Wimps, Mark Robinson (Sings the Music of Unrest) and Pitschouse are playing the Sunset Tavern in Seattle/Ballard tomorrow (December 9). Hope to see some of you there!

Maybe 3 people at most will be concerned, but there should be no Friends Below Zero music on Spotify in a week or so. This Friday is also Bandcamp Friday, just sayin’

How great were the Seattle band the Lights? Proudly influenced by the Fall & the Dream Syndicate, they helped pave the way for Protomartyr, who in turn paved the way for all the modern post-punk we have today (in addition to the Fall themselves obviously). All 3 Lights albums are great.

Two great underrated WA state bands on the same bill at an Olympia Pizzaria, Dec. 2008. Talbot Tagora were a weirdo Seattle trio that should have been talked in the same breath as Thinking Fellers, rRope or Erase Errata. And Sex Vid were a warped Seattle/Olympia/Austin hardcore band.

What I liked about rRope was that, unlike Sonic Youth, Polvo, and Trumans Water, that band didn’t give a SHIT about melodies, or even riffs. Their songs seemed to be all about dynamics, textures, and general disruption. Their instruments were barely in tune with *each other* half the time lol.

San Francisco's rRope are probably the most underrated 90s rock band ever. They were certainly trying for experimental rock beyond Sonic Youth, Polvo or Trumans Water influences. This Aron's Records (pre-Amoeba L.A. mega record store) performance in 1996 is still thrilling to watch.

Hat tip from friend @mikebaehr.bsky.social : the Philly band Taurus Judge, and their cassette mini-album A Thing Rolled Up. Major Polvo / DUSTdevils / Dreamdecay energy.

Conflicted about removing music from SoundCloud. On one hand, giving away creations to companies for free that don’t value art is horrific. Then again, my music is so unpopular that maybe it will poison the algorithms to make highly unprofitable music and force AI companies out of business.

SOMEONE REMEMBERS!!

This is real. Tl;dw: if your digital music distributor pitches you on some AI Protection Program, do not agree to anything. Ampwall is and always will be against generative AI. AFAIK we're somehow still the only music platform with this position. Demand better from your platforms and partners!

Seeing Dummy last September was one of my favorite shows of the year (Madame Lou's in Seattle), so I'm happy to see them again this April (at Black Lodge in Seattle)

Since it's been a slow news day, I figure I'll let y'all know that the Friends Below Zero AMPWALL page has been set up! Merch ahoy! Connect with me there if you want, and all the things. If you like noisy indie pop, you may like the music.

Stealth December Bandcamp Friday Update. Hey, there are still Friends Below Zero LPs and 7" and cassettes and CDs and downloads for sale. The LP+7” bundle is a good deal. If you like noisy indie pop…

Marshall Allen, of the Sun Ra Arkestra, has just outlived Henry Kissinger *now in duration* as well as shared timeline. That’s more than 100 years and 187 days. THAT is certainly worth celebrating today.

Rob does great work. If you can get him or land him a gig, that would be really swell!

Pretty self explanatory, and the distrokid union needs these petitions signed by November 2. Fortunately, it's really easy to sign. Link is right here. distrokid is really important for DIY artists trying to get music to streaming platforms.

The Unwound / Steel Pole Bath Tub mini tour this weekend is going to rule. Seattle: Thursday, Vancouver BC: Friday. Portland: Saturday.

Why Am I Doing This? (A Film About Touring) - Has hit over 400K views. Incredible! Zero marketing or corp $$$. If you have ever wondered what it is actually like in a touring band, or if you have played in one and never seen it accurately depicted. A MUST SEE! youtu.be/agUS6GnZr_U?...

Unwound's Sara Lund—one of the best American drummers—was diagnosed with breast cancer earlier this year and needs help with medical bills. GFM: www.gofundme.com/f/help-sara-...

I thought keeping an announcements only Twitter account might be worth it but I get followed by dozens of bots a week. Without the block feature? The account gets deleted, easily. No big loss, but so pathetic.

Since it's been a slow news day, I figure I'll let y'all know that the Friends Below Zero AMPWALL page has been set up! Merch ahoy! Connect with me there if you want, and all the things. If you like noisy indie pop, you may like the music.

Don’t miss Dummy on their West Coast tour! The new songs live are awesome

The new Dummy album is as great as the hype says. I've already listened to this twice in a row. Seattle folks: they're playing this Sunday at Madame Lou's in Belltown.

Trying the best here to keep that dream alive

Stealth March Bandcamp Friday Update. Hey, there are still Friends Below Zero LPs and 7" and cassettes and CDs and downloads for sale. Here's the link to the single with the Swell Maps cover, but there's an LP too!

I want to give thanks for the debut LP/7”/CS/CD release to my longtime friends obviously, Jen Matson, Min Yee, Brian Cook, Joe Trainor and anyone I’m forgetting.

Today's the last Bandcamp Friday of the year (and I'm hearing maybe ever?). If you're into droney / psych DIY / garage indie pop, then maybe this is for you? * End of Tunes LP * The Helicopter Spies 7" (yes, the Swell Maps cover) * A cassette with both * A CD with both

Bsky please don’t be like this. Artists love when you comment on their stuff 🧡 Depending on how swamped we are or how anxious, some might not always reply. Myself, I do my best to reply as much as I can, and also know I treasure all of your interactions a lot. It’s why I post as actively as I do.

Ah yes, it's that time of year... Be the Best Spotify Killjoy of All Time month. *claps hands together and rubs*

It is very important for artists to be cool with disinterested or negative opinions/articles of one’s work (libel/slander aside, obv.) It always stings, but it’s vital to get emotionally get past that. It’s a cliché to say, sure, but bad publicity is still publicity, etc.

I'd be lying if I said Seattle's Mars Accelerator wasn't a big influence. I just gave the 1998 album "Frankfurt: Telephonics" a listen for the first time in many years and it still holds up: angular indie pop with every kind of spacey noise, guitar pedal combo, fidelity and tempo change.

The worst type of YouTube video is the one that tells you "Don't Make These Mistakes in your Songwriting" and criticize anything slightly odd about how to write a melody. History is not on their side. Block/De-recommend/Downvote these videos and move on.

Just thinking about this below and that article from last night bemoaning how culture is stagnant and gee maybe both are related. Because Bandcamp offered kind of a lifeline to a bunch of artists who couldn't get a record deal of their lives depended on it yet still make vital music.

No site or company related to music means shit without a network of artists, writers and aficionados that built itself over time. Not leaving Bandcamp (yet), but don't look for equally shiny Bandcamp alternatives as they don't (yet) exist. Look for blank slates to build a new network upon.

I'll continue to support Bandcamp United. It's also clear we need an open-source and/or decentralized and/or federated protocol for allowing artists to sell their own music while being part of an artist and journalist network. It's much easier to post this than do it. And it's a journey, not a goal.

The most important thing you can do this Bandcamp Friday doesn’t cost anything.

I’ve started recording the next album & single. In the meantime, this one is available! If you like droney/DIY indie pop of varying styles, you might like this. Available on vinyl, cassette, CD & digital.

So I know how to put out vinyl, cassettes & CDs, but selling T-shirts stresses me out, seriously? “What colors? What sizes? Why don’t I just do a Tee Public type of thing and be left alone?” I have zero wisdom & chill in the cool T-shirt scene. Maybe turntable slip mats is a better venture?

This was the easiest thing I've ever signed. Please help Bandcamp United reach their goal.

How cool is it that Kyle MacL.. sorry, Agent Dale Cooper has announced the return of Seattle underground venue Black Lodge (as well as Lo-Fi(?) and a new spot for Hollow Earth Radio) via The Vera Project?

Permanent fixture of the Friends Below Zero “studio” always. Poster by @artofcoop.bsky.social - Special thanks to @quartzcity.bsky.social

FYI, until this Monday, 9/4, you can get 25% off any Friends Below Zero merch by using the discount code "labordaze" in the Buy Now dialog. #BandcampFriday

Bandcamp Friday is tomorrow. That was quick! I don't have a giant list for you this time, but the new tape by Versing is very pleasant.

This dude specifically paid for an aisle seat in the "no beloved 90s/2000s hardcore bands section" and this is what he got.

NEW & NOTABLE on Bandcamp is definitely a way to brighten the day for this old piñata of blood, hair & bones. friendsbelowzero.bandcamp.com