We are happy to officially get cracking on the Sea of Storms debut LP, “Dead Weight.” Preorders are available in our webstore. The release is limited to 500 copies in the first pressing, so pick it up while you can! 300 copies will be available on black vinyl, while each label (Tor Johnson and Self Aware) will have their own specific preorder colors. We have what we are calling “Yellow Snow,” which is a white record with yellow marbling. Tor Johnson has what they are called “bumblebee” which is black vinyl with yellow marbling.

Who is Sea of Storms? Well, the band hails from Richmond, VA and features ex members of Mouthbreather, Wow Owls, The Setup and Race The Sun. Well, don’t take my word for it, here is what Jeff Byers (Best Practices) had to say:

“These songs won’t ever be on the radio, but they could’ve been. Growing up in the ‘90s, you wouldn’t have heard any of the songs, from Sea of Storms’s debut LP, Dead Weight, on the radio because they hadn’t been written yet. However, if the Richmond, VA power trio had released them roughly 20 years ago, you would’ve had a chance. Growing up in a post-Nevermind era throughout different Virginian cities, the members of Sea of Storms were gripping 7”s from Richmond bands when they could and ripping off a variety of sub-genres that blended together at the time in their high school bands. When the 3/5 of the post-hardcore outfit Mouthbreather formed Sea of Storms in 2012, they brought together a varied archive of influences from Jimmy Eat World to 400 Years to Coheed and Cambria. However, Dead Weight sounds nothing like these bands.

What “Dead Weight” (to be released on Tor Johnson and Self Aware Records) does sounds like is a rock record from a time when Danzig and Smashing Pumpkins were considered fresh, filtered through the distilled punk essence of late-1990s angsty indie rockers such as The Get Up Kids and Blank. Having played together for six years, Sea of Storms’ dynamics are impressive. From bassist John Martin’s rolling bass lines to drummer Chris Brown’s propulsive, metered beats, Sea of Storms has found their groove. Singer/guitarist Brandon Peck makes an excellent front man, creatively filling in space with feedback, riffs and vocals. Take, for example, the hazy rock tracks such as “Weak Ones” and “Crimson Tide”. Dramatic moments ebb and flow with a series of guitar and vocal interplay as the rhythm section holds down the fort, calling to mind Walter Screifels’ projects or a more aggressive, spaced out Hot Rod Circuit. The greatest strengths on Dead Weight are the songs themselves. Sea of Storms are able to craft well-written emotionally-tinged rock anthems without veering into the embarrassing “emo” territory (because that word meant something completely different when they first heard it). Stand out tracks in this vein include “Snake Oil” and album closer “Cedar Run”. While nodding to the past, Sea of Storms looks towards the future, looking to expand on their musical roots how they can. If you’re a fan of big guitars and songs that make you want to drive along open roads with the windows down, Dead Weight is the record you’ve been waiting for.”

*SEA OF STORMS TOUR*
May
31st-Richmonds VA @Banditos w/ Brief Lives
June
1st-Philadelphia PA @ Kung Fu Neck Tie W/ Ordinary Lives, Pulling Punches
2nd-New York NY @ Bushwick Public House w/ Ordinary Lives, Young Ladies
3rd-Providence RI @ AS220
4th-Boston MA @ O’Briens w/ DCDR, Never Got Caught
5th-Rochester NY @ Vineyard Community Space
6th-Pittsburgh PA HELP HELP HELP
7th-Cincinnati OH @ Tacocracy
8th-Louisville KY @ Mag Bar w/Fast Friends
9th-Atlanta GA @ The Drunken Unicorn w/Get Damned, Seagulls
10th-Gainesville FL @ Loosey’s w/Sunshine State
11th-St. Augustine FL @ Nobbys Tavern
12th-Charleston SC @ Tunnel of Lust w/Burnt Books
13th-Columbia SC @ New Brookland Tavern w/Burnt Books
14th-Greensboro NC @ Green Bean Coffee w/Totally Slow

Pick up the record from our webstore here.

 

We also, need to update you on other happenings with the label, so here we go. The new album from Mineral Girls, “Cozy Body” will be out soon (5/19), so pick that up while you can! The band has progressed tremendously from the release of their debut album, “Something Forever,” and we are very honored to be working with someone local to Charlotte, NC that really espouses all of the values we try to adhere to with this label. If you dig Sebadoh and maybe newer acts like Radiator Hospital, then you really need to check out this new album. Pick up your copy here

*MINERAL GIRLS TOUR*
May
16th- Charlotte, NC @ REVERB FEST w/ Beach Fossils (NY), Elvis Depressedly, Yardwork (reunion)
22nd- Charlotte, NC @ The Milestone (album release) w/ Patois Counselors, Alright
30th- Chapel Hill, NC @ The Cave w/ Naked Naps
31st- Virginia @ College Park
June
1st- Philadelphia @ The Pharmacy w/ Ruby Buff
2nd- NYC @ The Bowery Electric w/ Cicada Radio, The Cartwheelers
3rd- New Jersey @ TBA
4th- DC @ TBA
5th- NC/VA @ TBA
17th- Charlotte, NC @ Self Aware Records Residency (Snug Harbor) w/ Muscle & Bone, Alright and Sweet John Bloom (MA)

Go check out Mineral Girls and Sea of Storms as they both tour the east coast. They aren’t touring together, but we are excited nonetheless!!!

We are super excited to be working with PLOW UNITED and THE HEADIES on their split 7″. Our buddies over at Punknews will be streaming the release in full today around 4pm!!!

Around that time, or before, if we are feeling saucy, preorders will be going live on our webstore. We are really stoked about working with these two amazing bands. The packaging on this record will be really awesome. First off, the jackets are being screenprinted by Todd Purse (of The Headies), who also designed the cover art. The release is limited to 500, with 100 being on clear vinyl, 200 on light green, and 200 on light blue vinyl. Each release comes with a digital download card, because this is 2015, and we know what is up. Plow United will have some test press versions of the release that will be sold exclusively at Death To False Hope Festival V, which they will be performing at. Go pick it up there, or miss out on that. We will have all of these colors in stock, and also you can pick them up in one package if you are into that sort of thing.

It’s seriously mind blowing to be working with such amazing bands. I’ve been a fan of Plow United for years and it is awesome watching them still kill it to this day. They have been on fire since the reunion, and we are super excited to help in a small way to keep that fire burning! Check out the webstore, go pick up the new split 7″ and some of our distro items and back catalog while you are at it. Thanks so much for the support!

We are super proud to announce that we are working with Alright on their 7″. Who is Alright you ask? Well the new(er) band features ex and current members of Late Bloomer, It Looks Sad, Pullman Strike and more, so it’s like family to us. A track from the EP, “Cold Feet,” premiered on Stereogum, and it is getting a good response, so that’s nice. The 7″ will be released on March 24th and Negative Fun Records will be assisting with the release. Please pick up a preorder now, because those things are important.

In support of the 7″, Alright will be touring the east coast for a brief trip w/ Late Bloomer. Late Bloomer doesn’t get out on the road too much, so this is will be a rare treat. Go check both bands out if they are coming to your town.

03/20 Charlotte, NC @ Snug Harbor w/ Mineral Girls
03/21 Raleigh, NC @ Slims w/ See Gulls
03/22 Richmond, VA @ Bandito’s w/ Sea of Storms
03/23 Oaklyn, NJ @ Studio Lu Loo w/ Extract
03/24 Bethpage, NY @ Mr. Beery’s w/ Greensleep, Somerset Thrower
03/25 Boston, MA @ O’Briens w/ Drug Dogs, New Legs
03/26 Providence, RI @ Aurora w/ Twin Foxes, Laika’s Orbit
03/27 Philadelphia, PA @ Kung Fu Necktie w/ Dogs on Acid
03/28 Washington, DC @ Dr. Clock’s w/ Sundials, OK Car Crash

Preorder the release here or here!!!

2014 is coming to a close. I feel like this was the quickest year in my life. I guess that is what happens when you morph into an old man. 2014 was one of the best years we had and really opened up a lot of doors. 2015 is going to be a blast and also cause a lot of stress, but that’s what we love about it. Our first release of 2015 will be at the end of January and will be the debut full-length for Family Friend, which is the solo project of Neil Mauney of Late Bloomer. It features a consider amount less shred, if any at all, but focuses more on the singer-songwriter indie-folk side ala Evan Dando, Lou Barlow mixed with Ryan Adams and Bob Dylan. We are releasing the album on cassette and digital formats. The cassette will be pro-printed and limited to 100 copies with a digital download card. You will also be able to find the album on our bandcamp and through Spotify, iTunes and wherever digital music is sold/distributed.

Stay tuned for more updates in regards to 2015. We have a few releases planned and we are excited about all of them!

The Holidays are upon us, and you need more vinyl! For that, we are running a big sale in the webstore. Go check out the “Holiday Sale” tab in our webstore for very cheap, I mean like criminally underpriced items. Then, if that doesn’t tickle your fancy, then enter the code: HOLIDAZE2014 at checkout for 15% on all items.

We also would like to remind you that we have new releases by Totally Slow, Black Market, Viewfinder, Late Bloomer, Alright and Museum Mouth that came out in 2014, pick those releases up NOW, if you missed them the first go around! Basically, just browse around, spend some time, make some hard choices. We have hundreds of distro titles and also lots of awesome shirts that you definitely NEED!

THE FEST is right around the corner!!! It’s an awesome time of year and also really awesome when you have bands playing on it. If you are going down to Gainesville, then make sure you check out Totally Slow, Old Flings, Late Bloomer, Matt Evans and Family Friend.

Totally Slow are Fest Freshmen this year, so make sure you go check them out. Old Flings and Late Bloomer should be familiar names, but could still use your support. Matt Evans (of Old Flings) is doing a solo set. Neil Mauney (of Late Bloomer) played a solo set last year under his own name, but he will be back this year under his new moniker, Family Friend. We plan on releasing his debut album in late 2014 or early 2015. He would appreciate the support too.

Friday:
Matt Evans (of Old Flings)
@ Mother’s Pub
(6:30-7:00pm)

Saturday:
Totally Slow
@ Durty Nelly’s
(5:30-6:00pm)

Old Flings
@ Rockey’s
(11:20-11:50pm)

Late Bloomer
@ Rockey’s
(12:10-12:40pm)

Sunday:
Totally Slow (acoustic)
@ Big Lou’s
(2:10-2:40pm)

Family Friend (Neil Mauney of Late Bloomer)
@ Big Lou’s
(2:50-3:20pm)

Like last year, we released a FREE sampler (on our bandcamp) that gives you an idea with what you can expect from all of our bands, and some of our most recent releases. Check it out and learn all the words!!! Lastly, Have fun at FEST, drink lots of water and don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.

We are pleased to announce that we are releasing a new record on November 4th, 2014! The release is a split 7″ between Totally Slow and Self Aware newbies Black Market (ex Forcefedglass, Light the Fuse & Run).

Preorders for the release are now LIVE in our webstore and our good friends over at Under the Gun Review premiered a Black Market track, “No Brain.” The 7″ is limited to 300 copies on randomly mixed vinyl. Totally Slow will have some advanced copies (tests) with them at The Fest, but they will be very rare and very limited. If you would like a copy of the vinyl, please go to our webstore now!!! On top of the 2 new songs per band, each band recorded a cover of the other’s song. More details to follow about that, you can find the tracks exclusively on the digital download of the 7″, so that’s nice, right?

Both bands recorded with our good friend, Kris Hilbert at his studio, Legitimate Business. If you are familiar with his work with Junior Astronomers, Late Bloomer, Torch Runner and the Totally Slow LP, you know he does an amazing job.

PREORDER AVAILABLE HERE!!!

We are in the thick of the summer and it’s humid here in North Carolina, not sure what the tempature is like where you live, but whatever it is, you should stay inside and listen to records, specifically ones you buy from us!

Speaking of records, the new Late Bloomer album is out, and the reviews have been killer. The same goes for Museum Mouth, who has a new video that premiered on Stereogum today. Both LPs are on sale now in the webstore, so don’t sleep on it!!!

Next week is the official release of the debut album from Viewfinder, “Do You Even Want Anything?” It will be available in digital and cassette formats on July 29th. By digital we mean on iTunes, Spotify, Amazon and wherever digital music is bought or sold. The best method of picking it up, if you are going to go the digital route is through bandcamp, so check it out on ours or pick it up from the band. Cassettes are limited to 100 copies on red, so it won’t be around that long. The album was recorded by Kris Hilbert at Legitimate Business and it sounds amazing, I’m really excited about this young band and you should be too! Check out our webstore and enjoy these new music videos from Late Bloomer and Museum Mouth.

 

TWO DAY PASS ($10)
http://selfawarerecords.storenvy.com/collections/22373-festival-tickets-etc/products/6946556-self-aware-fest-2-day-pass

FRIDAY PASS ($7)
http://selfawarerecords.storenvy.com/collections/22373-festival-tickets-etc/products/7065383-self-aware-fest-friday-pass

SATURDAY PASS ($7)
http://selfawarerecords.storenvy.com/collections/22373-festival-tickets-etc/products/7065473-self-aware-fest-saturday-pass

The day has come, you can stop holding your breath. Self Aware Fest starts tonight and the lineup is super stacked. The show will go exactly on schedule, so don’t show up late and complain about missing somebody. Check out the schedule below and come hang out!!!
SCHEDULE:
Friday:
Junior Astronomers (12:45- until)
One Another (12:00- 12:30)
Muscle & Bone (11:15- 11:45)
Black Market (10:35- 11:00)
Means Well (10:00- 10:25)–side stage
Pullman Strike (9:25- 9:50)
Alright (8:50 -9:15) -side stage

Saturday:
Old Flings (12:45-until)
Late Bloomer (12:00- 12:30)
No Power (11:25- 11:50) –side stage
Totally Slow (10:45- 11:15)
Mike Bell & the Movies (10:00-10:30)
Museum Mouth (9:25-9:50) –side stage
Oddczar (8:50- 9:15)

Friday- doors at 7pm
Saturday- doors at 5pm (cookout/band hangs on the patio)
18+
$7 for one day pass
$10 for a two day pass
(bands get in FREE both days)
out of town bands get ONE guest- no guest list for locals

 

We are excited to announce the release of the new Late Bloomer LP, “Things Change,” on July 1st. So with that said, preorders are live now and you should pick it up. We are putting this up the night before, so that we can sleep in. I guess that is kind of lazy, but you gotta get it done somehow, right? We also want to let you know that we are co-releasing the album with Tor Johnson Records and Lunchbox Records. Takes a village, I guess? You can preorder the LP from our webstore here, or you can preorder it from Tor Johnson Records here. Wherever you decide to do it, just do it.

We are coming up quick on the 5-year anniversary party at The Milestone in Charlotte. The event is June 13 and 14 and will feature 12 Self Aware bands and 2 special guests. Check the previous post for more details, also go to our webstore and buy an early pass. Only $10 for the two day event.

In July we will be releasing the debut full length from Viewfinder (Boone, NC). More details to come, but for now, just try and chill.