It’s a total win-win so head to the Hidden Shoal Store and check the specials on the front page. The sale ends on the 1st of Jan 2012 and some CD stock is very limited so do be quick.

Also be sure to tune in to RTRFM Friday morning (Perth time) where the band (well two of them) will be interviewed by the lovely Peter Barr ahead fo the gig. Oh and check out the sweet little review of the single in this week’s Beat magazine (Melbourne). And if you’ve not yet nabbed your free download of the single then…….come do I need to finish that. GO HERE NOW!

“Imagine the ethereal pop of early Múm, the whimsy of Sigur Rós’ more optimistic moments, and (occasionally) the emotional edge of The Twilight Sad. This is consummate indie post-rock laced with Australiana, and well worth checking out.“ – Rave Magazine

‘Surry Hills’ gradually blooms from a shimmering haze of harmonics and ride cymbal into a delicious interweave of resonant guitars and woodwind melodies. The song’s restraint becomes its strength as the hairs on the back of your neck slowly rise. Inhabiting a similar sonic space to Sweden’s marvellous trio Tape, ‘Surry Hills’ is destined to garner a fresh new raft of fans for Apricot Rail’s addictive brand of melodic instrumental pop.

“…what genre-defining bands like Explosions in the Sky take eight or nine minutes to do Apricot Rail are capable of in three and a half. This impeccable sense for the immediacy of great pop structures is arguably one of their biggest assets, and is displayed masterfully on their debut album.” – Drum Media CD of the Week

Formed in 2008, Apricot Rail is Ambrose Nock (guitar), Jack Quirk (guitar), Matthew Saville (drums), Daniel Burt (bass), Mayuka Juber (clarinet/flute) and Justin Manzano (guitar/electronics). In November 2008, the then-quintet headed into Kingdom studios under the guidance of Simon Struthers (Umpire, Adam Said Galore, Mukaizake) to record their self-titled debut album, released on Hidden Shoal in 2009. Since its release, the album has been wowing fans and critics alike, with feature album status galore across Australian radio, charting in US college radio (including a number 1!), and receiving glowing reviews left, right and centre.

‘Surry Hills’ is available now as a free download from the Hidden Shoal Store, along with Apricot Rail’s self-titled debut album. The single is launched on 6th August at The Bakery in Perth – check out the Facebook event page for more info. Their forthcoming sophomore album will be released in 2012. In the second half of 2011 the band are proud to announce prestigious support slots with the likes of Marnie Stern and Akron/Family. Stay tuned for more details.

And of course our US and international fans should continue to head to our wonderful distributor n5mailorder for Hidden Shoal CD titles.

In 2009, Hidden Shoal continued to release stunning music from around the world, including debut Hidden Shoal albums from Hotels, HC-B, Tarcutta, Sleeping Me, City Of Satellites and Elisa Luu, sophomore albums from Jumpel and Wes Willenbring, a third album from Sankt Otten, and EPs from Stray Ghost and Down Review (a new collaboration between Arc Lab’s Medard Fischer and Near The Parenthesis’ Tim Arndt).

2009 was also notable for the release of our compilation album A Million Square Miles, a project endeavouring to showcase Western Australian talent to the US (the titular million square miles). After more than three years of sharing independent music far and wide, A Million Square Miles represented a key facet of the Hidden Shoal Recordings story. The album brings together a pair of tracks from each of the then eight WA-based artists on the Hidden Shoal roster: Mukaizake, Apricot Rail, Fall Electric, Glassacre, Toby Richardson, My Majestic Star, The Slow Beings and Tangled Star.

2009 also saw Hidden Shoal join forces with The Caribbean and Scott Solter in a single EP. This not only began a special relationship with the wonderful The Caribbean and created an ongoing avenue for them to release some of their more experimental offerings, but it also began the label’s relationship with Scott Solter, which eventually led us to Boxharp (Scott Solter and Wendy Allen).

HSR046:   Jumpel Deuxieme Bureau
HSR047:   Hotels Where Hearts Go Broke
HSR048:   HC-B Soundcheck For A Missing Movie
HSR049:   The Caribbean Scott Solter Re-Populates The Caribbean EP
HSR050:   Sleeping Me Cradlesongs
HSR051:   Tarcutta Tarcutta
HSR052:   Tangled Star That Time EP
HSR053:   Apricot Rail Apricot Rail
HSR054:   Down Review From Here, For Anyone EP
HSR055:   Sankt Otten Morgen Wieder Lustig
HSR056:   Elisa Luu Chromatic Sigh
HSR057:   Various artists A Million Square Miles
HSR058:   Wes Willenbring Close, But Not Too Close
HSR059:   Stray Ghost Each Paradise Is A Lost Paradise EP
HSR060:   Mukaizake Unknown Knowns
HSR061:   City Of Satellites Machine Is My Animal

Since starting up in Perth, Western Australia in 2006, Hidden Shoal has developed an enviable roster of genre-defying global and local recording artists. With 40+ acts from 10+ different countries ranging from the gorgeous neo-classical/minimal ambient of Antonymes through to the genius space-pop of Hotels and beyond the visionary team at Hidden Shoal continues to play an integral role in promoting exciting new independent music.

It makes perfect sense when you think about it – performance enhancing music and sport. Check it all out as Apricot Rail’s stunning track ‘The Parachute Failure’ soundtracks a Foxtel ad for the upcoming Commonwealth Games. You’d swear they’d written it with Matt Shirvington in mind after viewing. Next the Olympics!

Watch the video here and stream Apricot Rail’s debut album here.

Apricot Rail – The Parachute Failure Apricot Rail – The Parachute Failure

“For the first time, LIMV present a pop-up local music shop to promote Perth’s hardworking independent labels. Come by 54 Lake Street (opposite the Elephant & Wheelbarrow) browse through a great range of CDs, records, vinyl, t-shirts, merchandise and related products. Stock is sourced from a thriving community of local labels, including Meupe, Hidden Shoal, Walking Horse Records, Badminton Bandit, Owls, Heartless Robot and Jarrah Records. The goods of the independent Perth bands and musicians are also represented. For local music lovers this will be the place to score hard-to-find wares and new special edition merchandise. For those newbies it’s the perfect introduction to a wealth of WA music.”

Hidden Shoal has also provided some freebies as if there wasn’t already enough incentive to wrap yourself in the splendour that is Perth music. Perth peeps should get their collective asses down to the store at 54 Lake St from Wednesday 19 May to Sunday 23 May between 11am and 9pm. Besides the store LIMV have also set up the Takeaway Tunes Temporary Recording Studio where a bunch of amazing Perth bands and artists will record tracks that will be uploaded to the LIMV site for free download. You can even stare the band out as they try to concentrate during the sessions (staring contests not endorsed bu Hidden Shoal)! Check times and details here.

Check out the list at the 78 Records website and while you’re there buy an album or two.

Mukaizake – ‘The Yeah Conditioner’  Mukaizake – ‘The Yeah Conditioner’

After more than three years of sharing excellent independent music far and wide, A Million Square Miles represents a key facet of the Hidden Shoal Recordings story, and is a beacon for the future of Western Australian music. Bringing together a pair of stunning tracks from each of eight WA-based artists on the Hidden Shoal roster, this sampler album is an essential listen whichever way you slice it.

There’s the serpentine indie-rock of Mukaizake and the crystalline instrumental pop of Apricot Rail; the raw intensity of Fall Electric and the shimmering dreampop of Glassacre; the hook-laden squall of Toby Richardson and the lush and subtle songcraft of My Majestic Star; the skewed melodicism of The Slow Beings and the wistful alt-country complexities of Tangled Star. A Million Square Miles isn’t just great Western Australian music – it’s great music, period. The album also includes the first tastes of upcoming releases by Mukaizake, My Majestic Star and Toby Richardson.

“This is the rare exhibition of musical aptitude that delights from start to finish, with nary a disappointment to be found … There’s no way to know for sure if Perth, Australia is indie rock’s next Seattle or Montreal, but Hidden Shoals’ impressive roster on A Million Square Miles is bound to shore up some buzz, and deservedly so:  it’s an exhilarating listen from beginning to end.” – DOA

A Million Square Miles is now available on CD in Australia. The album is distributed in Australia through Hidden Shoal Distribution and internationally via n5Mailorder. A Million Square Miles is also available digitally through the Hidden Shoal Store and all good third-party digital music stores (iTunes, eMusic, Amazon, LaLa, Bandcamp, etc.). Head to the Hidden Shoal Store for all availability info.

Hidden Shoal has also made the album available as a free, embeddable streaming radio widget and Facebook Application. For more info check out the album’s project page.

Read a full press release here.

Apricot Rail – If You Can’t Join Them, Beat Them Apricot Rail – If You Can’t Join Them, Beat Them

Mukaizake – My Friend Flicker Mukaizake – My Friend Flicker

Crushed and Reminded takes the listener on a multi-dimensional sonic rollercoaster ride, showcasing tracks from recent 2009 HSR releases. Moving from bitcrushed remixes through cinematic instrumental rock to deliciously mellow ambient electronica, Crushed and Reminded shines a new light across the breadth and depth of the Hidden Shoal landscape.

It includes stunning songs from 11 Hidden Shoal artists and bands: The Caribbean, HC-B, Sankt Otten, Hotels, Down Review, Tangled Star, Apricot Rail, Tarcutta, Sleeping Me, Elisa Luu and Jumpel. Dip in, then explore each artist’s album and EP releases to experience their full splendour.

“a gripping, adventurous and touching journey across their catalogue of ambient, shoegaze, post-rock and indie-rock releases. The perfect introduction for the artists and bands, or alternatively, the perfect sampler for those who cannot decide which of these fantastic bands to pay attention to at the moment” – Post Rock Community review of Limit of Maps, volume 3 in the free sampler album series.

Crushed and Reminded is available for free download from the Hidden Shoal Store, along with volumes 1 to 4.

After more than three years of sharing excellent independent music far and wide, A Million Square Miles represents a key facet of the Hidden Shoal Recordings story, and is a beacon for the future of Western Australian music. Bringing together a pair of stunning tracks from each of eight WA-based artists on the Hidden Shoal roster, this sampler album is an essential listen whichever way you slice it.

There’s the serpentine indie-rock of Mukaizake and the crystalline instrumental pop of Apricot Rail; the raw intensity of Fall Electric and the shimmering dreampop of Glassacre; the hook-laden squall of Toby Richardson and the lush and subtle songcraft of My Majestic Star; the skewed melodicism of The Slow Beings and the wistful alt-country complexities of Tangled Star. A Million Square Miles isn’t just great Western Australian music – it’s great music, period. The album also includes the first tastes of upcoming releases by Mukaizake, My Majestic Star and Toby Richardson.

“Hidden Shoal Recordings is on a mission. The Australian label is busy enhancing minds, widening musical consciousness, opening ears, and taking us beyond the sometimes all too comfortably familiar” – Blogcritics

“Finding Hidden Shoal Recordings could rightly claim to be in the top 10 best things that ever happened to me, such is the quality and diversity of their roster” – Boring Machine Disturbs Sleep

A Million Square Miles is now available digitally through the Hidden Shoal Store and all good third-party digital music stores (iTunes, eMusic, Amazon, LaLa etc). The album is also available on CD in the US through n5Mailorder (retail and distribution). The album will see it’s Australian release on December 15th, 2009.

Hidden Shoal has also made the album available as a free, embeddable streaming radio widget and Facebook Application. For more info check out the album’s project page.

Read a full press release here.

Mukaizake – My Friend Flicker  Mukaizake – My Friend Flicker

Apriot Rail – Pouring Milk Out The Window (Tin Man Spilt Milk Remix) Apricot Rail – Pouring Milk Out The Window (Tin Man Spilt Milk Remix)

HSL comprises the constantly growing catalogue of over 600 tracks from the critically acclaimed Hidden Shoal Recordings music label. This wonderful selection of music covers a broad spectrum of sounds and styles, from filmic ambient instrumentals through to inventive indie rock and beyond. HSL provides a unique one-stop licensing source, handling both the master and sync rights.

If you’d like to be kept up to date with all HSL news, please join our mailing list or keep an eye on the pre-launch HSL website.

Head to PopMatters to view the feature, download the track and watch the video. You can also find the music video at Youtube and Vimeo.

The original debut single, ‘Pouring Milk Out The Window’, saw Apricot Rail produce some of the most discretely charming, lush instrumental pop music you’re likely to hear all year. Delicate, bell-like arpeggiated guitar weaves around snaking clarinet and flute, while the beautifully held back yet sanguine rhythm section drives the whole thing into a blurred, sun-soaked horizon. Without losing a drop of empathy for the original’s delicate warmth, Perth-based producer Tin Man (aka Justin Manzano) has managed to deconstruct and morph the track it into a slowly brewing electronic anthem. The remix exudes a loping grandeur that is hard not to abandon yourself to. Rather than forcing its own rhythmic agenda, Tin Man’s ‘Spilt Milk’ remix both amplifies and distills the exquisite feel of the original.

‘Pouring Milk Out The Window (Tin Man Spilt Milk Remix)’ is available now for free download from the Hidden Shoal Store. While you’re there check out Apricot Rail’s acclaimed debut album and then head to Myspace to find out more about the wonderful Tin Man.

Check out a full press release here.

Apricot Rail – ‘Pouring Milk Out The Window (Tin Man Spilt Milk Remix)’  Apricot Rail – ‘Pouring Milk Out The Window (Tin Man Spilt Milk Remix)’

Apricot Rail – Pouring Milk Out The Window Apricot Rail – Pouring Milk Out The Window

Apricot Rail – Car Crash Apricot Rail – Car Crash

Apricot Rail – If You Can’t Join Them Beat Them Apricot Rail – If You Can’t Join Them Beat Them

HC-B Black HC-B – Black

The Tarcutta and Apricot Rail debut albums and Down Review’s single and EP are available from the Hidden Shoal Store.

Tarcutta – You Gotta Crawl Before You Walk Before You Waltz Tarcutta – You Gotta Crawl Before You Walk Before You Waltz

Be sure to tune in each week to hear some fabulous music including new gems from the HSR catalogue.

Apricot Rail is available now on CD and digital – get all availability info at the Hidden Shoal Store.

If you haven’t yet been afforded the intense pleasure of this amazing album then head to the HSR store for all digital and CD availaibility info.

Apricot Rail – The Parachute Failure   Apricot Rail – The Parachute Failure

Apricot Rail’s self-titled debut album is available in CD and mp3 format from the Hidden Shoal Store.

Apricot Rail If You Can’t Join Them Beat Them Apricot Rail – If You Can’t Join Them Beat Them

Apricot Rail is available in CD and mp3 format from the Hidden Shoal Store.

Apricot Rail Pouring Milk Out The Window Apricot Rail – Pouring Milk Out The Window

Tarcutta, Apricot Rail and Sleeping Me’s debut album Cradlesongs are all available from the Hidden Shoal Store.

Tarcutta No Light No Shade Tarcutta – No Light No Shade

Deuxieme Bureau and Apricot Rail are available in CD and mp3 format from the Hidden Shoal Store.

Jumpel Quicken Belts Jumpel – Quicken Belts

Apricot Rail is available in CD and mp3 format from the Hidden Shoal Store.

Apricot Rail Trout Fishing In Australia Apricot Rail – Trout Fishing In Australia

Apricot Rail’s self-titled debut album is available from the Hidden Shoal Store.

Apricot Rail Pouring Milk Out The Window Apricot Rail – Pouring Milk Out The Window

As always check the Hidden Shoal Store for all CD and digital availability.

If you haven’t yet secured yourself a copy of their debut masterpiece then head to the Hidden Shoal Store for all CD and digital distribution info. Sydney fans should head into Red Eye Records to get themselves a slice a Apricot goodness.

Apricot Rail – The Parachute Failure  Apricot Rail – The Parachute Failure

Apricot Rail’s self-titled album and Tangled Star’s That Time are both available from the HSR Store.

Apricot Rail Pouring Milk Out The Window Apricot Rail – Pouring Milk Out The Window

Apricot Rail’s sublime self-titled debut album is available in CD and mp3 format from the HSR Store.

Apricot Rail Halfway House Apricot Rail – Halfway House

Apricot Rail is available in CD and mp3 format from the HSR Store.

Apricot Rail Pouring Milk Out The Window Apricot Rail – Pouring Milk Out The Window

If you haven’t yet secured yourself a copy of their debut masterpiece then head to the Hidden Shoal Store for all CD and digital distribution info.