Soft Abuse newsletter: Myrrh debut LP, upcoming releases & miscellany

[Soft Abuse]

Hi everyone,

It's been a few months -- hope the summer's been fulfilling, productive and relaxing. 

One new record to toss yr way this time around, and it's a heavy one: the debut LP from doom duo Myrrh. This one's been gestating a while here, hung up for this n' that, but it's finally come together into a stunning package & we couldn't be happier with the results. The band self-released this music as a tape a year and a half ago, dubbed them at home & sold at shows as needed... Chances are this fact is moot to most of you, unless you chanced upon one of their many house / DIY space gigs in the interim. Anyway, the LP brings justice to the music from their first session, with graceful remastering handled by the mighty Patrick Klem. Packaged amongst a poster, art print and DL code, the Myrrh record is a delight to all senses. 

Here's the record & etc spread across my dining table - 

Though happening later than expected, we're pleased to finally share it with you all.

The self-titled Myrrh LP has an official release date in a week or so, but we've got them now & will ship orders ASAP... More info and particulars below...

Myrrh "Myrrh" LP 

“Heavy, gritty instrumentals, like Dirty Three playing Earth.” – Marc Masters

Sub-underground duo Myrrh have been dealing their own sort of scuzzed doom for a few years; calmly inducing heavy feedback & thud beatitudes armed only with drums and viola. Their heavy, stoned & repetitive / tranced instrumentals summon the corpses of Pärson Sound and Skullflower (and of course Sabbath and Earth) with nary a puff of derivative smoke.

Comprised of Jackie Beckey (Brute Heart) and Andie Mazorol (Mother of Fire), Myrrh construct paeans around pummeling riffs and great attention to atmosphere. The eight untitled dirges that constitute their debut were recorded in haste, and privately issued on cassette by the band. Dubs were made to order & sold at shows, long after the initial master was lost. Soft Abuse facilitated a necessary re-master and vinyl edition that peels back a layer of murk without comprising the din. Lovingly presented with an art print, poster and a gratis DL, the first book of Myrrh is among us. 

Check out / download the album's firstt song (they're all untitled) here:  http://soundcloud.com/soft-abuse/myrrh-untitled-1 

Purchase the LP (with poster, print & DL) here:  http://softabuse.com/catalog.php?catno=SAB055 

& here's what we offered last time around (still new!) --

Ulaan Markhor "Ulaan Markhor" CD / LP



"As Ulaan Markhor, Smith chooses new tools to accompany his ferocious guitar cracks. Heavy with pulsating percussion, the self-titled debut for Smith’s latest solo guise is a social ode. Though crafted in the same isolation that delivered Old Skete, Smith has not neglected the energetic yin to despair’s yang. Ulaan Markhor is ripping riff after ripping riff, snare and bass pounding out the heartbeat of Smith’s harsh attacks. Where Old Skete is passive, Ulaan Markhor is aggressive. Electric static and overpowering distortion punctuated by Smith’s syncopated rhythms. In other words: catchy." - Justin Spicer

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



Suspensers "Too Dumb to Live, Too Stoned to Die" CS

"Featuring acid-country band D. Charles Speer’s Ted Robinson, Suspensers ups the weirdness ante with drugged out blues/pop/country that wanders down a reverb canyon populated with the occasional field recording." - Reviler.org

Check out / download the song "Strings & Wood" here : http://soundcloud.com/soft-abuse/suspensers-strings-wood

Purchase on CS here :  http://softabuse.com/catalog.php?catno=SAB052 

Coming in October...

Nathan Bowles "A Bottle, A Buckeye" CD / LP / MP3
Powerful solo banjo meditations from Mr. Bowles of Black Twig Pickers, Pelt, and more recently, Pigeons. Easily blends old time & avant styles into a brilliant brew.

Here's a preview from the album:  http://soundcloud.com/soft-abuse/nathan-bowles-come-back-boys 

Mad Nanna "My Two Kids" 7" / MP3 -- due September
Latest brilliant single from this Australian crew, purveyors of absolute rock & roll magic. Two songs in a heavy Velvets mode. 

Here's a preview of the A Side: http://soundcloud.com/soft-abuse/mad-nanna-my-two-kids

Maybe another before the year is through? More info next time...

Band Happenings

Brute Heart

These three have been hard at work composing a score to Cabinet of Dr. Caligari, which will be presented this coming Monday at the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis.

More information here: http://www.walkerart.org/calendar/2012/brute-heart-with-the-cabinet-of-dr-caligari

Exiles From Clowntown

We're honored to present the debut from this mysterious & inspirational Australian bunch in 2013! 

Here's a great interview with Andrew of EFC / Greatdividing at Blastitide: http://blastitude.blogspot.com/

Horrid Red

New LP from these guys is due in October via Horrible Records, and it's totally nuts. NYC area shows are happening in conjunction with CMJ. Stay tuned.

Primitive Motion

This year's been relatively quiet for them release-wise, but releases are due soon on Kindling (CDR), A Guide to Saints (CS) and Bedroom Suck (LP).

Pumice

A new Pumice tune has been recorded, and is slated for release as part of a four-way split 7" on Kraak (alongside Mad Nanna, Kraus, and someone else I can't recall...!) sometime in 2013.

Suspensers

Ted & crew are hard at work on songs for an upcoming 7"... Sure to be filled with plenty of "wha..?!" Can't wait.

Ulaan Khol

Another lost missive has emerged from a post-Ceremony series session, an EP called Los Angeles. Available direct from the Worstward Bancamp site for a mere $5, this is definitely worth your time & money: http://worstward.bandcamp.com/album/los-angeles-e-p

Ulaan Markhor

Mr. Smith is hard at work on the 2nd UM record, due on Soft Abuse sometime in 2013. The bits he's shared so far are unreal...

2013!

Assuming we're all still around, 2013 marks the 10-year anniversary of Soft Abuse. Hard to imagine, but it's true. I'm thinking of ways to pay homage to this milestone, but am open to suggestions, too. Send thoughts / dreams my way if yr inclined.

That's all for now -- thanks for reading & for the support, as always. More news to come before long...

Take care,
Chris / Soft Abuse

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SOFT ABUSE
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