LIZ AND SHAPES TO PLAY AT PYGMALION FESTIVAL, AK TO SPONSOR
September 17th, 2007 , by Asthmatic Kitty
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.
HAPPY 25TH BIRTHDAY, K RECORDS!
September 12th, 2007 , by Asthmatic Kitty
We here at Asthmatic Kitty Records want to extend a very special Happy Birthday to K Records. Why K? Because not only has K survived 25 years in the record biz, but more importantly because it has done it with integrity, authenticity and originality. With a truly community based and D.I.Y. spirit, K Records has put out an amazing catalog of music and influenced many other labels in their approach not only to music, but the business of music.
A few months ago, we decided that we wanted to start championing other independent labels by profiling them on our website, so what better way to kick it off then with a birthday? So these next couple weeks we will be posting memories and reviews of the K Records legacy. We also have launched this cyber-celebration with a K Records Tribute compilation which we are currently streaming in our AK Radio player (see above, just below the banner). There is more to come so check back regularly.
Click here to see the birthday cake in all its chocolate glory.
INTRODUCING CHRIS SCHLARB
August 31st, 2007 , by Asthmatic Kitty
Pegging Chris Schlarb down into one category is a tall order. He teaches music, he plays jazz guitar, he’s founded a record label and a fifty member free form ensemble and a free-jazz-drone band, he’s a husband and father, and . . . well, we could go on, for a long time.
That’s why it’s so lucky that we’ve managed to peg him onto our artist roster, and we’re honored to do it. Of course, he’s already been hanging around for a while; Chris has worked with Sufjan Stevens, Castanets, Liz Janes, and Half-Handed Cloud already on more than one project, so it’s just natural that he’s part of the crew.
And he brings with him his first release on Asthmatic Kitty, Twilight and Ghost Stories, a delicately crafted forty-minute composition that somehow manages to incorporate all of the above. We’ll be releasing it on December 4th of this year. In the meantime, you can read his bio here, or an album description here.
ROUND-UP WITH SHAPES AND SIZES
August 29th, 2007 , by Asthmatic Kitty
Music blog Stereogum have posted an outtake from Shapes and Sizes’ recent Split Lips, Winning Hips, a Shiner, and they’re "glad the lil’ life ‘n’ death-marching-hymn-that-could has finally surfaced." Go to Stereogum’s post here to march for yourself.
We are too, because it’s a good tune, but it probably has something to do with Shapes and Sizes’ new tour with the Brooklyn pop-rock quarter Yeasayer (their MySpace page is here), recently signed to new Monitor Records’ spin-off WE*ARE*FREE group. The tour will start in Shapes’ homebase, Montreal, and end up in Hanover, New Hampshire, homebase to Jon Spencer. Click here for dates.
"2080," Yeasayer
"Sunrise," Yeasayer
ROUND-UP WITH CASTANETS
August 27th, 2007 , by Asthmatic Kitty
While the Castanets gear up a major fall tour to promote their new album, In the Vines, they thought they’d knock out a few stops while they’re around. They’ll be playing in Brooklyn, NYC, and Philadelphia during mid-September. See here for dates.
In the meantime, our own in-house remixer Rafter thought he’d remix one of the tracks from the upcoming albums. The result will make you dance even if you don’t want to. Stream it below, or read Paper Thin Walls‘ review here. They gave it a 6.5, but an astute commenter observed that it’s "less one for the brain and more one for the booty." Yep.
And finally, our Official Policy and Position is that we maintain a 100% Spoiler-Free Atmosphere around here. You didn’t see anything about Harry Potter 7 on our site, did you?
But we can’t help but post a photograph found by MySpace member Litten Missa Röd Stöveln. Click more to see the full image. We’ll say nothing else, except that you will see someone actually grow a full beard in season four of Lost.
"Strong Animal," Rafter remix of Castanets
ROUND-UP WITH LIZ JANES
August 24th, 2007 , by Asthmatic Kitty
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
August 18th, 2007 , by Asthmatic Kitty
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
RAY RAPOSA OF CASTANETS PRODUCES WILLIE NELSON COVER
August 15th, 2007 , by Asthmatic Kitty
Ray Raposa of Castanets is nearly finished with his own album, In the Vines (due in October), but he lent a hand to Texan band Shiny Around the Edges to produce their cover of Willie Nelson’s "I Just Can’t Let You Say Goodbye."
The song will appear on a limited 7" due soon and later in video form. You can hear the band on their MySpace page here.
ABSOLUTELY KOSHER BAND IN ACCIDENT; PLEASE DONATE
August 10th, 2007 , by Asthmatic Kitty
Very sad news: Bottom of the Hudson, Philadelphia/Brooklyn band, was in van wreck on Sunday, July 26th. Bassist Trevor Butler was killed and drummer Greg Lytle is in intensive care. The hospital released the other members of the band, Eli Simon, Michael Prince and William Chesterton Chambers.
The band’s label, Absolutely Kosher, is accepting donations via PayPal to help Trevor’s family and pay for Greg’s hospital bills. Please consider donating via their webpage here.
UNUSUAL ANIMALS INDIANAPOLIS OPENS TONIGHT
August 3rd, 2007 , by Asthmatic Kitty
If you’re in the Midwestern area of the United States, stop by the Harrison Center in Indianapolis tonight for a free display of art and music. Zack Bent, frequent sidebar author here at Asthmatic Kitty, has penned a recent entry on why he misses the Harrison Center, and we have several reviews from Gala Bent […]
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