Jan 14

ARMSTRONG Fragments And Curiosities

ARMSTRONG Fragments And Curiosities.

Armstrong’s (aka Julian Pitt) new album, Fragments And Curiosities, is Julian’s third long player (and second on Canadian indie label The Beautiful Music). It is out now — available as a CD (directly from the label) and from select distributors, with digital download coming soon.

Armstrong is one of those mysterious and elusive bands that stays well beneath the surface (just try and find any information on-line), but anyone willing to dive a bit deeper is richly rewarded with pearls of great value and will appeal to fans of pur pastoral or jangle Pop like Aztec Camera / Roddy Frame, Pale Fountains, Prefab Sprout, The Divine Comedy, Andy Pawluk, Red House Painters, The Zombies, etc. The new album is eagerly anticipated and sought out by a growing number of fans, and is a welcome return. Alex Green wrote about his debut album: “Under Blue Skies is one of the most satisfying and melodic albums in recent memory…Armstrong’s lustrous debut presents Pitt as the new unheralded prince of pastoral pop. With a voice that lilts and soars like Roddy Frame or The Pearlfisher’s David Scott, Pitt is truly a splendid find.” – Caught In The Carousel. David Bash, the noted Pop authority and founder of the International Pop Overthrow music festival recognized Julian’s talent and had him play the festival in Liverpool at the Cavern Club.

An old NME review made a similar comparison to Aztec Camera as well as Teenage Fanclub and Ash in reviewing an earlier 7” single. BBC’s Tom Robinson added “Classic, Vintage, Orchestral Pop Songwriting”. On “Songs About The Weather” Powerpopaholic stated: “Fans of sunshine and baroque pop would do well to check out the latest album from Armstrong … If you enjoy wistful ballads and sun-kissed melodies that are brimming with emotion you’ll want to listen to Armstrong”

Some of the simplest forms of pop music are the ones that become the most meaningful to us, which is where I’m left after spending some time with this new Armstrong track. It’s part of the new album, which features unearthed recordings and B-Sides, and this listen is making the world just a bit brighter today. You’ll mostly hear the voice of Julian Pitt lightly draped atop strummed guitar and piano play. If you need a great ballad, or just generally looking for something to make you feel good, then go here. – http://austintownhall.com/2017/01/23/new-music-from-armstrong/

This album is a compilation of rare tracks and semi-live rehearsals with the 4 Bonus Tracks salvaged from poor audio sources, but were sadly the only remaining documents of that era so we wanted to include them, thus the title “Fragments And Curiosities”. Overall it makes for a beautiful album and will provide you with a much needed relief from this ‘Crazy World’ as we await the completion of Julian’s next album “Happy Graffiti”. Sit back, Enjoy!

Special thanks to http://www.analora-photoart.de for the beautiful starfish photo for the artwork.

The Beautiful Music

armstrong julian pitt fragments

Armstrong
Fragments And Curiosities
Beauty 033 NOW AVAILABLE!!
$12.00 CDN

The Beautiful Music

“Fragments And Curiosities – The 4Track Sessions” is available as a CD (Beauty 033) directly from The Beautiful Music’s secure, PayPal-enabled ordering portal at www.thebeautifulmusic.com and for a limited time will come with a free copy of “Songs About The Weather” (Beauty 014)

Jan 01

2016 finalé: That year sounded beautiful!

That year sounded beautiful! Another year has come and gone and what a year it’s been, it’s been our most successful years to date and we’re not talking about making any money, as our fame is only imaginary, but we’re talking about getting our music heard by folks around the world. Isn’t that what it’s all about. Wally even made a few guest appearances on CKCU including a great show with Steve Kirkland for their funding drive and a few surprise visits to the Wednesday Special Blend with DJ tic and he also joined the amazing team at This Is How It Feels To Be Indie on Coast & County Radio (Thanks Adam!). We had quite a few releases also.

 

Dot Dash

This year Dot Dash released their 5th and loudest album and their songs were featured on countless radio stations with a BIG thanks to CKCU (Dick, tic & Steve), Adam Jeffrey at Coast & County Radio, Indi Pulse & many others. The reviews have been amazing and they have also made quite a few year-end “best of” lists and rightfully so as anyone who has heard their music has been blown away by their talent. Two blogs even put together compilation releases of their songs – Last Day Deaf:

http://lastdaydeaf.com/dot-dash-5-5-5-ldd05-2016/

Which even had a fine review of the free sampler here by the amazing “When You Motor Away” Blog:

http://lastdaydeaf.com/dot-dash-5-5-5-ldd05-2016/

Another sampler with 10 free songs can be found on the “This Is Indie” blog here:

http://this-is-indie.blogspot.ca/2016/12/dot-dash-overwiew-2016.html

 

Roy Moller

After many years of compiling Roy released not one but 2 amazing albums in one with Loader Than War making this fine observation”Moller’s latest missive is a tour de force of sparkling lo-fi gems, recorded with the immediacy of a Ty Segall album, but anchored in timeless songwriting” – http://louderthanwar.com/roy-moller-theres-a-thousand-untold-stories-album-review/

and Pennyblack Music commented that this album “is yet another triumph for the Edinburgh-born singer-songwriter Roy Moller. It comes (if you get your hands on an early copy) with a limited edition bonus disc and is packed with the great stories and melodies that he is renowned for.” – http://www.pennyblackmusic.co.uk/MagSitePages/Review/10480/R/Roy-Moller-CD-There-is-a-Thousand-Untold-Stories

This album is a treasure just waiting to be discovered.

 

Skytone

Although not releasing a physical product this year (excluding a few promotional CD’s that slipped out), the boys have been hard at work putting together their new album and have released at least 4 singles so far from the new album, and they have been magnificent examples of the genre they invented “Janglewave” and you can hear them on their Bandcamp page – https://skytone1.bandcamp.com/

Another highlight has been working with the legendary John Girgus (Aberdeen, The Legendary House Cats, & more) on a Remix of “On My Mind” which has taken the song to new hights and rivals some of the best remixes that New Order have released.

 

TVP Tribute – Volume 4

Although promised for release in 2016, have no fear, we are getting closer, it’s just our excitement gets ahead of us at times. It is coming and it’s coming soon. A few songs were leaked on CKCU and “This Is How It Feels To Be Indie” if you happened to be listening and you know this will be the most amazing tribute of 2017.

 

how’s that for a start

 

Wally

Sep 21

TBM Quarterly Report

the beautiful musicI know the title is misleading but we wanted to stay in touch with our fans on all levels. Most of our posts these days are in the Twitter-verse here: https://twitter.com/WallyTBM these are Wally’s up to the minute muses on what’s what and who’s who in our TBM world and elsewhere. We also do all of our album and single releases on our facebook page https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Beautiful-Music/495348020570057 . Our website is truly the epicentre of all things beauty ?

Just as a quick update here is what has been happening over the last few months here at TBM Headquarters here in Ottawa.

skytone-8bitSKYTONE: In the world of jangle-pop comes the latest releases from our dynamic duo. Lots of kind words from the reviewers and fans alike:
“brothers with a keen ear for melodies that pack more sunshine and warmth per decibel than you would have thought possible.”
“perfectly captures the spirit of the summer day with its vibrant and beautiful vocals and the 80s/90s jangle pop sounds are making me move”

Try it yourself, extend the summer! https://skytone1.bandcamp.com/

Dot Dash: Always busy on the scene, on tour or in the studio creating another masterpiece. If you are in the Washington D.C area you can catch Dot Dash at Rock & Roll Hotel on October 4th. If you haven’t had a chance to hear or see them please check out the streams available here: https://soundcloud.com/user-655653418/sets/dot-dash and they are also on Bandcamp.

“Dot Dash makes a wild escape from their previous escapade and the pumped-up pop of Earthquakes & Tidal Waves. The follow-up amps up their raw spirit on Searchlights, a new album that exploits the gritty factions of punk prose that stems from their founding.”- http://www.selectivememorymag.com/2016/07/26/dot-dash-searchlights-beautiful-music/

Still available is the special offer which is a bit insane, of all 5 albums electronically when you purchase one of the CD hard copies: http://thebeautifulmusic.com/dot-dash-special-offer/

Roy Moller: In fine tradition Roy’s latest endeavour has produced some fantastic gems and the critics are loving it. Here is beautiful write up: http://louderthanwar.com/roy-moller-theres-a-thousand-untold-stories-album-review/ and here’s a direct link to some tracks personally selected by Roy: https://soundcloud.com/user-655653418/sets/roy-moller

TVP4: The Dream Inspires but this angry silence has gone on long enough! TVP4 is in cue, mixed, mastered awaiting final artwork and pressing!!!! It will be out this year!

Sweet Magnolias: Taking a careening u-turn from their current trajectories, a brilliant off the floor outdoor recording of some classic DCR songs lead by Nick and backed by SKYTONE. We are uncertain the release date but it is awaiting the final touches on the artwork and you can expect it later this month.

julian-pittARMSTRONG: Julian Pitt is back with his follow up to “Songs About the Weather”. The new release is entitled “Fragments & Curiosities – The 4-Track Sessions” and boasts 14 tracks of the most beautiful brilliance that can be seen from space. http://thebeautifulmusic.com/the-bands/armstrong/

TBM on Soundcloud: We have created an account and are using the Soundcloud Tab on our Facebook page. We plan to upload selected tracks from our new releases, compilations and classic albums as time allows. Here is a link to us on Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/user-655653418/sets

As time allows we are going to be updating our website to be more mobile friendly.

Thanks again for your continued support and loyalty, stay beautiful.
Wally and the TBM

Jun 29

For Immediate Release: Second Hand Shops by SKYTONE

Second Hand Shops by SKYTONEskytone-8bit

” a brand new track that is sure to make you break out a sweat from dancing in the summer sun. I know you’ve been looking for a way to extend the weekend and so I’m glad to share “Second Hand Shops” with you. It’s the perfect blend of jangly guitars and surfy vibes, and even includes hand-claps! You get lyrics that will tickle your summer-feelings: “I don’t care what they say about tomorrow,” and a chorus that begs you to leave it all behind. Skytone have got a real winner of a single here, and I highly suggest you take a listen and heed their advice.”

http://austintownhall.com/2016/06/27/pure-summer-jangly-jam-from-skytone/

Available now electronically via Bandcamp:

skytone-shs

Jun 20

DOT DASH SPECIAL OFFER

DOT DASH SPECIAL OFFER

When you order the 15-track CD Digipak version of the new Dot Dash album ‘Searchlights’ ($14 CAN, $11 US) you will also receive via email — free of charge — digital downloads of all five Dot Dash albums — 59 tracks in total:

Searchlights (2016),
Earthquakes & Tidal Waves (2015),
Half-Remembered Dream (2013),
Winter Garden Light (2012), and
spark>flame>ember>ash (2011)

The Beautiful Music

dotdash_searchlights_store

Dot Dash
Searchlights
Beauty 036Digipak Special Offer
$14.00 CDN

“While the quartet’s combination of adroitly poppy melodies with an often visceral instrumental attack (drawing comparisons to The Jam, Big Star, and The Replacements along the way) remains undiminished, Searchlights reaches further – comprising a broader range of musical dynamics than previous Dot Dash albums.”

 
The Beautiful Music

dotdashBlowout

Jun 11

For Immediate Release: Dot Dash – Searchlights

Dot Dash – Searchlights

Dot Dash Searchlights

Out Now on The Beautiful Music

Searchlights, the new album from Dot Dash, is out now on The Beautiful Music. It’s the Washington D.C.-based band’s fifth album in less than five years, all of them released by Ottawa-based The Beautiful Music, and marks the label’s 36th release. Recorded over a weekend at North Carolina’s Fidelitorium Studios and produced by Missy Thangs (Ex Hex, Ian McLagan), the 15-track Searchlights is Dot Dash’s most varied, expansive album yet.

While the quartet’s combination of adroitly poppy melodies with an often visceral instrumental attack (drawing comparisons to The Jam, Big Star, and The Replacements along the way) remains undiminished, Searchlights reaches further – comprising a broader range of musical dynamics than previous Dot Dash albums.

Dot Dash SearchlightsOn the live front, Dot Dash has played recent shows with The B-52s, Tommy Keene, The Fleshtones, Ash, and Chris Stamey, among many others, and “Flowers” from the band’s 2015 album, Earthquakes & Tidal Waves, was recently included in the soundtrack of IFC-TV comedy Benders.

Distribution: Searchlights is available now in CD-Digipak format directly from The Beautiful Music’s PayPal-enabled Web shop at www.thebeautifulmusic.com

The Beautiful Music

dotdash_searchlights_store

Dot Dash
Searchlights
Beauty 036NOW AVAILABLE!!
$14.00 CDN

“While the quartet’s combination of adroitly poppy melodies with an often visceral instrumental attack (drawing comparisons to The Jam, Big Star, and The Replacements along the way) remains undiminished, Searchlights reaches further – comprising a broader range of musical dynamics than previous Dot Dash albums.”

 
The Beautiful Music

Digital downloads of Searchlights are available from iTunes, Bandcamp, Amazon, and eMusic.

Previous Dot Dash albums, all released by The Beautiful Music:
Earthquakes & Tidal Waves (released March 2015)
Half-Remembered Dream (released August 2013)
Winter Garden Light (released September 2012)
spark>flame>ember>ash (released September 2011)

May 31

For Immediate Release: Roy Moller – There’s a Thousand Untold Stories

Roy Moller - There's a Thousand Untold Stories

Roy Moller – There’s a Thousand Untold Stories

Roy Moller – There’s a Thousand Untold Stories.

Roy Moller follows in the fine tradition of the musical legends Bowie (David), Godard (Vic), Henderson (Davy), Cope (Julian) who weren’t satisfied with just blindly mimicking the music and sounds of their generation but sought and often succeeded in taking the music and lyrics into new realms. Never scared to try new sounds, Roy has created a vibrant body of work with his solo albums and has been called “Scotland’s Best-kept secret” by famed BBC DJ (and ex Fall member) Marc Riley when he was a guest on one of the Riley radio sessions.

In the words of Pennyblackmusic, Roy Moller is “one of Scotland’s most original contemporary songwriters” having already had some of his poetry and writings published. Louder Than War stated that “Moller’s lyrics are intelligent and witty, studded with intriguing cultural references.”

This new album (the second with the Beautiful Music), is the fruits of many years of work and the by-product of a hard working artist who has also moonlighted with The Store Keys, The Company, Jesus, Baby!, The 185 and probably many others that we’re not even aware of.

The title “There’s A Thousand Untold Stories” alludes to the years that went into compiling this album and some of the challenges that came with it, the stories behind the songs, along with and the significant developments in Roy’s life in discovering his birth mother was Canadian and the adventures that came with that. (Check out the story in the Toronto Star for some of those details)

In fact there were so many stories and songs, that “A Thousand More Untold Stories”, a bonus disc just had to be made. You have much to discover, the adventure awaits.

Wally

stripebar2

roy1000-tbmRoy Moller
There’s A Thousand Untold Stories
Beauty 027 Order this item now and receive the bonus disc, limited time offer
$14.00 CDN


In the words of Pennyblackmusic, Roy Moller is “one of Scotland’s most original contemporary songwriters” having already had some of his poetry and writings published. Louder Than War stated that “Moller’s lyrics are intelligent and witty, studded with intriguing cultural references.”
This new album (the second with the Beautiful Music), is the fruits of many years of work and the by-product of a hard working artist who has also moonlighted with The Store Keys, The Company, Jesus Baby, The 185 and probably many others that we’re not even aware of.

Jan 12

SKYTONE: Arts Illustrated Interview

Here’s a nice intimate visit with SKYTONE.

 

AI-Logo-in-Blue-e1378048268434

 

 

 

 

 

Arts Illustrated: http://www.artsillustrated.com/skytone-musicians/

Jan 02

Flowers by Dot Dash video

Flowers by Dot Dash

Flowers by Dot Dash, a great new video for the song “Flowers” off of their latest album.

Here is a great review from the blog : whenyoumotoraway.blogspot.ca, have a visit and enjoy a free download of the track.

“One of our favorite spring albums this year was Earthquakes & Tidal Waves by Washington, D.C. quartet Dot Dash. Terry Banks (vocals/guitar), Steve Hansgen (lead guitar), Hunter Bennett (bass) and Danny Ingram (drums), vets of Julie Ocean, Minor Threat, Swervedriver, The Saturday People, Youth Brigade, Modest Proposal and others, brew a muscular concoction of power pop, jangle and post punk.” …visit for more

Flowers by Dot Dash

Flowers by Dot Dash


https://dotdashdc.bandcamp.com/

Nov 02

Skytone Live at Fishfry

Skytone Live at Fishfry

Skytone Live at Fishfry

It was Some Kind of Beautiful Happening!

It was a special and rare occasion when a band like Skytone ventures out to perform live, and what a night it was! Only a select few were invited to this exclusive gathering where the fish was flown in from the northern extremities of Canada, and the fans came from far and near and all invited were provided complimentary copies of the new Skytone release of “Beach Ball & The Silver Frog”. It was a night to remember with all the ‘beautiful people’ and some ‘beautiful music’ and thankfully it was partially captured on video (see YouTube for a few excerpts) and the audio was bottled, and preserved for you to enjoy and share the excitement”. One spectator was overheard stating: “It was Some Kind of Beautiful Happening!”

Skytone Live at Fishfry

Now available from our store or on SKYTONE’s Bandcamp: https://skytone1.bandcamp.com/album/skytone-live-the-fishfry