Afraid we forgot about you? Not a chance! We are working behind the scenes to bring you a proper release schedule for our ten-year anniversary and have a few exciting bits to report. Although we have no new release this month, we have several in progress (see below) and as many as ten more releases planned for this year!
Warehouse Clearance Sale!
In the meantime, we’re having a massive sale at the mailorder to clear space for the new releases and to help us organize a spiffy new office for the label, the construction of which has taken most of our time these last few months. The end is in sight and it’s going to be a fantastic space in short order. Virtually every release from the label is now discounted 20 to 50 percent off regular price so take advantage of the savings to stock up on our splendid back catalog. The US dollar is at historic lows against most currencies right now too so if you’re overseas the prices are even more enticing. As always, there are additional releases that have now fallen into the sold out category and several more on the endangered list so don’t kick yourself for waiting because this sale should mark the end of a few more classics. The sale runs through June 30th so check the order page for details.
Our release schedule resumes in July with a long overdue repressing of the debut Harper Lee album ‘Go Back To Bed’ (matcd009), originally released in 2001 and sold out for a few years too many now. We’ve promised this repressing for awhile and will finally deliver it to satisfy unprecedented public demand.
The Lucksmiths, never happy to laze about for too long, are set to return to the new release shelves with not one, not two, but three new releases in the pipeline! First up is a dandy of a rarities retrospective, followed by a new single and album later in the year. You’ll be swooning over these for sure. The band is making plans for a visit to these fine shores later this year…hurrah!
Our newest band The Hermit Crabs will follow their smashing debut ‘Feel Good Factor’ EP (matinée 063) with an as-yet untitled debut album planned for late July. If you think the EP is good, wait until you hear some of these ace album tracks!
Following their magnificent self-titled debut album (matcd042), Seattle megastars Math and Physics Club will get back in the game in early autumn with an exclusive new CDEP. We’ve heard two of the songs already and it’s going to be another smash of course!
London lovelies Would-Be-Goods are busy finalizing details on a new set of enchanting songs for release this year. An album is on the agenda but it could be preceded with a single too if we’re lucky. The new songs are iPod favorites at the moment and certified fun for dancing with two-year olds if you’re looking for that sort of thing. Does anyone else have kids with such exquisite taste?
Similar story for our Aussie pals The Guild League who are working towards an album but are also entertaining release of an advance single. Fingers crossed…
Also now confirmed is an exclusive new compilation called ‘The Matinee Hit Parade’ (matcd045) which is a special celebration for our 10-year anniversary. Containing exclusive new songs from your favorite Matinée artists, the album promises ten 45-caliber hits that you won’t find anywhere else. Speaking of compilations, we plan to fill those pesky discography holes with the mythical ‘France On A Bicycle’ (matcd010) and ‘Matinée Idols’ (matcd013) collections this year too.
September and October should bring a set of Matinée anniversary shows, with plans afoot for gigs in our hometown Santa Barbara plus perhaps Los Angeles and San Francisco. There may be a European party of sorts too so stay tuned for all the details and if anyone is interested in helping with shows please get in touch.
There are a few Matinée bands playing live in the near future too so please take note:
The Hermit Crabs have two upcoming English dates—May 20th in London and July 28th at the fantastic Indie Tracks Mini Festival in Derbyshire. See more details here.
Lovejoy make an annual pilgrimage to their core fan base in Sweden with an appearance at the Rip It Up! festival on July 6 and 7. See the Lovejoy website for details and other news.
The Lucksmiths have a handful of Australian shows in the next week, including May 18th in Sydney, May 19th in Canberra, and May 26th in Queensland. See the band website for details.
Pipas are about to start a short California tour with stops May 17th in San Francisco, May 19th in Modesto, May 20th in Sacramento, May 21st in Isla Vista, and May 24th in Los Angeles. The band also plays Brooklyn and New York City on May 27th and June 8th, respectively. See the Pipas website for details.
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If recorded sound is what you’re after, don’t sleep until you pick up our latest crop of new releases! The press continues to swoon over our new albums, with Magnet Magazine setting the tone for its review of ‘It’s Been A While’ (matcd043) by The Pines with opening line “Pam Berry is a legend,” Pitchfork calling the self-titled Math and Physics Club album (matcd042) “music to hold hands to,” and Erasing Clouds declaring ‘Out To Sea’ (matcd041) from Brighter “a treasure trove of music from a truly remarkable band.”
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Meanwhile, gushing about the ‘Feel Good Factor’ EP (matinée 063) from The Hermit Crabs, Scottish magazine Is This Music? concluded “the EP definitely shows they’ve got legs of their own to carry on with, or at least pincers,” All Music Guide called the ‘England Made Me’ EP (matinée 062) from Lovejoy “one of their finest releases,” and Delusions of Adequacy described the ‘He Holds A Flame’ EP (matinée 061) from Harper Lee as “five songs that are as wonderfully catchy as anything they’ve done.”
Surely some of these are perfect to round out that big order you’re placing? Please see the catalog page for full release details and all the latest reviews.
In a combined March/April hit parade, The Hermit Crabs continue to make lots of new friends while fending off label veterans. Have you heard these hipsters yet?! Here’s the top ten:
10. The Lucksmiths – A Hiccup In Your Happiness CDEP
9. Tender Trap – Six Billion People CD
8. Brighter – Singles 1989-1992 CD
7. Math and Physics Club – Weekends Away CDEP
6. Harper Lee – He Holds A Flame CDEP
5. Math and Physics Club – Movie Ending Romance CDEP
4. Brighter – Out To Sea CD
3. The Pines – It’s Been A While CD
2. Math and Physics Club – Math and Physics Club CD
1. The Hermit Crabs – Feel Good Factor CDEP
We’ll be adding bits to the catalog and sounds pages and will return with a full update including new release details next month. Until then, please take advantage of our sale so we have less to move when the new office is finished!
Cheers,
Jimmy