Fast forward to 2010. Now I am not one to hide under a rock when it comes to technology. I love gadgets. Lots and lots of gadgets. I think the iPod is an amazing piece of electronics. I like the convenience of being able to preview an album before buying it. I love that I can make a mix CD. That being said, there is an emptiness when it feels like only part of the story is being told. Where’s the visuals? Where’s the tactile pleasure of holding the music? Where’s the weight?

In 2007 a small record label in Minneapolis was started and answers all of these challenges: Taiga Records. Taiga’s commitment to music is amazing. They choose music that is outside the box, they only print high quality vinyl using the best methods, and their packaging is nothing short of excellent. Every single one of their releases is a story amongst itself. Now I should be upfront and say chances are you won’t find yourself humming a chorus, but if you can carve out a bit of time and let yourself get involved, the payoff is worth it. Do yourself a favor and check out some of their offerings:
http://www.taigarecords.com/

We had an old IKEA table top sitting around. I found the clamps I bought three years ago and mounted them to it. Next I burned a screen with our mission statement (which will be a future entry) and another screen with a pattern I found online. Being that this was going to be an experiment, I didn’t worry too much about registration issues. I simply taped a right angle to the print station.

After digging through a storage closet I found the gigantic sheets of paper I had leftover from my own wedding invite from nine years ago (yes, I do hoard art supplies).

With a bit of Speedball water-based ink and a squeegee it was show time. The biggest difference between the water based inks and the plastisols that we commonly use is the speed at which water-based ink dries… which happens to be very quickly.

After an hour of playing around we ended up with a stack of prints. Overall (despite the color options) I’d say this little experiment is going to open up some doors for future efforts. This experiment also left me asking a couple questions: What are good water based inks for printing posters? What is a good paper choice for screen printing? Drop me a line if you have any suggestions! Have a great weekend.

Here’s what we’ve got in the queue right now:

CHRIS SPINS:

Four Tet – There is Love in You
Whenever someone plays Four Tet (Kieran Hebden) at the studio I always ask, “Who is this?” because it’s got great energy; totally good-for-working music. This new release adds another solid mix to the library. Good in whole doses.

Ox Tails: Songs from 2009
I admire Khoi’s aesthetic and perspective in design, so it was a pleasure to see him post a collection of favorite music from 2009. There were several songs on the list I already knew and loved, but the real joy was discovering new artists.

Mika – The Boy Who Knew Too Much
Bright, layered pop that I’d say mixes a bit of Queen with Jellyfish and Scissor Sisters; a guilty pleasure I listen to on headphones.

JOEL SPINS:

Know Better Learn Faster – Thao with the Get Down Stay Down
The quintessentially fun album. Sometimes when I come in to the shop and am feeling down, I put this on and it completely gets me in the mood to be positive….and when I’m happy, it makes me happier. Complete with an appearance from Andrew Bird and catchy hooks, this album keeps the foot tappin’ and mouth whistling.

Dosh - Dosh
The first album from a man that constantly amazes me with what he can do with two hands and feet. Electronic program beats meets organic loops and a propensity for improvisation. Dance numbers meets the odd time signature. This is a super chill album that makes you forget that what he’s doing IS complicated.

Flight of the Conchords – I Told You I Was Freaky
Normally, I dislike pop music and parody albums for the most part. I rejected the idea of even listening to these guys due to their being parody/comedy musicians. That was until this album. The songs on this album REALLY nail the style that is being parodied. From R & B songs about a girl with a lazy eye that lost her epileptic dog in the park to dance tunes about ladies wanting a taste of Jermaine’s sugarlumps. Hilarious.

TOM SPINS:

Aidan Baker – Liminoid/Lifeforms
Just got this in. Already my favorite solo release from Nadja’s Aidan Baker. Slow and evolving without getting lost. A perfect soundtrack for the snow covered ground outside.

The Antlers – Hospice
Loving this indie rock album. Sounds like Grandaddy and “Deserter’s Songs”  Mercury Rev go on a camping trip.

Boston Spaceships – 0 to 99
I am a huge Guided by Voices fan (check out the video for Soundburger for some evidence). After a long time (and test of hopefulness) the sound that I love is back. Super hooky and loaded with many earworms. This combination of Pollard, Slusarenko, and The Decemberists John Moen is a pleasure and relief. A+.

WENDY SPINS:

Middle Cyclone – Neko Case
During these snowy winter days, I need to find something that has a mellow sound that pairs well with the soft snow, but doesn’t lull me to the couch for a long nap. This album strikes that happy medium. Plus, she mentions killer whales, which are really big around here these days.

* Wendy gets a pass on recommending three albums since she’s generally under a pile of children demanding to watch Noggin.

Bending is essentially taking electronics and adding dials and switches to create new results. This works especially great on old toys!

As luck would have it, the father of bending happens to live in Cincinnati and was offering a course. I was lucky enough to spend a few days with Reed Ghazala and explore his world of electronic alchemy. The Incantor shirt is a tribute to Reed’s bend of the Speak & Math.

The Incantor shirt is available online at Wire & Twine.

Back to bending!

Here’s what we’ve got in the queue right now:

TOM SPINS:

King Crimson – Lark’s Tongue in Aspic
For some reason I’m on a journey to find a lot of new in a lot of old. Just got hold of the 1973 prog mammoth. Super heavy grooves with a little flute thrown in.

Risil – Non Meters Volume One
I buy a lot of stuff from Important Records. They are one of the few labels willing to take chances, and those chances almost always pay off. Risil is a super underground collective given room to freely collaborate. Songs are loose and not hooky, but there is definitely some magic going on. This is the first volume of three.

Def Leppard – High ’N Dry
Released before breakthrough Pyromania, this album rocks. Super hooky, ballad free musicians scraping together enough money to buy a corndog. Highlight is “Bringin’ on the Heartbreak” going into “Switch 625” instrumental. If you need an early metal fix, this will not disappoint.

WENDY SPINS:

The Swell Season – Strict Joy
I give Chris full credit for recommending this album. I loved the movie, Once, so this was an excellent addition to the collection.

The Beatles – Yellow Submarine
The kids adore this movie and the accompanying soundtrack. I love putting laundry away and hearing a four-year-old singing “When I’m 64” at the top of his lungs. The stars must be aligned, since as the kids were listening to the soundtrack, I noticed swissmiss had just blogged about it.

TMBG – Here Comes Science
I’ve always been a fan of the music They Might Be Giants do for kids, but this is by far my favorite.  After a few listens, my pre-schooler was telling me all about the DNA in his cells and that most things are made up of four basic elements. In a few more listens, they will have exceeded all my science knowledge. An added bonus is the delightful animation in the DVD version of the album.

JOEL SPINS:

Mahavishnu Orchestra – Between Nothingness and Eternity
Full throttle live 70′s rock. Music so fast and loud it is a must for when I’m in a hurry to get orders out the door.

St. Vincent - Actor
Annie Clark is brilliant. A ferocious set of tunes that makes the musician in me say ‘I wish I rocked that hard.’ Aggressive and colorful from beginning to end.

Andrew Bird – Noble Beast
A ingeniously complex and simply beautiful album that’s almost perfect for any situation.

CHRIS SPINS:

Imogen Heap – Ellipse
Well, since Wendy stole my Swell Season pick and I used up the New Moon soundtrack earlier this week, I’m going down the list of what gets played the most. I start off this joint with the single “First Train Home,” play that a couple times, then I let the rest of the album ride out and loop around.

Ray LaMontagne – Gossip in the Grain
I first saw this dude on SNL. This fact alone means I’m totally out of touch. But man, I loved his approach and delivery. He’s got one of those sounds that seems like it’s from another time, when soul was in fashion.

Ben Folds – Cologne
I love this song. I don’t think it’s a single or anything, but it’s where I start off Ben’s “Way to Normal” album. I love the deadpan humor and pining in the lyric. You’ve probably figured out by now that I’m a big emotional marshmallow.