· By Sophie Griffin
Whimsical Waves: Earth Libraries' Lo-Fi Luminaries and Four Track Harmonies
Earth Libraries began with the mission to create a community around groundbreaking music, capturing pivotal moments in music scenes. For our sixth year as a label, we wanted to reflect on our history as a label and take you through each era.
First we're taking you back to 2021 with solo projects by Chicago-based musicians Essential Forever, Gold Star Gold Star, and Pansy—offshoots of the band Jungle Green. These artists crafted intimate, lo-fi music using four-track recorders and cheap microphones in friends' bedrooms, creating a distinctive wall of sound that resonated deeply with listeners. Kevin Basko, under his moniker Rubber Band Gun, played a crucial role by producing, mixing, and mastering various projects, contributing his own album, "Cashes Out.”
Pansy, characterized by its lo-fi warmth, features tracks like "Turn Your Back" and "Woman of Ur Dreams," showcasing a blend of lo-fi punk, surf rock and post-punk. (Pansy - Earth Libraries)
- For Fans Of: Sonny Smith, Mount Eerie, Magnetic Fields
Essential Forever and Gold Star Gold Star further enriched Earth Libraries' diverse catalog with nostalgic pop tunes. Essential Forever’s music blends vintage pop influences with modern experimentation, creating a sound that is both nostalgic and fresh. Gold Star Gold Star's debut album "Introducing... Gold Star Gold Star" captures a nostalgic yet innovative approach to pop music, making it a standout in Earth Libraries' offerings.
- Essential Forever For Fans Of: Emitt Rhodes, Todd Rundgren, Van Dykes Parks
- Gold Star Gold Star For Fans Of: Big Star, Harry Nilsson, The Beatles, The Apples in Stereo
Kevin Basko's Rubber Band Gun project, known for prolific releases and collaborations with artists like Jonathan Rado, Mike and Brian D'Addario, and others, brought a modern pop twist with the album "Cashes Out." Basko's creative process involved using vintage equipment and a home studio setup to craft a unique sound, underscoring Earth Libraries' emphasis on authentic, heartfelt music (Rubber Band Gun - Earth Libraries).
- For Fans Of: Paul McCartney, Jonathan Rado, Mac DeMarco
Star Moles, another defining act under Earth Libraries, is the project of Emily Moales, who created the album "Camelot" as an escape from her rural New Hampshire surroundings. Infusing her music with imagery from the epic tale of King Arthur, Moales crafted timeless bedroom pop gems. "Camelot" features tracks like "Bloodhounds (Bad News Babe)" and "Agravaine," showcasing Moales' wide vocal range and her ability to blend medieval romanticism with modern indie pop (Star Moles - Earth Libraries).
- For Fans Of: Kate Bush, Joanna Newsom, Fiona Apple
Jake Elijah debuted in 2021 with his LP, "Little Errands", marking a major step forward for both his songwriting and production. To record the new LP, he left the comfort of his childhood home and ventured out into the wilds of New Jersey to work with producer Kevin Basko (Foxygen, Rubber Band Gun). In Basko’s analogue wonderland, the aptly named Historic New Jersey, Elijah recorded these songs directly to tape, with auxiliary instrumental support from Basko himself.
Little Errands runs the gamut from charming Beatle-esque pop to the bizarro sounds of R. Stevie Moore. Elijah’s voice can rumble like an idle truck and soar like a V-2 rocket in the span of a few seconds. Basko’s production lays on a dreamy 70’s veneer; it’s easy-listening gone uncanny. The whole thing was recorded in just a couple of days. (Jake Elijah - Earth Libraries)
- For Fan Of: MGMT, R. Stevie Moore, Todd Rundgren
In 2021, Earth Libraries also released the R. Stevie Moore double LP "On Earth," a comprehensive collection showcasing the prolific artist's vast and eclectic catalog. This double LP solidified Moore's legacy and highlighted Earth Libraries' dedication to preserving and promoting influential music from various eras.
- For Fans Of: Frank Zappa, Daniel Johnston, Ariel Pink
As Earth Libraries continues to evolve, we remain dedicated to fostering a community of artists committed to authentic, innovative music. Future articles will delve further into the rich history of the label, exploring its various eras and the many artists who have contributed to its legacy. Stay tuned for part two of the story, which will continue with Jackie Cohen's album "Pratfall," Charlie Reed, Ben Auld, Damion, and more in 2022.
To explore more about these artists and their contributions, visit their dedicated pages on Earth Libraries' website:
Stay tuned for more stories from Earth Libraries—a label that champions innovative and heartfelt music, continuing its journey of sonic exploration and artistic growth.
Get any record mentioned and linked below 20% with code circa2021 or click HERE.