Today we released two new editions in our digital-only series, eRecords! ‘the upper air’ is an EP from Bristol, UK based artist Fred Baty, with his debut release with Whitelabrecs. We’ve followed his music for many years, after enjoying his work as Crepusculum back in the ‘netlabel days’ of the late 2000s.
eRecords is a digital record series created by Whitelabrecs, to run alongside our physical releases. These editions aim to transform the digital format into something that can be experienced in a similar way to a listener’s interaction with a real, white label vinyl record. Each edition includes a special PDF scrapbook including polaroids and liner notes.
We do not publish details about the concepts or production methods of a release so that the liner notes and content in each scrapbook will reveal the background of each edition in the series.
catalog: eR010 artist: fred baty release title: the upper air release type: ep location: bristol, uk
released august 20, 2022
Written and produced by Fred Baty Mastered by Ian Hawgood Mixed by Dax Liniere at Puzzle Factory Cover photo by Dave Watts Art and design by Harry Towell
You can find out more information about eRecords in our landing page link, below:
Here’s the second of two new editions out today, in our August releases. This one’s by Guelph, Canada-based artist Fossil Hunting Collective and it’s entitled Cyanotype, based around the cover artwork, provided by the artist’s wife Richelle Forsey. The sound is a blend of Ambient, electro-acoustics with hints of Post Rock, riding a bed of tape-eroded textures.
Cyanotypeis out now in a run of 100 copies! The best way to keep informed about our low-run releases, is to join ourmailing list, and we’ll make sure you’re the first to hear!
press release “Fossil Hunting Collective is musician and sound artist Jamie Jones, from Guelph in Canada who has been active under this artist name since 2019. He has previously released music on labels such as Ambientologist, ROHS, Polar Seas and Rusted Tone Recordings across this project name and as (ph)authers (alongside Hymns57) and Still Harbours (with Brad Deschamps). Followers of our discography may also recall 2020’s contribution to our Home Diaries series, entitled ‘Aperture’.
‘Cyanotype’ was made primarily, via the beautiful surprises thrown out of various guitar pedals along with re-amped loops played back through old cassette recorders. Whilst virtual plugins are also used throughout the process, Jones places an emphasis on the physical too, with his small body acoustic guitar strung with nylons, a Jazzmaster guitar, a baritone ukulele and reel to reel tape. The sound is a heady blend of melancholy, nostalgic and life-affirming movements, using droning texture, tape decay and loosely performed instrumentation to tell dreamy stories.
The theme for this album was born out of the emotions that Jones pours into his music, as he contemplates the day-to-day struggles of his daughter Hunter, who has been Type 1 Diabetic for the last two years of their life. This autoimmune disease can be life-threatening if not managed correctly and around 95% of Jones’ headspace is occupied with worry, as follows strict procedures to count carbohydrates, weigh out food and monitor blood sugar metrics to ensure that his daughter does not become hypoglycaemic, which could lead to a coma. Controlling this disease is a full-time job and one which Jones carries the weight of at all times. The worry, care and withered energy levels mean that these emotions surface their way into the music, when he sits down in his studio late at night.
The album is a homage to what Hunter must go through each day of their life, living with Type 1 Diabetes. No child or parent should have to go through this. No child should need to understand how it all works, but they are forced to wonder ‘why me’. On top of the weight of the emotional trauma, there is a physical trauma that comes with being injected with devices and life-saving medication numerous times a day, until a cure can be found. Jones and his family are keen to remind themselves when they can, that the disease does not define the being, and they still celebrate all the positive splendour life can offer. These tracks are an emotional journey of the day-to-day; there is the good and the bad, days of hope and wonder, days of melancholy and sadness. Above all, they are not alone in this fight, and they all work together as a unit, protecting their family bond fiercely, like bees.
At an age of around 18 months, Hunter adopted the nickname ‘B’, after being so enthralled with their bee costume for Halloween that they continued to wear on many occasions afterwards. The track titles for this album are all influenced by bee related terminology but also, in some cases there are double meanings, such as ‘Apiary’ (meaning home), ‘Castes’ (members of the family) ‘Mellitus Propolis’ combines Mellitus (Latin for sweet)) used in describing Diabetes Mellitus and Propolis (the resin that bees use to hold hives together).
The album package makes use of the artist’s wife Richelle Forsey, who is a visual artist. Richelle often employs a process using the energy of the sun (ultra violet) to expose a camera-less image on paper coated with iron salts. This is called a cyanotype and the paper undergoes a chemical reaction which fixes the image, thus creating an imprinted monochrome ‘blueprint’.
Cyanotype is the culmination and the idea of embracing your everyday surroundings despite individual struggles. This artist believes that everyone has an innate desire to feel the warmth of the sun, a close bond with those they hold dearly and an aspiration to create their own everlasting blueprint whilst on earth. The sun produces the light and heat source required for the existence and propagation of all things. Without bees for pollination or the sun we do not flourish. Without the sun, there is no Cyanotype.“
credits Written and produced by Jamie Jones Mastered by James Edward Armstrong Cyanotype artwork by Richelle Forsey Art and design by Andrew Heath
Our new release ‘Cyanotype‘ will be available officially in one of our typically low runs of 100 gatefold vinyl-effect CDrs on Saturday the 13th of Augustafter a pre-order the week before. If you click here: mailing list, we’ll make sure you’re the first to hear.
press release “Fossil Hunting Collective is musician and sound artist Jamie Jones, from Guelph in Canada who has been active under this artist name since 2019. He has previously released music on labels such as Ambientologist, ROHS, Polar Seas and Rusted Tone Recordings across this project name and as (ph)authers (alongside Hymns57) and Still Harbours (with Brad Deschamps). Followers of our discography may also recall 2020’s contribution to our Home Diaries series, entitled ‘Aperture’.
‘Cyanotype’ was made primarily, via the beautiful surprises thrown out of various guitar pedals along with re-amped loops played back through old cassette recorders. Whilst virtual plugins are also used throughout the process, Jones places an emphasis on the physical too, with his small body acoustic guitar strung with nylons, a Jazzmaster guitar, a baritone ukulele and reel to reel tape. The sound is a heady blend of melancholy, nostalgic and life-affirming movements, using droning texture, tape decay and loosely performed instrumentation to tell dreamy stories.
The theme for this album was born out of the emotions that Jones pours into his music, as he contemplates the day-to-day struggles of his daughter Hunter, who has been Type 1 Diabetic for the last two years of their life. This autoimmune disease can be life-threatening if not managed correctly and around 95% of Jones’ headspace is occupied with worry, as follows strict procedures to count carbohydrates, weigh out food and monitor blood sugar metrics to ensure that his daughter does not become hypoglycaemic, which could lead to a coma. Controlling this disease is a full-time job and one which Jones carries the weight of at all times. The worry, care and withered energy levels mean that these emotions surface their way into the music, when he sits down in his studio late at night.
The album is a homage to what Hunter must go through each day of their life, living with Type 1 Diabetes. No child or parent should have to go through this. No child should need to understand how it all works, but they are forced to wonder ‘why me’. On top of the weight of the emotional trauma, there is a physical trauma that comes with being injected with devices and life-saving medication numerous times a day, until a cure can be found. Jones and his family are keen to remind themselves when they can, that the disease does not define the being, and they still celebrate all the positive splendour life can offer. These tracks are an emotional journey of the day-to-day; there is the good and the bad, days of hope and wonder, days of melancholy and sadness. Above all, they are not alone in this fight, and they all work together as a unit, protecting their family bond fiercely, like bees.
At an age of around 18 months, Hunter adopted the nickname ‘B’, after being so enthralled with their bee costume for Halloween that they continued to wear on many occasions afterwards. The track titles for this album are all influenced by bee related terminology but also, in some cases there are double meanings, such as ‘Apiary’ (meaning home), ‘Castes’ (members of the family) ‘Mellitus Propolis’ combines Mellitus (Latin for sweet)) used in describing Diabetes Mellitus and Propolis (the resin that bees use to hold hives together).
The album package makes use of the artist’s wife Richelle Forsey, who is a visual artist. Richelle often employs a process using the energy of the sun (ultra violet) to expose a camera-less image on paper coated with iron salts. This is called a cyanotype and the paper undergoes a chemical reaction which fixes the image, thus creating an imprinted monochrome ‘blueprint’.
Cyanotype is the culmination and the idea of embracing your everyday surroundings despite individual struggles. This artist believes that everyone has an innate desire to feel the warmth of the sun, a close bond with those they hold dearly and an aspiration to create their own everlasting blueprint whilst on earth. The sun produces the light and heat source required for the existence and propagation of all things. Without bees for pollination or the sun we do not flourish. Without the sun, there is no Cyanotype.“
credits Written and produced by Jamie Jones Mastered by James Edward Armstrong Cyanotype artwork by Richelle Forsey Art and design by Andrew Heath
We recently announced the next editions in our digital-only series, eRecords! ‘a view from a window’ is the debut self-titled album by Nottingham-based musician A View From A Window.
eRecords is a digital record series created by Whitelabrecs, to run alongside our physical releases. These editions aim to transform the digital format into something that can be experienced in a similar way to a listener’s interaction with a real, white label vinyl record. Each edition includes a special PDF scrapbook including polaroids and liner notes.
We do not publish details about the concepts or production methods of a release so that the liner notes and content in each scrapbook will reveal the background of each edition in the series.
catalog: eR006 artist: a view from a window release title: a view from a window release type: album location: nottingam, united kingdom
released may 28, 2022
Written and produced by Dan Woodward Mastered by James Edward Armstrong Cover artwork by Dan Woodward Art and design by Harry Towell
You can find out more information about eRecords in our landing page link, below:
Today we announced the next editions in our brand new digital-only series, eRecords! ‘Bullfinch’ is a two track EP from Australia based artists Headland.
eRecords is a digital record series created by Whitelabrecs, to run alongside our physical releases. These editions aim to transform the digital format into something that can be experienced in a similar way to a listener’s interaction with a real, white label vinyl record. Each edition includes a special PDF scrapbook including polaroids and liner notes.
We do not publish details about the concepts or production methods of a release, and we will only make one track available for streaming. This is so that the liner notes and content in each scrapbook, and the audio files will give you the background of each edition in the series.
catalog: eR003 artist: headland release title: bullfinch release type: ep location: little lennox, australia
released March 26, 2022
arranged by murray paterson mixed by christian pyle at prawn & spanner mastered by michael worthington at soundworthy artwork: map of water by betty paterson art and design by Harry Towell
You can find out more information about eRecords in our landing page link, below:
We’re pleased to reveal that just over 3 years since ‘The Road Home’, the Paper Relicsare back with a new EP named ‘Emersion‘. This project is a collaboration between our label owner Harry Towell and his brother Stuart. Their sound sits somewhere between post rockand ambient, with hints of folk.
‘Emersion‘ is out now in a run of 50 cassette tapesalong with the usual digital formats if you prefer. The tape features cover photography captured by Stuart in a recent trip to the Scottish Highlandsand right at the end of each side of the tape is a short bonus ‘loop’. You can also see additional photography captured by Stuart in the gallery below.
Whitelabrecs low-run releases are likely to sell out fast. The best way to keep informed is to join our mailing list which can be located through our website menu or you can click HERE
press release “Paper Relics is a collaboration between Whitelabrecs owner Harry Towell and his brother Stuart. They began recording together back in 2010 at their family home, with an EP on the Audio Gourmet netlabel which was followed by debut album ‘Over Exposure’ on Time Released Sound. I’m 2018 they created ‘The Road Home’ for Whitelabrecs, a record in which Sven Laux also had a hand.
The Paper Relics sound takes Stuart’s guitar and bass performances as the focal point of the compositions, with Harry’s background in creating Ambient and electro acoustic music adding further detail and texture. Each of their infrequent records has an evolving character, as equipment and techniques get updated and their lives change. Over Exposure was a record about photography, reflecting upon faded old family polaroids of life on the farm that their father grew up on. The Road Home moved into a richer more detailed sound palette, themed around the brothers’ new homes.
‘Emersion’ is a four track EP which is the first item in their discography, in which they did not physically sit down to record together. It was created through file-exchanges during lockdown, as glimpses of a life beyond the grip of the pandemic became in sight. As cautious plans were being made and a strange sense of freedom emerging, they reflected on the time-warping effects of their endless days spent indoors throughout the pandemic. They opted for a lo-fi retro sound, which sets out a dusty, degraded aesthetic across the recordings. Reel-to-feel tape decay, radio distortion, vinyl crackle and VHS hiss give a vintage charm to these reflective songs. There is a palpable melancholy which disguises the key message of optimism, with this EP being released on the 19th of July, a day being dubbed ‘freedom day’ in the UK. ‘Emersion’ is a brief space for reflection, in which the dust can settle.
After the album had been finalised, Stuart took a short break in the Scottish Highlands and he captured a series of photographs whilst hiking in the landscape. The EP cover artwork is one of these images, overlooking Loch Ness from a misty vantage point. We’ve created a short run of cassette tapes to tie in with the retro, lo-fi theme and the tape itself is neon yellow; a flash of colour as a stamp optimism.“
credits Written and produced by Harry & Stuart Towell Mastered by James Edward Armstrong Photography by Stuart Towell
Stuart Towell: Guitar, Bass Harry Towell: Baritone Ukulele, Harmonica, Violin, Mandola, Voice, field recordings, electronics, MIDI keyboard and programming
We’re pleased to reveal that just over 3 years since ‘The Road Home’, the Paper Relicsare back with a new EP named ‘Emersion‘. This project is a collaboration between our label owner Harry Towell and his brother Stuart. Their sound sits somewhere between post rockand ambient, with hints of folk.
‘Emersion‘ will be released in a run of 50 cassette tapesalong with the usual digital formats if you prefer. The tape features cover photography captured by Stuart in a recent trip to the Scottish Highlandsand right at the end of each side of the tape is a short bonus ‘loop’.
Emersionwill be released on Monday the 19th of July with no pre-order. If you join our mailing listusing the link below, we’ll make sure you’re the first to hear.
press release “Paper Relics is a collaboration between Whitelabrecs owner Harry Towell and his brother Stuart. They began recording together back in 2010 at their family home, with an EP on the Audio Gourmet netlabel which was followed by debut album ‘Over Exposure’ on Time Released Sound. I’m 2018 they created ‘The Road Home’ for Whitelabrecs, a record in which Sven Laux also had a hand.
The Paper Relics sound takes Stuart’s guitar and bass performances as the focal point of the compositions, with Harry’s background in creating Ambient and electro acoustic music adding further detail and texture. Each of their infrequent records has an evolving character, as equipment and techniques get updated and their lives change. Over Exposure was a record about photography, reflecting upon faded old family polaroids of life on the farm that their father grew up on. The Road Home moved into a richer more detailed sound palette, themed around the brothers’ new homes.
‘Emersion’ is a four track EP which is the first item in their discography, in which they did not physically sit down to record together. It was created through file-exchanges during lockdown, as glimpses of a life beyond the grip of the pandemic became in sight. As cautious plans were being made and a strange sense of freedom emerging, they reflected on the time-warping effects of their endless days spent indoors throughout the pandemic. They opted for a lo-fi retro sound, which sets out a dusty, degraded aesthetic across the recordings. Reel-to-feel tape decay, radio distortion, vinyl crackle and VHS hiss give a vintage charm to these reflective songs. There is a palpable melancholy which disguises the key message of optimism, with this EP being released on the 19th of July, a day being dubbed ‘freedom day’ in the UK. ‘Emersion’ is a brief space for reflection, in which the dust can settle.
After the album had been finalised, Stuart took a short break in the Scottish Highlands and he captured a series of photographs whilst hiking in the landscape. The EP cover artwork is one of these images, overlooking Loch Ness from a misty vantage point. We’ve created a short run of cassette tapes to tie in with the retro, lo-fi theme and the tape itself is neon yellow; a flash of colour as a stamp optimism.“
credits Written and produced by Harry & Stuart Towell Mastered by James Edward Armstrong Photography by Stuart Towell
Stuart Towell: Guitar, Bass Harry Towell: Baritone Ukulele, Harmonica, Violin, Mandola, Voice, field recordings, electronics, MIDI keyboard and programming
Our next highly limited edition gatefold vinyl-effect CD is by Stockholm/Umeå, Sweden artists Old Amica in what will be their 6th album and their 2nd instrumental. Taigabegan as music to score a film but once that process had passed, this duo set about working their material along with new recordings into an album, centered around childhood memories. This one’s a thoroughly well detailed, well paced album which straddles Electro Acoustic, Post Rock, Ambientand Modern Classical. This will be available in 2019’s signature gatefold-LP style CD, in a run of 100 copies with packaging design arranged by the artists themselves. We’ll release this officially on or around the 29th of June 2019. Those who follow artists such as Helios, Library Tapes or Benoit Pioulardshould enjoy this!
Taigais available now after having been released to subscribers of our mailing list last weekend, who had the first opportunity to grab a copy. These have been going well but we still have a few left and you can buy one of these or grab a digital copy by clicking the link or image above. To avoid missing out on future releases, you can join our mailing list HERE
press release “‘Taiga’ is the sixth release by Swedish duo Old Amica and their second wordless album. It began as music to accompany moving images in a short film they scored, but ended up as a collection of small fragments of childhood memories. The music for the short movie later got nominated as Best Music Score at The Annual Copenhagen Film Festival. Taiga is the endless highways, it’s the pulsating colours that blanket the starry sky, the disconnection, the icicle prisms, the midnight sun, the polar nights, and the background hiss. It was inspired by the words of Karin Boye, the voice of Carl Sagan, and the sounds of Popol Vuh.
The short film, which is called Place. Poetry. Periphery was the starting point with the first pieces of music having been written some 650km apart. Filmmaker Jonas Börjesson from Halmstad followed the process of six poets and their interpretations on the theme of place, poetry and periphery and he enlisted Old Amica’s Johan from Stockholm and Linus from Umeå to create the music. After having finished the score, these musicians continued recording and adding sounds together in a basement in Stockholm.
Taiga is now a work of art in its own right, whilst it still leans back towards its roots in the moving imagery which inspired it. This album ended up as a collection of small postcards of childhood memories, which is also depicted visually through the music video for Sävast and two teaser videos.”
credits
Written, recorded and mixed by Old Amica
Mastered by Gustaf Boström
Petter Lindhagen plays Harmonium on Till Juni
They borrowed Andrea Lundgren’s voice for Lagan
Artwork and design by J.M Almqvist
Recently we revealed short teaser videos for our next release, which will be by Swedish duoOld Amica and we also shared the Soundcloud preview and press release last week.
Next, we have the music video for Sävast, the second track on this beautiful album which blends influences ofPost Rock, Modern Classical and Ambient music. The video combines a snow scattered scandinavian landscape with flickering childhood memories in a short film which reflects the themes of this album.
‘Taiga‘ will be out on or around the 29th of June and we already have the packaging which we’re really excited about!
To avoid missing out, you can join the mailing list here:
We won’t spam you it’s a promise (we don’t even have the time to create oodles of spam!). You’ll just get an email a week before an album is announced to the big wide world.
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