Darla Records - Interesting Music....

Posted by: DenisA on 10 February 2004

If you are looking for New Music why not try Darla Records, home of My Morning Jacket's first Albums @ http://www.darlashop.com/new/

Before dipping my toe into the water has anyone heard of Entre Rios, Animal Collection or PAS/CAL?

The strength of the £ v the $ at the moment makes quality music purchases from the USA a win double.

Denis
Posted on: 10 February 2004 by matthewr
They do regular samplers called "Little Darla has a Treat For You" which are probably a good place to start.

FWIW Its my impression that My Morning Jacket are not very typical of the label and much of their stuff is a bit more leftfield.

Piano Magic are ace though.

Matthew
Posted on: 10 February 2004 by DenisA
quote:
Originally posted by Matthew Robinson:
They do regular samplers called "Little Darla has a Treat For You" which are probably a good place to start.

FWIW Its my impression that My Morning Jacket are not very typical of the label and much of their stuff is a bit more leftfield.

Piano Magic are ace though.

Matthew


Matthew,

My Morning Jacket was my way into Darla and their Site looked interesting and full of unknown stuff to me. Maybe Nic Lees, David Slater or Garyi could advise on the leftfield content?

What Piano Magic would you recommend and their music style?

Darla's PIANO MAGIC list is:-
- A Trick of the Sea/Bliss Out
- Popular Mechanics
- Son de Mar
- Speed The Road, Rush The Lights
- The Troubled Sleep Of Piano Magic
- I Came To Your Party Dressed As A Shadow

Denis
Posted on: 10 February 2004 by matthewr
Denis,

When I say "Piano Magic are Ace" what I really mean is Piano Magic's album "Low Birth Weight" is ace as its the only album I actually own. Stylewise its quiet laid back, atmospheric, with a sort of sountracky/orchetstral/ambient feel + bits of lo-fi noodling (erm, does that actually help?) -- sort of experimental indie-pop I guess. The songwirting is very strong though and its more accessable than much experimental music.

BTW They English so you can probably buy their stuff here rather than via Darla. They are on rocket Girl on 4AD in the UK IIRC.

Matthew
Posted on: 10 February 2004 by DenisA
Matthew,

Thanks for the description, I will probably wait awhile when I'm feeling more brave. Perhaps if you fancy one of the listed titles above you can pass on your thoughts. Thats courageous of me spending your money Eh Big Grin

I'm hesitating as the only "Experimental" Vinyl music in my collection is:-

Walter Carlos - Switched on Bach Smile (bought on its release)
Tonto's Expanding Headband - Zero Time (bought on its release)
Eno - Music for Airports
Aphex Twin - Selected Ambient Works
Polygon Windows - Surfing on Sine Waves

Denis
Posted on: 10 February 2004 by willem
Matthew,

If you like Piano Magic you could try the Kranky and Constellation websites for stuff like 'A Silver Mt. Zion', 'Do Say Make Think', 'Hangdup' &'Re:'.

Here are the links:
Kranky: http://www.brainwashed.com/kranky/new.html

Connstellation: http://www.cstrecords.com/html/menu.html

Have fun!

willem
Posted on: 10 February 2004 by matthewr
Willem -- I see your A Silver Mt. Zion and raise you a Godspeed! You Black Emperor Wink

BTW Members of A Silver Mt Zion and Do Make Say Think are part of Toronto experimental (but in a good way) indie rocksters Broken Social Scene who's debut album "You Forget it in People" was one of my Top 10 records of 2003.

Matthew
Posted on: 10 February 2004 by willem
quote:
Originally posted by Matthew Robinson:
Willem -- I see your _A Silver Mt. Zion_ and raise you a _Godspeed! You Black Emperor_ Wink
Matthew


Yeah, I've got all the Godspeed stuff, on vinyl. It's gripping, but also quite a lot heavier than Piano Magic and I didn't want to scare you or Denis Wink

Have fun!

willem
Posted on: 26 February 2004 by DenisA
Nick

Thanks for your Global Communications Tip, I'll investigate. I like to use Tonto as my reference point for all this new fangled electronica stuff that is being ordered now. See the last album bought thread for my Darla & CD Baby orders; I will report back on the hits & misses. At some point I must stop buying music as I really must Upgrade the old CDP+32.5+HiCap+250 to hear it, in all its glory.

Denis
Posted on: 26 March 2004 by DenisA
My First set of Darla Purchases were:-

MY MORNING JACKET: At Dawn (not played much yet)
MY MORNING JACKET The Tennessee Fire (not played much yet)
PAS/CAL: Oh Honey, Were Ridiculous (Truly Wonderful, my new favourite American Pop Band)
PIANO MAGIC: The Troubled Sleep Of Piano Magic (Fabulous,my new favourite sort of experimental indie-pop Band)
The MOONBABIES: The Orange Billboard (Stunning 1st Album, my new favourite Swedish Pop Band)

Just check Darla for the description that made me buy them in the first place. It may appeal to you as it did to me.

After being rewarded for my Bravery above, here is my second order today:-

PIANO MAGIC A Trick of the Sea / Bliss Out v.13
PIANO MAGIC: Saint Marie EP
P:ANO - The Den
LUCKSMITHS: Naturaliste
v/a LITTLE DARLA HAS A TREAT FOR YOU, v.21, WINTER 2004
PAS/CAL: The Handbag Memoirs

I am so impressed with Piano Magic that I have already purchased on Vinyl from Opal Music

PIANO MAGIC: Low Birth Weight -- (UK 11 track LP limited brown vinyl on Rocket Girl)
PIANO MAGIC: Artistes' Rifles -- (UK 10 track vinyl LP inc. No Closure & The Index)

Denis