100 copies on green vinyl. Only available at hhv.de

Enchanting and sunny 1969 psych folk by San Francisco teenage sisters Wendy & Bonnie Flower. A cult album that would later inspire bands like Stereolab, with dreamy vocal harmonies as the main attraction, laced with Brazilian splashes and soft-rock strains. Pure timeless psychedelic pop perfection, awash in serenity and haunting reverie floating in the ether above airy soundscapes that convey a sophistication that belies the artists' tender age: 15 and 18. Alongside them are top-notch musicians such as guitarist Larry Carlton, drummer Jim Keltner, bassist Randy Sterling and organists/pianists Mike Melvoin and Mike Lang. Originally produced by Gary McFarland, Gábor Szabó and Cal Tjader.

"In July 2022 I was invited to open for the band Low who specifically wanted 'something weird'. I only had about 24 hours to come up with a set but decided to take up the generous offer. Recorded live to Tascam 8-track at the High-Noon Saloon in Madison, WI. Gear: Waldorf Quantum, Roland Rs202, Arturia Polybrute, Waldorf XTK, DSI Poly Evolver, and Korg Mono/Poly." - Vincent Presley (Those Poor Bastards, Zebras, Logan 5, Secret Creeps, etc). Live ambient, drone, experimental electronic. Side 2 can be played at 45rpm (how it was performed) or 33rpm (ultra slow gloom version). Hand-numbered edition of 115 copies.

Vargen is the eponymous fourth album of acclaimed Swedish Bob Dylan interpreter and singer-songwriter Vargen (“The Wolf” in Swedish). Through 9 tracks he continues to showcase his ability to infuse his music with all kinds of emotions, something that is palpable in every single note. It takes the listener on a ride with the likes of lounge-inspired and hum-worthy “Toxicon”, Nick Cave-esque “The Bullfighter” and features a guest appearance by Swedish guitar legend Jojje Wadenius on “Them Cats”.

The seductive sounds of Portugal swing to Dark Entries on Rock Rendez Vous: Música Moderna Portuguesa 1985-1986, a compilation of vintage Iberian synth, wave, and postpunk gems. The legendary club Rock Rendez Vous (rrv) opened its doors in Lisbon in 1980, heralding a new era in the Portuguese underground. Although touring acts like Killing Joke, Danse Society, or Echo & the Bunnymen graced its stage, RRV more vitally served as ground zero for a new generation of Portuguese bands, one simultaneously in touch with broader international musical movements while being invested in establishing a national sonic identity. Rock Rendez Vous culls 9 tracks of prime Portuguese indie tunes from the Música Moderna Portuguesa compilations released in 1985 and 1986, documenting the heyday of this movement. Jangly and brooding postpunk gems like “Levante” from Jovem Guarda, Projecto AZUL’s “New Sides,” and Essa ENTENTE’s “Festa Final” are well-represented here. Meanwhile, quirky Balearic-laced synthpop gems like D. W. ART’s “Mate” or Zona PROIBIDA’s “Musak” add a subtly regional flare. Rock Rendez Vous: Música Moderna Portuguesa comes housed in a sleeve designed by Eloise Leigh featuring a photo of the club RRV, and also includes a double-sided insert with lyrics, photos, and liner notes.