Asthmatic Kitty Records: Liz Janes

NEW LIZ JANES POSTER, INCLUDES MP3

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500

It’s been just about a year since we released Liz Janes’ Say Goodbye. About six months ago, Argentinean graphic designer Leandro Castelao contacted Liz. He was so inspired by the album that he offered to design a poster based on one of the songs. When Leandro delivered a final version based on "Firefly," and Liz showed it to us, we knew we had to share it with her fans. It’s terrific!

The poster is 12x15, and Liz sees as a great way of wrapping up the last year since release! Purchase the poster and we'll also email a link and code to download the full MP3 version of Say Goodbye. See more pictures of the poster here, or you can buy it for $25 by clicking here (sorry, we only ship posters to N. America).

LIZ JANES TO TOUR UNITED KINGDOM

Mon, 16 May 2011 00:00:00 -0400

Dear United Kingdom:

We love you. Your sense of humor is impeccable, your taste sophisticated, and you call backyards gardens. And because you are so great, we've sent some music your way. Sufjan has stopped through, Julianna Barwick will be by soon, and today we're sending over Liz Janes as ambassador, from our little country to your little country. Tonight she'll play in London. Tuesday, she'll be in Reading, then Liverpool, and then London (again!). You can see more details here.

Even though the Royal Wedding is over and you are likely feeling a soppy, what's-missing kind of feeling, we hope that seeing Liz live will fill your hearts with as much joy as she has our hearts over here. If you go - and we hope you do - you'll be in for a real treat. You can hear her album or her more recent EP here.

Cheers,

Asthmatic Kitty Records

SON LUX, BLACK HEART PROCESSION, MY BRIGHTEST DIAMOND & OTHERS COVER LIZ JANES

Tue, 15 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0400

Liz Janes has been making records here at Asthmatic Kitty for a while, with each new record taking her music and style into wilder and weirder places. On the EP Time & Space, which we are releasing today, seven artists transport Liz's discography to even further frontiers.

Some of Liz's labelmates make appearances on this EP, including Helado Negro, Brightest Diamond, and Fol Chen. Also doing some equally amazing work with Liz's music are Danielson (fresh off a brand new release), Arrington de Dionyso, Black Heart Procession, and Son Lux (recently featured on NPR's Album-In-A-Month Project). Put it all together and you have a repertoire that is itself an accolade to Janes' music over the years. Read more about this project here.

You can hear it for free or own it for $5 right here, or below. Or, if you're so inclined, share the whole stream on your Facebook page by linking to:
http://lizjanes.bandcamp.com/album/time-space

LIZ JANES ON TOUR THIS WEEK

Tue, 11 Jan 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Tonight, Tuesday January 11th, Liz Janes is playing in Seattle with Bridges and our own Shannon Stephens at The Shafer Baillie Mansion. Tomorrow she's in Portland, then Olympia on Thursday. Then on Saturday she'll be back at Liz Janes HQ in Indianapolis with an in-store at LUNA at 4pm. Details here.

Liz's latest album, Say Goodbye, has been floating around since December and it seems to have stuck. Olympia's Weekly Volcano says that it's "pretty close to flawless." You can find out for yourself by listening below, and if you like, you can buy the CD for $10 (+S&H) here, or the MP3s for $8 here.

LIZ JANES' SAY GOODBYE IS SAYING HELLO

Wed, 15 Dec 2010 00:00:00 -0500

Say Goodbye, the new record from Liz Janes, is out right now. You can buy it here.

Bleu directed the video of "Anchor."

SAY HELLO TO LIZ JANES' SAY GOODBYE [FREE MP3]

Mon, 11 Oct 2010 00:00:00 -0400

Promptly remove your file on Liz Janes from its "Anxiously Awaiting" category in your cabinet. We're so delighted to announce that on December 7th you can say hello to Liz Janes' Say Goodbye.

Previous Asthmatic Kitty releases, the Sufjan Stevens produced Done Gone Fire (2002), her 2005 collab with LA free-jazz collective Create(!), and her second full-length Poison & Snakes (2004), saw Liz kickin' down the avant Americana, the dirty psyche boogie, and the busted-up blues deconstruction. This time around she's teamed up with Asthmatic Kitty artist and über producer Rafter Roberts to give us her own version of a soul record—as seen through the lens of a lady who cut her teeth in the fertile Olympia noise and improv scene.

Say Goodbye is a 11-piece collection of unpretentious life and philosophy paired with Rafter's space-pop backing, Jason Crane's (Rocket from Crypt) soaring Motownian horn arrangements, and Chris Schlarb's smooth as chocolate gelato guitar work. Rafter and friends give new life to Liz's beautiful, spacious voice and her attempts at making sense of the world. (In that respect this is a very goodhearted record, a universal gesture, a rope tossed in a storm. Liz is lookin' out for you even while she plumbs the existential depths.)

For a taste of Say Goodbye, listen and download "I Don't Believe" . Read more about the release here.

"I Don't Believe" (Download)

GREAT COMFORT RECORDS RELEASES SACRED HYMNS

Mon, 05 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0400

Last month, 'Come O Spirit!' - Anthology of Hymns and Spiritual Songs Vol.1 by Bifrost Arts, was officially released. It is cause for great celebration, not only because it is wonderful and inspired music, but because 'Come O Spirit!' is Great Comfort Records' inaugural release. The record features Asthmatic Kitty's own Shara Worden of My Brightest Diamond, Liz Janes, and The Welcome Wagon. It also features a whole host of other lovely musicians and friends of Asthmatic Kitty including Denison Witmer and Rosie Thomas. You can buy the record directly from Great Comfort Records here.

LIZ JANES AND CHRIS SCHLARB AT NEXT TO LAST

Sun, 02 Dec 2007 00:00:00 -0500

Our very own Liz Janes and Chris Schlarb are performing at Athens Georgia's Next to Last Festival on Saturday, December 8. This remarkable event is a breath of fresh air to the increasingly corporate affair of music festivals. Instead of overcharging and overcrowding, Next to Last is an affordable ($20 for both days!), comfortable, professional all-ages festival that includes not only music, but speakers, performance art, a vendors' market, a farmers' market, and a community info center.

Liz and Chris will be performing separately; Liz with some new material (!) and Chris with a rare live selection from his Twilights and Ghost Stories composition. Then they'll play together. See here for fest details.

With over 15 other artists manning the stages, file this under not-to-miss.

PARTY'S OVER, TURN OFF THE LIGHTS AND STUMBLE HOME

Fri, 05 Oct 2007 00:00:00 -0400

Photo by Presty

Well, our K-Records Birthday Party has come to close. After some music, memories, and cake it's time to turn out the lights and clean up the floor. Thanks to everyone who sent in sidebar entries and cover songs. And thanks to K-Records, for being such good sports - not just at the party, but all the time.

Our very own Liz Janes will carry us out with a classic Old Time Relijun tune. (Factoid for your next Trivial Pursuit, The Indie Music Edition: Liz played with OTR frontman Arrington de Dionyso in the noise-horn trio Toro Sec Toro.) Thinking back while composing and self-producing this tribute, Liz remarked, "He is awesome."

Frequent sidebar contributor Chris Overpeck, and Dr. Kipp Normand of Future Rapper fame both make an appearance on this cover. Click on akradio and select the K-Records Birthday Playlist, or listen to the stream below.

"War is Over" Liz Janes, covering Old Time Relijun

LIZ AND SHAPES TO PLAY AT PYGMALION FESTIVAL, AK TO SPONSOR

Mon, 17 Sep 2007 00:00:00 -0400

The Pygmalion Festival, now in its third year, is proving to be a formidable festival with each iteration. How could we not sponsor this fantastic grouping of musicians? From Andrew Bird to Catfish Haven to Denison Witmer, and our very own Liz Janes and Shapes & Sizes, Pygmalion 2007 is on track to be the best one yet.

Tickets are selling out quickly and are just $45 for the whole three days. Buy them on the festival's website, here.

ROUND-UP WITH LIZ JANES

Fri, 24 Aug 2007 00:00:00 -0400

Here's something we could all use: a visit to Liz Janes by the Ghosts of Christmas (in August. They're bored).

The Ghost of Christmas (in August) Past tells us that a few years ago, Liz Janes recorded a song for the San Diego Zoo, for the ad agency Signing Serpent - hey, there goes Rafter! Good news for those not in San Diego: the video of the commercial has appeared on YouTube. View it here.

Also from the Ghost of Christmas (in August) Past: A few years ago, Liz provided backup vocals for a burgeoning Californian artist named Douglas Armour. He's working on a full-length for label The Social Registry, but has released a 7 inch through their Social Club limited series to pacify our never-ending indie-pop urges. Listen to him, and Liz sing backup, on his MySpace page here or at the bottom of this post.

The cheery Ghost of Christmas (in August) Present is saying that Liz plays tonight in Indianapolis at Locals Only at 8pm with many other great musicians (see details here). Doors open at 8pm. INTake Weekly rated the show the second in the top 10 things to do this weekend. And that's with Rush playing in town!

And finally, the Ghost of Christmas (in August) Future has ghoulishly moaned to us that Liz will be playing for the Pygmalion Music Festival on Saturday, September 22 at 6pm, in Urbana-Champaign. Passes are $40 and includes admission to other fine artists like Andrew Bird, Denison Witmer, Catfish Haven, Okkervil River, and our very own Shapes and Sizes. Buy tickets here.

"Prince of Wands Nights" Douglas Armour (with Liz Janes)

LIZ JANES AT INDY LABEL FEST

Sat, 18 Aug 2007 00:00:00 -0400

We just wrapped up the Unusual Animals Party in Indianapolis, but in typical Naptown fashion, the party never stops - it just takes breaks to munch on corn fritters from the State Fair.

Hence the Indy Label Festival Volume 2, which takes place this coming Friday.

Just like last year's Volume 1, our very own Liz Janes will be on stage for Volume 2. Artists from Indianapolis based labels Joyful Noise Recordings, Standard Recording Company, and Underwater Tea Party include More Animals of the Artic, Child Bite, Arrah & The Ferns, Resting Rooster, Grandpall Jookabox, and Everthus the Deadbeats.

Nuvo Newsweekly is also sponsoring. And what's a party without beverage? Thankfully, Upland Brewery will provide their always delicious award-winning hops.

Doors open at 8pm on Friday August 24th at Locals Only. Click on more to see the lineup and times and to see the full poster.

8-8:30 More Animals of the Arctic
8:45-9:15: Liz Janes
9:30-10: Child Bite
10:15-10:45: Arrah & The Ferns
11-11:30: Resting Rooster
11:45-12:15: Grandpall Jookabox
12:30-1: Everthus the Deadbeats

LIZ JANES PLAYS AT HAUNTED INN

Thu, 19 Jul 2007 00:00:00 -0400

Liz Janes will be back on stage this Saturday night in Nashville, Indiana, at the Story Inn. The Inn doesn't hold shows like this very often, but when they do, the shows are always sophisticated, energetic, and packed with good listeners.

Joining her will be Norman Oak, Bronze Float, and Daniel Paquette (of the Abner Trio). The show will start at 9PM.

If you live in the Midwest, we promise a good show worth the drive. You might even see the Blue Lady - one of the many ghosts that inhabit the Story Inn! See here for more Story Inn ghost stories.

LIZ JANES TO PLAY CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL EVENT

Fri, 22 Dec 2006 00:00:00 -0500

image excerpted from work by Elizabeth Guipe Hall

The Harrison Center collaborates with Riley Hospital for Children to explore the healing partnership between patients and doctors in an art show entitled, "Patiently Doctoring". The show will feature 30 pieces of art by Riley patients with accompanying narratives by art therapist, Elyce Elder, MAAT and runs from Friday, January 5th to the 27th.

Performing opening night at 8PM is our own Liz Janes. Liz is the mother of a 6-month old son who recently had successful heart surgery at Riley Hospital. Riley has become somewhat of a second home to Liz and her family and they have been repeatedly encouraged and amazed by the strength of the staff there. Liz is excited at the opportunity to perform for the "Patiently Doctoring" exhibit/event, as a small chance to give something back to the medical professionals who have provided her family with so much hope.
The patients have created art to help others better understand healthcare from a child’s perspective. This art has been used to create a book, a unique visual tool to educate health care providers. A list of the Top 10 Ways to be a Doctor for Children reflects the essence of those messages.

Local emerging artists have responded to this project by creating 10 pieces of art that illustrate those guiding principles. Participating artists are: Elizabeth Guipe Hall, Artur Silva, Kyle Ragsdale, Judith G. Levy, Emma Overman, Amy McAdams, Elyce Elder, Mike Altman, Carolyn Springer and Melissa Parrott.

Harrison Center for the Arts
1505 N. Delaware Street
Indianapolis, IN 46202
317.396.3886
www.harrisoncenter.org

click here for larger pdf version

LIZ JANES TO PERFORM WITH JANDEK

Fri, 08 Dec 2006 00:00:00 -0500

Jandek will perform his 7th US concert in Indianapolis on Saturday, December 9, 2006, at the Harrison Center for the Arts (1505 N. Delaware Street, Indianapolis, Indiana). The evening's performance will feature an instrumental texture unprecedented in the Jandek catalogue, Jazz bass and drums alongside flute and viola. Performers include Lester "Lammy" Johnson of Indianapolis cult soul/funk pioneers Ebony Rhythm Band, local improviser George "Sparky" Smith, Liz Janes (Asthmatic Kitty) and Nathan Vollmar (Vollmar, Half-Handed Cloud). Show time is 7 pm sharp.
Tickets available in advance of the door at Luna Music, Indianapolis, and Landlocked Music, Bloomington, or online at www.digispine.com/tickets .