PREORDER NOW!!! Release Date: 10/23/2020
CORTEZ “Sell The Future”
The future is fast, the future is sharp, and the future has already been sold, baby, so you missed your shot. Better luck next time. Boston heavy rockers Cortez have always embodied an underdog spirit, from their 2007 debut EP, Thunder in a Forgotten Town, through their 2012 self-titled debut LP and 2017’s The Depths Below, but they’ve never sounded as supercharged as they do on Sell the Future. With the precision of heavy metal, the soul of classic rock, and the unbridled attitude of a band who care less about your expectations than they do about writing kick-ass, drive-fast, dynamic, hugely-grooved, hugely melodic and expansive tunes, Cortez arrive at their third album with a well-earned sense of freedom in their approach. It isn’t about what style they play or the genre niche you want to fit them in -- it’s about the crawling sleek of Sell the Future’s title-track, the crash of drums in “Sharpen the Spear” and the urgency of songs like opener “No Escape” and “Look at You.” Sell the Future is a record of and for turbulent times, but its working themes aren’t so pointed as to sound already dated in the fast-moving, unending “No Escape”-is-right news cycle the universe seems to inhabit. As much as the band have come into their own operating as the five-piece of vocalist Matt Harrington, guitarists Scott O’Dowd and Alasdair Swan, bassist/backing vocalist Jay Furlo and drummer Alexei Rodriguez, their dedication to classic, timeless rock and roll songwriting is unflinching. After taking part in Ripple Music’s The Second Coming of Heavy split series in 2018, Cortez have pushed themselves even further with Sell the Future, finding a passion and instrumental fury that comes through regardless of tempo and makes their songs all the more memorable. Whatever the days ahead might bring, Cortez stand ready. - JJ Koczan (TheObelisk.net)
Cover art: Timur Khabirov
Recorded and Mixed by: Benny Grotto at Mad Oak Studios
Mastered by: Alan Douches at West West Side Music
Psychedelic Rock Collective THUNDERBIRD DIVINE shares their tribute to The Yardbirds' "Happenings Ten Years Time Ago" ahead of the upcoming release of a three-song single 'The Hand of Man'.
The Philadelphia-based space hippies of THUNDERBIRD DIVINE will put forth their second release, 'The Hand of Man,' on March 28th via Salt of the Earth Records, alongside a documentary of the recording sessions.
"We absolutely loved what Thunderbird Divine did with Magnasonic, and The Hand of Man just keeps the ball rolling," says Scott Harrington, president of Salt of the Earth Records. "These guys are at the top of their game when it comes to songwriting and arrangements."
A companion recording, a cover of The Yardbirds' "Happenings Ten Years Time Ago" is presented here in video format and will be available for free download via the band's Bandcamp site. "We tracked and mixed that one ourselves," says guitarist / vocalist / multi-instrumentalist Erik Caplan. "We relate to The Yardbirds more and more as we continue writing. That band was stuck between being known as bluesy rock act and a progenitor of psychedelia and studio experimentation. This cover is a tribute to their brilliant work."
Primary tracking for the three-song 'The Hand of Man' single was done at Philadelphia's Retro City Studios, with Joe Boldizar handling most of the engineering duties. Additional layers were added at Brooklyn's Cottage Sounds Unlimited, with Charles Newman providing his prowess on various synths and keys. "Working with the guys was a total pleasure," says Boldizar. "They showed just the right amount of focus and did some fun experimenting with the tracks."
'The Hand Of Man' Tracklist:
- The Hand of Man
- Boote's Void
- '88 Testadoon
This release finds the band committed to its rock and psychedelic roots with a less densely embroidered approach to layering and instrumentation.
"For 'Magnasonic', we really went all out in the tracking process, just creating several sonically nuanced elements in every track," Caplan says. "We built those layers in the studio as we worked. For 'The Hand of Man' sessions, our orchestration and instrumentation, from the ladies singing backups and the electric sitar, to the Wurlitzer organ, was fully realized before we set foot in the studio." The result is a focused, streamlined trio of songs true to the band's love of both riff-rock and trippy experimentation.
This theme follows through the release's visual elements, as well. "For this recording's artwork, I started with a synthetic cubist design and built elements out from there," says bassist / multi-instrumentalist / art designer Adam Scott. "I intentionally departed from the vibrant color palette used on 'Magnasonic' and focused more on layers and space."
Additionally, THUNDERBIRD DIVINE will make available a 17-minute visual record of its recording process in the form of a documentary compiled by close band friend and fellow musician, Jamie Victor. "I love the guys, love the band and love making videos," Victor explains. "It all lined up. I consider these guys family, so it was my pleasure to make this for them. They didn't even know I was going to do it."
'The Hand Of Man' is available March 28th. Pre-order now:
Digital: https://thunderbirddivine.bandcamp.com/album/the-hand-of-man
Salt Of The Earth Records presents: Friday the 313th Oddities Bazaar!
In honor of Friday the 13th, we welcome the display of dark treasures from our collective minds and to share them with those who attend.
Featuring the strange & bizarre, unique crafters & artists, magick makers, psychics, & the unusual: all selling their wares and showcasing their talents in this curiosities market and music fest!
~ FREE ADMISSION!!! ~ Friday, 3/13 6pm - 12am ~ All ages welcomed (parental discretion advised) ~ Costumes encouraged ~ Live music ~ Full Bar and Menu available ~ Free parking and Wi-Fi
Music from:
~ Casting Shadows
~ Razorburn City
~ Witchkiss
~ Mother Iron Horse
Live suspension & Shibari exhibit featuring the rope work of
~ Aaron Sevenzeroeight of Lounge 708 Photography~
The amazing artisan works and awesome wares of: ~ Wicked Wall Masks ~ Forbidden Forest Art ~ Ten Twelve Woodworks ~ Maries Maille & More ~ Transformations by Obsidian Butterfly ~ Evernia Fay- Divination, Spirit Work, and Magick ~ Queen of Swords Tarot and Pendulum Readings ~ Doll or Art ~ All Things Handmade US ~ Zunda Illustrations ~ Charter Oak Leather ~ SALT OF THE EARTH RECORDS ~ 313Leggings ~
For more info, visit www.313OdditiesBazaar.com
SCISSORFIGHT Record Release Party / Scott Of The Earths 45th Birthday Throwdown
Take Deux!
Friday 2/7
@ Altones Music Hall (Jewett City, CT)
Come celebrate loud riffs and grey beards w/
SCISSORFIGHT
BUZZARD CANYON
CORTEZ
SENTINEL HILL
INVERTER
THUNDERBIRD DIVINE
This is the rescheduled snow date. All tickets from original date will be honored.
-All Ages
-Free Parking
-No Ticket Service Charges
-Full Bar
-Food
-Vendors
This will be a show for the ages!
Get your advance tickets now @
IT IS FINALLY TIME. Decades in the making... The FIRST Scissorfight album to be released on vinyl is upon us!
Preorders start Friday 9/27 Release Date: Friday 12/06
SCISSORFIGHT “Doomus Abruptus Vol 1” Extremely Limited Edition Hand Numbered Autographed Test Pressings Only (15) Available. Own some history. -$50
SCISSORFIGHT “Doomus Abruptus Vol 1” -Black Vinyl (Blue Collar Edition)- -$25
SCISSORFIGHT “Doomus Abruptus Vol 1” Digipak CD -$12
Track Listing:
Caveman Television
Dumpfight
Coagulus
Rock And/Or Die
Where Eagles Drink
Piss In The Wind
The Battle Of (Mudhole Mountain)
Lead Venom
Whatcha Get
Produced, Recorded, and Mixed by
Benny Grotto At Mad Oakes Studio (Allston MA)
Mastered By
Alan Douches West West Side Music
Special Collectors Edition CD
-BLUE COLLAR HEAVY-
-17 Song CD... containing tracks from
Salt Of The Earth Records Releases, plus a few suprises! Perfect Way to get a taste of all of our bands
Every order also comes with
-SOTER Collectors guitar pick and - Limited Edition SOTER "Blue Collar Heavy" Die Cut Sticker
Featuring Music From...
ATALA
SCISSORFIGHT
EARTHRIDE
BUZZARD CANYON
WHEN THE DEADBOLT BREAKS
RIFFLORD
CORTEZ
OL' TIME MOONSHINE
THUNDERBIRD DIVINE
VIA VENGEANCE
OLDE
SERPENTS OF SECRECY
SPIRAL GRAVE
SCUZZY YETI
CHOKE
SENTINEL HILL
OMEN STONES
Artwork By Kyle Stratton
Catch ATALA on their North American Tour w/ SIXES
6/14/2019 O’Malley’s – Mountain View, CA
6/15/2019 Mummer’s – Sparks, NV
6/16/2019 Beehive – Salt Lake City, UT
6/17/2019 Streets Of London – Denver, CO
6/18/2019 The Riot Room – Kansas City, MO
6/19/2019 The Lift – Dubuque, IA
6/20/2019 Reggie’s Music Hall – Chicago, IL
6/21/2019 Mohawk Place – Buffalo, NY
6/22/2019 Café 611 – Frederick, MD
6/23/2019 The Drunk Horse – Fayetteville, NC
6/24/2019 Alabama Music Box – Mobile, AL
6/25/2019 Come And Take It Live – Austin, TX
6/26/2019 Bond’s 007 Rock Bar – San Antonio, TX
6/27/2019 Rockhouse Bar & Grill – El Paso, TX
6/28/2019 House of Bards – Tucson, AZ
6/29/2019 Yucca Tap Room – Phoenix, AZ
6/30/2019 Slidebar – Fullerton, CA
Rehearsals are in full swing @ The Infamous ToughShed in 29 Palms
