5 Years of NFOP

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Premiere: Woodpecker Wooliams - “Patryoska”.

19 Apr 2011 — Henning Lahmann
Woodpecker Wooliams is the nature-dripping recording moniker of a young lady from Brighton named Gemma Williams. Her songs, mostly comprised only of a harp and her enchanted yet firm, confident voice, enriched with some subtle field recordings (sometimes simply made up of background noises caught on tape during the recording process itself), are restrained yet stunning pieces of experimental folk, evoking images of a long-gone English countryside full of mysteries and fairytales. Of course, the word "harp" in connection with a contemporary artist has to provoke comparisons with Joanna Newsom, but if anything - probable inspiration notwithstanding - putting Williams' music alongside that of the California-born singer is nothing the former needs to be afraid of. To say the least, apart from the rather obvious fact of the instrument of choice, the common grounds are limited. Where Newsom opts for the baroque and at times almost flamboyant (which is no judgment whatsoever), Williams' honest lo-fi recordings stay on the ground, literally and figuratively, a quality that actually leaves her raw folk closer to bands like Mountain Man, in particular. The tiny Italian imprint Wool Shop Productions has just released the latest Woodpecker Wooliams work, the wonderful Patryoska, an eight-track mini CD-R that comes nestled in a wicker basket presentation box with a painted poster. Take a listen to the two exclusive, absolutely breathtaking songs Diego Diego and Wild Beasts below, and then quickly head over here to get your hands on one of the 36 very special, handmade items. Woodpecker Wooliams - Diego Diego Woodpecker Wooliams - Wild Beasts Read more → Woodpecker Wooliams is the nature-dripping recording moniker of a young lady from Brighton named Gemma Williams. Her songs, mostly comprised only of a harp and her enchanted yet firm, confident voice, enriched with some subtle field recordings (sometimes simply made up of background noises caught on tape during the recording process itself), are restrained yet stunning pieces of experimental folk, evoking images of a long-gone English countryside full of mysteries and fairytales. Of course, the word "harp" in connection with a contemporary artist has to provoke comparisons with Joanna Newsom, but if anything - probable inspiration notwithstanding - putting Williams' music alongside that of the California-born singer is nothing the former needs to be afraid of. To say the least, apart from the rather obvious fact of the instrument of choice, the common grounds are limited. Where Newsom opts for the baroque and at times almost flamboyant (which is no judgment whatsoever), Williams' honest lo-fi recordings stay on the ground, literally and figuratively, a quality that actually leaves her raw folk closer to bands like Mountain Man, in particular. The tiny Italian imprint Wool Shop Productions has just released the latest Woodpecker Wooliams work, the wonderful Patryoska, an eight-track mini CD-R that comes nestled in a wicker basket presentation box with a painted poster. Take a listen to the two exclusive, absolutely breathtaking songs Diego Diego and Wild Beasts below, and then quickly head over here to get your hands on one of the 36 very special, handmade items. Woodpecker Wooliams - Diego Diego Woodpecker Wooliams - Wild Beasts

Little Gold: “Oh Dad”.

19 Apr 2011 — Henning Lahmann
Just in time for the final return of good old springtime, here's some lush and easy indie pop for your esteemed ears by Brooklyn lo-fi outfit Little Gold, the trio formed by ex-Woods member Christian DeRoeck together with Brian Markham and Patrick Broderick. Oh Dad is the b-side of the band's forthcoming Mike Swan 7 inch on Sophomore Lounge. The track was originally written by Christian's friend James Jackson Toth of Wooden Wand, but though we're not familiar with the original we couldn't imagine it anymore uplifting than this. Pre-order your copy here. Photo by Jenna Ransom. Little Gold - Oh Dad Read more → Just in time for the final return of good old springtime, here's some lush and easy indie pop for your esteemed ears by Brooklyn lo-fi outfit Little Gold, the trio formed by ex-Woods member Christian DeRoeck together with Brian Markham and Patrick Broderick. Oh Dad is the b-side of the band's forthcoming Mike Swan 7 inch on Sophomore Lounge. The track was originally written by Christian's friend James Jackson Toth of Wooden Wand, but though we're not familiar with the original we couldn't imagine it anymore uplifting than this. Pre-order your copy here. Photo by Jenna Ransom. Little Gold - Oh Dad

Video: Deep Earth - “House of Mighty II”.

19 Apr 2011 — Henning Lahmann
Here's the brand new video for House of Mighty II by Chicago psych/kraut synth artists Deep Earth, taken from their stellar House of Mighty cassette that was released last month on Minneapolis, Minnesota imprint Moon Glyph. Enjoy the breathtaking journey that was made possible by Ben Marcus, check another casette track we'd featured last month here and then head over to the Moon Glyph headquarters to cop your copy. Read more → Here's the brand new video for House of Mighty II by Chicago psych/kraut synth artists Deep Earth, taken from their stellar House of Mighty cassette that was released last month on Minneapolis, Minnesota imprint Moon Glyph. Enjoy the breathtaking journey that was made possible by Ben Marcus, check another casette track we'd featured last month here and then head over to the Moon Glyph headquarters to cop your copy.

Age Wave: “Telephone Dreams”.

18 Apr 2011 — Henning Lahmann
The stellar folks over at Bathetic just sent over the digital files that correspond to their latest wax pressing, the Telephone Dreams 7 inch by Age Wave which is the new solo endeavor of Ren Schofield of Dynasty and Mercy Light, among others. The single's a-side is a spaced-out trip into the mellow realms of pure noise, a track that uses tape manipulation and looping and layered synth textures to create the perfect score for the rising suspense before the first alien encounter. But fear not, just a dream it is. The 7 inch is limited to 300, order your copy here. Age Wave - Telephone Dreams Read more → The stellar folks over at Bathetic just sent over the digital files that correspond to their latest wax pressing, the Telephone Dreams 7 inch by Age Wave which is the new solo endeavor of Ren Schofield of Dynasty and Mercy Light, among others. The single's a-side is a spaced-out trip into the mellow realms of pure noise, a track that uses tape manipulation and looping and layered synth textures to create the perfect score for the rising suspense before the first alien encounter. But fear not, just a dream it is. The 7 inch is limited to 300, order your copy here. Age Wave - Telephone Dreams

Extra Life x Laurel Halo.

18 Apr 2011 — Henning Lahmann
Take a deep breath, and then dive into Laurel Halo's incredibly contemplative ambient take on Brooklyn art rockers Extra Life's tune Strong Brother, Weak Brother, taken from the band's Ripped Heart EP, out now on Last Things Records. Order your copy over here. Extra Life - Strong Brother, Weak Brother (Laurel Halo Remix) Read more → Take a deep breath, and then dive into Laurel Halo's incredibly contemplative ambient take on Brooklyn art rockers Extra Life's tune Strong Brother, Weak Brother, taken from the band's Ripped Heart EP, out now on Last Things Records. Order your copy over here. Extra Life - Strong Brother, Weak Brother (Laurel Halo Remix)

Beige: “Folds”.

15 Apr 2011 — Henning Lahmann
Don't miss this wonderful new song that Brooklyn lo-fi psych pop outfit Beige posted on their Tumblr yesterday: Folds shows the band at their most sophisticated and mature to date, as the six-minute piece gently meanders over a constant organ pattern while the reverberated guitars and the vocals exhibit an almost restrained feel, which together with the mechanic drumming adds up to some seriously splendid new wavey feel. Beige - Folds Read more → Don't miss this wonderful new song that Brooklyn lo-fi psych pop outfit Beige posted on their Tumblr yesterday: Folds shows the band at their most sophisticated and mature to date, as the six-minute piece gently meanders over a constant organ pattern while the reverberated guitars and the vocals exhibit an almost restrained feel, which together with the mechanic drumming adds up to some seriously splendid new wavey feel. Beige - Folds

Clams Casino: “Gorilla”.

15 Apr 2011 — Henning Lahmann
Pretty psyched by this new jam by enigmatic Jersey producer Clams Casino who will drop his Rainforest EP via Brooklyn's über-rad Tri Angle on June 27. Listen to the closing track Gorilla below, an incredibly dark and noisy instrumental hip hop tune, coming with some absolutely appropriate jungle sounds. Clams Casino - Gorilla Read more → Pretty psyched by this new jam by enigmatic Jersey producer Clams Casino who will drop his Rainforest EP via Brooklyn's über-rad Tri Angle on June 27. Listen to the closing track Gorilla below, an incredibly dark and noisy instrumental hip hop tune, coming with some absolutely appropriate jungle sounds. Clams Casino - Gorilla

Maria Minerva: “Where Do You Go?”

15 Apr 2011 — Henning Lahmann
Here's a brand new tune by our favorite eerie songstress Maria Minerva, taken from the upcoming Appeal cassette on London's NightSchool Recordings. The tape is a densely packed charity compilation for the British Red Cross Japan Tsunami Appeal. The cassette will officially drop May 2, but one day before the label is gonna have a launch celebration barbecue with free live music at The Finsbury in London Town, starting at 4 p.m. More info over here. For the complete esteemed tracklist and order details go here. Maria Minerva - Where Do You Go? Read more → Here's a brand new tune by our favorite eerie songstress Maria Minerva, taken from the upcoming Appeal cassette on London's NightSchool Recordings. The tape is a densely packed charity compilation for the British Red Cross Japan Tsunami Appeal. The cassette will officially drop May 2, but one day before the label is gonna have a launch celebration barbecue with free live music at The Finsbury in London Town, starting at 4 p.m. More info over here. For the complete esteemed tracklist and order details go here. Maria Minerva - Where Do You Go?
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