News
March 22, 2013Papier Tigre 7"
Sick Room will be releasing a new 7" EP from French band, Papier Tigre in April. Taking their clues from a lot of noise, post-rock and math-rock bands, these guys have come up with 2 songs here that are truly a pleasure to listen to. Laid back in a certain way, yet still full of interplay and frenetic polyrhythms. For fans of anything from early Gang of Four to Three Second Kiss. Check it out!
Freddie T. And The People
We are also happy to announce that we are helping out with Freddie T. and The People's sophmore record, Gypsy City. The LP is themed on the notion that despite all the struggle there is a place where we can all meet and be free. In Gypsy City, we shrug the oppression of financial responsibilities for a place where dreamers can work hard at the things they love and enjoy the fruits of their labor. Bandleader Fred Erskine has been around the block a few times in such acts as Hoover, June Of 44, Him, and Just A Fire, and the people are just as important, with impressive musical pedigrees of their own.
And, Check it out! They are going to be on tour w/ Ha Ha You:
March 28th - @Melody Inn, Indianapolis, Indiana. also with KO and the Pork and Beans Brass Band
March 29th - @Little Amps, Harrisburng, Pa. with Very Americans
March 30th - @Overlea Station, Baltimore, Md. with Alarms and Controls, My Useless Self
March 31st - @Black Cat, Washington, DC. with Alarms and Controls
April 1st - @Balliceaux, Richmond, Va.
April 2nd- TBD
April 3rd - @Cake Shop. NYC. with Bells≥, the Loom
April 4th - @BSP, Kingston, NY
April 5th - @Oasis Pub. New London, CT. with Daphne Lee Martin
April 6th - @Smiling Moose, Pittsburgh, Pa. w/ TBD
January 21, 2013
Three Second Kiss -- Tastyville
We are very proud to be able to release the newest record from Three Second Kiss of Bologna Italy. This record has garnered so much acclaim overseas, as the latest addition to an incredible discography dating back to 1996. Their most mature record to date, I would describe it as post-rock/noise in the vein of June of 44, Shellac, unwound, but with a bit of class, and a sophiticated flare that only such seasoned, impassioned musicians can impart to wax. SRR 069 is not to be overlooked!
December 28, 2012
Sick Room Records 2013: A Label Reborn
Well, it has been a really great year around here. I seriously cannot believe that I get to celebrate 10.5 years as a record label, with over 70 projects under our belt. It’s crazy.
At the end of 2010, I lost distribution. Both the record biz and the economy at large were faltering, my personal finances were uncertain, and this whole operation, my life’s work, was basically on the verge of collapse. If someone had even bothered to ask where I thought I would be so many months later, I would probably have bet on being out of business. But, life always has its way of surprising you, and I am so pleased to still be around. The only release I put out in 2011 was my own, without any retail support, just out of sheer stubbornness and because I didn’t know what else to do with it.
Towards the middle of the year, with help from my friends, and especially with the encouragement of the band KASH, I was able to find another distributor, Stickfigure, who was willing to take a chance on the label. I knew that I wasn’t going to be putting up huge numbers, but having them in my corner opens up access to the retail pipeline which is critical. So I need to thank Gavin Fredrick for keeping me in business as well.
KASH are from Italy, and they were not recording until November 2011 (w/ Steve Albini at Paride Lanciani’s Oxygen Studios). So I needed a project to kick things off in the meantime. Kris Poulin had sent me a demo of his band Phantom Works earlier in the year, and I loved it, but without distribution I knew that I couldn’t do much to help them. When I got back in touch with him and Matt Seifert, Kris was moving to San Diego and the LP was already in production. But, nonetheless, they were happy to work with me and after a few delays and a west coast tour, their self-titled record Phantom Works (SRR 065) came out in November of 2011, and it was great, a high watermark for sure and a springboard for me to figure out a way to make this work. A short trip to the UK for ATP and Italy to see my friends made me even more excited for the year ahead.
So the new year, 2012, rolls over, and I am still trying to do my best with what I have. Not really any money for promotion or advertising, just doing whatever I can on my own and through word of mouth and the goodness of people. At times it just feels like pissing in the ocean, but among all that its OK to hold out for those flickering moments of true honest connection. Finally, I had something to build off of, and more importantly a future to look forward to.
Also, in late January of 2012, I recorded my second Transmontane album with Luke Tweedy at his Flat Black Studios in Iowa City. He welcomed me with open arms and helped anchor my songs with magnificent engineering. I was able to hang out with some great folks and at the end of the weekend we had powered through 14 songs, 11 of which appear on Staring Back At You (SRR067).
Springtime came, and after many months of anticipation, KASH’s Full Of (SRR066) came out in April. It is a very passionate piece of wax, and those guys are truly unbelievable as friends and partners in life. Again, with the kindness of my friends I had begun to amass a pretty decent press list, but that is only about 1/10th of the battle, since you actually have to get people to actually pay attention to your message, listen to the record and then actually care about what is going on. Full Of was well received on both sides of the Atlantic.
June brought the release of SRR067 and that was interesting. I had been playing shows around town and through the help of my friend Julien got some media attention over in Europe and things turned out pretty good. I am definitely very fortunate to be able to do this, and it feels weird writing about myself so there is no need to dwell here.
Kash came over at the end of June for a 4-date mini tour. We did Milwaukee, Bloomington, St. Louis and culminated the trip with the PRF BBQ in Chicago. That night of the BBQ was really special, again, just one of those moments that keep you alive. The Gary played and they just killed it. It seriously was one of the best performances I have ever seen. Then Kash came in to knock down what The Gary had set up. They were just as good, putting every ounce of their indelible passion into their set. After a 1-2 punch like that, I practically had to scrape my heart off the ceiling. The whole weekend was more of the same, food, friends, music, drinks, mind-bending brilliance abounded.
Right around this time, The Gary’s record Remains (SRR068) was in the final stages of mastering, and we delivered it to the plant for production. A 2 week European tour had ben planned for September with our good friends, Joe4. This is where things got kind of crazy. My poor dog Bones needed emergency surgery and it turned out that he has cancer. He was in need of several rounds of chemo. I couldn’t let him go out like that, so I had to bail on the tour to tend to his needs. Then, our friend’s wife had complications with her pregnancy so that meant the other band had to back out as well, along with their van and backline. And then to top it all off, the record production was delayed so that they would not be ready until after the tour. In spite of all this, Trey, Dave and Paul rounded up their own transportation and equipment, and went out and completed the tour anyway, come hell or high water. None of the guys had ever even been to Europe and as far as they tell me, everything went great and they had a blast. Again, these wonderful, heroic guys bring us yet another example of standing down adversity and just going for broke even when the breaks are against you. It’s a quality that is present in their albums, and in the way they lead their lives.
So, the summer winds down, Remains is released in September 2012, and folks really seem to love this record, for good reason, because it is superb on so many levels. Again, it’s one of those projects where you just wish you could do so much more with what you have. They have also gotten to open up for Mission Of Burma through the Texas leg of that tour, and have been playing their hearts out ever since, along with working their asses off and raising their own kids. It’s almost superhuman on their part, and a testament to the power of the creative spirit.
Unfortunately, another disappointment was to follow. Because of the logistical delays with Remains and some scheduling conflicts with distribution, I ended up having to push my next release Tastyville (SRR 069) by the transcendent Three Second Kiss of Bologna, Italy back until January of 2013. This record is really something special, I think the best effort they have done in the 13 or so years they have been together. Sad that it got delayed, but it will be a great start to the new year for sure.2012 was capped off with a tremendous surprise. I have worked on certain projects over the years with Bob Weston and Steve Albini of Shellac. They were put in charge of curating the All Tomorrow’s Parties festival in Camber Sands, UK. I found out in October that they were inviting Bear Claw, a local Chicago band with 3 great records on Sick Room. Not too much later, I found out that Three Seccond Kiss would be there, and then as the selection process wore down, I went through the roof when KASH were invited as well. This will definitely go down in the books as one of the greatest weekends ever. Among all the incredible bands, famous and not-so-famous, were so many friends and other great folks, that it was such an uplifting event. I could wax on and on about it for days. The Sick Room bands definitely rose to the occasion in every way possible, for sure.
As far as looking forward to 2013, I have some fantastic projects coming up:
SRR 069 Three Second Kiss – Tastyville
SRR 070 Freddie T. and The People -- Gypsy City
SRR 071 Papier Tigre – S/T 7”
SRR 072 We Ride - 10"All of these records will have their own stories, and will be great additions to the Sick Room oeuvre in their own time, along with whatever other gems I might stumble across. However, the most important thing is to express my humblest thanks and sincerest gratitude to all of the bands who have worked so hard, my dear friends who have lent so much support, and to anyone who has bought a record or said something nice about Sick Room. It feels nice to have a purpose again.
Peace,
Ryan Duncan
www.sickroomrecords.comP.S. Want to hear these bands?
Phantom Works: http://phantomworks.bandcamp.com/
KASH: http://kash-italy.bandcamp.com/
Transmontane: http://transmontane.bandcamp.com/
The Gary: http://thegary.com/
Three Second Kiss: http://africantapegroup.bandcamp.com/releases
Bear Claw: http://bearclaw.bandcamp.com/
Freddie T. & The People: http://freddietandthepeople.bandcamp.com/album/people-in
Papier Tigre: http://papiertigre.bandcamp.com/
October 25, 2012
The Gary - Remains
Remains, the new LP by The Gary, is currently available digitally via Bandcamp, iTunes, Amazon and many other outlets. The vinyl hits store shelves on 11/20/2012. Can't wait for this highly anticipated album? you can order the LP direct from us right here!
All Tomorrow's Parties UK (11/30-12/02)
Sick Room is thrilled to announce that three of our bands, Kash, Three Second Kiss, and Bear Claw are playing the Shellac curated All Tomorrow's Parties festival in Camber Sands, UK! Tis will be a total blast! So many other great folks playing including Shellac, Wire, The Ex, Mission of Burma, Nina Nastasia, Shannon Wright, Melt Banana, Uzeda, Bottomless Pit, STNNNG, and more! go here for more info: http://www.atpfestival.com/events/shellacxmas.php
Freddie T. And The People
More great news! Sick Room will be releasing the next Freddie T. And The People Record. It is great, and currently in the mastering phase. Expected to be out ASAP in 2013. A fantastic offering from Fred Erskine (ex June of '44, Hoover, Just A Fire) along with a tremendous ensemble of others, that will be sure to surprise and intrigue everyone.
July 28, 2012
The Gary European Tour!
The Gary are striking out for other shores this fall, along with our good friends Joe 4 from Croatia! From 9/29 until 10/14 the two bands will be road dogging their way through Croatia, Czech Republic, Germanu, Belgium, France and Italy. Specific dates will be published very soon as things get comfirmed
The Gary -- Remains
Remains, The Gary's new record. has finally made it into production! All indications are that it will be ready for release in the early autumn. Everything about this record is fantastic, and I am honored to be helping to realize this project. Keep your ears open for a preview track or two.Bear Claw and Three Second Kiss at ATP
Shellac are curating this year's ATP: Nightmare Before Christmas festival at Camber Sands, UK in December. I am psyched to announce that they have invited two Sick Room bands to play this year. Bear Claw from Chicago USA and Three Second Kiss from Bologna, Italy are both on the roster, along with such major awesomness as Shellac themselves, Mission Of Burma, The Ex, Wire, Scrawl, and more. They have not announced the full lineup yet so there may be some other surprises! http://www.atpfestival.com/events/shellacxmas.php
June 26, 2012
Transmontane -- Staring Back At You
Another new release!!! This one is my own personal project, Transmontane. Solo guitar/voice but far from typical. More shoegaze/psych than folk. Recorded at Flat Black Studios by the excellent Luke Tweedy. RIYL Peter Jeffereis, Dean Wareham (Galaxie 500) Coedine, Neil Young. Beautiful limited edition colored transluscent vinyl.
Other upcoming releases
I am proud to also announce several other records coming out this fall and next winter! September will bring us a new one, Remains, by Austin TX juggernaut The Gary. I am so happy to also be working with Three Second Kiss again. Their record Tastyville should be in the public sphere by November, and my first project for 2013 will be a vinyl run for Freddie T. and The People.Kash on tour
Kash are hitting the states for a few exclusive dates: 6/26 in Milwaukee, 6/27 in Bloomington, IN and 6/28 in St. Louis. Come out!October 24, 2011
Phantom Works!
I am happy to announce ths new realease! Phantom works is a three peice punk rock band that combines the best sensibilities from the west coast and midwest into one dynamic package. A mix of high octane, frenetic punk rock (RFTC, Hot Snakes) along with driving post punk (Jesus Lizard, Tar). Truly a great record to add to any collectionStickfigure Distribution
After being without distribution for a big part of 2011, Sick Room is proud to join up with Stickfigure as our primary US distributor. It has been great to work with Gavin so far. So, let you local record store know that they can order anything off of our catalog through this fine company.February 10, 2011
Transmontane -- Lo Specchio Circolare
The debut solo record from Sick Room co-founder Ryan Duncan. Deep, reflective and introspective. Where you see dispair, you just might find hope. This records is available now! Check out the Transmontane Bandcamp page for streaming audio of the entire record. Transmontane will also be performing twice at SXSW this year.Bear Claw and Conformists to tour Europe
Both Bear Claw and The Conformists will be touring Europe this spring, each on their own accord. European press and booking will be handled through Julien at Five Roses. Dates will be posted as soon as they are confirmed.
October 19, 2010
Bear Claw -- Refuse This Gift
Bear Claw's third record for Sick Room, Return This Gift, hit the stores today! The result of ongoing experimentation ad collborative writing over three years, this record represents a huge leap forward for the band, as they have matured in so many different aspects. Limited to a single edition of 1,000 LPS w/ included CD. Preview the album at their bandcamp page.September 21, 2010
The Conformists -- None Hundred
The excellent third album from The Conformists, out of St. Louis, MO is available in stores now! These guys are absolutely legendary performers. As a post/prog/punk band, their antics and attitude are unmatched anywhere. Steve Albini has helped harnessed some of their energy on this ittle peice of wax. Album preview here.Martha's Vineyard Ferries -- In The Pond
A supergroup of sorts? the guys might balk at the term, but the talent is evident. Elisha Weisner (Kahoots), Bob Weston (Shellac, Mission of Burma) and Chris Brokaw (Come, Coedine, The New Year) got together last summer for some fun that resulted in the release of this 12" 4-song EP. Listen to the live stream here.
April 20, 2010
Passe Montagne - Oh My Satan Comes Out Today!
That's Right! The stylish, Limited Edition LP by some of our favorite euros is finally hitting the shelves! This record is really great and anyone who is a fan of post/math/punk rock needs to have it! It will brighten your life!Conformists/Passe Montagne Tour Dates!
Yeah! and in addition to their brand new record, the guys are coming over to the USA for a tour starting on Saturday 4/24 in Chicago. They will be joined by The Conformists, who are an amazing sight/sound experience. The Conformists are supporting the European re-release of their album, Three Hundred, but also have just finished a wonderful brand new record that will be available on Sick Room later this year!Dates:
Apr 24 2010 5:30P @ WNUR 89.3 FM, live radio show-5:30pm Evanston, Illinois
Apr 24 2010 9:30P @ Quenchers w/Bear Claw, Transmontane Chicago, Illinois
Apr 25 2010 8:00P @ Y-Not Y-Not Y-Not w/IfIHadAHiFi, Bzy Bodies Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Apr 26 2010 8:00P @ TBA Detroit, Michigan
Apr 27 2010 8:00P @ Garfield Artworks w/Passe Montagne, Altaic, tba Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Apr 29 2010 8:00P @ Cafe Nine w/Old Man Lady Luck (21+ show) New Haven, Connecticut
Apr 30 2010 8:00P @ Machines with Magnets w/Divets, Volcano Kings, Anisette Pawtucket, Rhode Island
May 1 2010 8:00P @ Dad City (house show) w/Zebu! Amherst, Massachusetts
May 2 2010 12:00P @ WNYU 89.1 FM, live set (listen online @ wnyu.org) both bands New York, New York
May 2 2010 8:00P @ Zebulon Brooklyn, New York
May 3 2010 8:00P @ An die Musik (quiet show) Baltimore, Maryland
May 4 2010 8:00P @ The Hexagon w/Yukon Baltimore, Maryland
May 5 2010 9:00P @ JR’s Bar w/Thee Ultimate Vag (21+ show) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
May 6 2010 8:00P @ South Park Tavern w/Toads and Mice Dayton, Ohio
May 7 2010 9:00P @ Locals Only Pub w/Rooms, Freddie T. & the People (ex-June of 44) Indianapolis, Indiana
May 8 2010 10:00P @ Mangia Italiano (21+ show) St. Louis, MissouriMarch 26, 2010
Passe Montagne - Oh My Satan
The awesome record from France/Italy's Passe Montagne will be available on an exclusive, limited edition (500 copies) vinyl LP w/ download on 4/20/2010. This record features Julien Fernandez of Chevreuil on drums. Mathy, riffy goodness!!!! They will be on tour with the USA golden boys, The Conformists through the midwest and eastern seaboard from 4/24-5/09. Go check them out when they come through!
February 9, 2010
Detective Instinct Videos
Oli has paired several of his projects with old found and archival footage to create some very compelling work. A few of these musical peices have been released as exclusive, limited edition 7" singles. More of these may be coming up in the future. But, all of these videos create a fascinating mood...
Cat Eye Light w/ Mike Watt:
Detective Instinct Youtube Channel
Conformists/Passe Montagne US Tour
New Sick Room Artists Passe Montagne(France/Italy) and The Conformists(St. Louis MO) will be teaming up for a 2-week tour of the northeast and midwest 4/23/10-5/09/10. The route has them going up to boston and then down to Baltimore/DC with shows in Chicago, St. Louis, Philly, NYC and points between. This will be awesome!The Conformists
Passe MontagneNovember 10, 2009
Detective Instinct Series out today!
The Detective instince 7" series is out today! I simply can't say enough about how good this collection is. Collaborations with Mike Watt, G.W. Sok, The Champaign and Jimy McGee. Check out this review. Awesome doesn't even begin to describe it. It is a true honor.
September 21, 2009
Alexis Gideon's Video Musics
Video Musics, the masterwork of Portland, OR (Via NYC, Chicago, LA) animation/hip-hop/noise empresario Alexis Gideon Hits store shelves Tomorrow! A double disc extravaganza, one side is the DVD and the other is the CD Soundtrack. Loosely based on classic Hungarian folk tales, Video Musics tells of the (mis)adventures of Brimstone Blane, as he is surrounded by troubles and tribulations on his heroic quest. This release is highly anticipated throughout the USA and Europe. Coincidentally, Alexis is smack in the middle of his US tour right now, with Europe to follow in the spring. A limited edition of 1,000 copies only!July 14, 2009
Web Store Back On-Line!
After a few weeks of being down due to my extended absence, the web store is back up and running! So now you can once again order all of your favorite LPs, CDs, DVDs and more directly from us and skip the middle man. Thanks for your patience.
Alexis Gideon: Video Musics
We are so happy to be helping our old friend Alexis with another amazing project. This just might be his magnum opus, but who knows what our resident eclectic genius has up his sleeve? Video Musics is actually a combination CD/DVD of a wonderful hip-hopera inspired by some traditional mythologies but with a real twist. All of the video/animations/graphics were created by Alexis, and he composed all of the music. Absolutely indescribable, an amazing peice of work, and so much fun.
Detective Instinct
Our friend Oli Heffernan lives in the UK. He knows all manner of amazing, wonderful people. He has this incredible project called Detective Instinct, where he lays down some music, and has a guest come in and do the vocals. A gritty/ lo-fi amalgam of really unique music and spoken/sung words emerge as the result. We are presenting the first four installments as a limited edition series of 7" EPs out late 2009:
Detective Instinct Presents #1: The Champaign
Detective Instinct Presents #2: Mike Watt (of The Minutemen and Mike Watt)
Detective Instinct Presents #3: G. W. Sok (of The Ex)
Detective Instinct Presents #4: Jimmy McGee
April 24, 2009
Pink Mountain 2XLP+CD out next week!
We are pumped to welcome the new record from Pink Mountain! An incredible collection of talented performers (Gino Robair, Sam Coomes, Kyle Bruckman, Scott Rosenberg, John Shiruba), Pink Mountain is the result of five weird old men with little or nothing to lose, flinging ill-advised ideas around the room like pieces of wet spaghetti, trusting that the process will wind up greater than the sum of its parts. In said process, they seem to have echo located and pried open a wormhole in space linking RIO, no wave skronk, AACM-informed Creative Music and good old fashioned stoner prog. Please note: No jamming was undertaken in the making of this record. This thing is incredible!!!!
Pink Mountain "Ditch Witch" mp3
Direct Mail Order is Taking a Break
I am taking a little soujourn from rock for the months of May and June to attend Bikram Yoga Tracher Training in Palm Springs, CA. This is a one-main operation and the yogis are going to be keeping me pretty busy, so I have to suspend all direct mail order while I am away. Sorry for the inconvinience. In my absence our stuff can easily be found at other on-line retailers such as insound and Amazon.com. Namaste!
March 30, 2009
The Blackbelt Band: 4/10 @ Union Rock Yards Chicago
The Blackbelt Band is trucking it all the way up to chicago for a one-night-only special performance at The Un ion Rock Yards! This is an event not to be missed!
4/10/2009 8:00 PM
Union Rock Yards
2734 W. North Ave.
Chicago, Illinois 60647
*Enter Through Back Alley
Rabid Rabbit
The BLACKbELT Band
Sick Gazelle
Cost: $5TRICLOPS! Touring Europe!
Our Favorite west coast psych-punk fuzzbusters are hitting the road across the pond! Dates here:
- Fri Apr 3 2009 at Supamolli Berlin, Germany
- Sat Apr 4 2009 at Blackfleck Potsdam, Germany
- Sun Apr 5 2009 at W71 Weikersheim, Germany
- Wed Apr 8 2009 at Menza Pri Koritu Ljubiljana, Slovenia
- Thu Apr 9 2009 at Atlantide Bologna, Italy
- Fri Apr 10 2009 at Spazio Autogestito Babilonia Cervo (Imperia), Italy
- Sat Apr 11 2009 at Localypso II Pau, France
- Sun Apr 12 2009 at La Fourmi Limoges, France
- Mon Apr 13 2009 at La Miroiterie Paris, France
- Tue Apr 14 2009 at Sonic Lyon, France
- Wed Apr 15 2009 at L’embobineuse Marseille, France
- Thu Apr 16 2009 at Club del Ritme Barcelona, Spain
- Fri Apr 17 2009 at Le Pavillon Sauvage Toulouse, France
- Sat Apr 18 2009 at Bahina de Cochinos Castrop Rauxel, Germany
- Sun Apr 19 2009 at Elfenbein Herford, Germany
- Mon Apr 20 2009 at Hafenklang Hamburg, Germany
- Tue Apr 21 2009 at Cafe Trauma Marburg, Germany
- Thu Apr 23 2009 at Underworld Krakow, Poland
- Fri Apr 24 2009 at VSETIN-SEMETIN(hospoda u Van?ur?) with LVMEN Vsetin, Czech Republic
- Sat Apr 25 2009 at Melkweg (Milky Way) Amsterdam, Netherlands
Bear Claw Video Tour Diary
here are some links for a video tour diary assembled by Scott Picco of Bear Claw from their Spring 2008 European Tour. He did a great job of capturing the essence of the trip:
| Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 |
Pink Mountain: Getting Closer
The Gorgeous Pink Mountain 2XLPs (w/ a free CD included) have arrived! Let me tell you they are fantastic looking pieces of work. No pre-orders so be prepared to fire up those credit cards once the official release date (4/28/09) hits. More info here.
Get your own knuckles at the knuckle tattoo gun.March 17, 2009
The Blackbelt Band - A New Community
Founded in the great city of New Orleans, the members of The Blackbelt Band have been playing together in various projects (Community, The Wrong History) over the last 12 years. Drawing from personal experience, as well as the rich traditions of their environment, these guys have combined a myriad of different elements to develop their signature style. The New CD is out today! you can order it directly from Sick Room or look for it at your local independent retail outlet. If they don't have it in stock they can always special order...
February 16, 2009
Spring releases something special!
OK we are so pumped to announce 2 awesome projects that will be rolling out as the seasons change yet again. The Blackbelt Band, from New Orleans, is rolling out their incredible debut, A New Community on St. paddy's day. Thise guys blend eveything under the hot, swampy sun into a whirlwind of punk, progressive, funk, blues, etc. Seriously a band not to be messed with. following hot on their heels, in April, comes the self-titled Pink Mountain, a really beautiful, limited edition double LP plus CD from the west coast. Mossy, fuzzy, manic prog-rock with a kick, this record is one helluva ride.
Chicago Independent
I also want to mention that our distribution partner has totally re-structured, re-vamped, and even re-named itself. Southern Records USA is now Chicago Independent Distribution. Take a look at their new site:http://www.chicago-independent.com/
This is really exciting news, which entails major improvements in service to all of our buyers, talent, and other clients. We could not be happier.
January 13, 2009
SRR 052 Quatre Tete - Art of the State
Quatre Tête's most recent release, 'Art of the State' is 38 minutes and 55 seconds of synapse-melting timing and memory-challenging arrangements that never overwhelms the pure joy of a rock band firing on all cylinders. Their disparate influences converge to a perfectly imperfect labyrinth of sound and rhythm. Sick Room is proud to be releasing this CD today! Ask for it at your local, independent record store or order it here! It willbe available from iTunes and many other online retailers very soon. Thanks!November 11, 2008
Double Happiness!
Today is a special, rare day for Sick Room. A double release! Going at it twice in one day!SRR 050 Three Second Kiss - Long Distance
TSK are an incrediblr post-punk outfit from Bologna, Italy. Shades of US Maple, The Jesus Lizard, 90 Day MenSRR 051 Push-Pull - HELLO SOLDIER!!!
A wonderful band of Mikes from Bloomington, IN. A re-up of their 2005 self-published record. Incredible, humorous, insane, delightful...These guys should be available starting today from your local independent record store. You can also find them online at places like Insound, Amazon, Tower, etc. As well as through our network of download content providers. Thank you.
Quatre Tete - The Art of the State
This CD has finally made it into production! These amazing Chicagoans know how to bring the rock, It's like the mid-1990's in DC never really ended. Look for it in Jan. '09. LP available on Bec-Rec recordings...September 11, 2008
Push-Pull and Three Second Kiss: 11/11/08
We are pulling double duty this fall, as two fine records, Long Distance by Three Second Kiss, and HELLO SOLDIER!!! by Push-Pull are both being released on November 11th, 2008. Confidence abounds that both of these albums will be loved by all. Please keep an eye out for them at your local independent retailer. They will also be avialble on-line via our multiple partners (ooh la la).
Sick Room is all over the web 2.0!
Look us up on your favorite social or musical network!
Facebook: http://www.new.facebook.com/pages/Sick-Room-Records-Ltd/12562572052
Twitter:http://twitter.com/sickroom
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/sickroomrecordsltd
Last FM: http://www.last.fm/user/sickroomrecords
Pandora: username sickroom@sickroomrecords.com
August 8, 2008
Bike The Dog!
Bike The Dog, Chicago's premeir cycling/gastronomic challenge, is happening on Saturday, September 13th! The ride is 17.8 miles, and along the way, we will stop at nine different locations for a famous Chicago style hot dog! We are trying to raise a little money for this event. Everything will go to the family of Stella Ackerman to help them out with some of their expenses. She is the 2 1/2 year old daughter of Craig Ackerman and Rebecca Gleason, living with a rare blood disorder. More information can be found here http://www.sickroomrecords.com/bikethedog. We have posters available for sale and T-shirts are coming soon!
The Blackbelt Band
My good friends from New Orleans are hitting the studio this weekend! This record promises to be something truly unique and I am so pumped to be able to help them release it. BlackBelt... is a three-piece band formed from the demises of Community and The Wrong History.... They have played music together (off and on) for more than 12 years and have known each other for even longer. This particular project uses a combination of acoustic, electronic, and analog instruments/sound. We just really like music and playing music together...They don't subscribe to any particular "scene".....So, call them whatever you want...we accept. Look for the record early in 2009.
Three Second Kiss
The US version of Long Play, by the fine Italians, Three Second Kiss, has gone into production. The proposed release date is sometime in September. It will come on CD and a beautiful 12" LP package along with the CD. Limited edition. Awesome, incredible, intricate stop/start post punk in the vein of all your favorite music ever.
Push-Pull
Later this fall, we are proud to be re-issuing Hello Soldier, from Bloomington Indiana's Push-Pull. Catchy, witty, smart. Imagine a cross between Shellac, Mudhoney, and the Minutemen and you're like half way there. Great guys, great town, great music.6/12/2008
Been a long time...
Hey guys! sorry it's been such a long time since the last update. We have been kind of keeping it close to the bone lately, re-structuring, becoming leaner cleaner and meaner. But, we have some cool stuff on the horizon for the fall, including a vinyl project from Itlay's Three Second Kiss, co-released with Mitch and Julien's new label AfricanTape. Also, 2009 will be bringing some awesome projects as well.AfricanTape
Speaking of our brand new sister label, they are really going gangbusters. Three Second Kiss is touring all over the place in Europe, and they have just announced their second release, a band called Aucan from Brescia, Italy who come across with sort of an electro-hardcore feel and have been compared to the likes of Battles and Four Tet. Check out http://africantape.com/ for more info!3/19/2008
Hey we got w/ the times and set up a group on Facebook. So now you can come be our fan:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sick-Room-Records-Ltd/12562572052
Thanks!3/11/08
Future Sandwich!!!!!!
So, the debut EP from Chicago's own Them, Roaring Twenties, comes out today! This is a realll special record for all of us. Not only is the music an absolutely delicious slice of post/prog/rock (think Hella, Make Beleive, Tortoise, etc.) but the CD comes packaged with a one-of a kind, very fun, band-themed board game. Each limeted edition copy was painstakingly crafted and assembled by hand. Rock on, guys!Bear Claw European Tour!
Bear Claw are heaqding to Europe next month for an extensive three week tour! Here are the dates:
04th April | Berlin - GE | Red Rooster
05th April | Munchen - GE | Orange House
06th April | Koln - GE | Tba
07th April | Hamburg - GE | Hafenklang
08th April | London - UK | The Metro
09th April | Glasgow - SCO | 13th Note Cafe
10th April | Cardiff - Wales | Club Ifor Bach
11th April | Namur - BE | Le Belvedère
12th April | Peer - BE | De Wissel
13th April | Le Havre - FR | Cabaret Electric + Barra Head
14th April | Nantes - FR | Le Férailleur + Gatechien
15th April | France | Tba
16th April | Paris - FR | Mains d'Oeuvres
17th April | Lyon - FR | Sonic + Gatechien
18th April | Padova - IT | Stalker
19th April | Pescara - IT | Mono Spazio Bar
20th April | Torino - IT | United + KASH
21th April | OFF
22th April | Udine - IT | No Fun
23th April | Milano - IT | Magnolia
24th April | Geneve - CH | L'Usine
25th April | Berne - CH | Dachstock + Three Second Kiss
26th April | Freiburg - GE | Kts
So, all you sick room fools across the pond need to come see them! They will be bringing their A game for sure!
1/21/08
L'Ocelle Mare
We are just about ready to bust out a pair of brand new releases on all y'all! February 8th will be the self-titled effort from L'ocelle Mare AKA Thomas Bonvalet. Formerly, he was the amazing guitarist from the post/rock, post/folk duo Cheval De Frise. Her we see him striking out on his own with a new breed of captivating works for classical guitar. It's kind of like David Grubbs and Jim O'Rourke dancing together in a dark fairytale.
Them, Roaring Twenties
But you also don't have to wait too long for the debut from Chicago's Them, Roaring Twenties! which hits the streets on Marh 8, 2008. Excellent, dynamic and intricate prog rock in the midwestern tradition. Start/stop melodies and a linear framework make this ball of yarn a pleasure to unravel. A little Make Beleive, a little Deerhoof, a little Hella you've got the idea...Welcome African Tape!
We are teaming up with out good friend Julien Fernandez (Chevreuil, Passe Montagne) to start a whole new cross-continental imprint called African Tape. This is easily the most exciting thing that has ever happened to us. Julien has been working very hard with his own company in Italy, 5iveroses press and booking, and this synergy is bound to open up a world of possiblities. This patrnership is also going to require a radical re-structuring and re-defining of roles, but every step we are taking is in a positive direction...
