Since January, Yep Roc Records has been operating under the expanded guise of the Yep Roc Music Group (YRMG). Founded in 1997, the veteran indie label been marketing and promoting UK-based Bella Union Records' releases in the United States, with Denton TX indie rockers Midlake leading the charge with their critically-acclaimed album The Courage of Others. Since then, Yep Roc Records has continued to turn up the volume on its work with developing artists (Jukebox the Ghost, Drink Up Buttercup, Peggy Sue, Darren Hanlon) the Yep Roc label as well as continuing to expand its relationship with Bella Union with albums by: John Grant, Lawrence Arabia, The Kissaway Trail, The Acorn and Alessi's Ark.
The musical avatar of Alessi Laurent-Marke, Alessi’s Ark might begun as homework but the 20 year old’s quirky, blade-sharp folk pop is mature far beyond her years. Required to play an instrument in school, Laurent-Marke took up the drums at age 11 and by her 17th birthday she had quit school to focus on music, become a Myspace sensation and signed with Virgin Records. Her debut album Notes from the Treehouse was produced by Bright Eyes/Monsters of Folk member and Rilo Kiley producer Mike Mogis, and was released on Virgin in 2009. Alessi reaped word-of-mouth support and acclaim, touring relentlessly and receiving plaudits for some stand out appearances at South by Southwest in Texas. Following parting ways with Virgin, Alessi signed with UK indie label Bella Union in 2010. Her new EP Soul Proprietor signals a new beginning for an already unusually experienced young artist.
I'm afraid I missed the vinyl boat growing up. Cassettes, CD,s and listening to the chart show on the radio every Sunday night are what I remember best.
When I started secondary school I picked up playing the drums and joined the school bands. Discovering live music and being excited by it, I started a zine inspired and encouraged by my family's love of music.
A special memory I hold close is of the afternoon my parents dug out old records from a cupboard under the stairs and showed us (patiently) how to lay the needle down carefully on their record player.
Seeing their hands handle records with such ease was lovely. I could imagine them playing these very same records in their bedrooms and it was such a warm feeling.
With shaky hands I persevered and eventually felt more comfortable choosing tracks and setting up the songs to play. Every detail is so special. Even slipping out vinyls from their sleeves and being able to read album credits and see the artwork on a bigger scale in the big booklets got me excited. CD booklets are minute in comparison!
Together, we got through a big stack of their favourites but the discoveries that really stuck with were 'On My Mind' by the Marine Girls (chosen by Dad) and 'Trouble' by Lindsey Buckingham (chosen by Mum.)
Parents know the good stuff!!
Though still more comfortable handling CDs and cassettes, I look forwards to sharing favourite albums with friends and family in the future, sat on the floor around the player with albums stacked around us - a picnic of sounds.
Some favourite songs of late:
Give Us Your Blessing - Shangra la's
Don't Mind Me - O Emperor
If You Can Wait - Jake Bellows
Goldfish - Roy Harper
Elephants Swimming - Rachael Dadd
1 comment:
Hi greatt reading your blog
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