Handmade with love...

More Than Conquerors launch their new single 'A Lion, A Man' tonight in Belfast. The guys have a limited run of 100 bespoke handmade singles available first at tonight's show. This is MTC's first show at home in quite a while, they have a plethora of new material, new goodies to get your paws on and they are as hyper as a 3 year old after getting a rocking horse on Christmas day. Don't miss this show, its sure to be EXPLOSIVE!

Feldberg are exciting, happy and perfect for when the sun is shining.

The last show on the Feldberg UK calendar (for now) was the Lexington, London last Thursday.
Terry Lane from Buzzin Music Blog went along, click here for the full review...

Feldberg @ Lomography Recap

Feldberg Love Lomography Gallery so much so they made their second stop here last week during their mini UK tour! Food, wine and Royal Festivities aided by a little Icelandic pop ambiance - sad you missed it? click here for a recap!
Long Live Lomography.....

Feldberg are 'Track Of The Day'!

Get on over to Q Magazine's website, as they have declared 'Don't Be A Stranger' their track of the day!

If your in London town tonight make sure to check out the band perform at the Lexington, they're on stage at 9pm sharp!!

More Than Conquerors - "A Lion, A Man" single release

Balcony TV Presents....Feldberg!

Feldberg dropped by Balcony TV Towers during their Dublin tour yesterday. A quick pit stop which featured a live track and a bit of old fashioned craic!
Click here to watch again!

Feldberg Live on the Pat Kenny Show!

Einar and Rósa touched down in sunny Ireland just before 6pm yesterday evening. They had steaks in Belfast, sleeps in Sandy Row, awoke for breakfast this morning on the Pat Kenny Show! and rounded it all up with a few acoustic numbers in Dublins Tower Records.
Live in all its glory The Pat Kenny Show is available to listen again by clicking here.
The band are back in Belfast now before day two on their promo tour begins, next stop Derry City <<<

More Than Conquerors: Tour Update

Day 3 on the More Than Conquerors Scottish tour and right now the guys are sitting in their hotel room doing crossword puzzles... 'rock 'n' roll'... right?

Tonight the guys hit up KAGE in Dundee, again the show is free admission.

LaFaro - Midnight Show - Tomorrow - That rhymes, right?

Tomorrow night when the clock strikes 12...Lafaro will take to the stage in Auntie Annies, well the 3 of LaFaro that can squeeze onto the tiny stage and the one who can't will hang with the ruff-uns down the front.
No blood please but there will be sweat, possibly tears if Cahir O'Doherty has the strength to make it and most definitely 100% "dirty stinking LaFaro" - Zane Lowe 2010

Get down early or miss out - simple really

Feldberg Set For Derry on 22nd April

To celebrate the release of their debut album this week on STA, Feldberg will be taking a trip to UK and Ireland shows in a week's time. Their Derry show on Friday 22nd April is an intimate affair in the wonderful Cafe Del Mondo and is a BYOB gig. I am out the night before as well, gout beckons at the tender age of 34. Tickets for the gig are priced at £10 and includes a quality meal made by some lovely staff at the Cafe!

"Quirky, eccentric and surreal sounds fine unless you are descriping your doctor."

The April Edition of Alternative Ulster Magazine comes jam packed with all things worth going out for, all things worth staying in for and of course hot tips across the international alternative culture spectrum.

<<<<< Have a little look who features this month....its only bleedin' Feldberg!!

More Than Conquerors: On the road again!

More Than Conquerors set sail from Belfast last night, on the vast 8 hour voyage across the Irish Sea, to embark on four Scottish shows with Paisley based Pacific Theatre. We have heard that they 'more than conquerored' their sea legs with some sweet ice cold beers!

The first show is in Glasgow's Bar Bloc on Wednesday night, and its FREE!

Feldberg release day!

You can now get your hands on the Feldberg 'Don't Be A Stranger' album, via the Smalltownamerica Store

More Than Conquerors are back on the RADAR

More Than Conquerors will be making their long awaited return to Belfast on 5th May @ RADAR, complete with a limited edition run of their new single "A Lion, A Man".

LaFaro give top5 performance @ SXSW

If you got this months Fancorps newsletter you might have noticed this...

Tony's Top 5 Performances from SXSW 2011

This Will Destroy You@ Malverde

The Joy Formidable@ Brush Square Park

Helmet @ Dirty Dog

Orbit @ Lustre Pearl

Lafaro @ BD Riley's

We were at all of the show and second every single performance listed... especially LaFaro!

LaFaro down piss alley!

RTE2fm's Jenny Houston caught up with the LaFaro boys outside Latitude 30, Austin.

LISTEN HERE!

This is the awesome LaFaro screen print designed by yourawesomehorse. You can get your hands on it and many more sick posters here

"Chugga chugga without all of the drama and theatrics"

Lafaro return home to 'rainy grey' Belfast after 'killing it' (psssssst that American for doing really well every day)

Check these words by Stephen Carridini for OKSee...

"Heavy metal act Lafaro changed the mood significantly, throwing down some very impressive old-school metal. Fittingly, one of the guitarists was wearing an Iron Maiden t-shirt. If you like the chugga chugga without all of the drama and theatrics that have been attached to metal as of late, you'll like Lafaro."

Skibunny share some DJ set news...

A few DJ dates for your diaries from SKIBUNNY…

FRI 18th MARCH - EDINBURGH - WOLF PARTY @ The Store, Guthrie Street. LINK

THURS 24th & 31st MARCH - EDINBURGH - SICK NOTE @ Cabaret Voltaire, Blair Street. LINK

SUN 27th MARCH - EDINBURGH - COALITION @ Sneaky Pete’s, The Cowgate

FRI 1st APRIL - BELFAST - UPSIDE DOWN AFTERSHOW w/ALAN MCGEE @ The Menagerie, University Ave. LINK

"The Belfast date follows the screening of the AMAZING documentary UPSIDE DOWN: The Creation Records Story, at the Belfast Film Festival. You can buy tickets for the film screening HERE. The film was made by our very good friends DOCUMENT PRODUCTIONS, and in fact Tanya was the production accountant on the film (day job, yo!) and we are really happy to be DJing once again alongside the legend that is Alan McGee."

SXSWi Notes - Guy Kawasaki

I thought this talk was really interesting for anyone involved in putting out records, it was pitched at a tech audience, but I think we can apply it to what we all try and do everyday when we're pitching to radio, press and to new bands. Here are the main notes out of an hour talk. You can find out more about Guy Kawasaki here - it's not too self-helpy - so don't worry.

Do not enchant the CxO
• The people who you need to speak with and impress are at a lower level in organisations you want to work with
• Don't waste time trying to enchant the boss
• At a lower organisational level these are the guys that actually do the work

Great enchanters know who to speak and pitch
• Customise your introduction -
• Sell your dream 'there's an app for that'
• 10 slides | 20 minutes | 30pt font size

Provide Value
• Information, insights and assistance when using social media tools - we do not care about what you have for lunch.
• Great Engagement: BE FAST to MANY and OFTEN
• You have no idea about who is going to make your service tip it might be LonelyBoy15 - everyone has value in the social media sphere
• There is a misconception that once you've done everything you can kick back and relax and spark up twitter - it need to be constant.

Enchant Up
• Drop everything else when your boss asks you to do something - if you think this is not optimal - it's because you don't know your bosses reality.
• Prototype fast - when you're asked to do something, don't wait until it's perfect - show your boss what you're working on. Am I on the right page here? Higher probability that you will deliver the right thing.
• Deliver Bad news early - never surprise your boss bad news and always deliver it with solutions

Enchant Down - Provide a MAP for your colleagues
• Mastery - you will understand these new things/you're going to improve your skill set here
• Autonomy - we are not going to micro-manage you)
• Purpose - working autonomously for a higher purpose.

Empower Action in Your Colleagues
• I trust you
• I think you're smart
• Do what it takes to get the job done

Suck It Up
• Never ask someone to do something you would not do.

LaFaro SXSW Showcase Poster

LaFaro on Limeblog

With SXSW just around the corner, Lafaro are today's featured artist on Limeblog. Click to be telemagically transported to Limeblog to read all about it!

Cargo Collective March 2011

STA recommend -

Bearsuit - The Phantom Forest
Fortuna Pop! LP / CD
Bearsuit return with an off-the-wall pop masterpiece and a fierce new sound incorporating dirty synths, urgent guitars and infectious beats. Produced by Gareth Parton (The Go! Team, Breeders, Foals).

Alright The Captain - Snib
Field Records CD
Alright The Captain take a shared love for bands like Hella, Holy Fuck and Primus come out bursting out with a chaotic and frantic sound.

The Rock Of Travolta - Fine Lines
Big Red Sky CD
Oxford Post-Rock originators The Rock Of Travolta return with the blistering and beautifully-crafted, ‘Fine Lines’; a perfect equilibrium of power and fragility, motion and melody

4 Or 5 Magicians Last Ever Gig Poster

Austin... Let us introduce LaFaro.

What do you get if you mix a hip, sunny city on the edge of the American Southwest with enough guitar, bass and drum riffage that could re-sink a certain 'Unsinkable' vessel?

LaFaro at SXSW of course...

16 Mar *Day Show* Convention Centre - Flatpack @ 14:00 - 14:40

17 Mar *Belfast Rocks* Lattitude 30 @ 14:00 - 17:00
17 Mar *Hole In The Wall Club* 2538 Guadalupe St 18:00 - 18:30
18 Mar *Full Irish Breakfast* BD Reilys 16:00 - 16:20
19 Mar *SXSW Official* 512 Rooftop 22:00 to 22:40

Belfast Rocks @ SXSW

Andrew chats all things STA with Rocksound.

If your out and about today, make sure to throw a copy of Rocksound Magazine in the basket with your loaf.

Top Ten Stupid Things Said In Studio STA 2010

To celebrate our little recording studio being one year old today - we thought we'd raid the archives and list the top ten stupidest things said within these four walls over the last twelve months. All of these are actual, factual real idiocy expressed by the artists themselves.

1. "Who is Steve Albini?" - Niall Axis Of

2. "That Microphone Looks Like A Robot's Dick" - Ewen Axis Of
3. "Who is Henry Rollins?" - Enda General Fiasco
4. "February 29th will come round quick lads" - Owen General Fiasco
5. "This Is A Big Tune I Limavady Sir!" - Shaggy Furlo (speaking about one of his own songs)
6. "Is There Anything More Sugary Than Sugar?" - Emilio Illness
7. "I Never Go Out of Tune" - Johnny And So I Watch You From Afar
8. "I'd Shag Cher!" - Carl Event Horses
9. "Plan B's A Wanker, I'm Affable As Fuck!" - Wileman
10. "If You Cant Trust Your Limo Driver Who Can You Trust?"- Chris STA

Extra Bonus from 2011

11."Here I Am Skinning Up on A Sleater Kinney Vinyl - How Indie Am I?" -
Charlie Desert Hearts

Feldberg Take New Single To Dizzying Heights

'Don't Be A Stranger' is the latest release from our very own idyllic, Icelandic pop duo Feldberg and goes on sale via iTunes today.

Clocking in just under three and a half minutes, 'Don't Be A Stranger' perfectly captures a summer's day haze, fuses it with sugar plums resplendent with curve-ball word play. Beautiful, elegant and dreamy are just some of the things we think in our little office.

To mark the first release from Feldberg on STA, we have commissioned a bespoke poster design from the good people at You're Some Horse and is now available exclusively via the STA STORE. (Poster Package includes a digital download of 'Don't Be A Stranger' and B-side 'Us In The Mirror')

Check this delightfully uplifting little teaser:

And So It's Farewell...

The end of an era has arrived, as we bid farewell to the always awesome And So I Watch You From Afar. Spending the last few years working with them has been a great honor - this band is the real deal. They are some of the most, hardworking and lovely people you could ever meet!

The band's second record will be released on May 2011 on the totally rad Richter Collective label (IRL). Anyone who has heard some of their new songs previewed in recent live shows will bear witness to the excellence that everyone can expect from the new album. 

Big thanks to Rory, Chris, Johnny and Tony ASIWYFA for the thrill of being part of their amazing musical world. And massive props to everyone who helped get their music out into there on day one - in particular, Brian Magill and Jeff Robinson whose dedication, affection and tireless efforts for the lads has played such a huge role in their success. 

Also to everyone else at Rocksound, Radio 1, Alan Cullivan at Bareknuckle Management, Craig Gogay at Cargo (UK), Ralph/Stefan at Cargo (Germany), Bart Wisemans at Suburban, John Brogan at Destiny PR, Toby at Toolbox - we love you!

We look forward to the next chapter of ASIWYFA! Bring it on! We'll be down the front.

WOOOOO!

The Last Ever 4 or 5 Magicians Rock Concert, Friday April 1st @ Brixton Windmill

In October 2005, The Freebutt in Brighton saw the first show of 4 or 5 Magicians, a band I started with some friends from university. Almost exactly 5 years on in October 2010, 190 shows, 23 members, 3 record labels, 2 Lamacq singles of the week, and 1 critically acclaimed album down the line I decided to call and end to the band in a van somewhere between Nottingham and Birmingham.

Following the announcment that 4 or 5 Magicians were to disappear, many people contacted me requesting I organise one final show for the band, and after some umming and ahhing I have decided to do just this, on my birthday Friday April 1st, at our most played and most loved venue, The Windmill in Brixton.

The 2009 album tour lineup of myself, Sam Clarke, Ivan Berry and Alex Wilkinson will play the bulk of the set which will feature every track from our album 'Empty, Derivative Pop Songs'. There will also be a special short section of golden oldies performed by the first proper lineup of the band, that of Myself, Matt Hayward, Jon Wood and Alex Lovell. Other past members will also be in attendance and making cameo appearances!

Doors will be at 7pm, three excellent support bands will be announced in due course starting at 7:30pm. 4 or 5 Magicians will hit the stage at 10pm. DJs will follow into the early hours and we will all stay and dance a lot because it is my birthday.

Entry will be £5 in advance (ticket link to follow shortly), and we will also be selling copies of our 9/10 rated album 'Empty, Derivative Pop Songs' for the knock down price of £5 as well as some other stuff we have left including the last few copies of the Forever On The Edge and Nice Little Earner singles, the CD-R demo 'Wakey Wakey Everyone' and our last few T-Shirts. So remember to bring your pocket money!

The show will act as a fundraiser for the recording costs of my new project. It is currently unnamed and unmanned, but I have ten new songs almost ready to record properly which I am very excited about.

Thanks to everyone for your support over the past five years, let's make this last show the best one ever!

Dan x

Illness Play OIB Sea Monsters Fest & Compilation

One of the UK's best label-slash-promoters One Inch Badge kick off 2011 with a five night stand at the Prince Albert in Brighton at the end of the month bringing together 17 of the most crucial bands coming out the Brighton scene right now and offering them up for just £15 for all 5 shows or £4 per night. Tickets on sale now.

The series of shows are the live counterpart to OIB's new compilation SEA MONSTERS, containing 18 tracks representing the cream of Brighton in 2011: you’ll hear the cool surf-rock of The Squadron Leaders and the Sticks; the slick pop perfection of Pope Joan and Nullifier; the enveloping folk-noir of Sons of Noel and Adrian and Birdengine; the 8-bit brutality of Drum Eyes and Soccer96; and the harsh garage rock of Illness and Cold Pumas. The comp is free when you buy the 5 night pass too!


Here's the breakdown of the nights:

Wednesday 26th January
SALTER CANE – 10:15pm
CROWNS ON THE RATS ORCHESTRA – 9:15pm
THE SQUADRON LEADERS – 8:30pm

Thursday 27th January
DRUM EYES – 10:15pm
COLD PUMAS – 9:30pm
THE STICKS – 8:50pm
SPEAK GALACTIC – 8:20pm

Friday 28th January
POPE JOAN – 10:15pm
Falling somewhere between the kinetic playfulness of Les Savy Fav, quirky pop of early-era XTC and the sonic spectrum of TV on the Radio, Pope Joan are a band that demand serious attention and have quickly established themselves as part of the new wave of exciting and experimental UK art-pop.
NULLIFIER – 9:40pm
Recent signings to OIB Records, Nullifier deliver perfectly formed infectious hyper-pop tunes on the subject of space, waves, girls, and the Armageddon associated with all of the above… ‘Most Evil’ – out Spring 2011.
HIND EAR – 8:50pm
Hind Ear are an experimental technicolour rhythm band who utalise guitars, electronics, voices and drums to fuse hearts to feet and headphones to dancefloors. Like Black Dice on a diet of Chicago House and Fleetwood Mac.
ILLNESS – 8:15pm
Illness are an electric guitar and drums two-piece who create fast, catchy, and abrasive noise-rock. Their sound is equally raw, fast, abrasive and very heavy. Think Lightning Bolt meets Pavement!

Saturday 29th January
MARY HAMPTON – 10:00pm
JANE BARTHOLOMEW – 9:15pm
CURLY HAIR – 8:30pm

Sun 30th January
STUART WARWICK – 10:00pm
US BABY BEAR BONES – 9:15pm
BIRDENGINE – 8:30pm

CD OUT 31st JANAURY 2011 exclusively from Resident Music / Rounder Records / Edgeworld in BRIGHTON

CD / Download OUT 4th April 2011 internationally

Rock Sound Highlights - ASIWYFA 2011 Preview, LaFaro Rank Among Best Newcomers, FWW Live Review

The February issue of Rock Sound is about to hit newsagents wherein you'll find LaFaro placing on the list of best newcomers of 2010, Fighting With Wire reviewed alongside headliners Helmet and ASIWYFA look ahead to the new year.

Happy New (Tenth!) Year for STA - It's Art Fucking Rock Okay?

STA is TEN years old, a fact of which I'm very proud (our official Tenth Birthday Party will be on Saturday, September 3rd 2011, commemorating the anniversary of STA001).

When the label began in '01 I didn't for a moment think that this project would have coloured my own life so much over the last decade. Arguably the main reason that Smalltown America still exists is the is the reason that we began in the first place - we don't like anyone to tell us that our ideas are bad ones.

In life, it's much easier to do things yourself and exist within a self-protectionist bubble than to go into battle with larger forces; we've been good at one thing - surrounding ourselves always with supporters rather than Naysayers. Fuck.You.Naysayers!

10/10/2000 - an e-Letter from Jamie (re JPL Lyrics) printed during the time that printing emails was not a bad thing to do

I feel that over the last ten years we've been brave and sensible in equal measure. We've always endeavoured to operate on the right side of 'self-destruct'. We're not afraid to take a chance on the music we love and we're always improving trying to get the business right behind our bands so they have a proper chance of a career doing the thing they love most in life. Making music.

I've rarely been more excited about a year's prospective output at our label. This is largely due to 2010 having been our busiest ever year (thanks to a great staff) and arguably our best in terms of reaching more and more of you with our releases.

Our bands now tour all over the world and the world listens to what they have to say.

Here's to a fearless 2011.

Next Illness Show: Tues 11th w/ Nope