Hey folks,
The good people at Stereogum are currently streaming the new Sound of Ceres album, Nostalgia for Infinity. Listen to it in its entirety over on their website before it drops this Friday!
Pre-order the album here!
If you say you've been to SXSW and that you remember all of it -- I'd bet cash you're lying (don't take me up on that I'm a college intern). Out of all of the amazing bands that are performing on the upcoming 2016 lineup; we're Joyfully here to announce that we have some close buddies performing. Our new friends Sound of Ceres (ex-candy claws), Yonatan Gat, and the frontman of Half Japanese; Jad Fair!
If you have yet to check out these fine bands releases, you should listen to at least one track apiece, I'm sure you'll find something that you like.
Sound of Ceres debut album "Nostalgia for Infinity"
Thurs, 3/17 @ Obsolete Industries (Joyful Noise x PIAPTK day party) - 3:20pm
Fri, 3/18 @ Tellers (SXSW Official Showcase) - 12am
Sat, 3/19 @ Spider House Ballroom - 4pm
Half Japanese new album "Perfect"
Jad Fair
Thurs, 3/17 @ Obsolete Industries (Joyful Noise x PIAPTK day party) - 2pm
Sat, 3/19 @ The Hideout - 9pm
Yonathan Gat's album "Physical Copy" (don't worry you can get it digitally too).
Thurs, 3/17 @ Hotel Vegas patio - 8:30pm
Fri, 3/18 @ The Townsend - 12am
Keep warm thoughts brothers and sisters - I'll see you in Austin
<3 Natters
This Friday, Beech Creeps and The Cowboys make their way to the Joyful HQ space to grace us with a night of guitar-heavy rock n' roll.
Beech Creeps' self-titled debut came out last March on Monofonus Press. The album's single, "Sun of Sud," is a hard-hitting mixture of noise and garage rock, delivered with the tenacity of early Devo-era guitar pop. Watch the video here.
Supporting the Brooklyn trio is Bloomington's own The Cowboys, a solid group of young guns with a knack for wacky and cohesive rock tunes. The band's relatively unsung but unbelievably catchy discography is available on Musical Family Tree to stream and download.
Hey JNR friends.
Earlier this week Sound of Ceres landed a spot on NPR's All Songs Considered. "Dagger Only Run" comes off the band's debut album, Nostalgia For Infinity, out March 4th on yours truly (us, JNR).
Let's get one thing straight. This album is not for the faint of heart. We're talkin' real edgy, hard-hitting stuff here, folks. In fact, it's a surprise that even Bob and Robin's hardened, road-worn palettes could stomach such sonic ferocity. Hipsters beware: this is by no means an album to "vibe out" or "chill" to. This album will literally kill you. That is, of course, unless one's heart is strong and constitution steadfast. Honestly, I can't even listen to this album. As a lowly intern, I am subject to all music coming through the label, and I'd be lying if I told you I walked away from this album without my ears/spirit severely maimed. The closest one could come to describing the experience would to liken it to that of a face-to-face encounter with the seraphim of Ezekiel, four heads and all, wheeling paradoxically through the sky declaring the terror and woe of divine wrath. But that really only describes the first single from the album, "Hand of Winter," found below.
I've never met Karen, or any other of the bands intimidatingly stoic members. But the sheer magnitude of their sound is so intense that one can only imagine that any encounter with the band itself, physical or metaphysical, would buckle the knees of the even the most seasoned crust-punk mosh pit veteran. Just mere mention of the group, like the blinding light of their galactic namesake, begets an undeniable "presence" in the room, assuming the structure in which the name is haphazardly whispered is sound enough the bear the weight its cosmic significance, or at least up to code. Thankfully, the big-wigs here at the office have taken all necessary precautions toward such endeavors.
If you are brave, you may pre-order the album on the Joyful Noise website.
Good Luck.
Announcing: of Montreal "Almost Live from Joyful Noise"! This exclusive recording is released on screen-printed white vinyl as part of our VIP Singles Series.
On October 22, 2015 we invited our friends of Montreal to participate in this "Almost Live" series. The oM boys were trying to fit this session in between sound check and doors of their show, happening down the street at the Murat in Indianapolis. As a result, JNR was helping to cart the band back and forth. We arrived at the venue in time to catch a bit of their soundcheck, and had a few hugs (Davy and Dobby had just been at our space a few weeks earlier with Yip Deceiver).
When we arrived at the venue, it didn't seem that Kevin had yet decided what song to do for their session. He had toyed with the idea of doing a new unreleased song, but apparently the bass part was far to complicated for Davy to be able to nail live. They ended up deciding on "Empyrean Abattoir", which was awesome not only because it's an awesome song, but because just about a year prior Kevin had played an early version of this song on acoustic guitar in my basement for his WARMfest lathe-cut. And we were now able to hear the fully-realized, fleshed out final song as part of our Almost Live session.
The band nailed it in one take. No bullshit with these guys. They just played through once, and it was magical. We asked if they wanted to try another take, and they just looked at us like "why?"...
A few donuts and PBRs later, we were driving the band back to the show just in time to see Diane Coffee.
Jad Fair of Half Japanese delivers yet another whimsical and wondrous cinematic experience with the video for "It's Called Love". A huge thanks to Tiny Mix Tapes for debuting it for them. Check it out!
There is a place where ignorance meets wisdom. There is a time where youth meets experience. There is an ocean where the ship of curiosity sets sail to find the island of knowledge. There is beer.
Now you have a chance to come behind the scenes to see how we waste away the precious hours of our lives running an indie record label. It can be very rewarding. It can be frustrating. It is always interesting.
Come join us for a marketing internship this winter and spring! We are currently accepting applications for a 14 week unpaid, volunteer internship starting the week of January 25th. You are required to come to our Indianapolis offices 8 hours per week split into two shifts. The shift options are Mondays 11:30am to 3:30pm, Wednesdays 12:00pm to 4pm, and Fridays 12:30 to 4:30.
Here are some of the potential benefits:
Fill out the application below!
We are pleased to announce our roster to the 2016 Flexi-Disc Series!
In case you are unaware, the Joyful Noise Flexi-Disc Series is a platform for some of our favorite artists to release never-before-heard recordings on a fleeting analog format. Artists are encouraged to be as adventurous as possible for the duration of one single-sided flexi disc (which is essentially a square, flexible 7" record). These are unique and ephemeral tracks from some of the best bands in the world.
Each release is strictly limited to a one-time pressing of 1000 copies on clear, single-sided, square Flexi Disc (w/ full cover art chosen by the band). These songs will not be released digitally or on any other format. That is to say, the total existence of each recording is limited to just 1000 copies, on an increasingly-degrading analog format.
2016 will be our 5th and FINAL YEAR of the Flexi-Disc Series - which I know... it's sad. But all good things must come to an end.
This year will feature the following amazing artists:
Ava Luna
Briana Marela
Chris Cohen
Don Caballero
Julianna Barwick
Le Butcherettes
Lil BUB feat. the Uncluded (Aesop Rock & Kimya Dawson)
Ought
Prince Rama
Sondre Lerche
Swirlies
Thurston Moore
Greetings JNR friends:
We are pleased to announce our 2016 VIP Membership! In case you're unfamiliar, our VIP program is a special membership that includes exclusive limited vinyl, free downloads of all new releases, free shipping, and much more.
What are you supporting when you sign up? In the age of free digital music, JNR survives because of your VIP membership. We use these funds to pay for fundamental operating costs so the artists ultimately don't have to chip in for things like utilities, rent, packing materials, humble staff wages and other things. This gives us the freedom to treat our artists fairly, and release amazing music with less of an eye on financial viability.
In addition to the usual perks, we have some very exciting changes going into effect in 2016. Most significantly, we have a new singles series, featuring screen-printed, pressed 7" records (and the first one is the Melvins!), plus every VIP will now receive free shipping on all orders anywhere in North America, UK, or Europe.
Here are the details:
VIP Singles Series!
We have a brand new VIP-exclusive 7" series beginning in 2016! Throughout the year we will be releasing monthly singles, pressed on white or clear 7" vinyl w/ screen-printed artwork (and unique screen-printed design on side B). VIP singles feature our "Almost Live" sessions, as well as unreleased "Mystery Singles" from our roster.
And we're very happy to announce that the January installment comes from the Melvins! This is a much-requested, proper vinyl pressing of our Melvins "Almost Live" session in which they covered Bikini Kill's "Rebel Girl" featuring Teri Gender Bender (Le Butcherettes)... now pressed on white vinyl w/ screen-printed art on Side B designed by Mackie Osborne, packaged in a screen-printed jacket. Check it:
FREE SHIPPING!
FINAL YEAR of the Flexi-Disc Series!
All good things must come to an end… 2016 will mark the fifth and final year for our annual flexi-disc series. And we’re going out with a bang. Lots of amazing artists lined up, who will be announced very soon.
NOTE: The custom-built, screen-printed wooden box will only be available to those who sign up for the yearly option.
