Spirit Plate to Release "Youth Moose" - August 4th, 2017

"Youth Moose" the new Spirit Plate record is here! Official release date: August 4, 2017

(album artwork)

Inspired by New York City's rapid pace of change, decay and rebirth, and the dichotomy NYC presents of arriving at tranquility though chaos and clutter, "Youth Moose" is a complex collage of sound, delivered through gritty, succinct songs.

On "Youth Moose," Spirit Plate reacts to New York City as well as our greater globe through many sharp lenses. To initially gain inspiration for songs, the band closely observed and cataloged street art tattooed to Brooklyn buildings, some of which were scrawled decades ago and others part of the modern resurgence of murals, tags, and visible art everywhere from Bushwick to the Bronx (hence the title "Youth Moose," which in itself is a reference to a commonly seen NYC tag). As a result, there is as much of a nostalgic aspect to this record as there is forward-thinking. Songwriter Brian Russ has personally been living in, playing shows and recording music in Brooklyn for the past 12 years and "Youth Moose" has many reflections to offer from someone who can now safely call Brooklyn his home.

The record unfolds like a tarot card reading. It brings out your past (from the song "Everything's a Joke;" "do you remember when we would shoplift CDs?"). Examines your present (from the song "Open Automatic;" "I feel loved by a machine") and makes some predictions for your future (from the title track - "the times have surely changed on me, but hey man that's ok, cause I ain't gonna leave.").

This is a record also offering unavoidable political statements. And even though the songs were written a year or more before our presidential election results came in, they tell the tale of what was already and about to unfold, with lyrics peppered throughout reminding us of the dangerous and toxic times we live in:

"Every phone call, every conversation traced..."

"I can't sleep, if 'I can't breathe' is not a reason to back the fuck off."

"Every witness can't be sure what they saw..."

"All across the USA temperatures are rising, ain't nobody dancing in the streets, mostly they're just hiding and afraid."

Recorded with no budget, mostly live in a tiny warehouse rehearsal space in the industrial section of Greenpoint, Brooklyn, the base of "Youth Moose" is full of gravel and grime and honestly captures the vibe of 6 people coming together to bring an artistic vision into fruition - right in the moment.

The raw tracks from the warehouse were taken into Brian Russ' home studio (aka, tiny apartment) and meticulously mixed and mastered, with the goal of bringing a polish and a sense of clarity to the dizzying array of live mics, bleed, room noise and unbalanced tracks. Being a dad with two small kids and with a day job as a middle school teacher in tow, Brian carved away at this record on nights, weekends and holidays. An hour here, an hour there. Slowly but steadily, Brian fussed over every detail possible to bring out the final mix. "Youth Moose" is a real labor of love, created by New York artists who have no choice but to create music in order to face this confusing city, this confusing country, and this fragile planet that we live on.

Paying homage to visionary New York City artist such as The Velvet Underground, Talking Heads, and Swans, Spirit Plate shines a light on the past and hopes to present a lasting statement for the future in "Youth Moose."

Posted on May 9th, 2017
STAND FOR EQUALITY / OUR FEB. PLEDGE TO THE ACLU

Campers' Rule Records stands for peace, unity, sisterhood, brotherhood, equality, and social justice for all. We are taking a similar pledge to Bandcamp and the hundreds of artists and labels who followed suit. For the rest of the month of February, purchase anything from our site and we will donate 75% of the sale to the American Civil Liberties Union.

Posted on February 8th, 2017
Cassette Store Day 2016 - Our Contribution: "Cuss Words" Double Album + Book



Brandon White has written and recored around 20 records at this point in his life. Growing up in the swamps of Louisiana, he experienced everything from Southern Gospel to Pop-Country on a day-to-day basis. His Papaw was a bluegrass strummer at the church and the neighborhood kids were tuned into the southern rap radio stations. As a teenager in Baton Rouge, Brandon's friends turned him on to experimental and avant-garde music. He took this whole hodge-podge to New Orleans, and then New York City - where he started the project, Cuss Words, a name written in lightening bolts and appearing to him in a boiling fever's dream. When you listen to Cuss Words you'll hear all the influences of Brandon's past somehow coming at you at once, but in a slow and subtle way, like the southern gentleman that he is.

Like the R Stevie Moore's before him, Brandon is a prolific songwriter, plays every instrument, arranges, records, mixes and produces on the fly, and the creative bursts seem to never end. He is satirical, ironic, loose, but purposed. He references electronic music from the 80s, while throwing Outlaw 70s Country in at the same time.

His latest release is a double album + book of short stories.

Spellbreaker is the sound of someone trying to not be pessimistic and ultimately losing and giving in to that kind of solipsism. It's a quiet, introspective, sit-by-the-fire folk album.

Spellbreaker was mixed and engineered by John Ried.

Drums For The Lonesome is the yin to Spellbreaker's yang. the sound of that same person learning to worship the small moments of joy that life throws at you in total surprise and finally respecting the random turns of the universe, which eases you towards happiness. It is a record built from electricity and sub-woofers, and made to be blasted with the windows down.

In conjunction with Cassette Store Day, 2016 we are psyched to be releasing Spellbreaker and Drums For the Lonesome as a double cassette that will also be craftily packaged with a hand sewn copy of Brandon's first collection of short stories, titled "The Golden Rider."

Order your copy now: HERE

campersrule.com

Posted on September 14th, 2016
IN THE STUDIO W/ "KRAW BELL"

In December we put together a unique recording session with "Kraw Bell" the Brooklyn bluegrass band with pop and roots undertones.

We recorded everything live using 7 mics. Vocals, instruments, and drums. The results come across both raw, old-timey and warm.

Dom was leaving Brooklyn for once-and-for-all in a week. Kate was about 6 months pregnant at the time. And John was expecting his first son just about two months from the session date. These recordings reflect a unique moment in time.

Stay tuned on details about releasing this record. But for now, here's some pics from the studio sessions.


Posted on February 2nd, 2016
2015 Holiday Packages - Give the Gift of ART


For the first time in our history, we're happy to announce some special package deals - just in time for the holidays...

Turn your grinches into sugarplum fairies with these one of a kind, boutique limited pressings bundled up in awesome packages, and madly cheap >>


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Bundle #1 - 2015 Holiday Cassette Bundle - $40:

1 Poodles / Lone Doe Limited Edition 2015 Cassette Store Day Collaboration 
2 Ancient Sky - "All Get Out" LP 
3 IOLA - "Arnfinn" EP 
4 Shy Hunters "Oh That I Had Wings" EP 
5 Gunfight! - "Veteran's Bridge / Raise & Fall" Single 
6 Jenelle Leigh Campion - "How to Heal a Broken Heart" LP 
7 Daniel Ryan Belski - "They Always Haunt at Night" LP

CLICK HERE  to purchase or navigate over to our STORE 

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Bundle #2 - 2015 Holiday Vinyl + Cassette Tape Bundle - $40:

2 Vinyl Records:

1 Backwords - "Quilt" 12" LP 
2 The Love Supreme - "I Want You" 7" Single

And 4 unique cassette tapes:

3 Ancient Sky - "All Get Out" LP 
4 IOLA - "Arnfinn" EP 
5 Shy Hunters "Oh That I Had Wings" EP 
6 Poodles / Lone Doe Limited Edition 2015 Cassette Store Day Collaboration

CLICK HERE  to purchase or navigate over to our STORE


Posted on November 23rd, 2015