twosyllable records

Old Smile - “No Reason” Video

Wed, 28 Jun 2017 10:55:01 -0400

Many thanks to YVYNL for premiering an incredible new video directed by Zach Fleming for the song “No Reason” from Old Smile’s debut album, Elusive Day, out now!

Stream here!

Order your cassette here!

Sui Zhen at SXSW

Wed, 15 Mar 2017 12:01:42 -0400

If you are at SXSW this week, please go see the very talented Sui Zhen play with her full band!

Details here:

Wed 15 Mar - Cascine x Arbutus @ Valhalla (DJ set)
Fri 17 Mar - Aussie BBQ presents Sound Gallery Part 2 @ Brush Square Park (5pm)
Fri 17 Mar - Urban Outfitters @ Space 24 Twenty (2:50pm)
Fri 17 Mar - SXSW Official Showcase @ The Iron Bear (12am)

And, as a bonus, here is her new video for “Hangin’ On”!

D.A. Stern - Aloha Hola is OUT TODAY!

Fri, 27 Jan 2017 11:58:53 -0500

“[Aloha Hola] is the perfect psych pop record to remind you of why music is your best friend.” BeatRoute Magazine

Happy release day, D.A. Stern! Stream the record right now on your favorite streaming service and pick up your on vinyl copy today!

D.A. Stern - “Miami” Video

Wed, 18 Jan 2017 12:28:42 -0500

Our newest and truest, D.A. Stern, is hitting the road at the end of the month and dropped a video for “Miami”, off his debut LP, Aloha Hola, to celebrate! Go say hi for us in one of these cities:

1/30 - San Diego, CA - Soda Bar
1/31 - Phoenix, AZ - Lost Leaf
2/1 - Costa Mesa, CA - The Wayfarer
2/3 - Boise, ID - Flying M Room
2/5 - Seattle, WA - Lofi
2/6 - Portland, OR - Bunk Bar
2/7 - San Francisco, CA - Hotel Utah
2/18 - Los Angeles, CA - Teragram Ballroom (w/ Luna)

Here’s what he had to say about the clip:

“I am a huge Albert Brooks fan and Real Life might be my favorite of his movies. It’s basically about a filmmaker, played by Brooks, who plans to make a feature out of footage he shoots of a real American family during their day-to-day lives; naturally, everything goes wrong. The hilarious and beautiful montage that occurs during one of the family’s happier spells depicts a typical all-American family living an all-American dream in slow-motion, yet we are aware that this is not the truth. Beneath all of the smiles, ice cream cones, and board games, this family is being pushed to their limits by a selfish man with a vision. The idea that not everything is as it seems and that things are different below the surface ties directly into what the song Miami is about.”

D.A. Stern - “Miami” Single

Fri, 11 Nov 2016 11:15:44 -0500

Introducing our new favorite Cali kvetcher, D.A. Stern, and his debut album Aloha Hola out on Twosyllable Records January 20, 2017. This exciting new collection of 11 catchy tunes was painstakingly written, recorded and produced by Stern in his mother’s New Jersey basement. Though formerly a nebbish New Yorker, D.A.– full name, David Aaron – has relocated to discover all that Hollywoodland has to offer from Canter’s to Langer’s and beyond!

More inspired by Albert Brooks and Woody Allen than any songwriter, Stern, a bonafide cruciverbalist, finds his inspiration from screenplays, comedic timing, and especially crossword puzzles more than melody or harmony. Despite its peppy power pop pastiche, it’s his excellent, dark lyricism that holds the secrets of our true, twisted reality. Take, for example, the sugary pop hook on “Miami” that examines the ultra-connected, device-obsessed populous, or the jaunty balladry on “In Pain,” which details the aftermath of a love story we’ll never know. At its core, Aloha Hola, like a modern Harry Nilsson, Dylan or post-Beatle record, is an album of melancholic love dirges for the loss of girls, booze, New York City, and even life itself. Stern tackles these life-long questions of solipsism with a poet’s aplomb. That’s not to say his songs aren’t catchy, hummable, karaoke gems in the tradition of Elvis Costello or The Jesus of Cool… Aloha Hola scratches that guitar-driven pop itch we’ve all been hiding from our doctor.

Listen as D.A. Stern woos you! After one spin, you’ll be harmonizing on these hooks as you’re stuck on the 405!

Pre-oder Aloha Hola RIGHT HERE

Sui Zhen Shares “Take It All Back” Video

Tue, 17 May 2016 11:09:29 -0400

In the clip we see that Susan (Sui Zhen’s alter-ego) has moved away from her hometown to start a new. She wanted to be involved in the world instead of just sitting on the sidelines, but now she finds herself on the inside spending her days looking out. She takes comfort in her routines but something has her feeling trapped. As pieces of her memory fade away so does the woman she once was. We find her retracing her steps trying to piece together her sense of self.

“Susan is the album’s namesake – a manifestation of meta-data, her personality has been cultivated from the collective anxieties, hopes and dreams of the digital documented public. Susan is also an individual, someone’s digital doppelganger. In this video she is trying to connect with her true self. I took a particular liking to mannequins wig models that manage to convey human emotion whilst simultaneously being completely vacuous simulacrum.” - Sui Zhen

Sui Zhen is coming to America

Mon, 09 May 2016 11:53:44 -0400

Come say hello to our dear Susan ;-)

5/10: Los Angeles, CA - The Satellite w/ Tangerine
5/14: Brooklyn, NY - Rough Trade w/ Astronautalis
5/17: Brooklyn, NY - Baby’s All Right w/ Jaako Eino Kalev
5/17: New York, NY - Ludlow Studios (1m1w1d x Sui Zhen Pop Up)

Plus, check out Sui Zhen’s DJ Susan set at The Lot Radio on Sunday 5/15 from 12pm-2pm EST!

Welcome to the World of Sui Zhen

Fri, 11 Mar 2016 08:53:40 -0500

As waves lap on the shore in the opening moments of Secretly Susan, you know you’re in for a journey. Sui Zhen, aka Susan, aka Melbourne-based Dream Beat artist Becky Sui Zhen, is at the helm. Drifting by tiki beach parties and nostalgic Sound Systems, Becky’s ethereally radiant jams lead you on a path to positive enlightenment.

Inspired by Japanese Lovers Rock, 80s Electro-Bossanova and Dubby-Lounge Pop which she discovered on holidays in Japan and London as a participant at the Red Bull Music Academy, Secretly Susan is truly a World album wrapped neatly in an accessible cloak and tied with a bow.

The album lands in North America for the very first time June 17th via Twosyllable Records in decadent bubblegum pink vinyl. (PRE ORDER)

Watch the video of “Infinity Street” here:

Candy Claws - Ceres & Calypso in the Deep Time Second pressing now available on White Vinyl

Tue, 26 Jan 2016 11:08:00 -0500

Due to some seriously high demand, we are happy to announce that Candy Claws’ final album, Ceres & Calypso in the Deep Time, is again available on vinyl! This limited run of 500 pristine white vinyl also includes a free digital download.

Pick it up from our store, or catch them out on the road with their new project, Sound of Ceres. The first 10 orders get a free Sound of Ceres Flexi Disc!

Sound of Ceres Tour Dates

2.11 Seattle, WA - Chop Suey
3.5 Fort Collins, CO - Downtown Artery (Release Show)
3.10 Denver, CO - Hi-Dive (Release Show)
3.16-19 Austin, TX - SXSW Official Showcase
3.19 Denton, TX - Rubber Gloves
3.20 Hot Springs, AR - Valley of the Vapors Festival
3.25-3.26 Indianapolis, IN - Fountain Square Music Festival
3.27 Chicago, IL - Schubas
3.28 Cincinnati, OH - MOTR Pub
3.30 Toronto, Canada - The Drake
4.3 New York, NY - Mercury Lounge
4.5 Washington, DC - DC9

7th Anniversary Sale

Fri, 16 Oct 2015 14:40:08 -0400

Tradition says that the seventh anniversary gift should contain wool and copper. But we’re saying NO to tradition, and YES to low low prices!!!

Pick up some heavily discounted vinyl or plastic over at the twosyllable store. For all you people who have forgotten to purchase the classic twosyllable releases, this is your chance!

2 x 7" = $7 (FREE SHIPPING)

All CDs = $7 (FREE SHIPPING)

Chicago Cassette Comp Bundle = $7 (FREE SHIPPING)

All LPs = $7

Introducing...Sound of Ceres

Fri, 16 Oct 2015 14:36:30 -0400

…AND A LIMITED ETD FLEXI DISC!

From the beautiful minds that brought you Candy Claws, Sound of Ceres is pleased to announce the first song from their new project, “My Spiral Arm”! Some pretty cool people are excited for this. Count us among them.

This VERY limited electric blue flexi disc with gold embossed text is a co-release from the fine people at Joyful Noise Recordings, and it’s available for PRE-ORDER NOW. We are only pressing 250 of these puppies, so hurry!

Check them out in a city near you playing both Sound of Ceres and Candy Claws material:

16 October, Denver CO – Bluebird Theater w/ Youth Lagoon
17 October, Colorado Springs CO – Eggplant Manor*
18 October, Salt Lake City UT*
20 October, Davis CA – Third Space*
21 October, San Francisco CA – Hotel Utah*
22 October, Los Angeles CA – Hotel Cafe*
23 October, San Diego CA – Seven Grand*
24 October, Phoenix AZ – Last Exit*
25 October, Albuquerque NM – Low Spirits*
26 October, Norman OK – Opolis*
27 October, Denton TX – Rubber Gloves
29 October, Austin TX - Empire (Patio)
01 November, New Orleans LA – Circle Bar
02 November, Atlanta GA – Wonderroot !
04 November, Athens GA - Flicker !
05 November, Jacksonville FL – Rain Dogs
06 November, Tampa FL – New World Brewery
07 November, Miami FL – Gramps
10 November, Gainesville FL – The JAM
14 November, Columbia MO – The Bridge
15 November, Omaha NE – O’Leaver’s
17 November, Fort Collins CO – Downtown Artery^
18 November, Denver CO – Larimer Lounge^

* w/ Mike Adams at His Honest Weight
^ w/ Reptar
! w/ SPACEFLYTE (Robert, Ben, John of The Apples in stereo)

Webstore Update

Mon, 23 Mar 2015 12:13:13 -0400

Here’s a quick update on the stock in our web store:

Candy Claws - Ceres & Calypso LP – SOLD OUT

Eastern Midwestern - Zenith CD – SOLD OUT

Dream Love - S/T LP – I FOUND 2 COPIES! GRAB ‘EM NOW!

Holiday Shores - New Masses… LP – ON SALE

Inlets - Inter Arbiter LP – ON SALE

Of course there are tons of other titles still available. Grip em today!

That Ghost, Farewell

Fri, 16 Jan 2015 17:16:00 -0500

Our dear friend–and first ever signing!–Ryan Schmale, aka That Ghost, has decided to retire the band today. And with his final bow, we received a gift… 21 unreleased rarities! <3<3<3

From Ryan:

“I have finally decided to retire the That Ghost moniker. It has been about eight years or so of awkward, laughable, weepable, and enjoyable struggling and growing with this project and in order to move on in other directions while furthering myself and my writing, I will continue working on new music under a new name which I hope to unveil soon when/if I find someone to show interest and release it. In the meantime I am releasing for free via bandcamp "Unthemes (Rarities 2008-2014),” the final twentyone-song That Ghost release. I hope those of you who care to listen will enjoy it and please please pass it on to anyone and everyone you think might enjoy it. Thanks so much. R.T.S.“

PREMIERE: Eastern Midwestern - "Colorado" // Anouncing ZENITH

Mon, 12 Jan 2015 22:44:00 -0500

So here’s the deal…We’ve got a new band on the roster! They’re called Eastern Midwestern, but they live in New York. Yeah, New York City!

You maybe have seen them around, as they have been a band for coming on 7 years, but we’re just about to release their debut record, Zenith, on January 27. That’s the album art above. Pre-orders are live now.

You can listen to the first single, “I’ll Always Wonder” that debuted on Self-Titled. And, now, we’re pleased to premiere the next track, “Colorado”.

And, shit…go see them live:

Jan 28 - NY, NY - RELEASE SHOW @ MERC LOUNGE w/Penny Serfs

Jan 31 - Philadelphia PA - Boot & Saddle

Feb 1 - Zenith, WM - Babbit’s Bar

Feb 2 - Cincinnati, OH - MOTR w/ Penny Serfs

Feb 3 - Columbus, OH - Ace of Cups

Feb 4 - Saginaw, MI - White’s Bar w/ Penny Serfs

Feb 5 - Chicago, IL - The Whistler w/ Courtesy

Feb 6 - Bloomington, IN - The Bishop w/ Busman’s Holiday

Feb 7 - Lousiville, KY - Zanzabar w/ Murals, Toy Tiger

It's Available Now // Let's Party Thursday

Tue, 11 Nov 2014 17:55:51 -0500

Buy the cassette HERE! Buy the cassette HERE! Buy the cassette HERE!

Stream the tape HERE! Stream the tape HERE! Stream the tape HERE!

Thx Comma Music

ANNOUNCING: TSR Chicago Cassette Compliation Vol II

Thu, 06 Nov 2014 13:11:03 -0500

It’s been a long road, but we’re finally here…

On the heels of the success of Vol. I, we are excited to announce Vol. II of Twosyllable’s Chicago Cassette Compilation!

Compiled with love of a scene, or a group of scenes, in the Second City that does not always get the love that music does on the coasts, Vol. II takes a snapshot of nascent Chicago music makers, regardless of genre, on their way up.

In many ways this comp breaks ground for us as a label: our first foray into Hip Hop and R&B, our first release of a continued series. But on top of all that, it’s personal. Chicago is home. The capital of the Midwest we left years ago, but a place that’s important to us. With its own identity, its own energy and its own talent, Chicago is a breeding ground for young talent displayed here.

Write these artists’ names down now, so one day you can say you knew them when!

Pre-order the cassette here:

http://twosyllablerecords.bigcartel.com/product/pre-order-twosyllable-records-chicago-compilation-vol-2

Pick up the Vol I + Vol II bundle here:

http://twosyllablerecords.bigcartel.com/product/pre-order-tsr-chicago-compilation-vol-1-vol-2

Pre-order the digi vers here:

http://twosyllablerecords.bandcamp.com/album/chicago-cassette-compilation-volume-2

Where We Have Been and What We've Been Up To

Thu, 27 Mar 2014 13:49:00 -0400

There comes a time in every label’s life where it must take a hiatus. Ours happened in 2012. It wasn’t calculated or pre-determined in any way, but Zach was planning a wedding and Brian was embroiled in personal and professional pursuits of his own. Both were about to move to a new neighborhood and time just wasn’t on their side.

Then, it was January 2013 when Twosyllable would unexpectedly receive the masters for one of the most incredible and powerful releases to date, Candy Claws' Ceres & Calypso in the Deep Time. We immediately began on a plan for release. Partnering with composer Bryan Senti, our go to mastering engineer, Michael Satlsman, our fabulous distributor, MRI, and our stand-by producer we set a release date for June 25.

That’s when it all started to fall apart…As the release date approached, we learned that unbeknownst to us, our local vinyl plant had shuttered. And, with hundreds of pre-orders to fill, we had no stock. Zero.

We scrambled to get our hands on the metal parts from the factory, and when we finally did, WEEKS later, they were too damaged to use. Our distributor put us in touch with a new local plant, Brooklyn Phono, who then took over the job from scratch, unfortunately putting us in a long cue with the rest of their incredible customers. Again, weeks passed.

But today, we come with good news…! This upcoming Tuesday, April 1, Ceres & Calypso in the Deep Time will finally be available in stores in the US! If you haven’t heard the record, stream it below and pick up a copy at your local record store on Tuesday!

<a href=“http://twosyllablerecords.bandcamp.com/album/ceres-calypso-in-the-deep-time” data-mce-href=“http://twosyllablerecords.bandcamp.com/album/ceres-calypso-in-the-deep-time”>Ceres & Calypso in the Deep Time by Candy Claws</a>

P.S. For our international customers… While we are no longer shipping internationally due to exorbitant costs, know that we are working on a solution for this record in particular. Check back here for updates as we have them. You can always e-mail us with questions: twosyllablerecords@gmail.com

Heads Up World, "Ceres & Calypso In The Deep Time" Out June 25

Wed, 22 May 2013 14:21:00 -0400

On their fourth full-length album - third for Twosyllable - Ceres & Calypso in the Deep Time, Fort Collins creative collective Candy Claws delve deep into new territory. The subject for the concept of this album goes beyond place and time and takes the listener on a Journey Through the Mesozoic Era. The album is divided into three parts highlighting major periods of the extinct reptiles’ history, Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous. Experience it in one sitting and the story will unfold before you like a theatrical play, grandiose at times and playful at others.

Of track “Transitional Bird (Clever Girl)”, Pitchfork says:

“…in adding a palpable joy and guileless wonder to the shoegaze blueprint…Candy Claws ensure that "Transitional Bird” sounds like pretty much nothing else that’s resulted in 20+ years of Loveless worship.“

Listen to "Transitional Bird (Clever Girl)” here !

Pre-oder the LP here!

New Release: TSR016 Candy Claws - Two Airships / Exploder Falls

Fri, 14 Sep 2012 09:55:33 -0400

On Tuesday September 18, for the first time EVER, Candy Claws freshman release, “Two Airships / Exploder Falls” is available on beautiful, audiophile vinyl!

To celebrate this momentous occasion, please visit twoairships.com, click on the titles under the video, and enjoy both A- and B-sides of this phenomenal release.

And when you’re done–and full hooked–pick up your 12" white label copy here.

New Release: TSR015: Houtakker - Houtakker

Wed, 29 Aug 2012 00:26:10 -0400

We’ve been waiting with bated breath for Joseph Murphy, the man behind Chicago’s Houtakker, to expand on songs we’d heard over the past few years. We are proud to digitally release this first offering from Houtakker.

Houtakker is no stranger to twosyllable, we included his wonderful “Judy, Judy” on our Chicago Comp last summer and he has played with Distractions and Pet Lions for years.

More interested in tones, textures and melodies than technique, Houtakker just wants to make you feel good.

Check out “The Spirit of Invention” below, and head over to our Bandcamp to listen to the entire album.

<a href=“http://twosyllablerecords.bandcamp.com/track/the-spirit-of-invention” data-mce-href=“http://twosyllablerecords.bandcamp.com/track/the-spirit-of-invention”>The Spirit of Invention by Houtakker</a>

Houtakker - Houtakker

Digital | out August 28th

Le Sphere De Monde
Hush-a-Lala
Your Front Door
Judy, Judy
The Spirit of Invention
Inner Eye
Death & Love
You Didn’t Have To Be So Nice
Endless Skies