For all you Birdmen who will be in Austin for SXSW, please come down to Room 710--Saturday night---starting at 8pm--for our annual showcase. Details on the flyer below created by the magnificent Cameron Forsley--but please note: special guest Powell St John will be playing first and he will be featuring some numbers he wrote for the 13th Floor Elevators wayyyyy back in the day. Not to be missed.

Labels: Apache, Birdman Records, Greg Ashley, Howlin Rain, Lou Lou and the Guitarfish, Modey Lemon, Powell St John, Room 710, Spider Bags, SXSW

While many folks often attribute the term "ambient" to shitty chill rooms at raves in the '90s or compilations featuring obscure whale sounds and the like, it's important to note that there are still labels and artists that help define the genre as something more than a post-new age fad. Point in case, the forthcoming Ambient Not Not Ambient compilation. Released by the Portland-based imprint Audio Dregs, this 17-track escape into the subconscious is indicative of the spirit of punk, channeled through a haze of mescaline and trippy vibes.

Featuring trippers from Valet (a.k.a. Homney Owens), Chris Herbert, Lucky Dragons, Yellow Swans, White Rainbow, and way more, the collection travels through layer upon layer of delay, modulating pads, subtle noise, and the occasional vocal treatment. And even though you may not here the sounds of sludgy decay and avant-noise on many forthcoming Birdman releases, rest assured that every artist on this comp could satiate the apetite of any drunk garage enthusiast or psych warrior alike.

Ambient Not Not Ambient is out April 29 on Audio Dregs.

Labels: Ambient, Audio Dregs, Birdman Records, Honey Owens, Lucky Dragons, Valet, White Rainbow, Yellow Swans

As if it hasn't been long enough (almost 8 years, to be exact), we're proud to announce the return of Monkeywrench with a new studio album, Gabriel's Horn (Birdman). Featuring Mudhoney's Mark Arm and Steve Turner, plus The Big Boys' Tim Kerr, this supergroup's return has been long overdue. In honor of the album's February 25 release, we enlisted guitarist Kerr to bestow everyone with the top ten records that helped inspire the bounty that is Gabriel's Horn. Be on the lookout for more details and exclusive content soon.

John Coltrane–Impressions
I want this played at my funeral, actually this whole list and an Irish/oldtime wake would be reslly great!

John Martin–Spencer The Rover
Really great and really sad.

Aaron Copland–Piano Blues
Love his chords and fanfare for the Common Man as well,

Otha Turner–Sittin On Top Of The World
A joyful noise indeed!

James Keane– Foxhunters Reel
James has a really great story about this tune and he has become a great friend. If you ever get the chance to see him, go.

Vernacular–The Blood
This is Lawrence singing.He plays bass in This Moment In Black History. What an amazing voice!

Iris Dement–Pretty Saro
This version is off the SongCatcher soundtrack.

Tommy Jarrell and Fred Cockerham–Sugarhill
We play this tune most Tuesdays at RioRitas and my friend Michael belts out the words...always makes me smile.

Sun Ra–Spaceways
I really like all the stuff with June Tyson singing.

Fugazi–Waiting Room
So dead on!

Labels: Birdman Records, Fugazi, John Coltrane, Mark Arm, Monkeywrench, Mudhoney, Sun Ra, The Big Boys, Tim Kerr

Besides having a copy of Max Roach’s Freedom Now Suite SIGNED BY OLATUNJI sent to my home on a Saturday afternoon (thank you, Geoffery Weiss), nothing is finer than when a brandly new completed record shows up at the Birdman Offices from one of our bands. Wrapped up and ready for manufacture. Case in point: this week we received the new one from our Pittsburgh friends, The Modey Lemon. The name of the record (now it shall be revealed): SEASON OF SWEETS coming longgggggg off of the heals of 2006’s Curious City. For the lucky few who have seen them live over the last year, the new material is crushing: adding Krautrock into the mix of the grazy (great and crazy) fuzzy furry freak sounds already addressed (we all know the genius beats of Quattrone).

I was lucky enough to debut the song "MILK MOUSTACHE" yesterday on the fabulous PIRATE CAT RADIO. Great station. It all went down during Mister Odom’s Bottomless Pit and you can hear it right here (my part of the show starts half way in). Listen for debuts from Apache and R L Boyce too.

Labels: Apache, Birdman, Birdman Records, Curious City, Mister Odom’s Bottomless Pit, Modey Lemon, Pirate Cat Radio, R L Boyce, Season Of Sweets