Melbourne-based Hammond-guitar-drums trio Tarcutta, who released their stunning debut album through Hidden Shoal last year, are playing at Loop bar in Melbourne tomorrow night, Saturday 29 May. It’s part of an evening of audio and visual enterntainment called Lamp Lights, with Tarcutta headlining the first batch of acts at Loop bar in the city, along with Zac Keiller, Daquqi and The Boy Who Spoke Clouds. The music kicks off at 5pm sharp, with Tarcutta taking to the stage about 7.30pm.

Hidden Shoal Recordings today announced the release of the new album Fang by Portland-based avant-pop quartet Iretsu.

Fang is full to the brim with intention and energy. Iretsu set out to write and record a playful, diverse yet accessible album – and they’ve nailed it. Written in four improv sessions and then broken apart and rebuilt, these songs bounce off each other in compelling directions, revealing addictive new pop dimensions with each spin. From the chiming glockenspiel and wavering synth of the opening title track to the atmospheric throb of closer ‘Particles’, Fang is a wild, beautiful ride. Single ‘Humbuzzer’ is tightened to its maximum potential around an elastic post-punk tune, driven by a fantastic rhythm section and given lift-off by Ryan Cross’s keening vocal. Twilit ballad ‘Sleep’ is carried into the night sky by its eerie whistling line. And ‘Sexy, No?’ has one the catchiest and indelible hooks you’re likely to hear.

“Why you should care: Because it sounds like Deerhoof + some guy who likes Sparks. Weird combo? You bet.” - ‘Humbuzzer’ chosen in You Aint No Picasso’s “Favourite Songs of March 2010”

“the band’s sound is dreamy and hard to resist… Once it makes its way into your playlist, your brain, your life, this is the type of album that’s hard to set aside” – Popmatters on The Moon And Stars Remain In The Morning Sky

Fang is available worldwide in CD and digital formats through Hidden Shoal Recordings. Head to the Hidden Shoal Store for all download and purchase links and read a full press release here.

Iretsu – Hey You Iretsu – Hey You

Hidden Shoal Recordings is proud to announce the signing of Liam Singer. Hidden Shoal will release the Brooklyn-based chamber-pop experimentalist’s stunning new album Dislocatia in October 2010, preceded by a single in August.

In Liam Singer’s music, the prosaic and the magical are two sides of the same dusty coin. These fantastical song-stories carry the listener skyward like a clockwork cloud. Produced by Scott Solter, and featuring vocals from Boxharp’s Wendy Allen, upcoming album Dislocatia is a beguiling song cycle, rich in wondrous resonant details.

Who is Liam Singer? Well, for starters he has two previous albums to his name, co-founded a 20-piece kazoo orchestra, played keyboards for The Scientifics (now Eliot Rose) and Nate Ashley, performed with the Kallikak Family, contributed piano to the Balustrade Ensemble album Capsules, is currently playing keyboards for Rob Hampton’s (ex-Band Of Horses) project Devil Be Gone, occasionally plays piano at Alexander Turnquist’s live shows, is a touring keyboardist with Slow Six and his keyboards feature on Boxharp’s Loam Arcane and The Green releases. And after you hear Dislocatia his music will be permanently imprinted on your brain’s musical pleasure centre.

Read a full press release here.

Hidden Shoal Recordings has announced the release of the new single ‘Misty Valley’ by shadowy lounge-pop maestro Rich Bennett, taken from his forthcoming sophomore album On Holiday.

‘Misty Valley’ kicks off On Holiday in fine style. Influenced by the classic exotica of Martin Denny, the aching folk-pop of Fleet Foxes, even the conceptual sweep of The Zombies’ Odessey and Oracle, ‘Misty Valley’ is brimming with delicious breezy melodies and the buoyant vocals of both Bennett and Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter Rebecca Pronsky. The single is a delicious taste of the wonders that lie waiting on the album.

“brings together the sophisticated pop soundtracks of Burt Bacharach and Ennio Morricone with the electronic detail of Stereolab and Delia Derbyshire…. If you’re a fan of retro-futurist pop such as the High Llamas then this will be up your aisle” – Proper Songs on Music for Underwater Supermarkets

‘Misty Valley’ is available now for free download from the Hidden Shoal Store. On Holiday will see its official CD release on July 29th with a digital pre-release on July 1st. Read a full press release here.

Rich Bennett – Misty Valley Rich Bennett – Misty Valley