THE POST WHEREIN WE TOOT OUR OWN HORN, WHICH IS BY EXTENSIONS YOURS
August 19th, 2011 , by Asthmatic Kitty
Billboard just released their second annual DIY Manual, which lists their choices for best independent labels (and how to pitch to them). This year, we’re on that list. And we’re flattered. We’re in some great company on that list. You can see the list here.
However, we beg to differ about the DIY classification. Asthmatic Kitty is less of a “do it yourself” and more of a DIT label; we “do it together.” What we do – whatever it is that we do – could not happen without you: going to our artists’ shows, buying and listening to their music, writing encouraging emails and letters, and generally sending good vibes our way. It couldn’t happen without our contributing artists, who work hard and are as equally invested in the business as we are.
So thanks to Billboard, but thanks to our artists who keep making beautiful, challenging, amazing music, and thanks so much to all of you out there who keep listening to that same music. We do this for you all.
NEW SLOW JAM FROM ROBERTS AND LORD [MP3]
August 16th, 2011 , by Asthmatic Kitty
Photo by Josh Hassin
Roberts & Lords' new album, Eponymous, comes out in just a few short weeks. We can barely wait. But until then, we've released a lovely new slow-jam track from the record entitled "oblique," rendered in a way only R&L can. "Now we've drifted far apart / let stray by the ghost," swoons the slick smooth Simon (the Lord of R&L) over fuzzed out keyboard boink-boinks by Rafter (the Roberts of R&L).
Download direct from here, or listen below
SHANNON STEPHENS PLAYING A TOUR OF WEST COAST
August 11th, 2011 , by Asthmatic Kitty
Starting tonight, not far from her hometown of the coffee-replete but sadly tomato-less Seattle, Shannon Stephens will begin a rather significant event: a tour. "Bands tour all the time," you say. To which we say, "But you have not seen Shannon Stephens on tour."
Sure; you may have caught one of her shows, here and there and however occasional. But this, friends, is a tour. A moving object. Something unstationary. You could even call a tour a narrative, a story; with a start (Seattle) and a finish (The Rehberg's home in Bellingham WA). Something dynamic. A rising action in the West Coastal Region. Resolution, perhaps in Laguna Beach.
She's touring with Jason Harrod, which makes this tour doubly good. Details are here.
SHHH! WELCOME WAGON PERFORMING NEW SONGS AT SECRET SHOW
August 10th, 2011 , by Asthmatic Kitty
AK artists have been busy travelers this year, touring hither thither like army ants on a picnic table. And occasionally a show comes along that feels like an all-you-can-eat banquet buffet. Welcome Wagon is playing such a show on Thursday night, at Pete's Candy Store, in a rare performance that looks to be as intimate as it will be generous.
If that weren't enough, we are told by reliable sources in the CIA that Welcome Wagon will be playing new songs from a new, as of-yet-unannounced album.
MAKE SCREENING IN INDIANAPOLIS WEDNESDAY NIGHT
July 27th, 2011 , by Asthmatic Kitty
Along with Lodge Design, we're proud to present a special screening of Scott Ogden and Malcolm Scott's documentary, MAKE, in Indianapolis tomorrow night at EarthHouse. Artwork from the Wishard Health Services Midtown Community Health Center will be on display and for purchase. Info is on Facebook here.
GET YOUR OWN FOL CHEN SONG AT WALKER ART CENTER ON THURSDAY
July 26th, 2011 , by Asthmatic Kitty
Samuel Bing and Sinosa Loa of Fol Chen have invented something amazing they call The Fol Chen Verbal Algorithm Composer-Free Song Generator. They'll debut this wonderful new process at the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis on Thursday from 2pm to 6pm.
#THISWEEKEND
July 22nd, 2011 , by Asthmatic Kitty
Via our Twitter feed, here's something to do this weekend. Details here.
Friday night: Half-handed Cloud in #Sacramento @ The Refuge; @HeladoNegro in #Montreal @ Quai des Brumes.
Saturday night: Half-handed Cloud #SaltLakeCity @ Warehouse; @HeladoNegro #Toronto @ The Garrison; Julianna Barwick in #Dallas @ Granada.
RASHEED’S DREAM FROM LEB LAZE OUT NOW
July 21st, 2011 , by Asthmatic Kitty
Rasheed’s Dream is a journey. Up until now it’s only been available Stateside in import form from Japan’s Arepaz Records. Leb Laze, aka “Lebanese Lazer,” crafted the album just after a move from Atlanta to Brooklyn. East to west, south to north, Rasheed’s Dream is movement. Dense, layered, lush, collaborative; it will give you cause to move.
Consider Rasheed’s Dream available right now. Buy it on Bandcamp for $8 here, or on iTunes here. Stream it for free below.
HALF-HANDED CLOUD EMBARKS
July 20th, 2011 , by Asthmatic Kitty
Over the next month, Half-handed Cloud will chart new territory. First, in the physical world, HHC will be touring from the west coast to the east, stopping in great American cities like Salt Lake, Lander Wyoming (also known as AK-HQ!), Fort Collins, Denver, Memphis, Knoxville, Balitmore, Philly, NYC, and Quincy.
SUFJAN SHOWS TO OPEN WITH DIAMONDS
July 19th, 2011 , by Asthmatic Kitty
Precious stones abound! Sufjan has recruited two diamond acts to open his shows for Celebrate Brooklyn in Prospect Park. The regal and righteous My Brightest Diamond will open August 2 while the glamorous dance-pop Diamond Rings will open August 3. Add these two musical gemstones to Sufjan’s diamond disco helmet (pictured above) and you get a Triple Diamond Threat! Crystal Power Healing Pop Sensation!
These two shows also mark the grand finale of the Age of Adz tour, a pop-theatrical pageant that has spanned time–zones, political boundaries, and language barriers with its eye-candy choreography (fearlessly executed by back-up singers Cat Martino and Nedelle Torrisi) and vivacious video display (by the indefatigable Deborah Johnson, whose work for the show renders the art of Royal Robertson in fantastic animation). Did we mention double drummers, an LED light extravaganza, and kabuki streamers?
The final shows will expand the band to include woodwinds and will feature two more dancers (including choreographer Jessica Dessner). More is more! Bring Your Magic 8 Ball. Wear Your Dance Pants.
My Brightest Diamond just announced a brand new album due in October (info here), and Diamond Rings is still abuzz from the astounding success of his 2010 debut Special Affection.
Editor’s Note–we’ve just been notified by park officials: aforementioned balloons and confetti (and other perishables) are strictly prohibited on park property (it’s bad for the environment, understandably). But the production team is frantically scheming to bring party vibes by any means possible. Virtual Balloon Drop? Edible Confetti? Heat Lightning? Please, God, Give Us A Double Rainbow? As for the rest of us: Bring Your Magic 8 Ball!
Remember, this is a benefit show. Ticket sales ensure that most of the other shows remain free of charge. Bring a friend, bring an open mind, and find out why Gothamist named Celebrate Brooklyn “The #1 Reason Why Brooklyn Lives Up to the Hype.”
August 2 is sold out, but tickets are still available for August 3 here.