I just wanted to thank everyone who came to the recent Gold Robot Records + Father/Daughter Records + Small Plates Records showcase during SXSW. Special thanks go out to all the bands, who are obviously the reason we do these things. All of these folks are awesome: GEMS, Mutual Benefit, Body Parts, Night Panther, Monster Rally, Day Joy, Roman Ruins, Conveyor, Francisco The Man, and Levek.
Also, we couldn’t have done it without the support of our sponsors: DeliRadio, Ghost Town, Big Cartel, and Brooklyn Brewery. We are looking forward to seeing everyone next year!
Gold Robot Records, Father/Daughter Records, and Small Plates Records Present their 1st annual SXSW Showcase!
Come hang at our FREE SXSW party on Friday, March 15th from noon-6pm on the outdoor stage at The Grackle (1700 E 6th St). 21+ and open to the public - badges/wristbands not required. Grab a Grackle-famous Bloody Mary or Brooklyn Lager special and a taco from the East Side Kings truck and soak up the rays & sweet tunes with us!
FIRST HEADS IN THE DOOR GET A FREE, LIMITED EDITION FLEXI 7” WITH UNRELEASED SONGS BY MONSTER RALLY, GRACIE & THE EVERYWHERES!!
Doors @ 11:30am
12:15 - GEMS
12:45 - Mutual Benefit
1:15 - Body Parts
2:00 - Night Panther
2:30 - Monster Rally
3:10 - Day Joy
3:45 - Roman Ruins
4:20 - Conveyor
4:55 - Francisco The Man
5:30 - Levek
THE YEAR IN GOLD ROBOT VINYL RELEASES
One of the great things about a year ending is that it gives us a chance to sit back and reflect on all that has happened in our little world. Here at Gold Robot, 2012 has been fairly epic, no matter how you measure it. We released 9 vinyl records over the last 12 months (out of a total of 30 since the label was founded in 2007). The growth of the label is a testament to the artists and their talent. I’d like to think that GRR occupies a small spot of the music landscape where we support creative artists and projects that might not have been made otherwise. So, thanks for everyone’s support thus far, and we hope to continue to bring you interesting and entertaining releases for many years to come. Here’s a chronological snapshot of our year in vinyl, meant to introduce us to folks who might not have ever heard of Gold Robot or to remind the longtime fans of some releases that might have slipped past their radar.
[Feb 21, 2012] Yalls - Fantasy 7”
I have loved working with Dan Casey (aka Yalls) over the last 1+ years, the dude is amazingly talented and prolific. In my eyes, this is the perfect 7” as it has three brilliant tracks that showcase the Yalls sound. I’m really looking forward to his proper debut LP, tentatively scheduled for 2013. (buy the record)
[Feb 28, 2012] Roman Ruins - Homebuilding 12”
Seeing this record finally come into existence was one of the highlights of my year, as I’d been hearing drafts and glimpses for a long while. While Graham Hill (aka Roman Ruins) might be better known as the drummer for Papercuts or former tour/session drummer for Beach House, he’s also the primary reason this label exists. I can’t recommend this album enough. (buy the record)
[March 20, 2012] James & Evander - Let’s Go b/w Welcome to Planet Dance 7”
Another local act which was an amazing pleasure to work with this year was James & Evander. I loved how they approached this 7” as a concept piece to explore new sounds, and the success of their recent LP makes it that much sweeter. (buy the record)
[May 15, 2012] Conveyor - Mane 7”
I was introduced to this amazing band early in the year and couldn’t be happier for these talented guys out of Brooklyn. The two tracks on this beautiful 7”, combined with the artwork, are an example of why we’re in this business in the first place. I’ve seen their debut LP on many year-end lists already, which is wholly deserved. (buy the record)
[June 19, 2012] Monster Rally - Beyond the Sea 12”
Over the last few years, no other artist has pushed the label harder than Monster Rally. His design sensibility is perfectly matched for what we try to do, his output is unparalleled, and his aesthetic vision continues to inspire us. His latest LP marked our first gatefold LP (and largest 12” run to date), and the sounds add to his growing and impressive portfolio. (sold out, download here)
[September 4, 2012] RUMTUM / Catamaran - New Goth Gypsies 7”
You’ve probably heard it before, but we love to make split 7” records. Their place in the music culture has a special spot in my heart, and the ability to pair artists and perhaps expand their respective audiences is really intriguing. The two tracks on this 7”, combined with some gorgeous packaging, make it an important part of our catalog. (buy the record)
[September 11, 2012] Seamonster - Baldessari 12”
This is exactly the type of record which Gold Robot aspires to release. When Todd Webb (aka Seamonster) and I started working together 3 years ago, first corresponding with letters and packages and eventually resulting in the Two Birds 7”, I knew I had found an artist who really understood what GRR was trying to do. This LP was dreamed up by the artist, and the principles and story behind how it was made couldn’t be cooler. (buy the record)
[December 4, 2012] Monster Rally & RUMTUM - Coasting 12”
This 12” featured our first full-sided etching along with a collection of sounds foraged by a couple of talented musicians with similar passions. From this end, it’s really amazing to see how the tracks take shape and how each artist puts their stamp on the final sound. (sold out, download here)
[December 4, 2012] Seamonster - Neighbors 7”
Our only collaborative release of 2012 found us working with the amazing Turntable Kitchen on this limited edition record as part of their pairings box subscription series. Seamonster recorded a couple of tracks that had previously never been released, and they’re both quite arresting. (buy the record)
Thanks again for a wonderful year of vinyl, we couldn’t have done it without the fans, the writers, the collaborators, and (of course) the artists.
I’m quite looking forward to this Thursday’s show at Bottom of the Hill in SF which will include Conveyor (of Mane 7” fame), marking the first time I’ve caught the band live. Also on the bill (which is presented by Owl Mag) is Coast Jumper, Fierce Creatures, and Handshake. If you’re in the Bay Area, I suggest making it out for this one; but if not, catch them on one of their remaining tour dates.
Conveyor’s debut LP is out TODAY on Paper Garden Records, it’s really quite wonderful. You might also have noticed their Sun Ray EP on your favorite digital outlets recently, as we are now proud to have it as part of the Gold Robot Records catalog.
The always excellent James & Evander recently remixed the Conveyor track “Maine”, which comes from the brilliant 7” that Brooklyn band recently released here on Gold Robot. The track is released as part of the Sounds GOOD series where download proceeds are donated to a worthy cause. Stream and download through Bandcamp or below.
You can also purchase limited edition vinyl 7” records for both Conveyor and James & Evander while supplies last!
The new 7” by Conveyor, which comes out on May 15th, arrived on our doorstep last week. As you can see in the photo above, it’s really quite gorgeous. Order the limited edition white vinyl 7” now and it’ll be mailed out before the street date. Check out the two tracks (“Mane” and “Maine”) below!
