New Releases Out Tonight at the Lost City Music Festival (8/8 at 8)

Posted on August 8, 2013 by John Praw Kruse

Today is the day!

The Lost City Music Festival 2013 starts tonight, 8/8 at 8:00 PM at the High Noon Saloon. This first show, one of many (see the schedule here), is extra special: this show marks the release of FOUR brand new entries in the Mine All Mine catalog. Read on below for more information about each release. You can grab all four of these releases tonight at the High Noon.

mam242 – bell monks vs s.k.pierce – A Better Light (CD & Digital)

The newest EP from Wisconsin slow-rockers bell monks, A Better Light, features the band opposite Madison’s multi-talented Shawn Kenneth Pierce (Dharmonic Deluxe, Pioneer). This 5-track EP stands in contrast to last year’s double-disc opus, Let the Waves Carry Us. The CD version of A Better Light will cost just $3, and all proceeds from sales of the album (digital or CD) will be donated to the Fort Atkinson Arts Council. [Stream Here]

mam243 – Softly, Dear – Portico (Cassette Tape & Digital)

Softly, Dear has a very ‘Wisconsin’ sound. Portico is the debut effort from this Eau Claire-based band, who formed late summer 2012. After brewing for a while, it’s ready to breathe. Softly, Dear is made up of Tyler Hart, Josh Frederick, Alex Adkinson, Ben Possi and Addie Strei. Mine All Mine is proud to release this limited-run cassette version of the previously-self-released EP, including a bonus Phobos remix of one of our personal favorites, Melange. Grab the cassette tonight. [Stream Here]

mam244 – Nude Human – Blind? (CD+Poster & Digital)

Nude Human is the ambient duo of prolific experimenters John Praw and Pat Reinholz. Founded in 2012, the band has focused on creating live soundscapes, most frequently choosing to perform in 4.0 surround sound. Blind? is made up of a live recording on August 1st, 2012 for the first Lost City Music Festival. This limited edition CD is released exclusively at the Lost City Music Festival 2013, as Nude Human prepares to record their debut full-length album. [Stream Here]

mam245 – Lovely Socialite – Star-Spangled Single (Art Print & Digital)

After the successful Kickstarter-funded release of Registers Her Delight, Madison’s heavy hitting jazz rock ensemble Lovely Socialite Mrs. Thomas W. Phipps scattered to the wind. Now living in multiple cities, the band has found the means to return to record their new, as-of-yet-untitled full-length album. Mixing modern jazz with unique instrumentation (vibraphone, cello, bass, drums, trombone and Chinese instruments), Star-Spangled is the first single off the band’s new album. Recorded just a month ago, the single includes Lovely Socialite’s take on the Star-Spangled Banner, as well as an extended improvisation. Star-Spangled is being released as a limited edition 10-inch art print and digital download. [Stream Here]

Softly, Dear Joins Mine All Mine Records for “Portico” Cassette Release

Posted on June 27, 2013 by John Praw Kruse

Softly, Dear

Mine All Mine Records is proud to welcome Eau Claire band Softly, Dear to the family! The band is made up of Tyler Hart, Josh Frederick, Alex Adkinson, Ben Possi and Addie Strei, and will be joining Mine All Mine to release the limited edition cassette tape version of their debut EP, Portico. [Read on for more details.]
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PREVIEW: Softly, Dear’s “Portico” EP Release Show (Eau Claire)

Posted on June 7, 2013 by John Praw Kruse

Softly, Dear “Portico” EP Release Show
The Volume One Gallery
205 N. Dewey St., Eau Claire, WI
7:00 PM / FREE / ALL AGES

If you’re in Eau Claire tonight, you better have a good excuse not to see Softly, Dear release their new EP. Portico is the debut effort from the band, who formed late summer 2012. After brewing for a while, it’s ready to breathe.

Softly, Dear is made up of Tyler Hart, Josh Frederick, Alex Adkinson, Ben Possi and Addie Strei. Even though Addie joined after the EP was recorded, I think she’s going to be a great addition to the band. Addie’s previous work (most notably as the driving force behind Adelyn Rose) has always been top notch, and Softly, Dear is quickly climbing to the top of my list of favorite Madison bands.

Softly, Dear has a very ‘Wisconsin’ sound, and I was lucky enough to check out Portico before it’s release tonight. The band has a pretty wide stylistic range, but Portico never falls apart because of it. Beyond all else, it just feels like guys you’ve known forever playing tunes for you.

Check out a stream of Better Times below, the first single taken from Portico. I’ve also included two recent press quotes in case you need any more convincing. Don’t miss it!

Softly, Dear is a fairly recent indie-folk addition to the already rich Eau Claire music scene that loves jam sessions, exploring their stylistic range, and refining their sound. Their musical influences range from a broad variety of acts such as Miles Davis, Radiohead, and The Avett Brothers to local ones, including Laarks and Meridene. – VolumeOne.org

Better Times starts off as all good US guitar bands do. Jangly, distorted guitars backed by an angry synth and a disco beat. It’s nothing new but perfectly pleasant. If these chaps hailed from Camden this would sound a whole lot less cool. It’s indie rock by numbers until the song takes a squealing left at the lights. Banjos descend, group vocals wail, honky-tonk piano, plinks-and-plonks and suddenly we’re drunkenly swinging from the chandeliers. – GoldPaintFlakes