#curation records

12/25/25.

It's a Christmas miracle three-fer:

When I think of indie Americana, I always think primarily of Uncle Tupelo, Son Volt, Wilco and Beachwood Sparks. Arbor Labor Union (Atlanta, Georgia) seem to be lifting the mantle of those forebears and continuing in the great tradition of the sound. The Bandcamp page doesn't really reference any particular sound, except there is a reference to Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young. The great Sophomore Lounge (and its leader Ryan Davis) are releasing this on January 2nd.

As long as we're talking indie Americana, let's clear the slate. In 2024, New West Records released Color Green "Fool's Parade" on LP, and even released a live digital album. The only written buyer "review" is from...wait for it...Curation Records.

1/29/26.

Dust and Memory is a new label from the same folks who run Meritorio Records (actually Álvaro Lissón). Dust and Memory clearly does what its name implies - wipes the dust off older releases and reissues them to create new memories for those who have and haven't heard them.

The Tyde "Once" looks to be the third release from the new label (preceded by The Essex Green and Magic Castles). I first heard The Tyde "Twice" years ago and was immediately taken. From there I listened to Beachwood Sparks, Further, A New Personality, Mystic Chords of Memory, GospelbeacH, and the Curation Records catalogue. In other words, I've become a Rademaker Brothers junkie.

10/18/25.

Curation Records newest act is Sunday Mourners, yet another Los Angeles based band that is seeping in their own pool of hip and cool. Right now, only "When Dreams Come True" is streaming from the upcoming debut LP "A-Rhythm Absolute", but if you want to hear more, head over to the Sunday Mourners Bandcamp page - I suggest going to the "Boyfriend/Girlfriend" EP.

4/28/26.

Seasonal Falls are a Swiss duo (Roman Gabriel and Andrew Pelletier, based in Lucerne) and "The Unbearable Loudness of Stupidity" is their second release for Subjangle following last December's behemoth 2 CD compilation.

9/12/25.

Curation Records is a wonderful label that frequently releases music that parallels the work of its founder, Brent Rademaker - a lifelong musician in seminal bands like A New Personality, Further, Beachwood Sparks, and GospelbeacH. Beachwood Sparks was one of the early bands of indie Americana.

Three newer Curation releases - Silver Synthetic (New Orleans, Louisiana), Cruise Control (Portland, Oregon), and Alex E.T. (Los Angeles, CA) all echo this Beachwood Sparks/GospelbeacH sound to some degree. Alex E.T. rocks a bit more - in fact, the Bandcamp notes refer to it having "echoes of early Slash Records and LA's '80s psychedelic renaissance". In that way, some of these releases make me think of Rain Parade or Green on Red.

4/8/26.

Mike Smith (sonnyskyes) not only told me that Dustin Lovelis (Southjaw) runs a fine bar in Long Beach, but also had a label - Porch Party Records. He released some of his music and a wide variety of sounds and bands during its brief yet productive run.

I'm partial to the Greater California "Long Shadows" 7". Greater California (Long Beach) had about a 15 year run as a band and this single represents their final output. My first thought was that it sounded like something that Curation Records might put out right now. Turns out that Farmer Dave Scher (Beachwood Sparks among many other bands) plays pedal steel.

4/6/24.

One of my favorite songs over the past few years is "Time" from Beachwood Sparks' "Sandbox Sessions". The best songs are the ones that literally make you stop what you're doing so you can fully listen. There are several bands/songs that do this to me (way too many to name, but yesterday I realized that Weyes Blood's "The Worst Is Done" is another example), but I think Beachwood Sparks have more than their fair share.

So here we are - the first new Beachwood Sparks (Los Angeles, California) LP in 12 years. I've always simplified their sound to a cross between The Byrds and The Dream Syndicate. Throw in a little Michael Nesmith cosmic country for good measure.