July 2010 Newsletter

[0] MPFree: Illness Make 'Old Song' New

Everyone enjoy last month's bleep-assisted LaFaro remix? This month, to celebrate the release of their new EP, we have an exclusive live take on Illness' 'Old Song'. Click here to download the track.

More details about the band's new EP and their upcoming tour dates can be found just below.

[1] Illness' 'Gifts From God' EP Out Now

We've mentioned them on here before many a time, but let's recap. Illness are a two-piece from Brighton. Spencer plays guitar, Emilio plays drums, there is no singing. In fact, Gifts From God is a six track, twelve minute unrelenting argument against the need for vocals. It clearly convinced us, as we snapped them up and put it out.

Gifts From God is available now from iTunes, 7digital and all quality online retailers. It's also available as handmade, limited edition CD (including an exclusive video for 'Old Song'!) direct from the STA online store.

The band head out on tour this week, alongside Shield Your Eyes. Here's a list of the dates, and please note that a few dates on the tour have changed from those we've listed in previous mailouts:

July 7 - GLASGOW, Mitchells

July 8 - EDINBURGH, Henry's Cellar Bar

July 9 - BOLTON, Dog & Partridge

July 12 - SHEFFIELD, The Red House

July 13 - MILTON KEYNES, Windmill Hill Golf Club

July 14 - OXFORD, Jericho Tavern

July 15 - BRIGHTON, The Hydrant

July 16 - LEEDS, The Brudenell

July 17 - BRADFORD, 1 in 12 Club

Check out the tour poster as well.

To celebrate the release and the tour, the band also recorded an episode of the new STA podcast. It includes tracks from friends, compadres and tour mates Shield Your Eyes. You can find more details of that by clicking here.

The band are also working on a second EP and their debut album, but more on those in the future.

[2] Crooked Mountain, Crooked Sea Sign To STA

We're very pleased to announce another new addition to the STA roster, in the form of Brighton's Crooked Mountain, Crooked Sea. Despite being named after a somewhat Silver Jews / Pavement combination, the band draw more sonic inspiration from the crunchier side of indie rock (Cursive, Fugazi etc). Since forming they have have embarked on tours with Hold Your Horse Is and Shoes and Socks Off and won praise from 6music's Tom Robinson.

Their first release for STA will be a six-track EP in late August, titled I Watched It From The Roadside, accompanied by a tour with Amateurs. Preorders for the limited CD version will begin at some point this month, so keep an eyeout on the STA website and the band's myspace. The band also have a couple of hometown shows coming up this month:

July 8 - BRIGHTON, Hector's House (with Los)

July 30 - BRIGHTON, Pav Tav (with Shoes and Socks Off)

[3] STA Store July Bundle Deals

We've added some new summer bundle deals to the STA store, made up of items from our catalogue and various distro items we've taken on over the years. They're perfect for the hayfever sufferer in your life who is currently too terrified to go outside! We might have one of those on-staff...

July Vinyl Fever - £20/ 10 x Seven Inches!!!
July Special Bundle - £12/2 x 7's Plus Tshirt
Summer Festival Bundle - £20/2 x Albums Plus Tshirt

[4] FWW: Album Update & Video Diaries


Word on the street is that bar a few vocals the Fighting With Wire album is all but recorded. Catch up with the guys in Nashville via Fighting With Wire TV and check out new song 'The Dirty Shark'.

[5] New LaFaro Single & iPhone App Out Now

LaFaro's latest single, 'The Ballad of Burnt Dave', is out now via all major digital retailers, and includes the exclusive b-side 'Climate'. We have also launched a LaFaro iPhone app, which is an STA first! You can find it here for the very reasonable price of nothing.
The band have a number of live dates this month, kicking off with an appearance to Guilfest.
17 July - GUILDFORD, Guilfest (Rocksound Cave)
18 July - LONDON, Dogstar
21 July - LEEDS, Carpe Diem
22 July - EDINBURGH, Bannermans
23 July - GLASGOW, Capitol
24 July - DRAPERSTOWN, Glasgowbury Festival

[6] And So I Watch You From Afar Festival Highlights

Fresh - or the perma-touring ASIWYFA equivalent of the term - from supporting supergroup-du-jour Them Crooked Vultures at Brixton Academy on Monday night, Rory, Tony, Johnny and Chris will be laying waste to the following festivals - including 2 in 1 day!
16 Jul - GUILDFORD, Guilfest (Rocksound Cave)
16 Jul - CHELTENHAM, 2000 Trees Festival
17 Jul - LATVIA, Positivus Festival Salacgriva
19 Jul - NETHERLANDS, Festivale de-Affaire, Valkhofpark Nijmegen
30 Jul - MILTON KEYNES, Sonisphere Festival
31 Jul - GERMANY, Krach am Bach Festival Beelen

That's all for July - go outside, enjoy the sunshine. We'll see you next month.