Soft Abuse newsletter: Ulaan Markhor CD/LP, Suspensers CS, news & blues
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Soft Abuse
May 22, 2012, 10:08:27 PM5/22/12
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Hello everyone,
May is somehow nearly over, which means I'm incredibly tardy in getting this update to you. Hope all's well!
I've got two new releases to share with you this time, both hotly anticipated, excellent debuts.
First off is Ulaan Markhor, the latest project from Steven R. Smith (Ulaan Khol, Hala Strana, etc). Fans of Steve's guitar playing have another reason to rejoice, though this new guise offers something different from his previous efforts: a heavy focus on percussion / rhythms. Ulaan Markhor is a promising new direction for Smith, and is easily the catchiest work he's produced yet.
Also happening now is the long-awaited (by me, anyway) Suspensers cassette reissue of their debut from last year. This wild ride is rooted in askew American sounds of the past 50 years or so, built from layers of field recordings, incidental sounds, and honest-to-goodness songwriting. More on the way from this band, but we hope the tape will keep you occupied til then.
Both new ones are ready to go -- order away! Both have official release dates on May 29, but they'll be shipping out before then.
More on the new jams just below, with even more on more afterward --
Ulaan Markhor "Ulaan Markhor" CD / LP
Ulaan Markhor is a new solo vision from Californian Steven R. Smith; as with his former veils (Hala Strana and Ulaan Khol most recently), this new epithet brings about a wholly new origin for creation: rhythmic throb. Smith's heavy percussive clout has rarely surfaced on his records, and has heretofore never served as the focal point. Confined within canyons of mammoth ostinatos, the songs have nowhere to go but up. Smith's singular guitar playing is present throughout, rendering fuzzed and buzzing melodies & subtly interlocking lines that swirl amongst the percussive nexus.
Though drawing on many familiar influences, Ulaan Markhor manages a new perspective for Smith's work. Herein, much like Ulaan Khol, Smith explores all corners of kosmische (Gottsching is a touchstone here) with an Eno-like attention to sound. An admiration of Dog Faced Hermans and Long Fin Killie, evident in the wood-block and shaker rhythms, further sets this project apart. Correlations to Roy Montgomery appear as well (as before), but this time its Montgomery's Dadamah era that bears the fruit. Despite its psychedelic and experimental flourishes, Ulaan Markhor possesses a coy accessibility & populist groove that simply doesn't relent.
Check out / download the song "Hands in Circles" here : http://soundcloud.com/soft-abuse/ulaan-markhor-hand-in-circles
Purchase on CD or LP here : http://www.softabuse.com/catalog.php?catno=SAB056
MP3, etc available May 29 from all over.
Suspensers "Too Dumb to Live, Too Stoned to Die" CS
Suspensers operate in the shadows of New York City, occasionally surfacing to share their reveries with unsuspecting basement show-goers. Borne from the mind and lips of Ted Robinson, pusher of the finest acid-country tunes heard in an age, Suspensers formed in the wake of a relocation from Asheville, and have since settled into the city's invisible fringe. Robinson's membership in D. Charles Speer & The Helix coax a certain expectation on what's happening here, and it's not far off. Suspensers' songs dwell in the foothills of that traditionalism, however, and offer a far wilder vision of hillbilly music; traces of Charlies Tweddle and Feathers can both be heard in these tunes.
Too Dumb to Live, Too Stoned to Die is the band's debut full-length, a reissue of their privately-released 2011 cassette, AKA FMLOL. Suspensers have a single in the works, but ask that you dose this first.
Check out / download the song "Strings & Wood" here : http://soundcloud.com/soft-abuse/suspensers-strings-wood
Purchase the CS here : http://www.softabuse.com/catalog.php?catno=SAB052
MP3, etc available May 29 from all the usual suspects.
...& a still fresh great one:
Pumice "PUNY" CD / LP
New Pumice album is still hitting hard. PUNY is the first in four years from Neville, and has been blowing fans' minds for the past month or so. Another brilliant and unique chapter in the life and work of Pumice...
Check out the song "Covered in Spiders" here : http://soundcloud.com/soft-abuse/pumice-covered-in-spiders
Purchase on CD or LP here : http://www.softabuse.com/catalog.php?catno=SAB050
Coming Soon(-ish)
Myrrh "Myrrh" LP / MP3 -- due August
This one's sadly been delayed following some pressing issues, but will be here before you know it... Myrrh are a heavy subterranean doom duo that build songs with viola, drums, and feedback. Touching on Sabbath, Skullflower, and points in between. Cover image is forthcoming. Debut album.
Here's the first song on the record : http://soundcloud.com/soft-abuse/myrrh-untitled-1
Nathanial Bowles "A Bottle, A Buckeye" CD / LP / MP3 -- due September
Here's one for the string heads out there... Solo debut of solo banjo from Mr. Bowles of Black Twig Pickers, Pelt, and more recently, Pigeons. Easily blends old time & avant styles into a brilliant brew. Preview tunes & more info to come!
Mad Nanna "My Two Kids" 7" / MP3 -- due September
Latest (greatest?) single from this Australian crew, that confound & delight with their rock & roll magic. Two songs in a heavy Velvets mode. Brilliant. Sample tune & more info to come!
Maybe more release news, too, before long... Mum's the word for now.
New Distro Stuff
These arrived just after the previous update, but are available now...
Brute Heart "Fever / In Limbo" 7" (M'Lady's)
Unreal new single from the best band in Minneapolis. Two new / exclusive songs that'll please fans of Lonely Hunter. The label called it a double-A side & we agree.
Purchase here: http://www.softabuse.com/catalog.php?catno=BRU002
That's all for now -- thanks for reading & for the support, as always. More to come in the not-too-distant future.
Take care,
Chris / Soft Abuse
--
SOFT ABUSE
www.softabuse.com
May is somehow nearly over, which means I'm incredibly tardy in getting this update to you. Hope all's well!
I've got two new releases to share with you this time, both hotly anticipated, excellent debuts.
First off is Ulaan Markhor, the latest project from Steven R. Smith (Ulaan Khol, Hala Strana, etc). Fans of Steve's guitar playing have another reason to rejoice, though this new guise offers something different from his previous efforts: a heavy focus on percussion / rhythms. Ulaan Markhor is a promising new direction for Smith, and is easily the catchiest work he's produced yet.
Also happening now is the long-awaited (by me, anyway) Suspensers cassette reissue of their debut from last year. This wild ride is rooted in askew American sounds of the past 50 years or so, built from layers of field recordings, incidental sounds, and honest-to-goodness songwriting. More on the way from this band, but we hope the tape will keep you occupied til then.
Both new ones are ready to go -- order away! Both have official release dates on May 29, but they'll be shipping out before then.
More on the new jams just below, with even more on more afterward --
Ulaan Markhor "Ulaan Markhor" CD / LP
Ulaan Markhor is a new solo vision from Californian Steven R. Smith; as with his former veils (Hala Strana and Ulaan Khol most recently), this new epithet brings about a wholly new origin for creation: rhythmic throb. Smith's heavy percussive clout has rarely surfaced on his records, and has heretofore never served as the focal point. Confined within canyons of mammoth ostinatos, the songs have nowhere to go but up. Smith's singular guitar playing is present throughout, rendering fuzzed and buzzing melodies & subtly interlocking lines that swirl amongst the percussive nexus.
Though drawing on many familiar influences, Ulaan Markhor manages a new perspective for Smith's work. Herein, much like Ulaan Khol, Smith explores all corners of kosmische (Gottsching is a touchstone here) with an Eno-like attention to sound. An admiration of Dog Faced Hermans and Long Fin Killie, evident in the wood-block and shaker rhythms, further sets this project apart. Correlations to Roy Montgomery appear as well (as before), but this time its Montgomery's Dadamah era that bears the fruit. Despite its psychedelic and experimental flourishes, Ulaan Markhor possesses a coy accessibility & populist groove that simply doesn't relent.
Check out / download the song "Hands in Circles" here : http://soundcloud.com/soft-abuse/ulaan-markhor-hand-in-circles
Purchase on CD or LP here : http://www.softabuse.com/catalog.php?catno=SAB056
MP3, etc available May 29 from all over.
Suspensers "Too Dumb to Live, Too Stoned to Die" CS
Suspensers operate in the shadows of New York City, occasionally surfacing to share their reveries with unsuspecting basement show-goers. Borne from the mind and lips of Ted Robinson, pusher of the finest acid-country tunes heard in an age, Suspensers formed in the wake of a relocation from Asheville, and have since settled into the city's invisible fringe. Robinson's membership in D. Charles Speer & The Helix coax a certain expectation on what's happening here, and it's not far off. Suspensers' songs dwell in the foothills of that traditionalism, however, and offer a far wilder vision of hillbilly music; traces of Charlies Tweddle and Feathers can both be heard in these tunes.
Too Dumb to Live, Too Stoned to Die is the band's debut full-length, a reissue of their privately-released 2011 cassette, AKA FMLOL. Suspensers have a single in the works, but ask that you dose this first.
Check out / download the song "Strings & Wood" here : http://soundcloud.com/soft-abuse/suspensers-strings-wood
Purchase the CS here : http://www.softabuse.com/catalog.php?catno=SAB052
MP3, etc available May 29 from all the usual suspects.
...& a still fresh great one:
Pumice "PUNY" CD / LP
New Pumice album is still hitting hard. PUNY is the first in four years from Neville, and has been blowing fans' minds for the past month or so. Another brilliant and unique chapter in the life and work of Pumice...
Check out the song "Covered in Spiders" here : http://soundcloud.com/soft-abuse/pumice-covered-in-spiders
Purchase on CD or LP here : http://www.softabuse.com/catalog.php?catno=SAB050
Coming Soon(-ish)
Myrrh "Myrrh" LP / MP3 -- due August
This one's sadly been delayed following some pressing issues, but will be here before you know it... Myrrh are a heavy subterranean doom duo that build songs with viola, drums, and feedback. Touching on Sabbath, Skullflower, and points in between. Cover image is forthcoming. Debut album.
Here's the first song on the record : http://soundcloud.com/soft-abuse/myrrh-untitled-1
Nathanial Bowles "A Bottle, A Buckeye" CD / LP / MP3 -- due September
Here's one for the string heads out there... Solo debut of solo banjo from Mr. Bowles of Black Twig Pickers, Pelt, and more recently, Pigeons. Easily blends old time & avant styles into a brilliant brew. Preview tunes & more info to come!
Mad Nanna "My Two Kids" 7" / MP3 -- due September
Latest (greatest?) single from this Australian crew, that confound & delight with their rock & roll magic. Two songs in a heavy Velvets mode. Brilliant. Sample tune & more info to come!
Maybe more release news, too, before long... Mum's the word for now.
New Distro Stuff
These arrived just after the previous update, but are available now...
Brute Heart "Fever / In Limbo" 7" (M'Lady's)
Unreal new single from the best band in Minneapolis. Two new / exclusive songs that'll please fans of Lonely Hunter. The label called it a double-A side & we agree.
Purchase here: http://www.softabuse.com/catalog.php?catno=BRU002
That's all for now -- thanks for reading & for the support, as always. More to come in the not-too-distant future.
Take care,
Chris / Soft Abuse
--
SOFT ABUSE
www.softabuse.com
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