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.

Rich’s most recent mini-album, Buddy Cop, is available for free download from the Hidden Shoal Store, along with his previous solo releases On Holiday and Music For Underwater Supermarkets, plus his band Monocle’s album Outer Sunset.

In 2007, Hidden Shoal pushed onward with a ridiculously full release schedule and tons of new signings. The label continued its expansion internationally with 2007 seeing releases from a diverse and beautiful spectrum of artists based in Germany (Sankt Otten and Jumpel), France (Beautiful Lunar Landscape), the US (Slow Dancing Society, The Hero Cycle, Iretsu, Wes Willenbring, Monocle), Belgium (Colour Kane) and Japan (Cheekbone, The Retail Sectors).

Locally, 2007 saw releases from ambient duo Moongoat, a new album from Chris Mason and an EP under his My Majestic Star moniker, plus an EP from Melbourne instrumental quartet Bury The Sound (with HSR’s Tim Clarke on guitar).

In May 2007 we were proud to celebrate our first birthday with the release of the second volume in our free download compilation series, The Garden of Forking Paths. And if that wasn’t enough, we saw out the end of the year with the release of a third compilation, Limit of Maps, rounding up tracks from the second half of 2007 and also featuring a sneak preview of a few 2008 releases, too.

However, perhaps the crowning achievement of a busy year was being named one of Textura’s 10 favourite labels of 2007. The feeling’s mutual – Textura is easily one of our favourite music sites. To be just one year in and be acknowledged like that felt like quite an honour.

HSR013:   Moongoat Moongoat EP
HSR014:   My Majestic Star Fining EP
HSR015:   Sankt Otten Wir Koennen Ja Freunde Bleiben
HSR016:   The Hero Cycle Lakes and Ponds EP
HSR017:   Colour Kane A Taste Of
HSR018:   Wes Willenbring Somewhere Someone Else
HSR019:   Various artists The Garden of Forking Paths
HSR020:   Bury The Sound Autumn Magnets EP
HSR021:   Chris Mason Restless
HSR022:   Jumpel Samuel Jason Lies on the Beach
HSR023:   Cheekbone Yesterday EP
HSR024:   Beautiful Lunar Landscape Alone in this Dark Romantic Night EP
HSR025:   Iretsu The Moon and Stars Remain in the Morning Sky
HSR026:   Slow Dancing Society The Slow and Steady Winter
HSR027:   Monocle Outer Sunset
HSR028:   The Retail Sectors Foregone Conclusion
HSR029:   Sankt Otten Wunder Gibt Es Immer Wieder
HSR030:   Various artists Limit of Maps

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.

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.

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!

Monocle Agent Earle Monocle – Agent Earle

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.

“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.

Monocle Agent Earle Monocle – Agent Earle

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

Monocle Emmanuelle Monocle – Emmanuelle

East-West Section is like a knife with ears – an audible slice through Hidden Shoal’s 2008 releases. But no blood! We’ve stitched these killer tracks into a brand new tapestry… From the delicate ambient murmur of RL/VL to the avant-pop mastery of Iretsu; the lush lounge-jazz of Rich Bennett to the sublime ambient rock of City Of Satellites; the charming electro-pop of Ghost In The Water to the addictive indie-rock of Fall Electric and The Slow Beings; and acclaimed Hidden Shoal mainstays My Majestic Star, Sankt Otten and Slow Dancing Society. This is an irresistible showcase of the breadth and depth of the Hidden Shoal catalogue.

“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

“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

East-West Section is now available for free digital download from the HSR Store. Read a full press release here.

We can also announce a very special closing set from experimental electronic acousmatitians Enargeia. The duo will perform “Hidden Shoal Redux”, a Stockhausen inspired Hymnen to the HSR sound using their colleagues own recordings as source material for an exploration in sonic chaos.

The party is also the celebration of the release of the new volume in our free sampler album series, East-West Section, which will be available for free download on the night. To anyone attending, bring along your thumb drive or USB stick to be the first to download the album! East-West Section will then be available through the HSR Store.

This event will be suitably HUGE! Be there or become the rhomboid you always feared you might.

The next wave of albums to be available at the n5MD store in the coming weeks will include Sankt Otten’s Wunden Gibt Es Immer Wieder,  Slow Dancing Society’s The Sound of Lights When Dim and The Slow and Steady Winter, and Ghost In The Water’s Tooth. In time, all new Hidden Shoal releases will be available through n5MD, as well as selections from the back catalogue.

Head to the n5MD store now and check it all out.

Monocle Agent Earle Monocle – Agent Earle

Oct. 16th – M Room, Philadelphia w/ Mahogany and Ports Of Call
Oct. 17th – Metro Gallery, Baltimore w/ Luxa, Screen Vinyl Image, and Water
Oct. 24th – CMJ Showcase @ Rehab w/ Soundpool, Dead Leaf Echo, Screen Vinyl Image, Luxa, and Philip Eno

Monocle’s Outer Sunset is available on CD through Tonevendor and on CD and mp3 from the HSR Store.

Monocle Gaspard Monocle – Gaspard

Head over to the site to check it out and while you’re there you can stream tracks from the likes of Ghost In The Water, My Majestic Star, Iretsu, The Slow Beings and Monocle.

Why are you still here?

Monocle – Green Future Monocle – Green Future

Be sure to listen in to what is sure to be a luscious sonic adventure tomorrow night and also check out the rest of Fluid Radio’s awesome programming.

Slow Dancing Society – A Warm Glow Slow Dancing Society – A Warm Glow

If you have not yet been seduced by this modern day indie pop masterpiece then you must report here immediately for music lessons.

Iretsu:
July 10th Seattle, Washington @ El Corazon (w/Monocle)
July 11th Olympia, Washington @ Le Voyeur (w/Monocle)
July 13th Portland, Oregon @ The Doug Fir Lounge (w/Monocle)
July 18th Oakland, California @ Mama Buzz

Monocle:
July 9th – Biltmore Cabaret (Vancouver, w/Hotels and Dawntreader)
July 10th Seattle, Washington @ El Corazon (w/Iretsu)
July 11th – Le Voyeur (Olympia, Washington w/Iretsu and Hotels)
July 13th – Doug Fir (Portland, Oregon w/Iretsu and Hotels)

Monocle’s awesome album Outer Sunset is available on CD through US distributor Tonevendor or MP3 and CD through the HSR Store. The album was one of Tonevendor’s best selling CD’s in June and after it’s digital release last year was named on a number of top ten of 2007 lists.

Iretsu’s incredible new single ‘Name our Numbers, Numbers‘ has just been released, and is available for free download from the HSR Store until their new EP is released on 8th July. Hear why RTRFM has the track on high rotation and DJ Gemma Pike called the track “absolutely stunning” and DJ Andrew Ryan named it track of the week.

Hope to see you at the shows!

Monocle – Music of Space Monocle – Music of Space

Iretsu – Name our Numbers, Numbers Iretsu – Name our Numbers, Numbers

In other related news the Hidden Shoal Recordings online store (HSR Store) has seen a series of new features added this week. The store has been upgraded to handle the aforementioned CD sales with The Slow Beings christening the shelves with their CD release of We Know Why The Earth Moves out today. The store also has a new “accountless” purchasing option that allows customers to purchase without needing to create a store account (payment is made via credit card or Paypal account all through Paypal secure servers). Last but not least the label has initiated a series of “back catalogue specials” where monthly selections from the back catalogue will be available in high quality digital format at up to 40% off normal price. What are you waiting for?

Wayne Harriss – Anymore Wayne Harriss – Anymore

Iretsu:
July 10th Seattle, Washington @ El Corazon (w/Monocle)
July 11th Olympia, Washington @ Le Voyeur (w/Monocle)
July 13th Portland, Oregon @ The Doug Fir Lounge (w/Monocle)
July 18th Oakland, California @ Mama Buzz

Monocle:
July 9th – Biltmore Cabaret (Vancouver, w/Hotels and Dawntreader)
July 10th Seattle, Washington @ El Corazon (w/Iretsu)
July 11th – Le Voyeur (Olympia, Washington w/Iretsu and Hotels)
July 13th – Doug Fir (Portland, Oregon w/Iretsu and Hotels)

Iretsu’s incredible new single ‘Name our Numbers, Numbers‘ has just been released, and is available for free download from the HSR Store until their new EP is released on 8th July. And Monocle’s awesome album Outer Sunset is available on CD or MP3 through the HSR Store.

BreakThru Radio
“BTR is the Internet’s voice of the world’s best independent music, where DJs take music personally… ‘Music for music lovers’ is BTR’s motto, and one that their DJs take very seriously. In a world where independent music is becoming more and more accessible, the need for select sources to filter the best is a necessity… BTR offers listeners access to unknown artists throughout the world, with a daily audience that includes more than a dozen countries. The site has garnered over 80 million listeners in its first year with its unique on-demand musical programming and focus on the best new independent music worldwide.”

DJ Mojo
“A force in the independent music scene for over four decades, BTR is thrilled to have his exquisite taste and expertise… DJ Mojo has spent the majority of his life in Brooklyn, NY heavily inundated in the local music scene. He has worked the doors of many of the city’s hottest venues, and written for such publications as Spin and Slash, and played in the UK electro-noise band Whitehouse, as well as being in the original lineup of Swans… Maximum Music airs every Tuesday on BTR featuring a wide array of music as eclectic and impressive as DJ Mojo himself… Mojo has found friendships with some of the musical greats such as Bowie and Iggy Pop, and the Beastie Boys even wrote a song about him.”

A prestigious showcase indeed! Don’t forget to check it out by streaming the show on BTR on Tuesday June 10th.

Monocle – Gaspard Monocle – Gaspard

“From the opening strains of ‘Emmanuelle’, Monocle immediately set about wrapping the listener in a blanket of dizzying hypnotic pop. Moving from bossa-fuelled dark night car rides to lush shoegaze-tinged astral rock. Tracks such as ‘Music of Space’, ‘Agent Earle’ and ‘Airphase’ present some of the best newgaze pop you will hear this year, leaving behind the often overbearing austerity of the genre and replacing it with an innate melancholic warmth and energy.”

The album is available now in-stores and online through Tonevendor. If you local music store doesn’t stock it then slap them gently around the face and ask them to order it in through Tonevendor (maybe skip the slapping). The album is also available digitally through all good digi stores including iTunes, Amazon, eMusic and the HSR Store. Head here for all purchase info.

Monocle – Agent Earle Monocle – Agent Earle

“For dreamy, slightly psychedelic, shoegazing indie pop, look no further… a pensive, stunning new album for Hidden Shoal Recordings… Multi-layered and involving, Outer Sunset manages to be avant-garde and accessible simultaneously, which is no small feat… Monocle has made a dazzling album” – Delusions of Adequacy

The album can be obtained directly from the Tonevendor site via mail order or from the many US and international stores Tonevendor distributes to. If your local store doesn’t have it in stock then make sure to tell them to order it in! For info and links on digital availability head over to the HSR Store

Monocle – Emmanuelle  Monocle – Emmanuelle

For dreamy, slightly psychedelic, shoegazing indie pop, look no further… a pensive, stunning new album for Hidden Shoal Recordings… Multi-layered and involving, Outer Sunset manages to be avant-garde and accessible simultaneously, which is no small feat… Monocle has made a dazzling album. – Delusions of Adequacy

Monocle’s Outer Sunset is available through Amoeba Music in Los Angeles thanks to an exclusive partnership with HSR. The CD is available in-store as a featured listening post release, as well as via mail order. Outer Sunset is also available at Etherea in New York. For all availability information and full album streaming check out the album in the HSR Store.

Monocle – Agent Earle Monocle – Agent Earle

Limit of Maps is the third volume in the label’s sampler album series, available for free download from the HSR Store. The album includes a wonderful cross-section of Hidden Shoal’s activity over the second half of 2007, and also features a number of as yet unreleased tracks from upcoming 2008 releases. Many of the tracks are taken from critically acclaimed albums and EPs, a number of which have ended up on best of 2007 lists.

The contributing artists on Limit of Maps include Sankt Otten, Slow Dancing Society, Iretsu, Bury the Sound, Beautiful Lunar Landscape, Chris Mason, Monocle, Tangled Star, Toby Richardson, Cheekbone, The Retail Sectors, Glassacre, and Jumpel.

The album is available now for free download from the HSR Store.

So if you’re in New York or close enough to drive then get your ass down to 98-104 Meserole Ave, Brooklyn and catch an unmissable show.

Monocle – Green Future  Monocle – Green Future 

Bury the Sound – Gemini Unbound Bury the Sound – Gemini Unbound

From the opening strains of ‘Emmanuelle’, Monocle immediately set about wrapping you up in a blanket of dizzying hypnotic pop moving from bossa fuelled dark night car rides to lush shoegaze tinged astral rock. Tracks such as ‘Music of Space’ and ‘Airphase’ present some of the best newgaze pop you will hear this year leaving behind the often overbearing austerity and replacing it with an innate melancholic warmth and energy. ‘Agent Earle’ kicks off in what initially feels like parody but in true Monocle style turns itself on its head with dark chiming guitars and warning vocals only to then perform a third chameleon act slipping the listener into a blurred star belt. – Press Release Excerpt

The album will see an initial digital release followed by US CD release early 2008. Monocle will launch Outer Sunset at Club Europa in New York on the 13th of December with special guest Ulrich Schnauss.

Head over to the HSR Store to preview the album in full and buy it. A full press release can be downloaded here.

Monocle – Emmanuelle Monocle – Emmanuelle

In the meanwhile hop along to the Monocle profile on Imeem to hear two exclusive tracks from the album.