Established in a caravan on the Inner Hebridean Isle of Eigg, a 12 square kilometre patch of land, forged from volcanic rock which is home to around 83 people and an impressive array of bird of prey and generates close to 100% of its electricity through renewable sources; Scottish micro-label Lost Map Records has a quite astonishing track record of producing top notch records, and since its formation in 2013 has released music from Rozi Plain, Tuff Love, Bas Jan, Clémentine March, Alabaster DePlume, label-founder Pictish Trail and many more great artists.
Walthamstow in East London might seem a world away but Lost Map has proven to be a perfect home for E17 residents Firestations, whose new EP Automatic Tendencies is released through the label in time for Bandcamp Friday tomorrow. Available both as a difital download, and as a limited edition CD complete with a 12 page zine, it is the first installment of a new three EP project and their first new music for the label since 2018’s The Year Dot album. The project will see the band take a mix-tape aesthetic, incorporating alternative ‘sunken’ versions, covers and remixes of Firestation songs by other artists alongside collections of special artworks curated by band member and visual artist Laura Copsey.
Lead track ‘Small Island’ is also being released as part of Lost Map’s PostMap Club, a subscription to which provides you with exclusive monthly releases in the form of beautiful art postcards as well as discounts on other Lost Map releases. The track, a lovely slice of woozy conceptual alt-pop, is backed by a similarly dream-like video from experimental animator Jack Alexandroff, described by the band as featuring “durational time-lapse shots made in his home studio (some 3 weeks long – which is why it took him ages!). He used materials such as clay dug up from a river bed, bread, milk, honey, and the imagery is inspired by symbols of protest – statues falling, fists growing and a tower block crumbling. We are in it, singing through pints of lager in a pub (ideal!) and occupying the River Thames foreshore.“
We’re delighted to bring you the first opportunity to watch it here on Joyzine today:
Automatic Tendencies is available to pre-order via Bandcamp (or wait until Friday 6th November and get it on Bandcamp Friday when 100% of revenues go to the band and label).
Sign up to the monthly PostMap Club here.
Great review and, I agree, Lost Maps is a superb label and Firestations are a great addition. Love the rolling keyboard riff