New Releases

The Summer has almost come to an end, and we're very much looking forward to getting back on the gig circuit. We've spent the Summer taking some time off from shows and have been busy recording and sorting out new releases.












First up we've got two lovely singles out in October from Mr James Bright and Dogtanion.


Also in the pipeline is a collaboration EP from Peter Lyons and Kerry Leatham (entitled Peter and Kerry - Clothes, Friends, Photos EP), Dogtanion's debut album - Psychoses, and the debut from James' side-project, Hairy Hands. There's another record coming out too, but that'll need it's own blog.

We're super excited about the goodies that'll be coming up in the next six months - they're going to look and sound INCREDIBLE. I promise.

Take care now,

Willy + the gang.

The Terrible Two.

Peter and Kerry have been doing a lot of music making together recently. In fact, they went as far as burying away at Pete's home studio in Southampton and recording an entire EP in 3 days. We'll be releasing this really really soon but, in the meantime, have a look at these lovely videos:

Kerry Leatham / Half Empty from itdrewitself on Vimeo.

Peter Lyons / Profound & Slow from itdrewitself on Vimeo.

My my my.

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Using the internet

We're getting involved in lots more of these new-fangled media services nowadays. First up, here's a little video of Peter Lyons which just went up on BeatCastTV:

Peter Lyons from BeatCast on Vimeo.

Next up, we've started a Soundcloud page, and it lets us do things like this:

Don't Let Your Body Drag Your Spirit Down - Team Tape Club by Tape Club Records

Finally, we've got a Tape Club Records 'Facebook Page' - which means you can 'Like' us.

Tape Club Records

Promote Your Page Too



So, in the words of James Brown, 'Get into it, get involved'. You will be rewarded, we promise.

Being filmed.

We met the lovely people of It Drew Itself at the Solipsistic Pop 2 launch a few months back. Headed up by Pro and Marley, It Drew Itself will soon be re-launched with a load of goodies, including lots of beautifully filmed footage.

Initially, we'd agreed to do a short video for the blog, but since meeting up and getting to know each other, the guys have decided that they'll be following us over a longer period of time so that they can put together a mini-documentary.

Pro has already filmed tonnes of footage, and intends to accumulate more and more over the coming months (and maybe even years!). To give you a sneak peak of just how incredible it's going to be, see the video below. We hope that it'll give you an insight into exactly what goes on at Tape Club, who's involved and how we go about our business.

I'm so excited about this I can only think about it for a minute or so a day, otherwise it literally clouds EVERYTHING.

These are good times for us, and they'll all be caught on Mr.Camera.

DogtAnion / Something Beautiful from itdrewitself on Vimeo.

BBC Introducing

Last week we were invited to play some sessions for the BBC Introducing - South show with our man Phil Jackson. All of the guys played as a four piece (as well as Tom Eno for one of his tunes) and they interviewed myself and Matthew Dogtanion. We had a blast and it sounded real good. Very impressed. We'll put out the recordings as a free MP3 album later on this summer, and you'll like it.

Oh yeah, a mic died on Kerry's set. It pretty much happened on the drop of her track - I think it was all too much for the little AKG. Bless him.

After that we went to shoot some stuff on the beach (in Brighton, where the sessions were). To find out what we're shooting, read the next post.

Jimbob and Kezzle:



Beautiful Pete:

Hairy Hands

Later on this summer, we'll be wrapping up a new installment from Mr.James Bright. This release will be under the 'Hairy Hands' moniker, a more folk-beat/glitch-hop kind of vibe. Here's a little taster of what it sounds like....

Wideo.

Yesterday we were involved in our first proper music video filming. I'm talking lights, camera, make-up and HOT people. Kwame and the guys at ATC, who run Kerry's main label 'Savage Fox', fronted the cash for some serious eye-candy.

The video is for Kerry's next single 'Do You Fancy Me? (Bluff)' and was taken care of by Drew and Lucy from Slanted Eyes and Lullabys. They've done tonnes of fashion/ad work as well as Master Shortie's vids.

We'd originally planned to have all of the Tape Club crew (Mr James Bright, Peter Lyons and Dogtanion) play with Kerry in the 'band' shots, but due to work commitments and such, we were down to just Petey. I stepped up for a little bit of bass action, and all was sorted.

I won't go into the theme of the video too much (don't want to give it away!), but let me just say, there'll be some jiggling, some beautiful people and Kerry looking FINEEEEEE.

Let the post-processing begin! Here are some candid shots...

Kezzle and Pezzle:



Kwame and Drew:

Little Miss Sync

Kerry's music has been featured in two rather large productions recently:

Grey's Anatomy



and 4,3,2,1



I think it's bloody marvellous. Well done Kerry.

The tracks are 'A Different Light' (out now) and 'Do You Fancy Me? (Bluff)' (out soon).

Homemade Tour

We did it. With four full-timers, one part-timer and one freebird we scattered some musical joy around select parts of this mighty fine country. I could get really soppy about all the 'good times' but I'd rather be concise and factual. It makes for better reading, I think.

Driving to Manchester was hilarious.
Morgan and James should print maps.
Bar staff at Deaf Institute bought tonnes of tees.
I stayed in a hotel on my own with a big bed.
We got drunk at The Railway.
The audience partied hard.
Kerry and Pete started singing pop songs.
Everyone playing together became the greatest
decision of all-time.
Morgan has the patience of saint.
Kerry got ill.
Kerry stayed in a hotel on her own with a big bed.
Norwich was beautiful.
Guildford was quiet.
Slaughtered Lamb was elating.
Mini-drums are the future.
Pete's backing vocals are infectious.
Freshly prepared food is incredible every now and then.
Kerry's friends saved us at the Freebutt.
Let's do it again.

Here are a selection of photographs:



The gang in Manchester



Kerry and Matt outside the Freebutt, Brighton



Morgan and Pete in a carpark outside London



Pre-Guildford show - Kerry's looking at the Chinese menu

Woah my god.

Well, I haven't done this for a while. I'll tell you why - we've been slogging our guts out since April and I can honestly say - the Tape Club machine is finally up and running. We've grown, we've prospered, we've developed, we've progressed. A crazy tour, follow-up shows, studio sessions, radio performances and some intense bonding has taken place in the last 10 weeks.

I'm not quite sure how report on all this. It seems like the best way is to break it into manageable chunks. So, bear with me - it's time for an avalanche of chit-chat.

New things.

Well well well, haven't we been a busy bunch!

This April we're going to unleash a gargantuan amount of pretty things for you to get your mits on.

First up we have four brand new digital singles, including the debut single from Kerry Leatham!

They will be available from digital stockists on the following dates:

Think Think Think - Peter Lyons (Monday 29th March)




A Different Light - Kerry Leatham (Monday 5th April)



Gone - Mr James Bright (Monday 5th April)



Fringepot - Dogtanion (Monday 12th April)



Frankly, they're all STONKERS. I get excited just thinking about how fresh they sound. This will be the first set of singles of the year which will keep you on your toes until the albums get here.

Now, not only are we spreading the digital love, we'll be going on a little adventure in April. Ladies and gentlefolk, Tape Club Records is proud to present the HOMEMADE tour.

Four artists, lots of venues, limited tees, samplers,goodies and a shedload of live musical goodness.

The line-up includes : Peter Lyons, Kerry Leatham, Dogtanion, Mr James Bright, DJ BoneBookBang + some special guests.

The following dates and venues have been confirmed, with more to follow:


11th April - The Deaf Institute, Manchester
12th April - Boileroom, Guildford
13th April - Railway Inn, Winchester
14th April - The Slaughtered Lamb, London
15th April - The Freebutt, Brighton
18th April - St Gregory's Centre, Norwich
22nd April - Monkey Chews, London

HOT DAMN it's gonna be good. Keep an eye out for the ARTWORK. My my....

Have a tablespoon of love on me and enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Will xxx

yum.

Ahhhhh. I love Saturday mornings. I'm just outside of Winchester, in the countryside. I've had a bowl of porridge and will be out with the dogs in the afternoon. Yes indeedy, ain't nothing like a bit of a breeze in the trees and some open space in your face to take your mind offa the heady world of business. Well, for now anyway. Well, saying that I've just been reading stuff on the internet about recording equipment, which doesn't really constitute full escape. Hmm, I feel a little lost now.

I know, have a look at this video. I put it together purely as food for thought. It's a montage. A big soppy montage. I figured I'd give everyone an insight into how I perceive the unity in our label. As I sit here, this is exactly how I picture it. Even if they are all secretly signing big contracts with majors.

I did the music (with my trusty friend J-Llo).



Wow. That was a shitty blog. I'll try and think of something better next time.

xxx

Kezzle LeafThumb

Last week I took some photos of Kerry Leatham for some upcoming releases and promo.

We managed to put off the actual photography for two hours, and instead munched some food and played on Youtube. She's got some serious music toys and we played with those too.

Anyway, here are some pictures that won't be used but that I think are funny, cute, or evocative.

In the pant draw:



Nap time:



A little worrying:



Marvin:

Mo' Blogging

So, I don't write things down half as much as I should do. Let's start giving a little more insight into the trials and tribulations of a independent label.

Of late, it has been all admin. Admin, admin, admin. But, on the horizon we have some studio time. The last time we all got to go to the studio, we had a blast, and I'm sure this time will be no exception.

I work at a University where there exists an exceptional recording course. In fact, it is one of the most famous recording courses in the world. I am lucky enough to recruit some of the new up and coming recordists to help get down Tape Club bits and bobs, and below is just a little idea of what goes down. These pictures are from the last session in early January this year.



This one below is some of the 'Tonmeister' students in Control Room 1. It's got some beautiful B&W's in there, and a nice Sony-Oxford desk.



We'll be giving away our recordings for free when they've been mixed and, trust me, you're in for a treat.

So - more of this taking place on Sunday, and there'll be some nice little videos I should imagine.

Will

x