Hey Kids, It's Your Monthly Lazy Roar Update!

Hey guys! I'm super busy! All the time! Got lots of schoolwork, my internship, my college applications, lots of stuff! So don't take the silence as a lack of interest, alright? Just have a lot on my plate right now and I will continue to do so until the end of this semester.

HOWEVER, I am super stoked to announce that Lazy Roar will be releasing the first ever 7" from the awesome lo-fi pop-punk band Girls In The Eighties. They were featured on Stereogum a few months ago and their most recent album, Faceless Sonic Boom, is available free to download and is easily one of my favorite albums I've heard all year. Extremely excited to get the opportunity to do a physical release for them. It's gonna be a while off, but I just wanted to let you guys know that it's coming in the future. Can't remember if I already mentioned this, but also coming is a cassette split between Swim Ignorant Fire and Count Brent & the Maestros. Guaranteed to be a good noisy addition to the LR catalogue.

Hopefully that will quench your thirst for new LR news for the time being. New stuff is coming, it's just a going to be some time. If you need something to listen to in the meantime though, I'll be updating this Soundcloud with tracks from my latest musical endeavors.

Take care,
--Rob

Healthy Animal split on Arachnidiscs

It's out. Pretty limited quantities, so act soon if you're a fan, which you probably are if you're keeping up with Lazy Roar. Can't wait till my copy shows up in the mail.

As an aside, I finally got around to watching the Major Organ and the Adding Machine movie today. It was seriously great. Definitely a must-watch for Elephant 6 fans. If you're in the music-buying mood, go support this release. It's been a long time coming.

Releases on Lazy Roar for this year are still coming together. I'm afraid to say anything in case something should fall through for whatever reason. But I think it will be interesting, to say the least.

Oh, also, Ashtapes is a good music blog. Check them out.

Until next time,
--Rob

Lazy Roar Rebirth

It's been almost a year since I first conceived of Lazy Roar Records. I was in a counselor's office when I was asked what I planned on doing as a music major. I said that I wanted to do something in the industry, to make records. My counselor told me I would have to make a choice between the technical field of audio engineering or the business-oriented field of producing. Of course, I've always been more interested in the technological side of things, considering I had wanted to go into IT before deciding on a music major, but it was then that I realized that I could learn the business side much better by doing. The plan was that I should pour money into a project like this while I'm young because I'll probably never have this kind of financial irresponsibility ever again. I'd basically be paying for the experience and knowledge directly rather than paying for it through a college. I can't tell you how much I've learned of the past year, and it is because of these things I've learned that I've decided that Lazy Roar needs to be refocused. It's time for Lazy Roar to become more than just a money-sink. The next step in my education is to make Lazy Roar something that is actually meaningful.

First off, I want to broaden the focus of the music LR releases from "noise and punk" to simply "shit I like". Which majorly involves noise and punk, but I like a lot of other stuff too. I went into this project with doe eyes for the way that Not Not Fun runs their label; everything that is released has a very similar aesthetic so that, if you like one of their releases, you will probably like more of them. The label, in the way Amanda and Britt run it, is more or less an art project, a collage of music they think is groovy and fits well together. And, as much as I love their label, I've found that this approach is not the approach for me. Problem is, I just like way too much different music for this to work. Is someone who digs Sun Araw going to enjoy Wet Hair? Probably. But is someone who likes Healthy Animal necessarily going to enjoy The Dead Baron or Jailhouse Fuck? Less likely. Don't get me wrong, I regret nothing that I have released over the past year(okay, I regret one thing, but I'm not going to tell you what), but I'm sick of only thinking within the box that I've arbitrarily defined my label as sitting in. Lazy Roar should find its niche naturally, not through any forced part of mine.

Second, there may be even fewer releases. Again, I (almost) don't regret anything I've released in the past year, but I have a tendency to be too positive and accommodating towards people when it comes to releasing their stuff, a tendency that has swamped me with more work than I can handle multiple times. Not that I'm ever going to force myself to be rude to anyone, but I need to allow myself to use greater scrutiny when it comes to choosing my releases. Besides, those who have come to me before asking if I would release their material know that I am more than willing to help them find another label if I am unable to release it myself. I also push DIY and self-releasing, as the truth is that you really don't need me, the label, and if you are willing and able to put your own money and efforts towards it. And, if you do, you are likely to reap much greater reward. Anyway, the point is that Lazy Roar will be doing a lot more distro work to make up for it. Mostly because it's really easy for me and I like helping out people who don't have the means to sell their goods themselves.

Finally, past releases will start being released as free downloads. The inherent nature of running a label is that it is normally inappropriate for me to support the free downloading of the music I release. Healthy Animal has thrown both his tapes up on Mediafire the day of their release on my site and, while I don't think negatively of this at all, I've never felt it was appropriate for me to outwardly approve of downloading for free what I am supposed to be selling. Well, I am going to be changing this to an extent. It is the (rather unfortunate) nature of releasing music that not everything that I release will be heard to the extent that it deserves. That is why I feel it is important that this stuff get heard regardless. Besides, I know full well that I would never be into 2/3 of the music I'm into if it wasn't for downloading music. I also know that I wouldn't have bought the vast majority of the records I own if it wasn't for first hearing it on the internet. This is music I want you to hear, regardless of whether you paid for it or not. I'm going to throw in some extras, too.

That pretty much covers it. These are all things that will be happening slowly over this summer. I think that this is a good new turn for Lazy Roar. And, even if it's not, it will sure be a good learning experience.

Thanks for being a part of this,
--Rob

Empty - Healthy Animal

Healthy Animal
Empty
LAZ007 - CS ($4)
Download Free!

If you've been keeping up with the Healthy Animal Facebook page(which you should), you'll know very well that his energetic psych noise jams are literally getting better by the day. Empty is his newest compendium of wonderfulness, featuring almost an hour of new music, as well as covers of Spacemen 3 and Swans songs. Drawing influence from shoegaze, drone, shitgaze, and everything in between, there's something here for every kind of noise connoisseur. Love-dubbed, sparkly black and silver cassette tapes with a full-color, five-panel j-card, all wrapped up in aluminum foil and tied with twine. Also be sure to check out the previous Healthy Animal release.

CURRENTLY SOLD OUT

If you want one, there may still be a chance. Email me at lazyroar@gmail.com

[self-titled] - Jailhouse Fuck

Jailhouse Fuck
[self-titled]
LAZ008 - LP ($10)

Lazy Roar was always intended to be a label where fun punk rock music could coexist with heavy experimentalism and, so far, the LR catalog has heavily favored the latter. With the label's first ever vinyl release, however, the punk side is reclaiming what is rightfully theirs. Known for their intense live shows throughout the Swedish underground, Jailhouse Fuck's newest release is a powerful, six song romp with intricate drums, shattering guitars, and Mika Miko-esque vocals. Mastered at 33 1/3 RPMs for nice, wide grooves, delivering the hi-fi sound you've always craved from your thrash punk records. Full color, semi-gloss insert and a professionally printed fold-over cover. Edition of 137. A 10" version of this record is also available from the UK's Clan Destine Records.

OUT OF PRINT - Email lazyroar@gmail.com if you're interested, I might still have a copy laying around!

Read my Sun City Girls interview on Artist Advocacy!

Hey all, the Jailhouse Fuck LP and a new Healthy Animal tape will both be out within the next week or so, but for now please check out my SCG interview that FINALLY went up on Artist Advocacy! It came out really well, and Alan gave some really funny responses. Hope you enjoy it!

--Rob

[split cassette] - Al Qaeda/Spreaders

Al Qaeda/Spreaders
[split cassette]
[babysunghxing Records] - CS ($3)

Everyone has that one thing in their collection that is considered the "odd" record. Odd as in, the kind of thing you put on when people come over and say things like "You HAVE to listen to this, it's crazy". The kind of thing where you sit, you listen, and you quietly exchange looks and gestures as the music surrounds you. The kind of thing where, once it's over, you need only silently acknowledge the intensity and peculiarity of this shared experience. This is that kind of tape. Spreaders spends their side of the release subconsciously seeping their noise-infused ambiance into your brain, while Al Qaeda hits the whole experience home on side B with their unpredictable brand of experimentalism. Spray-stenciled, normal-bias cassette tapes encased in plastic boxes and fabric pouches. Extremely limited quantities of these available.

OUT OF PRINT - Email lazyroar@gmail.com if you're interested, I might still have a copy laying around!

Listen Now To The Sound Of The Things That Are Found Underground

Hey all,

Just wanted to give an update here, since things may seem a little slow around here as of late. This is mostly due to the fact that the most of my energies, as well as the energies of Clan Destine Records, are being poured into the new Jailhouse Fuck 12". There won't be any new releases from now until then, but I've got some awesome stuff cookin' for afterwards. Stay tuned.

Also, if you're wondering what I've been doing with the other smidgen of my energy that isn't going into the 12", I'm now writing for a sick new site called Artist Advocacy. This truly is a new kind of music website, one that aims to connect fans to the people who inspire them directly, and I'm super excited to be a part of it. So far I've interviewed both Sun City Girls and Abe Vigoda, and those interviews will be up within the coming weeks, as well as a total revamp of the site, so keep yr eye on it.

See ya next time, hopefully with JF 12" in hand!
--Rob

WRMS - Spreaders

Spreaders
WRMS EP
WR002 - CS ($4)

Spreaders is a band that has come a long way in a very short amount of time. It is difficult to believe that the same band has released both The Friends EP (Free download!) and this cassette within the same six month period of time. And, although I am head-over-heels for their droney new releases, the WRMS EP represents all that I first fell in love with. Although they have mentioned to me in the past how they grow tired of this descriptor, the sound presented on WRMS is some sort of freakish hybrid between black metal and surf music. Pounding drums, heavy bass riffs, and scratchy vocals meet melodic, poppy guitar sounds, creating the most amazingly unlikely musical harmony ever. Clear cassette tapes with a light splattering of blue paint plus full-color j-cards. Lazy Roar has seven copies for distribution, however only 35 were ever made.

OUT OF PRINT - Email lazyroar@gmail.com if you're interested, I might still have a copy laying around!

Let's All Be Special Art Rebels Together: Obligatory End of 2009 Post

Every bloody blog in my RSS reader has been posting stupid "best of 2009" lists and it's pathetic. Not because it's pointless to try to arbitrarily rank and quantify your tastes, but because the vast majority of these lists are completely devoid of any explaination beyond the list itself, making them completely self-serving. Because God forbid you actually become interested in the releases enough to want to listen to them.

So, with that, I'd like to highlight three releases I've enjoyed this past year that may have slipped through your radar. Yes, just three, because I know you already know that Animal Collective is amazing. But first, a few news-y items:

-Want to check out the new Dead Baron album? It's now available for streaming on Last.fm. I'll be uploading more Lazy Roar related releases on that page in the future for streaming and download.

-Cop that Rebel Magazine, yo. A few of my friends are writing for this new, LA-based web publication. There's some totally sick articles in this first issue about Why? and Sun Araw, check them out. I hear the next issue is going to have the stellarest interview with Lucky Dragons ever.

Robedoor: Raiders [Not Not Fun]


As incredible as Monoliths & Dimensions was, who could have thought that any other album released in the same year could even touch Sunn O)))'s beautifully orchestrated offering? Dark, sludgy, and occationally funky, Raiders is a postivitely viceral experience. Anyone who has either never heard Robedoor or has been turned off by the abstractness of previous Robedoor material should forge a new start here.

Bomb the Music Industry!: Scrambles [Quote Unquote Records/Asian Man]


BtMI! represents everything that punk rock should be about. The band is fun, friendly, and deeply invested in DIY eithic. I would call Scrambles their most blatantly artistic offering. The songs are as zany, riffy, and 8-bit-y as ever, but are an evolution beyond their previous work in terms of complexity and how the album flows together as a whole. Luckily for all of us, the best things in life are, indeed, free.

Totally Nebular: Boat Boat [Family Friends Records]


Most of us can only dream of ever being part of a band half as wonderful as Totally Nebular is. Existing somewhere in the sonic territory between Skeleton and Strawberry Jam, their first album Boat Boat (free download) absolutely sweeps me off my feet. I don't think that there is anyone who has downloaded and listened to this album who hasn't enjoyed it. And yes, I am daring you to prove me wrong.

--Rob