Joshua October & the Wool - "karaoke"

From the dark northern corner of Louisiana comes a collection of songs from Shreveport one man band, Joshua October and The Wool. One of the hardest working artists in the Shreveport DIY scene, Joshua October has already built a reputation for engaging live performances and inventive songwriting. The songs on "karaoke" have been available previously on tapes at shows (recorded at home on a karaoke machine) but now for the first time are available digitally. With songwriting that can be dark, humorous and hopeful all at the same time, this release is perfect porch music for hot Louisiana summer nights. Do yourself a favor and download "karaoke", you won't regret it.

Polymer Slug - Cloud Types

Cloud Types is the latest work from Chicago synth lord Polymer Slug (aka Adam Tramposh).  Cloud Types contains 18 improvisational tracks of lush synth textures "loosely inspired by the high drama of the earth & sky." Music like this makes you want to slow down and watch the clouds. Cloud Types is fresh, original and beautiful. Highly recommended!

It's available on cassette and as a digital download from Overland Shark. Do yourself a favor and pre-order a cassette before they they sell out. Each cassette purchase comes with a digital download.

Stephen Molyneux - Cambodian Field Recordings

I just got this tape in the mail yesterday from No Kings Record Co. and listened to it in my car throughout the day. The recordings have an otherworldly quality to them. The traditional Cambodian music and sounds, though very different, reminded me of the sounds of  small Mexican villages from my childhood and at times even the divine liturgy of the eastern Orthodox Church. It was a reminder of how rare (and refreshing) it is to hear music that is wholly non-commercial. I'm really glad I got one of these before they sold out and I look forward to more releases from Molyneux and No Kings.

Description from No Kings:

This time last year Stephen Molyneux (Gigantic Blonde Boy, Horsehair Everywhere, Poet Named Revolver) was living in Thailand. Riding around on motorbikes, running through the jungle, playing noise shows at Bangkok art spaces, going on visa-renewing border-crossing adventures, all while the Red Shirts were stirring up more and more intense political unrest. On one of his excursions through Battambang & Siem Reap provinces in Cambodia, Molyneux made these field recordings on cassette. Expect “distant ancient rites of dawn, village sounds recorded from bicycle baskets, ensemble street performances,and wedding party music echoing through the ballroom of an abandoned mansion”.

Stephen Molyneux excerpt by No Kings

PHILLIP OSKAR AUGUSTINE - UNKNOWN PATTERNS c28

I've been listening to this tape a lot the past couple weeks.
Great catchy summer pop songs.
Definitely has some Brian Wilson influence to it, along with a sort of mystical/chant vibe thrown into the mix.
There are only 100 copies, so go get it from Bathetic records before it sells out.
POA on Myspace

POWER ANIMAL

Philadelphia based experimental band Power Animal recently played a show at the Dalzell House in Shreveport. It was GREAT! They just released a new full length album on Waaga Records and a split tape with David Liebe Hart(of the Tim and Eric Show) on SGMG Records.
If they are on tour any where near you, DO NOT miss them! They put on a unique and intense show with double drum sets, dueling xylophones, a weird little piano, samples, violin, electric banjo, and a bunch of other stuff.


The new album, People Songs, is great. It's hard to classify Power Animal's music into genres but if you like fun, intricate, melodic music you will love People Songs. Keith Hampson's unique style of songwriting keeps the album full of unexpected twists that make it a one of a kind listening experience.

Here is a clip of their show in Shreveport: