On the Joyzine Advent Calendar we’re giving away free downloads of tracks by artists that we love (including plenty of exclusives and a fair few festive favourites) every day until Christmas Eve on what, as far as we’re aware (and we’re always happy to be corrected), is the longest running such calendar on the web.
As always, the tracks are completely free to download and there’s no need to sign up to any mailing lists to access the songs (though if you’d like to you can join ours here), but if you’re enjoying the tunes we’d love you to make a donation to the wonderful charity Child Poverty Action Group, who work on behalf of the more than one in four children currently growing up in poverty in the UK by providing support to families navigating the social security system, taking legal action to challenge unjust decisions and campaigning for change. You can make a donation on this link.
Today we have a double helping of free downloads from one of favourite DIY labels Blang Records, who have been filling our ears with outsider music for twenty years now – first as a live music night, from which grew a record label and most recently even spawned a YouTube series for which they were kind/foolish enough to invite our very own Paul Maps to appear on.
From a roster packed with Joyzine favourites they’ve provided us with two – the mad professor otherworldy crazy genius of Thomas Truax and his band of self-made instruments and a brand new Christmas song from absurdist blues outift Faux Fibbers.
We caught up with Jules from Blang Records to find out what they’ve been up to in 2022.
What have you been up to in 2022?
2022 marked the 20th anniversary since the first ever Blang night @ 12 Bar Club (RIP) led to the birth of a fully fledged independent label. We celebrated with a party at the Windmill Brixton as we packed in 6 acts, one album launch and a trip down memory lane spanning 100 releases and 20 years of outsider music. https://fb.me/e/2XLoav9R3
The first Trailer Crash album was released in May on CD and download. ‘Slow Down Old Man’ an eclectic mix of electric and acoustic storytelling, recorded with a lo-fi aesthetic and delivered in a detached world-weary Hertfordshire accent. The missing link from the early Stiff catalogue. Watch their video for single My Back Yard featuring Disco snails and menacing hedgehogs! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0u8Ln075Qxw
Not only was the Blang Documentary 17 Years Of Outsider Music released on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CzZl2ZVbpzE but several episodes of Blanguished – Adventures in Outsider Music covering a range of topics;
A visit To Rough Trade East https://youtu.be/0jaCQz_Ckd4
Getting a new tattoo https://youtu.be/WCYf8CeBkB8
A walk around London N8 to interview David Cronenberg’s Wife and The Awkward Silences https://youtu.be/VZZu2ow1d8g
A celebration of Soho’s 12 Bar Club with author Mark Webster AKA Barnet, former manager of the venue https://youtu.be/MVjeZuz7rZY
A visit to Onecat Studios to investigate the new Blang-not-Blang vinyl EP https://youtu.be/xy566wnjEq8
A trip to New Cross and Deptford with Joyzine Founder Paul Maps https://youtu.be/O9ZC46BCJCo
We also released two singles
A limited edition 7” vinyl of the Vagrant Lovers single Paradise Burns, on transparent lathe-cut vinyl (plus digital tracks ft. an extra remix track) mixed by Chestnutt (SNAPPED ANKLES).
The Awkward Silences ‘Quantum Physics (Oculus lll Molecular Mix)’ download single. The album opener on 2020’s ‘The Awkward Silences’ was given the remix treatment by Sheffield producer Oculus lll. Check out the video over on the Blang youtube channel https://youtu.be/TUQub35BdVg
What do you have planned for next year?
2023 will open with a bang for Blang in January – Thomas Truax’s next album (Vinyl and CD) that he made with ex Banshees/Slits drummer Budgie. Album launches at The Lexington on Saturday 21st January with support from our very own David Cronenberg’s Wife https://fb.me/e/2lZq7B2wP
Our main other project for 2022 is the debut album for new Blang artist Pink Eye Club which will be on 12” vinyl
We also hope to announce very soon an exciting new signing and hope to release a 12” vinyl and CD album later in the year… watch this space
What can you tell us about today’s track?
‘January Egg Race Dream’ is from Thomas Truax’s first and only Blang album release Monthly Journal. Classic Truax – a perfect post Christmas hangover cure.
Faux Fibbers’ annual Christmas single is ‘Dancing around the Christmas Tree’. Not your normal christmas fare – Santa is involved but so are a bunch of hardened (sort of) criminals…
What makes the perfect Christmas song?
Like any good song – the perfect Christmas song should make you want to let loose like a goose.
Download: Thomas Truax – January Egg Race Dream / Faux Fibbers – Dancing Around The Christmas Tree
Find out more on Blang Records’ official website
If you enjoy the track, we’d love you to consider making a donation to Child Poverty Action Group
Check back every day until Christmas Eve for more free music – if you’ve missed a day, you’ll find all of this year’s tracks so far on the links below. Merry Christmas everyone!
Day One: Piney Gir – Do Good For Goodness Sake
Day Two: Lost Map Records present Firestations – Swim Under The Winter
Day Three: LOUD WOMEN present Killdren – Expect a Crimewave
Day Four: Scratchy Records present The Rocks, Jonny Cola & The A-Grades, Bromide + Coach Hop
Day Five: Deux Furieuses – Bring Down The Government Home Demo
Day Six: Extradition Order – Bold
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