One Less Heartless To Fear LP
Shipping News

On its first long player in half a decade, Shipping News, now in its 14th year, has jettisoned the long songs (and glacial tempos) of the past and is concentrating on energetic blasts of noisy rock, with a little gallows humor thrown in. Recorded in the band’s hometown of Louisville as well as Tokyo. The LPs come in a special-edition, black and silver letterpress jacket. “One Less Heartless To Fear” arrives in stores everywhere Nov. 9. Free download of the album is included for all orders, both directly from us and at brick-and-mortar record stores. The CD version is available in the United States via Noise Pollution, and in Europe via Africantape/Ruminance.

Andromeda LP
California Guitar Trio

Since their first meeting in 1991 at a guitar clinic run by Robert Fripp, California Guitar Trio has seen its music travel from earth (CNN, CBS, ESPN, etc.) all the way to the astronauts aboard NASA’s space shuttle Endeavor. But to commemorate its 20th year, CGT wanted an album combining original material and improvisation. Hence, “Andromeda.” Pre-order the LP now, the band’s first on wax. “Andromeda” lands in stores in the U.S. and Canada on Nov. 9. The first 500 come in letterpress jackets manufactured on metallic stock. Free download cards included for all orders, both direct and at record stores. CD version is available in the United States via Inner Knot.

Rachel Grimes will perform along with Bonnie “Prince” Billy and Liberation Prophecy for the world premiere of Burn To Shine 4: Louisville on Saturday, May 22 at Bomhard Theatre. The documentary of performances by Dead Child, Ultra Pulverize, Will Oldham, Lucky Pineapple and many others, was filmed in southern Indiana in 2005. Tickets are $20 at the Kentucky Center Box Office, and proceeds will go to benefit Jason Noble (Rachel’s, Rodan, Shipping News), who is battling cancer. A Q&A follows with B4 curator William Benton and Brendan Canty (Fugazi).

Grimes’ latest “Book of Leaves for Solo Piano” mp3′s ripped directly from the vinyl are still available via Think Indie. CDs can be had at Rachel’s site and via Ruminance.

Formats include 12 inch vinyl, digital and CD.

Limited special edition vinyl set (100 copies) includes handprinted sheet music score.

From a winding path of diverse musical ventures, Book of Leaves has slowly, quietly come to the surface. The first solo piano release by Kentucky composer and pianist Rachel Grimes, this new project comes after many years composing and recording with the indie chamber band, Rachel’s, and alongside current work with Louisville-based King’s Daughters & Sons. The album is a collection of impressionist chapters woven together with chordal themes and field recordings inspired by interactions with the outdoors.

As a performer, she has had thrilling experiences across the US, Europe and Korea, including being an opener in 2008 for the Swell Season, and appearing with Rachel’s in WNYC’s New Sounds Live and with SITI Co. in the collaborative theater production systems/layers. She has been a guest on albums by the Frames, Sonora Pine, Tara Jane O’Neil, Shannon Wright, Shipping News, Dianogah, Andy McLeroy, and Big Eyes Family Players.

Engineer Steve Albini characterized Rachel’s records as “..part movie, part sound sculpture, part lush romantic porch song…” (venuszine.com).

“Marvel at the balance of restraint and emotive force at work, and … let the piano lines circle as cello and viola melodies lead the way.” (New Music Express 2/10/96)

“Rachel Grimes’ piano is peerlessly beautiful as this chamber music big-band seems to glide as its bow breaks through crashing waves without ever breaking its beautiful gait..” (A. Carew, neumu)