Hidden Shoal Recordings

Apricot Rail - 78 Records

Hidden Shoal Recordings — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 15:49:30 +0000

Apricot Rail’s self titled release was named as the second best release of 2009 by 78 Records in Perth.

Apricot Rail Scoops 78 Records Second Best Release of 2009

Hidden Shoal Recordings — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 15:47:51 +0000

The magical awesomeness that is the 78 Records store in Perth recently named its top 5 releases of 2009 and our very own Apricot Rail found themselves sitting pretty at number 2, nestled between Isis and Grizzly Bear (mmm comfy!). Also in the list was the ever wonderful Umpire at number 5 who feature 3 members of our very own Mukaizake.

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

City of Satellites on FBI’s ‘Local Fidelity’

Jamie — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 14:26:10 +0000

City of Satellites were interviewed last month by Leigh Tran of FBI’s wonderful Australian music show ‘Local Fidelity‘. The band talk about all things musical in the wake of their new album Machine Is My Animal. Take a full read here.

City of Satellites - BMX City of Satellites - BMX

My Majestic Star Hits the Charts at KUCI

Jamie — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 14:24:42 +0000

My Majestic Star have made KUCI’s top 30 with a blast from the past, their sophomore release ‘too late, the day‘. Alternatively this may be a chart typo as their latest slice of full length wonder I Haven’t Got It In Me was a recent featured library add at the station. It’s all good news regardless! Have a look at the full list here.

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

Sankt Otten Charting at WNYU

Hidden Shoal Recordings — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 16:25:53 +0000

More wonderful US chart action to announce with Sankt Otten’s Morgen wieder lustig entering the WNYU (New York) charts at 28. You surely already know why this album is so awesome but in case you’ve somehow missed out on its cinematic goodness then head to the HSR Store to preview and buy.

Mukaizake Charting at CJSW

Hidden Shoal Recordings — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 16:08:34 +0000

Yet another Hidden Shoal band makes an impression on the charts. This time Mukaizake score a spot on the latest CJSW (Calgary, Canada) chart with their brilliant mini-album Unknown Knowns. Check out CJSW and the chart here and preview and grab Mukaizake’s Unknown Knowns here.

City of Satellites Play Adelaide Fringe Festival

Hidden Shoal Recordings — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 09:55:43 +0000

This is exciting to say the least. Adelaide will host the first City of Satellites gig since the release of their amazing debut album Machine is My Animal. Anyone who has heard City of Satellites’ widescreen pop cinematics will know that this gig is not to be missed. The gig takes place at Light Square on the 28th of February with proceedings starting at 10pm and support coming in the form of Steering by Stars. Head to the Fringe website for more info.

City of Satellites - Machine Is My Animal City of Satellites - Machine Is My Animal

Stray Ghost Reviewed on Hypnagogue

Jamie — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 16:57:31 +0000

Stray Ghost’s mastery of time is revealed in this lovely review of Each Paradise Is A Lost Paradise at the excellent Hypnagogue site. You can read the review here.

Stray Ghost - Reminiscences Et Reves De Beaute Stray Ghost - Reminiscences Et Reves De Beaute

Boxharp - Rolling Stone (Germany)

Jamie — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 16:52:00 +0000

Excerpt: (Translated) “The name of this duo from North Carolina appeared in the British Guardian when David Bowie provided a glimpse into his current playlist. Bowie calls their music “mystical country”, and this also fits very well with the current single of the band “Rainbirds” which is being given away on their label website. Wendy Allen and Scott Solter here mixing folk and country with mystic background buzz and rely on the hypnotic effect of Allen’s singing.”

Rolling Stone (Germany)

Wes Willenbring - ‘Highly Recommended CD’ Hypnagogue

Jamie — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 16:47:28 +0000

More praise for Wes Willenbring’s Close, But Not Too Close being one of Hypnagogue’s Highly Recommended albums last week. Read the full review here.

Wes Willenbring - Oh Most Wes Willenbring - Oh Most

My Majestic Star ‘I Haven’t Got It In Me’ - Textura

Jamie — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 16:46:20 +0000

Excerpt: “The album delivers fifty-one minutes of reverb-drenched vocal harmonies and raw guitars that may roar but not so loudly they conceal the fundamental elegance of the band’s material (the instrumentals “Mitre Peak” and “Dry Lakes” cases in point).The group opens I Haven’t Got It In Me boldly with a dramatic, eight-minute instrumental, “Stranger,” that’s elevated by Braun’s beautiful cello playing; hearing the instrument swim through the oceanic mass generated by the guitar is a wonder to behold, and the tune’s epic quality imbues its post-rock with a rather prog-like aura.”

Textura

My Majestic Star ‘I Haven’t Got It In Me’ Textura Review

Jamie — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 16:45:34 +0000

My Majestic Star go from strength to strength with their fourth major release reviewed on Textura. Read the full review here.

Sankt Otten Charting at WRSU

Hidden Shoal Recordings — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 16:07:45 +0000

More Hidden Shoal releases are making impacts on the US college radio charts and this time it’s Sankt Otten’s turn. The band’s brilliant new album Morgen wider lustig is sitting at number 7 on the WRSU RPM chart for January.

Preview and buy Morgen wieder lustig here.

Sankt Otten - Mit Popcorn und Champagner Sankt Otten - Mit Popcorn und Champagner

Stray Ghost ‘Each Paradise, Is A Lost Paradise’ - Hypnagogue

Jamie — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 14:25:46 +0000

Excerpt: ‘Things just sort of came to a standstill when I began listening to Stray Ghost’s three-piece offering, Each Paradise Is A Lost Paradise. Anthony Staggers’ work will set you floating, relaxed and completely trusting, in the deeper waters of his slow, hushed drifts and dimly described environments. Within moments you’ll understand that there is no hurry, there is no world, there is only the sound of Stray Ghost. Caught in the drift you see texture, interest, movement.’

Hypnagogue

Wes Willenbring ‘Close, But Not Too Close’ - Hypnagogue

Jamie — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 14:25:19 +0000

Excerpt: ‘The discs are loaded with layered, thoughtful pieces rich in instrumentation and heavy on a narrative sensibility…. with pieces that wander and shuffle through bleak and melancholic landscapes like they need a little space to sort things out. Everything is played with a deliberate grace that allows each instrument’s contribution be fully felt, notes slipping perfectly into place at exactly the right time. Willenbring’s approach skirts the edge of minimalism in that there’s nothing here that isn’t absolutely inherent, nothing wedged or crammed in where it doesn’t belong. The notes fall like rain, the backgrounds shift and float like windblown curtains and everything sounds like it’s hanging at the precipice of heartbreak.’

Hypnagogue

Elisa Luu In The KALX Charts

Hidden Shoal Recordings — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 08:00:39 +0000

Elisa Luu’s gorgeous debut album Chromatic Sigh has recently charted at the wonderful KALX station in Berkely, California. The album hit number 64 for the monthly chart in December then cozily slipped into 23 on the 1st weeks chart for 2010.

Head over to the Hidden Shoal Store to preview and buy Chromatic Sigh.

Elisa Luu - The Garden Elisa Luu - The Garden

Boxharp on David Bowie’s Ipod

Hidden Shoal Recordings — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 16:53:56 +0000

Yes it’s true! In an article published a few days ago in The Guardian David Bowie provided a list of his latest favourite tracks. Amongst the eclectic list was our very own Boxharp with a track from their previous album The Tailored Soldier. The list was timed perfectly by Mister B in anticipation of Boxharp’s stunning new EP Loam Arcane which will now see release on the 25th of February.

In a typically alchemical transformation Loam Arcane and the upcoming full length The Green see Boxharp moving away from the americana elements found in The Tailored Soldier whilst carrying over its ambiances, found sounds and Scott Solter’s inimitable production. Boxharp’s new material finds the group rooted in a kind of earth-bound celestialism, dealing in sonic hallucinations and giddying melodic twists and turns.

The first single from Loam Arcane, ‘Rainbirds‘, is available now for free download from the Hidden Shoal Store.

Boxharp - Rainbirds Boxharp - Rainbirds

Stray Ghost Release Date Change

Hidden Shoal Recordings — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 09:00:57 +0000

Just a quick note to mention a slight release date change for the upcoming Stray Ghost masterpiece Nothing, But Death. The album will now see the light of day on the 4th of March, a few weeks later than originally planned.

The artwork looks beautiful and the album itself is truly sublime. If you need proof over faith then download the first cut from the album ‘Part 4′ for free from the Hidden Shoal Store. Also be sure to check out Stray Ghost’s recent release on the wonderful Dead Pilot label, An Avalanche of Swollen Tongues.

Sleeping Me ‘Cradlesongs’ - Phantom Channel’s Top 50 Albums of 2009

Jamie — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 15:37:56 +0000

Sleeping Me’s profoundly beautiful debut release, Cradlesongs, makes Phantom Channel’s top 10 albums of last year. Take a read here.

Sleeping Me - Legs Like Gravestones Sleeping Me - Legs Like Gravestones

Mukaizake ‘Unknown Knowns’ reviewed on Blog Critics

Jamie — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 15:37:22 +0000

Are our Mukiazake rubbing shoulders with the great indie rockers of the 90’s? Find out in this glowing review of their Unkown Knowns mini-album at Blog Critics.

Mukiazake - Yeah Conditioner Mukaizake - Yeah Conditioner

‘A Million Square Miles’ Reviewed on Dwarf

Jamie — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 06:45:43 +0000

Our West Australian Sampler ‘A Million Square Miles‘ gained the attention of ‘The Dwarf’ last week. Take a read of the full review here.

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

Wes Willenbring ‘Close, But Not Too Close’ on Ondarock’s ‘Best Albums of 09′

Jamie — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 06:43:38 +0000

Yet another Hidden Shoal release has made it into Ondarock’s editor’s ‘Best albums of 2009′ - this time our Wes Willenbring makes the list with his second release ‘Close, But Not Too Close‘. Take a peak here.

Wes Willenbring - Oh Most Wes Willenbring - Oh Most

Elisa Luu’s ‘Chromatic Sigh’ makes Ondarock’s ‘Best Albums of 2009′

Jamie — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 06:23:42 +0000

Elisa Luu’s ‘Chromatic Sigh‘ makes Ondarock’s ‘Best Albums of 2009′! Read the full list here.

Elisu Luu - The Garden Elisu Luu - The Garden

Sleeping Me ‘Cradlesongs’ Makes Ondarock’s ‘Best Albums of 09′ List

Jamie — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 05:58:17 +0000

‘Cradlesongs‘ from our Sleeping Me has been featured on Ondarock’s ‘Best Albums of 09′. The full list can be read here.

Sleeping Me - Legs Like Gravestones Sleeping Me - Legs Like Gravestones

Mukaizake ‘Unknown Knowns’ Reviewed

Jamie — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 05:57:22 +0000

Mukaizake’s acclaimed sophomore release ‘Unknown Knowns‘ has been reviewed on The Dwarf. Put your feet up, and take a read here.

Mukaizake - My Friend Flicker Mukaizake - My Friend Flicker

Wes Willenbring ‘Close, But Not Too Close’ Reviewed

Jamie — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 05:55:46 +0000

Wes Willenbring’s stunning sophomore album Close, But Not Too Close has reviewed a glowing review on Textura. Take a read here.

Wes Willenbring - Oh Most Wes Willenbring - Oh Most

Wes Willenbring ‘Close, But Not Too Close’ - Textura

Jamie — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 05:51:21 +0000

Excerpt: “Track titles such as “The Anti-Social Aesthetic” and “I’m Looking Forward to Your Funeral” suggest his music might be so hermetic it’s designed to ward off listeners’ advances, but in fact Willenbring leaves the door open just enough to allow visitors in to share his world. His is an unassuming and rather muted style; he’s not the kind of composer who bludgeons the listener with abrasive extremes but rather lures him/her in with the seductive understatement of fully-rounded and plaintive meditations.”

Textura

My Majestic Star ‘I Haven’t Got It In Me’ - Music Musings and Miscellany

Jamie — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 04:33:28 +0000

Excerpt: “Their ouevre is post-shoegaze / nu-gaze or whatever you’d like to call it, with obvious nods to the likes of My Bloody Valentine, Slowdive and particularly the Drop Nineteens. What stands them apart is Miriam Braun’s sympathetic cello playing. The instrument isn’t over-used, but shines when it leads the melodies rather than just being used as a background drone instrument. I Haven’t Got It In Me is a mixed bag of vocal tunes and instrumentals. It’s also a mixed bag of sonically adventurous pieces, and straightforward slowish indie-pop.

“Music Musings and Miscellany

My Majestic Star ‘I Haven’t Got It In Me’ Reviewed

Jamie — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 04:32:31 +0000

My Majestic Star ‘I Haven’t Got It In Me‘ has been reviewed on Music Musings and Miscellany. You can read the article here.

My Majestic Star - Crampling My Majestic Star - Crampling

Mukaizake ‘Unknown Knowns’ - Blog Critics

Jamie — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 04:31:19 +0000

Excerpt: “The best indie rock sounded experimental and exciting while still being accessible and interesting. Perth band Mukaizake nail this winning formula on their sophomore EP, Unknown Knowns….As with many indie bands, the lyrics are deliberately obscure and ambiguous. The meaning of the songs is conveyed in the way Symons sings them and the snippets you can make out. Put on paper, the lyrics probably wouldn’t be too impressive, but they work in the songs. More impressive is the tension in all of the tracks between melody and dissonance. Melody always wins, but Mukaizake does an excellent job of adding jagged edges to their songs.”

Blog Critics

‘A Million Square Miles’ - The Dwarf

Jamie — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 14:32:38 +0000

Excerpt: “Turn the clock back a few years and most people were convinced there was something in the water in WA because of the sheer number of excellent acts who called that piece of Australia home. Fast forward to 2010 and it seems our short attention spans have been diverted elsewhere in the search of the source of the ‘next big thing’. A Million Square Miles is a compilation…. Drawing together 16 tracks from eight artists, it successfully navigates the folk, indie pop and rock genres….A Million Square Miles is a pleasing and mellow offering that is easy-on-the-ear and reaffirms the fact that there is something in the water out west.”

The Dwarf

More ‘Tops Lists of 09′ for HSR Releases

Jamie — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 14:30:04 +0000

A few more feathers in our cap, and rounds of applause for our artists, having made more appearances in various ‘Top Lists of 09′. First off we have Elisa Luu - Chromatic Sigh, Wes Willenbring - Close, But Not Too Close and Sleeping Me - Cradlesongs all being featured in the illustrious ‘best albums of 2009‘ picked by the editor of Italy’s Ondarock. Followed by Phantom Channel’s ’Top 50′ including our very own Sleeping Me - Cradlesongs, HC-B - Soundcheck for a Missing Movie (both making the top 10) and Stray Ghost - Each Paradise is a Lost Paradise making the top 50. The full list can be viewed here.

Elisa Luu - The Garden Elisa Luu - The Garden

Down Review “From Here, For Anyone” reviewed on Adequacy.net

Thea Porter — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 14:13:04 +0000

Down Review’s latest release, From Here, For Anyone, has been reviewed on the brilliant review site Adequacy. Read the review here, or read an excerpt at the artists’ reviews section. This very awesome EP is available at the Hidden Shoal Store.

Down Review - Anything is Everything Down Review - Anything is Everything

Mukaizake ‘Unknown Knowns’ - The Dwarf

Jamie — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 14:12:33 +0000

Excerpt: “an intricate artwork that could only be have been made over such an amount of time….channeling such indie favourites as My Morning Jacket, Mogwai and Death Cab For Cute, an elaborate combination of strong guitar pieces, airy vocals and subtle, yet essential drumbeats is presented”

The Dwarf

City of Satellites on KUCI

Hidden Shoal Recordings — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 14:01:04 +0000

City of Satellites stunning new album Machine is My Animal has just been added to rotation on the awesome KUCI in Orange County following on from My Majestic Star’s recent love up at the same station. Check out the lovely mini review here. Non OC folk can soak in the goodness via the stations live stream.

City of Satellites Machine is My Animal Official CD Release

Hidden Shoal Recordings — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 00:45:21 +0000

Hidden Shoal Recordings have announced the official CD release of the debut album by Australian dream-pop duo City of Satellites.

On Machine Is My Animal, City of Satellites deliver on the exceptional promise of their debut EP The Spook – and then some. This pristine album synthesizes ’80s pop aesthetics with ’00s production values to create a truly monumental sound. From the Eastern-influenced synth lines of superb opener ‘BMX’ to the crystalline drift of closer ‘Sky Rider’, Machine Is My Animal carries the listener through a glistening science fiction future, as viewed from a wistful child’s window.

On single ‘Stranger Than Fiction’, swirling synth sounds, Thomas Diakomichalis’ propulsive drumming and Jarrod Manuel’s pure vocal tones glide beautifully. Its aching melodies to the fore, the song taking heartrending turns before dissolving into the ether. ‘Skeletons’ glides and weaves like a hovercar over the course of seven levitating minutes, before the epic title track stomps across a dystopian future like a Transformer with a conscience, its robot heart bleeding as its surveys the devastation it has wrought. This balance between cold synthesized tones and a warm emotional heart creates a delicious balance throughout.

“Australia’s new finest dream-pop duo ascend to orbit… City Of Satellites venture beyond the troposphere on their debut CD Machine Is My Animal. Hazy, ethereal vocals and magisterial synth soundscapes wrap the sensors like rich ice cream upon pressing play… Manuel’s Air-redolent, multitracked vocals are angelic for the lack of a better description… the album radiates glacial atmospherics not heard in this country since the halcyon days of otherworldly Tasmanians The Paradise Motel.” – Rave Magazine

Machine Is My Animal is available now through Hidden Shoal Recordings. The album is distributed 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).

Read a full press release here and stream the album in full as well as check all CD and digital availability here.

City of Satellites - BMX City of Satellites - BMX

Elisa Luu’s ‘Chromatic Sigh’ makes Music Musings and Miscellany ‘Top 20 of 2009′

Jamie — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 13:56:43 +0000

More from the backwaters of the year that was. Elisa Luu’s made the top 20 of 2009 of Music Musings and Miscellany, rubbing shoulders with some big names and even bigger albums of 2009. Take a peak at the full list at 2009 – Top Twenty Albums.

Elisa Luu’s stella debut release ‘Chromatic Sigh’ can be purchased from our store, take a listen below.

Elisa Luu - The Garden Elisa Luu - The Garden

Wes Willenbring Interviewed on Headphone Commutes ‘Reflections on 2009′

Jamie — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 13:55:12 +0000

Another blast from the back end of last year. Our Wes Willenbring was interviewed on Headphone Commute ‘Reflections of 2009′, stating that he indeed spent most of his time last year listening to music from the past, preferring to hear a musicians influences over their immediate work. For a full read of the article follow the link; Reflections on 2009 : Yann Novak, Porn Sword Tobacco and Wes Willenbring.Wes Willenbring’s latest album ‘Close, But Not Too Close’ is available for purchase at the Hidden Shoal store.

Wes Willenbring - ‘Oh Most’ Wes Willenbring - ‘Oh Most’

My Majestic Star “I Haven’t Got it in Me” a Leonard’s Lair Best Album of 2009

Thea Porter — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 23:12:21 +0000

My Majestic Star’s third album, I Haven’t Got It In Me, has been included in Leonard’s Lair’s Best Albums of 2009. Hidden Shoal’s own Hotels and Mukaizake also made the cut! There is also a great review of I Haven’t Got It In Me on the Lair- check it out in full here, or read an excerpt on the artists’ reviews section. This brilliant release is available at the Hidden Shoal Store on CD and digital formats.

My Majestic Star - A City Lost My Majestic Star - A City Lost

My Majestic Star “I Haven’t Got it in Me” - Leonard’s Lair

Thea Porter — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 23:00:05 +0000

Excerpt: “Formed around the talents of multi-instrumentalist Chris Mason, ‘I Haven’t Got It In Me’ is an often brilliant record which delivers on both an emotional and melodic level… Beginning with organ swell and percussion, ‘Stranger’ is a perfect way to introduce fifty minutes of warm melancholia. A rich beast in itself, the same track ends in beautiful layers of shoegaze effects and Miriam Braun’s mournful cello. Better still is ‘City Sleeps’, which is spine tingling as soon as Braun’s cello kicks in and the goose bumps are maintained when she teams up with Mason again on vocal duties. It’s a truly perfect song. [The record is] superbly produced and varied enough to keep fans of old and new dreampop very satisfied indeed.”

Leonard’s Lair

Down Review “From Here For Anyone” an Igloo Magazine Top 7

Thea Porter — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 22:49:23 +0000

Down Review’s EP, From Here, For Anyone, has made Igloo Magazine’s Top Seven EPs of 2009! All the tracks on the Top 2009 lists will be featured on the radio show Digital Nimbus on KUCI. For more Down Review check out DJ Steve Brown’s After Hours Reunion Show.

Down Review - From Here, For Anyone Down Review - From Here, For Anyone

Hotels’ ‘Leilani’ Remix - Free Download!

Hidden Shoal Recordings — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 10:01:04 +0000

Ahead of the release of the 2nd single from Hotels’ critically acclaimed 2008 album Where Hearts Go Broke comes an amazing remix of ‘Leilani’ by original Hotels’ keyboardist Rich Spitzer. Spitzer, who works under the name Nite Club, has produced a deliciously hyperactive and ridiculously addictive dance floor deconstruct of the sweet and swinging pop that is (or was!) ‘Leilani’. Just when you think you’ve hit the peak of this energetic remix Spitzer throws the rest of the kitchen sink at it and cranks it up several notches. It is supremely difficult not to hit the replay button just to feel that hit of dance floor adrenaline again.

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!

&lt;a href=”http://mytronic.niteclubmusic.com/track/leilani-hotels”&gt;Leilani (Hotels) by Nite Club&lt;/a&gt;

Machine is My Animal Available for Pre-Order

Hidden Shoal Recordings — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 00:39:20 +0000

For those who want to secure a copy of City of Satellites gorgeous debut album before it’s official cd release next week - you can! Fans can head to n5Mailorder to pre-order a copy of Machine is My Animal. You can of course also grab a copy of the album now in digital format from the Hidden Shoal Store and all other good online stores such as iTunes, eMusic and Lala.

Stream the album here and hear why it made a reviewer at the wonderful Rave Magazine say things like,

“…magisterial synth soundscapes wrap the sensors like rich ice cream upon pressing play.”

City of Satellites - Control City of Satellites - Control

RL/VL’s Chagrin in Dan Weiss Top 10 of 2009

Hidden Shoal Recordings — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 16:32:15 +0000

You’ll have to excuse some lagging posts from all the press we got in December (reviews, best of 2009’s etc) - we’re slowly getting to it all. One such is the inclusion of RL/VL’s Chagrin in Dan Weiss’s (writer for Resident Advisor, Stylus, Pitchfork and more) top 10 of 2009 list. Check out the list at Dan’s blog and read his review of Chagrin at Resident Advisor.

Preview and buy this utterly sublime long player at the Hidden Shoal Store.

RL/VL - Kweens RL/VL - Kweens

Tarcutta Live and Justin Buckley Article in DOA

Hidden Shoal Recordings — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 15:44:04 +0000

For all Melbourne Tarcutta fans (and all those soon to be) make sure you head down to the Esplanade Hotel in St Kilda this Friday night (15th Jan) at 9:30pm and catch the band in full flight. You can expect some new songs from the boys which from all reports are sounding amazing.

More news on the Tarcutta front - the wonderful US music zine DOA is currently running an article by Justin Buckley (Tarcutta’s guitarist) as part of their “Artists on Artists”series. Check out Justin’s piece here and while you’re there have a look at some of the previous articles - lots of wonderful reading.

Tarcutta - Mount Bartle Frere Tarcutta - Mount Bartle Frere

Hidden Shoal Artists in the US College Charts

Hidden Shoal Recordings — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 09:36:32 +0000

Hidden Shoal artists continue to impress upon the US college radio circuit. 2010 kicks off nicely with Sleeping Me’s sublime Cradlesongs re-entering the KZSU’s (Stanford) top ten experimental/classical charts at number 5 and HC-B’s monstrous Soundcheck for a Missing Movie sitting at number 19 on Portland’s KBOO. Recent releases by Mukaizake and My Majestic Star as well as Hidden Shoal’s Western Australian music compilation A Million Square Miles have also been getting lots of airtime on a growing number of key US stations - hopefully we see some charting for these soon.

HC-B - Black HC-B - Black

Mukaizake Featured on Triples J’s Home and Hosed Blog

Hidden Shoal Recordings — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 09:18:58 +0000

The mighty Mukaizake have been featured on Triple J’s Home and Hosed blog and given the good word by the wonderful Dom Alessio. You can check out the feature here.

If you have not yet been swayed by this bands magic then you have two chances to redeem yourselves. First is to go to the HSR Store and stream (then buy!) their latest mini album Unknown Knowns and the the second (for Perth folk only) is to head to their headline gig this Saturday night (Jan 16th) - details here. The band rarely plays live nowadays due to their bi-coastalness (yes its a word….sorta) so this is not to be missed.

Mukaizake - Slack Bees Mukaizake - Slack Bees

Boxharp EP Release Date Change

Hidden Shoal Recordings — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 08:57:10 +0000

Just a quick note to say that the upcoming Boxharp EP Loam Arcane has had a release date change and will now be coming out sometime in February (date to be shortly advised). Boxharp vocalist Wendy Allen had an unfortunate throat malady just before some of the final vocal sessions last year. Everything is back on track now and Wendy’s delicious voice is back to its best. We’ll anounce the new official release date soon.

In the meantime you can freely enjoy the wonderland of sound and song that is the the first single taken from the EP ‘Rainbirds‘. Grab it for free from the Hidden Shoal Store now.

Hotels “Where Hearts Go Broke” cleans up in the best-of 2009 lists!

Thea Porter — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 14:03:17 +0000

Hotels have made many a best-of list for 2009. They scooped first place on The Tacoma News Tribune, and were included in best-of lists on In Search of the Lost Chord, Theft Liable to Prosecution, The Late Risers Club and Sic Magazine!

Hotels - Hydra Hotels - Hydra

Mukaizake One Off January Show

Hidden Shoal Recordings — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 16:53:21 +0000

Following up last month’s brilliant launch of the band’s sophomore release Unknown Knowns, Mukaizake are set to hit the stage and stun audiences once again in a special one-off encore performance. Fans will get a rare chance to hear songs from Unknown Knowns fill the Rosemount Hotel this coming Saturday (16th January) as Melbourne-based Dan Erickson (guitar, vocals) graces Perth with his goodness for a week and Mukaizake play only their second gig in 12 months.

From the fuzzy, angular propulsion of the single ‘The Yeah Conditioner’ to the stunningly wistful complexities of ‘My Friend Flicker’, Unknown Knowns is serpentine indie-rock at its finest, weaving hook after hook around your chest until you’re suspended from the clouds, a grin plastered across your face, unable to even think about listening to anything else. The mini-album has been thrilling both fans and critics alike since its release and continues to receive a raft of glowing reviews, including a number of ‘albums of the week’ as well as landing on several best of 2009 lists both in Australia and internationally. Along with excellent indie radio support here in Australia (including JJJ rotations) the album has also been receiving strong airplay across the US college radio circuit as well as some key European stations.

Mukaizake will be supported by the mighty talents of Schvendes, The Ghost Hotel and 6’s and 7’s. Doors open at 8pm and entry is $10.

Unknown Knowns is now available on CD at all good music stores, as well online at stores such as iTunes, eMusic, Amazon and the Hidden Shoal Store.

Mukaizake - Rule Norse Mukaizake - Rule Norse