Fonda "I Can Still Hear Our Song"
(David Klotz/Emily Cooke)

Fonda make their second appearance on Planting Seeds' compilation with this fabulous track, taken from the sessions for "Catching Up To The Future."  You may have also remembered the band from their contribution to PSR's 2002 collection "Dreaming Up The Perfect Pop" (PSRCD-012) - their track "Summerland" was featured.  The band is currently working on new material, For more information on Fonda, please visit them at www.fondamusic.com

Astropop 3 "Anything" (Dan Villanueva)

Astropop 3, have been creating melodic pop music since it's inception in 1995.  Singer/Songwriter/Guitarist Dan Villanueva shines on with this stellar track taken from their 2004 third LP "Allies and Stepping Stones" (PSRCD-030).   If this is your first time listening to the band, you may want to explore the bands extensive catalogue:  1998's self-titled debut; 2001's critically acclaimed follow-up "Eclipsing Binary Star" and a surplus of singles and compilation appearances. For information visit the band at www.astropop3.com

Fiel Garvie "I Didn't Say" (Fiel Garvie)

Fiel Garvie is one of the United Kingdom's most enigmatic and innovative pop music ensembles. After a previous collaboration in the acclaimed quartet Passing Clouds in the early 1990s (Protect Your Paper Ears EP, Creation's Happy Reel EP), Anne and Adam formed Fiel Garvie in 1996, along with Greg and Jude. Emma joined up in 2002. During the past seven years the quintet has released five singles, an EP, and two full-length albums.  For more great information on the band, please visit the band's official site:  www.fielgarvie.co.uk

Pinkie "She's Dead" (Davey Woodward)

From the ashes of his previous band Brighter (Alex has also been involved with Hal, Fosca, and live performances with Harper Lee)  Multi-instrumentalist Alex Sharkey picks up where that great Sarah Records band left off.  Pinkie presents an even greater collection of songs for the broken hearted.  Exploring pops great past and meshing the sounds of the future.   For further investigation on Pinkie see also the fabulous mini LP "My Little Experiment"  "Sharon Fussy" is the latest release, it's 14 tracks all the kids are talking about.  Visit Pinkie at:  www.plantingseedsrecords.com/pinkie  

Mark Gardener "Snow In Mexico"
(Mark Gardener)  

In early 2003 Goldrush went on a brief tour bringing their Trailerpark club idea, which had originated in a dank Cellar in Oxford, to the rest of the country. The idea was that like-minded artists could tour together and even play together onstage, a little like the Rolling Thunder tours of the Seventies, with DJ Toby Kidd providing a more modern slant by playing in-between acts to keep things cooking. Toby had for the past few years been DJing at a night called The Blender in Oxford, in tandem with one Mark Gardener. Yes, the same Mark Gardener who had led Ride in the early nineties and who, after a couple of years away, was now looking to get back into music. Thanks to their recent Best Of.., Ride were being rediscovered by a new generation and name checked by many current bands, so Mark was also keen to play some of those songs he hadn't heard for years.  For more information on Mark Gardener, please visit him online at:  www.markgardener.com

The Sixth Great Lake "Everything Is White"
(The Sixth Great Lake)

Originally born out of the ashes of the late Vermont group Guppyboy, The Sixth Great Lake has held many guises through an ever-evolving family of friends. This diversity produces a body of music which, though firmly rooted in American musical traditions, can transpose itself to the needs of many listeners in a given album. The band has recently emerged from the studio with a new album -“Sunday Bridge”. This collection, steeped in back-road roots/folk and relaxed mystery, unfolds like a diary, each song revealing a new tale of friendship, love and wallowing in the warmth of company. With “Sunday Bridge” set for release in  2004/2005, and their first ever U.S. tour a grand success, The Sixth Great Lake look forward to making new friends and renewing old vows. The first record by The Sixth Great Lake - "Up the Country" was released in the spring of 2001 (Kindercore Records). Described as "a bucolic musical patchwork", this album garnered critical praise in prominent pockets of the musical globe. That fall they were invited to perform as one of the headlining groups at The Crossing Border Festival in Amsterdam as well as live on VPRO:  Amsterdam Public Radio.  Visit them online at www.sixthgreatlake.com

Sister Vanilla "Pastel Blue"
(Linda Reid/William Reid)

Sister Vanilla make their U.S. debut release with the track "Pastel Blue", which features Linda Reid on vocals and William Reid (Guitarist/Vocalist of the great Jesus And Mary Chain) on the instruments. For those familiar with Linda Reid, you may remember her vocal work on the track "Mo Tucker" on the 1998 Jesus and Mary Chain release "Munki" (Subpop Records).  Linda continues to ready Sister Vanilla's debut LP "Little Pop Rock" - "Pastel Blue" is only a hint of what's to come!  For more information, please visit:  www.sistervanilla.com 

©photo courtesy of sistervanilla.com

Xavier Pelleuf "Fourth Of July"
(Scott Meiggs)

A project surrounded by secrecy and mystery - XP also known as Xavier Pelleuf, follow up their appearance on 2002's Planting Seeds Records compilation "Dreaming Up The Perfect Pop" ("Wisconsin") with a fabulous track titled "Fourth of July." This time out XP is joined by Pinkie's Alex Sharkey on Keyboards and co production along with mainstay Jeff Scott Meiggs.  What comes out is a beautiful blend of orchestrated pop and acoustic driven, heartfelt ballad. You're bound to pick it as your very own favorite!   For further listening, check out Scott's previous works with Sunday Smoke Kit.  Xavier Pelleuf is tentively scheduled for another release titled "Hey Friend".  Please read more about Xavier Pelleuf at:  www.plantingseedsrecords.com/xp  

The Voyces "Don't Want To Go Back"
(Brian Wurschum)

If you've never heard The Voyces, you may be missing out on a great folk rock band from New York City by way of sunny California.  You can hear their sunny harmonies ala Simon and Garfunkle/Fleetwood Mac.  The band is led by singer/songwriter Brian Wurschum along with Laurel Hoffman and company.  For more info on the Voyces please visit them at:  www.thevoyces.net and pick up their great LP "The Angels of Fun".  

Camera Obscura "Books Written For Girls" (Camera Obscura)

Camera Obscura contributes to the Planting Seeds Records compilation with a fabulous exclusive track courtesy of Elefant Records.  The band has been compared to the likes of fellow Scots Belle and Sebastian, which one Stuart Murdock produced the bands single "Eighties Fan".  The band is back with a new LP titled "Underachivers Please Try Harder" which is released by Merge Records in the USA. For more information on the band, please visit www.camera-obscura.net

©photo courtesy of www.camera-obscura.net

The Asteroid No. 4 "Back Where I Belong"
(The Asteroid No. 4)

The A4's history began in the late nineties with a series of singles, compilations, live performances and their first major studio effort, the self-produced debut album, "Introducing..." (Lounge Records). Released worldwide in 1998, it received critical acclaim in major publications such as Magnet, Pulse and CMJ. The record was compared to all things psychedelic, from early Pink Floyd to Verve. Alternative Press praised the single from the album, "What A Sorry Way to Go" as a "Single of the Month". The debut also charted in the 30's on CMJ's Top 200. Following its release, they took to the road and toured with fellow Philadelphian's, the Lilys.  The band has recently evolved in direction ala Country rock -See:  Buffalo Springfield, Bob Dylan, The Byrds, and more, to getter a clear picture.  The band contributes a fantastic exclusive track "Back Where I belong."  For further reading, visit the band at:  www.asteroid4.com

Freeheat "Back On The Water" (Jim Reid)

Freeheat was formed in the last months of the 20th century, consisting of four members - Jim Reid (vocals and guitar) was a founder member of The Jesus & Mary Chain and remained in that group until their chaotic demise in 1998 after which the Mary Chain's Reid brothers went their separate ways. Guitarist Ben Lurie was also in The Jesus & Mary Chain for the best part of a decade. Nick Sanderson on drums has until recently fronted his own band, the London-based Earl Brutus. Bass player Romi Mori used to be a member of The Gun Club.  The band has released an EP, in the U.S. "Don't Worry, Be Happy" (Hall of Records) and "Retox (Outafocus) in the U.K.  For more details/news on the band, please visit them at:  www.freeheat.com

L to R Ben Lurie, Romi Mori, Nick Sanderson, and Jim Reid  ©photo/biography courtesy of freeheat.com

Goldrush are Robin, Joe, Garo, Hamish and G.

After a year spent travelling the globe recording and backing Mark Gardener, the band are ready to return with a brand new EP, called "Ozona". It is the first release since Hamish joined the band a year ago. The lead track will be "Wait For The Wheels", a rocking beast of a tune recorded with Dave Fridmann in deepest New York State.

Here's what the Dallas Music Guide said about the band's recent South By Southwest appearance in Austin, Texas: 'I heard I missed out on a band called Goldrush (Oxford UK). A Thrills fan told me, "They sounded a lot like The Thrills, but a lot better."'

The new record "The Ozona EP" is out now!  Check them out at the official site:  http://www.goldrush.mu/

©photo/bio courtesy of www.goldrush.mu

Tracy Shedd "Airplane" (Tracy Shedd)

Jacksonville, FL's Tracy Shedd makes her second appearance on a Planting Seeds Records (her first being 2002's "Christmas With Planting Seeds." and the acoustic "I will Keep You Warm")   This time out Tracy is showcasing her more "band" oriented sound, which features Cash Carter  (drums), husband James Tritten (guitar), Richard Dudly (Bass) .  Tracy has released two great records on Teenbeat Records, a third, titled "Louder Than You Can hear"  is put now on Devil In The Woods Records.  For more info on Tracy and Live dates near you, check out www.tracyshedd.com    

(Left To Right:  Cash Carter  (drums), Tracy Shedd (vocals, guitar), James Tritten (guitar), Richard Dudly (Bass)  (Photo by Steven Haley courtesy of tracyshedd.com)

The Autumn Leaves "See The Light Again" (David Beckey)

Minneapolis's The Autumn Leaves make their Planting Seeds Records debut with a fabulous track "See The Light Again."  The band features mainstay singer/songwriter/guitarist David Beckey.  Planting Seeds first heard the Autumn Leaves via their great  debut LP "Treats and Treasures" and their fine pop classic "You didn't Say A Word" released by Grimsey Records in 1997.  The band followed  up with "The Twilight Hours of The Autumn Leaves" in 2002.  For a good idea of the bands sound, think The Essex Green, The Church, and 1960's Psychedelic/retro guitar pop.  David Beckey and Co. are currently working on new material.  Visit the band for more details and news at www.theautumnleaves.net

Linda Draper  "Color Blind" (Linda Draper)

For those yearning for some great music, look no further than New York City singer/songwriter Linda Draper who just happens to be making her second appearance on Planting Seeds Records. You may also remember Linda from her 2002 inclusion on "Christmas With Planting Seeds" (PSRCD-022).  Her style can be described as the classic songwriting of Nick Drake with vocal phrasing ala Joni Mitchell - but make no mistake, Linda creates her own brand of music - call it "Atmospheric Space Folk." All of Linda's releases have met with critical acclaim.  Currently she is working on new material with producer Kramer (who incidentally produced records from Low, Galaxie 500 and Urge Overkill to name a few).  Kramer has also produced all three of Linda's great records:  "Ricochet" (2001); "Snow White Trash Girl" (2002); "Patchwork" (2003).  For more information on Linda Draper, please visit her at:  www.lindadraper.net.

Michael Barrett "Loving Arms" (Tom Jans)

Michael Barrett has continuously produced great tracks and timeless music  from his time in the Ladybug Transistor, to his more recent membership with the Essex Green and The Sixth Great Lake. With his blend of country, folk and psychedelia receiving critical acclaim worldwide, his latest offerings in both the Sixth Great Lake and solo performances are no exceptions!  Michael Barrett released his three year opus titled "Couches and Carpet" (PSRCD-017) on Planting Seeds. From there he has made appearances on 2002's classic "Dreaming Up The Perfect Pop" and continues to record and perform. His most recent outting was the 2004 Athens Popfest with the likes of The Sunshine Fix, Boyracer, and The Minders, among others.  More is sure to come. Please check out all things Michael Barrett at:  www.stratfordprojects.com

Dakota Suite "All That I Hold Near"

Dakota Suite makes their third release appearance on Planting Seeds Records. The first outing was the 2002 release of "Dreaming Up the Perfect Pop" compilation and 2003's US release of the CDLP "This River Only Brings Poison." The loosely configured lineup of Leeds-based Dakota Suite is centered around the group's talented frontman, singer/guitarist Chris Hooson; the only other firm member of the group is producer Richard Formby — formerly a collaborator with Spaceman 3, the Telescopes, and Jazz Butcher — who handles occasional guitar chores and various other instrumentation, including harmonium, Fender Rhodes, lap steel, bowed double bass, and tape effects. Various other members have included David Buxton on bass guitar and pedal steel; John Sheppard on drums; Peter Haslam on piano; and Colin Dunkley, who also plays the piano, provides the strings, and co-writes much of the group's instrumentals. Hooson — whose vocal style is often compared to Red House Painters' Mark Kozelek, Spain's Josh Haden, and Mark Eitzel — often bases his songs on haunting personal experiences; he attempted suicide in late 1995 (taking to his bed, he tried to will himself to stop living). Hooson has also worked at in a hospice for terminal alcoholics, witnessing first-hand the despair and psychic pain that infuses his languid and somewhat sad country-flecked songs, which are highlighted by simply-strummed acoustic guitars, brushed drums, brittle horns, keening lap steel, soulful electric piano, and the occasional cellos and violins. The group also perform chamber orchestra music. More Dakota Suite at:  http://www.hooson.demon.co.uk/  

back to top