Happy Birthday, Andrew Collberg

Fort Lowell Records · Andrew Collberg "Dirty Wind"

Check out Wilmington, North Carolina's Neon Belly's new logo

Fort Lowell Records' upcoming GROW: A Compilation in Solidarity with Black Lives Matter features the debut of The Port City punk rockers: Neon Belly.  Check out their newly designed logo, created by local Cape Fear artist Night Owls Only:

Happy Birthday, Winston Watson of Saint Maybe

Fort Lowell Records · Saint Maybe "Everything At Once (And More)"

Music Video: La Cerca "Climate Control"

We always ❤'ed this music video La Cerca did for their song "Climate Control" from their 2014 album Sunrise for Everyone (Fort Lowell Records FLR011):

GROW. Record. Review.

[Repost from Music. Defined.; by Josh Terzino, September 10, 2020]

MUSIC REVIEW: GROW: A Compilation In Solidarity With Black Lives Matter

As someone who would like to think that every cloud has a silver lining, I’ve been appreciating all the work artists have been doing to raise money and awareness for Black Lives Matter and others across the country who need help. I’ve donated as much as I could while on the dole, and will get back to supporting those organizations in need when I get back into the workforce. I’ve also been impressed with artists ability to create in a time when it is very easy to get overwhelmed with all the darkness in the world.

I was alerted to a new compilation by Fort Lowell Records out of North Carolina a couple weeks ago. They’ve got a vinyl pressing coming out at the end of October, which you can pre-order GROW (as I just did), on Bandcamp. You can also buy the album digitally right now. The release features tracks from Merge artists The Rosebuds and The Love Language, award-winning writer John Jeremiah Sullivan’s former group Life Of Saturdays, and Sean Thomas Gerard (Onward, Soldiers) among others.

My interest was piqued because the comp includes a new song by Kicking Bird, North Carolina’s number one surf rock band to former/current/forever Chaperone superfan yours truly. They’re a thousand miles away, but Shaun and Shaylah will always have a spot deep in the center of my soul. “What Would All The Other Girls Say (If They Knew What I Was Doing)” sits right in the middle of the album and brings a completely different vibe with it.

The track is infused with a bubblegum garage sound that marries the doo-wop of the ’50s with the indie rock of the early 00’s. Shaylah’s vocals float on a river of reverb over the stunted guitar riff that opens the song. The chorus explodes with “oohs” colliding with handclaps that run into a lead guitar solo that’s been simmering under the current waiting to bubble up to the surface.

GROW is raising funds for the Hanover County NAACP. Fort Lowell Records is based in Wilmington, North Carolina and the funds will all go to helping the citizens in their neighborhoods. The area is no stranger to racial issues, and they’ve done their homework to highlight a few of the bigger issues that have faced the state. The 1898 Wilmington Massacre is one of many, many examples of white oppressors doing everything they can to stop black Americans from taking the smallest steps toward equality.

Of course, one needs not look too far into the past to find demonstrations of racial inequality. Perhaps the most openly racist and homophobic Senator of my lifetime, Jesse Helms, was a Senator from North Carolina for 30 years. He filibusterd against making Martin Luther King Day a federal holiday, and called the Civil Rights Act of 1964 the “most dangerous piece of legislation ever introduced in the congress.” He voted against its extension in 1982. AND he was against naming Ruth Bader Ginsburg to the Supreme Court because he said she would support “a homosexual agenda.”

Republicans in North Carolina have been notorious, in recent years, for trying to rig elections through gerrymandering, even going so far as tampering with ballots in the 2018 elections. So, if there’s a state that needs help raising money for local organizations to fight against this attempt to suppress the vote and steal rights from people, please do what you can to lend a hand.

R.I.P. Walter Rossman [1971-2020]

My last conversation with Walter Rossmann of Imprint Indie Printing was over the telephone on June 8, 2020.  We discussed GROW: A Compilation in Solidarity with Black Lives Matter and Imprint's involvement as a sponsor.  At that time, Walter told me about his battle with cancer.  Yet, despite his own necessary and immediate priorities, Walter could not have been more proud to share his own precious time helping us with GROW.  Because of Walter's support, 100% of the sales from the record to endow the North Carolina New Hanover County NAACP with working capital to ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights of all persons and to eliminate race-based discrimination in our community.  Without Walter Rossmann, this would not have been possible.

Thank you, Walter, not only for your contributions with GROW, but also for all of the support and inspiration you provided the countless people in the music industry for the many years you dedicated to your craft.  So many great projects simply would not have taken place without your involvement.  Rest in peace, Walter Rossmann. - James Tritten of Fort Lowell Records

La Cerca "Free of Expectation" available now on all digital platforms

Music Video: "Free of Expectation" by La Cerca

[REPOST from The Big Takeover; by Big Takeover Exclusives, September 7, 2020]

Tucson, AZ-based ambient/psych-rock band La Cerca will be releasing their fifth album, A Nice Sweet Getaway, on September 25th via Fort Lowell Records. The LP showcases a sonic slideshow of multiple dimensions, with looped guitars and reflective ambiance emanating like waves under the Sonoran Desert sun.

The 11-tracks offer an endless source of inspiration, taking the listener on an exploratory excursion of learning and experimenting with a two-track recording device. The mostly (though not all) improvisational compositions meld together the radiation of fuzz, delay and modulation in a living room setting, with intimate microphone placement capturing the essence of musical movement in the room.

A Nice Sweet Getaway wends through empathetic sensitivities of unrest from stirring up dormant feelings and ideas after a protest; it is a personal voyage of love and memory ruminating on life’s travels…

La Cerca is the wellspring of Andrew Gardner, who is joined by other musicians including Bill Oberdick, Rick Bailey, Roger Reed, Nick Cashman, Brian Green, and Dani Ponci.

Big Takeover is please to host the video premiere of “Free of Expectation,” a gently guided ambient number that glows with shining, slowly drawn out guitar curves, like the unhurried downing of the sun over a desert landscape at the end of the evening. Occasional crackles of light percussion and echoing reverb mimic the sound of insects and plants getting ready to rest from the day.

The video clip, which was done by Jason Marrano, mirrors this gradually slowing down feeling, with close-up images and longer views of the natural world, including focused shots of cacti and other desert flora swaying in the light breeze. Dusky purple and faded red shadows signal the approach of night, under a partially cloudy sky. Soon a half-moon comes into view, completing the cycle of the day…

Fort Lowell Records · La Cerca "Free of Expectation"

Thank you, Bandcamp!

So, the folks at Bandcamp got word of what Fort Lowell Records is doing with our two releases - honeybrandy Not In Out City (Remixed) and GROW: A Compilation in Solidarity with Black Lives Matter - where we are donating 100% of our sales to the North Carolina New Hanover County NAACP, and they have decided to lower their own fees to allow for more money to flow through to our community! 

Thank you, Bandcamp! We truly appreciate your support! - Fort Lowell Records

Pre-Order 'GROW: A Compilation in Solidarity with Black Lives Matter' now

Moved by the horrific Memorial Day murder of George Perry Floyd Jr. at the hands of four Minneapolis Police officers, Fort Lowell Records presents GROW: A Compilation in Solidarity with Black Lives Matter. The project, focused on Wilmington, North Carolina, is a response to the racial injustice continuously displayed by law enforcement across the United States of America.  Friends of the formerly Tucson, Arizona-based label involved with GROW have donated their own talents to allow 100% of the sales from the record to endow the New Hanover County NAACP with working capital to help Fort Lowell’s newly adopted local community.  GROW is an effort to help address the dire effects of racism in America.

Pre-Order GROW now from:

• Gravity Records
• Modern Legend
• Yellow Dog Discs

TRACK LISTING & TIMES

SIDE-A

• A01 - 2:59 - Tracy Shedd - "Holding Space"
• A02 - 3:53 - Life of Saturdays - "That Kind of Love"
• A03 - 3:26 - Summer Set - "Comfortable Town"
• A04 - 2:18 - Neon Belly - "The Boys Are Alright"
• A05 - 3:22 - Pinky Verde - "Come on Over"
• A06 - 2:43 - Kicking Bird - "What Would All the Other Girls Say (If They Knew What I Was Doing)"

SIDE-B

• B01 - 2:19 - The Love Language - "Throwing Darts"
• B02 - 3:22 - The Majestic Twelve - " Amphibious Vehicular Love"
• B03 - 3:32 - Sean Thomas Gerard - "Strange & Electrifying"
• B04 - 4:03 - Lauds - "Don't Mind (GROW Remaster)"
• B05 - 3:47 - The Rosebuds - "Get Up Get Out (Mark Saunders Radio Remix)"
• B06 - 3:57 - Team Player - "Wake for You"

GROW: A Compilation in Solidarity with Black Lives Matter - Release Date: Friday, October 30, 2020

"Not in Our City" ~ Dr. Keith R. Anderson

Harding Street Assembly Lab, a record label based out of Lynchburg, Virginia, recently released an new album titled Deaton Forestbrook for the electronic drone duo honeybrandy.  The Digital LP features a track called "Not in Our City," which showcases a speech that was presented by Dr. Keith R. Anderson -- Chaplin of the Lynchburg Police Department, founder of the Highly Favored Ministries Association of Churches, and member of the newly formed Alliance for Policing Reform in Lynchburg, Virginia -- to the Lynchburg City Council on June 23, 2020.  Friends of Fort Lowell Records -- De La Noche (members of Summer Set), Tracy Shedd (Teen-Beat Records), Kevin Earl (Stoop Records), infinitikiss (member of Grace Joyner, Valley Maker), and Gordon Merrick (member of Life of Saturdays) -- were so moved by the music and Dr. Anderson's words, they all decided to make their own remix version of honeybrandy's song, which we have now made available to you as a Digital EP: Not in Our City (Remixed).

Scheduled to be released on Friday, September 18, 2020 and all digital music download and streaming platforms - honeybrandy's Not in Our City (Remixed) is being made exclusively available on Bandcamp today -- Friday, September 4, 2020 -- in line with Bandcamp Friday, when Bandcamp waives all of their own fees.  100% of the sales from the Not in Our City (Remixed) Digital EP will be donated to the New Hanover County NAACP to provide their organization with working capital to help Fort Lowell Records’s own community of Wilmington, North Carolina ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights of all persons and to eliminate race-based discrimination.  Benefactors can give any sum of money that works for their own budget to obtain the digital download audio files and unlimited music streaming access for Not in Our City (Remixed) through Bandcamp at fortlowell.bandcamp.com.

Visit Fort Lowell Records at Bandcamp to make a donation to the New Hanover County NAACP by purchasing honeybrandy Not in Our City (Remixed) now.  In the meantime, enjoy listening to De La Noche and Tracy Shedd's remixes below.  Be well, and be kind. - Fort Lowell Records

honeybrandy "Not in Our City (De La Noche Remix)"

Fort Lowell Records · honeybrandy "Not in Our City (De La Noche Remix)"

honeybrandy "Not in Our City (Tracy Shedd Remix)"

Fort Lowell Records · honeybrandy "Not in Our City (Tracy Shedd Remix)"

Music Video for Saint Maybe pulled from the archives

"Take It Easy (But Take It)" is the seventh track on Saint Maybe's debut album Things As They Are.  Frontman Oliver Ray (Patti Smith) apparently made his own music video for this track, for an alternate version from what ultimately ended up on the famously meditative B-Side to their record, two years prior to their album every being released.  Enjoy!

Happy Birthday to Paul B. Jenkins (AKA: PBJ) of ...music video?

Fort Lowell Records · ...music video? "I'm Afraid Of Everything"

We Can Make You Love This Song

Death Kit's hit single "I Can Make You Love Me" is simply perfection.  Fort Lowell Records may not have released the original version, featured in this video below, but we did have the honor of releasing ...music video?'s remix of this same song, which was featured on the B-Side of their 7inch record for "Devadasi," also provided for your enjoyment below.

Dead Western Plains, forever!

Digging around the ol' YouTube this weekend, we stumbled on this great live video of Dead Western Plains from February 20, 2010.  We believe the venue was Plush in Tucson, Arizona, but we are not 100% sure.  The song performed is "We Are Destroyers," which was never released as a proper recording, so enjoy this concert footage instead: 

We ❤ Ambient Music

We are very excited to share with you that Fort Lowell Records will be releasing La Cerca's next full-length recording titled A Nice Sweet Getaway; an ambient album chock full o'beautifully warm and fuzzy spacey guitars.  Ambient music in general has been a passion of ours since we were first introduced to Brian Eno's Discrete Music 30-years ago, while Andrew Gardner from La Cerca has been a favorite musician / songwriter of ours since we first learned of La Cerca in 2001.  Gardner's shimmery guitar work on A Nice Sweet Getaway is thoughtfully executed, and continues to demonstrate his skill and craftsmanship.  A Nice Sweet Getaway will be released on Friday, September 25, 2020 on all digital music download and streaming platforms. 

For now we leave you with La Cerca's album cover art and Brian Eno's definition of "Ambient Music" as featured in the liner notes of Eno's 1978 album Ambient 1 Music for Airports.

AMBIENT MUSIC
The concept of music designed specifically as a background feature in the environment was pioneered by Muzak Inc. in the fifties, and has since come to be known generically by the term Muzak. The connotations that this term carries are those particularly associated with the kind of material that Muzak Inc. produces - familiar tunes arranged and orchestrated in a lightweight and derivative manner. Understandably, this has led most discerning listeners (and most composers) to dismiss entirely the concept of environmental music as an idea worthy of attention.

Over the past three years, I have become interested in the use of music as ambience, and have come to believe that it is possible to produce material that can be used thus without being in any way compromised. To create a distinction between my own experiments in this area and the products of the various purveyors of canned music, I have begun using the term Ambient Music.

An ambience is defined as an atmosphere, or a surrounding influence: a tint. My intention is to produce original pieces ostensibly (but not exclusively) for particular times and situations with a view to building up a small but versatile catalogue of environmental music suited to a wide variety of moods and atmospheres.

Whereas the extant canned music companies proceed from the basis of regularizing environments by blanketing their acoustic and atmospheric idiosyncracies, Ambient Music is intended to enhance these. Whereas conventional background music is produced by stripping away all sense of doubt and uncertainty (and thus all genuine interest) from the music, Ambient Music retains these qualities. And whereas their intention is to `brighten' the environment by adding stimulus to it (thus supposedly alleviating the tedium of routine tasks and levelling out the natural ups and downs of the body rhythms) Ambient Music is intended to induce calm and a space to think.

Ambient Music must be able to accomodate many levels of listening attention without enforcing one in particular; it must be as ignorable as it is interesting.

BRIAN ENO
September 1978

MUSIC FOR THE MOVEMENT: Local bands team up to create collaborative album benefiting BLM

[REPOST from Encore; by Coral Naudet, August 5, 2020]

As with many people in the wake of George Floyd’s murder and Black Lives Matter movement, James Tritten of Fort Lowell Records wanted to get involved but didn’t know how to make a difference at first. Nevertheless, as someone with a following in the Wilmington indie-rock scene, Tritten says he realized his label is his voice; Fort Lowell gives him a platform to shed light on issues like systematic racism and inequality.

“As human beings, it is our responsibility to use [our voice] to promote equality and support the Black Lives Matter movement,” he says. “As a business, and on the most basic level, we are simply making a product available: music.”

Specifically, “GROW: A Compilation in Solidarity with Black Lives Matter,” a compilation album featuring 12 local veteran and new artists, is set to hit the shelves this fall. Moreover, proceeds will benefit the New Hanover County NAACP chapter.

“On a higher level,” Tritten explains, “‘GROW’ is an outlet for people—from the artists, manufacturers, and sponsors, to all patrons and supporters—to exercise their individual alliance with Black Lives Matter and provide a positive influence towards justice. ‘GROW’ is what we are able to offer our community to help us do just that: grow.”

Originally from Florida, Tritten and his wife Tracy Shedd lived in Tucson, AZ (2006 to 2013), the original birthplace of Fort Lowell Records. This is the second album the label has produced to benefit a cause important to them. “Luz De Vida” was released in January 2011 with profits going towards the victims of the Tucson shooting. Among the victims was Arizona Congresswoman Gabbi Giffords. The album was composed of artists and industry professionals in Tucson and benefited the Tucson Together Fund. Tritten comments that without “Luz de Vida,” “GROW” would not be possible.

“The opportunity [with ‘Luz de Vida’] in itself is what inspired ‘GROW’ and has enabled us to proceed,” he explains. “‘Luz de Vida entirely was a complete lesson learned, one which we are bringing to the table wholeheartedly with ‘GROW.’”

Tritten says “GROW” will mirror “Luz de Vida” in fundraising efforts and has already secured $15k in donations from manufacturers who will make the vinyl. The label intends to press 1,000 records, asking a minimum donation of $30 per record. This means if those copies sell, ILM’s NAACP will receive a minimum of $30k on top of any donations made from all digital downloads and streams of the album … indefinitely.

This is Tritten’s first time working with the local NAACP. He says chapter President Deborah Dicks Maxwell’s leadership is what made them choose to align “GROW” with her vision for New Hanover County.

“It was important to us that the money from ‘GROW’ be used as a resource to help establish equality for Black citizens within our community,” he explains, “and that is the mission in which Ms. Maxwell leads by for her organization.”

The record cover was designed by local visual artist James Williams, appropriately titled “Persistence.” Williams’ style incorporates vibrant acrylics and collages to create an eclectic feel. Trevor Van Meter, local illustrator and animator created the album’s jacket, with artist Chet Childress’s work will be on the B-side of the vinyl. Liner notes will be written by Wilmington’s Third Person Project, which openly discusses Wilmington’s longstanding history regarding racial disparity and discrimination.

While Tritten and Shedd have called Wilmington their home for the past two years, Tritten’s former band Audio Explorations played a gig at the former Wilmington Exchange Fest in 1996. Shedd, too, has had her music featured on local television productions, such as “One Tree Hill” and “Dawson’s Creek.” “GROW” will include a song by Shedd, as well as a blend of seasoned performers like Sean Thomas Gerard (Onward, Soldiers), Summer Set, The Majestic Twelve, Life of Saturdays. Then there are Kicking Bird, Lauds, Pinky Verde, Team Player; and Neon Belly, making their debut with the label. All bands featured have an indie-rock background, a connection to the Port City, and know and support Black Lives Matter, according to Tritten. Neon Belly features the newly engaged couple Lacie Jay and Matt Emmerick, who also are friends of Tritten and Shedd.

“Matt has a great sense of punk-rock rhythm and melody, while Lacie’s honest passion for her beliefs really shines through on her vocal performance,” Tritten says. “There is a grit to Neon Belly that we just adore. We are honored to have the opportunity to debut their music.” Tritten comments.”

Wilmington-based five-piece psychedelic, soul, surf, rock band Kicking Bird will also make an appearance on the album. Kicking Bird’s unique style of “beach music” was what originally led Fort Lowell to select the band to record a song for the album. After being approached by Tritten earlier this year, the band began writing a new single specifically for “GROW.”

“Kicking Bird’s excellent songwriting skills, fun throwback style and overall musical tone is what drove us to ask them to be a part of ‘GROW,’” Tritten adds. “Specifically, we love their guitar tone, which really cuts through on the lead for their song ‘What Would All the Other Girls Say (If They Knew What I Was Doing)’ for GROW.”

Guitarist Robin Cooksley says listeners can expect a fun, upbeat vibe to lighten the mood during these times of uncertainty. His bandmate Shaun Paul (Guitar, vocals) says now is the time to come to support Black Lives Matter and come to terms with their own privilege based on race and gender.

“We have been able to coast through our whole lives unaffected by the systemic racism that runs through every institution in the county today,” Pauls says. “I think this has been a serious reality check that we do not live in an equal society. Whether you’re a woman or a person of color the system is slanted against you and I think we’ve all had to realize our own complicitness by simply being comfortable.”

While the exact drop date for “GROW” is still pending, listeners can follow Fort Lowell Records on Instagram for when they announce a fall release. Once available, folks can pick up a copy at local vinyl stores Gravity Records and Modern Legend, or stream online on Spotify and iTunes.

DETAILS:
GROW: A Compilation in Solidarity with Black Lives Matter
Album to benefit NHC NAACP
Release date TBD in Fall 2020
Follow Fort Lowell Records

The ‘GROW’ album cover features artwork by James L. Williams called, ‘Persistence.’

Here is a photo of Golden Mastering cutting the vinyl lacquers for 'GROW: A Compilation in Solidarity with Black Lives Matter'

Pictured below is The Rosebuds song on Side-B of GROW being cut:

Photo by: JJ Golden

Happy Birthday, Tracy Shedd!

Luz de Vida is back; all proceeds now go to Homicide Survivors, Inc.

On Wednesday, June 3, 2020, nine days after George Floyd was murdered by Derek Chauvin, J. Alexander Kueng, Thomas Lane, and Tou Thao, we at Fort Lowell Records were inspired by our 2011 release - LUZ DE VIDA: A Compilation to Benefit the Victims of the Tucson Tragedy - to create a similar project, this time to help support the local citizens in our now home of Wilmington, New Hanover County, North Carolina; titled: GROW: A Compilation in Solidarity with Black Lives Matter.  When Luz de Vida was first released, all proceeds went to the Tucson Together Fund; an organization established to provide financial assistance to victims, witnesses and their families for expenses associated with the Tucson Tragedy, which occurred on Saturday, January 8, 2011.  Once the Tucson Together Fund was dissolved in 2013, Luz de Vida itself was discontinued as well.

Thanks to Main Gate Square of Tucson, Arizona, one of the original Luz de Vida sponsors, it has been brought to our attention that in the wake of the Tucson Together Fund, Tucson Tragedy victims are receiving aid from Homicide Survivors, Inc.: a nonprofit victim assistance organization dedicated to meeting the crisis and long term needs of families of murder victims.  In an exchange of influence, 2020's GROW has now moved Fort Lowell Records to re-release the digital version of 2011's Luz de Vida, and donate 100% of the proceeds to Homicide Survivors, Inc.  It brings us great pleasure to share with you that LUZ DE VIDA: A Compilation to Benefit the Victims of the Tucson Tragedy is officially available once again on all digital platforms - such as Amazon, Apple Music, Bandcamp, Deezer, iHeartRadio, Spotify, Tidal, YouTube, etc. - for your listening enjoyment, and all downloads and streams will persist to benefit the Victims of the Tucson Tragedy indefinitely.

Thank you for your continuous support. - Fort Lowell Records

• Click here to learn more about Luz de Vida
• Click here to learn more about GROW

LUZ DE VIDA TRACK LISTING:
1. Taraf de Tucson - Vaya Con Dios
2. Dead Western Plains - People Beat
3. Sweet Secrets - Evidence
4. John Vanderslice - Pale Horse
5. Rachel Flotard & Jon Rauhouse - Hammered Light
6. Kiss & The Tells - Tell Me Now
7. El Depravos (feat. Chuck Prophet) - Vampire Requiem
8. Rainer - The Oasis
9. Reno del Mar - All For Love
10. Robyn Hitchcock - Light Blue Afternoon
11. Ozomatli - It's Only Time
12. Mariachi Luz de Luna - Luz a la Vida
13. Sunday Afternoon - Mexico
14. Giant Sand - Recovery Mission (Radio Edit)
15. Al Perry & Calexico - Dreaming (Live)
16. Brian Lopez - Molly (Live)
17. Chango Malo - A Change Is Gonna Come (Live)
18. Meat Puppets - Love Our Children Forever (Live)
19. Jimmy Eat World - Here It Goes (Live)
20. HAIRSPRAYFIREANDGIRLS - The Only Child
21. Tracy Shedd - Encourage Me
22. La Cerca - Swim An Ocean
23. Spoon - Vittorio E.
24. Seashell Radio - Lewis y Clark
25. Calexico - Absent Afternoon
26. Neko Case - Middle Cyclone
27. Mark Growden - Saguaro
28. Sergio Mendoza y La Orkesta - Las Calles de Tucson
29. DeVotchKa - The Common Good
30. Lenguas Largas - Such A Thing
31. Golden Boots - Regional Whales
32. Silverbell - Why
33. Rich Hopkins - What Am I Supposed To Do?
34. Holy Rolling Empire - Father's Father
35. Tom Walbank - Guitar In Dub
36. Silver Thread Trio - Mockingbird
37. Salvador Duran - Gabynda (Yolanda)