Another San Francisco based band? Indeed, Night Collectors are a Bay Area band, but really, they don't sound much like the current sound associated with labels like Dandy Boy or Slumberland.
Night Collectors instead sound like an American version of Blank Realm. Some might say there is plenty of Sonic Youth here as well. I'd also mention Swedish band Det Jordiska as well.
This is released by New Jersey label Aagoo Records (co-released with Cardinal Fuzz...but sold out). While you're at Aagoo, I'd suggest checking out The John Pauls S/T 7" from 2015. It's only $3 and "Sweeden" is worth that price all by itself.
Soft Shoulder must be one of Tempe, Arizona's most known bands. We first posted about them in 2015, and they released new material as recently as 2023. Their Discogs page (their profile states, "No-Wave / Junk-Kraut from thee Sonoran Desert with satellite members in Oakland, Montreal, Berlin, etc.") boasts 33 releases. That said, this band is still decidedly under the radar. There is no entry at all on AllMusic. I did find several references to the band on Maximum Rock N Roll.
Our initial post mentioned both Eddy Current Suppresion Ring and Diat. There is a lot of noise here - but I would say this is closer to The Fall, Spray Paint and Blank Realm. These songs are short though. I was surprised how quickly each side of the LP ended.
Soft Shoulder serve as the vehicle for some of the music of James Fella. This is released on Gilgongo Records (which I think was started by Fella).
Fruited Planes are a Portland, Oregon band. "Introducing the Moth Eggs". According to the Bandcamp notes during the recording session, there was some confusion and "After an extended break at the local pub, we were useless, but I think those are the only takes that made it to tape." Love it. Not sure that's true, but useless making it tape is one of my favorite things.
Fruited Planes recall other Portland rippers Dead Moon. There is a definite vibe of garage rock - listen to "Out of Reach". There's also a little Arthur Lee in the vocals. Later in the album, this sounds a bit like Blank Realm.
Jason Willmon plays bass on this. He's also in Colt Wave among other numerous bands. He's a veteran of the Redding/Chico band family tree.
Brisbane’s The Goon Sax formed when its three members—Riley Jones, Louis Forster, and James Harrison—were still in high school, enamored of C86 romanticism and post-punk aggression. They made a splash in the U.S. with 2018’s We’re Not Talking, a brash and spike-y charmer that channelled DIY energy. The follow-up, Mirror II, expands on the band’s sound, adding dense synth play and Spector-esque pop atmospheres to their sound. It also showcases all three band member’s songwriting, including the fey, off-kilter psychedelia of James Harrison, who, unsurprisingly, includes Syd Barrett on the Listed he wrote for us.
Inspiration has undeniably come from my band friends foremost, as well as my non bandmate friends’ suggestions. Here are the things which have struck lyrical and musical obsession for me over the last few years, it’s nice to indulge with you.
The Pastels — Up for A Bit
This might be my favourite album of the last few years. I think it’s so hopeful and fun. The melodies like “Crawl Baby” are ones which I sing sometimes to warm up my voice. Stephen sings in such a naïve cute voice; he is so vulnerable. Baby Honey “If you wish upon a star, Take me just the way I am”. Twee gold throughout.
Blank Realm — Illegals in Heaven
From Brisbane, I love this album and listened to it a lot personally while recording Mirror II. Blank Realm forever of course!
Don Cherry — Brown Rice
I love the serene quality of this record, sometimes I don’t even know where Don’s trumpet is coming from. To me, it reminds me of a desert. A couple of years ago I drew a drawing of a man in a desert, but the man was so small in the environment whilst listening to this album. This album conjures mostly images for me.
Sibylle Baier — Colour Green
“Sadness is beautiful” — is this idea displayed when we indulge in other peoples and our own sadness instead of trying to feel better? Is this music so pretty that you enjoy depression? Fulfilling the prophecy that you are sad, because perhaps some part of you wants to be sad or thoughtful when you are indulging and listening to Baier? (These are at least my questions to myself, but I’m not going to revolt against what feels right). This album sure makes sense to my mood often anyway. I have listened to this whilst in different modes of sadness: whether directed for others’ feelings, or my own: all her lyrics are so dramatic, her guitar playing is beautiful. My favourite song lately is “Says Elliott”. Also “William” has pretty guitar, “The End” is devo and always has to be mentioned.
The Residents — Meet the Residents
I used to love this band loads and took loads of inspiration from them. They’re always just hitting things to my ears and making pretty sounds. It was a very freeing album for me to get into. Also I took some shit from the melodic “My Favorite Things” by John Coltrane.
Drunk Elk — “Quintessence”
Drunk Elk LP by Drunk Elk
This song is one I took inspiration from for my own songwriting; the awareness of environment, love as a supernatural force. The music is so extremely divine which I think I have related to at the ethereal fleeting moments of my life.
Anne Carson — Autobiography Of Red
This author is great, the story is very non-linear and strange and frequently rushes into sections of deep lovely prose. The main character is a dragon and is immediately misunderstood by those around him. Must read more of her work.
Syd Barrett
Syd is an individual that you can delve so far deep into, he is one we all vibed with at different times in the Goon Sax. His music began to accompany me through my life for a while. But for me it’s not only music — insights into his personality are so readily available. You can admire all his artwork online, even his letters to lovers are available to view. I realized I find his descent into isolation was pretty sad, he didn’t just give up being a songwriter, it was taken away from him due to his lifestyle and perhaps his ego. But I love his paintings too, which he kept making.
Noname — “Shadow Man”
Badass sad girl/boy shit, she’s swag but also has a huge soul and great flow, (“Bye Bye Baby”). I love when she talks about her tennis shoes in the club. This kind of music made me excited to wear white sneakers and bright baggy clothes.
H.D. (Poet)
https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/h-d
I like her writing for a couple of reasons - the colour and flora she uses constantly in her poems illustrates her experience beautifully. It’s cool to read someone whose writing is so entrenched in this kind of metaphor.
