Back in March, we got behind the #loverecordstores campaign to support independent music retailers during the Covid-19 crisis.
These are very important places for us, holy ground. They feed our hunger for musical discovery, got us hooked in the first place, even. Now, when all our hard work at Heavenly is distilled into a final object, a record, it’s these shops that get it into the hands and ears of music fans and make it all worthwhile.
During this time many shops have had to switch their focus to their websites. Some have opened for online business for the first time and others have provided social-distanced delivery by bike! These shops have remained hardworking and innovative during this time, providing fans with the music that’s keeping us company during lockdown.
#loverecordstores has partnered with a wide range of record labels who have already pledged to make limited edition releases available via over 130 independent record stores’ online platforms on June 20th.
This recently announced #loverecordstores event has now announced the list of the many special releases that will be available to music fans.
The list of releases and participating stores can be found here.
❃❃❃
Here at Heavenly we are pleased to announce releases from King Gizzard and The Lizard Wizard, Unloved, Hatchie (with The Pains of Being Pure at Heart) and Cherry Ghost.
❃
King Gizzard and The Lizard Wizard ‘The Rancid Rainwater Eco Mix’ Editions
‘The Rancid Rainwater Eco Mix’ editions of the nine albums, and one 12” EP King Gizzard & The Lizard released on Heavenly between 2014-2017 are being re-released as LOVERECORDSTORE specials.
All titles will be pressed on eco-wax (made from randomly leftover pellets, the vinyl tends to come out coloured like ‘murky pond water’), the sleeves are produced using recycled board and printed using plant based inks. The industry standard shrink wrap or plastic cover has been replaced with a recycled brown paper bag and the various promotional stickers which would have accompanied the release have been combined on one paper sticker. All printed parts are biodegradable and the release has been carbon offset to cover the records journey through production to your local record shop.
Talking about these very special editions, Stu Mackenzie said:
In 2020, plastic is in our oceans, it’s in our soils, it’s in our bodies. The irony of making music that will be pressed on a giant plastic disc is not lost on me. It is a privilege and a responsibility to own this record or any other. Be thoughtful and be kind to Mother Nature. We need her.
The albums to be released as part of this set are: I’m In Your Mind Fuzz (2014), Quarters! (2015), Paper Mache Dream Balloon (2015), Nonagon Infinity (2016), Flying Microtonal Banana (2017), Murder of the Universe (2017), Sketches of Brunswick East (2017), Polygondwanaland (2017), Gumboot Soup (2017) and the Head On / Pill 12” which was originally released as a one-side picture disc designed by artist Oliver Hibert and available as a limited run of 300 for 2014’s Record Store Day.
❃
Hatchie and The Pains of Being Pure at Heart 7”
Hatchie and The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart cover the Jesus and Mary Chain, with Hatchie’s ‘Adored’ on the B-side of this limited purple vinyl 45. Both tracks are previously unreleased.
❃
Unloved ‘Why Not / Strange Effect’ (Killing Eve) 7”
Two brand new tracks from Unloved, as featured in the much loved BBC America TV show Killing Eve. Their cover of the Kinks’ ‘Strange Effect’, featuring Raven Violet, is undoubtedly the soundtrack hit of season three.
❃
Cherry Ghost – ‘Beneath This Burning Shoreline’ LP
‘Beneath This Burning Shoreline’, released in 2010, was the second album from Cherry Ghost – the project of Ivor Novello winning songwriter Simon Aldred. Released on vinyl for the first time, ten years after its release, it stands as Aldred’s bona fide masterpiece: “It’s the one I always go back to, to remind myself what I get out of music.” A true Heavenly classic.
❃❃❃
Independent music and legendary Twitter Listening Party host Tim Burgess has been announced as the ambassador for the June 20th event. An online party is being curated by Tim Burgess and the #loverecordstores team, including exclusive ‘at home’ performances, DJ sets, ‘virtual drinks’, Q&A’s, readings and much more. Again, full details to follow.
Follow the Love Record Stores blog to keep up to date with all the June 20th news and online event information.