Peter Wortsman’s “The Laboratory of Time, and other cutup poems” it out now

The Laboratory of Time, and other cutup poems, Peter Wortsman’s third collection of experiments in the form, lets time be told in the way we live it, sometimes stretching a second into seeming eternity, sometimes compressing eternity into a second. The first part, titled “The True Glue,” comprises recycled assemblages of words cut out of the newspaper that make a newfangled poetic sense. The second part, titled “The Five Books,” is an admittedly unorthodox retelling of biblical narrative, the poetic sap and zap of it extracted by means of a vertical transcription.
Exhalations burdened with meaning, they are forever being uttered, stuttered and forgotten, trashed and mulched to fertilize new formulations. What else is a cutup poem after all, or any kind of poem for that matter, but a wild flower sprouting out of the dirt!

Wortsman’s work is always calling out for a second or third reading, and this same magic trick applies to his cut up poetry. So proud to be issuing this one on Bamboo Dart Press.

Shrimper 35th anniversary! First release, no Meta, no X. Salt Tesla, why not.

Let me preface this by saying that I know even those of us that are diligent about supporting independent businesses and thought have a hard time escaping the clutches. My internet provider, your cell phone. You do the best that you can, and any movement in that direction is appreciated, truly.

Over the course of some thirty five years I have been supported by a $3 check in the PO Box here, a record store ordering direct from the label there, or by independent distributors that carry my records like Revolver and Grapefruit. I have been at odds with the big boxes, with Spotify paying peanuts to the peasants, with Bandcamp being owned by the largest licensing platform in the world. Artists, who own their masters and the rights to their music on Shrimper, sign no contract. They decide what and where their music will be sold and a lot of them are up against a brick wall built by bean counters and flight by night thieves. Artist who have to tour, sit captive at a merch table, suffer poor sleep, time away from their family to tour more and more in an attempt to make ends meet. So what are they to do when the rent is due? Neil Young? Taylor Swift? Bruce Springsteen? Snoop Dogg? You have done nothing with your megaphone but pose with it, preen, play it safe even as you meekly stand up here or there. Millionaires playing make up, putting on airs. If they cared about you baby, they would do something for their community that is in need. Enjoy the gala, the award show with your thighs on your hands. High school does not end for some.

I am thankful and so incredibly fortunate to be this deep into still running this little cottage bake sale after all of these years, all the inspiring artists whose records I have issued, played music with, corresponded with. The kind souls. This world is largely made up of that. I can afford not to have my music on Spotify, not to sign on with a publisher or BMI so that my music can be played in a coffee shop gratis (never Starbucks, they don’t want to drive anyone away with the din of Refrigerator). Musically and with the label, I am the smallest of ripples, inconsequential to the lip of 100% of the world. What freedom. In saying that, wouldn’t it be wonderful if the stand that we are taking in January is to truly think about where our time and our money goes? Sign off on Insta & X & Meta et al, we are all just aphids on their gilded roses. Picked up my soap from a place that makes it in Pasadena (I hope there aren’t any goat teeth or corn cobs in it). Went to a mom & pop restaurant down the street for breakfast, the crew there was braver than the major media/label shills, of course they were. They were me. They were you. Everything starts with a step, hoping you get a couple more between you and them and I send you all of my love. Fact check that shit Zuckerberg.

Signed, DC

David Watson on Bill Chen Vs. Dennis Callaci this Wednesday

David Watson, from Wellington, New Zealand, had his first recordings in 1981 with the avant collective Primitive Art Group on the fascinating Braille Record label that he cofounded. The releases on the label are an incredible peak into the nascent New Zealand outre scene. Watson moved to New York in the early 90’s and has since recorded with Ikue Mori, John Zorn, Alastair Galbraith, Christian Marclay, Lee Ranaldo, Bill Nace and a cavalcade of others as a guitarist and highland bagpiper. We are thrilled to welcome him to our weekly show this Wednesday at 10:30 AM PST on KSPC 88.7. The first two Primitive Art Group records are seeing a release for the first time state side on venerable Amish records. Don’t sleep.

Intimate Simon Joyner/Refrigerator acoustic show in California announced

Simon Joyner is doing a series of shows in support of his Coyote Butterfly record on the west coast including an off the path intimate show with Refrigerator at our dear pals Lisa and Chris’ house in Glendale. Simon and Refrigerator will each be performing an acoustic set. Limited seating, so though it is not in my nature to pressure anyone, this show will sell out quickly. Joyner and D Callaci will also be performing a song or two off of their New Secrets record with Myke Marasco joining them on drums.

Tickets available here, admission is $15: https://tinyurl.com/mr4xjerj

New Adam Lipman record “California Hard” is out now

Adam Lipman’s new record, California Hard, is out today. There is absolutely no one that sounds like Adam Lipman and his songs are some of the best that I have ever heard. Lipman has always been matter of fact, getting to the heart of the matter without histrionics, and on his latest work, a meditation on failed love, he imbues the record with an otherworldly orchestra. He sings without letting the delivery get fouled up by a narrator that manipulates the listener with a petty hollar as if to offer proof of emotional investment. Instead, the records gorgeous production and arrangements, courtesy of David Herman Düne, and lyrics that do not fail on the written page, offer how much care and consideration was put into this release, one like no other in his oeuvre. This is a record to be listened to closely, like that one conversation with a lover, with pauses and slow fades that signals an end is on the horizon.

Ajay Saggar Guests on Bill Chen vs. Dennis Callaci on KSPC

Tune in to Bill Chen vs. Dennis Callaci on KSPC this Wednesday, September 18th from nine am to noon for a special music performance by Bhajan Bhoy. Bhajan Bhoy is guitarist Ajay Saggar, a staunchly independent, creative and versatile musician who has been active in European music happenings since the 1980s. He has played in bands such as Dandelion Adventure, Common Cold, Donkey, King Champion Sounds, Chela, and most recently, Volksempfanger. Bill and I will be chatting with Ajay and playing a session of music that Saggar has recorded exclusively for our show. You can listen live or after the show has aired for a couple of weeks at the KSPC link above.

TM Givens trailer premieres for his Bamboo Dart press book

TM Givens forthcoming book on Bamboo Dart Press, Standing in Line: Coffee Shop Drawings captures the restlessness, surprise, laughter and blooming doldrums on exhibit in our shrinking public squares.

Givens has exhibited in a variety of media, with sculpture at the Ankrum Gallery, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Chaffey College, and with drawings and paintings in a variety of galleries in Sacramento. In 2018, the Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden exhibited his drawings in a changing exhibition titled “Terry Givens: 100 Garden Views.” He has contributed many drawings to organizations, individuals, and businesses in and around Claremont. The series Garden Prayers, inspired by his Botanic Garden exhibit, and a book of photographs from the 1968 March on Washington were both published by Pelekinesis.

Standing in Line offers a slice of the everyday from Givens, with a fascinating interview about his work, his life and what continues to inspire him. The book is available September 15th at finer book stores and all those larger boxes online. The book is available for preorder from us directly as well. Check out the trailer for the book below.