MUSIC: Why?

Seriously, this is the best track I've heard in a long while. And, to make things even better, they're fellow East Bay kids. Part of the Anticon mob, it falls neatly into my obsession of damaged/crashing/folk/indie stylings. This is the title track off a new vinyl EP (details below), and it is the perfect companion to this brisk Friday in the Bay.

::: WHY? - The Hollows

The Hollows EP will be released as a 12" vinyl in the US by Anticon and in the EU through Tomlab, both with different B-sides. Tracklists are as follows:

US:
A1. The Hollows
A2. By Torpedo Or Crohn's (a remix by Dntel)
B1. Yoyo Bye Bye (a cover by Xiu Xiu)
B2. Pre-teen Apocalyptic Film Acting (Medley) (a cover by Half-handed Cloud)

EU:
A1. The Hollows
A2. Good Friday (a remix by Boards of Canada)
B1. Yoyo Bye Bye (a cover by Dump)
B2. Broken Crow (a cover by Islands)

You can pick up the vinyl EP from Anticon here.

[WHY? on myspace.]
[Download Music from eMusic; free 25 song free trial.]
[Buy music from Insound.]
[Find/Listen/Download music at The Hype Machine.]
[Photo credit goes to junebug in july.]

Tags: mp3, music, anticon, why, oakland

RELEASE: The Parish (Storm Driven Bird EP)

Gold Robot Records is pleased to announce the newest addition (GRR004) to their catalog. This vinyl/digital release is an EP by The Parish (out of Oakland) titled Storm Driven Bird. Here's the stats:

+ limited edition (500)
+ 33RPM 7-inch record (pilsner colored translucent vinyl)
+ officially drops on December 18th, but you can pre-order it now.
+ all artwork done by Ian Umlauf (Brooklyn, NY)

Venerable online mag Deli SF recently described their sound: "The Parish have an interesting blend of new(er) and old, that feels familiar but never photocopied". And, of course, this is their strongest release yet.

Tracklist:
A1 - Through the Boughs
A2 - Humboldt County Line [stream]
B1 - Wishbook [stream]
B2 - Dummy in Trouble [stream]

And here's a free MP3, courtesy of the band.

::: The Parish - Dummy in Trouble (f/ Storm Driven Bird EP)

Pre-order the album now. Each 7-inch vinyl includes a digital download code for the entire release. I promise you'll love it.

Also, don't forget that Gold Robot Records has screened some new t-shirts! Limited to 30 total, it features the GRR logo (designed by DJG) in two-color (yellow and black) hand-placed. These hand-screened shirts are on American Apparel Athletic Grey Tri-blend Tees in both men's and women's sizes (see here for a picture). Order one for only 13 bucks here.

[The Parish Official Website.]
[The Parish on myspace.]
[Gold Robot Records official website.]
[Gold Robot Records on myspace.]
[Download Music from eMusic; free 25 song free trial.]
[Buy music from Insound.]
[Find/Listen/Download music at The Hype Machine.]

Tags: mp3, music, the parish, oakland, vinyl, limited, edition, new release, indie rock, americana

REVISIT: Okay

Since I'm hoping to catch these guys tonight at the Hemlock Tavern here in SF, I thought it was an opportune time to post some tracks that visited long ago here on Macktronic. These two albums have stayed with me, High Road in particular, for the duration. Marty Anderson (aka Okay) can write some damn good songs, and his delivery is original and deeply enrapturing.

::: Okay - Have [from High Road]
::: Okay - Oh [from Low Road]

Buy Okay's albums here.

[Okay on myspace.]
[Current Macktronic contest.]
[Buy music from Insound.]
[Find/Listen/Download music at The Hype Machine.]
[Photo credit goes to Courtland.]

Tags: mp3, music, okay, oakland, high road, low road

MUSIC: Roman Ruins

Decided to revisit one of Macktronic's favorite artists today since this track came up on my iPod during the work commute and it really did me right. Roman Ruins, out of Oakland, creates some amazing/intricate songs that have their own unique atmosphere. Do yourself a favor and listen to this one.

::: Roman Ruins - Familiar and Serene

You can download another song of his from a previous post here on Macktronic. Buy all albums/EPs/45s by Roman Ruins (formerly Delux) over on his myspace page. Also check out the tracks "Bird Island" and "Your House" which are awesome.

[Roman Ruins on myspace.]
[Current Macktronic contest.]
[Gold Robot Records on myspace.]
[Buy music from Insound.]
[Find/Listen/Download music at The Hype Machine.]
[Photo credit goes to got2knit. It's the West Oakland station on BART!]

Tags: mp3, music, roman ruins, oakland, indie, pop

MUSIC: Port O'Brien

Continuing along the Bay Area independent music track we've been on of late, we come to Port O'Brien. I couldn't decide which song to post, since they're both equally impressive, so I went with both. This Oakland band crafts some intense tracks around their unique indie folk stomper sound. On top of the catchy sounds, I'm immediately drawn to the vocals as well; the way they fit with the music is spot on. It's safe to say, I'm excited about this here band.

::: Port O'Brien - I Woke Up Today
::: Port O'Brien - Tree Bones

You can buy both of their albums, full-length and new EP, over at their myspace page for only 12 bucks.....

[Port O'Brien on myspace.]
[Gold Robot Records on myspace.]
[Buy music from Insound.]
[Find/Listen/Download music at The Hype Machine.]
[Photo credit goes to fliegender.]

Tags: mp3, music, port o'brien, indie, california, oakland

LAUNCH: Gold Robot Records

So there's been some changes around here at Macktronic. The focus and design have slowly been evolving, and probably will continue to do so throughout the history of this project. One offshoot of the endeavor is that I've decided to put my money where my mouth is, so to speak, and start a record label...... Gold Robot Records. The focus of GRR is small run vinyl releases with a focus on independent musicians, artists, printmakers, and designers. It's a non-profit project, with all proceeds going to the making of the next release.

We've got two 7 inch releases this month. GRR001 is by Oakland's Roman Ruins, an electro/pop/rock artist that crafts intricate and powerful songs. GRR002 features Portland's Panther and all of his dance/funk talent. Both musicians are extremely talented with full-length releases on other labels in the works. Check out the A-side tracks here, and buy an album afterwords.

::: Roman Ruins - Releasing Me [from GRR001]
::: Panther - How Well Can You Swim [from GRR002]

Order a seven inch of both artists, support the creative folks who make independent music, and spread the word.

For those of you in the Bay Area, we've got a launch party for GRR001 on Friday Feb 16 at Space Gallery in San Francisco. Music sets by Roman Ruins, Jones + Height (Baltimore), and The Parish (Oakland) plus many local artists including Rhea Fontaine, Marlon Ingram, Bruk Dunbar, Andrew Venell, Hunter Mack, Kerri Johnson, and Jason Byers. Music starts at 10PM.

Panther is dropping his full-length album on Fryk Beat in early March, titled Secret Lawns. Roman Ruins debut full-length is due out later this year on Daly City Records. Hear more music from both artists on their myspace sites linked below, and be GRR's friend as well.

[Gold Robot Records official website.]
[Gold Robot Records on myspace.]
[Roman Ruins on myspace.]
[Panther on myspace.]
[Find/Listen/Download music at The Hype Machine.]
[Photo credit goes to tubes.]

Tags: mp3, music, macktronic, panther, roman ruins, san francisco, bay area, oakland, portland, independent, the parish, jones, height, elctronica, rock, space gallery, vinyl, record label, new, awesome