iTunes killed the independent record store. But now, a self-sufficient powerhouse of a label may just threaten iTunes. As Pitchfork reports today, Seattle-based Sub Pop (home to the Postal Service, Go! Team, Flight of the Conchords, Shins, Kelley Stoltz and countless others) has launched its own digital download store. You can read all the details over at Sub Pop's website. The digital catalogue currently houses around 200 releases, while the label adds, "We’ll be working to add singles and EPs and fill the holes in the catalog in the coming weeks and months, and we have every intention of making rare and out-of-print titles available exclusively through our shop."
In related news, I went shopping for that new Kelley Stoltz 7" last night with no luck.
Kelley Stoltz - producer of God's Boat - will release his new record, Circular Sounds, on Sub Pop records on February 5. The album - Stoltz's fourth full length - will be preceded by a 7" ("Your Reverie" b/w "Owl Service") which hits stores tomorrow. For more information (including upcoming tour dates), visit Sub Pop and Kelley's official site.
As you know, every other week we drop the "b-side" on the podcast, giving you a little extra footage. Hopefully soon, I'll be cutting together some shorter episodes for the b-sides to go along with the bonus performances. Much of this week, however, was spent on some administrative podcast business - most notably the new redesign by Pixie. I think she really did a fantastic job with the site.
I'm working on multiple episodes at the moment, so you'll just have to wait and see who next week's featured artist will be. In the meantime, enjoy this Kelley Stoltz live performance of "Ever Thought of Coming Back," which differs quite a great deal from the original.
For someone who has earned a slot on one of the summer's biggest tours - opening for Detroit supergroup, the Raconteurs - Kelley Stoltz remains as humble as ever. In fact, for the singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist - who spends most of his days working at San Francisco record store, Grooves - music is not a means for fame and financial reward. His latest release - Below the Branches (Sub Pop, 2006) reflects the influences both of his childhood heroes and the obscure classic sounds to be found at Grooves. Songs flow seamlessly, hopping from folk to blues to motown to classic rock and roll, all sealed with Stoltz own personal stamp. One may hear more than a hint of the Beach Boys on "Ever Thought of Coming Back," and the gift of imitation is one that Stoltz has been blessed with. "That probably stems from being an only child," he says. "I was always imitating baseball announcer voices." But to merely call his diverse collection of genres an imitation would be a disservice to his proven musical talent. In fact, in 2001, Stoltz re-recorded Echo & the Bunnymen's debut, Crocodiles, and while he can easily do a straight Ian McCullough, most of the songs bear his own funky psychedelic spin. It's fitting that he should be touring with the Raconteurs, given the quartet and Stoltz share a unique ability to pay homage to the sounds of the past, while making it sound like the music of the future.
We spoke with Stoltz back in May - and the video features performances of "Memory Collector," "Wave Goodbye" and "Birdies Singing." "The Sun Comes Through" plays during the closing credits.
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iTunes killed the independent record store. But now, a self-sufficient powerhouse of a label may just threaten iTunes. As Pitchfork reports today, Seattle-based Sub Pop (home to the Postal Service, Go! Team, Flight of the Conchords, Shins, Kelley Stoltz and countless others) has launched its own digital download store. You can read all the details over at Sub Pop's website. The digital catalogue currently houses around 200 releases, while the label adds, "We’ll be working to add singles and EPs and fill the holes in the catalog in the coming weeks and months, and we have every intention of making rare and out-of-print titles available exclusively through our shop."
