drive

DZ15 is on its way down I-95 courtesy of Baltimore duo Romantic States, who continue their minimalist approach to writing and recording, while integrating dynamic shifts not explored in earlier work. The result is a collection of raw, sparse, and skeletal lo-fi rock songs that are sincere, vulnerable, and haunting. Jim and Ilenia's newest works have been compiled for release on a self-titled album out February 6 and the band will be touring the East Coast throughout the month.

Special thanks to Spanish magazine Shook Down for their kind words about the album and for premiering "Back Pain" on their site. Look out for an interview with the band in the next physical copy of their magazine, and check out the track below for your first sneak peak at DZ15:

"9 canciones honestas, cristalinas y eso, minimalistas, una propuesta de corazón lo-fi que desprende honestidad, la misma que habían desfilado en algunos de sus trabajos anteriores" - Shook Down

"Romantic States are a minimalist experimental rock band from Baltimore, emphasizing rhythm and melody over instrumental complexity. Their sound is spectral, with live drums and drum machines combined to provide a back beat for reverby guitars and washed out, dream-like vocals in their own version of deconstructed pop/rock songs." - The Modern Folk Music Of America

Tapes are available for pre-order in the merch store, along with a limited number of older cassettes unearthed during my move, including releases by Wavepool Abortion, Ghostandthesong / Chris Rehm, Terror Bird, Adam Torres, Pool Holograph, and Birkwin Jersey, plus one last copy of DYVNZMBR2.

Additionally, Tape School in Tokyo is now stocking some more recent releases - Big Hush, Hazey Jane, Easily Suede, The Sweets, and Seabright all safely made the trip across the globe.

Stay tuned for more updates on DZ15, including new tracks and event info, coming very soon...

sweets

There's one last candied-coated bit of communique to share before the year runs out that's sweet enough to send you into sugar shock - the next DZ release is scheduled to debut on January 21 and features 18 home-brewed cuts from Winston Salem, NC. 

In 2013 The Sweets conjured the gods of grit to graft a slew of sick rips we've dubbed the "Greatest Hits". Side A showcases tenacious tracks hot enough to set the garage aflame. Side B subdues the fire to a slow burning ember mound sound enough to settle down and unwind by, complete with gruesome campfire stories*.

*Number of stories limited to one per tape.

Earlier this week, the folks over at Tympanogram were kind enough to debut "I Didn't Ask For Your Permission To Date Your Sister", the freely available "scuffed-up pop gem" found above. Impose also shared some love for the label, nominating DYVNZMBR2 as one of its favorite cassette compilations of 2013. "This listens like an unguided tour of some of my favorite artists and tracks from last year." There's more gaseously good news bubbling up soon so keep your radar online.

Cassette Store Day

Today is the first ever Cassette Store Day, and while the debate remains open as to whether this will be good or bad for the format and the industry, I'm finding it hard to contain my excitement. Stores from around the world will be releasing exclusive tapes from favorites like Deerhunter, Spectrals, Animal Collective, Teen Suicide, Gold Panda, and many others.

To celebrate, all downloads and merch in the DZ store will be marked off 20% this weekend by using the code "CSD" at checkout. And when your eyeballs have a free moment, take a look at these quick reads discussing some of the pros and cons of this new musical holiday.

I also want to thank the dudes at Tabs Out and Ad Hoc for the kind words on DYVNZMBR2, saying it "runs the gamut of electronic music, from glitched-out beats to feedback-laden buzzsaw drones and lo-fi downtempo hazers. It’s like a huge sandwich that’s too big to get your mouth around so you gotta take it home and cut it up cause you and I both know if you even try it, that shit's falling out of the bread and landing in your lap."

reels in motion

All orders of DZ09 have been shipped, thanks to everyone as always for your patience as I run back and forth to and from the post office every day on my lunch break. Catch a preview picture of these beauties below:

In some more offbeat news, apparently Myspace still exists, and they just released a list of their 25 Best Cassettes of 2013, two of which just happen to be from our catalogue. Pool Holograph (#6) and Birkwin Jersey (#19) were both featured, alongside some sweet tapes put out by friends at Bridgetown Records, Night People, Crash Symbols, Holy Page, Burger Records, Moon Glyph, Orchid Tapes, Chill Mega Chill, Bird Tapes, Orange Milk and others. Thanks to Kristen for the kind write-ups.

narwhalmilk

The DYVNZMBR2 mixtape has at long last been released to the wild. The compilation contains 21 tracks, each uniquely voltaic and illustrative, from DZ homies near and far, spanning from east to west across the entirety of this new weird America that I call home, to the outskirts of distant mother Russia's electrowasteland, and a freckling of spots spaced out in between.

Available as a free stream and download below, the mixtape is also (naturally) available on cassette as part of a limited edition release of 50 professionally dubbed C75s housed in bumblebee-yellow shells. At the time of this posting, almost half of these tapes have already been spoken for, but you can still visit the shop to claim one for yourself.



We've also got something new to whet your appetite for ocular entertainment from DZ favorite It Is Rain In My Face., who has been busy this year having just recently released his new Languish In The Evening EP and is currently on tour with Tom Kitty Oliver to promote the release of their joint project Pressed And's latest release Stone Candles on Mush Records. Now we revist one of the singles from his self-titled full-length debut, "Duck In A Row", with a new video directed by Tobias Stretch. Check out the chilling scene below, and grab one of the last few copies of DZ06 at the shop if you're looking for something to keep you cool this summer.


"Duck In A Row" - It Is Rain In My Face. from Mat Jones.

Tomorrow's Harvest

Happy Boards Of Canada Day, Earthlings.

The eerily enigmatic electronic duo's first full-length release since 2005, "Tomorrow's Harvest", is out today on Warp Records, and it was well worth the wait. Check out the video for "Reach For The Dead" below:



In DZ news, the DYVNZMBR2 mixtape will be out one week from today, so to celebrate, here's a second set of tracks for your listening pleasure:

misplaced lobe

Production on DZ09 is in its final stages, and after a few months of setbacks I'm happy to announce the release of the second DZ mixtape. Featuring over 20 tracks from various artists from the independent international DZ community, DYVNZMBR2 will be available in limited numbers starting mid-June. As with its predecessor, the mix covers a vast variety of experimental electronica that's sure to take your primary auditory cortex on rollercoaster ride. Check out some sample tracks below and stay tuned for more information coming soon.

Earlier this month at DZ HQ, we were lucky enough to host a handful of talented artists from the local area join us at the Dougout for an early evening showcase. The performances were are beautiful, and I'd like to thank everyone who came out for their support. 

Peals enveloped the audience with blissful, meditative layers of gentle guitars, quiet keys and other abstract sonic tools to create a cerebral concoction of auditory intimacy. The band performed a collection of cuts from their newly released LP "Walking Field", currently available from Thrill Jockey. The duo was joined by fellow Baltimore acts Romantic States and Amanda Schmidt, both sharing their own distinctly delicate minimalist oscillations, and Princess Reason from College Park's Tricot Records, who helped round out the group with their unique blend of sentimental pop.

Peals (courtesy of Nano)

"pinnacle of peals"

Peals (courtesy of Charity)

Princess Reason (courtesy of Nano)

TWENTY TWELVE TWOFERS

merry happy nice and a sexy new year to you all. shipping has nearly concluded on all orders. if you suspect something is wrong with your shipment, please contact me!

i've got a small litter of DZ01 pups looking for a good home, check out the shop and act fast to get your hands on one of the final copies from this severely limited supply!

all three tapes are currently in stock and out now, on the cheapsies for keepsies. choose any two tapes and get a DZTAPES button and sticker to boot!

there are a few projects in the works for 2012 that i'm very excited about. barring any further financial setbacks, look out for more releases soon to come!

tapes tapes tapes

Shipping on all orders is picking up steam! Sorry for the delays, but I'm shipping things out in waves so keep an eye on your mailbox!

I also wanna thank Stephanie at Impose Magazine for the nice chat over coffee.

step-by-step

Please enjoy the final tracklist for the DYVNZMBR community compilation. The final tape mix is edited differently, so consider this a preview. 8] Submissions include tracks from the following artists:

WALSH / CO LA / RANGERS / KEN SEENO / HALLS / GIANT CLAW / BORN GOLD / GEOTIC / BLITHE FIELD / KEEP SHELLY IN ATHENS / YALLS / TEAMS / HOWSE / BLACKBIRD BLACKBIRD / SPACE GHOST / MYSTIC MYTHS / PEPEPIANO / RA CAILUM / GOLF SWINGERS / OSIRIS GLADE / VACATION DAD / YOHUNA / THE ARCADE JUNKIES / MR. LEG / ORMO / GALAPAGOS / JARED PAOLINI / COUGH COOL / SLEEP IN /  CHRIS REHM / JEANS WILDER

finalized

first, i'd like to thank everyone who pre-ordered the DYVNZMBR community compilation for your continued patience and support. it's been almost four months since funding was secured, and finally the project has been sent out for production.

if you pre-ordered the cassette, please keep an eye on your inbox for an email survey from kickstarter regarding your shipping information. shipping is expected to begin mid-to-late november.

stay tuned for a stream of the final mix, coming soon!

copy pasta

wuddup sluts and slutstresses.

in case you haven't been following, there are just 10 days left in this lovely month of may, and currently we sit at 56% funded. at this point i'm very happy for all the support out there, but i've been mulling over the idea of funding this release myself if the kickstarter is unsuccessful. it's something i'm prepared to do, but i know that the run would be much more limited, which really goes against the initial intention of the project in my mind. regardless, i want to assure _you_ that this release will be happening either way.

anyhow, per request, here is the plan for fund allocation, assuming the kickstarter is a success:

$387.05 : cost of 300 professionally dubbed and printed cassettes

$525 ($1.75 x 300) : best cost (domestic) estimate for shipping 300 cassettes

$120 (5% + 5%) : fees for both kickstarter and amazon

$167.95 : additional funds for stickers, buttons, shipping materials, various printing, etc.

= $1200.

for those wondering about getting more than one copy, be aware that i have added new rewards with different options for up to 3 cassettes and goodies, so you can get one for your girl & guy too. the new pledge rewards are:

$16 - [USA/CAN/MEX] DYVNZMBR cassette + mp3 (2 copies)

$18 - [WORLD] DYVNZMBR cassette + mp3 (2 copies)

$22 - [WORLD] DYVNZMBR cassette + mp3s (3 copies)

$22 - DYVNZMBR cassette + mp3s (2 copies), DZ TAPES button (x2), vinyl sticker (x2), thank you card, and a 100x100p space reserved for the image of your choice on the upcoming digital image quilt on dayvanzombear.com

$26 - DYVNZMBR cassette + mp3s (3 copies), DZ TAPES button (x3), vinyl sticker (x3), thank you card, and a 100x100p space reserved for the image of your choice on the upcoming digital image quilt on dayvanzombear.com

lastly, a button/sticker update:

racecar ɹɐɔǝɔɐɹ

It's finally here, the kickstarter has launched and for the rest of May 2011 only, you can help get this tape made and reserve your copy for as low as $8.

What's special about this project that I think I may have failed to stress is that your donations go directly towards not just copies for you, _the listener_, but for all the contributing artists to support the music makers we love. In the end, my goal is to provide copies for anyone willing to donate to the cause, and arguably the artists are a gigantic part of that.

With a little over 3 weeks remaining, a total of 21 backers have so far donated $267, which puts us at 22% funded. This means there are just over 100 copies left to be reserved before the project can be claimed a success. However, if the $1200 goal is not met by the end of May, the project as it is will be in jeopardy. An amazing group has already begun to come forward in support, thank you to everyone who has donated so far, I appreciate each and every one of you. For everyone else, please check out the kickstarter if you're interested and tell anybody that you think may share that interest, because that's the only way that this magic happens.

cover

here's final front panel design for the cassette:

more designs to come in the future...

my katamari grows larger

building lots of support for the release, and the number of confirmed artists has reached double digits.

more updates to follow.

w . o . r . k . i . n . g . . . .

plans are being made for a limited cassette compilation, stay tuned.