ZBR's Two-Week Break (kinda)

December 27, 2023 by David Norman

We’re currently on our two-week break aka family/inventory time. We’ll get most packages out by January 6th but if we don’t this is our official apology. You won’t hear much from us other than the Zampler release and some Vs Self chatter. See ya soon <3

Zegema Beach Records Fest 2024 has been over half-revealed, which is bonkers to look at and realize there are still more than 10 bands left to announce. Two day passes are dwindling, then you’ll have to wait for the final tickets in mid-January when we release Wave 3 + Single Day tickets. Click on either pic or this text to snag some tickets.

Zampler #22 is pretty much done, I’m just volume mastering and deciding on the final few tracks, as well as waiting to see if another band decides to do some stuff with us. Looks like we’ll have brand new/unreleased jams from Edhochuli, Terry Green, Gossip, Burial Etiquette, and Our Future Is An Absolute Shadow. Art by Yuri of Bok Suna!

After our two-week break the VS Self ‘Collection 19-23’ cassette releases (that’s Saturday January 6th). Above are the promo pics for each variant, starting with the primary bird/branch/flower swirl (the most abundant) all the way to the test dips (the rarest). Every one looks badass and will probably fly out the door.

CanaDave has been posting how-to-dip videos using the halfsies (yellow/blue) variant on TikTok so if you aren’t following us there you probably should!

You can also click on this pic to go to our TikTok page!

Our Future Is An Absolute Shadow is done and in-hand, we’re just prepping the inserts. 100 black 12”s. 15 tracks. A whole lotta screamin’ and mad riffs. As per the band’s way of doing things, the drums were written and recorded in their entirety before the guitars/bass were written and thrown on, followed by vocals from Dave Norman, Jesse Mowery, and guest vocalists Arvid (Vi Som Alskade Varandra Sa Mycket), Taylor and Jaccob (Burial Etiquette). ‘LP’ releases in full on January 15th, 2024. Jam the newest song from the record below!

CanaDave did an Out Past the Rings and Tomb Tree Family Tree video, this time for the Karloff/Amitie split 5” lathe and the Glass Noose ‘no more dignity’ cassette.

Operation X-Ray played some killer jams as per usual, stream it in full below! Gifts From Enola were featured on this episode.

Once the break is over we’ll drop our distro copies of Orchid’s ‘Chaos Is Me’ (only 20 copies available!!!) and a handful of Blind Girls 3rd pressing of ‘Residue’ thanks to No Funeral Records. Exact date will be released in the next news update so stay tuned!

Johnny’s Reco-mmendations: GXLLIAM! = We got something cookin’ for this release. Peep now!

2023 - 12 - 22 /// Gifts From Enola + ZBR Fest Wave 2!

December 22, 2023 by David Norman

Wave 2 is here! Holy crap! Direct ticket link:

https://www.ticketweb.com/event/zbr-fest-2024-two-day-subterranean-tickets/13336913?pl=beatkitchen

Gifts From Enola released yesterday and we immediately sold all of the test dips and swirls, as well as over half of the opaque/transparent versions. Check out this incredible band on the 10th anniversary of their hiatus.

Obroa-skai is still getting love, this time from Everything Is Noise focusing on the unique and experimental side of the band. The Canada store should be restocked next week, in the meantime sneak over to the US store to snag a copy. Click on this text or the pic above to go there, or jam/buy below!

Brooklyn Vegan dropped their 10 Best Screamo albums and we’ve got a couple on there! Check out the article to find out who made it!!! Click on the pic above or this text to go there.

Invisible Oranges gave their best grindcore albums from the latter half of 2023 and obviously Closet Witch is on there. Check the list by clicking on this text and jam/buy ‘Chiaroscuro’ below.

Out Past the Rings #180 is the Malisa Bahat and Zmar split 7”…and we’re down to one last copy! Also be sure to see Zmar at ZBR Fest 2024 and pick up their new 12”LP ‘Naporad’ which is linked via this text.

Johnny’s Reco-mmendations: было подло = This five-track demo from Russia shows hella promise. Stoked on future recordings!

2023 - 12 - 20 /// Lower Automation video + Gifts From Enola reveal #3+4

December 20, 2023 by David Norman

A couple of things. First and foremost there’s the upcoming Wave 2 + the regular-priced two-day tickets for ZBR Fest 2024 this Friday the 22nd at (most likely) 12am CST / 1am EST. Access the site, schedule, and ticket links here.

One of the two Inosuke variants are apparently done. So we except the other to finish up by early January, therefore we should be in line to get them shipped out as stated by the end of January. Pre-order/listen by click on this text.

Carrion Spring tapes shipped this week to Tomb Tree so those will be available early January after our two-week breather. Jam the EP here.

Lower Automation did some live jams on the Chicago Music Exchange! Definitely check it out and snag their most recent ‘Strobe Light Shadow Play’ 12” below!

Woah nelly this is the last news post before the Gifts From Enola ‘2006-2013’ boxset releases on Thursday at 9am PST / 11am CST / 12pm EST! Four cassettes that include heaps of unreleased/live material in addition to the band four albums and handful of splits for over five hours of incredible music. Above are the last two cassettes ‘Gifts From Enola’ and ‘A Healthy Fear’, the former also includes the Caravels split, a brand new song, and two live jams while the latter houses a remix and four unreleased demos. Watch their two music videos below, one from each of the aforementioned cassette releases.

Founding member and guitarist of Joliette Jopo was kind enough to come on CanaDave’s podcast and talk about his musical upbringing, the underground in Mexico, the band’s new EP ‘Luz de Bengala’, and their forthcoming record. Click on the pic above or this text to go to the full post, or just listen below.

Johnny’s Reco-mmendations: RATBOYS = I just found out about this Chicago indie rock band and this new album rules. Think a more accessible Wednesday crossed with Frankie Cosmos.

2023 - 12 - 18 /// Tristan Tzara 12" + Gifts From Enola reveal #2

December 17, 2023 by David Norman

The cat is out of the bag, our next mage set will be for the upcoming Tristan Tzara 12” discography! Much more info to come on this, but be sure to hunker down on January 31st, 2024. These are in hand and LOOK AMAZING. The release date might shift a few days so keep your eyes peeled.

And remember, this upcoming Friday the 22nd is Wave 2 + the regular-priced two-day tickets for ZBR Fest 2024. Scream for screamo.

9am PST / 11am CST / 12pm EST is the Gifts From Enola ‘2006-2013’ boxset release! Four cassettes that include heaps of unreleased/live material in addition to the band four albums and handful of splits for over five hours of incredible music. Above is the ‘From Fathoms’ cassette, which includes (arguably) the band’s finest work. Exceptional stuff. Below is perhaps my fave from this tape, as there are a ton of amazing tracks to choose from, including another unreleased jam and three live ones!.

Out Past the Rings #179.5 is fucking ridiculous and was rather painful, to boot. Zampler #14 ‘Games and Theory’!!!

Johnny’s Reco-mmendations: MAPS = The Gifts From Enola boys got me onto this. Mathy and jangly post-rock/post-hardcore not unlike the Gifts themselves.

Click to visit the ZBR Fest 2024 site! More tickets releasing December 22nd!!!

2023 - 12 - 16 /// Gifts From Enola reveal #1

December 16, 2023 by David Norman

So Zegema Beach Records Fest 2024 had the early birds go up yesterday but they’ve already sold out. Wave 1 was met was a most ridiculous response, we thank you! Wave 2 reveals at the same time as the regular-priced tickets on Friday December 22nd.

A day before the next ZBR Fest reveal will be the Gifts From Enola discography boxset. Four cassettes that include heaps of unreleased/live material to boot. Over five hours of incredible music. Above is the ‘Loyal Eyes Betrayed The Mind’ cassette, which includes the band’s earliest work, done at 18-19 years old whilst in college. Exceptional stuff. Below is my fave from this tape.

CanaDave did the Zegema Beach way and created a second TikTok because we got locked out of our first one. You can check it out here or by scanning the QR code down below. Later today/tomorrow we’ll release a How To Dip Tapes Properly tutorial video.

This Noise Is Ours continued their ZBR Roster Review series goin’ with the first In Wolves’ Clothing cassette EP. Features members from Our Future Is An Absolute Shadow, Majorel, Mothlight, Gas Up Yr Hearse!, etc. Long sold out. Click on these words or the pic above to go to the review. Jam below

Johnny’s Reco-mmendations: E-SIMS FOR GAZA (compilation) = Tons of bands showing support for those getting the most wretched of shafts in Gaza. Unreleased jams from Spirit Of Versailles, Our Future Is An Absolute Shadow, Burial Etiquette, and more!!!