OCR-018: Ruthless Antarctic Empire - You Know Better EP

You Know Better is the first release by Ruthless Antarctic Empire, and it is a wonderful introduction. Soft guitars, drums, piano, vague electronics and a voice that possesses the confidence of a songwriter who has been singing for years. There is nothing hip or trendy about this. No genres with “wave” in the name, no neon. But there are three well-written, honest songs that are an enticing snapshot of a band who will surely please us in the near future. Until then…

Listen to the song “Dim Orange”, and check out the EP in the catalog.

Quistum - Involved EP

Good news!  Quistum’s EP Involved is finally out and available through the Orchid catalog, and it couldn’t have come at a better time.  These six songs are hot summer jams, funky and fresh as a kumquat salad.  Devour this.  It’s a strange trip.  Sorry for the slight delay on this post and availability.  Orchid is on tour and sometimes it’s hard to find the internet.  But here we are!  And if you’re in Chicago looking for a physical copy of this, you can pick one up at Reckless in Wicker Park. 

Spring Thaw, Things Are Blooming

Boy, it sure has been awhile.

Don’t worry!  We’re still here, and coming out of our winter hibernation, we’re loaded with SO MUCH TO DO THIS SUMMER.  In theory, we’re going to be sending the catalog numbers into the 20s, which is very exciting.

The first thing on the agenda is a long overdue release of Quistum’s Involved EP, which has been floating around Chicago and the internet for awhile now, but will for the first time be available here on June 8th.

After that, we have a split cassette release (our first foray into tape!) by Famous Laughs and Ganges.  Handmade, full of excellent tunes.  In the next few days we’re going to be throwing up the dry wall for their artist pages, so you’ll be able to find out a bit more on both bands soon.  This tape is going to rule though.  30 minutes per side.  This one comes out June 22nd, with a release show featuring both bands on June 24th in Chicago at The Box Social.

If those two releases aren’t enough, we are very excited to announce the release of a whole slew of things from fellow Chicagoans The Midwest Hackers.  Primarily a vehicle for Danny Hynds’ songwriting, The Midwest Hackers have been writing and recording for at least the last five years, combining shoegaze-pop with ambient patience, and often mesmerizing visual art, courtesy of Jeph Porter.  We are going to be releasing a bunch of older material that hasn’t been readily available anywhere, as well as an upcoming full-length, Dream Response, and an album paired with photos Danny has taken - the details are emerging piece by piece, and soon this puzzle will be complete, upon which you will revel in its beauty and complexity.

On top of that, local Orchid comrade Sea Priest will be making their debut in the form of a cassette tape. Robert Wyatt melodies, Talk Talk vocals, mixed with a good dose of beats and synthesizers, this is sure to be a real head-ripper.  Even beyond that release, Sea Priest and Famous Laughs are doing a split later on down the road.

Of course, how could I forget to mention that on July 14, Bastille Day, we will be releasing a digital EP called You Know Better from Ruthless Antarctic Empire.  As with all digital releases, this will be available for a donation of your choice.  This EP is a succint introduction to a band I can only hope will continue to record music.

Thanks for sticking around.  We promise, its going to be a lovely summer.

NEW RELEASE: The Awful Truth - Object Permanence

Today is a good day, because it marks the long-awaited release of Object Permanence, the excellent new full-length from The Awful Truth.  Back in July, a review from Indie Rock Reviews called this album the “best record I’ve heard all year”.  Some great albums have come out since July, but this still has staying power!  The songs are well-written, intelligent pop songs with an unmistakable voice narrating a story that actually holds meaning.  In today’s modern pop world, this is a nice change of pace.

Check it out in the store! It is available for a donation of your choice.

NEW RELEASE: Introductions - Hold Up Your Hands

Hello!

Welcome to the new and improved Orchid Collective site.  This is our blog, and our first post is about how we have a new album out today!

Introductions give us their debut album, Hold Up Your Hands, and it is a pop gem.  Romantic, antiquated production styles matched with catchy, witty and touching songwriting…  We can’t wait for you to hear it.  The physical release is limited to 100 copies, and each one of them is hand-painted and lettered - they are gorgeous!

Physical copies are a $5 minimum donation, and digital MP3s are available for a donation of your choice. Head over to the new catalog page and check it out!