Secret Chief Culture

Refreshed logo courtesy of @tonythetigerdavia

We are thrilled to announce that Secret Chief Culture is expanding into being a record label. Our first collaboration will be with with Orange County based indie band @nightairband who’s debut single, “Clouds (I’m Alright)” has garnered praise from the OC Weekly amongst others. We will be working closely with the band on the release of their first EP due out on Nov 16th and look forward to sharing their music with you in the coming months. Stay tuned for more news about this phenomenal album!

It's like Christmas in the office today! Tasha and I each got the new @etherwooduk on vinyl as well as these awesome shirts from @hospitalrecords! #Etherwood #dnb #drumandbass #hospital #blueleaves #medschool #hospitalrecordsuk #bass #lightmywayhome #vinyl #medic #london #medschoolmusic #lincolnuk #chilled #atmospheric #evalazarus #logistics #vinnyferraro #lsb #spy (at Sweet Relief Musicians Fund)

2 weeks ago, the band Nightair released their first single, "Clouds (I'm Alright)" with Nate Jackson from the OC Weekly describing it as "an angular, garage rock gem harboring influences from acts like The Strokes, Interpol and Bloc Party....After a few plays of the single you might just find yourself hooked.”. The band graciously decided that for a limited amount of time, 100% of the proceeds would go to the charity I work for, Sweet Relief Musicians Fund. Well, time is running out so there are just a few more days left to download this awesome song while at the same time helping out musicians in need. It's just $1 so if you are so inclined, I encourage you to give the song a listen and put your dollar in the bucket. Thank you to Tony, Brandon, Lauren, Lucas & Alexander for being so generous with their music! To purchase go to the link in my bio 😘 (at Sweet Relief Musicians Fund)

Clinic - "Internal Wrangler" (Domino Records; 2000) on the hi-fi this morning. Managed to completely miss this record when it was released in 2000 so this was my first listen. Combining post-punk and neo-psych with a smattering of noise, the Liverpudlians have found themselves a new fan. Perfect balance of the familiar and experimental, it is beyond me how I wasn't aware of this album until now.

Jackson Browne - "For Everyman" (Asylum; 1973) on the hi-fi this morning. Every time I listen to a Jackson Browne album I find myself thinking that I should be listening to him a lot more than I do. His songwriting deserves to be in the same conversations as Dylan, Mitchell, Costello, Davies, Waits etc and I can't figure out why it's not. Maybe it's because he still looked like he was 19 years old until about 5 years ago (he's 67 now) or maybe it was his close association with The Eagles, I don't know. Regardless, songs like "These Days" and the title track off of this album are not just flawless, but also compelling as he weaves between universal truths and the most intimate thoughts and feelings.

Dirty Projectors - "Bitte Orca" (Domino; 2009) on the hi-fi this morning. The knock on Dirty Projectors before this album was the lack of actual songs....on Bitte Orca David Longstreth successfully incorporated his avant-garde aesthetics into more traditional song structures and the results were astounding. I've heard people far smarter than I admit to not being able to properly describe their music so your best bet is to listen and experience it for yourself. #dirtyprojectors #bitteorca #domino #davidlongstreth #ambercoffman #angelderadoorian #indie #artpop #experimental #brooklyn

EPMD - "Strictly Business" (Fresh/Sleeping Bag Records; 1988) on the hi-fi this morning. Released during the "golden age" of hip-hop, EPMD's debut album is almost always included in any conversation about the best hip-hop albums of all time and rightly so. No elaborate concepts here, just some of the coolest rhymes over some of the hottest funk samples. #epmd #strictlybusiness #ericksermon #parishsmith #djklaboss #priority #hiphop #rap #oldschool #goldenage #goldenagehiphop #brentwoodny #longisland #erickandparrishmakingdollars #80s

The Rapture - "Echoes" (DFA; 2003) on the hi-fi this morning. When this came out, many proclaimed it as the very much welcome death of the slacker 90s, that music fans would once again feel the freedom to dance at a show, to actually show some emotion. Well, it's 12 years later now and depending on where you live, there are still plenty of people who think they're to cool to smile at show, let alone actually dance but that doesn't minimize how great this album is nor how fun they were to see live. So if you're one of those that hesitates to let anyone know you're enjoying yourself in a club, I challenge you to listen to this record without feeling compelled to express the unwavering joy exploding from within. #therapture #echoes #dancepunk #postpunk #postpunkrevival #electronica #jamesmurphy #lcdsoundsystem #dfa #houseofjealouslovers #ineedyourlove #nyc #lukejenner

Alice Cooper - "Love it to Death" (Warner Bros.; 1971) on the hi-fi this morning. It was this album and the ensuing tour that made Alice Cooper a star. Anchored by "I'm Eighteen", it's fair to include this along with releases by Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin and Deep Purple as providing the foundation for what would eventually be called heavy metal. Interestingly, it is also known for providing inspiration to many punk artists like Joey Ramone, John Lydon and Pat Smear. His cartoonish stage persona has kept him from receiving the respect his music deserves but I imagine he couldn't care less. #alicecooper #loveittodeath #imeighteen #hardrock #heavymetal #protopunk #vincentfurnier #shepgordon

The Field - "From Here We Go Sublime" (Kompakt; 2007) on the hi-fi this morning. An astonishing record that despite not even charting here in America, was at or near the top of many year-end best of lists in 2007. I love his unabashed emotionalism and how he morphs techno into trance to great effect. #thefield #fromherewegosublime #axelwillner #kompaktrecords #stockholm #berlin #fromthedancefloortothecouch

Los Lobos - "How Will The Wolf Survive?" (Slash/Warner Bros.; 1984) on the hi-fi this morning. Growing up in NJ, this album was my introduction to Los Lobos and I remember how fresh it sounded to me at the time. It was pretty different from most everything else I was into during the early 80s, and 30 years later it's still fresh and vital. Great songwriting throughout too! #loslobos #howwillthewolfsurvive #eastla #americana #chicanorock #tboneburnett

Ted Leo and the Pharmacists - "Hearts of Oak" (Lookout!; 2003) on the hi-fi this morning. Often lumped in with the "return to rock" craze of the early 2000's, Ted Leo was far more interesting than a style worshipper. He boldly said no to being all about the velvet underground and the stooges as the handbook for hipsterism clearly states is a must. Rather he brought us odd bedfellows like Thin Lizzy and Dexys Midnight Runners to marvelous effect. Throw in his uniquely maniacal guitar playing and singing and you get one of the most special performers of the last decade. This album is a perfect starter if you don't know him, although Tyranny, his previous effort is my fave. #tedleoandthepharmacists #heartsofoak #tedleo #indierock #punkrock #washingtondc

Marvin Gaye - "Here, My Dear" (Tamla; 1978) on the hi-fi this morning. This seems to be the Marvin Gaye album that most people overlook despite how good it is. But when you're being compared to What's Going On, Let's Get It On and his dozens of classic singles from the 60's it's understandable. Nevertheless, you would be remiss if you didn't give this one a chance. Notable for being about the the fallout of his first marriage, lyrically it's brilliant. Musically, it takes a few listens to really hear the subtleties throughout the album. This is not your typical hook-laden Marvin Gaye style, much more nuanced and ultimately very rewarding. #marvingaye #heremydear #motown #tamla #anger #annagordygaye #soul #quietstorm #funk #losangeles