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.

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

Featuring Antonymes, Boxharp, City of Satellites, Elisa Luu, Hotels, Iretsu, Jumpel, Liam Singer, Markus Mehr, Mukaizake, My Majestic Star, Rich Bennett, Salli Lunn, Slow Dancing Society, Stray Ghost, Toby Richardson, Umpire and Wes Willenbring, Hydrozoa touches all the bases that make the Hidden Shoal roster unique, and massages them into a broad-ranging and utterly engaging whole. The release accompanied by a pdf booklet containing stunning artwork by Hidden Shoal’s Stuart Medley.

Download the sampler here.

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.

As special thanks, Hotels is throwing a party this Friday at 8pm at the Sunset Tavern in Seattle. They’ve specially arranged for happy hour prices on micros and wells, Hotels will provide tasty pizza and we’ll be giving away swag!! The night will feature Yuni in Taxco, Blue Skies for Black Hearts and of course the mighty Hotels.

For more info visit the Facebook event page. 

Hotels – ‘Trouble At The Consulate’

Why are Hotels so awesome? Things like this prove it beyond doubt.

Hotels – ‘On The Casino Floor’

Hotels – The Bat Watusi Hotels– The Bat Watusi

Hotels – The Bat Watusi Hotels – The Bat Watusi

For the full picture we shall now hand you over to the band,

“Everyone loves a good underdog story. This is your chance to be a part of one.

For as winter at long last turns to spring here in the sleepy Northwest, Hotels finds itself as 1 of 18 bands included in Billboard.com’s (yes, THAT Billboard.com) Battle of the Bands. Our 18 will be narrowed down to 6 finalists (each from a different region of the country) via fan vote on the Billboard.com Battle of the Bands site. The 6 finalists will road-trip down to Las Vegas- gigging and documenting their trip along the way- for a shot at the grand prize: a live performance slot during this year’s Billboard Music Awards Show.

Take a minute with all that if you need to. We took several.

We need your help to be the Cinderella story to come out of our Northwest bracket. Our competition: the mighty Champagne Champagne and Grynch. Your votes over the next few weeks will determine who goes to Vegas, and who stays home doing their best Brando ‘I coulda been a contenda’ in the mirror.

We need you, travelers. Now more than ever.”

VOTE NOW:

http://www.billboard.com/features/botb-northwest-1005066102.story#/features/botb-northwest-1005066102.story

Hotels – ‘Trouble at the Consulate’

“Joining the show is the velvety voice of Kim Miller (Mono in VCF), gorgeous burlesque dancers, a special appearance by Hotels’ drummer emeritus Max Wood, and a cameo appearance by the handsome Josh Monuteaux. Oh yes, and deadly ninjas!! The masterful DJ Marco Collins won’t even tell us what he has planned for the evening. We only know he’s been spending time in his basement working on the dance party day and night, night and day. We can’t wait!!”

If you haven’t already purchased your tickets, you still can still do so at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/153571, but you’d better hurry!

Hotels – ‘The Bat Watusi’

The album features the Brian-Wilson-meets-Mercury-Rev melancholy of ‘Lonely Islands’, the majestic astral pop of the title track, the noir surf punk of single ‘The Bat Watusi’, and the John Barry-inspired dream rock that is finale ‘Sleep In Fame’.

“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

“…a tightly nuanced and ominous track filled with homage to the drive-in horror B-flicks of yesteryear. Not to mention the ghosts of Link Wray and Dick Dale lurking in the shadows. Though cinematic in scope, ‘The Bat Watusi’ is frantic, sinister garage rock at its ass-shaking core.” – My Old Kentucky Blog

Release Date and Availability
On The Casino Floor is out now through Hidden Shoal Recordings and distributed via n5Mailorder. The CD version of the album features stunning artwork including a fold out poster,  all designed by the wonderful Stuart Medley. Head to the Hidden Shoal Store for all availability info and to stream the album in full. The spectacular album launch (burlesque dancers and ninjas!) takes place in Seattle on 26 February 2011 at the Columbia City Theater. Check the Hotels’ website for full details.

Hotels – ‘Lonely Islands’

Hotels – The Bat Watusi Hotels – The Bat Watusi

Rich Bennett – Goodbye To Love Rich Bennett – Goodbye To Love

On The Casino Floor is officially released on the 23rd of February and will be available in all good digital stores and distributed on CD through n5Mailorder. So head to n5mailorder now to make sure you don’t miss out and also if you haven’t already partaken, grab the first single off the album for free here.

Hotels – The Bat Watusi Hotels – The Bat Watusi

On The Casino Floor sees Hotels take their addictive and singular meld of post-punk, shoegaze rock and cinematic pop and launch it into outer space. The band has managed to leap headlong beyond the consummate songcraft of acclaimed sophomore album Where Hearts Go Broke into the creation of a wildly inventive and immersive song-suite. The concept album’s seven masterful cuts tell the story of a secret agent, his former mentor and current arch-nemesis, and a nefarious prince’s plan to destroy Earth during the grand opening of the universe’s only outer space casino complex…

“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” – PopMatters

‘The Bat Watusi’ is available for free download from the Hidden Shoal Store until the release of On The Casino Floor on 23 February 2011. The spectacular album launch takes place in Seattle on 26 February 2011, with top-secret details revealed closer to the release date. Read a full press release here and check out more info at Hotels’ website.

Hotels – The Bat Watusi Hotels – The Bat Watusi

‘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!