Leaving for ZBR Fest tomorrow

June 08, 2022 by David Norman

Oh damn I hop on the first of two plants tomorrow morning at an ungodly hour…but I’m still psyched as all hell! I’m all packed and ready to go and the purple Loftus zip-ups were just dropped off and look absolutely stunning with this version having a fire iridescent back and front, so I’ll bring one of each size with me (M/L/XL). Line-ups? There ya go! (below, you numbskull)

Don’t forget that we still have a couple of orange Loftus zip-ups left, and here’s a little video of the purple iridescence.

Sale

LOFTUS - Orange Zip-Up Hoodie (/13)

from CA$40.00

A super limited run from Just Swell Designs on bright orange with iridescent ZBR logo and purple LOFTUS logo (by Kyle Calvert) and additional art by Vee of Just Swell Designs! Only 13 were made: 3 Small, 3 Medium, 3 Large, and 4 Extra Large. Sorry, no XX+ this time, but if these sell out we’ll do a made-to-order next. Just a heads up $60CAD is only about $47US :)

I’ve been friends with Arvid of Vi Som Alskade Varandra Sa Mycket (and Jazzbrunch aaaaaannnnd The Comedy) for quite some team, so it made sense to do a podcast!

Johnny’s Reco-mmendations: CAVE IN = New Cave In always deserves a push. I love half of this, and I’m still on the fence about the other half. Check it out for yourself!

2022 - 06 - 06 /// Loftus zip-ups!!!

June 06, 2022 by David Norman

Looky here. We had 23 super-rare zip-up hoodies custom made by CanaDave’s friend Vee at Just Swell Designs. She just dropped off the first 13, all orange. These will go up for sale on this website tomorrow morning (June 7th) at 9am PST. There are 10 more on purple with some specialized vinyl lettering but you’ll have to wait until ZBR Fest to see those. The shirts will be at the top of the New Items/Specials page, linked right the fuck here. 12”s and tapes still available!

Sale

LOFTUS - Orange Zip-Up Hoodie (/13)

from CA$40.00

What’s that? Kodan Armada? You…want…Kodan Armada? Didn’t they sell out? Yeah, they did. The ones with covers. When those Stupid Fancies arrived super late we also received 8 overs with no covers. Did we make covers? We did! Special ZBR Fest /8 covers!

Speaking of sold out, didn’t those Ice Hockey 12”s go pretty much immediately from Larry Records and Illuminate My Heart? Yep. But you know we scooped a couple up for distro and the Canada/International shop (this store) has one copy right now! You might find another at the fest…

ZBR Fest Mid-West 2022 is only a few days away! Join the facebook group (linked here) and nab yourself some tickets (linked here). Mystery set and tons of rebalance stuff, as well as new releases that won’t be out till after the fest! <3 Here are some videos from the 2019 endeavour in Vancouver!!!

Johnny’s Reco-mmendations: MOTHMAN = This Texas Dark Trail Records band put out ‘Cancer Withdrawal’ recently and it blew my mind. Check that shit out.

2022 - 06 - 03 /// ZBR Fest only a week away!

June 03, 2022 by David Norman

Tomb Tree just released Australia’s Gil Cerrone and their new/ridiculous EP ‘Coronach’. Honestly if you love the screamos then this fits like a sexy, nylon one-piece of skramz. FFO: Beau Navire, Loma Prieta, Funeral Diner, Raein, Via Fondo, etc.

ZBR Fest Mid-West 2022 is only a week away! Join the facebook group (linked here) or nab yourself some tickets (linked here). Mystery set confirmed and lol you gonna be very happy when you realize what’s happening <3 Here are some videos from the 2017 fest!!!

This Noise Is Ours did another ZBR retrospective, this time for the breakout debut 12” by Respire. ‘Gravity and Grace’ review is linked to this text and the 12”s are now on sale for a week!

RESPIRE - Gravity and Grace (12")

from CA$25.00

RESPIRE - Gravity and Grace (12”LP)

ZBR062
For fans of: Old Soul, Alaskan, Godspeed You! Black Emperoror, Neil On Impression and Fall Of Efrafa

Respire is a six-piece band from Toronto, Canada, who combine epic post-hardcore, screamo, and black metal into a very cohesive formula that drips of maturity and patience. Gravity and Grace is their debut LP - a sprawling memoir of genre-defying soundscapes, reverb-washed tremolo harmonies, cascading arpeggios, dreamlike textures and walls of distorted guitars roaring over frantic rhythms, punctuated by tormented vocals and a near-orchestral array of instruments and contributors. Themes of loss, addiction, heartbreak, and existential anguish paint a bleak picture, but somewhere over the horizon rests a glimmering sense of hope, resolve and forgiveness.

This is a co-release between Zegema Beach Records (Canada), Ozona Records (USA), Dingleberry Records (Germany) and Narshardaa Records (Germany).

1st press:
12" vinyl on black (/100) and white (/200)

2nd press:
12” vinyl on clear (/200)

3rd press:
12” vinyl on half white/half black with a poster insert. 9 songs.

Listen here:
https://zegemabeachrecords.bandcamp.com/album/gravity-and-grace

This Noise Is Ours also did a The World That Summer and Nionde Plagan review, only a few 10”s left! Click this text for the full review.

Johnny’s Reco-mmendations: MIDDLE MAN RECORDS = This label rules and predates ZBR by a few decades. Edie is a beautiful person who has helped so many. Please consider supporting them! P.S. new Overo!

2022 - 05 - 29 /// Crowning + Naedr aka 'Rayau' is tomorrow!

May 29, 2022 by David Norman

‘Rayau’, the Crowning + Naedr split 12” releases in full tomorrow Monday May 30th via Zegema Beach Records (North America/world) and Left Hand Label (Europe/world) at 9am PST / 11am CST / 12pm EST. They come on 200 mood-ring 12” vinyl and look awesome!

CanaDave’s offshoot Softseed Music just released Ramona Cordova’s ‘On Paper’ on cassette. This completes the two-album run from such a massively talented individual. They have more material out include the most recent ‘naïve‘ just last year, which I’ve linked at the bottom of this post.

Because of this, I’ve included the full Softseed discography in a Softseed section of the store from the primary Canada/International store drop-down menu. Or just click here!

Greed Worm was recently on The Cast That Ends Creation so check that shit out. James also does vocals in Crowning…he’s everywhere!

Anna Sage should be here soon. Here’s another review to wet your appetite, this time from Small Music Scene. Click on this text for the review. Buy that shit below.

ANNA SAGE - Anna Sage (cassette/12")

from CA$10.00

Johnny’s Reco-mmendations: RAMONA CORDOVA = A brilliant artist who I’ve been obsessed with for nearly two decades. Check out their newest album released last year.

2022 - 05 - 27 /// Social Caterpillar in, A Paramount A Love Supreme out

May 27, 2022 by David Norman

Due to logistical issues from a member acquiring a new job, A Paramount A Love Supreme will be unable to play the 2022 ZBR Fest Mid-West. Are we upset? Of course not, we totally get it. Are we gutted? You betcha. Fret not cuz Social Caterpillar has stepped up and taken their spot!

Members of Crowning and Greed Worm? You betcha. Got an Itto restock in both stores!!!

Sold out

ITTO - Pursuant (12")

CA$22.00

For fans of: Crowning and Mahria.

Ridiculously technical screamo and yes that’s Nnamdi on drums. LAST COPY / RESTOCK!!!

12” on gold vinyl with die-cut jacket. 12 songs.

Listen here:
https://ittochicago.bandcamp.com/album/pursuant

Tomb Tree recently released that ridiculous 4-way split featuring new tracks by Vientre, Letterbombs, Piet Onthel, and Demersal which was picked up by Stereogum (click on this text for said review). Did I just say Demersal? Well shit, two of those fine folks are in Telos and that Danish band just released a new non-album track from their upcoming LP release. Tomb Tree again will be making swirl tapes for this release. Ever say “Demersal is just way too soft and emo"? Seems unlikely, but if you did Telos is like Demersal after a trip through the nine circles of hell. Jam it below.

The Reverie full length had an interview/review via Rock It from Italy. 12”s coming at some point…I dunno when! Click on this text for the interview/review.

Johnny’s Reco-mmendations: LESS DEAD = This new Atlanta band just dropped two tracks of screamo fire. Did not see this coming. Very sick.