07/30/2023

And we’re back! We told we wouldn’t be updating the site anymore, but hey, we lied. Things have been busier than ever and we’ve had more releases in the last few months than we had in the last few years combined. Crazy how that happens. Next year will be 15 years of the album & the last post was celebrating our tenth year as a label. If you’re looking at the site then stay tuned for more updates here, maybe at a snail’s pace, but updates nonetheless.

On that note, pick up the new Jenny Besetzt album, “Goner.” It’s really good and we’re so excited to be working with them. If you haven’t been keeping up we recently dropped releases by Gay Meat (new single), Pretty Matty, Alright, and Amanda X. All that to say, get off this site and go to our bandcamp.

Happy 10th Birthday to us!!!

I can’t believe we’re still here. It’s been ten whole years and we’re still putting out records we love. And to think of all of the variety of musicians and genres we’ve been fortunate enough to work with, all beginning with one little band called Lowbrow. Who would’ve thought one fast hardcore band would lead to 46 whole releases.

As you can tell, we don’t really update this landing page that often and really won’t ever do it, so please go follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook if you want updates.

But anywho, thanks to everyone who’s believed in us for the past ten years and honestly anyone that didn’t believe in us, either way we’re still here putting out records. Not entirely sure what the future will bring, but as long as we have the resources we’ll be putting out our friends’ records, so we’ll see you at the 20 year reunion, I guess.

3/8/2018

Do you like surprises? Well, surprise we’re working with Brad Perry (Worn in Red, Forensics) on the release of his debut solo album as Caverns of Pine. Well, to call it a solo album is a real disservice to the amazing contributors on this project.

The idea for Caverns Of Pine – “Dissociate” is to dedicate an entire musical project to the ways different people survive the traumas of sexual violence. From survivors of different backgrounds and various genders, to the people who care about them. It’s about telling stories that reflect different perspectives on healing and reckoning and coming to terms with the fact that another human being could act with such cruel disregard. Or not coming to terms with any of it, and still finding a way to live.

The “Dissociate” photo zine is designed to go with the the record of the same name. All of the stories come both from Brad Perry’s 20+ years of working in the sexual violence victim advocacy field, and from his own personal experiences watching people cope and heal from this violence.

Brad Perry had this to say about the project,

“I’ve been actively working on the “Dissociate” record/project for the past 3 years. I had most of the songs and all of the lyrics rattling around in my head for far longer. But it is truly the result of a musical and visual collaboration with good friends in the creatively rich city of Richmond, VA.

Graham Scala was invaluable in helping me turn my early demos into these songs. “The Body Keeps Score,” “Carved,” “Hexed Reckoning,” and “Cheap Grace” all became far better because of his collaboration. He also co-wrote the music for “All Instinct” with me during this process.

Graham, along with Patrick DeWitt and John Martin made this feel like a real band. Together we wrote the music for “Heaped Upon Us.” Me, Graham, Patrick, and John recorded the record with Ricky Olson at The Ward in Richmond. Ricky’s engineering, mixing, and overall production was completely aligned with the vision I had for “Dissociate,” and without him this project would have never seen daylight.”

 

While this is a purely digital release, the photo zine is really the secret weapon of the whole experience. The “Dissociate” photo zine is designed to go with the Caverns Of Pine record of the same name. The idea for this project is to dedicate an artistic endeavor to the ways different people survive the traumas of sexual violence. From survivors of different backgrounds and various genders, to the people who care about them. It’s about telling stories that reflect different perspectives on healing and reckoning and coming to terms with the fact that another human being could act with such cruel disregard. Or not coming to terms with any of it, and still finding a way to live.All of the stories come from both Brad Perry’s 20+ years of working in the sexual violence victim advocacy field, and from his own personal experiences watching people cope and heal from this violence.

The photo zine itself created by Richmond, VA based print artist Brittany Lynn Justice. Each one contains 6 double-sided high resolution prints of original photography, plus a captivating reflective cover and a fly sheet detailing the creative credits. It is all encased in a translucent self-sealing sheath. The 6 double-sided prints each contain a full color photograph which connects to a particular song on the record, while the reverse sides contain a photo series of allegorical death masks, the song title, and the lyrics.

In some ways this photo zine is like a beautifully assembled LP with inserts, but without the big black vinyl disk in it. The intent is that by experiencing the striking photos and haunting lyrics while listening to the record, a person will be immersed in this work, and come to some new or helpful discoveries. Every photo zine comes with a download of the accompanying record.

All profits from digital sales of “Dissociate” will be donated to FORCE (www.upsettingrapeculture.com) because this project is meant to sit in empathy with those who have survived the inhumanity of sexual violence, or who have seen the pain it inflicts up close.

It’s meant to be in solidarity with survival.
It’s meant to be a defiant cry against a world still eager to disbelieve.

Purchase the zine here: http://bit.ly/2I9EkNd
Purchase the album here: http://bit.ly/2H3pk2H

1/29/2018

We’re excited to be working with Totally Slow again on the release of their new EP, “Imperium,” check out the preorder here. This release follows up their 2016 sophomore LP, “Bleed Out,” and their debut 2013 self-titled release.

SO here comes a new 6-song EP, “Imperium.”

1. Inside Voice
2. The Finger
3. Indiscriminate
4. Other People
5. Lust Will Drag You to Hell
6. Prison

This will be a limited pressing of 50 Lime Green cassettes, 50 White cassettes and 100 CDs (available via Bitter Melody Records). Pick up your copy today before the March 16th, 2018 release date.

You know the drill, picking up a preorder helps us to continue operating a small DIY label, along with supporting an amazing band like Totally Slow. In a digital age, now more than ever it’s important to support the things you love. Keep it local, buy from small business before going to the mega-retailers. If you do that, then you really can’t lose.

11/7/2017

We’re excited to be working with Naked Naps on their new LP, “Year of the Chump,” check out the different preorder options available. if you are ordering multiple copies or are from outside the U.S., then please email us first so we can get you the best rate on shipping! selfawarerecords@gmail.com

100 on Seafoam Green Vinyl
100 on Orange “Creamsicle” Vinyl
100 on Pink Vinyl

also check out the preorder shirt and CD.

Limited to 300 copies in the first pressing. The release will also be available on CD and digital formats. Vinyl will be shipping a few weeks after the 12/1 release date. Please be patient and understanding while ordering!

1. Toyota Prius The Silent Killer
2. Frank Lloyd Wright Designed the Carport
3. Prisoner’s Dilemma
4. Honda Civic ’88
5. Torn Corners
6. Successful Sitcoms
7. World Heavy Weight Champ, Jack Johnson
8. Single and Ready to Linger
9. All My Exes Live in Text Threads

 

Naked Naps is an upbeat indie rock duo from Raleigh, NC. Their maturation into a local staple hasn’t sacrificed the qualities in their songwriting that retain the urgency of needing to start a band. While clearly interfacing with the current DIY network, they pull decidedly from Ted Leo, The Thermals, and Mission of Burma, they at times hint at highlights from the playbook of American Football, leaving you wondering why emo ever became a bad word. Naked Naps prove you can put your heart on your sleeve without losing your cool, and give lo-fi a higher mission than easy street cred. (Paul Blest)

Naked Naps’ contemporaries—Speedy Ortiz, Cloud Nothings, Waxahatchee—evoke ’90s indie rock by nodding to grunge or pop-punk. But Naked Naps suggest both Cap’n Jazz’s hyperactive arrangements and K Records’ mix of confidence and simplicity. These songs can seem difficult, but they are ultimately beguiling. More than ever, Naked Naps’ music lives up to its name, with urgent pop that balances intimacy, urgency and innocence. (Bryan Reed ~ Indy Week).

10/31/2017

We’re incredibly excited to be bringing the phenomenal new documentary “Don’t Break Down: A Film About Jawbreaker” to C3 Lab (2525 Distribution St) in Charlotte, NC!

 Self Aware Records & Charlotte Film Society Presents: Don’t Break Down: A Film About Jawbreaker Saturday November 11, 2017 – Doors 6:30pm/ Showtime 7:30pm.

$5 for Charlotte Film Society members // $10 for all other guests

Buy tickets here.

7/7/2017

amanda-x-2017We are really happy to announce that we are working with Amanda X again on the release of their new album, “Giant.”

Please head to this link to preorder the digital LP: http://bit.ly/2v3iofa

Given today’s political climate we have decided to release the album digitally and donate the proceeds to Women Against Abuse. For more information on the charity please feel free to follow this link. www.womenagainstabuse.org

The official release date is August 18th, 2017. The album will be available on all streaming services. We sincerely appreciate your support and would love to see us make a positive impact for such an important charity.

 

5/15/2017

IMG_6298Bask vinyl is in and it looks marvelous. Really pleased with how it came out and we are now sorting through preorders to get you your record! Thanks, so much for ordering a record and thanks so very much for your patience.

Bask will be hitting the road for a few days to officially celebrate the release of the new album. Catch them in the southeast from 5.17-5.20. Pick up your copy today!

3/24/2017

SelfAwareVinylPromo_original presale_package_ad_original

Bask’s new album, Ramble Beyond is officially out today on all digital platforms and on CD. As you can read from the graphic above, the vinyl will be out on May 19th. We are sorry for any confusion, which has been very minimal and why we went with graphics in the first place. If you place an order for the CD, your order will be promptly shipped. If you ordered a CD along with the shirt and vinyl preorders, your package will be shipped around May 19th. I assume you’re starting to see a pattern here. Preorders are still going for the vinyl, so place that order now!!!

If digital is your bag, then go to your favorite digital retailer and check out the album. I would suggest using bandcamp, because more of that goes back to the label and the band. If you’re in Europe then please pick up the record/cd from This Charming Man Records.

12/28/2016

bask-picsSelf Aware Records is pleased to announce we are working with Bask on their upcoming album for release in Spring 2017! For exciting updates on tour dates, single releases and more, follow the band on their sites:

twitter: @thebandbask
fb: facebook.com/basknc
IG: @Baskband   #Baskband

We got a little eager and decided we didn’t want to wait until the new year, so here we are! Really excited how this record sounds and how the rest of 2017 is shaping up for our projects. It’s also awesome to have some Self Aware alumni returning to the label. Bask features Scott Middleton of Means Well, a little band we worked with back in 2013.  Super stoked to welcome him back and to be working with such a hardworking and talented band.