IN THE SALES TANK
God, we hate to always open by talking about sales...but why should we be ashamed, really? That’s pretty much what this independent record thing is all about in a nutshell – making sales, at all costs. Because if we don’t, who will? It’s simply our responsibility. And so, a-counting beans we go...as always, with visions of as many beans as possible in our heads.This week, we’re cranking up all the gears we’ve got to handle the extreme heat of selling new releases from Appendix Out, Neil Michael Hagerty, Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy, The Galactic Zoo Dossier and more! There’s a nation of people who care out there – and have money, to boot. It truly sounds like our kind of party. And on Monday, March 19th, it will all have been worth it – these much anticipated and long awaited records will be on the shelves of discerning record retailers everywhere. On the shelf...and then off again – remember, it’s all about sales!
ASHEVILLE (BE SURE TO WEAR FLOWERS IN YOUR HAIR)
So yeah, you’ve got some records to buy. But that’s nothing, check this out: we’ve gotta tell you about a scene you just can’t miss! And you might have to travel a day or two to get there, depending on where you’re coming from. So book the planes, trains and automobiles now! Your ETA is Wednesday, March 21st – that’s the day Neil Michael Hagerty and the Stupid Losers kick off a two night stand at Vincent’s Ear in Asheville, North Carolina! The town is already preparing for an onslaught of city slickers, hipsters, brothers and sisters, thing-doers, watchers, freaks and geeks. Which is to say that they’ve ordered up a dozen extra porta-potties. And that’s just for starters. Ol’ Hag and his boys are champing at the bit to get playing, so don’t you miss it! Because when Neil Michael Hagerty takes the stage, it’s bound to be a profound rock and roll experience. And you’re bound to meet some beautiful people there too. And at this point, those are the only two gigs he has right now to support his new solo album. Which is a real mindbending masterpiece of an LP. But do we have to remind you again? Thought so!
THE NIGHT IS ADVANCING IS COMING!
Don’t forget – this release date, now so famous for containing solo LPs by Neil MIchael Hagerty (Royal Trux, just in case you forgot) and Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy (Palace Songs, idiot!), will also be remembered as the date that unbelievable Appendix Out record was released as well. Yessir, The Night is Advancing is a real piece of work, a fine new take on the dominion of Appendix Out. Ali Roberts’ singing has never been so rich and vibrant. Behind him, the sound of the group is more emphatic than previously known, with synthesizer drones, acid guitars, rubbery bass lines, tape effects, singalong communal vocals and bagpipes, even! All these unite to place Appendix Out firmly within the sphere of pop. The Night is Advancing is a new high for Appendix Out – may they keep rising!
PAPA M SINGS – THE VINYL FRONTIER
Remember last month? Yeah, us neither! But we’re told that when we put out that Papa M CDEP, “Papa M Sings,” lots of people asked us, What about the vinyl? Well, there wasn’t any – Papa M didn’t want us to make any. We couldn't figure out why...and now, a month later, the serpentine plan of Papa M has become evident. The Galaxia label has been given the honor of doing that record, and it was no small task for them either – a 180gm one-sided pressing with an etching on the flipside. It looks fantastic and sounds great. And we have a limited amount of these things here in our office, to sell to interested soldiers of mailorder and direct stores alike. So buy them!
THE TRUTH ABOUT ROYAL TRUX
Meanwhile, what about Royal Trux? The truth about where that infamous band has gone and what they plan to do seems to be an elusive commodity. But fear not, victims of confusion! Later this year, a graphic novel will be released telling the Trux side of the story with pictures and words. With the fate of the earth in the balance, what else could they do, really? We got a glance at a few of the pages, and take it from us – the truth about what happened is much stranger than anything we could come up with! So, for one, we won’t even try to come up with anything. Be on the lookout for the tale in the near future.
AMERICA’S HAMBURGER
Beginning this week, Neil Hamburger takes to the road once again for a series of choice live dates around the country. It’s very exciting, as you might imagine – now that Neil’s back in America, his profile is on the rise, as he makes new fans out of rubberneckers at every show. But a series of clubdates isn’t all that Neil’s up to – he’s also been booked as the MC at the presitgious All Tomorrrow’s Parties festival over in the UK this summer. How’s that for a little respect? Well, there’s more – he’ll also be attending the Chicago Comedy Festival in May – but what are we telling you this for? Just check the Tourdates page for your own personal update. Who knows? Maybe America’s Funnyman is coming to a town near you.
WHAT’S UP WITH JIM?
Every once in awhile, we get a message from the offices of Jim O’Rourke – and from all indications, our lad is now a member of the cream of society! In addition to being a card-carrying fifth member of Sonic Youth (their insurance plan is awesome!), Jim’s also been in attendance at all the big film festivals this year. What’s he doing there, you ask? Besides being a star, he’s also hard at work, schmoozing with filmmaker and filmmakettes who want his music illustrating their silly stories! Yes, the music of Jim O'Rourke is in high demand. But that's not the only thing Jim is about anymore - he’s also working on new Moikai projects, such as the previously mentioned Orton Socket (Rob Mazurek) and Triangles (Triangles) projects. Back on the creative side of the coin, Jim’s digging up bits and fragments of unfinished works (bootleggers, stay away!) in an effort to complete his long-desired full-length followup to Eureka. But Jim feels the way we do – and we will sell no opuses before it’s time.
ONE WINNER’S STORY
We’ve been talking a lot about our retail contest – and its not just talk, people! We’re indebted to all the stores that have participated...but at this point, we haven’t received enough feedback from the nation to declare more than one winner. Which regular readers of our column will know as Music Millennium, of Portland, Oregon. Those guys did a Royal Trux display last summer that beat everything! And we haven’t seen a thing since that topped it. For the curious, there’s a photo of it in the last newsletter - check it out and see how it’s really done!
Anyway, we said we’d give away something free to anyone declared a winner. It took awhile to find that special something that could really be called a prize, but we finally did it. As it transpired, it was a special few things – one of which was special world-premiere of a song off the forthcoming Neil Michael Hagerty release, broadcast for all to hear on Portland’s own KPSU. The whole town grooved on it, thanks to Music Millennium. And they also got a couple souvenirs for the shop there, including an original piece of hand-drawn cartoon whimsy by ol’ Hag himself to hang in the shop until it yellows. They'll probably do it, too – as Tom Humphreys (the winning window-dresser in question) put it, “It included everything! A rendering of the store, my display, Portlanders, a pile of shit, and white out.” And don’t forget that all-important Hagerty signature, Tom. It’s worth something too.
Other prizes included a copy of the Neil Michael Hagerty CD and a signed John Fahey book – signed by Bill Callahan, natch! Hey, his signature’s worth money, too! Plus, he said he really likes the book. Anyway, it’s just our way of saying thanks Music Millennium! So the rest of you prizewinning hopefuls take note – victory could be within your reach. But first you've got to reach for it. So get that big display together for one of our new ones – Hagerty, Appendix Out, and Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy, remember? And include some fireworks this time, would'ya?
U.S. MAPLE
U.S. Maple Acre Thrills LP sleeves are in! And they’re the greatest looking thing ever! They look even better than the Acre Thrills CDs! And the CDs look pretty amazing themselves! Plus, the promo CDs look great! They've been serviced to the press already, and the press can’t believe it, either! You won’t believe it either! We can't wait to put this record out! And we will. In April, that is...