Sweet Spring Sounds of Sweden

Well smells of spring BBQs and freshly mown grass has filled the air. As well as the lush sound of The Bridal Shops mini lp "From Seas". Seven songs clocking at just under 30 minutes it is a stunning debut from a young Stockholm band. "From Seas" was self released by the band last year on a limited run and we at Magic Marker thought more people needed to hear such a beautiful record. So finally the CD is available in the states as well as Stockholm with a bonus song not on the original release. As far as comparisons go I hear New Order mixed in with the sensitivity of the Field Mice and you are starting to get an idea. We have this release for sale now.

Lots of other great hits to follow.

A new four song 7" single from the men of BOAT as well a singles compliation from The Manhattan Love Suicides featuring 25 plus songs and posiibly a collection of singles and unreleased songs from Dear Nora. Be sure to check out the Magic Marker bands as they seem to be appearing around the globe. The Faintest Ideas showed up in Hamburg, Manhattan Love Suicides in New York, The Bridal Shop in the UK. Also Popfests in New York and Athens will have bands from Magic Marker so book early!

curt & mark

Oct 23rd is the biggest day in Magic Marker history.

It is the official release date for not one but two releases. We are amazed and blown away by the results. Both new albums from Tullycraft and The Owls will drop on Oct 23rd but you can Pre-Order the albums here and will be shipped before the release date.

Tullycraft "Every Scene Needs A Center"

Tullycraft are known for writing indiepop anthems. Over the years they've penned a handful of songs that practically define the twee movement in America. It would be a safe statement to say that their new album "Every Scene Needs A Center" picks up where their fourth album, "Disenchanted Hearts Unite" left off, but that would be selling Tullycraft short. Their new album, recorded entirely on analog tape, is not simply a collection of wonderfully snarky pop songs with one or two anthems thrown in, but rather an entire record of ultra-catchy, smart indiepop anthems, taking aim at vampires, the English class system, goth waitresses and so much more. This time around, Tullycraft may have actually crafted a twee masterpiece a "Twe-epic" if you will.

Tullycraft CD release show Oct 18th at The Crocodile

The Owls "Daughters and Suns"

The long awaited long player from the Minneapolis' The Owls is finally finished and about to be released into the world. Apart from a few compilations The Owls haven't seen a release since 2004's "Our Hopes and Dreams" mini lp. Instead of spending countless hours in a studio the band decided to make themselves more self sufficient and set up the recording studio themselves which there is always a learning curve involved. Three songwriters Brian Tighe, Maria May, and Allison LaBonne come together with drummer John Jerry and special friends to create an unlikely musical voyage, aboard ships, carnival rides, airplanes; trespassing through backyards, human resources departments, and down perilous roads into the distance. Bitter yet life affirming, the Owls console comic strip characters, invent the perfect man, party on the eve of the apocalypse, explore the notion of empire, pay their bills by candlelight, and send flowers into sewers before bidding listeners a rousing adieu. Rich with melody and male/female harmony Daughters and Suns tenders buoyant, laid-back pop with gentle strikes of lightning.

The Owls CD release show Nov 8th at The Cedar Cultural Centner

Thanks for reading and listening.

curt & mark

Hot Fun in the Summertime and the Living is Easy.

2 members of BOAT have had their last day of teaching elementary school for the year. They are ready to defend theself annointed title Best Sloppy Pop Band not to be confused with Sloppiest Pop Band. We have put up for sale on the site the new Masterpiece "Let's Drag Our Feet" featuring sing a long athems for your summer. BOAT have 2 cd release shows this week in Seattle but will follow it up with a two week tour to Chicago and back. Check the tours page for more info. Already the great music critics have had these great things to say about "Let's Drag Our Feet"

"BOAT keep up the sort of exuberant, melodic, and eccentric pop tunes that originally earned that group its horns. "Anybody" or not, BOAT should be somebody worth hearing for fans of offbeat pop" -Pitchfork

"This is hyperactive pop fun at its finest- yelps, weird instruments, falsetto harmonies, and a nice touch of psychedelia… in short, inspired yet catchy zaniness. On one hand I’m led to think of Of Montreal’s more upbeat tracks, and on the other I hear a little more of Pavement-inspired classic indie rock." - The Yellow Stereo

Oh and our personal favorite

"it’s like a huge snowcone of chillaxed awesomeness waiting to be eaten while walking through a park." - Exploding Now

Couldn't have said it better ourselves.

Lots of releases coming up full lengths by The Owls, Tullycraft, and Fred Thomas all before the year ends and a new single from The Manhattan Love Suicides.

New vinyl versions for sale on the site of The Manhattan Love Suicides LP and Dear Nora "The New Year" both with extra tracks.

Order yours now!

curt & mark

Thanks for everyone who came to out Indiepop Hootenany party and our SXSW showcase in Austin, TX! The shows were a great success and Austin was a blast as always. We will have commemorative posters of the events for sale on the site soon.

Look for new magic marker releases later this year by BOAT and Fred Thomas (SLGTM).

curt & mark

The great artists from the Portland's Magic Marker Records have once again assembled the best little popfest in Texas. Come see Magic Marker Artist's Tullycraft, The Manhattan Love Suicides, BOAT, The Faintest Ideas along with The Zebras, and Palomar at the Indiepop Hootenanny in Austin, March 15th starting at Noon to 6pm at Lovejoys, sponsered by Magic Marker Records, ThreeImaginaryGirls.com, KOOP, and MusicNation. The following night at The Parish II catch an encore performance at the SXSW showcase.

Even if you can't be in Texas this March 15th or 16th rare sitings of our newest bands The Faintest Ideas and The Manhattan Love Suicides will be hitting the east coast.

The Faintest Ideas
Mar 8 2007 @ZuZu, Cambrigde, MA
Mar 9 2007 @The Woodser,New York, NY
Mar 10 2007 @The Fire Philadelphia, PA
Mar 11 2007 @The Galaxy Hut Arlington, VA
Mar 15 2007 @SXSW - Lovejoys Austin, TX
Mar 16 2007 @SXSW- The Parish II Austin, TX

The Manhattan Love Suicides
Mar 15 2007 @SXSW - Lovejoys Austin, TX
Mar 16 2007 @SXSW - The Parish II Austin, TX
Mar 21 2007 @Union Hall New York, NY
Mar 22 2007 @Red And Black Bar Washington,DC
Mar 23 2007 @The Cake Shop New York, NY
Mar 24 2007 @ House Show in Philly, PA

curt & mark

Over the past seven years the Minneapolis based pop group WALKER KONG have been making believers out of skeptics with their blend of raw and infectious pop music. Their latest record, DELIVER US FROM PEOPLE, brilliantly captures the bands live shambolic glory while continuing to integrate the highly reflective sound present on their two previous full-length albums. Exploring the relationship between animals and humans in modern times, DELIVER US FROM PEOPLE is nothing less than a rave up brimming with eternal love, fatal sacrifice and the wonderful tragedy of symbiosis.

Walker Kong
Mar 31 2007 Turf Club St. Paul, MN CD Release Show

Please come out to one or more of these shows to say hello!

curt & mark

In November, Look for pre-sales here for The Faintest Ideas and The Manhattan Love Suicides. Free mp3s are on the below. We think you will like them.

The Faintest Ideas - "Nosebleeders on the Track" [MP3]
The Manhattan Love Suicides - "Suzy Jones" [MP3]

More news very soon ...

curt & mark

Be sure to keep up with Mark's journey on his site magicmarkerrecords.com/tourdecure
and thanks so much for supporting the journey! If you would like to donate directly to Mark's cause, please go here www.firstgiving.com/tourdecure.

curt & mark

magic marker showcase, march 18th
habana calle 6, 709 e 6th st
12:45 the bats
11:30 tullycraft
10:30 the owls
9:30 the galactic heroes
8:30 the bedroom walls
7:30 dressy bessy

if you can't get enough or if you are not holding a sxsw badge or bracelet there will still be a chance to see the magic marker bands as we have joined forced with koop 91.7 and saint arnolds brewery for a fantastic day party.

magic marker and koop day party march 18th
obsolete inc 2207 e 5th st
5:00 the owls
4:00 the bats
3:00 tullycraft
2:00 the galactic heroes

if you work for your college radio station and are interested in interviews or college ids from any of our bands please email us so we can set it up.

curt & mark

"a-" spin

" during their respite, an import-only greatest hits package flawlessly bundled the bats' indispensable highs. improbably, at the national grid holds up as a fitting companion piece. " - glen sarvady cmj

"the bats at the national grid is a bit of a shock, not because of any major musical changes (the band's jangling purr remains intact), but because it sounds oddly contemporary—the kind of docile rock that would make sub pop's post-shins a&r team slobber. on tranquil acoustic numbers "bells" and "western isles," robert scott and kaye woodward's voices fasten together beautifully, practically strumming the guitars for them; but when at the national grid turns frantic (as on "horizon," the record's best track), those same vocals turn defiant, backed by increasingly ramshackle fuzz-guitar asides. that the bats can churn out such an alternately haunting and heartfelt collection in their 23rd year is a testament to their indefatigable skills" brian rafferty magnet

"The bats' first album in ten years starts off perfectly with the low-key "western isles," with robert scott and kaye woodward singing delicate harmonies while the guitars gently hum behind them. it is a lovely welcome back, and not only do they pick up where they left off, at the national grid may be their best album since daddy's highway. if you know your new zealand pop or college rock history, that's really saying something. that record was a masterpiece of understated emotion that sounded completely unique and true. this record is lighter in tone, more cleanly recorded, and almost as powerful." tim sendra allmusic.com

Will have more info on some bats vinyl, tullycraft vinyl, and new voxtrot single shortly!

thanks

curt & mark

here is an extra mp3 that we won't have up for long so please don't link to it.

http://www.magicmarkerrecords.com/mp3/who%20took%20the%20rebels.mp3

the bats "at the national grid" will be available on sept 20 in the united states. check back here for pre-sales and mp3s very soon.

the voxtrot single is coming along and should be available soon though we won't put a date on it since these things seem to take longer than we usually think. though the boys are gearing up for the eastern side of the states so be sure to go see what will surely be your new favorite band.

for those that missed it tullycraft were on kexp.org on mon, jul. 25 at 9am. click on the archive audio on their site and you can hear them perform 4 songs and an interview with john in the morning. they are also playing tonight with math and physics club and the salteens at chop suey.

also if you all want to dicuss anything on our new bulletin board it is located here: http://www.magicmarkerrecords.com/forum/index.php . really anything at all. so far we haven't too many takers so go ahead and post. try to stay cool!

curt & mark

we have just sent off the debut release of the great benji cossa titled songs from the vault. our friend benji has been writing and recording his own songs for 10 years now. for some strange reason his songs have never seen the light of day other than a few self released cassettes, a few 7”s, and several compilations. we first found benji when we released “for tom’s new wave movie” on our very first release. we hadn’t heard from him until we tracked him down for our latest compilation. it turns out benji has been busy. so we are happy to present his debut album which compile the best of his songs from early in his career. if forced to make comparisons we would suggest john darnielle singing jonathan richman songs. check out "knockout" on his band page.

perhaps even bigger news is that we have are releasing one of our favorite bands of all time. we are proud to present the return of the bats with their first new record in 10 years. robert scott, paul kean, kaye woodward, and malcolm grant got together again last year and not only played a few shows but put together a fantastic album that competes with the one of our all time favorites “daddy’s highway”. the new album is titled the bats at the national grid to take a little from the press sheet: when the bats get together the combination of musical ingredients works perfectly – effortlessly. it’s been like that for 25 years and the magic doesn’t seem to be fading. that is the essence – apply that magic to robert’s endless creative outpouring of songs and a recent late blooming from the pen of kaye woodward and you get a fine new album worth of tunes circa 2005. we should have an mp3 up soon for a september release.

as if this wasn’t enough we are also releasing a new single by the austin band voxtrot. yeah that’s right a vinyl 7”. these two songs are worth every cent of this molded wax. they are a relatively new band that you must get your self acquainted with. luckily you will have a chance as they are touring and should be coming to your town.

actually many of the magic marker roster are playing out. tullycraft are playing all their hits from the recent smash disenchanted hearts unite. it seems everyone agrees that this is their best record yet which seems difficult to believe from the previous catalog.

"you hate to call a record a great leap forward because it might somehow tarnish the bands' back catalog, but tullycraft's fourth full-length album disenchanted hearts unite is at the very least a big step forward. the record has everything the groups' previous efforts have displayed, like hooks, energy, and sharp often hilarious lyrics, but also has a maturity and richness that the others lacked" tim sendra allmusic.com

the galactic heroes are playing a rare show in athens this summer .

please check the tour page for all the upcoming live dates. also a brand new bulletin board!http://magicmarkerrecords.com/forum/index.php

albums are in the works from dear nora, the owls and walker kong.

oh an a hearty congratulations as jeremy and alex (walker kong) are celebrating parenthood for the first time with a brand new baby boy.

oh yeah be sure to ride your bike!

curt & mark

thats right your favorite band from seattle has come together again for the another masterpiece. sean, chris, and jeff are especially proud of this one. while all bands always say the new record is the best one. everyone involved realizes how special this one is. no one can agree which song is their favorite. jenny mears long time colaborator gets full band credit and will be appearing live at their release shows in seattle and portland. jen abercrombie of rizzo fame adds her classic vocals on two tracks. i meanit is all here. this is it. the album that gets you through the day. 12 songs that can end up on any mix tape. buy this disc. bring into your home and make it yours. wear the new tullycraft badge with pride. know that you are better than everyone who hasn't heard it. aaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh.

here is our little press release:

"disenchanted hearts unite" adds more meaning and production to improve on their cult status. A lot of things have happened since the last album: break-ups, marriage, fatherhood, and a european tour. this added content. these hits are not only catchy but have a hint of reflection. having had to record the whole album twice would account for the pop perfection that this album delivers. tullycraft already have a cult following, and this is the record that takes them from cult to the pop stars they already are.

available on vinyl soon via little teddy records.

in other news we are finishing up on a track list for the debut album from benji cossa. we will have a mp3 and pre ordering info up soon.

come check out the latest in internet radio. we have combined with some of our favorite labels to broadcast a station on live 365. come here the latest and classics from labels like matinee, shelflife, slumberland, microindie, drive-in, clairecords, chocolate hearts, candle, and secret crush.

thanks

curt & mark

quick background:

"old traditions, new standards" was the debut album that was a result of a combination of members two cult harriet records bands (crayon, wimp Factor 14). the album contains some of the best know songs/anthems "pop songs your new boyfriend is too stupid to know about" , "superboy, supergirl", and "josie".

"city of subarus" was the follow up that cemented tullycraft as the indiepop icons they are today. adding chris munford (incredible force of junior) and propelling their pop sound forward by adding keyboards and beats. cleaner sound and lovely female backing vocals were an added trademark.

"beat, surf, fun" was the album that almost never was. the boys were spending less time with each other and playing out less and less. harold hollingsworth replaced original member gary miklusek on guitar. even though harold had played with them before the new energy and new batch of hits brought them back together.

back to the present:

"disenchanted heart unite" adds more meaning and production to add to their sound. a lot of things have happened since the last album: break-ups, marriage, fatherhood, european tour so this added content for these hits are not only catchy but have a hint of reflection. having had to record the whole album twice would account for the pop perfection that this album delivers. tullycraft already have a cult following this is the record that goes from cult to pop stars they already are.

you can preorder the cd now! orders will ship when they come into stock which should be before the release date may 3rd. for now listen to "rumble with the gang debs" and wait by the mailbox.

curt & mark

maybe making a mix cd of your favorite songs for your sweetheart? i suggest boycrazy "bad things", orange juice's version of "l.o.v.e." for some starters or if you are making a mix of break up songs heikki's version of "nothing lasts" and tullycraft's "sad, sad day" would be good here. i am not sure how healthy of an idea that would be but yeah good songs.

this is an especially meaningful valentine's day for us at magic marker. for we are happy to annouce after three years in the making we have finished copies of "a house full of friends" 2cd compilation. for those of you that read our newletters we have been promising this compilation for some time and you know what a relief and joy it is to have it completed. there is a tracklisting on the releases page and a link to a galactic heroes song that didn't make it onto the compilation. here is the official write up on it:

a house full of friends: the magic marker records story, is a historic document/program guide that tells the story of the beginnings of a record label and a start in a new city and a new house. in 1997 magic marker founders mark rothkopf and curt kentner moved into a large somewhat shabby home in se portland, oregon across from kenilworth park. most of the venues at this time wouldn’t even book the up incoming bands that played portland . the all ages clubs were going out of business and the bars would pay the sound man more than any of the bands if they even let them play at all. It started out as a necessity, finally a place to play in a somewhat dank basement and later up stairs in the living room. we handed out flyers and word of mouth spread. While many people have lived in the 4 to 5 bedroom house members of dear Nora, kissing book, benji cossa, the mosquitoes, the softies, the lucksmiths, mooney suzuki, and the shins all called it home for a short period of time between 1997-2004.

with the opening of all-ages venues like 17 nautical miles and the meow meow it became a less of a necessity and more of a unique way to see your favorite band. While the house wouldn’t host regular shows, it was somewhat sporadic and always a special event. some of the occasions were birthdays, cd releases, halloween parties and dance parties. included with this compilation is a how to guide on throwing a house show. It goes on to give tips on neighbors, setting up a p.a., promoting the show and how to raise money for the touring bands.

it was a lucky coincidence that a friend of ours, jeff mawer, attended nearly all of the performances at the house and always brought his camera. inside the digi-pak packaging is a 24 page booklet featuring photos of the bands performing live at 4306 se 34th Ave. these 34 songs represent almost all the bands that played at the magic marker house. some have since broken up and others have gone on to immense popularity that would make a house show pretty much impossible. the collections of songs are a mix of unreleased, alternate versions, b-sides, and album cuts. we realize that we didn’t invent the house show, but we would like to encourage others to turn their own homes into venues and spread the word of new music. So we present this program as a souvenir to the hundreds of people who made it to one show and to all the people who wish they had a magic marker house in their town.

so happy valentines day from magic marker!

love

curt & mark

our latest release heikki have landed on our fair shores with their album "2". it was released last year in scandanavia on a west side fabrication records. someone sent me the mp3 for "former hero" and i was completely hooked. the record wasn't really distributed here so we decided to make heikki our first non u.s. band full-length cd. heikki really combine two of my favorite sounds in an incredibly unique way the folk tinge and vocals of neko case with 60's girl group harmonies and hooks. maria eriksson who also plays guitar in the concretes lends her strong yet fragile vocals to heikki while jari haapalainen ,of the bear quartet, plays guitar, percussion and production. this version of "2" contains two stunning covers that aren't available on the swedish version. it makes us really happy and proud to present this band for you all. for fans of dear nora, the owls, neko case, the concretes and aislers set.

curt & mark