Welcome to Listening Party, a boutique imprint
out of Milwaukee, Wisconsin that specializes in
high quality, limited edition vinyl releases and
pay-what-you-like downloads.
Posted on 4/6/10
Lookbook are currently on tour in the west. Be sure to go check them out!
May 30 / Fargo, ND / The Aquarium June 1 / Missoula, MT / The Badlander June 2 / Spokane, WA / Empyrian Coffeehouse June 3 / Seattle, WA / Sunset Tavern June 4 / Kennewick, WA / Red Room Coffee House June 6 / Portland, OR / Rontoms June 8 / San Francisco, CA / Elbo Room June 9 / Los Angeles, CA / Silverlake Lounge June 10 / San Diego, CA / Bar Pink June 11 / Phoenix, AZ / The Rogue June 12 / Salt Lake City, UT / Kilby Court June 13 / Denver, CO / Hi-Dive June 14 / Lawrence, KS / Replay Lounge June 15 / St. Louis, MO / Firebird June 17 / Chicago, IL / Schuba’s June 18 / Minneapolis, MN / First Avenue
Cherry Moon by Lorn (from Nothing Else, 2010) This lead single off Lorn’s debut album on Brainfeeder is pure cinemagic. Dark, thick, and gorgeously melodic, it’s simultaneously an introverted mind trip and club-ready banger. This guy currently lives right here in Milwaukee and is only 23, so it’s safe to assume he’s just getting started. Keep an eye out for his album and it’s release parties, which will be arriving in June.
9-5er’s Anthem by Aesop Rock (from Labor Days, 2001) Speaking of songs that are simultaneously introverted and club-bangers, this amazing jam off Aesop Rock’s killer 2001 album (submitted this week by K Rae) completely lives up to it’s name. Blockhead’s simple-yet infectious beat is the perfect backdrop for Aesop’s tirade in defense of the working class, seamlessly incorporating orchestral swells, toy pianos, an unbelievable bass line, and (somehow) a harmonica solo. Bonus points: learn the entire acapella and shout it along with the record while unhappily delivering pizzas for Domino’s via minivan during a brief stint in college.
Currents (220V Offshore) by Phonem (from Hydro Electric, 2000) Speaking of simple-yet-infectious production from the early aughts, He Can Jog submitted this beautiful, hypnotic Phonem track this week. “The platonic ideal of twee & icy electronica as far as I’m concerned,” he said, “with the possible exception of that first Mum record, of course… [the genre-defining Finally We Are No One].” It bridges that sonic gap between earlier Boards of Canada and the “folktronic” artists with it’s purring clicks, gentle synths and incessant looped beat.
Rock On by David Essex (from Rock On, 1973) Speaking of purring clicks and incessant looped beats (a stretch, I know), Kenny submitted this classic David Essex song for his pick. Though he later re-recorded it for his 1989 album Touching The Ghost, I’ve always preferred this weird ‘73 original version on account of it’s oddball production (amazing analog delay sounds and awkward vocal overdubs!) and it’s overall groovy weirdness.
Sink, Florida, Sink by Against Me! (from As The Eternal Cowboy, 2003) Speaking of, um, songs that were re-recorded by their original artists (?), Andy sent in this acoustic version (there was an electric version released on a 7” single as well) of Against Me!’s singular Florida-as-a-metaphor-for-defunct-relationships song. I was actually a bit let down when I listened to the lyrics, since I was really hoping for an all around condemnation of that ol’ forsaken panhandle. As Seth Romatelli aptly noted, “We’ll be fine with forty-nine.”
Posted on 28/5/10
Lookbook’s Daytrotter session was just released! Check out your favorite Minnesotans rocking out in the best live session studio in the country. Sean Moeller, I heart you.
Los Angeles-based DJ and artist Justin “Kutmah” McNulty has been detained by the INS. He is the UK-born son of an Egyptian mother and a Scottish father, who moved him here at age 12. His request for citizenship has been denied twice (once at age 12, again at age 20) and now, despite his sizeable contributions to both the arts and his community, he is at risk of being deported.
We here at LP ask that you PLEASE go to www.freekutmah.com immediately, sign the petition and write a letter to his representative. If we all act together we could get his case reopened by INS and keep him here in the US. It takes less than a minute and is a big help. Wouldn’t you want someone helping you if you were in trouble?
Immigration issues affect us all. Please do what you can! Thanks!
Posted on 26/4/10
Decibully is hitting the road this weekend…
April 28 - Chicago, IL - Schuba’s April 29 - St. Louis, MO - The Firebird April 30 - Iowa City, IA - The Mill
My longstanding love for Megafaun is well documented, and this instant-classic track off their upcoming mini-album Heretofore (Hometapes) only continiues to prove that they are one of the best bands in the country. Mixing front-porch singalong folk with hints of psychedelia, noisy experimentation and profound emotional resonance, they always blow me away.
Dedicada A Ela by Arthur Verocai (from Arthur Verocai, 1972)
Speaking of psychedelia, this week Kenny sent in this fantastic track of Brazilian post-tropicalia space funk off Arthur Verocai’s self-titled ‘72 album. The fact that this entire album was self produced by Verocai goes to show his forward-thinking methods and sound that would go on to inspire (I’m assuming) Scott Herron’s Savath Y Savalas as well as other fuzzy beatsmith contemporaries like Madlib and Oh No.
Huntington Ashram Monastery by Alice Coltrane (from Huntington Ashram Monastery, 1969)
Speaking of spacey pre-fusion era music, Alice Coltrane’s turn as a bandleader could not have come at a better time in jazz (at least as far as my personal tastes go). Just as icons (like her husband) were taking everything to a new level of out-ness, she started releasing these amazing records full of fluttering harp, ambient piano noodling and serious rhythm section experimentation. This less-than-amazing vinyl rip doesn’t quite do Roy Musgnug’s engineering work justice, but it should give you a good idea of the album’s overall awesomeness.
Satelllliiiiiteee by Flying Lotus (from Cosmogramma, 2010)
Speaking of taking everything to new levels of out-ness, Flying Lotus’ new album came out this past Tuesday, and it’s very, very good. Much (genuinely warranted) ado has been made on the blogs about the great lead single “…And The World Laughs With You” featuring Thom Yorke but I thought I’d rather post this track, which showcases his ability to make brash beat experimentation sound completely accessible as he drifts through a completely linear soundscape without ever losing our attention. It’s along the same lines as the much longer “Recoiled”, a five and a half minute surprise-fest. Just buy the album already, it’s full of jams like this.
Speaking of odd-yet-accessible contemporary dance music, this lead single off Yeasayer’s upcoming Odd Blood shows the Brooklyn weirdos in top form, dragging our asses out on the dancefloor with their incessant Talking Heads / !!! / who-knows-what gene splice. Dang these guys are good. Reminds me of that great jam “Git” by Skeletons and the Girl-Faced Boys, which I should probably post one of these weeks.
Posted on 22/4/10
City Pages recently gave Lookbook’s Maggie Morrison the Best Female Vocalist award for 2010! We here at Listening Party would like to commend them for their journalistic accuracy. This rad HD video for the award was shot by the number-one dudes over at MPLS.TV.
Way to go, Maggie! We’re still crossing our fingers that Grant will come out on top in the coveted “Swarthiest Moustache” category. We’re pulling for you, buddy!
Posted on 16/4/10
Staff Picks - April 16, 2010
Already Gone by The Shaky Hands (from Let It Die, 2009)
This one comes to us via Big Webs, who has this to say: “Sorry about my dentist office pick but this is my JAMB this week! Just pretend its a single you never heard by Camera Obscura. Hopefully next week I’ll be listening to better “cooler” music, but I go where the river takes me.”
Angel Echoes by Four Tet (from There Is Love In You, 2010)
His whole new album is on permanent rotation in my living room right now.
Canteen by Inlets (from Inter Arbiter, 2010)
This is a track off Inlets’ upcoming debut album, which is really great. Decibully will be playing with him at Schuba’s in Chicago on April 28, so keep an eye out.
Golden Wage by Joggers (from Oxford Collapse & Joggers Split 7”, 2009)
These guys played a bunch of shows with Decibully back in the dizzy, and are absolutely mind-boggling. This track is off their latest single, which can be found only through Insound.
Posted on 13/4/10
We here at Listening Party are busy gearing up for a summer of baseball, beer, and rad jams. We are going to have a big announcement coming soon, but until then here are some exciting goings on.
Insound.com has started carrying LP releases and for the next month you can recieve 10% of your entire Insound order by using the discount code: listeningparty10. How rad is that? Check out the goods: Lookbook / Wild at Heart, Decibully / World Travels Fast. Thanks, Insound!
88.9 Radio Milwaukee recently did a segment on LP you can hear all about us here:
Also check out this fabulous photo set by Meredith Westin from their performance at the Vita.mn “Are You Local?” SXSW kick off party at First Avenue.
Posted on 5/3/10
It’s finally here! Def Harmonic (our newest signee!!) and Lookbook play at Cactus Club tonight to celebrate the release of Lookbook’s amazing debut album Wild at Heart! Tell your friends! Doors at 9pm! Exclamation points!!
Posted on 28/2/10
We are very, very pleased to announce our newest signee, Milwaukee’s own Def Harmonic. We will be releasing their as-of-yet untitled amazing new album this June!
They’ll be playing with Lookbook this Friday (March 5) at Cactus Club (2496 S. Wentworth) to celebrate the release of Wild at Heart!
Posted on 22/2/10
Just realized that we haven’t put up any pics of the actual releases…… this ends now.
We are very, very pleased to bring you Lookbook’s debut album, Wild at Heart! Pay-what-you-like downloads are available now and preorders begin today for the deluxe vinyl edition. It’s a hand numbered first edition of 500 pressed on 150g randomly mixed marble vinyl encased in beautiful three color screen printed artwork, and includes a huge fold-out 17.5”x22.5” newsprint insert complete with lyrics. It’s bananas. As with all our physical orders, upon completion you’ll be directed to a download link in your choice of several high resolution formats so you can enjoy the album right away while you wait for your order to arrive.
Just got the inserts for Lookbook’s album in today, and they look fantastic! Huge 17.5”x22.5” newsprint posters. Thanks again to Al at Port Publications for all your help!
Wild at Heart preorders and downloads begin on Tuesday February 9, so stay tuned.
Posted on 3/2/10
Lookbook is hitting the road soon in support of the release of Wild at Heart, their debut album.
feb 11 2010 - uw stout - menomonie, wisconsin feb 12 2010 - uw madison (der rathskeller) - madison, wisconsin feb 13 2010 - mike n’ molly’s - champaign, illinois feb 15 2010 - earth house - indianapolis, indiana feb 16 2010 - cousin larry’s - danbury, connecticut feb 17 2010 - tt & the bears - cambridge, massachusetts feb 18 2010 - the m room - philadelphia, pennsylvania feb 19 2010 - union hall - brooklyn, new york feb 20 2010 - pianos - new york, new york feb 22 2010 - garfield art works - pittsburgh, pennsylvania feb 23 2010 - the treehouse - columbus, ohio feb 24 2010 - schubas - chicago, illinois feb 26 2010 - public space one - iowa city, iowa feb 27 2010 - the cedar cultural center - minneapolis, minnesota
Posted on 29/1/10
Lookbook is performing tonight at the famed First Avenue in Minneapolis to celebrate the 5th anniversary of 89.3 The Current. Also performing are Solid Gold, P.O.S., Mason Jennings and Twilight Hours. It’s sold out, because it’s going to be awesome.
We Love (capital L) The Current. Check out their amazing backlog of studio sessions if your ipod needs filling. If we may be so bold as to suggest a selection, Andy and I would like to direct your ears towards THIS particular entry. Enjoy.
Milwaukee’s own Rush-Mor Records will have the lowest numbered copies of Decibully’s World Travels Fast available anywhere, numbers 10-19. We’re going to be making a habit of dropping off the lowest numbers we can there for every release , since we are (obviously) big supporters of local record stores. Duh. Unaware of a rad store like Rush-Mor in your area? Check out the Alliance of Independent Music Retailers to find the hidden gem near you.
In other news, we just finished laying out the artwork for Lookbook’s Wild At Heart, which will be out on Feb. 23rd (available for download and pre-order on Feb. 9) and it looks amazing! We can’t wait to show it to you.
