‘The Heart That Hears Like A Bat’ is a song as wonderful as its title, a gorgeously shadowy piece of film noir Bond pop. Tremolo guitars and vibraphone shimmer over the inimitable Hotels rhythm section like moonlight on a swimming pool, while Blake Madden intones a pulpy tale of “young girls crying” and “young lovers dying”. It’s beautiful, effortlessly cool, and once again proves Hotels as kings of pop melody and mood.

To round out the release come remixes of two more tracks from Where Hearts Go Broke. ‘Leilani’ is remixed by original Hotels keyboard player Rich Spitzer, AKA Nite Club, who pairs the catchy synth line and vocals of the original with a drum ’n’ bass racket. Bizarre, funky and addictive. ‘Near The Desert, Near The City’ is remixed by Perth’s Justin Manzano, AKA tin Man, who has also remixed Hidden Shoal’s Apricot Rail. tin Man foregrounds the aching nuances of the original by stripping it back and laying the bare bones of the song in a shimmering bath of shoegaze drone and dubby throb.

“Hotels fuse elements of new wave, goth, and surf so seamlessly that genre tags will be the last thing on your mind when you hear their bittersweet, atmospheric pop songs” – Time Out New York

“With angular guitars, sober vocals, omnipresent synths, and a taste for the cinematic, Hotels come off like the ultimate ’80s soundtrack band, something akin to a cross between the dreamy haze of M83 and the angsty garage rock of The Strokes… Where Hearts Go Broke is an exciting, emotional record that showcases a band confident in their ability to express themselves.” – PopMatters

Download the single and remixes for free through the Hidden Shoal Store and read a full press release here.

Hotels – Hydra Hotels – Hydra

In other Hotels news ‘The Heart That Hears Like A Bat’, the second single taken from Where Hearts Go Broke, will be released and available for free download on the 11th of March. The single package also features remixes of ‘Leilani’ and ‘Near The Desert, Near The City’ by Nite Club and tin Man.

Hotels – Hydra Hotels – Hydra

The track can be download for free from Nite Clubs Bandcamp site.  Also be sure to check out the original on Hotels’ Where Hearts Go Broke – preview and buy here.

Hidden Shoal will be releasing the second single to be lifted from Where Hearts Go Broke, ‘The Heart That Hears Like A Bat’,  in late February. The track will be accompanied by a number of remixes including Nite Club’s ‘Leilani’ remix. More news on this soon!

Hotels – Hydra Hotels – Hydra

Read the article here and then remind yourself why Where Hearts Go Broke is such a classic here.

Hotels – Hydra  Hotels – Hydra

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.

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.

Here are the dates:

Thurs, Oct. 8th – Ash Street Saloon, Portland, OR
Fri, Oct. 9th – Luigi’s Fun Garden, Sacramento, CA
Sat, Oct.10th – Retox Lounge, San Francisco, CA

There is also the possibility of another gig on Sunday the 11th, we’ll keep you posted. Hope you can make it down!

Hotels – Leilani Hotels – Leilani

Tangled Star – Pictures of Lefty Tangled Star – Pictures of Lefty

Hotels Hydra Hotels – Hydra

Do it!!!

It goes without saying that if you’re anywhere near Seattle on the 5th of September then you must head down to the The EMP Sky Church at 2pm and witness the spectral pop bliss off that is Hotels.

Hotels – Cafe Martinique  Hotels – Cafe Martinique

Go ‘tels!

Hotels Kite Fight Hotels – Kite Fight

Hotels’ Where Hearts Go Broke is available from the Hidden Shoal Store.

Hotels Port Of Saints Hotels – Port Of Saints

Hotels Leilani Hotels – Leilani

Where Hearts Go Broke is available in CD and mp3 format from the Hidden Shoal Store.

Hotels Port Of Saints Hotels – Port Of Saints

But, if you can’t make it, there is hope: Hotels are also playing at Bumbershoot, which is on in September.

And if you don’t already know and love Where Hearts Go Broke, there is still hope – pop along to the Hidden Shoal Store to stream  the album in full, where it’s available in CD and mp3 format. Don’t ever let it be said that Hidden Shoal didn’t do nothin’ for your sorry ass…

Hotels unbelievably amazing album Where Hearts Go Broke is available in CD and mp3 format from the HSR Store, where you can stream all the album tracks in full.

Hotels Near The Desert, Near The City Hotels – Near The Desert, Near The City

Of course the wonderful n5Mailorder in the US continues to distribute (wholesale and retail) Hidden Shoal releases to the US, Europe and Asia. And if digital is you thing then head to the Hidden Shoal Store to buy direct or hit any major digital retailer and you’ll find the full catalogue available.

Enjoy!

Hotels Leilani Hotels – Leilani

Hotels – Kite Fight  Hotels – Kite Fight

Hotels Port Of Saints Hotels – Port Of Saints

Plus, if you sign up to the Hidden Shoal mailing list this month, you’ll be in for a special surprise in the last week of birthday celebrations. All subscribers will get a free digital album voucher for use in the HSR Store. So if you’re not already on the mailing list then sign up here and we’ll send details out to all subscribers at the end of the month.

Hotels Near The Desert, Near The City Hotels – Near The Desert, Near The City

Hotels Kite Fight Hotels – Kite Fight

Hotels The Heart That Hears Like A Bat Hotels – The Heart That Hears Like A Bat

Jumpel – Matter of Time  Jumpel – Matter of Time

“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

“they continually showcase new, innovative artists to the masses” —The Silent Ballet

“This generation’s 4AD” – New York radio host and promoter DJ Mojo

The label will host a birthday bash at the Velvet Lounge in Mt Lawley, Perth on the 13th of May. Special guest DJs will be spinning sets curated from the Hidden Shoal catalogue, including previews of some exciting upcoming releases. There will be giveaways, CDs available, and a bevy of local HSR artists to touch! The evening will also feature a special performance by the wonderful pairing of Tristen Parr (Fall Electric, Schvendes) and Stina Thomas (Fall Electric, Stina).

During May the label will be running a number of promotions, including CD giveaways and HSR Store vouchers, as well as in conjunction with a number of other music sites and radio stations. Mailing list subscribers will be in for an extra special range of treats so be sure to sign up and get ready for the goods. All details will be revealed during the month, so stay tuned!

Read a full press release here.

Hotels Leilani Hotels – Leilani

Hotels’ new album Where Hearts Go Broke is available in CD and mp3 format from the HSR Store.

Hotels Hydra Hotels – Hydra

Hotels Near The Desert, Near The City Hotels – Near The Desert, Near The City

But of course you know all this as you are a discerning music lover that already has a copy of this gem in their hands right? If you just shrugged then we will turn away as you quickly head to Normans (UK), n5mailorder (worldwide mail-order and distribution), 78 Records (Perth), Planet (Perth), Deluxa (NYC),  our own store or any other quality music establishment.

Hotels – Cafe Martinique  Hotels – Cafe Martinique

78 Records also do national mailorder so Australian fans living outside of Perth have no excuse for not soaking in the flow of awesome music coming out of these here headquarters!

HC-B – Black  HC-B – Black

Hotels Port Of Saints Hotels – Port Of Saints

Hotels Kite Fight Hotels – Kite Fight

In addition to being available in mp3 format from the HSR Store and on CD from n5Mailorder, Where Hearts Go Broke is now also available from the excellent distributor Tonevendor.

Hotels Cafe Martinique Hotels – Cafe Martinique

Deluxa is run by the very cool Kristen Stocks who plays in the wonderful NYC outfit Luxa. The store sells a fantastic range of vintage and retro clothing, home wares, and furniture along with its boutique music section. Now that’s a much nicer way to shop for music!

Check the Deluxa website for more details.

Fall Electric – He Told Me So  Fall Electric – He Told Me So

Tune into OPB Radio tomorrow afternoon, April 2nd, to hear an interview and studio session with the band. Then, that evening they’re playing live at Doug Fir with Hidden Shoal labelmates and avant-pop maestros Iretsu. Not to be missed!

Hotels Hydra Hotels – Hydra

Hotels Leilani Hotels – Leilani

Both albums are available for streaming and purchase from the HSR Store.

HC-B Hot Afternoon In The Bulls’ Square HC-B – Hot Afternoon In The Bulls’ Square

Don’t forget that the album is also now available on CD from 78 Records in Perth as as digitally from all good online stores such as iTunes, eMusic as well as the HSR Store. Check the HSR Store for all availability info.

Perth RTRFM listeners will have been given a good dose of these albums already as they have both been chosen as feature albums on the station. For the unitiated though you can stream the albums in full at the HSR Store and hear why they have both been getting so much good press and general musical loving.