CLAIRECORDS NEWSLETTER JANUARY 2005 Welcome to the ninth edition of the Clairecords newsletter. Pearls, swine, red-hot press, the YMCA, experimental aircraft and more! Hey, guess what? A new label completely independent from Clairecords is in its infancy but its delivery date is fast approaching. One thing, however, must be decided upon at the soonest possible juncture: a name for our new bundle of insomnia and deafening noise. If you have a fantabulous idea for a new record-label name and are feeling generous enough to share it with us (and let us use it, copyright it, advertise it and profit from it without legal retaliation), drop this here guy a msg: dan@tonevendor.com. What's in it for you? A whole bunch of free music, that's what-- namely copies of the first ten (10) releases bearing the as-yet-untitled labelıs pretty new insignia. Those, incidentally, will be limited-edition vinyl-only pressings of exclusive material from the 916 area code and far beyond, so the wax aficionados among you are really excited, huh? Anyway, onward to... *** ARTIST NEWS AND OTHER SUCH TAWDRY INFORMATION**** AIR FORMATION Air Formation charted at #7 on last CMJ reporting list thanks to the musically-astute people at KYMC-FM (St. Louis MO), the only station in the Yoo Ess owned by a branch of the YMCA. Please donıt ask us if they have a vacancy for a back scrubber, we have absolutely no idea. (That was the YWCA, duh.) http://www.airformation.com AIRIEL Airiel plan to issue four new songs as a mini-EP that will be available for perusal and purchase at live shows and through their Web site. Weıre as excited at the prospect of new Airiel material as you are. A few copies of the expansive Winks & Kisses box set are still available, so get yours today! The band has also started their very own mailing list; to subscribe, send a message here: airiel-subscribe@yahoogroups.com. A tour of massive proportions is tentatively being planned for May/June, so be sure all that time is free on your calendar in case they rock your town inside out. (Odds are better for those of you along Americaıs eastern seaboard. Just a tip.). http://www.sonicbaby.com/airiel EAU CLAIRE The Eau Claire EP, the debut recording from Jessica Bailiffıs collaboration with Rachel Staggs (Experimental Aircraft) will finally come out in May if all goes according to plans. Weıre all ecstatic in anticipation of this fascinating new chapter in the artistic careers of two such riveting indie-rock women. Thereıs talk of tourdates here and abroad later this year, but for now, be sure to see Rachel perform with Experimental Aircraft at SXSW in March if youıre remotely close to the Austin, TX metro area. http://www.rollerderbyrecords.com/eau_claire.htm THE FRENCHMEN The Frenchmen plan to tour the East Coast this summer. Woo! http://www.lovethefrenchmen.com MONSTER MOVIE Christian Savill speaks! "We are about to cast pearls (our brilliant mini-album, Transistor) before swine (you). We recorded this at home so we could be near our mums and we think we've done a passable job. Then we asked Graveface to put it in a nice cover with pictures that we nicked. We also got Rachel from Experimental Aircraft to sing on it so you can't hear us and Chris at Wired to make it sound pretty. Go now and get it before the fish take over the world and your money is valueless."Yes, Transistor is available at tonevendor.com, so get em while theyıre hot! Thereıs also a cool new interview with the international crimefighting duo of Christian and Sean here: http://www.heraclitussayz.com/hcsayz-int-monster%20movie.htm http://www.monster-movie.com TEST TONES VOL. 4 And you thought the new hotness began and ended with Volume 3! Among the melody makers on board for Volume 4 are Astral, Fiver, Tycho, overlord, Angie Heaton, The Sound Platform, Lights Out Asia, The Sems, Anton Barbeau, Air Formation and many, many more. And like Vol. 3 (and Vol. 2, a few copies of which are still available), itıs available for the scandalously-low price of $4.00. http://www.tonevendor.com THEBROTHERKITE Thanks to the peeps at emotionalpunk.com for naming thebrotherkiteıs eponymous debut their #2 album of 2004! In addition to the full-page feature story in last month's issue of Under The Radar, thebrotherkite has received red-hot press from the Cincinnati CityBeat and other esteemed publications. Tourdates will be few and far between for the next several months while the band retreats to the studio for fun, frolic and plenty of noise. Donıt worry, it'll be over before you know it. http://www.thebrotherkite.com **** ALL YOUR PRESS IS BELONG TO US **** THE FLATMATES "The Flatmates were a real treat...and are thankfully now receiving some long-overdue attention. Love and Death sheds more light on these folks who were obviously ahead of their time." -- Babysue THEBROTHERKITE "With their debut, thebrotherkite have created a gush of shimmering, high-ceilinged Pop music that just happens to be slathered in entrancing sonic adornments. Like junk food, it's the additives that make them extra special." -- Mike Breen, Cincinnati CityBeat **** CLAIRECORDS ROADTRIP-O-RAMA! **** AIRIEL 03/16/05 Chicago IL The Double Door (TENTATIVE) AIR FORMATION 03/29/05 London, UK- The Betsey Trotwood w/ Sleepless Heliconia HARTFIELD 02/19/05 Tokyo Japan- Naked Loft PAIK 02/01/05 Detroit MI- Magic Stick w/ Tristeza Please note that we very seldom (if ever) have information regarding shows, ticket prices or anything else of that nature. We strongly suggest that you contact the relevant venue directly. HEY, WHATıS JEREMY (AIRIEL) LISTENING TO? Supercar - Futurama Kahimi Karie - Le Roi Soleil Kasabian - Kasabian Ivy - Long Distance Hartfield - L.I.B.R.A. Questions? Comments? Want to book one of our bands? Need an advance copy of something? On-air and/or print interview requests? Or maybe just a hug? Email susan@clairecords.com or dan@tonevendor.com.