Event

Christmas Collector Countdown 2023 #21: The Clerkenwelll Kid – Junkshop Melodies CD

JM lot2 A daily post throughout December of records, CDs, books, comics or other ephemera that I’ve bought or been given recently from independent artists, labels or publishers who would welcome your support.

#21. The Clerkenwell Kid – Junkshop Melodies CD
A solo album from The Clerkenwell finally, another Stephen Coates alias and a final design credit for 2023 for me. Housed in a printed tin, with CD, colour insert, TRTW badge, Clerkenwell Kid card and what is that array of mini cards fanned out at the bottom? Not actually out until January but keep an eye on The Real Tuesday Weld Bandcamp page in the new year.

https://therealtuesdayweld.bandcamp.com/

Posted in Event, Music, Openmind designs. | No Comments | Tags: , ,

Christmas Collector Countdown 2023 #20: Upside Down Records


USD records
A daily post throughout December of records, CDs, books, comics or other ephemera that I’ve bought or been given recently from independent artists, labels or publishers who would welcome your support.

#20. Upside Down Records

South East London’s newest used record shop, located at 203 Deptford High Street, SE8 3NT and run by ex-Rat Records manager Philippe Giron – pay them a visit as they settle in with daily new-in vinyl top ups and hi-fi.
https://upsidedownrecords.co.uk/ (SE London)
https://www.instagram.com/upsidedownrecords/

Other great used record shops in the UK:
https://www.instagram.com/thebookandrecordbar/ (SW London)
https://www.instagram.com/wowandflutterhastings/ (Hastings)
https://www.instagram.com/pressingmattersrecordshop/ (Hastings)
https://www.instagram.com/musicandvideoexchange/ (SE London)
https://www.instagram.com/the_diskery/ (Birmingham)
https://www.instagram.com/lorosspiralscratch/ (Leicester)
https://www.instagram.com/mixeduprecords/ (Glasgow)
https://www.instagram.com/kingbeerecords/ (Manchester)
https://www.instagram.com/digvinyl/ (Liverpool)
https://www.instagram.com/rarekindrecords/ (Brighton)
https://www.instagram.com/wantedrecordsbristol/ (Bristol)
https://www.instagram.com/atlantis_records_hackney/ (E London)
https://www.instagram.com/yoyorecordslondon/ (E London)
https://www.instagram.com/wsa.london/ (N London)
Also (not on Instagram):
Prime Cuts (Bristol)
Alan’s Records (N London)

WSA
Wanted
King Bee
Rarekind
BARB
WAF2
Loros-spiral-scratch-loros_2
Mixed Up2
Alans

Posted in Event, Music, Records. | No Comments | Tags:

Christmas Collector Countdown #19: West Norwood Cassette Library

WNCL front
A daily post throughout December of records, CDs, books, comics or other ephemera that I’ve bought or been given recently from independent artists, labels or publishers who would welcome your support.

#18. West Norwood Cassette Library label 12”/10”/DL
Excellent South East London label of hard as nails bass and bleeps run by Bob Bhamra. Check out Jane In Palma’s banging version of ‘The Horn Track’ to start.

https://wnclrecordings.bandcamp.com/album/wncl042
https://wnclrecordings.bandcamp.com/

WNCL back

Posted in Event, Music, Records. | No Comments | Tags: ,

Christmas Collector Countdown 2023 #18: Obscure Records Collection

CompleteObscure_LP05_C web
A daily post throughout December of records, CDs, books, comics or other ephemera that I’ve bought or been given recently from independent artists, labels or publishers who would welcome your support.

#18. Obscure Records Collection 10xLP/CD box set 
w. book
The Brian Eno-curated mid-70s label gets the reissue treatment and it’s beautifully done but not cheap! 10xCD set with book around £130, 10xLP set with book around £300-£430!
Downloads of six of the albums are available on the label’s Bandcamp for €12 per LP – minus the classics by Eno, Penguin Cafe, Michael Nyman, Harold Budd (which you can find easily elsewhere).

https://spaceechorecords.bandcamp.com/
See more details in my earlier post

CompleteObscure_LP03 web

Posted in Design, Event, Music. | No Comments | Tags: ,

Christmas Collector Countdown 2023 #17: Raj Pannu – Past Crimes EP

Raj front
A daily post throughout December of records, CDs, books, comics or other ephemera that I’ve bought or been given recently from independent artists, labels or publishers who would welcome your support.

Raj back
#17. Raj Pannu – Past Crimes EP 12”
My old friend Raj Pannu finally releases a new 12” with his own compositions on this excellent electronic 5 track EP. On the To Pikap label out of Thessaloniki, Greece.
https://topikaprecords.bandcamp.com/album/past-crimes
https://topikaprecords.bandcamp.com/music

Raj A
Raj B
Raj topik

Posted in Event, Music, Records. | No Comments | Tags: , ,

Christmas Collector Countdown 2023 #16: Various Artists – Tape Excavation LP

Tape Excavation front
A daily post throughout December of records, CDs, books, comics or other ephemera that I’ve bought or been given recently from independent artists, labels or publishers who would welcome your support.

Tape Excavation back
#16. Various Artists – Tape Excavation LP
Literally what it says on the tin; obscurities from the tape drawer compiled by Bruce Licher and beautifully printed on a custom card sleeve with inserts, all lovingly detailed in the Savage Impressions book that this originally accompanied which showcases 30 years of the Independent Print Project label’s release history.

https://brucelicher.bandcamp.com/album/tape-excavation

https://independentprojectrecords.bandcamp.com/merch/savage-impressions-an-aesthetic-expedition-through-the-archives-of-independent-project-records-press-book
https://independentprojectrecords.bandcamp.com/music

Tape Excavation detail 2
Tape Excavation detail
Tape Excavation inside
SAVIMP front
SAVIMP
SAVIMP 1
SAVIMP 2
SAVIMP 3
SAVIMP pages

Posted in Books, Design, Event, Music, Records. | No Comments | Tags: , ,

Christmas Collector Countdown 2023 #15: Stereolab – The In Sound stamp sheets

Stereolab stamps 1
A daily post throughout December of records, CDs, books, comics or other ephemera that I’ve bought or been given recently from independent artists, labels or publishers who would welcome your support.

Stereolab stamps 2
#15. Stereolab – The In Sound stamp sheets
Commemorative stamps that went with the long sold out 7” release Independent Project Records made with Stereolab.

https://independentprojectrecords.bandcamp.com/merch/stereolab-the-in-sound-stamp-sheets-set-of-4-different-colors

https://independentprojectrecords.bandcamp.com/music



Stereolab stamps 3

Posted in Design, Event, Music. | No Comments | Tags: , ,

Christmas Collector Countdown 2023 #14: Source: The Independent Project Records Collection CD

Source front
A daily post throughout December of records, CDs, books, comics or other ephemera that I’ve bought or been given recently from independent artists, labels or publishers who would welcome your support.

Source back no
#14. Various Artists – Source: The Independent Project Records Collection CD
A starting point for newcomers to the label, largely run, designed and printed by Bruce Licher, featuring a number of his own aliases alongside post-punk bands of the 80s and 90s.

https://sourcevariousartistscompilation.bandcamp.com/album/source-the-independent-project-records-collection

https://independentprojectrecords.bandcamp.com/music

Source back
Source CD
Source inside
Source package

Posted in Design, Event, Music, Records. | No Comments | Tags: ,

Christmas Collector Countdown 2023 #13: Bruce Licher – Exploratorium 3” CD / Expanded CD

Exploratorium 12%22 front
A daily post throughout December of records, CDs, books, comics or other ephemera that I’ve bought or been given recently from independent artists, labels or publishers who would welcome your support.

Exploratorium CD back

#13. Bruce Licher – Exploratorium 3” CD / Expanded CD
The first of several releases I’m going to feature from Independent Project Records. The exquisitely designed and letterpress-printed releases on this label have to be seen and held in the flesh to be fully appreciated.
This is label owner Bruce Licher’s solo ambient explorations, firstly as a 3″ CD held onto 12″ square piece of card and later in a custom-printed foldout card sleeve with booklet on regular-sized CD.

https://brucelicher.bandcamp.com/album/exploratorium-expanded

https://brucelicher.bandcamp.com/album/exploratorium

https://independentprojectrecords.bandcamp.com/music



Exploratorium 12%22 detail 2
Exploratorium 12%22 detail 4
Exploratorium 12%22 back
Exploratorium CD inside
Exploratorium CD
Exploratorium detail CD 2
Exploratorium detail CD

Posted in Design, Event, Mini CDs, Music. | No Comments | Tags: , ,

Christmas Collector Countdown 2023 #12: Anna Readman comics

AR comics
A daily post throughout December of records, CDs, books, comics or other ephemera that I’ve bought or been given recently from independent artists, labels or publishers who would welcome your support.

#12. Anna Readman comics
I discovered Anna’s autobiographical comics amongst the small press section at Gosh Comics (the best selection in London) and was delighted when she recently won the Observer/Faber’s best graphic short story prize – one to watch.

https://annareadman.bigcartel.com/

www.theguardian.com/books/2023/nov/05/anna-readman-winner-observer-faber-graphic-short-story-prize-2023-dancing-queen
https://goshlondon.com/small-press/

AR 1
AR 2
AR 3
AR 4
AR 5
AR 7
AR 8
AR 9

Posted in Comics, Event. | No Comments | Tags: , ,

Christmas Collector Countdown 2023 #11: Kevin Foakes – Wheels of Light book

WheelsofLight_cover edit
A daily post throughout December of records, CDs, books, comics or other ephemera that I’ve bought or been given recently from independent artists, labels or publishers who would welcome your support.

#11. Kevin Foakes – Wheels of Light + Four Corners Books
Got to plug something of my own – my book on projection wheel designs for British light shows has been out for just over a year now and the lovely people at Four Corners Books have a wealth of obscure publications to complement it.

WOL3
WOL7
WOL6
WOL2
WOL5
There’s still time to buy from Four Corners before Xmas and, if you spend over £30 on their site, they’ll send you a limited edition enamel pin designed by John Morgan, plus a Bearandas postcard as an extra stocking filler. Offer ends 18 Dec, while stocks last

409035921_877193421077393_3041382409223599658_n

https://www.fourcornersbooks.co.uk/books/wheels-of-light/

https://www.fourcornersbooks.co.uk/



Posted in Books, Design, Event, Light Shows. | No Comments | Tags: , ,

Christmas Collector Countdown 2023 #10: Lo Five – Vanish LP

Lo5 front
A daily post throughout December of records, CDs, books, comics or other ephemera that I’ve bought or been given recently from independent artists, labels or publishers who would welcome your support.

#10. Lo Five – Vanish LP + Castles In Space Subscription Library
Third album (I think? It’s hard to keep up) for Castles In Space from Neil Grant but only available via the CiS Subscription Library sub label. Luckily this is the best label subscription out there with exclusive members-only releases, regular competitions to win rare releases and test pressings and even chances to appear on record.
https://lofivemusic.bandcamp.com/

https://cissublibrary.bandcamp.com/community


Lo 5 back

Posted in Event, Music, Records. | No Comments | Tags: , ,

Christmas Collector Countdown 2023 #9: Official Report On The Intransitionalist Chronotopologies Of Kenji Siratori: Appendix 8.2.3

TRS book CD
A daily post throughout December of records, CDs, books, comics or other ephemera that I’ve bought or been given recently from independent artists, labels or publishers who would welcome your support.

TRS book inside 1
TRS book inside 2
TRS book inside 3
TRS book inside 4
TRS book back

#9. Official Report On The Intransitionalist Chronotopologies Of Kenji Siratori: Appendix 8.2.3 Book / CD
 / DL
Avant garde cut and paste collage with the longest title I own plus mind-boggling paperback book from the wonderful Time Released Sound label. They are about to publish a book of 10 years of the label’s releases and packaging too – one to look out for.
https://timereleasedsound.bandcamp.com/album/official-report-on-the-intransitionalist-chronotopologies-of-kenji-siratori-appendix-823
https://timereleasedsound.bandcamp.com/

Posted in Books, Design, Event, Music. | No Comments | Tags: ,

Christmas Collector Countdown 2023 #8: The Luvmenauts – In Space LP + comic
 / DL

Luvmenauts LP comic
A daily post throughout December of records, CDs, books, comics or other ephemera that I’ve bought or been given recently from independent artists, labels or publishers who would welcome your support. 
Buy links in bio

#8. The Luvmenauts – In Space LP + comic
 / DL
Fuzz drums and electronics with an outer space theme – check,
Luke Insect-designed sleeve – check,
Accompanying comic illustrated by Moon Toboggan – check.
No-brainer
https://theluvmenauts.bandcamp.com/album/in-space
https://dorightmusic.bandcamp.com/
https://www.moontoboggan.com/art
https://michaelmcglennon.bandcamp.com/merch

Luvmenauts LP comic back
Luvmenauts LP back
Luvmenauts comic 1
Luvmenauts comic 2
Luvmenauts comic 3
Luvmenauts comic 4
Luvmenauts comic 5
Luvmenauts comic 6
Luvmenauts comic 7

Posted in Comics, Design, Event, Music, Records. | No Comments | Tags: , , ,

Christmas Collector Countdown 2023 #6: Luke Insect – Acid Valley book + posters


AVbook
A daily post throughout December of records, CDs, books, comics or other ephemera that I’ve bought or been given recently from independent artists, labels or publishers who would welcome your support.

#9. Luke Insect – Acid Valley book + posters

A3 sized catalogue for the recent Acid Valley exhibition documenting all the posters Luke has designed for Trades in Hebden Bridge and the Golden Lion in Todmorden. He also has limited copies of the posters for sale too if you contact him.
https://lukeinsect.bigcartel.com/product/acid-valley-a3-poster-book
https://cargocollective.com/lukeinsect
https://www.instagram.com/lukeinsect/

AVbook1
AVbook2
AVbook3
AVbook4
AVbook5
AVbook6

Posted in Books, Design, Event, Poster / flyer. | No Comments | Tags: , ,

Christmas Collector Countdown 2023 #5: The Real Tuesday Weld – Winter Warmers

WW tin lid CD card web
A daily post throughout December of records, CDs, books, comics or other ephemera that I’ve bought or been given recently from independent artists, labels or publishers who would welcome your support. 


WW tin lid 1 web
#6. The Real Tuesday Weld – Winter Warmers 3” CD
As is the custom, each December brings a 3” CD release from Stephen Coates aka The Real Tuesday Weld. This is a companion to the soon-to-be-released Camberwell Kid album and the fifth Xmas CD I’ve designed for him.
https://therealtuesdayweld.bandcamp.com/album/winter-warmers

https://therealtuesdayweld.bandcamp.com/

WW cards web

Posted in Bureau of Lost Culture, Event, Mini CDs, Music, Openmind designs. | No Comments | Tags: , ,

Christmas Collector Countdown 2023 #5: Vic Mars -The Beacons LP

VM front
A daily post throughout December of records, CDs, books, comics or other ephemera that I’ve bought or been given recently from independent artists, labels or publishers who would welcome your support.|

5. Vic Mars – The Beacons LP 

Beautiful outdoor atmospheres evoked on Vic Mars’ fourth LP for Clay Pipe Music, complete as ever with lovely cover art by Frances Castle who runs the label.
https://claypipemusic.bandcamp.com/album/the-beacons
https://claypipemusic.bandcamp.com/

VM backVM insideVM no.s

Posted in Event, Music, Records. | No Comments | Tags: , ,

Christmas Collector Countdown 2023 #4: FSOL – Pulse Five 12″ + poster

FSOL Clear
A daily post throughout December of records, CDs, books, comics or other ephemera that I’ve bought or been given recently from independent artists, labels or publishers who would welcome your support.
#4. The Future Sound Of London – Pulse Five 2×12” / poster

FSOL black
OK, so something I had a hand in – it was an absolute pleasure to design the sleeve and poster for this unreleased collection of early 90s tracks from the FSOL stable and help contribute a new volume to the legendary Pulse series.
De:tuned have black and clear vinyl editions plus I designed an exclusive De:tuned T-shirt that heralds the label’s 15 year anniversary in 2024.
Detune T shirt
FSOL Orange
https://detunedrecords.bandcamp.com/album/presents-pulse-five
https://detunedrecords.bandcamp.com/merch/15-years-de-tuned-t-shirt-3
https://detunedrecords.bandcamp.com/
The orange vinyl edition is a Bleep exclusive and I worked with Jonas Ranson again for the numbered screen printed poster available as part of their advent calendar.
Each Bleep 12” should come with one of six different postcards taken from the bottom of the poster.

FSOL poster
https://bleep.com/release/430034-the-future-sound-of-london-presents-pulse-five
https://bleep.com/merch/429802-the-future-sound-of-london-the-future-sound-of-london-presents-pulse-five-print

Posted in Event, Music, Records. | No Comments | Tags: , , , , ,

Christmas Collector Countdown 2023 #1-3

I had the thought to do a daily post throughout December of records, CDs, books, comics or other ephemera that I’ve bought or been given recently from independent artists, labels or publishers who would welcome your support. I’m always grateful when people give me their work and it’s the least I can do to highlight it in some way or place. I was travelling most of Dec 1st and putting this together most of yesterday so here are the first 3 entries of items I think are worthy of investigation and – dare I say it? – may even make nice Xmas presents for someone out there. These are in no particular order by the way, the usual end of year round up post will go up on Dec 31st and may well include several of them…

IMG_7121IMG_7116
IMG_7117
IMG_7118
IMG_7119
IMG_7120
1. Battery Operated Orchestra – Compulsory Games CD
Fantastic handmade packaging (as ever) from Brigitte and Chris on their fifth album – if female led vocal synth pop is your bag then this is for you.

https://booelectric.bandcamp.com/album/compulsory-games

https://booelectric.bandcamp.com/

IMG_7139
IMG_7140
IMG_7141
IMG_7142
IMG_7143
2. Move 78 – Grains LP
Excellent, moody live jazz with intricate production touches from The Natural Curriculum’s Aver. (This is the test pressing and print edition btw which is now sold out). Watch the making of the print by Daisy Kidd here

https://move78.bandcamp.com/album/grains

https://move78.bandcamp.com/


IMG_7135
IMG_7136
IMG_7137
3. Prime Cuts – Chartist EP 12”
Tight electro rave beats, ragga-infused dubs and locked groove loops from the world class turntablist and DJ, Prime Cuts on The Trilogy Tapes
https://thetrilogytapes.bandcamp.com/album/chartist-ep

https://thetrilogytapes.bandcamp.com/


PS: If you want more digital music recommendations my December Buy Music List is up now too

Posted in Event, Music, Records. | No Comments | Tags: , , ,