OUT NOW AND COMING SOON!

Middle Children's debut LP "Earth Angel" coming out March 3.  Newest project from Purple 7 and Hot New Mexicans' songwriter Patrick Jennings.  Ten reclusive pop songs birthed from deep down in his basement. Then, sculpted by his band which include old friends Ginger Alford and Matt Tobey of Good Luck.  Ya don't wanna miss this one!

180 GRAM VINYL AND A LIMITED RUN OF CASSETTES

Howardian "Do You Know I Wiggle" is a collaboration between Ian Vanek and Schuyler Maehl. The best way to describe Ian Vanek's drumming is caveman power with a surf surgeons precision. Schuyler Maehl's left handed guitar tinkling spices this power perfectly and suitor's the wound with grace and cleanliness.This release is limited to 30 12" lathe cuts.  www.howardian.net

Howardain tour dates:

Feb 2nd Cincinnati, OH Northside Yacht Club with Dead Vision 

Feb 4th Chicago, IL TBA

Feb 5th Milwaukee, WI @ High Dive 701 E Center St. 

Feb 6th Madison. WI @ Willy Magnet 1019 Williamson St.      

Feb 7th Detroit, MI @ UFO Factory 2110 Trumbull

Feb 8th Columbus, OH @ Ace Of Cups 2619 N High St. with Vacation

Feb 9th Pittsburgh, PA @ TBA with Muppet Babies 2

Feb 10th Montclair, NJ @ The Meatlocker 8 PARK ST. with Math The Band

Feb 11th Philly, PA  @ The Sound Hole w/ Teenage Halloween & Math The Band

Feb 12th Manhattan, NY @ Berlin 25 Ave. A w/ Teenage Halloween & Math The Band

Feb 13th Boston, MA @ ZuZu 474 Massachusetts Ave. with The Monsieur

BAD TASTE 'MELT DOWN' TAPE!

Six new songs of rock and roll, hardcore, horror punk by Carbondale's Bad Taste. These songs were recorded and mastered in Bloomington, IN at Russian Recording. Get this tape while it last cause only 100 were pressed. 

- Sass Dragons, Sleeping Bag, and Nervosas !!!

Sass Dragons new LP and TAPE ‘True Adventure’

The 6-year wait is over, friends! Our favorite Chicago punk rock goof balls, Sass Dragons, new LP and TAPE ‘True Adventure’ is out on Let’s Pretend Records NOW! The Sass Dragons 4th LP is also a split release with our brother label, No Breaks Records from Atlanta, GA. ‘True Adventure’ strays away from party punk and instead focuses on the humor of getting old. As always, we are looking forward to what they are going to bring next.

For extra insight, be sure to check out this awesome interview:  

Growing Up For Grown Ups: Stream the new Sass Dragons track

Also, be sure to check out what Vice Noisy has to say about the new album and stream it in its entirety:

Hear a New Album from Chicago Party Punks, Sass Dragons | NOISEY

Sleeping Bag’s new TAPE and TOUR DATES

Let’s Pretend Records is stoked to announce Sleeping Bag’s ‘Demons From the Deep’ new TAPE! From Bloomington, Indiana’s garages, Sleeping Bag is fuzzed out and low-fi, with simple songs, great hooks, and killer melodies. Limited 100 translucent green tapes! Be sure to check out their tour dates below!

Aug 06          The Comet                Cincinnati, OH

Aug 07          Spacebar                   Columbus, OH

Aug 09         Mr. Roboto Project    Pittsburgh, PA

Aug 12          Silent Barn                   Brooklyn, NY

Aug 13          Gold Sounds                Brooklyn, NY

Aug 16          Now That’s Class         Cleveland, OH

Aug 18           FooBar                        Nashville, TN

Nervosas S/T 3rd and FINAL pressing is available NOW

Although we are all super bummed about this band’s break up, LPR is still very stoked to do a third pressing of this record. This third pressing has a few new features to make it an awesome addition to your vinyl collection. This double LP is pressed on randomly mixed colored vinyl with an etching on the D-side, no screen print. The jackets have been upgraded to a thicker cardstock with a wide spine to fit both records better. Don’t snooze on this final release from Columbus, OH’s speed-goth punk, Nervosas. 

Erin Tobey 'Middlemaze" LP/ TAPE is Out Now and West Coast Tour Dates!

Let's Pretend Records is proud to present our friend Erin Tobey's Middlemaze, out now! Erin is heading out west with Jeff Grant and Patrick Jennings as a tidy 3-piece to join up with Stephen Steinbrink for a couple weeks of west coast dates, below.

June

04 Bloomington, IN at John Waldron Arts Center
10 Bloomington, IN at Blockhouse (Middlemaze release show)
12 Denver, CO at Larimer Lounge
13 Salt Lake City, UT at Diabolical Records
15 Langley, WA at TBD*
16 Seattle, WA at The Future *
17 Port Townsend, WA at Uptown Pub *
18 Anacortes, WA at Acme *
19 Olympia, WA at Stable Studio *
20 Portland, OR at Turn, Turn, Turn! *
21 Astoria, OR at Albatross *
23 San Francisco, CA at Sylvan Annex *
24 Oakland, CA at Badger Claw Castle *
25 Santa Cruz at Hannover Street Studios *
26 Santa Barbara at Dashain Co-op *
29 Los Angeles, CA at Bootleg Theater *
30 Pomona, CA at Acerogami *

* with Stephen Steinbrink

What folks are saying about Middlemaze:

"Measured and assured... Erin Tobey's blossoming music opens just at the moment of revelation. After more than a decade, the Bloomington singer-songwriter returns with a reflective second album." – NPR

"Middlemaze has the vastness you could expect from someone who’s gathered experience in many worlds, including the worlds of punk and folk in near equal measure." –She Shreds

"Immediate familiarity, a tenderness so big it feels potent" – Impose
 

New Great things in the works!

Spencer Moody "Gothic Jazz for Shelley"

SPENCER MOODY breaks away from the rock n roll boundaries where his long time running group, THE MURDER CITY DEVILS, exist.  This release is musical, interesting, arty, and most of all MOODY.  This 7" kicks off a string of SPENCER's releases on Let's Pretend, and we couldn't be more proud of our new partnership. Support! Out now on 7 inch vinyl!

Erin Tobey "Middlemaze" Out June 3rd!

Photo by Chaz Mottinger

So stoked to share NPR's premiere of "I'm Young". The first song off Erin Tobey's new album Middlemaze, out June 3.

Lars Gotrich writes:

"Measured and assured... Erin Tobey's blossoming music opens just at the moment of revelation. After more than a decade, the Bloomington singer-songwriter returns with a reflective second album."

He also calls it "cosmic country." We'll take it! 

Paste Magazine also did a sweet write-up for the premiere. People are chompin' at the bit for this new ET album and we can't wait for everyone to hear the whole thing!

Impose Magazine posted about the premiere.  

Concrete Beez

Nothing but the best was expected from region rockers' Eric Nelson, Grady O'Rear & Cole Champion, and as CONCRETE BEEZ, the boys delivered a solid collection of basement singalong jams.  After ten plus years of writing songs for ADD/C, FUTURE VIRGINS, HIDDEN SPOTS, and more, it goes without saying that the music these dudes make will have your hands stompin' and feet clappin'. 7 song tape OUT NOW.

New Releases

Remember the dynamite BRENDA'S FRIEND EP we released last year? Half of that magnetic duo is AMY O, and she has swiftly provided us with another fantastic collection of amped-up folk tunes that Let's Pretend is privileged to release.  Need further convincing?  Check out the rave reviews (links below) that AMY is already receiving.

Treble Zine - http://www.treblezine.com/reviews/27988-amy-o-arrow-review/

Gold Flake Paint - http://www.goldflakepaint.co.uk/amy-o-arrow-lp-review/

Unbelievably excited and humbled to announce the release of SPENCER MOODY's Gothic Jazz for Shelley 2-song EP available March 25th in the limited quantity of 300 black vinyl.  Can't wait for the physical copies?  Head over to the LPR bandcamp page to get your fill!  SPENCER, a long time multi-media avant garde artist and singer of THE MURDER CITY DEVILS, has many of his works for public preview here. 

Erin Tobey “Middle Maze” Full Length

Very excited to announce that Let’s Pretend will be releasing the second full length by Bloomington’s own Erin Tobey. It’s been 11 years in the making. “Middle Maze” will be released on June 3rd, 2016. Stay tuned for a song to premier and other promotional media.

Amy O “Arrow” Cassette Tape

This Bloomington-based singer/songwriter amped up her style with a full-band rock sound. She will be releasing her 6th album on February 19th, 2016. Check out a song here.

Tweak Bird

Tweak Bird “Any ol Way” has finally been repressed! 400 copies in total were pressed on translucent purple drank vinyl. So, get trippy with it HERE.

Coming soon…

• Spencer Moody "Gothic Songs for Shelley" 7-inch (early March)

• Sass Dragons "True Adventure" LP/Tape

• Nervosas S/T repress (three sided double LPs with etching on D-side, pressed on recycled vinyl)

Tour Dates and More!

Vacation is hitting the road with limited copies of Do Shit, their first demo remastered and pressed on opaque red 10-inch wax. The Do Shit wax will be available at letspretend.com on 9/4. You can stream and buy the digital HERE! They're also on tour in support of their new full-length record Non-Person released on   http://dongiovannirecords.com/.

In other news, on 9/4 LPR will also be releasing:

• Constant Insult S/T six-song LP/TAPE
• Al Scorch/Dave Dondero Split 7"

Check out tour dates from Bloomington's Chud and Laughing Gas below!

VACATION / SCREAMING FEMALES TOUR DATES:

07/27/2015 Cleaveland, OH Now That's Class w/ Screaming Females

07/28/2015 Chicago, IL Empty Bottle w/ Screaming Females

07/29/2015 Chicaho, IL Bric-a-Brac Records matinee 

07/29/2015 Chicago, IL Subterranean w/ Screaming Females

07/30/2015 Milwaukee, WI Borg Ward w/ Screaming Females

07/31/2015 Madison, WI The Frequency w/ Screaming Females

08/01/2015 Minneapolis, MN the Triple Rock Social Club w/ Screaming Females

08/02/2015 Iowa City, IA The Mill w/ Screaming Females

08/03/2015 Omaha, NE The Sweatshop Gallery w/ Screaming Females

08/04/2015 Denver, CO Larimer Lounge w/ Screaming Females

08/06/2015 Boise, ID Neurolux w/ Screaming Females

08/07/2015 Portland, OR Mississippi Studios w/ Screaming Females

08/08/2015 Vancouver, BC Media Club w/ Screaming Females

08/09/2015 Seattle, WA Chop Suey w/ Screaming Females

08/11/2015 San Francisco, CA Rickshaw Stop w/ Screaming Females

08/12/2015 Oakland, CA the Nightlight w/ Street Eaters, Birthday Girl, Composite

08/13/2015 San Pedro, CA tba w/ tba

08/14/2015 Los Angeles, CA house w/ Tenement

08/15/2015 Pomona, CA VLHS w/ Screaming Females

08/16/2015 Los Angeles, CA The Observatory BERSERKTOWN FEST w/ Dead Moon

08/17/2015 San Diego, CA Soda Bar w/ Screaming Females

08/18/2015 Phoenix, AZ Valley Bar w/ Screaming Females

08/19/2015 El Paso, TX Lowbrow Palace w/ Screaming Females

08/20/2015 Denton, TX Macaroni Island w/ No Touching, Hate Your Friends

08/21/2015 Austin, TX Red 7 w/ Screaming Females

08/22/2015 Dallas, TX The Foundary w/ Screaming Females

08/23/2015 Houston, TX Fitzgerald's Downstairs w/ Screaming Females

08/24/2015 New Orleans, LA Siberia w/ Screaming Females

08/25/2015 Nashville, TN Stone Fox w/ Screaming Females

08/26/2015 Atlanta, GA Aisle 5 w/ Screaming Females

08/27/2015 Durham, NC Pinhook w/ Screaming Females

08/28/2015 Washington, DC Rock and Roll Hotel w/ Screaming Females

08/29/2015 Philadelphia, PA Union Transfer w/ Screaming Females

09/11/2015 Cincinnati, OH Ice Cream Factory (record release show) w/ Babe Rage

CHUD/ LAUGHING GAS TOUR DATES:

7/31 - CHICAGO @ RANCHO HUEVOS W/ DARK THOUGHTS, BRUISED, COCHINA

8/1 - MADISON - HAPPENING I THINK

8/2 - STL @ FOAM W/ POSTURE

8/3 - KC @ THE UNION W/ PHANTOM HEAD

8/4 - OKC @ THE SHOP W/ SCATHE

8/5 - DENTON @ 1919 W/ THE NOIDS, SOY BABIES

8/6 - HOUSTON @ THE SHOP W/ TALK SICK BRATS

8/7 - NOLA @ GENERATOR SHOW W/ BIG BLEACH

8/8 - BIRMINGHAM @ SOUTH SIDE LOUNGE W/ NIGHT WITCH, SAY IT

8/9 - KNOXVILLE @ PILOT LIGHT

8/10 - GREENSBORO @ NTCC W/ MENTHOL

8/11 - RICHMOND @ CRYSTAL PALACE W/ DAGGERING, DAD SHOES

8/12 - PHILLY @ SECOND EMPIRE W/ SMART HEARTS, PRODUCT

8/13 - NYC - WHO KNOWS

8/14 - ROCHESTER W/ BEASTMAN, FLIP SHIT

8/15 - BUFFALO @ HOYT HOUSE W/ BEASTMAN, FLIP SHIT, BLOBS

8/16 - COLUMBUS @ USED KIDS RECORDS W/ YUZE BOYS (CRETINS OF DISTORTION RELEASE PARTY!! WOOHOO!)

8/17 - BLOOMINGTON @ 1102 S WASHINGTON W/ BEASTMAN, FLIP SHIT

8/18 - INDIANAPOLIS @ STATE STREET W/ FLACCID, THE CRINGE, BLIND DOG, PRISON SHIV

 

New Release!

OUT NOW! Chucky Waggs and the Company of Rags with "Low Road Ramble" on LP, cassette, and CD. It's also now available to stream and buy through the website!

Chucky Waggs is a multi-instrumentalist, singer/songwriter based out of the hills of Eureka Springs, AR.

He draws influences from early American roots music, as well as early punk and rock and roll. This release has a more cohesive approach to songwriting. It offers an intimacy and sense of humor, while including more of the style and energy of a live show. Check out more information like show, tour date, and music by Chucky Waggs at chuckywaggs.com.

Next up to be released:

• LPR-125 APOGEE SOUND CLUB "Antiderivative" LP/TAPE
• LPR-130 AL SCORCH "Live in Ireland" TAPE
• LPR-133 VACTION "Do Shit" 10"
• LPR-134 CONSTANT INSULT LP/ TAPE
• LPR-136 Dave Dondero/ Al Scorch split 7"

It's been awhile! There have been a lot of awesome things keeping us busy lately. We are super excited to launch this new website so we can keep y'all more connected to what is going on at Let's Pretend Records. There are way more opportunities to stream videos and music and stay up to date with new releases. We are looking forward to being able to keep you guys more informed about your some of your current and future favorite bands. Currently, we are stoked to add the following to the Let's Pretend catalog:

• Chud S/T 7"
• Waxeater "Baltimore Record" TAPE
• Cool Mutants "Surfin' THC" TAPE
• Rubrics "What is the world without rubble?" TAPE
• Bad Taste "Cult Status" TAPE
• Crow Bait "Sliding Through the Halls of Fate" TAPE
• Future Virgins "Western Problems/Late Republic" x2 TAPE
• Brenda's Friend "Under the Shrub" TAPE

In addition to the above releases that are now available, we have several releases cooking at the plant: 

• Apogee Sound Club "Anti Derivative" LP & TAPE
• Vacation "The Do-Shit Wax" 10"
• Al Scorch/Dave Dondero split 7"
• Constant Insult 12" EP

Be sure to check back often; we will have new music to stream and a lot of information on upcoming releases!