FROM THE CRATES #2

Part 2 of my journey pricing our stacks of used 7-inch records. In my walk through our wax museum of recorded sound, sometimes I find things I need to share – so here we are. This is “From the Crates.” 

BAND: The Deist’s Pouch
TRACKS:
 A-side – “Everybody’s Got a Pouch”
 B-Side – “Backsliding Deist’s Prayer”
LABEL: Sommerweg

The story behind the Deist's Pouch begins with a car accident and the first law of thermodynamics. When singer and songwriter Vic Chesnutt got into a car wreck that left him mostly paralyzed at age 18, whatever energy present in his life was not destroyed but transformed into what would become a prolific music career, just as vibrant as it was tragic.

I’ll admit it was the album art that caught my attention. Staring at the monochromatic, bright green picture of a group of kids – one of them (perhaps Chesnutt himself) frowning straight into the camera - I had a gut feeling there was something important here. The Deist’s Pouch, a side project of Chesnutt's, was recorded in 2003 at Fried Sound Studio in what discogs describes as "a one-off jam session of members of [Vic Chesnutt], Lambchop and Calexico," two of Chesnutt's frequent collaborating bands. By this point in his career Chesnutt was firmly established in the underground rock scene with eight records under his belt (two of which were produced by REM’s Michael Stipe) and a slew of collaborations including a tribute album in '96 featuring Garbage, REM, Smashing Pumpkins and more.
The record was released off of Sommerweg Records, an obscure, now defunct German label whose few releases were primarily underground American groups including Barbara Manning & The Go-Luckys!, Bruces,  John Convertino, and Mountaineer.

The sound of this 45 reflects the much of Chesnutt's material; introspective lyrical profundity paired with his signature simple, folk-based chords - a sound partially determined by his limited physical capabilities after the car wreck and partially from his grandpa’s guitar lessons during Vic's early years in Athens, Georgia. In a 2009 interview with Fresh Air, Chesnutt stated, "My granddaddy, he would show me the chords to ‘Sweet Georgia Brown’ in G, and then we would play that song for an hour without stopping...and then a week later, we would come, and we would do, okay, ‘Sweet Georgia Brown’ in A flat...and we did it until we played all 11 keys, and that was it." It was his grandpa’s “guitar-does-well-tempered clavier’” instruction that instilled in Chesnutt the very chops that carried through his life. In the very same interview, then collaborator Guy Picciotto (Fugazi) described Chesnutt's sound, "There's so much in Vic's chordings, and there's so much in his melodies that you can also build on top of them...his music is the foundation, and it can support a lot of architecture." Picciotto's description in 2009 rings true in the material in the Deist's Pouch in ‘03. The two tracks stand as chiseled achievements in folk rock structure.

After hours of searching I can’t find ANY recordings available for streaming online, but you’ll have to trust me when I say these tracks are great. Interested? Come into the shop and we’ll put the record on for you!

OV PRESENTS: The Parlour Suite + My Hawaii TONIGHT @ Downstairs At Fifty Seven!

The Parlour Suite and My Hawaii are playing at Downstairs At Fifty Seven tonight! We're co sponsoring the event in support of these bands and this really awesome new venue in downtown.

Pop music today takes many shapes and forms, and Minnesota-based band The Parlour Suite is a good example of a group that has taken pop music to a new and interesting place. With familiar knocking kick drums and catchy hooks, The Parlour Suite brings a psychedelic and spacious element to their danceable songs with droning guitars and trippy synths. The catchy music serves as the perfect backdrop for singer Inga Roberts to assert her sweet yet powerful voice. Come support these guys tonight at what's guaranteed to be a great show!



What happens when you put together classic indie rock sound with a bunch of obscure instruments, toy-like percussion, and synthesizers? Local LA band My Hawaii is what happens, and they're guaranteed to put a big smile on your face. Light, floaty, and rich with harmony these guys rule, and put on a show you don't want to miss out on!



So put your dancing shoes on and head on over to Downstairs at Fifty Seven tonight to check them out!

OV PRESENTS: Aan @ The Satellite TONIGHT!

Here at Origami, we pick up those mid-week pick-me-ups like no one’s business. Help us help you, yknow? Word.

Perfect example: Along with our buds at Buzzbands.LA, Origami is presenting Aan at the Satellite TONIGHT @ 9pm! They’ll be joined by StaG and Habits!

Check it out: Portland-based Aan have been doing their thing since 2008 when frontperson, Bud Wilson gathered himself in musical bits and pieces into the makings of a raucous solo project. However, it wasn’t long before the project needed to expand into the dimensions of a full and developed band, currently consisting of a 4-piece with two guitars, bass, drums and synth (Jon Lewis, Jeff Bond and Reese Lawhon).

The band’s experimental pop debut, Amor Ad Nauseum, off of the imprint label, Party Damage, was recorded over a period of two years and several locations. According to an interview with Wilson, the album’s genesis took place in a cabin at the Oregon coast – a fitting setting, sure to have influenced the lush pop soundscapes in Amor Ad Nauseum. After that initial framework, Wilson claims he took the “next 2 years [and] tracked everything else in multiple studios around Portland. It was basically Jeff Bond the producer and I tweaking everything and experimenting with reverbs, EQs and other studio tricks.”

PS. If you’ve seen the album artwork…you should know some things: Her name is Mya and she’s ok (the pic was snapped mid-treatment).

NO, WE DON'T HAVE SUPERPOWERS...BUT WE'VE GOT NEW RELEASES!!!

Pharmakon - Bestial Burden (Ltd. Red Vinyl | PRE-ORDER)

Shabazz Palaces - Lese Majesty (Loser edition w/ 7")

Kahoots - Take To The Fields

Hooray For Earth - Racy

Jenny Lewis - The Voyager

Naomi Shelton & The Gospel Queens - Cold World

Stardeath And The White Dwarfs - Wastoid

The Raveonettes - Pe'ahi
Land Observation - The Grand Tour
Alpine Decline - Go Big Shadow City
Bob Moses - First To Cry
Jim-E Stack - Tell Me I Belong
The Specials - Live At The Moonlight Club (Reissue)
Isaac Hayes - Shaft OST (Reissue)
V/A - The Best Of 2Tone (Reissue)

+ RESTOCKS
Devon Williams - Gilding The Lily
The Raveonettes - Lust Lust Lust
The Raveonettes - Observator
The Raveonettes - Raven In The Grave
The Raveonettes - In And Out Of Control
The Black Angels - Phosphene Dream
The Black Angels - Indigo Meadow
The Black Angels - Clear Lake Forest

OV WEEKLY: Cool As The Other Side Of The Pillow

While the heat is winding down in L.A, we could still go for a nice cold jump into water. So send all pool party invites our way ASAP. Thanks!

Monday, July 28th
Corners Residency @ The Echo! LA Font Residency @ The Satellite!

Now that all that nasty June Gloom has passed, it's high time July kicked into full gear! To help get the summer going, The Echo has recruited L.A locals Corners to get your beach towel out and get them beach-punk feet moving! Lolipoppers and garage maniacs through and through, Corners bring, raw licks, lo-fi production and general troublemaking with each hi-hat smash and wall of reverb. It's perfect for some sweaty July nights and we hope to catch you in the fray every Monday night! Plus, former OV babe Bennett's band DEBT will be there too! What a night!



But one awesome L.A band isn't enough! Luckily enough, The Satellite just enlisted OV buds LA Font for a residency to close out July! With anthem-like songs and raw energy LA Font is sure to kick start your week and give you a reason to be excited about your Monday. Whether you're in the mood to just chill and listen to some live music at an awesome LA spot, or rock out with these local heroes, mosey on down to The Satellite for a guaranteed good time!



Tuesday, July 29th
Spoon 10" Pre-Order Round 2 Starts TOMORROW! Record Club LA! Super Secret Giveaway!

Not gonna lie, Spoon's first three singles for their newest LP, They Want My Soul, might be some of our favorite songs this year. "Rent I Pay" stomps, "Inside Out" glimmers and "Do You" slinks about like only the best Spoon pop songs can. It's a resounding opening to what is sure to be one of our favorite albums of the year and we are so stoked to have all three again on an exclusive 10" release! After selling out last week, OV managed to grab another bunch of these super limited EPs and will be bundling them as part of our pre-order for They Want My Soul tomorrow morning! Given the limited run and quality of these songs, we highly, highly suggest you get your hands on it in-store Wednesday morning!

While we're talking about Spoon, we sure would like to hear that 10", so you better bring it on down to El Prado tonight for Record Club!



Speaking of awesome indie rock mainstays, The Hold Steady are playing the El Rey Tuesday night and we want you to go! Just tweet @OrigamiVinyl your pick for the most "solid" Hold Steady track and you'll be entered to win! The contest ends tonight, so get to posting!


Wednesday, July 30th
An OV Presents Double-Header!

Yeah you read that right, tonight OV's taking over L.A with TWO awesome local shows! Check 'em both out if you dare!

First up, OV is proud to present Aan @ The Satellite!

Portland-based Aan have been doing their thing since 2008 when frontperson Bud Wilson gathered himself in musical bits and pieces into the makings of a raucous solo project. However, it wasn’t long before the project needed to expand into the dimensions of a full band, currently consisting of a 4-piece with two guitars, bass, drums and synth (Jon Lewis, Jeff Bond and Reese Lawhon). Earlier this year, the band released their debut, Amor Ad Nauseum, off of Party Damage, filling the LP's 9 tracks with multiple veins of experimental pop both jagged and dreamy. Tying together the album, Bud Wilson's exploration of love's power and impossibilities pushes Amor Ad Nauseum over the edge and into every listener's consciousness. It's a powerful record from a powerful band, and we fully encourage your attendance when Aan take over The Satellite tonight at 9PM!




If Aan ain't your thing, The Parlour Suite and My Hawaii are playing Downstairs At Fifty Seven tonight!

Pop music today takes many shapes and forms, and Minnesota-based band The Parlour Suite is a good example of a group that has taken pop music to a new and interesting place. With familiar knocking kick drums and catchy hooks, The Parlour Suite brings a psychedelic and spacious element to their danceable songs with droning guitars and trippy synths. The catchy music serves as the perfect backdrop for singer Inga Roberts to assert her sweet yet powerful voice.

Alongside The Parlour Suite, My Hawaii are what happens when you put together classic indie rock sound with a bunch of obscure instruments, toy-like percussion, and synthesizers. Light, floaty, and rich with harmony, My Hawaii are guaranteed to put a big smile on your face.

We dig 'em both, so we better see you tonight at 9PM!






Friday, August 1st
Dead Dawn In-Store @ 7PM!

You feel that? Dead Dawn are coming like a cold sweat to our loft for an in-store performance tonight at 7PM! Said to have been birthed in an old house in Echo Park back in the summer of 2010, Dead Dawn create heavy, dusk laden sounds that rock as much as the creep. In songs like “The Woods,” “No Easy Way Out of Hollywood,” and “Dear Papi,” the verses brood and bide with Fawn’s fragmented chords plucked listlessly beneath vocalist China Morbosa’s chilled, monotone mantras. The deliberate, glowering vocals make for sturdy melodies, occasionally cracking (never fracturing) into salvos of barks (“Circus Song”) and howls (“The Howling”). Sounds fun doesn't it?




Saturday, August 2nd
The Deadfly Ensemble In-Store @ 7PM!

Throw on some eyeliner and get ready for a night of gothic punk with Los Angeles natives The Deadfly Ensemble, who just released their newest single "Poison! Poison! Poison!". Led by vocalist/ guitarist/ comedian/ performance-artist Lucas Lanthier, the group is part band and part theatrical troupe known for it's ever-changing and unique live show experience. With acoustic and electric guitars, synths, basses, percussion, and cello, The Deadfly Ensemble mashes together folk and post-punk in a style reminiscent of neo-folk bands like Death in June and Sol Invictus. No two shows are alike so don't miss this one! Its going to be awesome!



Sunday, August 3rd
Spoon's They Want My Soul Album Premiere Party @ 3PM!

As you've already read, we're pretty damn excited about Spoon's new LP They Want My Soul. This excitement culminates when we spin They Want My Soul for the first time in our shop this Sunday! Premiering before its release day August 5th, OV will be shuffling and rocking like nobody's business and we want you there to dance with us! While you groove, enjoy some pizza and bevvies on us -- but please try not and shimmy and eat at the same time! Also also, we've got some sweet posters and a super limited test press to raffle away! All in all, it's a perfect end to your week at OV!



Giveaways This Week!
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah @ Troubadour 8/7 - 1 ticket comes with the purchase of CYHSY's newest LP Only Run!

Keep an eye on our Twitter/Facebook for future giveaways!


Now that we've planned your week, make sure your cat gets some loving during these dog days of summer!

OV SUMMER SALE 7/25-7/27 = 10% OFF EVERYTHING + FREE GOODIES W/ ALL IN-STORE PURCHASES

Origami Vinyl is having a summer sale Friday 7/25, Saturday 7/26, and Sunday 7/27!

10% off off in-store and online! We also have TONS of stuff to giveaway, including tickets, signed test presses, posters, Tshirts, and MORE! Here's a breakdown for ya:


IN-STORE
In-store purchases come with dope special prizes*
Spend $20+ and get: a weird toy, an art print, a signed poster, or other goodies to choose from!
Spend $30+ and get: a surprise 7", cassette, T-shirt, or CD!
Spend $40+ and get: signed LP or surprise test pressing!
Spend $50+ and get: TICKETS! Or Signed test pressing!


Here are the shows we have tickets for:
-Burger Labor Day Fest @ Los Globos
-Murder City Devils @ Pappy & Harriets
-Superchunk @ CFAER
-Hundred Watters @ CFAER
-New Edition @ Nokia Theatre
-Jenny Lewis @ Wiltern
-The Hold Steady @ El Rey
-Benjamin Booker @ Echo
-Fucked Up @ El Rey
-Ty Segall @ Echo (tickets for ALL four nights available!)
-Dan Deacon @ Glasshouse
-Magik Markers @ Echo
-The Sonics @ Roxy
-Beardyman @ Roxy
-Shabazz Palaces @ Roxy
-NONONO @ Roxy
-The Helio Sequence @ Roxy

*These are only available while supplies last so don't hit snooze on these treats


ONLINE
Use the following promo codes to get 10% off your online purchases!
$20+: OVSALE20
$30+: OVSALE30
$40+: OVSALE40
$50+: OVSALE50
$60+: OVSALE60
... you get the idea!

So swing by the shop, pick up some of your favorite tunes and let us pamper you with some love. You deserve it ;)

OV PRESENTS: THE TIMES w/ Mark "Frosty" McNeill & Mukta Mohan @ Ace Hotel

It's Friday already?! That means the The Times is back tonight at Upstairs @ Ace Hotel! Throwin' down the jams for you this week we have Mark "Frosty" McNeill & Mukta Mohan.

The Times, created by our fearless leader Neil Schield, brings together an assortment of local LA DJ's, writers, and artists to throw down their favorite tunes on vinyl all night long at the Ace Hotel. This weekly event features a rotating cast that includes. Neil Schield himself, The Gaslamp Killer, LA Record founder Chris Ziegler, graphic artist/designer Steve Harrington, radio DJ and photographer Mukta Mohan, co-founder of dublab Mark ‘Frosty’ McNeill, rhythm & blues musician/producer Nick Waterhouse, and DJ/musician Clifton aka DJ Soft Touch. With such a diverse line up, the tunes are sure to be an eclectic bunch, spanning all genres and generations!

The madness begins at 9PM! Be there or be square!

IN-STORE: The Spencer Owen Timeshare TONIGHT @ 7PM!

Oakland musical experimentalist, Spencer Owen is trolling the west coast, touring material from his latest release, Blue Circle, and here he comes with his band, the Timeshare to our loft!

Blue Circle (Owen’s ninth record- primarily a collection of revamped demo tracks) listens like an indie pop release but with added sonic eccentricities and genre bends that place it firmly in the fringes amongst art pop. Owen’s vocals rest primarily in quivering tenor heights - sometimes delicate (a la Owen Pallett), sometimes with snarl and sass, other times with soulful falsetto.

Owen spent his first nine years of semi-professional musicianship as a solo artist, playing his heart out to his own musical beats and backings provided via iPod, fondly dubbed, “the Karaoke Machine.” The addition of a band certainly works in his favor. The bass is particularly fat throughout the record (see, “It Work” and the reggae influenced “Factory Message”) and the drum-tracks, whether canned or live, hold it all down pat (“Thomas Curse”). So come check out the Spencer Owen Timeshare when they take roost here in OV at 7pm!

FROM THE CRATES

PREAMBLE: So Neil takes me aside and says, “Intern Ted, you see these MASSIVE shelves packed with old 7-inches? Yeahhh, I’m gonna need you to go ahead and price them. All of them. Kbye!”

Here I’ve been since - sorting, sifting and pricing my way through a deluge of used wax.
The upside? It’s awesome.
In between the Donny Osmond and the Chaka Khan, we’ve got some really rad, rare, and fascinating vinyl here. So rad and rare in fact, that I have to share some with you. This is From the Crates.

BAND: Medium Medium
TRACK: “Hungry, So Angry”
LABEL: Cherry Red Records

Emerging from Nottingham, England – a town known for its bicycle industry, tobacco industry and yes – Robinhood, Medium Medium was an offshoot from an earlier punk project, The Press. The Band released their freshman single in 1979 – but what we have here is their second single, which surfaced in 1981. Fun fact: it was actually the first signing from Cherry Red Record’s then A&R, Mike Always. The song’s “new wave does dance funk” sound was light enough on its feet to soar across the pond and into the ears of the American alt-radio scene – even cracking the Billboard Top 50. “Hungry, So Angry” gave Medium Medium their first (and unfortunately their last) real jolt of notoriety. After the initial success and a U.S. tour the band was unable to keep momentum, eventually falling off the map after a unanimously rejected attempt at a full LP in ‘82. 

About the song: This song is tight. I wonder if they’d been listening to Fear of Music while writing the song - you get a definite Talking Head’s vibe between the chorus-heavy disco rhythms of the guitar and front-person John Reese Lewis’ Byrne-esque vocal mimicry. The band is often compared to contemporaries, Gang of Four, which makes sense as both lay claim to the dance/funk/punk sounds in the transitional space between new wave and post-punk. The song rests primarily on a bass and drum groove with the guitar adding half-muted, stuttering rhythmic slam-strums on top. The whole thing is sandwiched between raunchy, wailing saxophone solos provided by singer, Lewis. Alan Turton’s bass groove is the real standout, taking its cues directly from slap-style funk bass.
Lyrically we’re met with dense lines describing the struggle resulting from the semipermeable barrier between an artist’s work and personal life. After an initial intimate revelation, Lewis sings, “And I write this down, You stare at the ground,” adding, “It’ll embarrass you, ‘cause you hate the way I had to write this down.” In an artist’s compulsory search for truth, where does he draw his personal lines? Or is all fair game in love, war, and art?
Give it a listen - and come find it in the shop!

IN-STORE: Des Ark TONIGHT @ 6PM

Come down to the shop tonight at 6PM to see Des Ark play in our loft!

All the way from our nations capital, Washington DC based band Des Ark began over ten years ago as a "queercore" duo led by singer/songwriter Aimee Collet Argote. Since it's creation the band has seen different personnel, but has always been led by the powerful front-woman Argote. Her songs have a "quiet power" so to speak. Without excessive use of distortion and noise, Argote is able to captivate with her confidence and energy, and has the capability to move listeners with her honest and bold lyrics. Anything but shy, Des Ark is sure to be an awesome time so don't miss this one!

So come on down tonight at 6 to see Des Ark perform in our loft! Check out their track "My Saddle Is Waitin' (C'mon Jump On It)" below. See you tonight!

NEW RELEASES FOR TO MAKE PARTY TIMES

Joyce Manor - Never Hungover Again (w/ Signed Poster)

Cocteau Twins - Blue Bell Knoll (Reissue)

Electric Funeral - Total Funeral

Nightmare & The Cat - Simple

Max Richter - The Congress OST

Alvvays - S/T
The Amazing Snakeheads - Amphetamine Ballads
Torch Runner - Committed To The Ground
The American Songster Don Flemons - Prospect Hill
Spencer Owen - Blue Circle
LA Hell Gang - Thru Me Again
Kyuss - Wretch (Reissue)
Led Zeppelin - II (Deluxe 2-LP Version)

BREAKING NEWS: Eric D. Johnson Takes Over Record Club 7/22!

Tonight at Record Club we're going to have special guest Eric D. Johnson, who will be hanging out with us and premiering his new album, which won't be released until August 5th! What's more exciting than an exclusive sneak peek?!

Eric D. Johnson, frontman of The Fruit Bats and frequent collaborator with The Shins, is coming out with his first solo record, EDJ, through Easy Sound. Featuring a number of deeply personal songs, Johnson wanted to make an album for himself. With beautifully cryptic and metaphoric lyrics Johnson creates a folky dreamscape with crooning guitars and floaty vocal melodies, that command attention and pack a punch with a quiet intenstity. Whether its a "melancholy groove" or an "existential make out song" theres something for everyone to connect with on this new record and to make a long story short, its going to be AWESOME and I can't wait to listen to it at Record Club!

Not only are we going to be listening to the new album, but you're also going to have a chance to purchase it before its released! Check out his song "Lose It All, All The Time" from his new album EDJ below. The tunes start at 9PM at El Prado. See you there...

 

OV WEEKLY: Holy Cow! There's so much happening this week!

Holy Cow!!!! There's so much going on this week I don't even know where to begin. (Keep your eyes peeled for a ticket giveaway somewhere in this post!)


Monday, July 21st
LA Font Residency @ The Satellite!

We love LA bands! We love garage rock! So naturally we're into local band LA Font. Lucky for us, The Satellite just enlisted them for a residency to close out July! With anthem-like songs and raw energy LA Font is sure to kick start your week and give you a reason to be excited about your Monday. Weather you in the mood to just chill and listen to some live music at an awesome LA spot, or rock out with these local heroes, mosey on down to The Satellite for a guaranteed good time. Check out their song "Motor Rally" below!



Corners Residency @ The Echo!

Now that all that nasty June Gloom has passed, it's high time July kicked into full gear! To help get the summer going, The Echo has recruited L.A locals Corners to get your beach towel out and get them beach-punk feet moving! Lolipoppers and garage maniacs through and through, Corners bring, raw licks, lo-fi production and general troublemaking with each hi-hat smash and wall of reverb. It's perfect for some sweaty July nights and we hope to catch you in the fray every Monday night! See you soon!



Tuesday, July 22nd
Eric D. Johnson at Record Club!

Tuesday night at Record Club we're going to have special guest Eric D. Johnson (frontman of The Fruit Bats and The Shins collaborator), who will be hanging out with us and premiering his new album, which won't be released until August 5th! What's more exciting than an exclusive sneak peek?! Not only are we going to be listening to the new album, but you're also going to have a chance to purchase it before its released! And there's more (It just keeps getting better and better)... If you purchase the album we'll also buy you a drink as a thank you! Check out his song "Lose It All, All The Time" from his new album EDJ below. The tunes start at 9PM at El Prado. See you there...



Thursday, July 24th
Des Ark in-store show!

All the way from our nations capital, Washington DC based band Des Ark began over ten years ago as a "queercore" duo led by singer/songwriter Aimee Collet Argote. Since it's creation the band has seen different personnel, but has always been led by the powerful front-woman Argote. Her songs have a "quiet power" so to speak. Without excessive use of distortion and noise, Argote is able to captivate with her confidence and energy, and has the capability to move listeners with her honest and bold lyrics. Anything but shy, Des Ark is sure to be an awesome time so don't miss this one!



White Fence @ the Echo!

Join White Fence for a two-night stint at The Echo thursday and friday nights! Another awesome LA band, the guys of White Fence are no strangers to performing in the Echo Park area. Having lived in the area for 4 1/2 years, frontman Tim Presley has been working non-stop on perfecting the astral, psych-pop sounds that we all know and love from the group. They seriously kick butt, and if you can't make it Thursday... that's fine because they're playing Friday too! Don't miss it.




Friday, July 25th
Joyce Manor @ The Fonda!

We've been talking a lot about Joyce Manor this last week here at OV since they came into the shop armed with donuts and their new album. This Friday they're headlining at The Fonda, and it's going to be epic!  Their new album Never Hungover Again falls on the pop side of punk, and intentionally so. According to an interview with guitarist/vocalist Barry Johnson, Joyce Manor has been in a perennial dialectic struggle between their pop-punk and hardcore sensibilities. Johnson claims, "The first thing we did was pop-punk wanting to be hardcore, and we succeeded. That gave us the confidence to focus on more pop stuff, which we wouldn't have had the confidence to do before..." And confidence is exactly what the band (Johnson particularly) need when writing and developing the album's more personal content - a task that the band's pop influences take care of. According to Johnson, the genre of "hardcore" displays its limitations when it comes to communication. In his words, "you just need something that communicates complicated emotion and melody can do that." That being said, there are many a moment in this record where Johnson's hardcore vocals certainly take control.

Spencer Owen Timeshare in-store performance!

Owen spent his first nine years of semi-professional musicianship as a solo artist, playing his heart out to his own musical beats and backings provided via iPod, fondly dubbed, “the Karaoke Machine.” The addition of a band certainly works in his favor. The bass is particularly fat throughout his newest record, Blue Circle (see, “It Work” and the reggae influenced “Factory Message”) and the drum-tracks, whether canned or live, hold it all down pat (“Thomas Curse”).


Saturday + Sunday July 26th-27th

Did someone say sale? YES! We did! That means 10% off in-store and online purchases. All in-store purchases will come with super special prizes. We're going to have a bunch of free stuff with purchases from tickets, to posters, to vinyl! You won't want to miss out. Seriously.

TICKET GIVEAWAY!
Say Anything w/ Front Bottoms and So So Glos @ The Fonda - Send an email at highfive@origamiorigami with you're favorite super kewt internet kitty for a chance to win tickets!

What a week... Now that you know all the good stuff happening, plan accordingly!

Check our Twitter/Facebook for more cool stuff happening this week

IN-STORE: Matt Kivel TONIGHT @ 5PM!

Come check out Matt Kivel this afternoon at 5PM in the loft!

Los Angeles singer/songwriter and OV alum, Matt Kivel is currently touring on the release of his newest album Days of Being Wild. Recorded over the span of six weeks in the summer of 2013, Days of Being Wild builds of Kivel's already successful formula of warm and melodious vocals with delicate acoustic guitar, by adding more of a kick with electric guitar reminiscent of the classic rock legends. That being said, he hasn't strayed far from his folk-rock roots and his songs are sure to make you swoon!

Surely theres no better way to spend your lazy sunday afternoon than in the shop with hometown folk hero Matt Kivel! If you're teeming with excitement and want something to hold you over until tonight, check out his single "Open Road" below. See you there!

ALBUM PREMIERE PARTY: Joyce Manor TODAY @ 3PM!

Joyce Manor has decided to premier their third studio album, Never Hungover Again,  right here in Origami at 3pm!

This is their first release off of Epitaph and check it out, the album doesn’t even actually come out until the 22nd, but we’re gonna have the band in-store TODAY to listen to the record and hang with us (and you!). That's tight, right? That's tight. Plus, you can totally pre-order it.

Never Hungover Again falls on the pop side of punk, and intentionally so. According to an interview with guitarist/vocalist Barry Johnson, Joyce Manor has been in a perennial dialectic struggle between their pop-punk and hardcore sensibilities. Johnson claims, "The first thing we did was pop-punk wanting to be hardcore, and we succeeded. That gave us the confidence to focus on more pop stuff, which we wouldn't have had the confidence to do before..." And confidence is exactly what the band (Johnson particularly) need when writing and developing the album's more personal content - a task that the band's pop influences take care of. According to Johnson, the genre of "harcore" displays its limitations when it comes to communication. In his words,"you just need something that communicates complicated emotion and melody can do that." That being said, there are many a moment in this record where Johnson's hardcore vocals certainly take control.

Ps. There may be special donuts (by our good pals Donut Friend) beverages and free tickets to their show at the Fonda to be had.

IN-STORE: GUIDES TONIGHT @ 7PM

Come by tonight at 7PM to see Guides in the loft!

LA-based experimental rock trio Guides, begin their latest tour on the heels of there self-titled debut release, a 3-song 7'' that gives a short, yet powerful taste of what is to come from this rock trio. With vague melodies and distorted guitars, Guides create an immense wave of sound, unique enough to captivate any audience. Frontman Chris Cogswell, backed by bassist Be Hussey and drummer Jayson Larson give a new and exciting spin on a classic shoegaze sound, while experimenting with song form, and instrumental textures, likely to make you leave the show with your mind blown! Check out the Facebook event page HERE.

The show starts at 7PM, but if your in the mood to get a sneak preview check out Guides' epic song "Careful, I Was Every Sin" below! Hope to see you there!

TED TALKS PRESENTS: TED LISTENS EP. 3

THE SONG: "Shut In"
THE BAND: Strand of Oaks
THE ALBUM: HEAL
THE LABEL: Dead Oceans

I’ve had the distinct privilege of attending college in a forest. I say this because Strand of Oaks will forever be inseparable from mornings, half-asleep stumbling headlong into cold, reluctant jogs on the forest trails. Stuffing Leave Ruin (Strand’s first album) into my ears is what kept me going. The album’s introspective folk rock turned out to be the ideal soundtrack.
Enter HEAL, Strand’s fourth album. The tracks here were dredged from a fevered songwriting binge (30 songs in three weeks) by frontperson, Tim Showalter after coming off tour. The content is more upbeat and rock-centric (compounded by the help of J Mascis on “Goshen ‘97”)– portraits and vignettes of life’s intimacies abound.
So let’s talk about this week’s track, “Shut In.” As the title alludes, we are met with lyrics that construct a sort of universal internal contest– “How much do I care and how much do I try?” When Showalter opens with, "I was born in the middle, maybe too late, everything good had already been made," he encapsulates the existential struggle of many of us Americans in our 20's and 30's, staring down the supposed banality of our generation, oft proclaimed by our elders -you know...the ones who invented rock 'n roll. At the same time, the chorus works as an uplifting mantra, forcing us onward, into activity. "We try in our own way to get better, even if we’re alone."
The tune is built upon the simple oscillation of two chords strumming consistently, with the induction of an icy synth organ in the second verse that gives us an almost Springsteen vibe (makes sense from Showalter – an unabashed fan of older dad-rock). What really gets me is the guitar solo that comes tearing in around the two-minute mark - distorted, incredibly loud, overpowering. It’s a riff with such sing-song predictability…you can’t help but latch on. I’m not saying it’s out of place…but it is a definite statement, and a mystifying one at that. The question is, why? You’ll listen to it again and again regardless.
ANYWAY, I’m done. Pick up HEAL HERE!

OV PRESENTS: The Times w/ Chris Ziegler & Neil Schield TONIGHT @ Ace Hotel!

It's Friday dude, and you know what that means, The Times is back Upstairs @ Ace Hotel! On the slate this week is Chris Ziegler & Neil Schield, lookin' to get your groove going all night and weekend long!

The brainchild of our glorious leader, Neil Schield, ‘The Times’ brings together a diverse group of LA artists, musicians, writers, and DJs to share their favorite musical gems at the ‘creative mothership’ that is The Ace Hotel in Downtown LA. This weekly Friday event’s rotating cast includes Neil Schield himself, The Gaslamp Killer, LA Record founder Chris Ziegler, graphic artist/designer Steve Harrington, radio DJ and photographer Mukta Mohan, co-founder of dublab Mark ‘Frosty’ McNeill, rhythm & blues musician/producer Nick Waterhouse, and DJ/musician Clifton aka DJ Soft Touch. With a line up this diverse, the sounds are sure to run the gamut of nearly every genre and style created in the last one hundred years or so. These are THE TIMES!

The party gets started at 9PM dudes, so you better get all snappy looking quick!

ALBUM PREMIERE PARTY: Ryley Walker TONIGHT @ 7PM

Join us this afternoon for an album premiere party with Ryley Walker!

Coming all the way from Chicago, singer/songwriter Ryley Walker is currently touring on the release of his newest album All Kinds of You. Armed with his guitar, Walker brings an incredible energy with his unique twist on folk music and elaborate fingerpicking thats sure to make you're jaw drop to the floor. This afternoon we're going to hang out, have some pizza and dranks, and play the album in the shop with Ryley Walker himself, who will be stopping by before his show later tonight at The Echo!

So come on down tonight to hang and check out Ryley Walker's awesome new album! Wanna taste of the music before tonight? Check out All Kinds of You's track "Rollin a Top" below!

 

JUST ADDED: The Coathangers signing 8/6 @ 7PM

THIS JUST IN! The Coathangers will be coming into the shop on August 6th from 7-8PM to do a signing before their show later that night at The Echo with The Bots, White Fang, & Cobalt Cranes (event info HERE). We're super excited! There will be pizza and drinks, courtesy of Suicide Squeeze Records. So come hang out and get your grub on with us and The Coathangers August 6th!

You can reserve your copy of their newest record, Suck My Shirt, on our online store HERE and pick it up the day of the event! Also, pick up tickets for their show are being sold in the shop for $12, cash only.  Check out this track from their latest album "Follow Me".

THIS JUST IN: Donut Friend Takes Over Record Club TONIGHT!

Tonight at Record Club, we're adding to our repertoire of round things by bringing in Highland Park bakers extraordinaire Donut Friend in to spin some vinyl with us! Already amazing purveyors of everything 90s alt-rock donuts, we fully expect their curation to both taste good and rock our damn socks off!

If you haven't heard of Donut Friend, well you need to hear about Donut Friend. Founded by Mark Trombino, who you may know as that dude who played in Drive Like Jehu and produced just about every 90s alt-rock gem you can think of, Donut Friend is where your love of Mineral meets your love of cake-bagel yumminess. Featuring beautifully titled donuts like "Rites of Sprinkles" and "Fudgegazi," Donut Friend both mashes up names like a boss (we like to think our punning inspired them), but also mixes flavors like you've never seen. We're talking bacon donuts, Sriracha donuts, goat cheese donuts, the works!  On top of that, in proper DIY fashion, Donut Friend allows you to describe your perfect donut, and watch it appear right before your eyes! It's actually the best thing ever!

As part of their curation of Record Club tonight, Donut Friend will be providing as many donuts as you can handle, high fives aplenty and a couple surprises that'll have you licking your lips. To keep in line with their 90s alt-rockness, we're hoping y'all can scrounge up a couple Jawbreaker records for us to spin too. Either way, it's gonna be pretty damn awesome and we can't wait to get our hands on your LPs and on Donut Friend's delicious donuts! The party gets started at 9PM at El Prado, so you better grab some napkins and get here quick!

NEW RELEASES ENTER...AND ANTICS ENSUE!

Joyce Manor - Never Hungover Again (PRE-ORDER w/ Signed Poster)

Goat - Commune (PRE-ORDER Loser Edition w/ Bonus 7")

Reigning Sound - Shattered

Liars - Pro Anti Anti

The Clean - Anthology | Box Set

Circulatory System - Mosaics Within Mosaics

Plastikman - EX (Live @ The Guggenheim, NYC)

The Acid - Liminal
Cabaret Voltaire - #7885 (Electropunk to Technopop 1978-1985)
Anna Calvi - Strange Weather EP
Cush - SP3
Miles Davis - The Musings Of Miles (Reissue)
Dot Hacker - How's Your Process (Work)
Jon Hopkins - Collider
Jon Hopkins - We Disappear
Fela Kuti & Africa 70 - Expensive Shit (Reissue)
Fela Kuti & Africa 70 - He Miss Road (Reissue)
Fela Kuti & Africa 70 - Live With Ginger Baker (Reissue)
Landlady - Upright Behavior
My Brightest Diamond - None More Than You EP
Nikki Sudden & The Jacobites - Texas
Anand Wilder & Maxwell Kardon - Break Line: A Musical
Woman's Hour - Conversations (White Vinyl)
Xeno & Oaklander - Par Avion

THIS JUST IN: Spoon Pre-Order w/ Vinyl Gratification

This just in: Beginning 7/15 we will be taking pre-orders for the new Spoon album They Want My Soul (release date 8/5) and in return you will receive instant gratification in the form of an exclusive 10'' vinyl with 3 unreleased tracks from their upcoming album! These records are exclusive to independent record stores as a part of Record Store Day and we are super stoked to be a part of the campaign! So make sure to pre-order your copy in the store on 7/15!

In the meantime, check out They Want My Soul's first single "Rent I Pay" below!

OV WEEKLY: This Week Is A Big Ball Of Fuzzy Wonderfulness!

It's true. Once you get past our tough-guy exterior, OV just loves puppies. We think it's a decent store philosophy. Enjoy the weekly below like you would a fluffy Golden or a silly looking Pug. 

Monday, July 14th
Corners Residency @ The Echo!

Now that all that nasty June Gloom has passed, it's high time July kicked into full gear! To help get the summer going, The Echo has recruited L.A locals Corners to get your beach towel out and get them beach-punk feet moving! Lolipoppers and garage maniacs through and through, Corners bring, raw licks, lo-fi production and general troublemaking with each hi-hat smash and wall of reverb. It's perfect for some sweaty July nights and we hope to catch you in the fray every Monday night! See you soon!




Tuesday, July 15th
This Week's New Releases Will Not Chew Holes In Your Socks!

As always, OV's got the hookup on the new release side, looking ahead, looking behind, generally keeping an eye out for ya dude. This week, we've got our Joyce Manor pre-order (check out the premiere party this Saturday!), new stuff from Liars & Anna Calvi, plus an awesome couple of reissues we'll keep a secret for now. If you wanna catch 'em all, check the blog Tuesday morning and get your hands on some shiny new vinyl!

Once you've got all the LP goodies you can handle, come on down to El Prado tonight for Record Club! As a special treat, tonight's edition of Record Club is co-sponsored by the confectionary geniuses over at Donut Friend! Mashing together the best of 90s alt-rock and stupidly good donuts, these Highland Park homies will be helping OV curate the evening's entertainment and will have plenty of surprises coming your way. It's gonna be the greatest combination of circular objects with holes in the middle you've ever seen! Check the blog for future deets!




Thursday, July 17th
Ryley Walker Premiere Party @ 7PM!

Coming all the way from Chicago, singer/songwriter Ryley Walker is currently touring on the release of his newest album All Kinds of You and will be performing at OV tonight! Armed with his guitar, Walker brings an incredible energy with his unique twist on folk music and elaborate fingerpicking that's sure to make you're jaw drop to the floor. So come hang out, have some pizza and dranks, and enjoy the album in the shop with Ryley Walker himself, who will be stopping by before his show later at The Echo!




Friday, July 18th
OV Presents The Times w/ Chris Ziegler & Neil Schield TONIGHT @ Ace Hotel!

Even though Neil has like, totally abandoned us, we still think he's pretty cool. One of the cool things he does is curate a weekly vinyl DJ extravaganza Upstairs @ The Ace Hotel featuring Chris Ziegler, DJ Soft Touch, Frosty, Mukta Mohan, Nick Waterhouse, Steve Harrington, The Gaslamp Killer and himself! It's a awesome night of music and partying and if you're looking to get your rooftop bar on this Friday then look no further! Tonight's wax spinners are Chris Ziegler and Neil Schield! See you there!

Saturday, July 19th
Joyce Manor Album Premiere Party @ 3PM! Guides In-Store @ 7PM!

Oh man. You know we love Joyce. OV buds, alums and just about our favorite people, we are so, so excited to premiere their newest album Never Hungover Again today at 3PM! While 2012's Of All Things I Will Soon Grow Tired might have hinted at the depth of sounds Joyce was playing with, nothing really can prepare you for Never Hungover Again. Taking a new shining to Brit-pop guitars and Smiths jangle, this Torrance group's newest LP explores pop-punk from top to bottom, bringing together the stupidly catchy riffs of Of All Things I Will Soon Grow Tired with the raggedly repeatable choruses of their self-titled to make an LP for the masses. We absolutely adore it and hope you'll stop by to join us for a night of Joyce awesomeness! Speaking of awesomeness, there might just be a surprise coming your way as well. But you donut hear it from us..



To top off the night, stick around for an awesome in-store performance from Guides! An LA-based experimental rock trio, Guides are fresh off the heels of their debut release, a 3-song 7'' that gives a short, yet powerful taste of what is to come from this rock trio. With vague melodies and distorted guitars, Guides create an immense wave of sound, unique enough to captivate any audience and likely to leave you with your mind blown! So come on down to OV for a new music marathon!

Giveaways This Week!
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah @ Troubadour 8/7 - 1 ticket comes with the purchase of CYHSY's newest LP Only Run!

Keep an eye on our Twitter/Facebook for future giveaways!


Now that we've planned your week, I'm off to Canada for a bit. I'll send a postcard.

IN-STORE: Yellow Ostrich TODAY @ 3PM!

Today at 3PM, Yellow Ostrich will be performing in our loft!

From their practice space in the heart of Brooklyn, Yellow Ostrich frontman, Alex Schaff, studied astronomers and stargazed from his tiny window, in search for songwriting inspiration. The result was their newest album, Cosmos, a  dreamscape of astral guitar rock and electronic ambience that makes you feel like your floating through space! Building off there alt-rock backgrounds, Yellow Ostrich fused their modern sound with the a classic 70's psychedelic rock, creating a dense soundscape that might just make you see some stars on a gloomy LA night!

So come down to OV today at 3PM to see these Brooklyn rockers in support of their third album Cosmos! If you can't wait til tonight to have a listen check out their single "Neon Fists" Below! See you there!

IN-STORE: Greys TONIGHT @ 7PM

Come through tonight a 7PM to see Greys in the loft!

Strap your shoelaces tight and get ready for a raucous night of grungey punk rock with Greys! Coming all the way from our favorite neighbors to the north (Canada) Greys is touring on the release of their new album "If Anything" off of Buzz and Carpark Records and it kicks some serious butt. Self described as "loud rock" these guys sound like a mix between The Ramones and Wavves putting new-age twist on the classic punk rock sound with distorted guitars, shouting vocals, and catchy riffs that are sure to get you jumping all over the place.

So come on down and support these Canadian rockers! If you can't wait until tonight to rock out, check out there track Guy Picciotto of their new album "If Anything" below.

OV IN-STORES: THIS WEEKEND!

Hey, how's it going?
Oh, not so good?
Wait what, you need weekend plans?
Why didn't you say so! We've got you!
We're bringing you two killer in-store performances this weekend.

Check'em out:

Saturday, July 12th Greys In-Store @ 7PM!
 Strap your shoelaces tight and get ready for a raucous night of grungey punk rock with Greys! Coming all the way from our favorite neighbors to the north (Canada) Greys is touring on the release of their new album If Anything off of Buzz and Carpark Records and it kicks some serious butt. Self described as "loud rock" these guys sound like a mix between The Ramones and Wavves, putting a new-age twist on the classic punk rock sound with distorted guitars, shouting vocals, and catchy riffs that are sure to get you jumping all over the place.

Sunday July 13th: Yellow Ostrich In-Store @ 3PM!
Yellow Ostrich's latest release, Cosmos is different. Perhaps it’s the loss of band co-founder, Jon Natchez or maybe it’s the use of big name mixers and engineers. Regardless, I recall an interview with front-person, Alex Schaaf who asserted that if his records didn't sound different from one to the next - they probably weren't worth releasing at all. Word. The resulting collection of tracks (apparently inspired by spacehead extraordinaire, Carl Sagan) is often just as deep and nebulous as its subject matter. Hints of psychedelia butt against dark synths with lyrics that induce twice as many questions as they answer - the great unknown! Sure to be a stellar set.

OV PRESENTS: The Times w/ Nick Waterhouse & Mukta Mohan TONIGHT @ Ace Hotel!

It's Friday dude, and you know what that means, The Times is back Upstairs @ Ace Hotel! On the slate this week is Nick Waterhouse & Mukta Mohan, lookin' to get your groove going all night and weekend long!

The brainchild of our glorious leader, Neil Schield, ‘The Times’ brings together a diverse group of LA artists, musicians, writers, and DJs to share their favorite musical gems at the ‘creative mothership’ that is The Ace Hotel in Downtown LA. This weekly Friday event’s rotating cast includes Neil Schield himself, The Gaslamp Killer, LA Record founder Chris Ziegler, graphic artist/designer Steve Harrington, radio DJ and photographer Mukta Mohan, co-founder of dublab Mark ‘Frosty’ McNeill, rhythm & blues musician/producer Nick Waterhouse, and DJ/musician Clifton aka DJ Soft Touch. With a line up this diverse, the sounds are sure to run the gamut of nearly every genre and style created in the last one hundred years or so. These are THE TIMES!

The party gets started at 9PM dudes, so you better get all snappy looking quick!

OV PRESENTS: The Parlour Suite @ Downstairs at Fifty Seven July 30th

THIS JUST IN!

OV presents the Parlour Suite and My Hawaii on July 30th at Downstairs at Fifty Seven! This is a new spot in downtown that we're super stoked about. Definitely check it out, its going to be a ton of fun! Tickets are only five bucks and they're available HERE. The event is 21+. Hope to see you there!

THIS JUST IN: Purchase Los Globos tickets @ OV

THIS JUST IN!

OV is now selling tickets for events held at Los Globos! Come on down to the shop to pick up tickets for any of the events listed above!