It is halfway through the year and after a flurry of activity in late 2009 with multiple releases and the CMJ showcase in New York City and a cool showcase at SXSW 2010 we are back and having our first release of the year -- a fabulous double disc CD and vinyl album by the venerable Grip Weeds -- the album "Strange Change Machine" is a brilliant pinnacle in The Grip Weeds' career -- it combines neo-psychedelia, hard rock, garage rock, acoustic song craft and a pr0duction job that jumps out of the speakers -- the guitar textures and vocal harmonies are lustrous -- this is a must-have album and the artwork is also sublime .
Little Steven Van Zandt has already chosen "Speed of Life", the lead-off track, as his "Coolest Song in the World" during his springtime airing Little Steven's Underground Garage radio show which airs throughout North America on terrestrial radio and throughout the world on Sirius Satellite.
The CD release party is this Friday, June 18th at The Village Underground in New York City -- the official release date is June 29th.
Upcoming Releases
More RQ releases are coming this summer and fall from The Capstan Shafts, Solaram (former Three-4-Tens), The Sails, The Gurus and RQ veterans The High Dials -- other bands are finishing up albums and we will give you a snapshot analysis of these upcoming releases later this week.
Rainbow Quartz @ SXSW 2010
Rainbow Quartz Records' 2010 SXSW Showcase will be on Saturday, March 20th at The Wave (rooftop), 408 E. 6th Street, Austin TX Click here for directions to the venue -- here's the line-up:
8:00 pm - Solaram (Philadelphia)
9:00 pm - The Capstan Shafts (Vermont)
10:00 pm - The Broadfield Marchers (Louisville)
11:00 pm - Deleted Waveform Gatherings (Norway)
12:00 midnight - The Grip Weeds (New Jersey)
1:00 am - The Parties (San Francisco)
Jonathan Clarke, who hosts "Out of the Box" on Q104.3 FM (New York's top-rated new music show) will emcee the night.
Solaram is the new band from the frontman of the Three-4-Tens from Psychedelphia --The Capstan Shafts are a Brooklyn Vegan fave -- The Broadfield Marchers and Deleted Waveform Gatherings recently received major stars for their brilliant 2009 releases in UNCUT magazine (DWG ****) --The Grip Weeds' "Salad Days" made Little Steven's Top 50 Coolest Songs of the Decade! -- The Parties have received great reviews from the likes of Amplifier Magazine, The Big Takeover and PopMatters.
2010 promises to be a great year for Rainbow Quartz Records with new releases by The Grip Weeds, Solaram, The Capstan Shafts ...
To listen to any of these bands go to Rainbow Quartz Myspace page and check out the radio player
Rainbow Quartz is your source for "perfect guitar pop, rock and psychedelia"
Exclusive 2009 tracks from The Telepathic Butterflies & The Parties
Check out exclusive tracks from the new Telepathic Butterflies album 'Wow & Flutter' and The Parties' 'Cryin' Shame' E.P. Both out now on Rainbow Quartz.
Listen to exclusive new tracks from Deleted Waveform Gatherings & The Broadfield Marchers
CMJ Festival 2009 Rainbow Quartz Night @ Arlene's Grocery NYC
Saturday October 24 @ Arlene's Grocery, NYC
Once again, Rainbow Quartz is proud to present our annual showcase as part of CMJ 2009. This year's lineup is as exciting as ever, with an international roster of bands -- some that have been with us for years, and some that are brand new -- just be prepared to watch some great performances!
8:00 pm -- Elusive Parallelograms (Milwaukee, Wisconsin)
8:45 pm -- The Capstan Shafts (Lyndonville, Vermont)
9:30 pm -- Broadfield Marchers (Louisville, Kentucky)
10:15 pm -- The Contrast (Peterborough, England)
11:00 pm -- The Grip Weeds (Highland Park, New Jersey)
11:45 pm -- The Telepathic Butterflies (Winnipeg, Canada)
12:30 am -- The High Dials (Montréal, Canada) -- Special Guest Appearance
Arlene's Grocery
95 Stanton St.
New York, NY 10002
Phone: 212.995.1652
Subway Directions:
1. F or V Train to 2nd Avenue
2. Exit 1st Avenue
3. Arlene's Grocery is 1 block below Houston Street, between Orchard and Ludlow Streets
Drop by, have a cold one and enjoy some of your favorite music!
Click on the player below to hear tracks by all of the artists appearing.
Listen to exclusive new tracks from The June & Wonderwheel
3 exclusive tracks from Elusive Parallelograms 'And Everything Changes' - out June 9
Rainbow Quartz @ SXSW 2009
RAINBOW QUARTZ SHOWCASE NITE
Saturday, March 21, 2009
BD Riley’s (http://www.bdrileys.com/)
204 E 6th St. / Austin, Texas
512.494.1335 (21+)
Band Schedule:
9:00 pm - Broadfield Marchers - from Louisville, Kentucky
10:00 pm - Deleted Waveform Gatherings - from Oslo, Norway
11:00 pm - The Telepathic Butterflies - from Winnipeg, Manitoba
12:00 am - The Orchid Highway - from Vancouver, British Columbia
1:00 am - The Parties - from San Francisco, California
Listen to exclusive tracks from November 2008 Rainbow Quartz releases
CMJ Festival 2008 - Rainbow Quartz night @ Arlene's Grocery, 95 Stanton Street, New York, NY
On Saturday October 25th Rainbow Quartz Records will have it’s annual CMJ showcase at Arlene’s Grocery (95 Stanton Street) – please join us for a great night of new music hosted by Q104.3’s DJ Jonathan Clarke – listen to Q104.3 this Sunday during JC’s “Out of the Box” and Little Steven’s Underground Garage syndicated radio show between 9:00 pm and midnight for the Rainbow Quartz commercial featuring music clips by some of the bands.
Performing that night are:
8:00 - The Parties (San Francisco), 8:45 - Broadfield Marchers (Louisville), 9:30 - The Telepathic Butterflies (Winnipeg), 10:30 The Grip Weeds (New Jersey), 11:30 - The Contrast (UK), 12:15 – The Capstan Shafts (Vermont)
Click on the player below to hear new and classic tracks from all the artists appearing.
Listen to exclusive tracks from September 2008 Rainbow Quartz releases
Listen to exclusive tracks from July 2008 Rainbow Quartz releases
Listen to exclusive tracks from May 2008 Rainbow Quartz releases
The Lackloves - AMG review
Cathedral Square Park – All Music Guide review:
It's been nearly two decades since the Blow Pops took root, but frontman Mike Jarvis shows no sign of losing his power pop sweet tooth. Guitar hooks, thick harmonies, and effervescent melodies are the standard on Cathedral Square Park, Jarvis' fourth album with Blow Pops spinoffs the Lackloves. Despite the addition of newcomer Kevin Ponec (their third bassist in ten years, and -- in a startling contrast to the band's lighthearted jangle pop -- a professional gravedigger), the Lackloves rarely sound like a support group for their lead singer. Rather, they're a tight power trio with three competent vocalists, all of whom do their best to pack ample amounts of sticky-sweet melody into the album's every nook and cranny. Cathedral is built on hooks, and hummable bits of pop craftsmanship show up everywhere: the bassline in "Space Age Romeo," the rhythmic interplay of "Dance with Me," the '50s-styled melody and galloping drums that make "Marlena" sound like the long-lost granddaughter of Buddy Holly's "Peggy Sue." Backed by the oohs and aahs of his bandmates, Jarvis spins lovelorn narratives like a 21st century Allan Clarke, occasionally channeling Alex Chilton's pop/rock vigor during the most energetic tracks. Like many Rainbow Quartz bands, the Lackloves haven't trained their eyes on the Billboard charts, and Cathedral Square Park lacks the obvious commercial bent of, say, a Fountains of Wayne release. So while there's nothing like "Stacy's Mom" here, Cathedral could still be the first solid pop album of 2008, with even the least intriguing songs packing a solid punch. After all, it's all ear candy -- even the less substantive pieces are still thoroughly addictive.
- Andrew Leahey – www.allmusic.com
Coming Soon: New releases for 2008
Rainbow Quartz is gearing up for a very busy and exciting year, with new albums on the way from The Shake, The Capstan Shafts, The Pillbugs, Deleted Waveform Gatherings, The Gurus, The Rhinos, The Orchid Highway & The Parties. - Watch this space for more news coming soon!!
Listen to exclusive new songs from The Lackloves
THE LACKLOVES are a world-class power-pop trio – pure pop confection with jangle and psychedelia abounding. The current lineup features Mike Jarvis on vocals/guitar, Kevin Ponec on bass and Tommy D on drums. Cathedral Square Park, their long-awaited third release on Rainbow Quartz is out on March 4 - Click below to hear three exclusive tracks from the album.
CMJ 2007
On Saturday, October 20, 2007, Rainbow Quartz will be taking over Arlene's Grocery on the lower East Side of Manhattan (95 Stanton St.) for a great night of new music at CMJ 2007. Jonathan Clarke, Q104.3FM's venerable New York DJ will be hosting the night and introducing the artists. Also, listen to Q104.3FM on Sunday nights during JC's "Out of the Box" and Little Steven's
Underground Garage Syndicated radio show for Rainbow Quartz' commercial with music clips of some of the artists performing that night. The show will feature the following bands:
7.30PM - The Pillbugs (Toledo,Ohio)
8.15PM - The Mellowmen (Sweden)
9.00PM - The Capstan Shafts (Vermont)
9.45PM - The Deleted Waveform Gatherings (Norway)
10.30PM - The Contrast (England)
11.15PM - The Three 4 Tens (Philadelphia)
12.00AM - The Grip Weeds (New Jersey)
The Pillbugs will be playing their first show in New York in a few years. The band sounds like a cross between early Traffic, Cotton Mather ,and Myracle Brah with the experimental flourishes of BeBop Deluxe and solo Bill Nelson. The Mellowmen, who did a now legendary live show at IPO Liverpool this year, sound like McCartney/Emmett Rhodes/10cc -- but live these guys are supposedly killer, being compared to a rocking Moody Blues/Beach Boys with the pianist being described as Elton John on peyote buttons and steroids. The Capstan Shafts are playing their first live show ever -- on record their new album evokes Ray Davies/Fall/Guided By Voices with a hint of Wire or Buzzcocks -- this is going to be interesting. Deleted Waveform Gatherings evoke Cotton Mather and The Byrds by way of Pavement and The Who. The Contrast return to New York for the first time in a while and are stoked to blow the roof off the house. Now that they are signed to Little Steven Van Zandt's Wicked Cool label and are on a career high (with great success at Triple A radio and national video) they will most certainly take no prisoners. Psychedelphia's Three-4-Tens are playing the prime time of 11:15 and should not be missed as their sophisticated psychedelia and laser sharp neo-garage rock consistently leaves the audience breathless. Another Little Steven signee and local favorite, The Grip Weeds will most assuredly bring down the house after midnight.
The Capstan Shafts on Rainbow Quartz
The Capstan Shafts Environ Maiden Street date October 16 on Rainbow Quartz Records First live show ever scheduled for CMJ 2007
Smart, sharp, and emotionally resonant indie pop songs. - Matt Lemay / Pitchfork
Though they flit across the screen like butterflies, each song makes an impression thanks to Wells' knack for intriguing lyrics and his sharp melodic gift. --Tim Sendra / AMG
THE CAPSTAN SHAFTS are a one-man band from Lyndonville, Vermont, also known as DEAN WELLS. With over 17 releases since 2004 (self-released under his own Ladder The Xmas Monkey and through labels such as Asaurus and Yellow Mica), describing The Capstan Shafts as steadily prolific would be an understatement. However, until now, there has never been a properly distributed release, although word on Wells' deliriously prodigious recordings has been percolating in the indie pop underground and building momentum with each new release.
The band has signed to Rainbow Quartz in 2007 to release a brand new 29-track LP, environ maiden. To commemorate, Capstan Shafts will play its first live full-band show ever – details tba – at CMJ 2007 this October in New York.
click here to hear four exclusive songs from the new album.
The music consists of fiercely lo-fi short songs, nearly all under two minutes in length but all powerful enough to leave an indelible impression with a memorable melody line, phrase or riff. The song titles are amusing and enigmatic; the sound is an appealing homemade indie fuzz-rock with perfect pop hooks, intimate and playful, fleshed out with classic rock guitar riffs. Cryptic lyrics pair with catchy melodies and concise songs to conjure touches of GUIDED BY VOICES, BELLE & SEBASTIAN, the entire ELEPHANT 6 catalog, LOU BARLOW, LILYS, RAY DAVIES, THE MAN WHO SOLD THE WORLD-era BOWIE, and even punk pioneers WIRE and YOUNG MARBLE GIANTS.
Feedback:
This Vermont lo-fi one-man-band has put out so much music in the last year or so, and it just keeps getting better. - The Big Takeover
Mmmmm. Delicious. …This is perfect for your musically ADD friend, or anyone who appreciates the early Elephant 6 sound mixed with general, low-fi goodness. -- You Aint No Picasso blogspot
So we have this fella, Dean Wells - known here as the capstan shafts, who seems to be the kind of guy who can pencil down / record / home-master an album all while his Vermont morning cup o' coffee perks through the filter. Likely the rare kind of guy who can make a small masterpiece quicker than his computer's burner can make a duplicate. Yeah, what will likely come to mind is obviously Robert Pollard [hear: "Can't Climb A Tree (Without Breaking A Few Branches)"] or (less-obviously) Lou Barlow - as you really wouldn't be too far off.. . there is opinionated genius lurking in these 20 tracks. Bee Thousand actually lives damn close to a fantastic track like "Grindcore Tribals" (or "Hominid Stickler") - and every acre of this sacred lot is about called for. – SCTAS
Spring/Summer 2007 News Update
Rainbow Quartz got a slow start to 2007 with its first release of the year, The Mellowmen (Sweden) and The Shake (Spain) coming out on April 3rd. The build-up to the 2007 release schedule was a great St.Paddy's day showcase at SXSW Music Festival in Austin, Texas where a packed house was treated to melodic and lysergic show with highlights--the hometown, The Summer Wardrobe, the monstrousThe Asteroid #4, (these guys are getting BIG) and the velvety psychedelia of Outrageous Cherry. All were showcasing new albums--which have been embraced by the British Press! MOJO and UNCUT have come on-board with UNCUT noting the Outrageous Cherry show in Austin.
The Asteroid #4 are headed to the U.K. in May for a first-ever tour and The Summer Wardrobe just opened for Roky Erickson in a sold-out N.Y. city gig.
May 15, 2007 sees new albums by The Contrast and The Three-4-Tens. The Contrast album is their best yet--a stunner--from start to finish. The Three-4-Tens' album is a textured, crystaline blend of rock, pop and pyschedlia. The lead-off track "Every Day" sounds like R.E.M on peyote buttons meets "Good Earth-era Feelies". And track #2 sounds like a Doors, Echo and The Bunnymen, Happy Mondays collaboration. Both bands are servicing North American outlets with cool videos in May and Little Steven just chose "Believe" by The Contrast as the "Coolest song in the world" for his Sunday night radio show on May 7th.
On May 29th, The Get Quick release a lavish and rocking, glam-fest of an album with an eclectic mix of angular rock & pop. This Philadelphia band is awesome live with a tight killer set. The album has a broad spectrum of songs with hints of new wave, T-Rex like rockers and a downright Nirvana-ish track like "Chemical Reaction". This is true alternative rock with what we at the label feel has hints of such icons as XTC, Urge Overkill and even Devo!
In late June we are proud to release an album by one of the Norways finest bands--The Deleted Waveform Gatherings. Former members of the Dipsomaniacs--who sounded like Cotton Mather meets The Byrds-have recorded a beautiful album of crunchy,harmonic rock & pop. Singer, Oyvind still sounds like a relative of Cotton Mather's Robert Harrison or John Lennon--with album tracks sounding like Pavement meets The Beatles with flourishes of The Who. The 4th track, an ecclectic tune with flutes and a galloping beat even evokes a poppier more psychedelic Dave Matthews meets Donovan! This is a very cool album highly recommended for Cotton Mather fans. A Dipsomaniac's compilation is planned for fall release.
Coming in August is a treasure chest of perfect pop perfection. Two veteran Rainbow Quartz icons return with sparkling new albums. Myracle Brah have delivered a set of inspired songs that are packed with melodic colour that alternately jangle and rock. Andy Bopp took his time to sculpt an album filled with classic Myracle Brah hooks and fantastic guitar work, There is going to be something for everyone on this new album.
The new Lackloves album is almost finsihed and Mike Jarvis is keeping the album a closely guarded secret--no leakage of rough mixes, only a promise of chiming, cathedral-esque guitars and melodies and harmonies galore! We at the label have never heard him so enthusiastic in almost 7 years.
And, The Marmalade Souls, from Sweden have also delivered pop perfection with their debut album filled with great interchanging Girl-Boy vocals recalling a lysergic, 21st Century, Mersey beat/jangled-up Mamas and Papas, or RQ's Denise James meets Jefferson Airplane. The opening track even has the sophisticated flourishes of a Teardrop Explodes song. The closest Rainbow Quartz label mate comparison is the venerable Grip Weeds.
IPO Liverpool 2007
On May 26, Rainbow Quartz does a double showcase in Liverpool, England at the International Pop Overthrow Festival. Featured performers are The Contrast, Mellowmen, Deleted Waveform Gatherings, The Zinedines with The Asteroid #4 playing earlier in the week on Tuesday May 22.
RQ On The Internet
Look for a series of snappy "banner ads" and free MP3's and streaming audio on such sites as Insound, Popmatters, Amplifier, Pitchfork and E-Music. These will include songs by RQ bands that are released in 2007 as well as songs from albums that will not be released for months.
New Signing-Pillbugs-Late Summer-Release
This fab-Ohio based psychedelic-pop band have agreed to relase a formidable compilation of their most serious forays into guitar based pyschedelia with the opening two tracks on the album being brand new, never before heard perfect pop confections. Track #1 is down right Revolver-esque with sitars galore evoking early Traffic. Track #2 is one of the most perfect pop songs we have heard in years with chiming guitars and gorgeous harmonies. The album also boasts sophisticated sounds that would make Bill Nelson of Bebop Deluxe smile. This is a must have album for any Rainbow Quartz fans of Myracle Brah and Cotton Mather--and just about any fan of 21st Century Beatle-esque pop and rock.
Coming Soon: New releases for 2008
Rainbow Quartz is gearing up for a very busy and exciting year, with new albums on the way from The Shake, The Capstan Shafts, The Pillbugs, Deleted Waveform Gatherings, The Gurus, The Rhinos, Highway & The Parties. - Watch this space for more news coming soon!!
