Update: What's in the Works

It's been slow here over at No Guidance HQ, but we're still going -- gasping, but somehow still alive, one might say. We've been slow with the updates due to our involvement with school and other far less interesting endeavors but, rest assured, we are slowly ironing out the details for our next few releases. Long since our initial announcement, we should finally be releasing something nice for Chalk Li, currently planning the packaging and accompanying goodies for the release as they prepare to record some new songs. We've got another cassette that I'm very excited for that we'll be announcing soon and we're also hopefully going to be helping to release a split 7" between Youth Funeral and Scowler (more details soon…it's always "soon, soon, soon").

The first batch of Youth Funeral cassettes are nearly sold out, with just two or three left and in the possession of the band now. The second run (out of a 100) have been ordered, are in, and are available for purchase either online or at the band's shows. In regards to those, here's a brief itinerary of what the band currently has planned, in case you were wondering or would like to help spread word. A number of these dates are with the seminal bands Capacities and Ittō so it's assuredly going to be a really good time.

ATTENTION: CANADIAN AUDIENCES -- We're sending a batch of the Youth Funeral cassettes up to our friend Dave at Zegema Beach Records for distribution. Finally, purchasing one of these will be financially reasonable and there hopefully won't be the issue of the exorbitant costs of shipping a single cassette and zine. I'll post another update when the package goes out and another, with link, for when Dave updates his distro.

Band Spotlight: Via Fondo (Zegema Beach)

(Photo courtesy of the band's Facebook)

Via Fondo, hailing from Sweden, is another fantastic new band being helped by Zegema Beach Records and Truelove Entertainment. Unlike La Parade, Via Fondo is very distinctly rooted in screamo, drawing influence heavily from European heavyweights such as Raein, La Quiete, and Suis La Lune. The guitars are lightly distorted and carry a strong sense of melody, oftentimes choosing spacey, reverb-drenched instrumental passages to carry the lengthy songs into new directions. Although Fast is only three songs long, each has enough going on that they never feel stale or repetitive. It's not unusual for moments of delicate beauty build into proper head-banging territory, while the end of the first track, "Not yet," has a soft, almost eerie, spoken outro.

(Photo courtesy of Zegema Beach Records)

In what seems to be typical Zegema fashion, the packaging and presentation for the release is top-notch. Each 12" package is decorated with clean yet effective artwork, while the records themselves are clear with a screen-printed B-side (not unlike Descubriendo a Mr. Mime's most recent LP). It's quite beautiful and fans of the genre owe it to themselves to check out the band and grab a copy of the record while they still can. I know I'm personally very eager to see what the band does next.

Preorder: http://www.zegemabeachrecords.com/distro/via-fondo-fast-12

Via Fondo Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/viafondo

Via Fondo Bandcamp: http://viafondo.bandcamp.com

Zegema Beach Bandcamp: http://zegemabeachrecords.bandcamp.com/album/fast-12ep

Band Spotlight: La Parade (Zegema Beach)

(Photo courtesy of the band's Facebook)

For those of you who are unfamiliar with the work of Dave Norman, Dave is a recent acquaintance of mine and a newfound friend for whom I have the utmost respect. His blog, OpenMind/SaturatedBrain, is, in my opinion, the best music discovery blog that is still active or relevant today. His posts are informative, well-written, and contain download links to the very best music in the emo/hardcore/punk community. Basically, if you enjoy aggressive or emotional music, his site is the perfect resource. Meanwhile, Dave also keeps busy running Zegema Beach Records, a young but consistently excellent label that clearly values the bands it supports.

In an effort to simultaneously support a friend and the great bands he works with, I plan on having a series of posts promoting the work Dave does over at Zegema Beach; after all, it's more music for more people.

Today's post focuses on the new La Parade CD/12" LP, Voces Del Exilio. Hailing from Spain, La Parade plays a highly melodic form of post-hardcore with effectively sung vocals. The second track on the LP introduces a more raw and aggressive side to the band, with more distorted instrumentation and screamed vocals.

Download: http://www71.zippyshare.com/v/14096713/file.html

Preorder: www.zegemabeachrecords.com/distro

La Parade Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/laparadeband

La Parade Bandcamp: http://laparademusic.bandcamp.com/album/voces-del-exilio

Zegema Beach Bandcamp: http://zegemabeachrecords.bandcamp.com/album/voces-del-exilio

Enjoy, and be prepared for more posts about our friends' labels and bands in the future!