Deeppa Records kicks off a new 7" series here that aims to pair emerging artists with established names from the label's artistic circle. The opening release introduces Tolyatti producer Pasadena with 'Vodichka Nice', a laid-back, groove-led gem that recalls 'Stepoing Into Tomorrow' era Donald Byrd with its seductive drums, squelchy slow-bass and soft-focus melodic wonder. It's already becoming a fave on the scene and on the reverse, respected producers Scruscru and Tony Lavrutz reshape the original with a remix that leans into deeper club territory, though keeps the bright melodies and inviting horizontal feel. Two sides, two moods, two essential cuts.

TRACK LISTING

Vodichka Nice
Vodichka Nice (Scruscru & Tony Lavrutz Re-Digged Mix)

The Small Faces’ legendary 1968 No.1 album 'Ogdens’ Nut Gone Flake' returns in stunning new editions. Lavishly recreated as a limited facsimile LP with half-speed mastering for richer, more dynamic sound. Features classic hits like 'Lazy Sunday' plus the iconic 'Happiness Stan' story concept. Definitive 3-CD set includes mono & stereo mixes and rare archive recordings from 1967–68 sessions. Released on Kenney Jones’ new Nice Records label, with premium packaging, artwork, and exclusive content.

TRACK LISTING

LP Tracklisting:
1. Ogdens` Nut Gone Flake
2. Afterglow
3. Long Agos And Worlds Apart
4. Rene
5. Song Of A Baker
6. Lazy Sunday
7. Happiness Stan
8. Rollin` Over
9. The Hungry Intruder
10. The Journey
11. Mad John
12. Happydaystoytown

CD Tracklisting:
CD1 - Ogdens' Nut Gone Flake (MONO):
1. Ogdens` Nut Gone Flake
2. Afterglow
3. Long Agos And Worlds Apart
4. Rene
5. Song Of A Baker
6. Lazy Sunday
7. Happiness Stan
8. Rollin` Over
9. The Hungry Intruder
10. The Journey
11. Mad John
12. Happydaystoytown

CD2 - Ogdens' Nut Gone Flake (STEREO):
1. Ogdens` Nut Gone Flake
2. Afterglow
3. Long Agos And Worlds Apart
4. Rene
5. Song Of A Baker
6. Lazy Sunday
7. Happiness Stan
8. Rollin` Over
9. The Hungry Intruder
10. The Journey
11. Mad John
12. Happydaystoytown

CD 3 - Outtakes & Rarities:
1. Ogdens’ Nut Gone Flake (early session version) (mono)
2. Afterglow (alternate USA mix) (stereo)
3. Long Agos And Worlds Apart (alternate USA mix) (stereo)
4. Rene, The Dockers Delight (early session version) (stereo)
5. Song Of A Baker (alternate USA mix) (stereo)
6. Lazy Sunday (alternate USA mix) (stereo)
7. Happiness Stan (backing track) (mono)
8. Bun In The Oven (early session mix) (mono)
9. The Fly (take 4 instrumental version) (stereo)
10. The Journey (single version) (mono)
11. Mad John (take 7 early session version) (stereo)
12. Mad John (single version) (mono)
13. HappyDaysToyTown (alternate USA mix) (stereo)
14. Kamikhazi (take 7 backing track) (mono)
15. Every Little Bit Hurts (early session mix) (mono)
16. (If You Think You’re) Groovy (backing track) (mono)
17. Afterglow Of Your Love (alternate single mix) (mono)
18. Ogdens’ Nut Gone Flake (alternate take phased mix) (stereo)

The long awaited first time reissue of the this NYC boogie bomb. Originally released in 1983, now a hugely sort after unit. Produced by the highly acclaimed Elliot Rosoff & John Gomez, the track's rigid drum programming and sunny guitar licks combine with that trademark bassline squelch for a moment of true boogie bliss!

Remastered by the grammy award winning studio The Carvery's Frank Merritt.

STAFF COMMENTS

Matt says: Another hard to aquire boogie blast reissued by the good folks at Remote Destination. From the sunny flute licks to the deep squelchy bassline and of course, those delicate little guitar chops and sensual vocal section. There's plenty to enjoy on this bonafide boogie beast!

TRACK LISTING

Nice And Slow
Nice And Slow (instrumental)

Debuts come and go. Some serve as juvenilia. Others showcase lost promise. Rarely are they cultural touchpoints. Enter This Better be Something Great by Westside Cowboy, an EP rammed with nu-generational indie. It’s been a while since something so era-defining dropped but you get the impression that Westside Cowboy are about to become a reference point. Shorthand for a new movement in guitar music. And when the dust settles, held in similar acclaim reserved for only the most influential of indie bands. With a sound raw as a carpet burn, they ride a thrilling lo-fi boxcar tuned to the melodic precision of Teenage Fanclub and held together with the slacker cool of Pavement. Authentic, fidgety and immediate, the guitars on this record crackle like a twinkling bed of kindling primed to ignite at any given moment and when they do it’s a barn dance of headrush overdrive & blitzkrieg drums leaving listeners raw and fully exposed to each bristling, crackle of magic coming their way. File under: modern classic.

STAFF COMMENTS

Barry says: The apex of the modern sound of loose, jangling indie and off-kilter experimental rock from Manchester's own Westside Cowboy. If the 7" was anything to go by, this latest iteration of their deeply melodic but unusually chaotic grunge-pop indie business is going to go down a STORM. Get in quick.

TRACK LISTING

SIDE A:
01. I've Never Met Anyone I Thought I Could Really Love (Until I Met You)
02. Alright Alright Alright
03. Drunk Surfer

SIDE B:
04. Shells
05. Slowly I'm Sure

Born from the raw, deafening sounds of basement jams and scrappy house shows, Leeds four-piece Fuzz Lightyear are consistently trying to be the loudest and fastest bands around them. Channelling the DIY ethos that birthed them, their focus remains on sustained experimentation, community, and uninhibited rock and roll. Releasing dual singles 'My Body' // 'Visual Effect' with Nice Swan Records, Fuzz Lightyear saw recognition from key tastemakers noting their intensity and live presence

Through relentless live shows, the band have built together a chaotic and impressive blend of shoegaze, industrial noise-rock, and fast-paced punk, somewhere between the sounds of Sonic Youth and Show Me The Body. Having been invited to tour and perform with acts like English Teacher, Adult DVD, Lambrini Girls, and more icons of punk new and old, they’ve earned themselves a cult following across the country.

TRACK LISTING

1. White And Green
2. Sit Awake
3. Aberfan
4. ///
5. Berlin, 1885
6. Christ Alive

Like so many bands that have gone on to change music, Northampton’s thistle. started life in a garage. Over the past two years the trio have rehearsed and recorded in this confined practice space, giving birth to a series of singles, plus an EP in the process. In this short time, the band’s oeuvre has cemented thistle. as one of the most promising new UK acts, with tastemakers like radio DJ Steve Lamacq (BBC 6 Music) attending gigs and record label Venn (High Vis, Bob Vylan) coming on board to release the latest EP. Despite the support, the three piece are still set on blazing their own path. With a singular guitar amp pushed to breaking point, deafeningly loud drums and rumbling basslines, their lofi instrumental attack gives way to dreamlike melodies that surf the thunder and push the music into netherworlds of shoegaze, indie rock and hardcore, a unique blend that’s undeniably thistle.

Across this release, the sound stretches from delicate moments of vulnerability that barely whisper along, to a clamour of feedback roaring through the speakers like a jet plane, consistently emotive in delivery and always surprising. While drummer Lewis O’Grady pushes and pulls on the loud quiet aspects of the track, the dual vocal delivery of guitarist Cameron Godrey and bass player Carey Judwyn Rushton harnesses the intensity, conjuring beauty and catharsis throughout. It’s a style of songwriting that captivates the listener, making you feel like you’re in that garage with them, strumming the riffs and pounding the drums. thistle. themselves cite influences ranging from “Pavement to Polachek”. While there are clear leanings towards the alt rockness of bands like Diiv and Ovlov, as well as the harder edged style of Title Fight and Deftones, it’s clear the sonics of the Nineties ring throughout the songs, bringing to mind notable musicians like Billy Corgan and Thom Yorke.

The vinyl version of ‘it’s nice to see you, stranger’ combines the EP of the same name with previously released singles ‘bitebitebite’, ‘close to my chest (hesitate)’, ‘magpies’, ‘lomochrome’ and ‘tiletalk’, making this their most concise catalog release to date.

TRACK LISTING

Side A
1. Cobble/mud
2. It's Nice To See You, Stranger
3. Fleur Rouge
4. Holy Hill
5. Wishing Coin

Side B
1. Bitebitebite
2. Close To My Chest (hesitate)
3. Magpies
4. Lomochrome
5. Tiletalk

In 1978, a 'Factory for Sale' sign gave Alan Erasmus and Tony Wilson a name for their fledgling Manchester club night. Though they couldn' t have known it at the time, this was the launch of one of the most significant musical and cultural legacies of the late twentieth century. The club's electrifying live scene soon translated to vinyl, and Factory Records went on to become the most innovative and celebrated record label of the next thirty years.

Always breaking new musical ground, Factory introduced the listening public to bands such as Joy Division, whose Unknown Pleasures was the label's first album release, New Order, Durutti Column and Happy Mondays. Propelled onwards by the inspirational cultural entrepreneur, Tony Wilson, Factory always sought new ways to energise the popular consciousness, such as the infamous Hacienda nightclub, which enjoyed a chequered 15-year history after opening in 1982. Now fully revised and expanded with a new chapter, Shadowplayers is the most complete, authoritative and thoroughly researched account of how a group of provincial anarchists and entrepreneurs saw off bankers, journalists and gun-toting gangsters to create the most influential record label of modern times.

Based on both archive and contemporary sources, the book tells the full story of Factory' s heroic struggles, its complex web of inventive, idiosyncratic and tragic personalities, and ultimately, the acclaimed and much-loved music it produced.

As KT puts it, there’s never been a moment when she didn’t have rage. As the singer of Upchuck, the Georgia punk band whose music is as sharp as a scythe, KT has felt fierce energy inside her well before she had the band as an outlet through which to channel it.

Upchuck’s Domino debut is 'I’m Nice Now', recorded at Sonic Ranch Studio in Texas with producer Ty Segall. But don’t mistake newfound niceness for weakness. It’s self-preservation. “In this world of constant distractions and stressors it’s important to keep your mind, body, and spirit sane and sound enough to continue through this seemingly never-ending fight,” she says. With 'I’m Nice Now', Upchuck channels their feverishness into an album that, yes, is filled with rage. But in addition to being a continuation of their musical exorcism, the album delivers a sharp critique of the powers that be, lamenting why they still have to be those in power.

STAFF COMMENTS

Barry says: Grinding, distorted guitars and pummelling garage percussion topped with KT Thompson's snarling, gritty vocals. Clearly influenced by the sludgy garage of Ty Segall, and also produced by his talented hand. A brilliant, hefty behemoth.

TRACK LISTING

1. Tired
2. Plastic
3. New Case
4. Fried
5. Homenaje
6. Kept Inside
7. Pressure
8. Un Momento
9. Forgotten Token
10. Kin
11. Lost One
12. Slow Down
13. Nowhere

Debut single from Manchester band Westside Cowboy on Nice Swan. Riding a thrilling lo-fi boxcar tuned to the melodic precision of Teenage Fanclub and held together with the slacker cool of Pavement, for most bands this would be enough, but not for Westside Cowboy. Just when you think you have them pinned, they career the entire thing into a brick wall of country, trad and early harmony-coated, major-key rock’n’roll. They call this process ‘Britainicana’.

Freshly signed to indie tastemakers Nice Swan (Chalk, Sports Team, Pip Blom) and teaming up with Mercury Music Prize winner Lewis Whiting of English Teacher on production duties, debut single ‘I’ve Never Met Anyone I Thought I Could Really Love (Until I Met You)’, starts with a frenetic caterwaul of the band name. It’s a flag in the sand moment.

A territorial statement. Rhythmic, rattling drums turn into a three-chord assault, with its crackling guitars soon igniting the combustible, chorus vocals of enigmatic co-vocalist Aoife Anson O’Connell.

STAFF COMMENTS

Laura says: We're super excited here at Piccadilly about the release of this debut 7" single from slacker-country-jangle-popster Westside Cowboy. They've been growing a steady following around these parts with their frenetic live shows and we love 'em. WESTSIDE COWBOY! Yeeha!

TRACK LISTING

1. I’ve Never Met Anyone I Thought I Could Really Love (Until I Met You)
2. Slowly I’m Sure (Demo)

Arm's Length was formed in early 2019 in the small Canadian town of Belleville, Ontario when best friends Allen Steinberg and Jeremy Whyte nally began writing music together after years of knowing each other. Setting out to create a great new indie infused emo sound with shades of pop-punk, Arm's Length made waves in this scene with the release of their first two EPs, 'Whats Mine Is Yours' and 'Everything Nice' in 2019 and 2021 respectively, including coverage on Pitchfork, NPR, and more. They have since released their debut album, 'Never Before Seen, Never Again' Found in 2022, and are releasing a new album in 2025.

TRACK LISTING

1. Theme Song
2. No Sleep
3. Gallows Humour
4. Safer Skin
5. Eve (Household Name)
6. Garamond
7. Watercolour
8. Talking With My Hands Again
9. Loathe
10. Blank Slate

Much sought after repress of Sprints' 2022 EP 'A Modern Job'. Sprints combine guitar-driven hooks, motoric rhythm and emotive lyricism to create a unique sound that pulls from garage, grunge, punk and beyond. Like the Irish guitar acts who have paved the way for them: Fontaines D.C., Silverbacks and Girl Band, the sound of Sprints is urgent and vital at every turn.

TRACK LISTING

1. How Does The Story Go?
2. Modern Job
3. Delia Smith
4. Little Fix
5. I'm In A Band 

With the release of their debut EP 'Conditions', the band interweave their industrial noise/techno hybrid soundscape and monochromatic gothic visuals. On their second, ‘Conditions II’, they explored themes of nostalgia, love, pressure and loss on a four-track EP that combines techno with industrial post-punk and indie-rock. Their upcoming third EP, aptly named 'Conditions III', ends the trilogy that launched their career, fusing elements of heavy guitar music, electronica and breakbeat into a euphoric and frightening finished project. Recorded against the backdrop of bleak landscapes and Nordic vistas in remote northern Iceland, Chalk have shown another evolution in their already confrontational sound.

Winners of the ‘Best Live Act’ at the NI Music Prize in late 2023, Chalk have proved worthy of this title with sold-out headlines in Ireland, the UK, Netherlands and France, festival appearances stretching from the west coast of Ireland to Vienna and Sicily (as the second most booked band of ESNS 2024) and support slots for IDLES, SPRINTS and PVA under their belt.

TRACK LISTING

1. Leipzig 87
2. Afraid
3. Tell Me
4. Pool Scene

Josh Ritter's Heaven, or Someplace as Nice is a brand-new set of original songs meant to be heard together.

Featuring legendary jazz guitarist Bill Frisell (appearing courtesy of Blue Note Records), this nine-song collection was recorded live in the studio over the course of just a few days, with minimal overdubs -- it was recorded quickly, and we wanted Josh's fans to hear it quickly.

This is a cozy, intimate album designed to be heard around a campfire, or late at night at home with a stick of incense burning. Josh has referred to this as his "cosmic cowboy mini-album," which seems apt - these are new, original songs that sound old, played by an astounding group of musicians who know when to get out of the way and let the songs speak for themselves.

Notably, Josh penned "Only A River" years ago and it first appeared on Bob Weir's 2016 solo record Blue Mountain. Bob Dylan covered the song during live shows in Japan and Italy in 2023. Josh deepens his relationship with the track by recording his own studio version for the first time on Heaven. This will be a surprise release, with a focus on Josh's longtime fanbase.

STAFF COMMENTS

Barry says: Plaintive guitar, woozy slides and bucolic atmospheric touches sit beneath Ritter's beautifully echoic, syrupy smooth vocals. Sitting nicely among the new school of ambient-leaning folk-country.

TRACK LISTING

The Bride
Stretching Wire
Shadows / Stars In The Crown
(Still) the Still Of The Night
Where The Dream Ends
Only A River
Just A Few Tears, Pt. 2
I'm Not Smiling

The Rills have certainly shed a skin or two to reach this point, on the eve of their effervescent debut album ‘Don’t Be A Stranger’. Produced by Dave McCracken (the indie mastermind behind many Ian Brown solo records and key works by dEUS and The Rifles as well as lending a hand to albums by the likes of Depeche Mode, Sports Team, The Snuts and Beyoncé), ‘Don’t Be A Stranger’ sees these three young friends take that untapped energy that made them viral sensations and darlings of the grassroots scene and direct it something more considered, complete and heartfelt.

Warner-Webb and frontman Mitch Spencer met in their native Lincoln as young teens, losing their spare time in a skate park. A few years later, that same urge to kill smalltown boredom saw them pick up guitars and start jamming together. A brief stint living in Sheffield chasing some of that Arctic Monkeys magic saw them soon return home to university where Essex lad Mason Cassar joined as drummer and their line-up was complete. Often referenced in their music, there’s a Lincoln Imp spirit baked into The Rills’ DNA - notably in their ability to always see over the horizon and carve something out for themselves when no one else will.

TRACK LISTING

1. Seasick
2. I Don’t Wanna Be
3. Drive
4. Dads Car
5. Mistake
6. POV
7. Bones
8. Dream Of You
9. Sirens
10. Stranger
11. Angel In The Snow

Fresh from winning ‘Best Live Act’ at NI Music Prize 2023, Chalk relentless ascent continues to gather thrilling pace, with EP lead single ‘The Gate’ landing on the BBC 6 Music playlist (alongside PJ Harvey, IDLES, Sampha) to kick off 2024, whilst widespread praise throughout the press community (The Independent, NME, DIY, Dork, So Young, The New Cue, Rough Trade, Consequence of Sound) has certainly positioned the trio at the very forefront of the emerging indie elite.

TRACK LISTING

1. The Gate
2. Claw
3. Kevlar
4. Bliss

Nice Swan Records is ecstatic to unveil the highly anticipated 2nd volume of "Nice Swan Introduces." This compilation, following in the footsteps of its predecessor, showcases the best releases from the past two years on the Nice Swan Records Label. Just like Volume I, this release comes alongside an exclusive limited run of only 250 vinyl records, ensuring you'll own a piece of Nice Swan history.

Prepare to be captivated once again by a diverse array of musical talents, reminiscent of the Volume I lineup. Featuring exceptional artists like Prima Queen, Deadletter, Chalk, Cowboyy, Human Interest, and a host of others who have graced the Nice Swan roster over the last few years.

Your collection won't be complete without this addition. Nice Swan Introduces Volume II continues the tradition of introducing new and exciting talent to the world, reinforcing Nice Swan's status as one of the UK's most reputable indie labels. Stay tuned for further signings and releases in the coming weeks, as we continue to fulfill our mission of discovering and nurturing emerging artists.

Just as Volume I marked a significant milestone in our journey, Volume II is another step forward for the cult indie label. With acts from our roster gaining prominence on BBC Radio 1 and 6 Music airwaves, and receiving extensive tastemaker approval, this compilation couldn't be arriving at a better time.

In memory of the late Mark Edwards, a true nice swan.

TRACK LISTING

Side A:

1. Deadletter - Pop Culture Connoisseur
2. Prima Queen - Chew My Cheeks
3. Saloon Dion - HEY HEY
4. Splint - 145
5. Cowboyy - Gmaps

Side B:

1. Yabba - Get By
2. Human Interest - Mixing Paint
3. Shady Baby - Come To Life
4. Avice Caro - At The End Of The Day (Its The End Of The Day)
5. Chalk - The Gate

Metronomy are undoubtedly one of the defining alternative acts of the 21st Century, renowned for their perfectly crafted electronic pop songcraft and electric live shows, that has seen them dazzle audiences at festivals and headline stages across the world. After releasing album seven Small World in 2022, Metronomy are now beginning their next chapter as they sign to Ninja Tune in 2024.

To celebrate the new relationship, their first offering from the label, “Nice Town”, will be released on a special limited edition vinyl - featuring the eclectic rapper, jazz musician and MD for Iggy Pop Pan Amsterdam, and including special remixes by Metronomy and Alain Ogue.

It's not what I was expecting at all - an alluring, coastal shanti with breezy, optimistic vibes; that trumpet motif alone should be enough to keep you beaming for the entire day. And it's bossa nova drum palette (featured on the Metronomy remix) is a bright and funky direction towards movement. The electro beats and rap from Pan Amsterdam is laid back and charismatic - yes - everythings perfectly in place for an evergreen anthem that I reckon has enough legs to see it through to the end of the year lists. Perfect pop! 

Flip side sees a more housey remix by Alain Ogue who swamps the trumpet motif in echo, gets busy on the filters, affects the vocal with a kinda AM radio distortion and generally makes the track available for your clued up London indie-dance crowd. Top stuff! 

STAFF COMMENTS

Matt says: Two truly infectious takes on one scrumptious trumpet theme. Guitar guitar licks, seaside organ, clever vocal. This has got has got HIT written all over it without being over in a flash.

TRACK LISTING

A1. Nice Town (Original)
A2. Nice Town (Metronomy Remix)
B1. Nice Town (Alain Ogue Remix)

THIS IS A RECORD STORE DAY 2023 EXCLUSIVE AND WILL BE AVAILABLE INSTORE ON SATURDAY APRIL 22ND ON A FIRST COME FIRST SERVED BASIS, LIMITED TO ONE PER PERSON.



IF THERE ARE ANY REMAINING COPIES THEY WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE ONLINE AT 8PM ON MONDAY APRIL 24TH).



Kae Tempest kicks off 2023 with a 4 track EP release entitled ‘Nice Idea’, in support of Record Store Day. Produced by Dan Carey, the EP tracks were written and recorded over a five-day period, during a brief gap in Kae’s extensive 2022 touring schedule. The title track, ‘Nice Idea’ is released today along with a video shot in their native South East London and made by their childhood friend Kwake Bass. Kae says of the track “This is a song about wanting to stay in bed all day with the person you're in love with. Imagine you could just shut the whole world out and enjoy each other. Nice idea “ 2023 looks set to be another big year for Kae Tempest, with the release of their new poetry collection “Divisible by Itself and One”, which will be published by Picador on April 27th plus a sold out Australian tour, which kicks off in February and includes an appearance at Sydney Opera House. With four studio albums, a novel, their first work of non-fiction (‘On Connection’), three plays and five collections of poetry to their name, Kae Tempest has firmly established themselves as one of the most unique, thought-provoking and critically acclaimed voices of their generation.

TRACK LISTING

1. Love Harder
2. Thinking Clearly
3. Nice Idea
4. Split The Atom

A chance first time meeting one morning in Block 9 at Glastonbury 2022 between Graham Massey and Nice Swan Records lead to this serendipitous release between London newcomers Malady and Hacienda legends 808 State. Fitting in line with Malady's remix packages over the last 18 months this seemed like the perfect alignment between old and new.

The original is a jaunty, electrified indie-dancer number powered by fast AFX-ish beats and high voltage synthesizers with a yearning male vocal that's a bit like Moving Units (remember them?).

Remixing their own track, Malady emphasis the top drawer synthesis- - deploying wubbing Reeses, precision breaks and ricocheting rave stabs - nice!

Onto the 808 State side and it's a highly engineered bleeps and breaks workout with advanced sound design and almost Autechre-like drum programming; weaving around the vocal track like a mechanized snake whilst bombarding the listener with a barrage of snares. Their instrumental, as you can imagine, does away with the vocal part and really let's that drum assault hammer home.

STAFF COMMENTS

Matt says: Proudly current indie-dance act Malady strike an amazing partnership with 808 State for this rather mesmerizing 12" which perfectly balances intricate sound design with anthemic song writing.

TRACK LISTING

A1. Round The Bend 
A2. Round The Bend (Malady Remix)

B1. Round The Bend (808 State Remix)
B2. Round The Bend (808 State Instrumental)

Michigan and Smiley’s all-time Studio One anthem,the latest in the series of all-time classic Studio One party bombs available on super loud 12”. Michigan and Smiley’s ‘Nice Up the Dance’ issimply one of the biggest, wickedest dancehalltunes ever made.

Originally released in 1979, Michigan and Smiley’sclassic rhyming over the seminal ‘Real Rock’ has proved one of the most enduring tunes in reggaeever. 100% essential monster tunes that rock anydancefloor.

STAFF COMMENTS

Matt says: Soul Jazz return to their loud-cut 12" classics series, giving another run to the dancehall staple, "Nice Up The Dance". You know the riddim - but doubt you'll have heard it this crisp n bassy! Update your scratchy 7" with this full fidelity 12" version! Niiiice up!

TRACK LISTING

A1. Nice Up The Dance
B1. Michigan & Smiley & Sound Dimension - Nice Up The Dance (version)

Last year, Nice Swan Records started the monthly ‘Nice Swan Introduces…’ series, shining a light on the most exciting emerging talent. Following releases with the likes of Sports Team, Pip Blom, FEET & FUR, the Series introduced a whole wave of new and exciting talent including Courting, Sprints, Malady, English Teacher & Opus Kink, which cemented the label as one of the country’s most exciting independent record labels for discovering the hottest new talent. Volume two of the series ha already unearthed Prima Queen, Deadletter and Saloon Dion and next up are Brighton’s Shady Baby.

It is with impeccable timing that the week after Brighton’s Great Escape Festival, the UK’s most famous multi venue event showcasing the best new music – Nice Swan Records, today, have announced their latest signing, Shady Baby – one of Brighton’s own! Shady Baby is the musical project of Brighton based Sam Leaver. Inspired by the sounds of Madchester & Britpop, and with a love for John Cooper Clarke, Leaver began making his own brand of angst ridden pop during the height of lockdown where songs were formed out of frustration whilst locked in his bedroom.

Having approached Brighton based producer Theo Verney (English Teacher, FEET, FUR, Egyptian Blue, TRAAMS etc) with his early demos, the two instantly formed a musical bond that has seen them work closely together in the studio ever since and Verney has helped hone the exciting sound of the debut tracks of Shady Baby.

Speaking on the track, Leaver said:

“‘Come To Life’ is an angry response to feeling like people treated you like shit but you let them get away with it. Feeling both angry at them but also at yourself for letting it happen.”

Leaver then enlisted the support of old childhood friend Laurie Debnam, on guitar after bumping into him at a house party in Brighton having not seen each other in a decade. Nick Varnava (Bass) and Tom Jackson (Drums) complete the line-up, having joined from other bands on the scene in the legendary musical city.

He teams up with the cult Brighton based experimental artist Alasdair Willis (The Vitamin B 12) who plays saxophone on 3 of the 11 tracks on the album.

The album has all the hallmarks of an Emote record and more. Likely to be listed as down tempo / abstract ambient and blending many different styles together.

If you are in tune with free jazz and abstract electronic tribal music you should find this good home spooky listening .

Supported by Chloe Alice Frieda of Alien Jams and Damo B of the Outer Limits Radio Show 

TRACK LISTING

A1. Home And Dry
A2. Poi Poi Poi
A3. Are Gate
B1. Homage To V Neck
B2. Old Duck.
B3. Loaded
C1. Segway
C2. Odd Stoop
C3. Naughty Letter
D1. ESP Gulls
D2. Mask-Debate 

New album & new horizons for psych legend Nick Nicely. "Sleep Safari" delves further into electronics while continuing the artist's psychedelic journey creating a unique pop juxtaposition.

Described as 'terrifying psychedelic electrickery' by Time Out, Nice Nice release their new album "Extra Wow".
The album is typically monstrous, diverse and layered, a powerful first impression skipping amongst ‘noise’ / drone music (Zu, Earth, Lightning Bolt) to more rhythmic, structured artists (Fuck Buttons, Pivot), via psychedelia / showgaze and more Eno-esque sounds.

Lightspeed Champion has returned with his second album, "Life is Sweet! Nice To Meet You", the follow-up to 2008’s "Falling Off The Lavender Bridge". It's an epic collection of twelve pop songs, two instrumental intermissions and one piano etude.

Lightspeed’s early leaning towards American country dressings is traded here for a palette that draws on classical music and even musical theatre. Producer and mixer Ben Allen (Animal Collective, Gnarls Barkley) assembles the eclectic grab-bag of influences, joltingly 70s guitar and synth sounds, classical piano, Greek choruses shouting reprisals, and at least one ukelele-driven moment.

Mark Stoney writes, records, produces and plays nearly all the instruments on his records himself (all but the drums). Since his debut release early this year he's been getting rave reviews for both his records and his live shows. This double A-side single looks set to continue this acclaim. Two finely crafted songs that meld 60s brit-pop influences with fuzzy, psychedelic keyboards and quirky, off kilter melodies that hint at Super Furry Animals and Beck amongst others.

To truly understand the color and shape of Nice Nice, you must really see them live. Only then will you realize that every sound heard on this record, every intricate polyrhythmic layer is live. There are no overdubs, and there are only two people in the band. Born in Olympia, Wa and now calling Portland their home, guitarist Jason Buehler and percussionist Mark Shirazi meticulously warp hard funk, psyche, soul, dub, angular rock and no-wave noise into a mechanical beast that can take you from dream to dance in 30 seconds flat. The instrumentation is relatively simple: guitar and drums. But it's the endless tap-dancing of effects pedals and rock solid dub beats that make every moment more magical than the last. Recommended to fans of the Load label, Leaf label, the new weird Americana scene and old school New York punk funk ala ESG and James Chance.