- J.T.F.
p.s. stay tuned for updates on the physical Dresser album release coming in the next couple weeks.
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
NEW INSOUCIANT RECORD: DRESSER OUT NOW!!!
Hello everybody! Who would've thought a new post would come so soon? Well it would not have if there wasn't some extremely exciting news afoot. It seems NotRock has reached another milestone point in its history because Tuesday May 18th 2010 Insouciant has dropped NotRock's 26th release! That's right NR-026 has taken the moniker of "Dresser" the latest album released by all star band INSOUCIANT! This album has seven of the finest songs of their career, was recorded by Bryan Kwasnik and mastered by Chad Clark @ Silver Sonya! As of right now it is available at this link http://insouciant.bandcamp.com/album/dresser via digital download on a name your price basis. "Name my price! What does that mean?" Well kind sir or madame that means you can pay whatever you wish. No tricks. Hypothetically you can even choose to pay nothing but of coarse you wouldn't do that. I mean what kind of jackass doesn't want to support independent art? "What's with this digital nonsense?" You ask. "I though you guys made tangible records!" Well if you are not savvy about this whole interweb music mp3 hoopla the music world has become do not fret boys and girls because "Dresser" will be available in hard copy, tangible matter form in a couple weeks. It has some pretty righteous artwork and will be coming with a really cool lyric booklet the likes of which NotRock releases set a standard of DIY pride. Both NotRock and Insouciant are very proud of this release so please take a few minutes and check it out. As always thank you to those who take interest in what we do and we hope to see you at a show.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
EXTRA EXTRA READ ALL ABOUT THIS: NEW YEAR! NEW BANDS! NEW RECORDS! NEW NEWS!
Welcome all to a new year over at Not Rock Records. "What's so special about that?" you ask. "Same as every year!" you say. Well comrades this year (2010) just happens to be the 10th anniversary of Not Rock's birth. "Why is that so special? Do you guys even do anything anymore?" Of coarse we do you dumb son of a bitch! In fact to mark this special occasion Not Rock will be creating a series of small documentaries to show not only what we HAVE done but also what we DO. They will be based on a year by year basis (covering the origins and following through the 10 years) and ultimately followed by profile docs about the musical projects/bands themselves. Is that enough? Of coarse not. We've just launched our youtube channel http://www.youtube.com/user/NotRockRecords that will house these documentaries as well as much archival footage both new and old.
- Speaking of new we have quite a few new musical projects that have either made their debuts already or are debuting in the very near future. The first of which you can actually find on said youtube channel is PLEASE EXIST, a heavy indie power duo comprised of Not Rock veterans RALPH CHUDLEY and JOHN FISHER. They are currently writing and practicing a slew of songs to be recorded, released, and toured ASAP. Their debut show took place on 4/16/2010 to significant fanfare. You can view the entire set on the youtube channel mention above. You can also find them on the facebook.
- The next project should give many out there the tinglies. RUSSELL, another duo (what the?) is making there way onto the scene with haste. This group is fantastic because not only are they making incredible music but equally because they are making incredible music again. This duo reunites Mr. Ned Mears and Mr. Adam Kaniper (Who are they? Gee I don't know. They were only in bands that produced the two greatest hardcore records to ever come out of New Jersey.) in a trading off of guitar/vocal/drum duties. There's not much content up yet but leaked information tells us that they are ready to record and are booking studio time. Check them out and friend the hell out of them at http://www.myspace.com/russellaccord Get excited. Very Excited.
-That's right we're not done yet. You may recall their debut from the Not Rock X-mass compilation but if not another budding project called LOST WAX is ready to bloom with a record or so in the near future. This duo (I know another! What the hell!) is comprised of Anna and Adam (of Insouciant fame) and is hard at work recording some of the billion songs they have and although not much has been released for the world's ears to hear yet if this http://lostwax.bandcamp.com/ is any indication of what is in store for us then we are in for a real treat my friends. Give it a listen and also friend the hell out of them http://www.myspace.com/lostwaxmusic while your at it because this is one musical endeavor your going to want to pay attention to.
- The final musical project should really need no introduction but for any of you fools out who are not familiar with Bryan Kwasnik myspace.com/bryankwasnik take this opportunity to give a listen now. Bryan has been busy lending his talents to playing in Insouciant and recording various projects including the bulk of the Not Rock X-Mass Compilation. However it seems a few of you out there don't know that he is one hell of a songwriter. Over the past couple of years he has self released two albums of catchy, youthful, nostalgic indie rock (I'll fist fight anyone who doesn't think SLEEPYHEAD would be perfect on any mixtape.) and in the coming months he is about to drop not one but TWO MORE! That's right TWO BRAND NEW BRYAN KWASNIK RECORDS ARE ON THE WAY! For the love of whatever you may love, check this kid out because in a couple years you'll want to be one of those people who can say I got those records when they first came out and I went to see him way back when before he was the next indie rock king.
- Another very important piece of news is in regards to that band that Bryan is in: Insouciant. Over the past couple of years Insouciant has accomplished a lot. Last spring they dropped two records in one day. A proud accomplishment that took a lot of time, effort and at times definitely took it's toll on the members. They've had their ups and downs and their evolutionary process has be an interesting and sometimes complex one. No matter what the obstacle they always seemed to have persevered. Adaption has always been key with this group no matter who was involved. No matter how hard the struggle Insouciant always seems to step up their game. You always could expect them to knock it up a notch the next time around no matter what they were pouring their hearts into. Thats why it breaks our heart know that in the coming months INSOUCIANT, a band that seems to have always been there when you needed them, WILL BE RELEASING THE BEST DAMN RECORD OF THEIR CAREER! I'm sorry did I say breaks? I meant swells with joy. Their new record entitle DRESSER has seven of the finest songs in their catalogue and despite the fact that there are only seven we would still like to view it as a full length because it's actually a hair longer than the previous record and the last track is quite epic in proportion. They are very proud of this album and can't wait for you to hear it. Look for more updates very soon about INSOUCIANT DRESSER NR-026 http://www.myspace.com/insouciantmusic
- In closing I would just like to say thank you to anyone who takes any time to read these posts or to check out any of these bands. As stated above 2010 belongs to Not Rock and we intend to show you just that. Mind you there were quite a few things that we're mentioned in this post but that is not nearly all that is going on at Not Rock. Those are just simply some of the big things to expect in the very near future. There are still many other things in the works. Projects of both past and present continue to gestate and develop as you read these words so don't be too surprised if many more great things surface as the year progresses. Until then go to some shows, support independent music and independent art in general. Make some of your own and be on the look out for great things from your friends here at NOT ROCK RECORDS. Thanks again.
Sincerely,
- John Thomas Fisher
Co Prez Not Rock Records
Saturday, December 26, 2009
NR-012: The Whole Story.
NR-012
“on the twelfth day of christmas my true love gave to me a notrock holiday compilation”
In 2003 the not rock tribe was drumming up songs and making records at a rate that rivaled the output of James Patterson's typewriter (with the difference being that the songs were actually worth listening to unlike those “novels”). John Fisher had a novel idea; “why don’t we all record christmas songs and put out a compilation? It’ll be like a gift to all the kids who’ve listened to and supported us.” Everyone loved the idea and committed to doing their part. That was the last I heard of it.
Fast-forward to early December 2009. I was standing in the notrock warehouse looking for a copy of some hit-laden release from yesteryear. Once John’s peepers caught sight of me perusing the back wall, he insisted on getting what I needed for me (something about not wanting me to muck-up his flawless filing system). After shoving me out of the way, he reached in between a motorized Barbie horse and my pet monster and pulled forth a padded envelope with “NR012” crudely written upon it in black ink. That kid’s face lit up like mrs. fox in the supermarket and he let out an excited cheer like some kid in an 80’s tv ad. I asked him what was so darn exciting and he said that he didn’t have to lie anymore and that he could finally come clean about the christmas compilation:
John divulged to me that back in 2003 after the last of the christmas songs were handed in he compiled the master disc and hid it so that nobody would get a “sneak peak”. Problem was that he forgot where he had stashed it. So, for the past six years he’s been telling people it never happened because everybody else dropped the ball and failed to hand in songs.
(Side Note: I started to think that he might have my 3 3/4” GI Joe LAW & ORDER: MP with K9 Dog and that I didn’t give it to Pat Helms like he’s been telling me since 1989).
What’s weird is after he pulled out the master I only recognized two band names on the whole darn thing and the liner notes said some of the songs were recorded in 2009. That’s a little bizarre right? I mean, how could a cd made in 2003 have songs on it that didn’t exist until 6 years later? You can tell me I’m wrong for not trusting my friend and what he told me, but this story seemed too far-fetched to be legit. It’s taken me a great deal of serious contemplation over many sleepless nights, but I’m pretty sure I’ve finally figured out and come to terms with what “really” happened:
By December 2003 only Annoying Customer had handed in a holiday song for the compilation (which was purely coincidental because the song had been part of their back catalog for years). After the next couple of years went by without any other submissions John got embarrassed that the release he promised was being held up by means outside of his control. Now, what happened next might be somewhat difficult to swallow, but I am fairly certain that my dearest friend invented a time machine sometime in the middle of the decade and went into the future to gather songs for the compilation. He then went back to the year 2003 and put the finished cd in the warehouse in a place where he would be sure to find it; between the motorized Barbie horse and the my pet monster. Problem was that the 2003 version of him was much less interested in these things and it took until 2009 for him to stumble upon the envelope while looking for some hit-laden release from yesteryear for me.
I know. I know . . . Why didn’t he just bring the songs back to the year in which he invented the time machine? Why didn’t he just retrieve it when he returned from hiding it in 2003? These are great questions but I don’t know the answers and I’m not one to speculate on things without hard evidence. And ultimately what does it matter to you anyway? You’ve got your compilation cd. I’m the only one that should be a little peeved. I mean, first of all my best friend invents a time machine and doesn’t even tell me about it no less take me with him, and secondly he’s probably got my gi-joe veiled up somewhere in that warehouse!
All truth aside, the notrock holiday compilation is finally available. It’s called “on the twelfth day of christmas my true love gave to me a notrock holiday compilation” and you can get your very own copy for $3ppd. It has seventeen tunes; arranged as follows:
Sugar Cookies – Insouciant
Silent Night, Deadly Night – Annoying Customer
Snow Day – Built Me a Garden
This Boy’s Life – People In Charge
Your Christmas Sweater – Hero Squad
We Three Kings – Jenna DQ
Boot Tracks – Lost Wax
Hope, Love, and a Visit (to our youth) From Santa – Adzam
The Dogs of New York – Brian Chaundhry
Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming – Maple Faust
Why Don’t We Just Stay Up? – Bryan Kwasnik
Santa, Santa – Particle Zoo
Greensleeves – John Fisher & Molly Farrell
Letter to Santa – Systolic Reverie
12/25 – Maple Faust
Sugar Cookies (Acoustic) – Insouciant
Silent Night – Insouciant
It also has handmade diecut sleeves and is wrapped in a bow if those types of things should meet your fancy; and they should of course.
Postscript:
The insert reads “Happy Holidays from the Not Rock Family”. Please take that for more than a phrase in passing. There is a real family behind these things and I am forever grateful to have it hold my heart. For a while now a dear friend has been promising me a copy of “A Christmas Gift for You from Phil Spector”, if you don’t have it I suggest you pick it up, but personally I don’t need it anymore. How could it top a christmas cd that has most of the folks I care greatly about in the world all singing their hearts out?
“on the twelfth day of christmas my true love gave to me a notrock holiday compilation”
In 2003 the not rock tribe was drumming up songs and making records at a rate that rivaled the output of James Patterson's typewriter (with the difference being that the songs were actually worth listening to unlike those “novels”). John Fisher had a novel idea; “why don’t we all record christmas songs and put out a compilation? It’ll be like a gift to all the kids who’ve listened to and supported us.” Everyone loved the idea and committed to doing their part. That was the last I heard of it.
Fast-forward to early December 2009. I was standing in the notrock warehouse looking for a copy of some hit-laden release from yesteryear. Once John’s peepers caught sight of me perusing the back wall, he insisted on getting what I needed for me (something about not wanting me to muck-up his flawless filing system). After shoving me out of the way, he reached in between a motorized Barbie horse and my pet monster and pulled forth a padded envelope with “NR012” crudely written upon it in black ink. That kid’s face lit up like mrs. fox in the supermarket and he let out an excited cheer like some kid in an 80’s tv ad. I asked him what was so darn exciting and he said that he didn’t have to lie anymore and that he could finally come clean about the christmas compilation:
John divulged to me that back in 2003 after the last of the christmas songs were handed in he compiled the master disc and hid it so that nobody would get a “sneak peak”. Problem was that he forgot where he had stashed it. So, for the past six years he’s been telling people it never happened because everybody else dropped the ball and failed to hand in songs.
(Side Note: I started to think that he might have my 3 3/4” GI Joe LAW & ORDER: MP with K9 Dog and that I didn’t give it to Pat Helms like he’s been telling me since 1989).
What’s weird is after he pulled out the master I only recognized two band names on the whole darn thing and the liner notes said some of the songs were recorded in 2009. That’s a little bizarre right? I mean, how could a cd made in 2003 have songs on it that didn’t exist until 6 years later? You can tell me I’m wrong for not trusting my friend and what he told me, but this story seemed too far-fetched to be legit. It’s taken me a great deal of serious contemplation over many sleepless nights, but I’m pretty sure I’ve finally figured out and come to terms with what “really” happened:
By December 2003 only Annoying Customer had handed in a holiday song for the compilation (which was purely coincidental because the song had been part of their back catalog for years). After the next couple of years went by without any other submissions John got embarrassed that the release he promised was being held up by means outside of his control. Now, what happened next might be somewhat difficult to swallow, but I am fairly certain that my dearest friend invented a time machine sometime in the middle of the decade and went into the future to gather songs for the compilation. He then went back to the year 2003 and put the finished cd in the warehouse in a place where he would be sure to find it; between the motorized Barbie horse and the my pet monster. Problem was that the 2003 version of him was much less interested in these things and it took until 2009 for him to stumble upon the envelope while looking for some hit-laden release from yesteryear for me.
I know. I know . . . Why didn’t he just bring the songs back to the year in which he invented the time machine? Why didn’t he just retrieve it when he returned from hiding it in 2003? These are great questions but I don’t know the answers and I’m not one to speculate on things without hard evidence. And ultimately what does it matter to you anyway? You’ve got your compilation cd. I’m the only one that should be a little peeved. I mean, first of all my best friend invents a time machine and doesn’t even tell me about it no less take me with him, and secondly he’s probably got my gi-joe veiled up somewhere in that warehouse!
All truth aside, the notrock holiday compilation is finally available. It’s called “on the twelfth day of christmas my true love gave to me a notrock holiday compilation” and you can get your very own copy for $3ppd. It has seventeen tunes; arranged as follows:
Sugar Cookies – Insouciant
Silent Night, Deadly Night – Annoying Customer
Snow Day – Built Me a Garden
This Boy’s Life – People In Charge
Your Christmas Sweater – Hero Squad
We Three Kings – Jenna DQ
Boot Tracks – Lost Wax
Hope, Love, and a Visit (to our youth) From Santa – Adzam
The Dogs of New York – Brian Chaundhry
Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming – Maple Faust
Why Don’t We Just Stay Up? – Bryan Kwasnik
Santa, Santa – Particle Zoo
Greensleeves – John Fisher & Molly Farrell
Letter to Santa – Systolic Reverie
12/25 – Maple Faust
Sugar Cookies (Acoustic) – Insouciant
Silent Night – Insouciant
It also has handmade diecut sleeves and is wrapped in a bow if those types of things should meet your fancy; and they should of course.
Postscript:
The insert reads “Happy Holidays from the Not Rock Family”. Please take that for more than a phrase in passing. There is a real family behind these things and I am forever grateful to have it hold my heart. For a while now a dear friend has been promising me a copy of “A Christmas Gift for You from Phil Spector”, if you don’t have it I suggest you pick it up, but personally I don’t need it anymore. How could it top a christmas cd that has most of the folks I care greatly about in the world all singing their hearts out?
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