Dustbowl Records Update

31 October 2010

Regular readers of The Blue Walrus will be aware that I run an independent record label called Dustbowl Records, and I thought it was about time I gave a little update on all things Dustbowl, as what I’m up to with that links quite nicely with some of the music I’ve been writing about here recently…

This week we hosted The Mariner’s Children and Tristram at The Bicycle Shop in Norwich, and it was amazing. It was a sell out gig and a very sweaty one at that; much fun was had by everyone, except for the droves of people we had to turn away at the door once we reached capacity. If you haven’t already had the pleasure of hearing these two sensational bands, and indeed anything else the lovely Broken Sound Music have up their sleeves, have a gander now. You’ll be thoroughly impressed. Our next show is with the wonderful Pete Roe, also at The Bicycle Shop, and fingers crossed it’ll be another sell out!

Focusing slightly more on my own roster, many will have heard that Adelaide’s Cape quit music back in July, just a couple of months after I put out his first record, and after he and I did much touring around the country. A real shame. Anyway, the remaining copies of his EP ‘Last Sleep In Albion’ are now available for the discounted price of £2.99 through our Dustbowl Records shop – click here to buy a copy. I’ve included a free download from Adelaide’s Cape below to try and tempt you into buying a copy…

Adelaide’s Cape – Curled by thebluewalrus

Finally, I’m mysteriously going to announce that Dustbowl Records has found its latest band to sign. The only hint I’ll give you at this point is that they’ve recently been featured on The Blue Walrus, and that they fit with the vibe and ethos of the label. Feel free to hazard a guess if you’re feeling daring. More on that soon; very excited.

Oooh, and it’d be lovely if you’d “like” Dustbowl Records on Facebook please. We like to be liked. I’ll make you a cake if you like us. What kind of cake? Your choice entirely.

http://www.facebook.com/dustbowlrecords

Clock Opera

By: Tim

29 October 2010

In: News & Leaks

1 comment

London based and signed to Kitsune, Clock Opera have been getting quite the following recently, and for good reason. They made some stand-out remixes of Everything Everything’s MY KZ YR BF and Marina and the Diamonds’ I Am Not A Robot, but here they are standing on their own with Once And For All being released next week on 1/11.

The original has heart-wrenched vocals soothing on top of shuffling drums and skittling synths, a beautiful pieve of indie-electro. But the remixes don’t disappoint either, with Little Loud slowing things down, adding reverb and space to the track before breaking into pure electro-pop delight. Then there’s also Clive Tanaka (a man who confused the hell out of me with postcards from the east arriving on my doorstep every month last year (but ending with a very impressive mixtape on, well, tape) throwing his hat in the ring. He subdues everything in the song, bringing the vocals close and centre, letting you hear the energy in all its glory.

Clock Opera – Once And For All

Clock Opera – Once And For All (Little Loud Remix)

Clock Opera – Once And For All (Clive Tanaka Remix)

Everything Everything – MyKzUrBf (Clock Opera Remix)

Salem – King Knight

By: Tim

28 October 2010

In: News & Leaks, Reviews

0 comments

Halloween is nearly upon us so it’s about time that I wrote my review of Salem‘s debut which has caused such a stir on the interwebs of late, especially after a certain video. It’s an assault of distorted bass, hip-hop-esque beats and slowed, haunting vocals that will evoke a religious, spiritual soul in even the staunchest of athiests, such as that writing this.

It could soundtrack that bad trip, the endless hole as your fingers bleed scrabbling at the dirt walls, but somehow, somewhere along the line I find myself drawn to it. Or maybe that should be drawn into it, as it it spits between deepened, darkened hip hop of Trapdoor, the noise that you find yourself wading through to find the melody in Hound, and the undeniable beauty that is King Night.

This isn’t an album for you to love, but one to appreciate – and the ungodly din that is the only way I can describe a couple of the songs, like Release Da Boar, only serve to elevate other like Traxx that do soar and will melt your heart.

Salem – King Night
Salem – Asia