6612 Tapes, a Norway-based label co-run by Hilarie Sidney, co-founder of The Apples in Stereo, The Elephant 6 Recording Company, and The High Water Marks, is releasing a new limited cassette compilation called So Many Things At Once. All proceeds from sales of the tape will benefit Justice Democrats. This organization aims to elect more progressive politicians in a presidential election year that is highly important in the U.S.
So Many Things at Once will drop on April 5th, which also happens to be Bandcamp Friday. The limited edition packaging features beautiful hand-drawn artwork by Per Ole Bratset, also of The High Water Marks and 6612 Tapes.
The music on So Many Things At Once features 15 unreleased tracks from bands that 6612 Tapes loves, including The Garment District, The Ladybug Transistor, and The High Water Marks. The Third Eye is especially interested in the project because of the inclusion of The Garment District.
The Garment District released one of my favorite psych albums of 2023, Flowers Telegraphed To All Parts of The World. The band contributes a remix of “A Street Called Finland” on this new tape compilation in collaboration with Pittsburgh-based musician, producer, and DJ BusCrates (Orlando Marshall). There’s also a live song recorded on a recent Ladybug Transistor tour in November. Jennifer Baron is involved in both these projects and acted as co-executive producer for So Many Things At Once.
All proceeds from the tape’s sales will benefit Justice Democrats. The music won’t be available on streaming services, as the main benefit is to raise money for the organization. However, you can purchase a digital copy on Bandcamp.
Justice Democrats’ mission is this: “We need a Democratic Party that fights for its voters, not big corporate donors. Our goal is to build a mission-driven caucus in Congress by electing more leaders like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Jamaal Bowman, who will represent our communities in Congress and fight for bold, progressive solutions to our current crises.”
I try not to talk politics on The Third Eye, but I think this is a good cause that might resonate with many readers. Unless you live in a cave, you know the world is a complete mess, and the 2024 U.S. presidential election will have a monumental impact. (However, if you lived in a cave off the grid, how would you be reading this post, anyway?)
How about the music on So Many Things At Once? The compilation definitely has some good stuff. The remix of The Garment District’s “A Street Called Finland” is a highlight. The song takes on an even more colorful, high-energy electronic form than the original version from last year. “A Street Called Finland” was one of my favorite tracks from Flowers Telegraphed To All Parts of The World, and the remix offers an exciting new take.
The live rendition of “Oceans in the Hall” by The Ladybug Transistor is also not to be missed. The warm, vintage psych-folk is a mellow blast from the past. “Ketamine Daydream” by Tape Olympics fits comfortably in the indie-rock feel of the rest of the compilation. It’s a track with plenty of hooks that will appeal equally to Nineties alternative and psych fans.
“YFF” by The High Water Marks combines lovely guitar riffs and gentle female vocals to create a sticky, sweet earworm. “Hear Me Out” by Dressy Bessy jumps out with funktastic, in-your-face enthusiasm that embraces the weird. “Willow Wisp” by Fuckelbery Hinn (I love that name!) grabbed me by the shirt collar and didn’t let go with its fluid psychedelic sound.
Fans of The Garment District and Ladybug Transistor will surely dig So Many Things At Once. The cassette compilation contains many indie rock and psych treats, from the funkier pop tracks to the more subdued alt-rock. The compilation also goes to a great cause, so that’s a huge plus. It’s an underground limited edition physical release that will be very cool to own. Enjoy!
Pre-order So Many Things At Once on Bandcamp here.
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