FEBRUARY 2010

March 2nd! I'm singing to myself loudly, as the new album by Japanther is almost upon us - it's 10 tracks and two perfect album sides of everything you could have hoped for and more - an instant classic, and another departure for the band that's never heard of down time. The album was recorded at the end of 2009 in Los Angeles with producer Michael Blum.
Michael is known for having produced such names as Madonna, Michael Jackson and Pink Floyd..so why Japanther? That's a question we never thought we'd pose either, but taking a quintessential DIY band and putting them in a fish out of water context was just too irresistible to pass up. He was confused as they preferred to use their own telephone mics instead of his $10,000 ones, but the results are pure specialness, and goes to show intriguing results happen if you simply do what you feel.
Anita Sparrows joined the band for the writing and recording of the album, along with NYC beat poet Eileen Myles on two tracks and one with brothers Ninjasonik; the cover was done by artist Elisabeth Arkhipoff. Rock 'n' Roll Ice Cream for everyone! The boys will be on tour, and we'll post dates as they come. You're excited? Us too, so look for it on 3/2 and don't stop 'til you get enough.

Talk Normal - Secret Cog (Digital release, MPK 7053)

Menlo Park is tickled to have recently released the digital version of Talk Normal's self released "Secret Cog" EP. Talk Normal are Andrya Ambro and Sarah Register from this big apple. 5 songs that scream classic the first times the waves crash against the rocks of your ears. You'll surely be hearing more from these two in the future on Menlo Park and other places, so stand back, listen and get excited - it's on. They have a newly recorded full length coming out in October on rare book room that's sure to delight.

Flying - Draw it in the Dark 7" & DVD.

The companion piece to last years "faces of the night" is and has been launched out into the world. The band is taking a bit of time off, with two of the members relocating for the moment to the West coast, but don't fret - can't keep a good band down, there will be more coming. In the meantime Sara and Eben are working on Fertile Crescent material amongst other things, and Eliot and Mike have been recording as Glass Ghost. Menlo Park released a single in conjunction with Fertile Crescent last year, and if you haven't checked out Backwards Beach and The Knife, now is the time - they are such gosh darned end of summer/fall soundtracks....

And

We're working on a few long haul comprehensive projects with To Live and Shave in LA, a 3-5 album career retrospective that is being called "refusal"

as well as a boxed set by "The Dramatics" that should be moving forward before too long, and I'll let you know when those are getting a bit closer...slow burn then the bomb. Until then....

Menlo Park