FFO: The Art Of Noise, The Bomb Squad, 400 Blows (UK)
After turning in remixes and individual tracks for compilations over the past few years, Stilyagi has put in the work to craft a standalone collection of samples and rhythm. Detail-oriented visitors will find new things within conspicuous layers on repeated listens, while the causal listener will be content to bob their skulls to the pulsing bluster.
The physical copy of this EP is magnetic tape housed in a golden shell contained in a “Maltese cross” style case. Each case has been printed by HSAL house visual artist Joanna McGlothlin using gelli prints, screens, and stampers.
First off, today is the official release date for the new honeybrandy record, “Deaton Forestbrook“! You can now stream the entire thing (all 39 minutes & 20 seconds) wherever you’d typically listen.
We’re pushing everyone we know to stream/purchase the new single, “Not In Our City” this weekend! We think the message couldn’t be more timely. It features a speech given by Dr. Keith Anderson to the Lynchburg VA City Council in prelude to the formation of the Alliance for Police Reform. Help us communicate this example of powerful things going on in small towns all over our nation!
L.A. DIES
L.A. Dies, Spring 2020 (PC: Tori Goodman)
Earlier this month, L.A. Dies were featured on a benefit compilation whose proceeds will benefit the purchase and continued operation of mobile shower units for the homeless community in the city of Birmingham, AL. There are also hopes or hiring homeless neighbors to clean and maintain the showers. Their track, “A Year In My House” predicts further exploration into the darker pop sounds of HSAL #49…
BENJAMIN MAUCH
Cover of “A (C)able Tethered To The Sky” (sefl-released, 2020).
Ever the composer, Benjamin Mauch just dropped a new album into the digital landscape. “A (C)able Tethered To The Sky” is a collection of pieces that Mauch wrote and performed using only the Novation Peak. All the trademark duality of bouncy melodies and contemplative tones you’ve come to expect from the Richmond-based artist are here. Proceeds from the purchase are being donated to the NAACP Legal Defense Fund.
Joey and Nathan have been contemplating a record that mimics their live perfromances since dropping their debut LP – “Deaf Sharp” – back in 2017. The seasons since have found honeybrandy sharing stages with guitar focused acts (Andrew Weathers, Soporus) as well as acts that lean into electronic aether (Benjamin Mauch, Oahu). The duo studied, taking notes on various methods of composition and presentation.
“Deaton Forestbrook” showcases both artists’ penchant for the balance of drone and rhythm. “Which Are Not Pronounced” and “Not In Our City” lean into programmed drum loops while “These Words” finds layer after layer of synth and lap steel swarming around meditative instruction. The entire back half of the release is a single long form piece that could easliy score a fever dream.
AVAILABILITY: DIG ARTWORK: courtesy of HSAL STREAM/DOWNLOAD: HSAL bandcamp
FFO: early Tangerine Dream, Emily A. Sprague, The Inward Circles
So, we’re already a month into the new year and your friendly neighborhood record label has a few things stirring:
HONEYBRANDY
This week, Joey and Nathan will sonically whitewash the gallery spaces down at the Academy Center for the Arts for February’s installment of “First Fridays.” Among the exhibits will be a collection from five faculty members of the James Madison University School of Art, Design and Art History. The duet will continue to work out ideas in the live setting that (hopefully) will translate to a new album in 2020. They’ll be back at the Art Rat in Roanoke next month with Hypnagogue. Here’s a track honeybrandy posted to soundcloud several moons ago…
GRAVEN IMAGE
Thanks to a quick turnaround from the factory, HSAL #52 should be shipping before the February 21st street date! If you on a first name basis with these two, feel free to hit them up for a copy. The uninitated may purchase a cassette copy from us through bandcamp (we have less than 10 unaccounted for – don’t sleep on this one). The sample below displays an EP that fits in nicely with the long line of minimal, textured ambience for which HSAL has become known the world over.
Hope you and yours made the holidays special in unique ways. We took the downtime to exhale in preparation for all that the new year will swing our way. Here’s what we know right now:
L.A. DIES ON WNRN!
PC: V. Coleman
The Commonwealth’s widest reaching independent radio station, WNRN, has just picked up “Feels Really Small” from the four-piece’s HSAL debut for regular rotation. We supremely proud of this record, so it’s swell to learn of it capturing the ears of others.
HSAL #52 IS ABOUT TO DROP!
Cover image for HSAL #52 created by James Wood.
Our next release comes courtesy of Blacksburg’s Graven Image. This EP, the first proper recording for the cello/synth + voice duet, was tracked at the Old City Cemetery Chapel right here in Lynchburg back in November. Joey from honeybrandy sat in on the session as well. The result is a really dark ethereal pair of long-form compositions that feel akin to the work of Julianna Barwick or Richard Skelton. The band is going to end up with most of cassette run, but we will have a handful to sell once the release drops in February. Stream a sample from the EP here.
OUR BANDS OUT & ABOUT!
Most of our acts are hitting stages in the coming weeks. Here are the dates we know about (follow the bands directly for the most up-to-date information):
hsal.home.blog 