04 January 2012

New Kayo Dot!!

It's here, it's here!! Kayo Dot has released a new album, Gamma Knife and it will only be available digitally. Go get it HERE.

01 January 2012

Welcome to 2012

Before I say anything, I'd like to thank each and every one of you for your continued support of Starbird and the bands I represent, over the past (almost) 6 years (!!!). You enable all of us to continue doing what we love.

2011 was a pretty incredible year here at the Starbird camp, but that doesn't mean it can't be topped! I'm here to give you a glimpse into what's to come in 2012. Hold on to your pants, people.

NEW BANDS!! 2012 sees THREE new bands joining the fold. Please welcome AUTHOR & PUNISHER, KAYO DOT and NORSKA!!

BLOW BY BLOW:

AUTHOR & PUNISHER - Author & Punisher hails from sunny Southern California; San Diego specifically. One wonders how such heavy and dark music can be made under constant sun. A doomy, industrial one man band with all instruments machined by Tristan Shone, who is also the sole player of said instruments. Truly original.

West coast tour in April 2012. See his feature in Wired Magazine and check him out here: http://www.authorandpunisher.com

DOG SHREDDER - Dog Shredder had a busy 2011, but they'll be even busier this coming year. With another 12" release soon to be under their belts (courtesy of a rad label in Seattle that I can't mention quite yet), they will set out to spread the spazz gospel in the form of a tour down to SXSW and back in March.

Check them out here: http://dogshredder.bandcamp.com

FIGHT AMP - Fight Amp did some hardcore touring last year! Just how they like it. They've been keeping busy since returning home - writing a new album. Hells yeah! We're hoping for a late Spring release and there will be some touring to support it.

Check them out here: http://fightamp.com

GIANT SQUID - Giant Squid outdid themselves this past year by releasing Cenotes, which sees the band at the top of their game. They'll be celebrating the vinyl release of Cenotes with 2 shows in NY and Philly in April alongside other Translation Loss bands (Fight Amp included). Not ones to rest on their laurels, Aaron and Jackie also became proud parents of Baby Squid Pearl! Busy beavers.

Check them out here: http://giantsquidlives.com

GRAYCEON - Grayceon has been laying low, but for good reason! Jackie was pregnant for most of the year, although they did release an album (All We Destroy) in March, made it up here to the NW in May AND she recorded a Giant Squid album! Her and Aaron welcomed Baby Pearl in September and once they wrap their brains around this parenthood thing, look for more appearances from both bands.

Check them out here: http://grayceon.bandcamp.com

KAYO DOT - New Yorkers Kayo Dot have been a fixture in both the metal and avant garde scenes for some time now, releasing albums on labels such as Hydra Head and Tzadik. I'm very pleased to be working with them. Gamma Knife, a digital only release, is set to be unleashed any day now. Physical album with additional tracks will be out in May to coincide with their full US tour.

Check them out here: http://www.kayodot.net

LESBIAN - Lesbian had a busy 2011, recording their new album (it's ONE FORTY MINUTE TRACK, PEOPLE!!) which does not have a release date yet, but I know I'm hoping it will be out in the first half of the year. I've seen them perform it and it's pretty damn epic. While not doing Lesbian shows, the dudes performed as Fungal Abyss which is all of them plus a variety of local musicians playing improvised prog and metal jams.

Check them out here: http://lesbian.bandcamp.com

NORSKA - I saw one of Norska's very first shows in Portland and immediately fell in love. These guys can doom out with the best of them but they also add incredible guitar work and monster bass tone which makes them stand out from the average heavy band. They'll be keeping busy in the NW until Summer, which will see them touring with Yob (Aaron is in both bands).

Check them out here: http://norska.bandcamp.com

VIA VENGEANCE - After a little bit of a hiatus, Via Vengeance is back and reinvigorated! Shane is working on new songs and will be playing out again, plus hopefully doing a bit of touring.

Check them out here: http://viavengeance.com