"Mystical and moving, Wish Queen (a.k.a Cleveland-based singer/songwriter Grace Sullivan) takes the intangible feelings of desire and yearning (wishing), and transforms them into gorgeous melodies, ranging from danceable pop to deliciously introspective ballads you'd love to sit alone and cry to. Blending her rich classic vocals and long hidden poetry with layered reverb and synth-based production styles, Wish Queen transports her listeners to a myriad of times and places all at once. Drawing inspiration from various Queens that came before her, including Billie Holiday, Joni Mitchell, Fiona Apple, Lana Del Rey, Weyes Blood, and Ethel Cain, Wish Queen has created a unique sweet spot that is all her own, and invites you to immerse yourself in her dream world. A hypnotic blend of dream pop, art pop, and indie folk, Wish Queen's debut album, “SATURNALIA,” explores earthly cycles, heartbreak, and coming of age via Saturn Return. Recorded mostly in a garage in the summer of 2022, "SATURNALIA" is a true diamond in the rough, complete with breathtaking layers of synths, powerfully intuitive vocal harmonies, and a meticulously crafted hidden narrative. “SATURNALIA” is set to be released on all streaming platforms on October 27, 2023. If you're looking for a sound that's been compared to Stevie Nicks meets Beach House, this music is for you. Make a wish.

Having underscored her status as one of Ireland’s most singular songwriting voices Naoise Roo returns with her highly-anticipated second album, Emotionally Magnificent. Eleven songs that delve deep into themes surrounding depression and the oppressive stereotypes that burden women experiencing mental illness. Produced by Liam Mulvaney (Girl Band) with Jamie Hyland (Mhaol). Features Daniel Fox (Gilla Band) on bass and guitar, Rian Trench (Solar Bears) drums and synths and Karl Tobin on guitar.

On his new album, The Great Escape, Chris Stamey — known for his work in The dB’s, the Big Star’s Third concerts, returns to the electric guitar sounds and melodic lyricism that informed his classic ’80s solo records It’s Alright, Fireworks, and 2004’s Travels in the South — but with a twist! This time out, alongside adroit pedal-steel aces Eric Heywood (Jayhawks, Pretenders, Alejandro Escovedo) and Allyn Love, Mipso’s Libby Rodenbough, and Chatham County Line’s John Teer and Dave Wilson, he’s found a distinctive spin on the ’70s Southern California country-rock flavors of the Byrds and the Flying Burrito Brothers. There’s also a vibrant version of a lost classic, the Alex Chilton / Tommy Hoehn composition “She Might Look My Way,” remembered fondly by Stamey from his late ’70s live performances with Chilton and the (unreleased) studio recording of it they did together for Elektra Records at Todd Rundgren’s studio. Here, it features two world-class fellow producers: Mitch Easter (Let’s Active), on drums and Terry Manning (Ardent Studios producer/engineer/guitarist; Staples Singers, Led Zeppelin, ZZ Top). Most tracks, however, are expertly anchored by Rob Ladd (The Connells) or Dan Davis (Six-String Drag) on drums, often accompanied by co-producer Jeff Crawford on bass. The Great Escape, the first release in decades on seminal indie label Car Records (on which Stamey had issued recordings by Chris Bell, Mitch Easter, and himself in the late ’70s and early ’80s), will be available on CD, digital downloads, and streaming platforms, via a joint venture with Schoolkids Record, and includes two bonus tracks: an “electric” version of “Back in New York,” augmented à la Tom Wilson’s electrification of “The Sounds of Silence,” and a stream-of-consciousness celebration of a surprise early-morning phone call with “the one and only” Van Dyke Parks.

Urban Urbane is the fifth solo album from David J (Bauhaus, Love & Rockets), originally released on MCA Records in 1992. The album is a musical travelogue of sorts, with the initial recordings taking place in the tiny English village of Guilsborough, then London, New York and Los Angeles Aside from referencing those last three ports of call, the songs also name check New Orleans, Saint Petersburg and Memphis. It is a kind of collection of poetic snapshots from an itinerant drifter on the run.

The record is graced by contributions from a stellar cast of guest musicians including T Bone Burnett, Peter Murphy, Sonic Boom, Danny Thompson, Max Eider, The Uptown Horns and Charlie Giordano (E Street Band) amongst others. It was co-produced by the great Niko Bolas (Neil Young, Los Lobos etc).

To celebrate Urban Urbane’s 30th Anniversary this beautiful collection is being released exclusively for Record Store Day for the first time ever on vinyl. A beautiful 2xLP gatefold record with download code included, it includes an entire second LP of unreleased outtakes and demos.

Some Big City
A Man of Influential Taste
Smashed Princess
Ten Little Beauty Queens
Candy on the Cross
Space Cowboy
Serial Killer Blues
Tinseltown
Bouquets, Wreaths and Laurels
No Faith
Pilgrims, Martyrs and Saints
Hoagy Carmichael Never Went to New Orleans

Saint Petersburg, October 69
Some Big City (Alternative Version/Original Demo)
Loner
A Passport and No Tears
South Sides Blues Blues

2006’s Offer the Light is the second release from Noctorum, the collaboration of Marty Willson-Piper (The Church, All About Eve, The Saints) and multi-instrumentalist/producer Dare Mason (The Church, Placebo, Wedding Present). Following the band’s most successful album to date, 2019’s The Afterlife, and 2021’s Record Store Day vinyl release of their debut Sparks Lane, this reissue of Offer The Light is eagerly awaited, especially as both The Afterlife and Sparks Lane sold out immediately and are currently out of print. . Offer The Light’s sonic blueprint doesn’t stray too far from The Church’s blend of Velvet Underground menace and the Byrd’s glorious jangle. It’s a rather beautiful “’70s rock album”, along the lines of Pink Floyd, but not too far from the band for which Willson-Piper is most famous. It will available for the first time ever on Orange Vinyl with download code, exclusively for Record Store Day 2023.

As any fan of The Church already knows, Marty’s one helluva guitar player, is an avid supporter of independent record stores, worked in one in Stockholm for years and has a vinyl record collection of over 50,000 albums. He also hosts a daily blog and website called the “In Deep Music Archive” where he talks about vinyl and albums from the past, showcasing several entries a day and having a loyal readership of several hundred followers a day.

1. Alain Delon
2. Let Me Tell You A Secret
3. Lovers Head
4. The Guessing Game
5. Stop Crying Your Eyes Out
6. The Muse
7. The Striker
8. Surrounded
9. Already Dead
10. Hopes and Fears

Bird Dog is an album by The Verlaines, originally released in 1987. It’s often considered to be their best, most introspective piece of work, and its songs "Slow Sad Love Song," "Bird Dog," and "C.D., Jimmy, Jazz and Me" all appeared on You're Just Too Obscure for Me, the only compilation to span the group’s entire career. "Slow Sad Love Song" was the first song Graeme Downes ever wrote, in 1980, inspired by the suicide of a friend.

Out of print for years, Schoolkids Records is proud to re-issue this classic album exclusively for Record Store Day on opaque purple vinyl, with brand new design and album artwork by the band.

1. Makes No Difference
2. You Forget Love
3. Take Good Care of It
4. Just Mum
5. Slow Sad Love Song
6. Only Dream Left
7. Dippy's Last Trip
8. Bird Dog
9. Icarus Missed
10. C.D., Jimmy, Jazz and Me

Comes with download of 3 bonus tracks.

Schoolkids Records Announces US Release of Declan O’Rourke’s Arrivals

RALEIGH, NC (January 4, 2022) -- Schoolkids Records (Chapel Hill, NC; Dublin, IR) will release a deluxe edition of Irish artist Declan O’Rourke’s Paul Weller-produced album, Arrivals, on March 4, 2022. Originally released on Warner Music UK in Ireland and the United Kingdom in April 2021, the album is currently only available on import in the US and Australia. Since its release, Arrivals has received widespread critical acclaim from the UK and Irish music press. Mojo magazine described O’Rourke as “a masterful lyricist and a staggering guitarist” and BBC2 Radio Ulster called Arrivals “an album of rare poetic beauty.” The reissue of Arrivals will be supported by a radio push in January 22 and two digital single releases in early 2022. The deluxe edition includes five extra tracks - three songs recorded live at Abbey Theatre Dublin, and two previously unreleased tracks recorded during the original Black Barn Studio sessions with producer Paul Weller (Clouds Dry Up and After the Rain). Arrivals will be available as digital download and on CD (with a bonus disc) in March, but a deluxe double disc vinyl edition will hit the market in July 2022.

Arrivals the Deluxe Edition represents the first-time in a decade that US-based O’Rourke fans can buy a domestic release on CD and is his first ever domestic US release on vinyl. “I’m so glad Arrivals will finally be available in the US,” O’Rourke noted."This is for fans of old school, cool physical stock among my music followers in the US. After 10 years of drought, I’m so glad to finally have a concrete release there with this issue of Arrivals in a special deluxe edition on vinyl and CD. I can't wait for folks to hear it and hold it!”

The first radio single “The Harbour” will be serviced for a January 17th add date and one of the standout live tracks, exclusive to the deluxe edition, “Have You Not Heard The War Is Over (‘Live at Abbey Theatre’ featuring a string arrangement by Mercury Prize nominee, Hannah Peel) will be released as a digital single on January 26, 2022. A second digital single release is also planned for February. O’Rourke plans to support this reissue release of Arrivals with a Folk Alliance appearance in the US this summer, and its release is set to coincide with a comprehensive Irish Tour in March.

Schoolkids Records (dba Schoolkids The Label) is part of the Schoolkids Records retail chain based in Chapel Hill, NC and Dublin, Ireland. Originally launched as Second Motion in 2008, founder Stephen Judge folded the label into the retail company under the Schoolkids brand. Schoolkids the Label has released over 50 titles since its inception.

US Media Inquiries:

Melissa Adams, PressGang Media, mel@pressgangmedia.com / 919-225-0289 Stephen Judge, Schoolkids Records, stephen@schoolkidsrecords.com

Schoolkids Records Announces US Release of Declan O’Rourke’s Arrivals RALEIGH, NC (January 4, 2022) -- Schoolkids Records (Chapel Hill, NC; Dublin, IR) will release a deluxe edition of Irish artist Declan O’Rourke’s Paul Weller-produced album, Arrivals, on March 4, 2022. Originally released on Warner Music UK in Ireland and the United Kingdom in April 2021, the album is currently only available on import in the US and Australia. Since its release, Arrivals has received widespread critical acclaim from the UK and Irish music press. Mojo magazine described O’Rourke as “a masterful lyricist and a staggering guitarist” and BBC2 Radio Ulster called Arrivals “an album of rare poetic beauty.” The reissue of Arrivals will be supported by a radio push in January 22 and two digital single releases in early 2022. The deluxe edition includes five extra tracks - three songs recorded live at Abbey Theatre Dublin, and two previously unreleased tracks recorded during the original Black Barn Studio sessions with producer Paul Weller (Clouds Dry Up and After the Rain). Arrivals will be available as digital download and on CD (with a bonus disc) in March, but a deluxe double disc vinyl edition will hit the market in July 2022. Arrivals the Deluxe Edition represents the first-time in a decade that US-based O’Rourke fans can buy a domestic release on CD and is his first ever domestic US release on vinyl. “I’m so glad Arrivals will finally be available in the US,” O’Rourke noted."This is for fans of old school, cool physical stock among my music followers in the US. After 10 years of drought, I’m so glad to finally have a concrete release there with this issue of Arrivals in a special deluxe edition on vinyl and CD. I can't wait for folks to hear it and hold it!” The first radio single “The Harbour” will be serviced for a January 17th add date and one of the standout live tracks, exclusive to the deluxe edition, “Have You Not Heard The War Is Over (‘Live at Abbey Theatre’ featuring a string arrangement by Mercury Prize nominee, Hannah Peel) will be released as a digital single on January 26, 2022. A second digital single release is also planned for February. O’Rourke plans to support this reissue release of Arrivals with a Folk Alliance appearance in the US this summer, and its release is set to coincide with a comprehensive Irish Tour in March. Schoolkids Records (dba Schoolkids The Label) is part of the Schoolkids Records retail chain based in Chapel Hill, NC and Dublin, Ireland. Originally launched as Second Motion in 2008, founder Stephen Judge folded the label into the retail company under the Schoolkids brand. Schoolkids the Label has released over 50 titles since its inception. US Media Inquiries: Melissa Adams, PressGang Media, mel@pressgangmedia.com / 919-225-0289 Stephen Judge, Schoolkids Records, stephen@schoolkidsrecords.com

Legendary New Zealand band The Verlaines are proud to release 'Live at the Windsor Castle, Auckland May 1986' for the first time ever on CD. The colored LP was originally released exclusively for Record Store Day 2021. The artwork is a replication of the vintage gig poster complete with liner notes from singer, Graeme Downes: 'This album may end up the hands of people who weren't even born when these performances took place, so, let me tell you what it was like. The Verlaines. at the time, were Graeme Downes, Jane Dodd and Robbie Yeats. We lived in Dunedin at the near-bottom of the South Island of New Zealand. We were at University. These gigs were recorded to try to capture a live version of Slow Sad Love Song for the upcoming Birddog album that we recorded later that year.' 

“GREAT LOST” ALBUM BY N.C. LEGEND SAM MOSS IS DISCOVERED, MIXED FOR

DELUXE RELEASE JANUARY 28, 2022, ON CD AND VINYL.

Chris Stamey locates and restores album by regionally renowned guitarist and mentor

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — In Winston-Salem, N.C., guitarist Sam Moss is a legend. A superior, highly

versatile musician whose advocacy for the blues and mastery of the nuances of electric blues-based

soloing somewhat paralleled Mike Bloomfield’s in Chicago, Moss was an inspiring, charismatic

mentor to generations of North Carolina rockers, including Let’s Active and The dB’s. He was a

larger-than-life character whose club appearances astounded local audiences, yet he never

released a record in his lifetime. So, producer Chris Stamey was thrilled to discover, in 2020, on the

end of an old tape, forgotten masters of Blues Approved, a spectacular Stax- and Muscle Shoalsinfluenced

solo record, made with Mitch Easter in 1977. This “great lost” record reveals that Moss

was also a soulful songwriter and singer. It has now been carefully remixed and produced for

release, with a deluxe booklet featuring detailed liner notes and bio, session notes by Easter, and lots

of vivid color photos. Peter Holsapple (The dB’s) says, “Sam Moss was an inspiration to so many of

us; with the release of Blues Approved, people everywhere will understand why.”

Blues Approved will be released on CD and digitally by Schoolkids Records on January 28, 2022, with

a vinyl edition to follow in the summer.

Moss had made the first of several trips to nearby Chapel Hill to record his own original compositions

in early 1977, with old friend Easter on drums (and recording). Mitch recalls: “In my house I had

a ‘studio,’ meaning a Teac 2340 four-track recorder, three or four humble microphones, and for

monitoring, the home stereo system. For extra-fancy sessions, I’d rent a Tapco six-channel mixer

… Sam came down with two or three guitars, his Fender Twin. I played drums and Sam played

everything else. And it was a really good session! Sam wrote interesting songs that almost

always had a blues angle, but he brought in a lot of elements from elsewhere. He was pleased

with the results, so we met a couple more times that year and recorded an LP’s worth of songs.”

But the material then sat on the shelf, unreleased, as Moss opened a vintage guitar store, selling

internationally to rock stars and other celebrities for several decades.

Stamey felt that most of the material seemed fully formed on its own, despite the limited recording

options then available, but for a few tracks — the openers “Rooster Blood” and “King of My Hill,”

and the Stonesy “Vida Blanche” — he enlisted the help of the Uptown Horns’ leader Crispin Cioe, a

veteran of Rolling Stones tours whose Southern-fried additions on sax fit the material like a glove.

And once a few later covers were added to the picture, including the captivating, bluesy spin

taken with “Ain’t That Peculiar” featuring “Weso” Wesolowski on harp, the record was complete.

Contemporary technology was used to reassemble the various generations of four-track tapes

into first-generation sources, peeling back the layers to put the listener back in the room where it

happened. The mono closing track, featuring a teenage Moss in his first band singing Buck Owens’s

“Act Naturally” in rehearsal, was too cool not to include. The CD has three additional surprises from

early-’90s sessions at Turtle Tapes in Winston-Salem: the Monkees’ “Pleasant Valley Sunday,” an

instrumental of Pomus and Shuman’s “Can’t Get Used to Losing You,” and the Stones’ “Who’s Driving

Your Plane?”

Easter: “I had a pretty good memory of this material, but when I actually heard it again, I was

delighted that it really is great. Sam was always strangely unconcerned about stardom, but he

was a star anyway. When you play the record, you'll see what I mean.” On July 30, 2021, the City of

Winston-Salem honored Moss with a sidewalk star in the city’s Walk of Fame downtown.

Original sessions produced by Sam Moss; produced and mixed for Release by Chris Stamey (with

input from Gene Holder and Mitch Easter) at Modern Recording (Chapel Hill, N.C.)

My new record is called I Thought I Was Fine. It's great. Right, I'm not going to say it stinks, am I. If you like me, you'll love this new one. If you don't like me, you might be surprised. If you've never heard of me (that's most of you), this could be the start of a beautiful friendship. It's a rock and roll record. I'm categorized as Americana because this business loves putting labels on people. Yes, there's a couple of country-ish songs on it, I do live in Nashville, and my southern accent is what it is, but I had an epiphany one day. I realized, hey, I hate dobros. And if I hear another song about a train in the key of G, somebody's gonna get hurt. I realized I'm 58 years old, I've survived a horrendous car crash, I've had cancer three times, and this might be my final shot ' so I wanted to go back to my first love while there's still time. Who ME is can be summed up by saying I'm a songwriter and an author. I've won the 'Best Song' award in the Nashville Scene Critics Poll twice. My three books (including Cheese Chronicles, which I've been told is a cult classic) have four and five-star reader ratings on Amazon. I've written songs for Todd Snider, Jimmy Buffett, Jason & the Scorchers, Dan Baird and others. I played in Government Cheese from '85 to '92. I played in the bis-quits (with Will Kimbrough) from '92 to '94, and we had the honor of making a record for John Prine's label. I've made eight solo albums since then (counting this new one) and I've made three albums with a side project band called Daddy (again with Will Kimbrough). I'm 5""10"", I like Ray Davies, Bob Dylan and Randy Newman, I've been married 29 years (to the same woman, no less), Tourette's makes me blink my eyes a lot, and I pulled my face out of a bottle nine years ago. I'm crazy (so people tell me) and my crazy self is what I write about, I write funny songs about fears (if you like what I think is funny), I write sad songs about fears, and sometimes those tunes are funny and sad at the same time. If I have any mission at all as a songwriter, some higher purpose, it's that I seek to make other messed-up people feel less alone ' the end result of that being that while I'm not everybody's cup of tea, the people who like me tend to really really like me. If you've read this all the way to the bottom, I appreciate it. Pay it forward i thought i was fine a little bit of sex part 2 i got no place to go Call me gary That Lucky Old Sun You Don't Get over Love It's all about Me I Do Miss Otis Regrets Job Hunting While Depressed The Story of Waymond & Lou I Wish I'd Known You Better

A-Side is album version of single included on former Fiction Plane singer Joe Sumner's forthcoming debut solo long player, Sunshine In The Night.
EXCLUSIVE B-side is a 55-second "Hope" single including chorus singalong featuring Sting, Patti Scialfa, Ben Folds, Juliana Hatfield, Southside Johnny, Richard Marx, Corey Glover, Gaby Moreno, Fantastic Negrito, Ace Of Cups, The Sound Of Aja, Barnaby Bright, Rain Phoenix, Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski, among others. The track originally premiered as a Headcount Get Out The Vote video, titled "Hope The Vote," which aired on MSNBC Morning Joe just days before the 2020 general election.

"Hope" / "Hope (Get Out The Vote Edit)"

DAVID OLNEY & ANANA KAYE

BUSK THE SPECTRAL STREETS OF MEMORY

ON NEW ALBUM WHISPERS AND SIGHS, 

WHERE AMERICANA MEETS EASTERN EUROPE

2021 marks the release of the final studio album by the late David Olney, beloved folk songwriter’s songwriter, in collaboration with Anana Kaye, 

a young Eastern European powerhouse taking Americana by storm

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - If the futile longing to reach back through memory and grasp what is in the past could be set to music, it would sound like Whispers and Sighs. Over the course of 13 tracks, David Olney and Anana Kaye manage to craft a journey that amounts to far more than just another Americana album. This is to be expected with Olney, an acclaimed songwriter responsible for more than 20 solo albums and songs covered by and/or co-written with the likes of Emmylou Harris, Steve Earle, and Linda Ronstadt, among many others. Further, just as Townes Van Zandt reportedly saw something special in him, Olney felt a similar admiration and kinship towards Kaye, a smoky-voiced Americana darling whose star is assuredly on the rise in Nashville, and her husband and musical partner Irakli Gabriel, both of whom are originally from the country of Georgia. 

On Whispers and Sighs, the pair create a unique, sonic landscape that blends the haunting sensuality of European music with the raw intimacy of Americana, weaving raucous, unapologetic rock anthems like “Lie to Me, Angel” and “Last Days of Rome” with sparse, introspective ballads such as “Tennessee Moon” and the record’s title track. All of the songs were written by the trio of Olney, Kaye, and Irakli. In addition, longtime Olney collaborator and hit songwriter John Hadley earns co-writing credits on a few. 

Brett Ryan Stewart (Wirebird Productions) produced and mixed the record at his studio in Nashville. Stewart is another rising star in his field, having garnered Grammy consideration for projects he’s helmed, along with notable TV and film placements. Richard Dodd, recipient of the Best Engineer Grammy Award for Tom Petty’s Wildflowers, mastered the project. Whispers and Sighs features an impressive array of Nashville musicians and vocalists — perhaps most notably Olney’s long-time musical collaborator and bassist Daniel Seymour, and bassist Chris Donohue, who has worked with such artists as Emmylou Harris, Robert Plant, and Elvis Costello.

All in all, Whispers and Sighs is an Americana record that explores what it means to be human. Over its course, Olney and Kaye take turns leading the listener through intimate self-portraits, myths, and tales of historical fiction, all in an effort to illustrate the various devices we use to cope with our own impermanence. Though the project deals heavily in weighty, existentialist themes, the prevailing message proves to be a celebration of human connection, friendship, and love. As Olney put it in 2019, “We have no idea where the songs come from, but they bring a peace of mind like an old photograph of home. Wherever that may be.”

And while it’s hard to escape the seeming cosmic significance of the album as posthumous Olney release, at no point does this create the air of morbidity; rather, it lends the project a bittersweet ambiance. According to Anana and Irakli, mere moments after hitting save on the final mixes, the phone rang with news of David’s passing. This seems tragically fitting; for what is found on Whispers and Sighs is a collection of songs into which two artists and friends clearly poured the full extent of their souls. Within it is an undeniable reminder that David Olney’s extraordinary legacy can never fade, while Anana Kaye’s star grows deservedly brighter by the day.

Space Summit is a collaboration between the ubiquitous Marty Willson-Piper (ex-the church) and Minneapolitan Jed Bonniwell. Marty handles the luminescent electric guitars and the bass whilst Jed is in charge of lead vocal duties. Jed writes the lyrics; they write the music together. The album is produced by Marty and producer/engineer Dare Mason who also plays keyboards. Phoebe Tsen sings harmony vocals, Olivia Willson-Piper plays the strings, Eddie John plays the drums and Anekdoten's Nicklas Barker plays Mellotron. All the usual suspects from recent Noctorum and MOAT projects make an appearance, with the exception of Phoebe who lives in Borneo.

Space Summit's music was conceived in cyberspace – and was recorded in America, Borneo, Sweden and the UK. The music created on Space Summit’s debut album by Jed and Marty is simultaneously modern and classic dreampop – the subtle shading of dark and light with layered, sonic textures on every track.

This album is one of the fascinating results of Marty’s Sessioneer Series, where he works with discovered collaborators from around the globe on new musical ideas. Space Summit started as discussions around music and guitar technique in 2013 and eventually flourished into songwriting and musical collaboration. Marty would provide some musical sketches, chords or riffs – Jed would then add lyrics and additional musical ideas, and each song would continue to evolve back and forth until a complete demo had been created – finally taking the songs into the studio to record them with other musicians. With touring coming to a halt in 2020, the lockdown provided the time needed to bring this album to completion.

It's been 40 years since The Verlaines came together in Dunedin, New Zealand and they remain a band with a rich history and influence, both in NZ and beyond. Dunedin Spleen is The Verlaines' first studio album in over seven years. Featuring a blistering and brilliant nineteen tracks, it was originally released exclusively on Vinyl for Record Store Day 2020 via North Carolina indie Schoolkids Records. Now we're happy to present it for the first time on CD Digipak. '..a whopping nineteen tracks of erudite lyricism and immaculately arranged guitar-pop..' - Under The Radar NZ '..a stunningly good album.' Down in Edin Magazine

The Verlaines are a rock band from Dunedin, New Zealand. Formed in 1981 by principle songwriter Graeme Downes, the band was named after the French poet Paul Verlaine, from from whom Television’s Tom Verlaine also lifted his stage name. The Verlaines are also one of the pioneers of the cult-followed 'Dunedin Sound' which was lifted from the explosion of talent coming out of their hometown in the ‘80s and ‘90s. The Chills, The Clean, Bailter Space, The Bats, The 3D's and the Straitjacket Fits all came roaring out of this University town.

The Verlaines’ angular sound made them favorites of bands like Pavement, R.E.M., Superchunk, Cat Power, The Mountain Goats, Will Oldham, Yo La Tengo, Lou Barlow and many others. Uncut Magazine suggested that "before the mp3 replaced the flexidisc, the three axes of the international indie-pop underground were Olympia WA, Glasgow, and Dunedin, New Zealand." From 1985 to 2012, The Verlaines have released eleven albums, most of which are on the legendary New Zealand label Flying Nun. There was a brief period in the early to mid 90's when the band released albums for Slash and Columbia Records, only to go back to Flying Nun for 2012's Untimely Mediations.

Dunedin Spleen is The Verlaines’ first studio album in over seven years. Featuring a blistering and brilliant nineteen tracks, this double-LP will be exclusively released on Record Store Day 2020 via North Carolina indie Schoolkids Records. Limited edition white vinyl, gatefold 2xLP, download card included

1. None Of These Chords 2. Church And State 3. Canterbury South 4. Here We Are Again 5. I Am 6. Dunedin Spleen 7. Anthem 8. This Will Not Go Down 9. A Crib At Flatline Bay 10. A.W.C.W.D. 11. Recurring Dream 12. If They Cut Off My Handselling Poems 14. A Wall St Hooker's Deathbed 15. Snappy Dressers 16. Petroleum Woman 17. Poet's Lament 18. Scientists 19. Way Too Old To Grow Up Now

Tres Vampires is a trio of darkly romantic, timeless, otherworldly passion ballads the likes of which are only heard every 1000 years, or when the vampires rise. If you're listening. David J (Bauhaus, Love & Rockets), rarely seen in the daytime, and Johnette Napolitano (Concrete Blonde) collaborate as the duet of your darkest dreams on these dusty 2009 recordings, unearthed from an old crypt in the French Quarter used for storage of various rarities and artifacts. These familiar voices are already Halloween staples wherever vampires are known to congregate, so these three “lost” tracks are sure to become new - yet oddly old and familiar - Goth classics. Instruments performed and recorded by Shok, Los Angeles Multi-Instrumentalist Producer & DJ (Red Light District / Zeitmahl). Limited edition blood red vinyl, download card included

1. Take You Deep 2. Blood Bound 3. Voyage Of The Damned

The Palace at 3AM is the first (and only) collaboration between the late Jay Bennett and his songwriting partner, Edward Burch.  After fronting Minneapolis legends Titanic Love Affair from 1994-2001 Bennett was a key member of the band Wilco, often co-writing songs on the band's early releases with Jeff Tweedy.  The power struggle was well documented in the Wilco documentary I Am Trying To Break Your Heart in which Bennett was fired as the cameras rolled.  The band was working on Yankee Hotel Foxtrot at the time.  Bennett immediately teamed up with Burch and The Palace at 4am was released on the same street date in 2002 as Yankee Hotel Foxtrot.  Hardcore Wilco fans loved the release and immediately started making comparisons on who was the real 'genius' of Wilco, Bennett or Tweedy. Bennett passed away suddenly in 2009 and with the blessings of his family, ten years after his death Schoolkids Records has teamed up with Edward Burch to release The Palace at 4am for the first time ever on vinyl for RSD 2020.  The album also includes the track "My Darlin'" which was also on Wilco's Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, re-recorded by Bennett for this release. Limited edition cloudy clear vinyl, 2xLP gatefold. Download card included

1. Puzzle Heart 2. Talk to Me 3. Whispers or Screams 4. Shakin' Sugar 5. C.T.M. 6. Drinking on Your Dime 7. My Darlin' 8. No Church Tonite 9. Fireworks 10. Forgiven 11. Like a Photograph 12. Venus Stopped the Train 130 California 14. Little White Cottage 15. It Hurts

Nightjar is the eighth studio album from Marty Willson-Piper (The Church, All About Eve, Noctorum), originally released in 2008. Considered by many fans to be the best record of MWP's career, this will be the first time it has ever been released on vinyl. Pressed on limited edition red vinyl with new artwork design on inside gatefold. Download card included.
A new project from MWP, Moat, will have a new album called Poison Stream in June 2020.

1. No One There 2. More is Less 3. Lullaby for the Lonely 4. The Sniper 5. Feed Your Mind 6. High Down Below 7. I Must’ve Fallen 8. The Love You Never Had 9. Song for Victor Jara 10. A Game for Losers

Schoolkids Records-The Label is proud to announce the release of 'Part Time Punks" by SLOWNESS.

Why an e.p. now? Immediately following the release of Berths, Slowness embarked on a west coast tour, the highlight of which was stopping by Josiah Mazzaschi’s studio in Los Angeles to record live takes of a few songs. “Turns out the best time to record is during a tour, as opposed to after,” remarked Geoffrey Scott. “PTP was something different and fun for us.” The band recorded four songs, two from Berths and two oldies, including an eleven minute rendition of “Little King” from the band’s debut EP Hopeless but Otherwise. "The nightly experimentation on the road with a new line-up followed us into the studio,” Lynn said, “making it feel great to walk into Josiah’s beautiful room, lay down the rendition we felt that particular afternoon and walk out a few hours later with it all wrapped up.”

Atlantæum Flood is a unique instrumental five-piece collective featuring Marty Willson-Piper (ex- The Church and All About Eve). Their debut album One Day is both epic and eclectic, fusing world music influences with elements of folk and progressive rock. Ranging from subtle ethereal moments with dreamy 12-string guitars to dynamic, powerful intensity with soaring lead lines against a percussive backdrop, the eight track release is a beautifully cohesive and considered cinematic soundscape. Atlantæum Flood is Steve & Lynne Knott, Marty & Olivia Willson-Piper and Dare Mason

"Kenny Roby is one of the best American songwriters of the last 20 years"

- Neal Casal (Chris Robinson Brotherhood/Circles Around The Sun)

"The world's a better place with Kenny Roby & 6 String Drag in it." - Steve Earle

"'Memories & Birds' by North Carolina songwriter Kenny Roby floored me" - Citizen Cope in American Songwriter

"So thrilled to have Kenny Roby & 6 String Drag back. They're as great as ever. Like reconnecting with

a long lost friend."

- Patterson Hood (Drive-By Truckers)

Roby is a genius and his work with 6 String Drag is the stuff of legends. Although they perform together

every now and then, this album serves as a reason why they should be more consistent in staying together

and playing such brilliant music. - SPILL MAGAZINE

North Carolina native and Americana pioneer Kenny Roby has been making records and performing on

stages for over 30 years. Early on, Roby’s punk band opened for Circles Jerks, 7 Seconds, Jane's Addiction

and Suicidal Tendencies. In late 1992, shortly after a relocating to Raleigh, NC Roby formed a more roots/

alt-country band, 6 String Drag which showcased his influences of Buck Owens, Neil Young alongside

Black Flag. The band eventually signed with Steve Earle's E-Squared Records and went on to tour with The

Jayhawks, Buddy Miller, Whiskeytown, Gillian Welch and David Rawlings.

Since 1999, Roby has released 4 solo records and 6SD reformed. In March of 2018 6SD released TOP OF

THE WORLD which received airplay on NPR, Sirius XM's Outlaw Country and press coverage in Rolling

Stone, All Music and No Depression.

After a critically acclaimed self-titled first album, 6 String Drag signed with alt-country godfather and outlaw

country music legend Steve Earle's E-Squared Records (Warner Brothers imprint) The band's second

record HIGH HAT was produced by Earle as well. 6 String Drag went on to open for and tour with acts such

as Earle, The Jayhawks, Buddy Miller, Whiskeytown, Blue Mountain, Gillian Welch and David Rawlings,

label-mates The V-Roys and many more. But a little more than a year after HIGH HAT was released and just

as the band started to gain wider recognition and beginning to grow their fanbase within the burgeoning

90's alt-country/roots rock scene as well as in national press and radio, the band split up.

Soon after the break-up Kenny Roby went on to record and release his first solo outing MERCURY'S

BLUES in Europe in 1999 and in the US in early 2000. Between 1999 and 2013 Roby went on to record

and release 4 solo records. Eventually 6 String Drag reformed in early 2014 and released their new

album ROOTS ROCK 'N' ROLL in early 2015. In March of 2018 the band released TOP OF THE WORLD to

more radio play on NPR, Sirius XM's Outlaw Country and press coverage in Rolling Stone, All Music, No

Depression et al and reissued a 20th anniversary release of HIGH HAT.

Roby is a songwriter's songwriter. He has been championed worldwide in the press, radio and by other

songwriters such as Steve Earle, Neal Casal, Citizen Cope, Patterson Hood (Drive-By Truckers) and even

had his songs covered by roots music legend Michael Hurley who was an integral part of the Holy Model

Rounders and was signed to Moses Asch to Folkways Records in the 1960s. Roby has signed multiple

publishing deals as a songwriter including a stint with Warner-Chapel Music.

In September 2019, Schoolkids Records will release TIRED OF FEELIN' GUILTY: 25 YEARS OF KENNY

ROBY & 6 STRING DRAG as Roby continues to tour worldwide.

One of the great undiscovered (bands) in contemporary moody effects-driven rock... an absolute gorgeous beauty Big Takeover Magazine A sparkling, delightful and varied blend of shoegaze, indie and drone pop... a glorious waterfall of embracing melodies that are cleverly bedded in a sea of hazy, psychedelic and yearning champagne Clank For Breakfast A trip wrapped in a dense stereo wall of sound.. an indispensable treat for lovers of shoegaze and post punk deserving of praise The Blog That Celebrates Itself Schoolkids Records has announced they will release the new Slowness album, entitled 'Berths'The album was produced by Monte Vallier (Weekend, The Soft Moon, Wax Idols). Side A was engineered by Dave Voigt (Luna, John Cale, Yo La Tengo, Alex Chilton) at his Beyond Notes studio in Brooklyn. Side B was done with Vallier at Ruminator Audio in San Francisco. This release follows up their 2014 album 'How to Keep from Falling off a Mountain' and 2013 album'For Those Who Wish to See the Glass Half Full'.Slowness runs mostly mid-tempo, sometimes fast and occasionally slow. As for this new record, it is purposefully slow, sounding like a hybrid between classic Slowdive, early-Cure and mid-period Neil Young. Often labelled shoegaze or dream pop with elements of slowcore,psych rock and even Krautrock, this music is perhaps best referred to as drone-pop. Imagine Spacemen 3 teaming up with Murmur-era R.E.M. with female harmonies. This is a very personal record. Its taken a while to make for several reasons. When we started recording during the summer of 2014, we knew wanted a slower, heavier record to reflect the current American grain, says Geoffrey Scott. We tend to think everythings gone bad since the last election and sometimes forget that that election was 30 years in the making. So, we set out to capture that, but then the whole concept probably took a turn when Julie and I decided to end our 11-year relationship as a couple. So, the political became blurred with the personal,and the lyrics probably reflect that.The first single and video, 'Rose' will be released on April 3. The band will tour throughout the United States in the summer and fall of 2019.

Special Edition of 1989 debut album produced by J. Mascis (Dinosaur Jr.) and mixed by Sean Slade. Seminal album of pre-alt-grunge era. New Original Cover Art Print of album's classic design. Transparent Colored 180 gram vinyl. Deluxe Gatefold with rare photos. 12" poster insert of new cover art print.

A1 Sunflower Suit, A2 The Plank, A3 Impossible, A4 500,000 Warnings, A5 The Bus, B1 Racine , B2 In The Attic , B3 Flushing Stars, B4 Walk Away , B5 Reason Why

Marty Willson-Piper (The Church, All About Eve) follows up the success of last year's RSD Vinyl release of Spirit Level (1992) on Schoolkids Records with a Dbl vinyl release of Hanging Out In Heaven (2000). Originally released on San Francisco's Heyday records, the intention was always to release it on vinyl - 19 years later here it is with two extra tracks and new artwork including lyrics you can read, finally! Pressed on blue vinyl.

1. Forget The Radio 2. Swan 3. Wondering 4. Sanctuary 5. Waves Toward The Moon 6. Goodbye 7. I Don’t Think So 8. Watching Us 9. You Bring Your Love To Me 10. After Eight 11. All Those Wires 12. 1929 Vintage Wine 13. Wreck (A Sea Shanty) 14. What Is Her Name 15. All That Remains

After leaving a mark on the alt-country/No Depression/Americana scene in the mid to late nineties 6 String Drag for all intents and purposes broke up. The band's second record HIGH HAT was produced by After a leaving a mark on the alt-country/No Depression/Americana scene in the mid to late nineties 6 String Drag for all intents and purposes broke up. The band's second record HIGH HAT was produced by Steve Earle and Ray Kennedy and released on Earle's Warner Brothers imprint label E-Squared Record. A 20th anniversary reissue of HIGH HAT on cd, digital and vinyl (for the first time) was released in March 2018 and a brand new and 4th full length studio record TOP OF THE WORLD featuring founding members and leaders Kenny Roby and Rob Keller along with new members Dan Davis and Luis Rodriguez was released the following summer.

SIDE A: 1. Brasstown 2. Cry Cry Cry 3. Just a Shame 4. Elaine  5. Red 6. Just Another Thing SIDE B: 7. Mercury’s Blues 8. The Changeup 9. Gasoline Maybelline 10. Bottle of Blues 11. Blues Too Blue to Mention 12. No One’s Arms

Bauhaus and Love & Rockets co-founder David J Haskins, the man responsible for the lyrics of Bauhaus’ classic "Bela Lugosi's Dead," is releasing the first great protest song of the year, exclusively for RSD 2019. "Thoughts and Prayers" is a scathing rebuke of the United States for it's inability to stop the senseless mass school shootings that are killing our nation's children. Haskins bemoans the futility of "sending thoughts and prayers" to solve this tragic issue and also the inherent hypocrisy of the present government.
The 7" single "Thoughts and Prayers" comes packaged in a sleeve with a striking picture of a rifle with a bloody red circle around it and a line drawn through it. The complete lyrics of "Thoughts and Prayers" are printed on the back so the nation does not miss a word of this powerful call to action. The B-Side is a haunting cover of Emily Jane Whites's "Hole in the Middle," another powerful political song that is equally as relevant today.

David J is currently touring the US on the massively successful Ruby World Tour with Peter Murphy, celebrating 40 years of the music of Bauhaus. RSD 2019 is the perfect time for him to raise his voice against America's shameful tragedy with his newest release, "Thoughts and Prayers."

Side A 1. Thoughts and Prayers Side B 2. Hole In the Middle

Born at the crossroads of good old-fashioned Harlem soul power and next generation New Orleans sounds, John The Martyr's debut album is best described by lead singer Bill Hudson as a "gumbo". “Cross The Line” taps into a modern gospel flare with timeless Detroit styling and "Feeling Good" is a one-two punch of Motown heart and New Orleans gusto. It has also been featured on the Oprah Winfrey Network's Queen Sugar. “That one lives up to its title,” laughs Bill. “It’s all about feeling good.” 

SIDE A: 1. Time 2. Cross The Line 3. Feeling Good 4. Prism 5. Working Man SIDE B: 1. Channeled 2. Shy 3. Fury 4. Brighter Day 5. History

The writing process for The Afterlife began in October 2016. Opening with the ghostly The Moon Drips, a song about creatures of the night, that features mariachi trumpet, demented harpsichord and a thrilling climax, the music was written as a jam in one take – Marty on organ guitar, Dare on bass and Olivia on violin. Marty’s wife, Olivia, joined us on most of the tracks, either playing violin or singing. Dare contributes lyrics on two songs. Show, a jangly pop song and High Tide / Low Tide, written after listening to a friend talk about his bipolar disorder. The King Crimson influence emerges on A Resurrected Man, a slow, beautifully crafted paean to Marty’s muse. For those who like to hear Noctorum at full throttle, A Girl With No Love is built around a Thin Lizzy style riff, motors along at breakneck speed and tells the story of disillusioned lonely men in search of guiltless fantasy. Another stand out track is Head On, a duet between Marty and Olivia, complete with 70s style detective theme backing and a full on progressive instrumental outro as a soundtrack to a lover’s pact, immortalized in a head on collision. The track The Afterlife is beyond categorisation. Over a backing that sounds like a pastoral, even whimsical piece of English folk rock or perhaps a hymn, Marty inhabits the soul of a suicide bomber and tells us his side of the story. Ian McNabb from the Icicle Works explained it best in the title of one of his albums – “If you want to know your enemy, sing his song”.

The writing process for The Afterlife began in October 2016. Opening with the ghostly The Moon Drips, a song about creatures of the night, that features mariachi trumpet, demented harpsichord and a thrilling climax, the music was written as a jam in one take – Marty on organ guitar, Dare on bass and Olivia on violin. Marty’s wife, Olivia, joined us on most of the tracks, either playing violin or singing. Dare contributes lyrics on two songs. Show, a jangly pop song and High Tide / Low Tide, written after listening to a friend talk about his bipolar disorder. The King Crimson influence emerges on A Resurrected Man, a slow, beautifully crafted paean to Marty’s muse. For those who like to hear Noctorum at full throttle, A Girl With No Love is built around a Thin Lizzy style riff, motors along at breakneck speed and tells the story of disillusioned lonely men in search of guiltless fantasy. Another stand out track is Head On, a duet between Marty and Olivia, complete with 70s style detective theme backing and a full on progressive instrumental outro as a soundtrack to a lover’s pact, immortalized in a head on collision. The track The Afterlife is beyond categorisation. Over a backing that sounds like a pastoral, even whimsical piece of English folk rock or perhaps a hymn, Marty inhabits the soul of a suicide bomber and tells us his side of the story. Ian McNabb from the Icicle Works explained it best in the title of one of his albums – “If you want to know your enemy, sing his song”.

NYC-based singer/songwriter Perry Serpa has possibly, for the very first time, brought to life a fictionally depicted album. The artist, in this case, is Tucker Crowe, the main character of Nick Hornby's celebrated novel Juiiet, Naked. Serpa takes his record's title from the name Hornby gave to its fictional tribute album and lifts the song titles, sequencing, couplets and influences laid out in the description of Crowe's tortured and lovesick opus. Guests include The Minus 5's Scott McCaughey, Laura Cantrell, Aja Warren and Edward Rogers. Wherefore Art Thou? coincides with Judd Apatow's screen adaptation of Juliet, Naked but is unrelated to the film.

1. And You Are? (Scott McCaughey on lead vocals) 2. Adultery (Aja Warren co-vocals) 3. We’re In Trouble4. In Too Deep5. Who Do You Love? 6. Dirty Dishes (Laura Cantrell co-vocals)7. The Better Man8. The Twentieth Call Of The Day 9. Blood Ties 10. You And Your Perfect Life

"Why Are We Here?" is a 7" compilation EP, originally released on No Core Records in 1983, that includes four North Carolina hardcore bands - Bloodmobile, Corrosion Of Conformity, Stillborn Christians, and No Labels. This classic out-of-print hardcore 7" has some of the earliest recordings from Corrosion of Conformity, including one unreleased track that did not make their debut album Eye For An Eye. This red vinyl reissue is a tribute to Eric Eycke, the original COC singer, who passed away in 2017.

Side I New Right (Stillborn Christians) Fred (Stillborn Christians) Aggression (Stillborn Christians) Changes (No Labels) Compromises (No Labels)
Side II Drug-Related Death (Bloodmobile) Little Boy Blue (Bloodmobile) The Smiths (Bloodmobile) Poison Planet (C.O.C.) Indifferent (C.O.C.) Too Cool (C.O.C.)

Exclusive 7" single from Buffalo Tom contains covers of Paul Simon's "Only Living Boy In New York" and an unreleased b-side of The Who's "The Seeker" Includes download card.

"The Only Living Boy In New York" b/w "The Seeker"

Australian Rock & Roll Hall of Fame guitarist Marty Willson-Piper's (The Church, All About Eve, Noctorum) fourth studio album, originally released in 1992, now for the first time ever on Vinyl. Gatefold with all of the original artwork. Transparent clear/coke bottle vinyl includes download code. New music coming in 2018 from MWP with a new Noctorum album (side project with producer Dare Mason) as well as a new album his Swedish project Moat.

I Cant Cry, Will I Start To Bleed, Turn Away To The Stars, Luscious Ghost, Scandinavian Stare, Cant Ever Risk An Openess With You, Even Though You Are My Friend, Adelle Yvonne, The Saddest House in Stockholm, Kiss You To Death, Melts My Heart

Legendary jangle-pop rockers Dumptruck release their first album in over 17 years. This transparent blue colored vinyl is exclusive to Record Store Day stores, and includes a download card.

Cellophane, Smile, Talk, Swept Away, Unkindest Cut, Fog, Money, Dangerous Kind, Letters, Innocent Eyes, Middle Of The Day, You Can't Win 

Legendary Television guitarist Richard Lloyd's fifth studio album, Radiant Monkey was released in 2007 and has never been available before on Vinyl. Transparent green colored vinyl is exlusive to Record Store Day and includes a download card.

Monkey, Glurp, There She Goes Again, Swipe It, Only Friend, Kalpa Tree, Amnesia, Carousel, Big Hole, Wicked Son, One For The Road

In the three decades since first convening at the University of Massachusetts, Buffalo Tomsinger-guitarist Bill Janovitz, bassist-vocalist Chris Colbourn and drummer Tom Maginnishave built a formidable body of work. Having first made its mark with a raw, raucous approach that put the band at the forefront of the '90s alt-rock explosion, the intrepid trio has consistently revealed new layers of musical and emotional depth, as manifested in the bittersweet ballads, soul-searching songcraft and rousing rock tunes that make up the new album Quiet and Peace. The consistently compelling 11-song set (on the band's own Scrawny label, in association with Schoolkids Records) finds the band simultaneously mining their best-known sonic elements while breaking new ground on emotionally resonant new tunes such as "All Be Gone," "Overtime," "Roman Cars," "Freckles" and "CatVMouse.

In the three decades since first convening at the University of Massachusetts, Buffalo Tomsinger-guitarist Bill Janovitz, bassist-vocalist Chris Colbourn and drummer Tom Maginnishave built a formidable body of work. Having first made its mark with a raw, raucous approach that put the band at the forefront of the '90s alt-rock explosion, the intrepid trio has consistently revealed new layers of musical and emotional depth, as manifested in the bittersweet ballads, soul-searching songcraft and rousing rock tunes that make up the new album Quiet and Peace. The consistently compelling 11-song set (on the band's own Scrawny label, in association with Schoolkids Records) finds the band simultaneously mining their best-known sonic elements while breaking new ground on emotionally resonant new tunes such as "All Be Gone," "Overtime," "Roman Cars," "Freckles" and "CatVMouse.

Daniel and Danny Chavis are natives of Raleigh/Chapel Hill, North Carolina and East Village residents for the past 28 years. They are also co-founders of the groundbreaking band The Veldt, who lifted their band’s name from a Ray Bradbury science fiction story. Musically reared in the church and juke-joints of their native southern state, the twins have been performing since they were children, listening to music that included gospel, Motown and Pink Floyd. 

Symmetry/"Slow Grid"

Dutch indie legends Bettie Serveert return on their 25th Anniversary with their 11th studio album, Damaged Good. This limited edition exclusive magenta Vinyl LP will include a digital download and full CD, the only version available in the United States. The CD will not be available on it's own. Damaged Good is one of ’The Betties’ most diverse albums so far, including songs barely 60 sec long up to an 8 min epos and everything in between. It’s a ‘big story’: intense, raw, tender, but mostly passionate and fierce. Some songs will definitely remind people of their classic Palomine, the debut album that started everything 25 years ago.

01 B-Cuz 02 Brickwall 03 Brother (in Loins) 04 Damaged Good  05 Whatever Happens 06 Unsane 07 Digital Sin (Nr 7) 08 Mouth of Age 09 Love Sick (feat. Peter te Bos) 10 Mrs. K  11 Never Be Over (feat. Prof. Nomad & Co)

The 1988 Classic that triuphs from opening track to closing echo in a whirlwind of dreamy vocals and effect-laden guitars. masterfully played and perfected songs with a beautiful evocative and haunting atmosphere. Includes 12 bonus tracks!