Vanya Records

Spend it with us…

THE NEW HIGHWAY HYMNAL 

live at O’Brien’s Pub in Allston

…with the Fagettes, Earthquake Party + DJ Liz Pelly + Me At The Bar With My Head On The Bar

DROP BALL XX OO

One love to the BEARSTRONAUT crew, who had their Satisfied Violence EP named one of Boston’s best records of 2011. Two of the tracks on the EP were released on gold vinyl through Vanya. All in the fam. 

From Luke O’Neil’s pick: “‘Shannon’ fuses synthy-noodling to a dirty cowbell beat …‘Moniker’ show(s) the band mastering the pop side of the equation, with big, singalong melodies…’

#1: Belong - Come See  

Equal parts My Bloody Valentine and Neu, I cranked Belong’s Common Era every rainy day this year. It’s a (expletive) masterpiece.

#2: Bvdub - Make the Pain Go Away

Does it get any deeper than this? I remember listening to this on a remote ranch in Texas after getting banged up at sxsw and thinking that ambient music had reached a new frontier. That sentiment has not wavered.

#3: Radiohead – Give up The Ghost

A real gem from TKOL. Thom’s vocals from 2:35 on might be the most beautiful thing I’ve ever heard in my entire life. Bloody heartwrenching. This tune along with Thom’s solo track “Atoms for Peace” were major influences on my tune “Lemondrop”.

#4: The Ice Choir - Two Rings

I am uber-excited about this new project from Kurt Feldman formerly of Depreciation Guild. Unabashed sparkling synth pop.  

#5: Dirty Beaches - Speedway King

The amazing video by Alex Zhang Hungtai was the first thing to catch me. The refrain “speedway, taking over me” was always in my head while making late night / early morning drives back from NYC.

#6: Patrice Bäumel - Mike Tyson  

If skynet had a dance party they’d surely bump this. When’s the last time you heard a kick drum pattern serve as a hook?  

#7: Neon Indian – Fallout

I can definitely hear the influence of MBV’s “Slow”. Reminds me of oppressive summer heat and humidity which is strange considering he recorded it in Finland in the dead of winter.

#8: Cold Cave – Confetti

“I feel guilty being alive when so many beautiful people have died.” Very clever, Wesley.  

#9: Alex Niggemann – Lately

My favorite house track of the year edging out Danny Daze. Makes me wanna dance. 

#10: John Maus - Believer

It’s tough to remain in a bad mood when playing this loud.

How you livin?

Well this is cool. THEODORE CORMEY, the director’s of ANDRE OBIN’S “Valencia” video, was praised in Time Magazine’s Best of 2011 issue, for his video work in DO NOT FORSAKE ME OH MY DARLING’S “Episode 1: The Arrival.”

TIME MAGAZINE Top 10 of Everything in 2011: Top 10 Creative Videos — Number 6: Do Not Forsake Me Oh My Darling “Episode 1: Arrival”

Pretty cool live review from Chris DeCarlo in the recent Noise Here’s a snippet: 

STALIN GO, WITCHITA, NEW HIGHWAY HYMNAL @ Dirty Douglas, Lowell, MA, 10/21/11 

The New Highway Hymnal is one of the most exciting bands I have come across this past year in the Lowell underground music scene… they mix punk inspired rock and roll with pure, relentless noise. Despite, or perhaps because of, the loud quality of their music, their songs are quite melodic and memorable, and tonight is no exception.

…The brute, cathartic treatment they dish out to their instruments reminds me of Sonic Youth and the experimentation they are known to incorporate into their showmanship. Ultimately, their set is a sweaty, invigorating experience for both members and fans; a nice way to blow off some steam after a long, draining, school/work week.

Director Theodore Cormey just posted the following:

Still looking for a couple more Featured Performers to play creepy Rorschach-like Agents in the epic Andre Obin “VALENCIA” music video for this Sun, Dec 4th 10AM-1PM. Shooting is in South Shore. Contact me a.k.a. Ted via Facebook or tcormey@lostjockeyprods.com for more details.