Record Store Day 2013: 5 Reasons to Love

Following the most successful Record Store Day yet, we take a look at some of the things that make it truly special.

1. New Music

Though many of us choose to live in the past, collecting vinyl maybe cynically doing so in itself, Record Store Day is about encouraging people's love of music, especially new love. Finding new bands and artists to fall in love with is always a treat and so it's a great opportunity to do this on RSD.

Fear Of Fiction and Howling Owl Records both aided me in this this year. Both fantastic Bristol-based independent labels.

Fear Of Fiction's release entitled 'Family and Friends' is limited to a run of 100 CD's with 6 tracks from 6 bands stretching from London (Death Rattle, Bare Pale) to NYC (Salt Cathedral) to the fair homeland of Bristol (Kitchenettes, Casimir, Idles). Giving an incredible taste of Fear Of Fiction's knack for great talent it also manages to perfectly mix light and shade into a satisfying release.



Howling Owl give a comparatively noisier offering when showcasing their signings in "Music Is Dead". The gutpunching post-math-rock of The Naturals, unleashing fuzz of Spectres, moody pop of Oliver Wilde and energetic indie-punk of Velcro Hooks combine to make a real RSD essential. Many seem to agree with me as it is unfortunately now sold out.

2. Collaboration

Record Store Day is also responsible for some very unique one-off collaborations, perfectly reflecting the day's vibe of community and harmony through music. This year is no exception.

One particular stand out collaboration this year had to be Manchester Orchestra's release with Frightened Rabbit and Grouplove. The double sided Architect/Make It To Me. "Architect" is an acoustic track with Frightened Rabbit. One of the most beautifully simplistic acoustic tracks you will hear this year, where Hull and Hutchison's vocals reside together perfectly. "Make It To Me" is a great electro-pop track that still manages to maintain Manchester Orchestra's big band sound despite Grouplove's welcomed contributions.

Both a privilege to those who own it and shame to those who don't, which, I guess, is a lot of what the day is about.

3. Reissues

Listeners are given a second chance to own some of their favourite albums in physical form, a very meaningful concept for a lot of people. One of this year's big desires was At The Drive In's 'Relationship of Command' following the band's reunion last year. A release that I know a lot of people missed out on. It's very unlikely that you will get a third chance with things like this either. Even more disappointing when you discover that someone is flogging it on eBay the following day for 5 times as much. Such is life.

4. Live Music

It wouldn't be a celebratory day of music without having it in it's purest form. Live music is essential to a great Record Store Day experience and also a chance for some lesser known bands to appeal to some substantial and genuine crowds. Not only to mention that it is pretty much always completely free, you would be foolish not to.

5. Passion

And now to finish off, getting all soppy. Whether we like to admit it or not, the one true reason to love Record Store Day is the love itself. Whether embracing love for music, being passionate about keeping the physical media and record stores alive or sharing good times with loads of other people, friends or otherwise, it's an incredibly touching experience. I didn't experience any hatred or competition during my day, everyone was helpful, encouraging, friendly because, with maybe the exception of eBay floggers, everyone is there for the same reason. And to finish off with a quote from the organisers.

"Record stores can't save your life. But they can give you a better one."

'til next year x

Hear: Tiers - Heads In Pieces

It shows a real love for the art when a band feels that they want to keep things under wraps for an extended amount of time, perfecting and refining their sound before releases and live shows. When electro-indie band Wilder suffered the negative side of a record deal they disappeared off the face of the planet for quite some time. Re-emerging as three piece outfit Baskerville last year, they still remained quiet with only a few live shows planned and no recorded material available.

Now evolved over the past year into 'Tiers' they release the first teaser of their sounds. A demo track called 'Heads In Pieces'.

The track in question has that beautiful feeling of "mise en scene" that being a three-piece gives. Nothing unecessary is thrown into the mix. The gorgeously unique vocal tone is what makes this track stand out for me and what I'm sure will make 'Tiers' one to watch but it is perfectly backed by a creative rythm section and perfectly restrained to make the instruments blend into a great track.

The perfect track to tease listeners. It's definitely going to be interesting to see the results when members feel that 'Tiers' can be properly unleashed upon the world.

You can listen to 'Heads In Pieces' below. Stay up to date with the reveal at the band's Facebook page.

See and Hear: Ben Marwood - Under Lock And Key

Though often simply characterising himself as a man with silly hair and wonky teeth, Reading's Ben Marwood is one that excels in simple songwriting. Armed with just an acoustic guitar on stage, he has the rare ability to make an audience laugh, cry and sing along in the space of 30 minutes. One would expect no less coming from the talented Xtra Mile family that include his siblings Chris T-T, Jim Lockey and Frank Turner amongst others.

He is one of those great underground artists that has managed to build a following on purely his passion for the music, touring quite extensively and writing songs that people remember. His first album 'Outside There Is A Curse' was a beautiful peek through the keyhole through the eyes of Marwood. His observant lyrics describing his views on the world around him, critique and odd fantasies. All topped off by his unique cover of The Postal Service's 'District Sleeps Alone Tonight'.

His new track, 'Under Lock And Key', is one in the darker vein of things. Seeming to describe his apparent descent into madness following a fictional murder of a woman. Well, hopefully fictional, otherwise Marwood's songwriting is much more honest than originally thought. It acts as the first offerings from his second full length 'Back Down'.

The video for the track in question is beautifully spooky, depicting Marwood burying two bin bags, which we can only assume contains a mutilated corpse. He also aggresively sings the words in a shed surrounded by bleach and other spirits that he seems to have covered up his crime with.

It's a beautiful example of how much you can conjur up while keeping your sound so reserved. The lyricism is at the forefront, it's almost more like musical poetry. If the last album is anything to go by, 'Back Down' is sure to be a great addition to Marwood's catalogue and a fan pleaser up and down the UK and maybe further.

You can preview clips from, or pre-order, the album here before it's released on 13th May. Watch the video for first single 'Under Lock And Key' below.

See and Hear: Leopold - Twists

Today we head up north to get a taste of a great example of a DIY record label. Leeds-based 'Birkhouse Recordings' bring together some of the best new electronic music from across the UK and release it under their own steam into the hungry ears of the public.

First release BIRK.001 was released as a cassette. A compilation covering a wide spectrum of electronic music from beats-led bass music to ambient soundscapes. As well as maintaining a constant standard of quality, each track seemed to compliment the next, all fitting elegantly alongside each other on the reel.

Now we recieve the offerings from 'Birkhouse Recordings' latest creation. On arriving at their website you would be greeted with a beautifully shot live session with the label. The track is 'Twists' by a collective under the name Leopold who featured their track 'Pterodactyl' on BIRK.001. The three members under the monikers 'Shay', 'Blue Cube' and 'Inverchoulin' also donated tracks of their own to the first compilation.

'Twists' is an intriguing creation managing to rest both in a distinct delicacy and agressive sound. Layers of glitching sonics resonate  throughout the track, rising and falling to hushed whispers of chimes. At times, as a more barbaric description, it sounds almost like Sigur Rós on acid. An almost ethereal sound that you wouldn't expect to find from three gents huddled around laptops and samplers. The sessions video highlights the beautiful symbiosis from the three headed beast that is Leopold and the fantastic growl it makes.

Birkhouse themselves describe the track better as "formed out of a constellation of astral synths and melancholy drones, chased by a discombobulated drum pattern striving to capture it’s surrounding frequencies".

It's up to your own interpretation anyway. The session video acts as a preview to BIRK.002, the first side of which is the rest of this live session from Leopold. The second side is an ambient piece from Bristol-based producer 'Hecia' entitled 'Decisions'.

To stay up to date with releases from Birkhouse Recordings visit their site. Watch their live session video with Leopold performing 'Twists' below. If you enjoy it maybe pick up a copy of BIRK.002 or even BIRK.001.

See and Hear: Crash and The 'Coots - Bottle Rhythm

Fantastically nostalgic pop music comes to your eyes and ears today in the form of 'Crash and The 'Coots'. Previously named 'Crash and The Bandicoots' but shortened for obvious connotations, they are a three piece from the South-West of England. The brain child of brothers Callum and Ewan Merrett backed up by the percussive glue Olivia Demery making great bits of lo-fi pop that scream the 90's feel of 'Beck' crossed with 'Eels'.

Having the distinct pleasure of filming a session at BBC Introducing with the band only this week, it amazes me how cleverly put together their songs are. Ewan jumps between cowbell, tambourine and the mystical world of his sampler where his fingers seem to dance, blaring out a panoply of wonderful sounds. Callum plays a baritone guitar but with bass strings fitted to it. The vocals from both brothers are fuzzed with effects pedals and rest perfectly in the music. Olivia acts almost as a mother trying to control her children with her solid beats keeping them fixed on the ground.

The deliciously catchy new single 'Bottle Rhythm' is the first offering from their upcoming EP 'Hillrise'. Rhythm section galore. A great bass line and observant lyrics from Ewan talking on striving to be musical superstars such as Thom Yorke and Robert Smith. Plus a chorus that will be in your head for days.

In the style of Daft Punk's 'Around The World', the video for the track has the members depicting the different instruments in the music by pulling silly faces and slapping themselves. It's got a bit of a Brady Bunch vibe too. 

I've been completely won over in a day. By knowing nothing about them to adoring their sound. And once again the world of music spoils us with yet another free download (of this track) here. Watch the video below. You can download previous EP 'John Coles Park' here and eventually do the same for 'Hillrise' (out 25th March), which is sure to be a great addition to 2013.