News 2006:
12.15.06
Back in 1993/1994 Out Out and Vein Cage did a series of live shows. Not much documentation was made, and even less survived. The only video I know of is from the Baystate Hotel in Northampton MA in July of '93. Shot by our friend Eric Davis on a single Hi-8 camcorder in total whirl-o-vision, complete with built-in camera mic sound, it's one of only a few audio recordings we have too. On the Videos page there is the clip of "Blacklist" from that show. I cleaned up the camera sound as best I could, but it is what it is. Enjoy!
Also, right now I'm testing out a digital download music shop on the MySpace page, through SnoCap. The only record available is Virtual Sound Images, and it's only available a la carte - that is, song-by-song, not as an album. Hopefully SnoCap will address some issues in how they run their store/database, and if they do I will probably offer the entire Radio Valkyrie catalog through them, here on this site, too.
Listens as of late: Ivy's 'In The Clear', The Beatles 'Let It Be - Naked' (due partly to my reading of the great new book "Recording The Beatles"), and Laika's "Good Looking Blues" and "Lost In Space" CDs, among others... (the kiddo seems to like Laika!)
12.6.06
Music from the upcoming Out Out CD "Assumed Outrivaling" is in the new DVD "Visions Of Horror Vol. #1" from CRC Digital Entertainment & Masked Films. Shane Cole and his brother Derek are the powerful duo behind this short film horror comp. They have Tiffany Shepis hosting the proceedings, even. The three tracks from "Assumed Outrivaling" are used in the bonus features section of the DVD.
While thinking about film involvement, it occurred to me to see if there was any mention on the old
net of the short film "The Next Big Thing" (directed by Mark Wilkinson) - the soundtrack to which Vein Cage (myself and Peter) composed. Sure enough, it's online, and can be seen, and heard(!) >>here<<.
As can be expected, there
are delays in pulling the funding together for the next CD releases. But they
are still in the works, and going to happen, I promise! In the meantime, filling
in the holes in your Out Out collection is a great way to help - go to your
favorite legal download store for the older stuff that's no longer on CD (check
the Download Services page for a list of authorised stores.) (While I am not
opposed to used CDs (when the seller doesn't keep a copy for themselves, of
course!) I don't see a dime from them, so I'm not suggesting them as a good
idea at this juncture.)
We're also thinking about offering some T-Shirts as a way of helping raise funds,
too. Kinda like a bake sale or something. I'd like feedback on this idea - what
do you all want to see on a shirt?
10.17.06
Up on the Video page, as promised:
the video for "Duchess" directed by Shane Cole of Masked
Films. While not quite as exclusive as I had promised before (Shane's got
it on his MySpace page) it can basically only be viewed here, and on YouTube.
Extra special thanks to Shane for this video!
(Parental, er, 'advisory': it's a little "R-rated". If you have a
problem with that, please don't take it up here. I will not do someone's parenting
for them, with all due respect.)
Round polycarbonate with aluminum substrate and laquer seal: The new 2 Bit Pie CD, "2 Pie Island" and the recently released Andy Partridge's "Fuzzy Warbles" Vols. 7 & 8 and the "Hinges" CD that comes with the amazing collectors box for this set.
9.30.06
It's been quite a while since I've attended to this site. With apologies.
I'm now a father! One of the most profound, remarkable, life changing things that has ever happened to me. Wonderful stuff. The little guy already has a preference for black onesies and socks. Attaboy.
There is now a video page here, so far with the two vids from Virtual Sound Images and the two included on 1989-1999. Time permitting, there will be another added soon - a outout.radio-valkyrie.com exclusive (well, here and on YouTube.)
I'm getting closer to being able to put out the Vein Cage "Lost Years..." CD. The art is coming along nicely, if not slowly, and the finances are also coming together a drip at a time.
Additionally, there may soon be a reemergence of the Radio Valkyrie Digital download shop. Stay tuned.
Currently listening to, among other things: the mixes for the forthcoming Circus Of Dead Squirrels "Pop Culture Massacre" CD. I am honored to have been tapped for the engineering of the vocal recording and the mix again for this one. Also, the latest Nine Horses CD single "Wonderful World" has been the player a lot. Oh, and the new 2 Bit Pie single "Here I Come" - anxiously awaiting the full - length.
7.30.06
Welcome to the world, Sebastian Grey Miller.
7.26.06
I have to announce sadly, that the Radio Valkyrie Digital download shop is closed here indefinitely. The hosting service added a monthly fee for catalogs larger than 30 songs, as I want to offer the entire Out Out catalog I surpassed that level. In addition to the monthly fee, they still took a fairly large percentage of the price, too. This fee, at the current level of download sales, would have put me in a position of losing far more money that I would have been taking in, so I had to make that decision. Sorry for any inconvenience this might cause the few of you who have used our shop.
Everything is available through all the major downloading services, and if an album isn't up yet on your favorite service, it will be soon. Check the Download Services page for a list of who's got what so far. (That list shows who has recieved what record, not if it's availble for sale yet. When a company recieves an album it can sometimes take weeks for it to appear in their store...)
6.28.06
I'm making a little headway on the cover art for the "lost years" Vein Cage CD. More soon on that. Also, more and more legitimate (i.e. not thieving crooks like all of mp3 dot com and their ilk) have Radio Valkyrie stuff in their catalogs now. So if you've been thinking of picking up that old track or album... and aren't interested in our little online download shop here (it's safe! really!) then check out your favorite download store to see if our material is there.
Also: I noticed someone did a search for "2nd hasten the burning doesn't play in computer" - if that's you, email me. I've seen no problems with disc #2 (and tried it in over a dozen computers myself) but who knows? Let me know... I'll try to fix it for you. (I want my CDs to play for everyone, of course!)
The real question I have is, did the whole disc not play, or just the videos? Quicktime Player is really recommended for those...
6.5.06
Yeah! iTunes catches up with some of their database management, and "Virtual Sound Images" is finally showing up in searches, as well as now being available song-by-song. Vein Cage's "No Good Deed Goes Unpunished" also has appeared... so expect "Should Have Seen It Coming" to follow closely.
6.2.06
Attention fans of 'regular' record stores: In addition to being able to special order Out Out through Best Buy, now many, many stores throughout the US and around the world can special order CDs. Radio Valkyrie Records releases are available through Super D One Stop. Tell your favorite store's manager to order some Out Out for their shop today and help us keep on releasing new stuff.
There are two new reviews, one at ReGen and one at Industrial Bible... also a new interview over there at I.B. (>>here<< >>here<< and >>here<<, respectively.)
Lack of news doesn't mean nothing's going on... it's been a busy month at the studio, and we're getting closer to a tentative release date for Vein Cage's "Lost Years... The Killing Days" CD! Stay tuned...
5.2.06
There's something new over in the Free Stuff section. I've been thinking about putting this track up for a while, and thought now was a good time. You see, as adamant as I can be regarding illegal downloading, I also believe that it's the artist's choice when they want a download to be free. And I really do like my fans, and am grateful to have them. So up this track goes for your listening pleasure. Hopefully you dig it. I do ask that, if you like it, you consider helping me raise money for the next Radio Valkyrie Records release by buying some other stuff, like Virtual Sound Images!
4.26.06
Real Fans Don't Steal From Bands
[5.15.06: I've temporarily
removed my rant about illegal downloading for some revisions. I think I could
make my point better if I didn't come across so angrily, so I'm going to reword
a few things, some for clarity, others for more detail.
Also, one (and only one) person wrote to raise points against what I was saying.
While he didn't change my mind, he made me think I should address some of the
grey areas and their pitfalls. He is (hopefully not was) a longtime fan,
and spent a good deal of time on his letter to me. While I don't think he and
I will see eye to eye on this issue, I am always willing to listen to differing
viewpoints - to stop trying to learn and grow is equivalent to dying to me.
I really appreciate the effort and energy he used to contact me. I will address
some of the points he brought up in the revised 'open letter'. A link to that
revised version will be here eventually.] ADDENDUM: See my MySpace blog >>here<<
- the Sunday June 25 post, for now. Says it simply...
Now spinning: Lucky Monkeys "All Aboard" 12"
4.21.06
Just got in from the CD release
show for Mark Schwaber. (First off, props to Yucky Octopus (and their excellent
fashion show). Great to see a band trying to make every show an event.)
Mark's new CD "The Killing Card" I had the pleasure to work on, and
the sold-out house seemed to indicate it's being well received. With an backing
band that would be a major challenge to beat (Paul Kochansky on bass, JJ O'Connell
on drums (New Radiant Storm King, Spouse, Nuclear Waste Management Club, to
name a few) Anne Pinkerton on keys (Tappan Zee, Nuclear Waste Management Club)
and Matt Cullen (Ware River Club, The Sighs) - everybody sang, especially Anne)
the show rocked. (Even as a lot of his stuff is "mellow" it still
rocks. Mark has this intensity.)
I have to admit that a highlight was being able to particpate in the performance
of "The Combing Of The Bottom Of The Sea" where, from the back of
the room (and to most of the audience's surprise) myself on bass, Dave Mikuta
on drums (Melodram, Yucky Octopus) and Matt Bachand on guitar (Shadows Fall)
doubled up the song. A very well planned climax to the show, Mr. Schwaber planned
there... Super fun and an honor to be part of. (Oh, and as an encore, a solo
performance of "Jealous Guy" followed by a one-song Home reunion...
(Schwaber's band prior to Hospital, which was prior to the solo stuff.) Cool.)
Dunno if this is 'news' but I had to tell ya all about it.
Quiet is good now though. Session in the morning.
4.19.06
iTunes does actually have "Virtual Sound Images" available, but it's still not showing up in searches. If you've come here looking for an answer to that question, click >>here<< to see it in iTunes. (Vein Cage's "Should Have Seen It Coming" is >>here<< and "No Good Deed Goes Unpunished" is >>here<<.) For now it looks like they're only available as whole albums, not as separate songs...
Apologies for the dearth of news here lately, still very busy with the new studio build. You can see a little photo-journal >>here<< if you're into that kind of thing.
On the decks: Trisco's "Southpaw" 12", 2-Bit Pie's "Nobody Never" 12", X-Dream's "We Interface" CD (great to wire stuff up to) and The Cure's "Primary" 7".
4.11.06
A local writer, Kristen Beam, has featured Radio Valkyrie as a label on her excellent music blog. Read the interview >>here<<.
Listening to nothing at the moment... running out the door to work on the new studio some more.
4.10.06
It's been a busy month. I've been trying to get my new studio fully operational (and did get the control room functional enough by a couple weeks ago to get a mix session done!) But there's so much more to go.
We've been getting a lot of radio play - I'll try to post a list of the excellent stations/djs spinning V.S.I. up here soon.
Industrialpins.com has a few Out Out pins available. They're artist-friendly, and their prices are quite good. Go get yr Out Out "flare" today! (There is a link on the Shop page...)
And remember, there is a free low-res version of the video for "Learning English In N.Y.C." on the Free Stuff page, and a free low-res version of the video for "Rememory" hidden on this site, too (!)
Spinnin': Brian Brain's "Fun With Music" 12"EP, World Domination Enterprises' "Catalogue Clothes" 12", The Evolutionaries' "Exoskeleton" CDEP and a Clash 2-CD "best of" I put together for myself a few years back - from vinyl.
3.7.06
Radio! In Perpetual Motion, Cyberage and the Meow Mix on Rant Radio Industrial have all added the new record. Call/email your favorite DJs/radio stations and request songs from the new CD.
Listening to: antics on the 3.4.06 edition of In Perpetual Motion streaming online...
3.3.06
Head over to www.fabricari.com/video/ and check out the latest entry in Steve "Fabricari" Harrison's series of time-lapse videos, documenting him in creation mode - the video for this week features an edit by DJ. I.Z. of "Techno Is Alive and Well, Techno Has Left the Building" from "Virtual Sound Images". Cool.
Requests for promo copies are coming in rapidly, and your interest it greatly appreciated! Please see the Contact/Distribution page for our thoughts on requested promotional copies... we wish we could fufill every request with free copies, but it simply is too expensive.
Music today: Mark Schwaber
has a new CD, "The Killing Card". Now, I did some tracking on this
record, and mixed it, so I may be a little biased, but it's freakin' great.
Released by Lucky Creature and Pigeon records, jointly. Go to www.markschwaber.com
for more info. Just go. Really.
And, more streaming radio, including a recorded stream of Rant Radio Industrial's
Meow Mix with DJ Apocalypse Meow from last Wednesday. She featured a track from
"Virtual Sound Images". Cool. Also, good 'ol XM Fred setting the backdrop
for a bunch of paperwork and miscellany orders for the new studio...
3.2.06
Reviews for "Virtual
Sound Images" have started to trickle in, and I'm posting them in the reviews
section.
One proclaims hopes for future releases to be even better... boy, I hope I don't
let people down in that department. 'Cause the next one is already recorded
- a darker, slower, more brooding and soundtrack-y companion to "Virtual
Sound Images" but not really clubby at all. I'll write more about that
record soon, but for now suffice it to say, it's another different twist and/or
turn for the sound of Out Out. I guess I have managed to cobble some big shoes
to fill! Yikes.
An ear-break right now, so no music playing, as I have to work soon and want to keep 'em fresh...
2.27.06
It's out! Well, technically, "Virtual Sound Images" has been out since the 21st, like we hoped, but now it's showing up in some online stores, like Darla, Storming The Base, MusicNonStop, Metropolis mail order, CDBaby, and others. Also, it's available right here, both as a CD and as digital downloads. Major thanks to all who've already ordered it, and for all the positive feedback you've given me so far! Remember, also, you can hear 2-minute samples of every song here on the download shop or at CDBaby.com.
ATTENTION:
Now, I have to implore you all who find this site looking for a way to download
the record without paying for it (and I know there are people who are,
as I've already seen hits from searches like "virtual sound images torrent"
!!!) PLEASE don't steal this record or these songs.
I've spent a lot of money putting it out, and almost definitely will
not make it all back, never mind any profit.
I've mentioned this before here, but feel I have to say it again: I have spent
far more on making music than I have ever made back, and every penny
counts. It's the same for most independent musicians, artists and labels - it's
a scrape to survive at best. Please don't steal our work. I've priced the CD
cheaper here than almost any store would carry a new release for, and that's
including shipping!
IF you're looking to hear before you buy, I completely understand! - You can
check out 2-minute samples of every single song, here on the Radio Valkyrie
Digital download shop, or on CDBaby.com.
Thank you for reading.
Recent Spins: Japan's "Oil On Canvas" CD, Femi Kuti's "Fight To Win" CD, New Order's "Waiting For The Siren's Call" CD and the new Angels Of Light 2XLP "Everything Is Good Here/Please Come Home", among others...
2.16.06
The "Virtual Sound Images" CDs should, if the UPS tracking information is correct, be here tomorrow! Everyone who pre-ordered will have their CDs sent out before anything else goes out, and they may even hit the mail as early as Saturday. Yeah! Also, anyone who orders "Virtual Sound Images" or "1989-1999" on CD directly from Radio Valkyrie here will get a signed cover-size postcard of that CD cover... just a little something we do. Oh, yeah, while supplies last (don't worry, there's tons of 'em.)
When the new record is up on the digital download site (one week after the CD ships) there will be 99, count 'em, 99 different tracks avaialable, from 7 records, all right here. That's pretty cool, methinks.
Busy days, record plays: Fluke's "Slap It" 12", J Mascis + the Fog's "More Light" LP, the complete vinyl singles from Kissed Air (self-made compilation on CDR), Free World's self-titled LP, Lead Into Gold's "Idiot" 12", and Magazine's "An Alternative Use Of Soap" LP, among other flat round spinny items.
2.13.06
"Nisus" and "Voiceprint" are heading onto the download shop today - uploading while I work on other stuff.
I heard about this release by a group in Italy calling themselves "Out Out" a while back. The 12" is called "Sing A Song". Trust me, it's not the real Out Out (it's a light, fluffy, reggae-twinged midtempo house tune.) If anyone from that project reads this, consider this your cease-and-desist.
|
So, if you run across this 12" single don't buy it thinking it's the Out Out. |
Tunes to work by: XM's 'Special X' channel 30 and 'Fred' channel 44... perfect for the short attention span.
2.11.06
"Pepperbox Muzzle"
and "Finched" are going up to the Radio Valkyrie Digital downloads
shop today, as well as Vein Cage's "Feral Din", with other releases
following soon, as time permits. It's kinda a lot of work, strangely enough.
We're aiming the prices of the back catalog stuff at $.89 per song, $8.99 for
a whole album, and only $13.99 for the 28-song mega-deal that is "1989-1999".
Oh, yeah, the "Virtual Sound Images" CD is still available for pre-order, in case you missed it...
Music to upload to: The vinyl version (have I mentioned this before) of Fluke's "Puppy" album. Sounds incredible on vinyl, and contains a version of "Pulse" too, not on the CD (only on a 12"...) Also, Japan's "Tin Drum", Shriekback's "Jam Science" and "Care" (yes, again, as I love it), the Smiths' "Louder Than Bombs", Martha and the Muffins' "Danceparc" and Fluke's "OTO" LPs. Big LP day.
2.9.06
Well, the 'official' release date is now Feb. 21 for "Virtual Sound Images". Yeah, the delays I hoped wouldn't occur, did. I'm terribly sorry, but not to worry - anyone who pre-orders will still get their CD well before anyone else! And thanks already to all who have pre-ordered V.S.I. - it's really taking a little edge off the pressing costs, and helping get promotional efforts off the ground.
And other news: We're trying
out a Digital Download shop right here on radio-valyrie.com. Yet another way
folks can 'buy direct from the artist' and really help independent music. Right
now, the only thing on there is "1989-1999", but eventually all Radio
Valkyrie Records and Radio Valkyrie Digital releases are probably going to be
up there. So, the free downloads have been separated off from the Download page...
Downloads are being offered by-the-song as well as by-the-album, and in both
MP3 and AAC formats at 320kbps. Also, there are two-minute 'lo-fi' previews
of every track offered.
And yeah, I know, the search button in the download shop doesn't seem to work
for everyone... I'm gonna ask about that soon.
It's late, and real quiet around here. No music playing right now.
1.29.06
And so it is. Pre-orders are being taken in the Shop page. "Virtual Sound Images" will be landing on our doorstep an estimated few days before the 'official' release date of Feb. 14, 2006. And thusly, we will ship all pre-orders out as soon as we get 'em in. That means, possibly, with a little luck, an arrival on your doorstep even before the official date! But, as all things are subject to who-knows-what delays, this is not a promise. But c'mon! Take a chance!
And soon, I'll reveal what else we've got planned for this year, funding permitting (hint, hint! support our current releases and more will follow that much sooner!)
Can't wait 'til "then"? Go download the video for "Learning English In N.Y.C." on the download page if you haven't already. Or go to our MySpace page and listen to a couple of tunes. Or hunt around on this site for another (temporarily free, and admittedly low-res) video! (Hints: it's also included as CD-ROM bonus content on the CD! And it's like an 'easter egg'(!) )
Late Night website-tweakin' listening: the "80's Alternative" and "XM Fred" channels on AOL/XM Satellite radio. (Hey, it's free, and Love And Rockets and The Smiths were on when I 'dialed in' - so I stuck around...)
1.26.06
The master and artwork for "Virtual Sound Images" head off to the plant today. I'm pretty jazzed about this CD and its package. It's an 8-page booklet and two-sided tray card, full color throughout. Just as I've said that the sound of the record is a bit of a departure from the more 'rock' aspects of Out Out, so is the artwork, being appropriately more playful. The cd also contains a bonus CD-ROM section with the videos for "Learning English in N.Y.C." and "Rememory". While the resolution of these videos is better than the ones on "1989-1999" they still have some compromises due to the small amount of space they have to fit in on the CD. This time it's not image size - that's a full 720 x 360 DV Widescreen format - but the frame rate; 15 fps. I found it nessesary, regardless of image size, to go with 15 fps instead of 30 to keep some of the clarity and reduce the compression artifacts to the level of tolarability. So what is sacrificed at 15 fps? Well, there are moments (especially in Rememory) where certain details happen for very brief moments of time, and these moments sometimes get a little smeared and lost because of the reduction in frame rate. Small price to pay to be able to include them on the CD. Perhaps I'll issue a limited edition DVD-R with these and the ones from "1989-1999" here on the website, so they can be viewed in all their hi-res glory...
On another note: Vein Cage's "Should Have Seen It Coming" CD (originally released almost two years ago, but only available at shows) is now available at CDBaby.com. It's a little more hip-hop influenced than the new record, "No Good Deed Goes Unpunished" which is coming out this spring (and should initially be released on their own label as a digital-download-only record through the usual places like iTunes, and then eventually on a hard-copy-CD). Both records have that signature Vein Cage industrial-metal mayhem, with "Should Have..." having the aforementioned hip-hop influences, and "No Good Deed..." being more industrial rock. Heavy all the way around. And don't worry, Radio Valkyrie Records is still planning a release of the "lost" mid-90's follow-up to "Feral Din" sometime this year.
Silent Narcotic have just released their "Disconnected" CD, featuring 'Transpoetry (Out Out Remix)' (which can also be called the 'Out Out Cherry Picked Intelligence Mix' - makes sense when you hear it, I think.)
Other Out Out extended-family reminders: Go get your fix of Collapse Into Reason and Circus Of Dead Squirrels. The former's most recent CD "Electromantic" is doing well, and garnering some great reviews, and the CODS guys have a monstrous remix CD called "Outdoor Recess" featuring remixes by Collapse Into Reason, Vein Cage and Out Out, among others.
Listening to: "Virtual Sound Images" - the master has to be checked very carefully before it hits the plant. Also lately Gary Clail 7"s have been on the turntable. "Crocodile Eyes" is a classic track.
1.4.06
Happy New Year, everyone. As you may notice, each year's news is now archived, and accessible from the bottom of the news pages.
Also, a reminder to go check out the video (and obviously, audio) for "Learning English In N.Y.C." from the upcoming "Virtual Sound Images" CD. It looks like that video, and at least one more (for the track "Rememory") will be included on the CD as bonus CD-ROM material.
New Year Spins: Fluke "Bullet 2005" white label remix 12", Meat Beat Manifesto's Storm The Studio R.M.X.S. CD and XTC's Apple Box (well, parts of it. It's huge, and I already have those CDs... but the box is beautiful.)
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