Posted on March 16th, 2015
Today we are ecstatic to announce the second entry in our ongoing Reissue Series, John Vanderslice's debut LP Mass Suicide Occult Figurines! The record will be out May 19th, and is currently available for pre-order!
John Vanderslice – Mass Suicide Occult Figurines (Reissue):
Over the past 15 years, John Vanderslice has released 10 full-length albums, numerous 7"s, EPs and splits, all the while maintaining an unbridled devotion to analog recording, and in the process, has become on of the most respected songwriters in indie rock. Known for the often-times political lyrical undertones, inventive and experimental take on pop, and for quite frankly being the nicest guy in indie music, John has managed to make this brand of music his life for the last decade and a half.
On May 19th, The Native Sound will reissue the record that started it all, John Vanderslice's debut LP, Mass Suicide Occult Figurines. Originally released by Barsuk Records in the year 2000, the record was celebrated by the then-burgoning MP3 blog culture, and bemoaned by Microsoft following an elaborate hoax in which John claimed the company had threatened legal action over the record’s cornerstone track, “Bill Gates Must Die”. Grounded in the guitars, and traditional rock structure of Vanderslice's previous band MK Ultra, the album serves as a preface to the quirkier, and more experimental leanings his future recordings would take – "Ambition and the opener "Confusion Boats" in particular, foreshadow what would soon become fully realized by his second LP.
Completely remastered by Bob Weston at Chicago Mastering, this reissue marks the first time Mass Suicide Occult Figurines has ever been pressed on vinyl. Manufactured by Quality Record Pressing – undisputedly the best pressing plant in the country – on 200 gram vinyl, the 12" will be housed in a heavyweight jacket with brand new water-colored art created by Joe Williams, a polylined sleeve, and will include a digital download of the remastered songs. A deluxe edition is also available including expanded art on a hand-numbered and screen-printed wrap around slip cover. This edition will also include a bonus double-sided 7" flexi disc featuring the new song, "Midnight Blue" and "Long Dark Blues", a Songs: Ohia cover in tribute to the late Jason Molina.
Standard LP:
- 12" (200 Gram)
- Heavyweight jacket
- Polylined sleeve
- Digital download
Deluxe LP:
- Standard LP
- Screen-printed, wrap around slip cover (hand-numbered)
- Double-sided 7" Flexi Disc featuring the new song, "Midnight Blue" and "Long Dark Blues", a Songs: Ohia cover (hand-numbered)
- Digital download
Click here to pre-order the 200 Gram 12" in standard and deluxe editions. We also have a Starter Pack including past John Vanderslice releases available in our webstore.
Posted on March 5th, 2015
Today Self-Titled Mag premiered Former Ghosts' "Past Selves (feat. Nika Roza Danilova)" – one of the two songs contributed by Former Ghosts on their upcoming split 7" with Funeral Advantage!
Former Ghosts/ Funeral Advantage – Split 7":
Former Ghosts was Freddy Ruppert in collaboration with Nika Roza Danilova (Zola Jesus), Jamie Stewart (Xiu Xiu) and Yasmine Kittles (Tearist). Two full-length albums, a handful of tours, and six years since the project's inception, Freddy has decided to put an end to the band with two final songs – "Last Hour's Bow" and "Past Selves". Presented in the form of a 7" Split/ Digital EP with Funeral Advantage – the lo-fi dream-pop project of Tyler Kershaw, a close friend of Ruppert's – these two songs mark an end to the dark and oftentimes emotionally draining, experimental synth-pop Former Ghosts had become known for.
"Last Hour's Bow" finds Freddy and Jamie together on a series of swirling and glitchy synths, while Yasmine vocally guides the pair. "Past Selves" on the other hand features Nika and Freddy both on vocals, harmonizing over a noisy soundscape equal parts fractious and atmospheric.
For Funeral Advantage's side, Tyler revisits "Wedding", a demo from the aptly titled debut, Demo, released by Disposable America in 2013. The song escapes it's lo-fi bedroom recording roots in this version and embraces the much more polished dream-pop sound of Funeral Advantage's recent offerings. “I Know Him” one of the band’s most upbeat song’s to date swirls with reverb and jangly guitar leads over a bass groove redolent of Andy Rourke and the Smiths.
This split release between Former Ghosts and Funeral Advantage will be available on April 14th as a digital EP, and a limited edition 7" pressed on Translucent Red and Black vinyl variants.
Pressing info:
Translucent Red – 100
Black – 200
Click here to pre-order the split 7", and here to subscribe to the Spring Split 7" Series (individual pre-orders for the other two splits will be available soon). We also have a Starter Pack including past Funeral Advantage releases available in our webstore.
Posted on February 26th, 2015
This Spring Koji will embark on his first full band tour since the summer of 2013! He'll be out as direct support for Such Gold, along with Brigades and Tommyy Boys. The tour will hit most of the east coast of the United States, and cities in Canada. Koji will be supporting his recent Struggletown-reissed Matters EP (which we originally issued on cassette tape), and the announcement that he has joined No Sleep Records for an upcoming full-length album.
If you're just getting to know Koji, pick up this Starter Pack in our webstore, including his four EP, including splits with Into It. Over It. and La Dispute.
Posted on February 24th, 2015
Unconditional Arms and Threading's Split is out today! The 7"/ Digital EP is streaming in full at Impose Magazine for those who want to give it a listen before purchasing. If you pre-ordered a copy, those should be going out within the next week or so – we're still waiting on the vinyl to come in from the plant. Below you will find a list of digital outlets where you can download or stream the EP.
iTunes: https://itun.es/us/f7VQ5
Spotify: http://spoti.fi/1DOqBWE
Bandcamp: http://bit.ly/1zcSHTU
Amazon: http://amzn.com/B00TPIAFE4
Rdio: http://rd.io/x/Rl6Sf2E-Ac8m/
Google Play: http://bit.ly/1BNd1Sw
YouTube: http://bit.ly/1LzxzxR
Pre-order 7": http://bit.ly/1A3sF5C
Pressing info:
Milky Clear – 100
Black – 200
Posted on February 17th, 2015
Today we are ecstatic to announce that Funeral Advantage has officially joined The Native Sound family. Hailing out of Boston, Massachusetts, Funeral Advantage is the brainchild of Tyler Kershaw. Formed in 2013 as a lo-fi bedroom pop project, releasing a demo tape and split 7" with Caténine on Disposable America, Funeral Advantage has since evolved into a full-fledged band including live/ touring members, and a busy schedule of releases this year. Having shared the stage with bands as diverse as Alvvays, Whirr, Craft Spells and Cloakroom, Funeral Advantage plays a brand of dream pop with roots in The Smith's grim, yet jangly guitars, and the reverb-drenched pop of current-day bands such as Beach Fossils and Real Estate.
First up and out now, is a double a-side single available both digitally, and as a limited edition hand-numbered 7" flexi disc, Not In My House / That's That. The single is available on iTunes, Amazon, Bandcamp, and all other major digital stores worldwide. The flexi disc is available for pre-order at our webstore, and scheduled to ship within the next two weeks. We've also made a Starter Pack including the band's past releases available in our webstore in physical and digital bundles to help you catch up.
The music video for "Not In My House", directed by Justin Ziebell is now premiering at Noisey for those who want to preview the release. "Full of bare branches, rippling reflections and milky skies, the video feels a lot like home footage from the solo camping trip of self-discovery most people talk about doing but few have actually done", they say.
A split 7" with Former Ghosts will follow the single, and is currently available for pre-order within our Spring Split 7" Series subscription, with individual pre-orders to come next month, and an official release in April. Finally, Funeral Advantage's full-length debut album is also set for release via The Native Sound later this year.
Pressing info:
Clear – 250
Test pressing – 15
