Eight weeks straight of original photos, MP3s, videos, charts, reviews of L.A. music, and, most importantly, gorgeous vinyl. INCHES008 has arrived, featuring a killer box from The Doors (Rhino Records), a great new album from WHY? (Anticon), some interactive cover art from Wallpaper on the duo’s debut full-length (Eenie Meenie), and a 7-inch that captures Dâm-Funk as a youngin (Stones Throw). Dig in!
Wallpaper's "Doodoo Face," modeled by Andre Hyland (Blond Chili)
Another INCHES hit! #006 went up this morning (a day late — apologies), featuring a super-limited clear platter from HEALTH (Lovepump United), a vinyl-only release from the hardcore punk-rawk supergroup White Shit (PPM), and four inches of glory from Mayer Hawthorne. Not to mention, MP3s from all three, a video, and a fresh chart from Origami Vinyl.
HEALTH, "Get Color"
Stay tuned for much, much more, and if you’ve got ideas, reach out.
Ladies and gentlemen: INCHES003. By journalistic law, this column now qualifies as a trend. Installment number three is actually the first “regular” edition, an unthemed collection of just-released L.A.-relevant vinyl reviewed (with original photos and free MP3s, of course), accompanied by a top ten vinyl sales chart from one of our local record shops. This week, you’ll find a new Flying Lotus EP, some incredible throwback bossa nova by Triorganico, seven inches of Adam Payne jamitude, and a killer Dublab release compiling work from the best of this city’s beat music scene. Plus, see what Vacation Vinyl’s been selling (hint: rhymes with “meth kettle”).
Flying Lotus, "L.A. 3 X 3 EP"
Stay tuned for much, much more, and if you’ve got ideas, reach out.
INCHES002 is up! The second installation continues on the same L.A.-centric path as the first, exploring five additional releases from five different local artists on five different nearby independent labels (with free MP3s). The releases are chosen with an eye toward both content and outward packaging.
This week’s gold medal-winner:
Mayer Hawthorne, "Just Ain't Gonna Work Out"
Featured in INCHES002: Mayer Hawthorne (Stones Throw), Vibes (Not Not Fun), Frankel (Autumn Tone), The Polyamorous Affair (Manimal Vinyl), and Bipolar Bear (olFactory). Again, future installments will include reviews, interviews, guest bloggers, outings, and more.
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You can find an exclusive MP3 from the upcoming Breakestra record here (via LA Weekly), along with the details of that release, titled Dusk Till Dawn.
As if any of us needed an excuse to spend Sunday afternoons at the nation’s greatest record store (as if that’s not what we do already), Amoeba Music and Stones Throw Records have teamed up for a series of premium Sunday DJ sessions throughout the month of August. Get the details and sample the wares here (via LA Weekly).
Chicago post-rock juggernaut Tortoise has been with us for nearly 20 years, turning genre, and the band’s own history, on its head with each new album. Beacons Of Ancestry might be the first to display an overt hip-hop influence — and to feature thrash metal. I recently spoke to multi-instrumentalist Dan Bitney, who waxed profuse on J Dilla, the last album’s critical backlash, and growing older with Tortoise.
Below, the band’s latest video.
Chris Writes Things 