Category Archives: Free releases

New release: “Gypsy Paw” by Eastern Phoebes

Posted on July 2, 2011 | 1 Comment

FEB027: “Gypsy Paw” — Eastern Phoebes
1. Old Toronto
2. Combat Missile Diploma
3. Gypsy Paw
4. LeBron’s Lament
5. I’m Gonna Bite Your Head Off When I’m Done Making Love To You

Download FEB027

Eastern Phoebes began as the home recording project of a Long Island, NY, couple: multi-instrumentalist/producer Ry Smith and holistic health guru Meg Bayley.

In January 2010, Ry started recording songs he had been writing in their loft apartment. He asked Meg to help sing and clap on a bunch of tunes, and the band was formed.

Eastern Phoebes released their self-titled five-track EP that summer — a CD-R in a handmade cardboard envelope with artwork by Andy Drake. A second EP, “Rods of Energy,” was released digitally in December of the same year. Through the group’s alternative means of self-promotion (random endearing posts on Craigslist), the EP began to attract listeners both regionally and nationally. In February 2011, Ry and Meg recorded “Wampum,” their debut full-length. Written and recorded entirely within the month, the album was he band’s entry for the RPM Challenge (http://rpmchallenge.com). It was released on March 1st as a free digital download. Recently, Ry and Meg joined forces with two of their dearest friends, guitarist/bassist Rick Kattermann and drummer Frank Filipo, to create the performing version of Eastern Phoebes.

“Gypsy Paw” offers 5 sunny folk-pop tunes that are catchy and charming. Eastern Phoebes have a way of being touching and comical in the same breath.

RIYL: One Happy Island, Beulah, Fruit Bats, The Boy Least Likely To, Andrew Bird

Exclamation Point, Period:

These tunes are the kind that power up the sun and make the snow melt.

Fensepost:

Eastern Phoebes have pieced together a release to rival the lighter moments of Beulah, the catchier pop side of Michael Nau and the early days of Elephant 6.

The Lucid Listener:

Give them a cramped room full of random forgotten instruments, and they will give you an album full of love, humility and maybe even a cup of hot herbal tea.

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New release: “If” by Even Artichokes Have Hearts

Posted on June 3, 2011 | Leave a comment

FEB019: “If” — Even Artichokes Have Hearts
a. If
b. Summer

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Even Artichokes Have Hearts just want to be your friends. The dreamy love children of Joan Baez and the Andrews Sisters, these two girls from New Haven believe in the healing power of the ukulele. They specialize in quirky folk-pop with a sense of humor and share a sweet tooth for chocolate and puns.

Chloe Sarbib (vocals, tambourine, and accordion) and Sarah DeLappe (vocals and ukulele) met at Yale University. They began playing music when they spent a summer together making movies in Prague and farming in the South of France. Needless to say, it was love at first sight. They’ve been making sweet pop music together ever since.

“If” is a whimsical pop gem — complete with ba-ba-ba’s — bringing to mind innocent childhood friendships. The backing track, “Summer,” is a breezy, dreamy song perfect for the season it’s named after.

RIYL: Allo Darlin’, One Happy Island, Joan Baez, She & Him, Regina Spektor,
Joanna Newsom, The Weepies, Ingrid Michaelson, The Andrews Sisters

January 11, 2011: Short feature on F*ck Yeah! Go Team! blog:

The most frustrating thing about returning to Connecticut is that 98% of anyone who plays an instrument in this state chooses the wrong path, and that 99% of the listening population here could give a shit. That’s fine. I gave up trying to change that a long time ago, but every now and then you get a glimmer of hope and today I present the new brightness: Even Artichokes Have Hearts. … Two pals just killing it sweetly …

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New release: “Catch Me When I Fall” by Bangkutaman

Posted on June 1, 2011 | Leave a comment

FEB024: “Catch Me When I Fall” — Bangkutaman
a. Catch Me
b. Train Song

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Bangkutaman, which taken from Bahasa Indonesia with the meaning “park bench,” was originally formed by J. Irwin and Bayu Prabowo in 1999 in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. The band members are J. Irwin (lead guitar and backing vocal), Wahyu “Acum” Nugroho (lead vocal and bass guitar) and Dedyk Erianto (drums).

After 10 years together, Bangkutaman is ready to branch out beyond their native Indonesia and introduce the world to their 1960s-’70s rock’n'roll sound. The band sites American and British influences such as The Velvet Underground, The Byrds, Led Zeppelin, The Beach Boys, Donovan and The Who, as well as some of their Indonesian pop contemporaries.

RIYL: The Velvet Underground, The Byrds, Bob Dylan

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New release: “City Lights Fade” by The Whatevers

Posted on April 19, 2011 | Leave a comment

FEB023: “City Lights Fade” — The Whatevers
1. City Lights Fade
2. Everything But The Kitchen Sink Drama
3. The Second Best Of The Whatevers
4. Why Girlfriends Are Better Than Guitars
5. Anne Boleyn (Eux Autres cover)

Download FEB023

The Whatevers are a pop band from Leeds in the north of England. Mike writes the songs and Kate sings them. Al plays bass guitar.

Mike and Kate met at school. Kate had shaved her head to shock the locals. Mike had just split up with the only other indie punk girl in their small town, so it was natural they would become boyfriend and girlfriend. Kate would buy the NME and Mike would buy the Melody Maker and they would swap halfway through the week and cut the pictures out and practice interview techniques for the day they formed a famous indie band. Mike was in a band called Sparkling Tarts and they played at the local youth club with Kate’s band. After they had broken each others heart for about 15 years, Mike finally had enough songs and they formed The Whatevers. Al was one of their biggest fans, so they asked him to join the band.

The Whatevers sing mainly about their relationship history, radical leftist politics, not being able to get out of bed and conversations about sex that they have had at bus stops.

“City Lights Fade” is a picture-perfect example of lo-fi boy/girl bedroom pop. Jangling guitars, charming vocals and irreverent lyrics pervade these five songs. The band channels another boy/girl group, Eux Autres, for their cover of “Anne Boleyn.”

RIYL: Eux Autres, The Garlands, Transmittens, The Lovely Eggs

Interview with The Whatevers on chaotisch und charmant blog:

The Whatevers. A band that makes that sweet mix of lo-fi, 90’s twee and a sensible approach to the subjects that make an indiepop heart skip a bit.

The Whatevers on Brill Dream blog:

There is a thing with bands, where you work ,and write, and toil and one day it just CLICKS. Leeds duo The Whatevers have well and truly broken through.

Describing their sound as a ‘pop punk twee mess’, what they actually make is a gorgeous boppy, fun sound with Edwyn Collins meets Emma Pocketbooks vocals. The lyrics are also pretty bloody good, real stories to sigh to on the bus, stories you have lived through yourself. And get this, there are lines you can actually laugh out load to. wow.

EDIT: April 26, 2011: Review of “City Lights Fade” on chaotisch und charmant blog:

‘City Lights Fade’ delivers lo-fi indiepop in its purest state: simple melodies covered by melancholic, fun lyrics and funny music names. The last track is a cover for ‘Anne Boleyn’, from Eux Autres.

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New release: “Can’t Come Back” by Abby Mott

Posted on February 15, 2011 | 1 Comment

FEB014: “Can’t Come Back” — Abby Mott
a1. Elika Ray
b1. You Can’t Come Back (Angelina)

Download FEB014

Abby Mott has an unmistakable voice and a soulful, hooky songwriting style. Her songs are a unique combination of Americana, indie pop, classical and blues, cleverly arranged with imaginative lyrics.

Mott cut her teeth playing various roles and instruments around Baltimore and Washington, D.C. with a wide variety of bands ranging from bluegrass to funk to ’80s to afrobeat. She finally hit the studio with her own songs in 2007, playing every instrument herself on her debut, “Hearts a’Flutter.” A four-song EP, “Go West! Get East!,” followed in 2009 just before her departure from the states for the Philippines.

Now, Mott has revived her one-woman band to full effect in her new Philippines studio. She hauled everything, from her Grandma’s baby grand to her triangles and maracas, all the way to Asia. And she’s been busy amassing a collection of all new tunes.

“Can’t Come Back” is a dazzling two-song preview of what’s to come. Mott thumps and thunders on every instrument. The result is downright danceable. Her voice is full and commanding, crooning over layers of calculated, crisp backup vocals. These two fantastical songs conjure visions of sea monsters and pirates, boats, and marooned characters. Life in the Pacific “Ring of Fire” plays wildly on Mott’s imagination. The pure infectious joy of tinkering, layering and structuring a song oozes from this pair of poppy tunes.

RIYL: Jenny Lewis/Rilo Kiley, Neko Case/New Pornographers, The Spoons

CityPaper, Baltimore:

Totally angelic indie-pop … Mott displays a growing songwriting sophistication and a divine sense of vocal control … with the sort of sensual abandon that would cause fans of Jenny Lewis, the Watson Twins and Zooey Deschanel to eat their James Perse pants.

Music Monthly:

By layering a motley (pun intended) array of instruments, she’s able to create her own little world of sound.

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New release: “one year of original music from February Records” – Free digital compilation

Posted on January 11, 2011 | Leave a comment

FEB018: “one year of original music from February Records” by Various Artists

1. I Thought You Wanted To Know – Secret Charisma (previously unreleased)
2. She Don’t Play Nice – Abby Mott (digital single coming soon)
3. Seven Miles Away – Onward Chariots
4. When Sunday Goes – Boy Genius (release coming this year)
5. The Saddest Affair – The Cavemen Go
6. If – Even Artichokes Have Hearts (digital single coming soon)
7. Sixteen Candles – Dexter Poindexter (previously unreleased)
8. If Monday’d Never Come – Brilliant At Breakfast
9. Jennifer – Ghost Of Chance
10. Past The Railroad Tracks – Summer Library
11. Westbound Train – Two If By Sea (previously unreleased)
12. Daffodil – The Month Of June
13. Laugh Out Loud – Birds Of California
14. We’ve Got The Look – The Tyler Trudeau Attempt (previously unreleased)
15. Elizabeth Is Bored – Bourgeois Heroes (live 2004)
16. The Wax Museum – The Inclined Plane (previously unreleased)
17. Soul For Suckers – The Fictional West
18. Strangely Black Was The Night – Jayson Munro (release coming this year)
19. Indian Lunch Buffet – Women’s Basketball (previously unreleased)


Click here to download FEB018 for FREE from Bandcamp

January 9, 2011 marks the one-year anniversary of original releases on the February Records label.

February Records released its first original recordings in January 2010. Onward Chariots (Brooklyn/Queens, N.Y.), The Fictional West (New Haven, Conn.) and Women’s Basketball (New Haven, Conn./Brooklyn, N.Y.) composed the label’s initial roster of bands. February Records now has a roster of more than 15 bands and artists, with releases in multiple formats and from bands throughout the United States as well as Canada, the Philippines and Indonesia.

This 19-song compilation looks back at the last year with a track from every band that has released music on February Records. The album also looks forward with songs from five bands that will release music on the label in 2011. This ambitious project also contains previously unreleased tracks from Secret Charisma, Dexter Poindexter, Two If By Sea, The Tyler Trudeau Attempt, Bourgeois Heroes, The Inclined Plane and Women’s Basketball.

The compilation represents a wide range of styles — from the Brill Building-inspired sounds of The Cavemen Go, to the country-tinged pop of Abby Mott; from the minimalist ukulele-pop of Even Artichokes Have Hearts, to the electronically-enhanced tunes of The Month Of June and Women’s Basketball. The album touches on dream pop, Americana, psych, bubblegum and powerpop.

February Records looks forward to another year of bringing people together, forging connections and exposing people to great music.

Check out the accompanying video for “If” by New Haven duo Even Artichokes Have Hearts, which will also be included on their upcoming single.

EDIT: Jan. 11, 2011: Short feature on Hartford Courant’s SoundCheck blog.

EDIT: Jan. 12, 2011: Featured on area 51 del corazon.

EDIT: Jan. 12, 2011: Short feature on Bearded Magazine.

EDIT: Jan. 18, 2011: Feature on Burning World blog.

“One Year Of Original Music From February Records” is pretty much as you would expect, full of tracks from their 2010 releases. The label began pumping out releases at an alarming rate back in January 2010 and as well as spoiling us with quantity also managed to keep the quality somewhere between excellent and bloody brilliant.

EDIT: Jan. 24, 2011: Featured on The Jangle Box blog.

EDIT: Feb. 5, 2011: Mention on Japanese blog Pense A Moi.

EDIT: Feb. 7, 2011: Article by Chris Arnott of The New Haven Advocate about the February Records comp and the early 2000s Southern Connecticut State University music scene — “The SCSU Scene, in the February of Their Years.”

… Yet, seven or more years after the SCSU “scene” started, the small Connecticut-based label releases a free digital compilation—One Year of Original Music from February Records—which brings together The Cavemen Go, Tyler Trudeau Experience, Bourgeois Heroes and a more recent Brian LaRue project, Women’s Basketball, all in one place. … February Records is a wonderful resource for thoughtful Connecticut pop bands. Just one year in existence, it’s already an invaluable time capsule of creativity in Connecticut. More than that, this all-too-current label remakes history by showing us that the SCSU scene wasn’t a fluke but sustainable.

EDIT: Feb. 18, 2011: “Indian Lunch Buffet” by Women’s Basketball included on Beat The Indie Drum’s February mix tape.

EDIT: March 25, 2011: Comp review on chaotosch und charmant blog:

I think the last time I got this excited with a compilation was when The Leamington Spa volumes were released. … Really, if you had to listen to only one compilation for the entire year, ‘One year of Original…’ should be IT.

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Free release: “Do You Ever?” by Summer Library

Posted on October 2, 2010 | 1 Comment

FEB013: Do You Ever? — Summer Library
a1. Do You Ever?
b1. Past The Railroad Tracks

Download FEB013

Summer Library is the solo recordings of 19-year-old New Rochelle, N.Y.-native Patrick Kelly.

Like many successful musicians, Patrick began writing songs in high school while a member of the heavily-Pavement-inspired band the Broken Dials. When graduations inevitably forced the band apart, Kelly continued writing music, though his solo efforts took on a more Sarah Records-inspired sound.

Patrick began writing and recording under the name Summer Library in the summer of 2010. The “Do You Ever?” single is his first release. He takes influence from bands such as Brighter, Galaxie 500 and Rocketship. The Swedish-sounding A-side is backed with “Past The Railroad Tracks,” which sounds as if someone might have snuck a synthesizer into a classic Field Mice song. Jangly guitars and catchy melodies pervade these two tracks, which clock in at just under 8 and a half minutes.

RIYL: Brighter, The Field Mice, Galaxie 500, Rocketship, Heavenly, Sarah Records

A Layer of Chips blog said about Summer Library:

Patrick Kelly has that perfect knack of writing the most simple pop songs, yet making them so affecting. He takes the world around him, romanticizes it, adds a melody bands have spend years getting nowhere near, and then, lucky us, we get to listen to it. “Do You Ever” is the perfect example of this. Happy, sad, melancholy — all the things a great pop song should be, and for five minutes you’re lost in this world of twirling guitars, brittle beats and yearning vocals. Lovelorn fans of Brighter and Harper Lee be aware: there’s some magic at work here, and it’s called Summer Library.

August 14, 2010: Summer Library interview on A Layer of Chips.

EDIT: October 3, 2010: Summer Library single on area51delcorazon blog.

EDIT: October 5, 2010: Summer Library single on Shoegazer Alive blog.

EDIT: October 6, 2010: Summer Library on Tweendie webzine.

EDIT: October 9, 2010: “Do You Ever?” included on Burning World’s Pod Fodder #93.

EDIT: October 15, 2010: Summer Library on Hits In The Car blog.

EDIT: October 22, 2010: Summer Library on Beehive Candy:

I hate doing the whole age thing but this guy musically shows a maturity way beyond his years and I hope a lot of people keep an eye (or ear) out for more from Summer Library!

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New release: Silver Springs by Dexter Poindexter

Posted on August 3, 2010 | Leave a comment

FEB009: Silver Springs — Dexter Poindexter
a1. Two Cracked Heels and a Ghost
b1. From the Midwest
b2. From the West

Download FEB009

Dexter Poindexter is Tommy Komorowski. The young musician hails from the suburbs of Chicago and records pop gems in his parents’ basement.

Twenty-one year-old Komorowski has multiple self-released recordings, as well as a 2009 EP released by London’s WeePOP! Records. The Adventure EP was acclaimed by pop critics, garnering 5 stars from Norman Records and placed as No. 6 on the IndiePages 10 best EPs of 2009.

Komorowski draws inspiration from a number of influences including the guitar playing of Johnny Thunders, the vocals of Simon and Garfunkel and the lyrics of Adam Cox. His biggest inspiration is “… drawn from my love of Wheeling, Illinois, and how I feel living there, and the love for my friends.”

Silver Springs offers three new Dexter Poindexter tunes as Komorowski readies a full-length release on Nebraska’s Series Two Records. Silver Springs evokes the breezy playfulness of summer and a carefree, yet emotional, essence of youth.

RIYL: Hefner, Jeremy Jay, American Football, The Smittens, One Happy Island, Jens Lekman, WeePOP!

Norman Records said about Dexter Poindexter:

I was floored when I realized that this ‘outfit’ was, in fact, one person. Dexter Poindexter’s first release … seems like something a music veteran might have released; Perfect tight sound with melodies you feel like you heard before (in a very good way).

April 3, 2010: Feature on Dexter Poindexter on Even In The Future Nothing Works blog:

Dexter Poindexter is Tommy Komorowski. … Unlike the previous recommendations, Tommy is significantly different. Instead of having years under his belt, he has very few of those in music, but those years he has spent, already have been precious ones. To me, his music lightly evokes Lou Reed, Jens Lekman, Lloyd Cole, Felt and Klas.

EDIT: August 7, 2010: “Two Cracked Heels and a Ghost” featured on Burning World’s Pod Fodder:

This is a track from Dexter Poindexter’s new three track EP “Silver Springs” which is the latest in February Records series of free digital singles. This track is just pure summer all the way through, whatever that means.

EDIT: Aug. 16, 2010: Silver Springs reviewed on Beerandbands:

All 3 of these songs are excellent, it’s nice to see consistency in an EP, and considering Dexter Poindexter hasn’t released too much stuff so far, it’s very confident and reassured. There are artists who’ve been around for years who don’t make songs as catchy as this. I get the impression there might be even better to come from him. Bottomline, if you like your bands jangly, a little bit country, and full of joy and chorus that’ll stay with you, then this is right up your street.

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New Release: Almost Verbose by Brilliant at Breakfast

Posted on June 22, 2010 | 8 Comments

FEB005: Almost Verbose – Brilliant At Breakfast
1. Splashdown
2. Strawberry V
3. Nobody Ever Died Of A Broken Heart (But I Don’t Want To Be The First)
4. If Monday’d Never Come
Download FEB005

Brilliant at Breakfast formed out of a series of curious coincidences. The band aims to take bedroom musicianship further with cheap instruments, cookies and coffee, and riddles with no answers.

The band is influenced by Sarah Records bands, Amelia Fletcher, Scottish and Swedish pop bands, as well as the writings of Lewis Carroll, e.e.cummings and Lemony Snicket. The result is perky, childish, whimsical songs with themes ranging from comic book superheroes and Greek mythology, to the more mundane things of everyday life (end-of-vacation blues, intoxicating drinks, sugary drinks and unrequited crushes).

They are currently based in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, missing the equator by just about a few hundred kilometers — not that it matters.

RIYL: Annemarie, Tender Trap, Heavenly, Talulah Gosh, The Pastels, Acid House Kings

February 4, 2009: Review of “Strawberry V” single on Skatterbrain:

I don’t quite remember how it was that I happened upon Brilliant at Breakfast’s quaint little MySpace page, but my breakfast this morning (no kidding!) was all the much better for it! … While browsing through their comments, I noticed that they seem to be pals with Annemarie, which makes perfect sense given two points: they’re both from Indonesia, they both play pop songs with equal doses of sunshine and whimsy. It’s not too early to start thinking about Spring, and this song is the perfect way to get yourself in the mood!

EDIT: June 23, 2010: Almost Verbose posted on area 51 del corazon blog.

EDIT: June 24, 2010: Almost Verbose on Happy Pocket blog.

EDIT: June 25, 2010: Almost Verbose mentioned on Beerandbands:

February records (yep them again!) can’t seem to stop putting out stuff of quality at the moment. This time it’s a duo of free downloads for you to wrap your ears round. One is by Brilliant at Breakfast, an E.P entitled Almost Verbose who make absolutely lovely stuff that you owe it to yourself to listen to …

EDIT: June 26, 2010: Almost Verbose reviewed on Eardrums:

I’m completely in love with their latest release, from the Indonesian band Brilliant At Breakfast. I’ve been aware of this band for some time, and have been waiting for a release from them. “Almost Verbose” is the title of the ep, and it includes four very good, sweet and melodic indiepop-songs. Brilliant At Breakfast sound brilliant also at lunch and dinner-time.

EDIT: July 1, 2010: Almost Verbose reviewed on Side Ponytail:

“Splashdown,” the first song on Brilliant at Breakfast’s new EP, Almost Verbose, starts out with the white noise of seagulls and waves crashing, and segues seamlessly into a sad and sincere personal narrative accentuated by keyboards, egg shakers, and great vocals that remind me of rocket or chiritori. Brilliant at Breakfast have a soft, sincere sound that reminds me of something you might come across through Shelflife Records, like The Shermans, Moving Pictures, or Language of Flowers. For all the sweetness of Brilliant at Breakfast’s sound, some of their lyrics tend toward the darker side, exploring heartbreak, disappointment, confusion about one’s place in life — it’s a delicate balance to maintain between their music and lyrics, but they do a lovely job.

EDIT: July 3, 2010: Almost Verbose included on Burning World’s Pod Fodder.

EDIT: July 7, 2010: Almost Verbose reviewed on A Layer Of Chips:

Their myspace page features three precious little songs designed to put a freshly washed duvet over your worries and whisk you off to somewhere a little less stressful. Brilliant at Breakfast remind me a less peppy A Smile and a Ribbon, or, at times the late Harvest Ministers.

EDIT: July 9, 2010: Almost Verbose reviewed on The Streetlamp Doesn’t Cast Her Shadow Anymore:

The Almost Verbose EP by Brilliant at Breakfast is a fantastic slice of breezy, twee-pop from Indonesia. … the EP has been a particular favourite of both mine and Ray’s this week. I’m not sure why there are so many great twee-pop bands from this part of the world at the moment.

EDIT: Aug. 4, 2010: Almost Verbose reviewed on Russell’s Reviews:

Next up is the Almost Verbose EP (February Records) by Brilliant At Breakfast. Splashdown is lounge music with gorgeous coquettish female vocals, an even more sensual Sarah Cracknell if you will. Beautiful stuff indeed. Strawberry V is an infectiously catchy breezy bit of summer pop like The Lucksmiths used to make. Nobody Ever Died Of A Broken Heart is some delightful whimsy with a scary pay off, while If Monday’d Never Come is brisk twee pop, like the Concretes gone fey.

EDIT: Aug. 25, 2010: Brilliant at Breakfast on indie-mp3 blog:

You can download two slices of luscious Indonesian indie-pop from Brilliant At Breakfast … It’s the follow up to their free EP which was released on February Records earlier this year. One for fans of all things Sarah Records.

EDIT: Aug. 30, 2010: Almost Verbose reviewed on 0001763 blog:

this ep is fantastic. sweet, soft and catchy indonesian bedroom pop. a must see.

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New Release: “Complications” By Secret Charisma

Posted on June 22, 2010 | 3 Comments

FEB007: “Complications” – Secret Charisma
a1. Complications
b1. Angel, Please
b2. Lord Thomas
Download FEB007

Brad San Martin has secret charisma. He is Secret Charisma, a one-man home-recording project composed of off-kilter pop songs, audio experiments, conceptual quandaries and frozen moments.

Best known as a member of One Happy Island, the internationally-known micro-orchestral Boston pop collective, San Martin has also been known to contribute onstage instrumental support to bands such as Let’s Whisper, the Marshmallow Kisses, Boy Genius and King Wilkie.

In 2009, WeePOP! Records released his self-titled debut EP — actually a 14-minute headphone opera about coming home — which featured a cast of indiepop luminaries, including Kristin Andreassen, Nichole Ferree, Desmond Reed and Mark Robinson.

His new single, “Complications,” is drawn from the upcoming 22-track anthology Satellites: Home Recordings & Demos, 2004-2009 (Casa Nueva Industries, CN-1010). “Complications” features two b-sides unavailable elsewhere: “Angel, Please,” a propulsive lo-fi pop song, and “Lord Thomas,” a disarming, unsettling version of an ancient murder ballad.

RIYL: One Happy Island, Colin Clary, Desmond Reed, Monster Bobby, Andrew Bird, The Lucksmiths

EDIT: June 24, 2010: “Complications” on Happy Pocket blog.

EDIT: June 25, 2010: “Complications” mentioned on Beerandbands:

February records (yep them again!) can’t seem to stop putting out stuff of quality at the moment. This time it’s a duo of free downloads for you to wrap your ears round. … the other is Secret Charisma which is the side project of Brad from One Happy Island who, by the way, are wonderful.

EDIT: June 26, 2010: “Complications” reviewed on Eardrums:

Another goodie from the same label is the new ep from Secret Charisma, a solo-project from One Happy Island‘s Brad San Martin. The three songs on this ep are folky, lo-fi pop-songs with the same fun and interesting twists and turns we know from his main band. The three songs are quite different from each other, from the indiepop title track “Complications”, via the very lo-fi ukulele song “Angel, please” to a perfect ending with the classic folk-ballad “Lord Thomas”. The ep is freely available from this address, – also highly recommended.

EDIT: June 26, 2010: “Complications” on area 51 del corazon blog.

EDIT: July 1, 2010: “Complications” reviewed on Side Ponytail:

Instrumentally, these songs are pure pop with sweet ukulele strumming and soft, melodic keyboards … . “Angel, Please” a simple, strummy ukulele song is my favorite of the three and it’s sandwiched neatly between the keyboard-poppy title track and “Lord Thomas,” an understated traditional-sounding ballad that closes out the single. There’s a lot of variety in these three songs, which makes me curious about what other genres might be explored on the forthcoming Satellites.

EDIT: July 15, 2010: “Complications” reviewed on Burning World’s Pod Fodder:

This is a track from another one of those free singles made available by the very nice people at February Records. According to the catalogue number it’s the seventh release on the label and as far as I’m concerned they’ve yet to miss the target. This one is by a band called Secret Charisma who according to the press release is the one man home recording project of Brad San Martin who might be better known for being in One Happy Island, a track from whom was featured in last weeks Fodder. The single is a taster for the forthcoming album “Satellites, Home Recordings & Demos 2004-2009″ which will be released by Casa Nueva Industries at some point in the not too distant future.

EDIT: Aug. 4, 2010: “Complications” reviewed on Russell’s Reviews:

… “Lord Thomas” however is fantastic, some kind of ghostly folk song. It’s something that’s been plucked from the realms of folklore and resurrected through a haze of wistfulness.

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