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

2008 saw the release of a fresh new raft of superb albums and EPs, including those by new signings The Slow Beings, Fall Electric and City Of Satellites from Australia, Ghost In The Water and Rich Bennett from the USA, and RL/VL from Ireland. HSR stalwarts Tangled Star, Toby Richardson, My Majestic Star, Iretsu, Slow Dancing Society and Sankt Otten all followed up with some of their most critically acclaimed work. And at the end of the year we released compilation album East–West Section, volume four in our free download series.

As acclaim for our artists spread internationally, we were delighted to hear that prominent New York radio host DJ Mojo dubbed the label “this generation’s 4AD”. As huge fans of the classic label, this was a massive and humbling compliment.

HSR031:   Tangled Star Our Man In Eden Hill EP
HSR032:   Toby Richardson Evergreen
HSR033:   Ghost In The Water Tooth
HSR034:   The Slow Beings We Know Why The Earth Moves
HSR035:   Iretsu Name Our Numbers, Numbers EP
HSR036:   Slow Dancing Society Priest Lake Circa ’88
HSR037:   My Majestic Star Too Late, The Day
HSR038:   Rich Bennett Music For Underwater Supermarkets
HSR039:   Sankt Otten Eine Kleine Traurigkeit
HSR040:   RL/VL Chagrin
HSR041:   Fall Electric Measure And Step
HSR042:   City Of Satellites The Spook EP
HSR043:   Sankt Otten Tiefgang EP
HSR044:   Ghost In The Water Cardinal Red EP
HSR045:   Various artists East–West Section

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

Hidden Shoal Recordings began in Perth, Western Australia in May 2006. The motivation behind starting the label was to release music by Hidden Shoal’s very own Cam Merton (Glassacre), Stu Medley (Motor Eye) and Mal Riddoch (Enargeia). Friends Wayne Harriss, Chris Mason, Toby Richardson and Craig Hallsworth (Tangled Star) soon came on board, with the first swathe of Hidden Shoal releases dominated by Perth-based talent.

The first year of operation also saw the signing of our first international artists, Slow Dancing Society – who has since gone on to release four critically acclaimed albums– and Italian math-rockers Dilatazione.

HSR001:  Wayne Harriss Aerospace
HSR002:  My Majestic Star Ideas Are The Answer
HSR003:  Motor Eye Motor Eye
HSR004:  Chris Mason Up Down Up
HSR005:  Glassacre Slow Attack EP
HSR006:  Enargeia UFO: Stryker Force
HSR007:  Toby Richardson Golden Days EP
HSR008:  Various artists The Least Vestige of Land
HSR009:  Enargeia Gulag! 25.9.98
HSR010:  Slow Dancing Society The Sound Of Lights When Dim
HSR011:  Dilatazione Too Emotional For Maths
HSR012:  Tangled Star It’s Now or Later EP

Twelve releases in the first eight months? We started as we meant to continue!

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.

My Majestic Star – City Sleeps My Majestic Star – City Sleeps

My Majestic Star – Like Cracked Glass My Majestic Star – Like Cracked Glass

Markus Mehr – Hubble Markus Mehr – Hubble

My Majestic Star – Crampling My Majestic Star – Crampling

Remind yourself of their awesomeness by listening to their recent wall of sonic loveliness, I Haven’t Got It In Me.

My Majestic Star – Stranger My Majestic Star – Stranger

“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.

My Majestic Star – Crampling My Majestic Star – Crampling

My Majestic Star – City Sleeps My Majestic Star – City Sleeps

My Majestic Star – Crampling My Majestic Star – Crampling

My Majestic Star – and having a reason why My Majestic Star – and having a reason why

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

My Majestic Star – Crampling My Majestic Star – Crampling

My Majestic Star – A City Lost My Majestic Star – A City Lost

HC-B – Black  HC-B – Black

Hidden Shoal’s own My Majestic Star are one of the awesome acts involved alongside the likes of Craig McElhinney, Pond, Simone and Girlfunkle, Shock! Horror! and a bunch of other wonderful Perth bands.

Visit the Real to Reel Recording Studio at 278 William Street, Northbridge between December 18 and 23. Recording takes place between approximately 12 and 1:30pm and 2 and 3:30pm each day. A full schedule is available at the Foodchain site.

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.

My Majestic Star – City Sleeps My Majestic Star – City Sleeps

Chris’s latest release is My Majestic Star’s new album I Haven’t Got It In Me, featuring superb single ‘Crampling’, which is now available in CD and mp3 format from the Hidden Shoal Store.

On third album I Haven’t Got It In Me, My Majestic Star continue to showcase their exceptional command of atmosphere and tension. The album sees My Majestic Star merge weightless daydream pop with droning shoegaze and even a smattering of slowcore. I Haven’t Got It In Me expands upon the immersive and dynamic soundscapes of previous My Majestic Star releases with its lush and subtle songcraft, and for the first time features the stunning vocals of the band’s cellist, Miriam Braun, alongside Chris Mason’s distinctively dreamy tones. The album swims in uppers and downers, all the while painting an intimate yet brooding landscape for the listener to traverse.

“‘Crampling’ is a deliciously dreamy slice of tender post-shoegaze. Chris Mason’s signature reverb-soaked vocals sit perfectly with Miriam Braun’s delicate tones, creating a lush, thoroughly satisfying soundscape… they represent some of the best music [Perth] offers at the moment” – Drum Media

“an undeniably affecting record, poignantly igniting that inkling for extremely layered and manipulated sounds… much thought-provoking and righteous music to enjoy… Quite unfathomable, but there is something curiously magical afoot here.” – Beat Magazine on Too Late, The Day

I Haven’t Got It In Me will be available through Hidden Shoal Recordings on the 28th of November, 2009. The album is distributed on CD in Australia through Hidden Shoal Distribution and in the US and Europe via n5Mailorder. The album is available digitally through the Hidden Shoal Store and all good third-party digital music stores (iTunes, eMusic, Amazon, LaLa etc). Visit the HSR Store for all availability information. The album will be launched in Perth, Western Australia on the 27th of November at the Hyde Park Hotel.

Read a full press release here.

My Majestic Star – Take A Walk  My Majestic Star – Take A Walk

My Majestic Star

Keep an ear out for official release info at the end of the week and pick up a copy of the album at the launch or grab one on Saturday from the usual outlets (CD and digital). In the meantime you can still download the first single from I Haven’t Got It In Me, ‘Crampling’, for free at the Hidden Shoal Store.

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.

The first single taken from the album, ‘Crampling‘, is available now for free download.

My Majestic Star – Crampling   My Majestic Star – Crampling

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

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.

‘Crampling’ is available for free download from the Hidden Shoal Store until the release of the forthcoming My Majestic Star album I Haven’t Got It In Me on ther 27th of November.

My Majestic Star – Crampling My Majestic Star – Crampling

‘Crampling’ is a prime example of My Majestic Star’s ability to merge weightless daydream pop with droning shoegaze. The track’s melodies swim in uppers and downers, all the while building and brooding. For the first time the track also features the stunning vocals of the band’s cellist, Miriam Braun, alongside Chris Mason’s distinctively dreamy tones. The single is a wonderful taster for the forthcoming third My Majestic Star album I Haven’t Got It In Me.

‘Crampling’ is available now for free download from the Hidden Shoal Store until the release of I Haven’t Got It In Me on November 27th, 2009. The single will be launched at the Velvet Lounge in Perth, Western Australia on the 18th of September, with support from Turn, Craig McElhinney and Target Archery (Ambrose and Mayuka from Apricot Rail).

Read a  full press release here.

My Majestic Star – Crampling  My Majestic Star – Crampling

‘Crampling’ will be available for free download from the Hidden Shoal Store on September 15.

My Majestic Star’s latest album, Too Late, The Day, is available in CD and mp3 format from the Hidden Shoal Store. Their forthcoming album, I Haven’t Got It In Me, is due later in the year…

My Majestic Star defects in sunsets My Majestic Star – defects in sunsets

The latest releases by My Majestic Star, Tangled Star and The Slow Beings are all available for your streaming and purchasing pleasure at the Hidden Shoal Store.

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!

Apricot Rail’s self-titled debut album is out next week on the 4th of July. Until then you can grab their single ‘Pouring Milk Out The Window’ for free from the HSR Store. Listeners of Triple J’s wonderful Home and Hosed program would have heard the single get a bunch of rotations and can expect to hear spins of the album there in the coming weeks.

My Majestic Star are currently working on a new album, due for release later in the year. Meanwhile, both their previous albums and the Fining EP are available from the HSR Store.

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

Apricot Rail are playing their second show of the year this Friday night, June 19th, at the Velvet Lounge, with My Majestic Star. Doors open at 8pm and entry is $6. Saturday night sees the band support The Tucker B’s at Amplifier in Perth along with their Hidden Shoal label mates Fall Electric.

Then, on Sunday, June 21st, My Majestic Star are playing again as part of Fete de la Musique, a free celebration of live music, with artists playing in cities all around the globe. The event kicks off at midday and runs until 10pm, with acts playing in venues such as Kulcha, Mojo’s, Clancy’s and on the street. MMS will be playing a set at Mojo’s from 5:45pm.

As if that wasn’t enough, The Slow Beings are playing Sunday night at the Velvet Lounge. It’s free and doors open at 6pm.

Spoilt for choice? Go to all four events and blow your mind!

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

My Majestic Star fill empty spaces My Majestic Star – fill empty spaces

My Majestic Star – Defects in Sunsets   My Majestic Star – Defects in Sunsets

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.