Changeling - Into Great Peace (2007)

Okay, well, here is another woozy drone one for you sleepyheads. This Changeling c20 was put out by Not Not Fun in 2007. There were 200 made. This has been previously blogged, but not discussed. That will not change by much by my hand either. Departing a bit from the typical psych-drone tape music found on NNF (no hate intended), this is a great meditative zone that incidentally sounds strikingly like its album art. Layered synths and guitar drones, making for a great, existential evening. A lot of this sort of thing came out around this time, but this was always a standout for me, hence why I own it. This is was a project of Roy Tatum, who has also been involved in Quintana Roo. I don't know if this psuedonym is still active. I didn't rip this because I am slipping up.

Changeling - Into Great Peace MediaFire

Nath Family - Sounds of the Indian Snake Charmer Vol. 2 (2006)

While we're on the subject, here is another gifted one courtesy of Illinois, USA. If you're a connoisseur of aesthetic analyzing, you'll probably be able to guess that this one also came from Hanson. This is the second volume of what was apparently a hit piece of music recorded by Aaron Dilloway when he supposedly spent some time with "a family of snake charmers in Nepal." In a sense, this could be called a field recording, but let's not be hasty; while discussing this, a close friend suggested "travel recording" as a more accurate label, if you really would like one. A worthy release of genuine folk music from Kirtipur, it is a live recording of an impromptu snake charming show put on for Dilloway. Fascinating and enjoyable music.

Nath Family - Sounds of the Indian Snake Charmer Vol. 2 MediaFire

Spine Scavenger - Spine Scavenger CS (2005)

Just last night was I inadvertently reminded that I even have a copy of this. My copy was gifted to me by an old pen pal from Illinois a few years ago, so I have her to thank for this one I suppose. Of course that was long after this Spine Scavenger tape was released on Hanson, but it is nonetheless relevant that I include it. What she sent from Illinois is an interesting side-project of Aaron Dilloway that vastly precedes his current work, which I haven't heard lately and likely will not venture to. This tape, in addition to a simultaneously released "full-length" entitled The Lodge (also courtesy of Hanson), was the pseudonyms first recorded output. Half noise, half sound experiments, half found sound. That's three halves, which is far and away more than anyone could bargain for. Interesting modulation somewhere along the line. You should listen to it once and then listen to it again at the same time and place next week, and then ponder where your life is going. I suppose that it should also be noted that Hanson is/was run by Aaron himself.

Spine Scavenger - Spine Scavenger CS MediaFire

Hesitation Wounds - Demo (2010)

"No frills" hardcore from the Bay Area to tag along with the likes of Yadokai and Vaccuum. It sounds like punk music and maybe you'll like it. There are five songs on this cassette and they are fast as well as loud, which makes sense. I can't hear what the vocalist is saying and you won't be able to either. Contrary to my previous entry, my wimpy cassette player sweated this seven-minute punishment out and with not much to show for it. I e-mailed this person to get a copy, so you should do the same. They are playing with Condominium this week.

Hesitation Wounds - Demo MediaFire
or
Bandcamp

Field of Hats - Ancillaries 2xCS (2008)

Howdy-ho. Whether or not "you" have missed my incessant updating (was it ever incessant to begin with?) is besides any point I will attempt to make in this update. Instead, I will jump straight to the music, which I'm sure you will enjoy.

I came upon this Field of Hats release not long after it was put it out by Arable in 2008. True to small-time psych-drone form, there were only 50 made, but I was lucky enough to snag a copy from the artist himself not long before they sold out. In my opinion, his later works haven't topped this release: this is slow-burning, contemplative drone for the deserted. The second track in particular, "Votary," has consistently remained one of my favorite tracks from its genre. It is a satisfying experience every time, but for reasons perhaps uncharacteristic of bare bones drone: the track is a mounting cacophony rather than a sparse meditation. The other three tracks are contradictory to "Votary" in that they are more typical, although they are nonetheless effective. Still, I think that "Votary" could be a release of itself and stand on its own.

Because my wimpy tape deck leaves something to be desired, I did not rip this particular release myself. Oh, mighty, fallen, etc.

Field of Hats - Ancillaries 2xCS MediaFire

V/A I Know Why They Call It Pop (2010)

V/A I Know Why They Call It Pop MediaFire
V/A I Know Why They Call It Pop Buy It

Megapost #2: Bay Area/Not Quite Bay Area DIY Emo & Screamo from 2005 - 2010

Of course, this is by no means an exhaustive post. The title should have "that I have copies of" at the end to be a little more accurate, but I thought that would look silly. An ear-to-the-ground screamo geek in the Bay Area that's been conscious for the last few years might recognize some of these. And if not, here's a gift from me to you.

A recent outing to the first screamo-related show I had been to in months prompted me to rip my old demos and EPs by bands that I've met over the years. These bands did, and some still continue to do, DIY punk like it should be, and unless I'm mistaken all of these CDs were handmade, heartfelt jobs that are worth every penny I spent on them when they were new. And these guys always had tables full of stuff, be it music, artwork or whatever. I have so much attached to this music, it's ridiculous; the above picture along brings out a lot. I'm reminded of the last few years, the friends I made, the strange places I went, all the spaces around the Bay Area we discovered - a whole network of kids with enough positivity to power the houses they played in. I digress, though, as I'm speaking as if those memories are a thing of the past - they are as much the present as they were four, five years ago.

This is almost a vanity post, since I consider some of these people friends, and since I am also sharing the latest John Cota tape in this entry, which incidentally is their whole, remastered discography. Even though this may be a little more for me than it is for anyone else, I hope I can provide enjoyment to someone else by sharing this music. That being said, there are still so many more bands whose music I didn't pick up way back when. Some of these bands intertwine and often played with each other, so it's a given that, with a little digging, you're bound to find more. And go buy some of their music! Some of these bands are still together and still tour with other bands. Every person in these bands, that I've personally met and even those I haven't, were genuine, enthusiastic people who made great music free from ego, image, aesthetic, and other bogus stuff.

The following means a lot to me.


John Cota - "2009" Tape/Remastered Discography (these are the MP3 masters - thanks Max)

Home Is Colored Gold - Spring Tour Demo (this didn't come with a tracklisting, and I couldn't find one on the Internet - sorry!) - one member went onto John Cota
I Was The Explosion - Three Songs - one member went onto John Cota
Moldar - Last Five
Matsuri - Demo (this was their first, first demo I believe. I think their later demo had four songs, while this one only has three.)
Nord Mariner - 4 Songs
Nord Mariner - S/T CD - Redwood City emo band, who, unless I'm mistaken, are on hiatus but not broken up.
John Cota - Demo CD
John Cota - Tour CD
Matsuri/Moldar - Summer Tour 09 Live - great live recordings from last year, but I don't know where from
Moldar/Calculator Split

Carnal Knowledge - Demo (2007)

Reaching a bit farther back in time for this one. I picked this six-song demo up at Gilman about two or three years ago. I want to say it was a Pinhead Gunpowder show, but I can't be sure; I remember patch jackets, underage drinking, and run-ins with multiple ex-girlfriends. Carnal Knowledge opened the show.

Carnal Knowledge - Demo
Carnal Knowledge - MySpace

Hedia - To Quiet, Cause To Rest Or Sleep (2009)

I picked this tape up when The Fertile Crescent passed through my town about two years ago, a story I've previously divulged. Hedia is the solo project of one of that band's members, Bryce Hample. Woozy, drone laden tape music with piano, tape loops, trumpet, guitars, and french horn. This was released by featherspines some time in 2009 I believe. One hundred of these tapes were made and it is out of print as far as I know.

Hedia - To Quiet, Cause To Rest Or Sleep

Memorize - Demo (re-up)

This was shared previously, but someone requested that I rip the actual tape if I could. I finally got around to doing that, so here it is. The version of "Wave" on the tape is different from the one provided on MySpace/the previous entry. Also, there is a song called "Polar" that is exclusive to the physical tape. I tried as best as I could with my sub par equipment. Enjoy!

Memorize - Demo Mediafire

Memorize - S/T CS

In slight conjunction with my previous entry, here is another shoegaze obscurity that I got on a whim. Memorize are from Oklahoma City, and I have no idea how I found these guys other than mindless browsing through Last.FM pages. I just so happened to stumble upon them and their MySpace one night, and I was blown away completely, particularly by their track "Wave." I ordered their tape immediately and since then it's become one of my favorites. It may be of interest to the reader that this band sits alongside fellow Oklahoma City denizens on a label called DIY United.

Sadly, I haven't seen any movement from this band despite hearing of a possible full-length in the works from a band member on Last.FM, when I still had an account. But that was long ago, and that full-length may very have drifted into the void. A real shame, but four songs is better than none at all.

Memorize - S/T CS Mediafire
Memorize - MySpace

Whirl - Demo

It's not often that I will buy a band's demo on a whim and be really impressed. This is one of those rare cases. Whirl are a new shoegaze band from Northern California (right in the neighborhood for me) that until a couple weeks ago I had never heard of. I still don't know very much about them, but I do know that this two song demo is very good. Balancing between catchy and haunting should be difficult, but this band seems to pull it off with ease. Most of the comments regarding this band's sound are that they aren't playing anything new or groundbreaking, but so what? If you ask me, neither are most shoegaze bands of today; the point, however, is that this particular tape is doing it right. It's not genius, but it's effective; it's a good sign of things to come. I'd really like to see this band go places.

I recommend that you don't just take my meaningless word for it, though, and that you check this band out. Below is a download link for their demo provided by the band from their MySpace, as well as a link to their MySpace.

Whirl - Demo ZShare
Whirl - MySpace