Dairyland Youth is back! After the wildly successful “Youth in Asia” tour, which saw Dairyland Youth play to swarms of fans in South Korea and Japan, they now have their sights set on bringing their “incendiary live show” (Daegu Pockets Magazine) to their hometown of Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
As you listen to Dairyland Youth’s new CD, “Re:Volting,” you’ll see why they have been chosen to headline The International Pop Overthrow Music Festival on May 8th and have already locked up one date at Summerfest, “The World’s Largest Music Festival,” on Saturday, June 26th.
Dairyland Youth’s reputation for passionate, high energy pop/punk performances started over 20 years ago as they played alongside such bands as Green Day, The Offspring and NOFX. Dairyland Youth’s songs, described by The Shepherd Express as "still ringing with Sonic Youth's rumbling potency, Hüsker Dü's punky hooks, and The Lemonheads' chiming, mumbled melodies," have been exhibited in their recent shows headlining “MSE Fest” at Shank Hall, their homecoming performance before a full house at Bub’s Irish Pub in Germantown and the “Catlick Records’ 21st Anniversary Show” at The Triple Rock Social Club in Minneapolis to kick off the “Youth in Asia” tour.
In the last year, Dairyland Youth has been played on 102.1 WLUM, WMSE and 88.9 Radio Milwaukee in addition to being chosen as the “Artist of the Week” by the international music website “Sun on the Sand” and earning a spot on the Nike Bauer website soundtrack. The release of their first music video for their crowd favorite, “Monkey Repellent Pants”— produced by award-winning photographer, director and stop motion animator, Sylvain Dumais—will be followed in the next month by two more videos, one of which is a live video from their historic performance at Nagoya‘s SiXDOG, a Live House in Japan
Bret Rodysill's band The Record Summer features a revolving cast of talented musicians, including, guitarist Mykl Westbrooks of Blue Sky Blackout, violinist Hilary Davis of Bella Koshka, and Nick Larsen of The Icy Shores. Rodysill's songwriting, singing and musical arrangements set the tone for the band somewhere in the vicinity of Sufjan Stevens, Travis, and Midlake.
Rodysill grew up in Minnesota and currently splits his time between NewYork and Minneapolis. He started writing songs when he was a teenager, and by nineteen was playing such iconic venues as CBGBs. Score Music Magazine's Julie Seabaugh review of Rodysill's performance at Madison Square Garden glowed, "Rodysill's fast fingers were downright mesmerizing," After he gained experience collaborating with other talented songwriters in New York, Rodysill played shows throughoutFrance and Spain before returning to the U.S., where he was signed by Catlick Records.
"Race to the Bottom" is The Record Summer's first release on Catlick. Its June 15th release date is perfectly timed; these songs speak of the summer.
Funky than a ugly fight! More powerful than a heavy metal! Able to leap tall walls in a singing!
"Look! On a stage!"
"It's a priest?"
"It's a rock 'n' roller?"
"It's SHAKALAMODE!"
Yes, it’s SHAKALAMODE, a strange visitor from Japan, who came to your ear with funk and Buddhism far beyond those of a language barrier!
SHAKALAMODE is a Japanese musician. He wears a priest robe. He has a black top hat. His name is Hiromichi Satou. One day he thought, fusion of Buddhism and the funk music.
His new album title "En" in Buddhism word means a human bond and bond of friendship.
Milwaukee, WI-based band Arkady is Thomas Casper, Seth Dougherty, Justin Harris and Andy Patterson.
Arkady's influences range from The Pixies and The Who to The Arcade Fire. Tom's knack for developing catchy melodies and Justin's punk rock/post-punk influences combined with Seth and Andy's eclectic tastes, creates an exciting mix reflected in Arkady's dance-inducing, body-slamming brand of melodic pop.
Arkady's five song debut release, "I Am Become", was recorded in Minneapolis at Studio 9, and mixed by Bryan Hanna, (Papas Fritas, Waxwings).
In 2010, Arkady's song "Europa" will be included in the Rock Band video game.
Edward the Confessor is an independent rock band from the Minneapolis / St. Paul area. The band's sound is based on indie guitar rock fundamentals intensified to produce complex melody and rhythm – a smart sound but with a strong pop accessibility. Vocal trade-offs, tangled guitars, intertwining drums and bass – the band is definitely a sum of the parts, with plenty of detail to capture people's attention.
Edward the Confessor began when primary songwriters Sean Hancock and Rob Burkhardt re-started a long-standing on/off again collaboration with drummer Nick Larsen in 2010. Approaching the band as a side project while Larsen was busy drumming with other bands (The Icy Shores, Maudlin), Burkhardt and Hancock gradually merged their songwriting in 2011. Adding bass player David LeDuc (Enemy Planes) in 2012, the band became fully formed and recorded its debut EP with Zach Hollander at The Pearl recording studio in spring/summer 2012.
The Icy Shores are a Minneapolis-based indie rock band, comprised of singer/guitarist Nick Hegarty, drummer/backing vocalist Nick Larsen, and bassist Shane Stubblefield. Their sound leans toward the loud side of indie, with influences like the Afghan Whigs, Nada Surf, Drive Like Jehu and Nirvana.
The band started life as a four-piece, with singer/guitarist Hunter Jonakin splitting singing duties. The band's first album, "What You Get And How You Get It", was released in 2005 on Catlick Records. Upon the record's release, the band played extensively around the Minneapolis area. They also produced a music video for the album's single "Backseat", and contributed the track to the "For Callum" compilation (a benefit for Callum Robbins), which was also released by Catlick Records. In early 2007, Jonakin left the group to pursue other interests, and The Icy Shores became a three-piece.
They set to work recording their second album, "The Opposite Of Your Heart" in the Fall of 2007, capturing basic tracks at Terrarium studios with Bryan Hanna (Golden Smog, The Hang-Ups). Recording was completed over the next 18 months at Catlick Records' Studio 9. The record was then mixed by J. Robbins (Promise Ring, Jawbox, Jets to Brazil) and mastered by Bruce Hamilton at Magneto Mastering. Also during the time the album was being recorded, singer Nick Hegarty co-wrote the leading track for Antony and the Johnsons' 2009 album "The Crying Light" (Secretly Canadian/Rough Trade).
Andrew Belinsky and David Dahlquist first began collaborating on electronic music in 2008 in Berkeley, California. Soon after, Swingset Committee was born. Later that year, the two journeyed to Seoul, South Korea, where they wrote and recorded their debut EP "In Transit" and fine-tuned their live show. En route from Korea to Brooklyn, New York, they toured extensively across Japan, Korea, California, and Texas, playing SXSW and co-billing with Bear in Heaven, Vivian Girls, and Melt Banana along the way. Settling in Brooklyn, New York, in 2010, Swingset Committee released their EP In Transit on Catlick Records, solidified their line-up with the addition of drummer Tim Morrison, and landed a CMJ showcase with the Deli NYC. And that was just the beginning.
Just try listening to Swingset Committee without dancing. This trio's raw beats, celestial synths, and new wave vocals will have you busting out moves you didn't even know you had. Although, they've only released an EP, their undeniable energy and whack-a-do rhythms are sure to carry them far. - Nylon Guys (Oct 2010)
A perfect complement to their melancholy namesake, the Grey Skies' complex and unpredictable debut album pushes hard rock, pop and experimental rock in new directions. From the moody, driving lead track, "Bend In The Wire," to the layered psychedelic swirl in "More Orange Than Tan," the Grey Skies have crafted a nuanced, mysterious album that will appeal to indie and hard rock fans alike.
Never content to stay in one genre, songwriter Bryan Knisley (Push on Junior, Moon Maan) takes rock guitar out of its native habitat and into previously unknown places. Mark Pakulski (Signal & Report, Moon Maan) has a similarly adventurous rock pedigree, including stints in punk, avant-garde goth, retro pop and classic rock bands. Multi-instrumentalist/avocado player Stephanie Huss (Reba Fritz Band) is the band's secret weapon, while Jamie Bollman's (Luke's Angels) unexpected, off-kilter fills and no-BS approach give the band its unique driving power.
The brainchild of former Afghan Whigs guitarist Rick McCollum, Moon Maan's Zeppelin-inspired debut is a rich fusion of ghostly, groovy backgrounds and powerful rock-n-roll zeal. For frontman McCollum, the layering of individual experiences brings a unique depth to his music. "I love things that require a lot of tracks to make one sound," he says. "I like to think of myself as a Maximalist Purist. I like using all these little things, all these voices, all these sounds, to try to make something else."
Moon Maan was born when McCollum put a band of talented Minneapolis music vets together and began playing around the Twin Cities. Bryan Kinsley (Push On Junior, Snapperhead) joined on guitar and vocals; Erik Mathison (Balloon Guy, Polara, Mark Mallman, Jesse Greene) on drums; and Catherine Clements (Bayern Kurve, Dynamo Hum) on bass.
Once solidifying their theremin-based groove-blues sound, the four-piece began recording their highly anticipated self-titled debut, Moon Maan, in 2005 at FurSeal Studios with Joe Johnson on the boards. As time evolved, so did the band, adding bassist Mark Pakulski (Signal and Report, Psychedelicates) in September of 2005. In January of 2006, the band went into Terrarium Studios to record with Brent Sigmeth (They Might Be Giants, Mudvayne), who mixed the record at Pachyderm Studios in the fall of 2006.
With a stunning mixture of moody guitar textures, rock-n-roll exuberance, and acoustic nuance, Landing Gear elevates you to an undiscovered stratosphere of shimmering pop beauty. Like contemporaries Coldplay and Doves, Landing Gear focuses on strong melodies and song craft that provide a hefty dose pop sensibility coupled with swirling atmospherics and raw emotion. Their sound has been described as "combining emotion and passion with powerful, disruptive rock verve”. Like an astronaut in flight, Landing Gear will keep you in orbit without ever wanting to descend.
Busan, Korea’s The Southbay are poised to impress the world with their ska/punk blend. Always crowd favorites, The Southbay have recently played Seoul’s Asian Beat Festival and Busan’s International Rock Festival. Their next EP is due via Catlick Records in the early Fall of 2010.
“What first comes to mind when you think of Punk? Loud, stripped down, high energy songs, a ‘f%$* you’ attitude, high emotion and raw energy? Maybe the word conjures images of tattoos, leather, insane hair, studded belts, and giant safety pins? Well, Busan’s own, ‘The Southbay’, spew these standard qualifications of punk and take it to another level.” -- The Southbay: Pure Punkadelic, J. Lipsky, Busan Haps Magazine.
Careers In Modeling fight off the burdens of modern rock glamour with an arsenal of intricate pop-punk anthems. With three distinct vocalists anchoring a bed of jagged guitars and voracious rhythms, this four-piece rock outfit’s punchy persona can take out the toughest of paparazzi! Patterned in the key of The Get Up Kids, Yellowcard and even Bad Religion, CIM’s bombastic showmanship mind bending melodies will keep them in style, whatever the trend.
Minneapolis' The Spectaculars are back from what seems to be one hell of an inspiration-gathering bender. A touring leg in Europe and countless shows stateside seemed to have led to someone’s basement, where crates of crackly, 70s soul records plus 80s funk and pop bleached some brains. The influences interpreted, live on the waxy tracks of the band’s sophomore record, “You can look up now.” It’s a natural evolution from their 2006, critically-acclaimed, hiphopinous debut, “Have you heard things?” Most bands, after cementing an international following, would return to the studio to repeat the sound that brought them praise. Not the Spectaculars. Instead, they withdrew, retooled and returned with a record that is more ambitious and ultimately, more themselves. They found the Spectaculars’ sound. “You can look up now,” will keep the hip-hop following fixated, but open the doors to shoe-gazers, the Prince army and soul seekers alike. From the opening piano flurry of Fever Dream to the waning gospel chorus of Whipped, the Spectaculars lead the listener on an aural adventure without any filler. It’s more sexed up, more soulful and more musically diverse. It sounds dirty and sweet at the same. Irresistible. “You can look up now” is available June 2009 in store and at iTunes, Rhapsody, Napster and thespectaculars.com.
Janet Morgan & J. Robbins have a son, Callum, who turned 1 in January, 2007. Approximately 6 months prior to his birthday, Callum was diagnosed with with a genetic motor neuron disease called Type 1 SMA, or Spinal Muscular Atrophy.
Type 1 SMA affects the brain's ability to communicate with the voluntary muscles that are used for crawling, walking, head & neck control, breathing, and swallowing. Most Type 1 babies will die before their second birthday. Infants who do survive into childhood face a life of occupational therapy, wheelchairs, and assistive devices. There is currently no known cure. The fact is that Callum is pressed for time & his parents need help now.
Although conventional medicine is frequently covered by insurance, alternative procedures & therapies are not. As Janet & J. pursue all available courses of treatment for Callum, the need for additional funds has become increasingly urgent.
The Cultural Society, Catlick Records, & Letterbox compiled this collection of songs in order to raise money for Callum's care fund. All proceeds will go directly to Janet & J. to help ensure that they have sufficient resources to continue their search for effective, lasting treatment. Though our energies here are focused on the plight of our friends, it should be noted that a cure for Callum could also mean a cure for the other thousands of babies who suffer from SMA.
For more information about Callum, please visit:
www.callumrobbins.blogspot.com
For more information about SMA, please visit: Spinal Muscular Atrophy Foundation: www.smafoundation.org
Families of Spinal Muscular Atrophy: www.fsma.org
For their readiness, willingness, & awareness, we would like to thank the artists & technicians who contributed their music, energy, time, & skills to the realization of this project. Thanks, also, to Kim & Bill at DeSoto Records for getting the fundraising ball rolling, & to you for supporting this cause.
100% of the proceeds goes to Callum Robbins' care fund.
Formed in 1994 under the moniker Hovercraft, the band released a five song CD, "Been Brained," that same year on local indie label Noiseland Records. The band is "discovered" in 1995 by famed producer Paul Q. Kolderie (Radiohead, Hole, Morphine) and is signed to the MCA imprint Fort Apache.
Eddie Vedder's wife forms a band called Hovercraft and the group settles out of court with the Vedders for an undisclosed amount of cash. With the pending release of it's debut album, "Slip It Under The Door," the band changes its name to Shatterproof. Original drummer of Hovercraft, Steven Nelson, is let go and Jeff Jara is recruited to play in his place. Jon Hunt also joins the fold as lead guitarist/keyboardist/arranger. "Slip It" fails to generate sales and Shatterproof begins writing for its second album in earnest in winter 1996.
The band works on pre-production in Minneapolis with local producer Bryan Hanna (Hang-Ups, Papas Fritas) the following summer for its second release for Fort Apache/MCA. Kolderie is brought in for three weeks of work with Hanna in Boston as the band finishes the recordings. Typical of many situations with major labels, Shatterproof is asked to record more material at the urging of MCA ("don't hear a single...").
Conflicts arise between the Fort Apache label and MCA Records. Several bands are dropped from the roster, including Shatterproof. Unfortunately, Shatterproof is the only band not allowed to use material recorded under the MCA banner. Another major label offers to release the CD but goes bankrupt. The band breaks up in 1997 without ever releasing recordings for their second album.
Eleven years after it's conception Catlick Records is proud to announce the release of "Splinter Queen" - the lost recordings of Shatterproof. The CD contains all the original recordings from 1996, plus bonus tracks. The group is reforming for a release party at the Varsity Theater in Minneapolis on Thursday May 10th, 2007.
