Joe Norkus EP Out Now!

Embarrassing Fruits' Joe Norkus has been quietly assembling an EP of solo tunes in various bedrooms and home studios over the past few months, and the collection is out now on Trekky Records. Long known for his love of guitar-based "slacker rock", Norkus here lets many more influences shine through, harnessing more atmosphere and space to let his songs breathe. Collaborating with Josh Kimbrough and Peter Lewis of Butterflies, Norkus creates biting, sad and dryly hilarious jangle pop anthems that explore the struggles of balancing artistic ambition with the seemingly inescapable weight of "real life". These are feelings that ring true for anyone who punches the clock but doesn't feel defined by their 9-to-5.

Listen to the first track from the EP, "Call You Up" below:

MP3: Joe Norkus - Call You Up [from the EP EP]

Pick up your copy of the limited edition CD from the Trekky Online Store here.
Or, if you're digitally inclined, stream and download the EP here.

Midtown Dickens announce US tour dates

Midtown Dickens just released their new LP, Home and now they're excited to bring it to your doorstep. The band will hit the road this Summer in support of their stunning new record, hitting every corner of the US that they can drive to. Watch their new music video, order your LP+CD+MP3 copy of Home, and check the dates below for your closest show!

05-31 Charleston, SC - Tin Roof
06-01 Columbia, SC - Columbia Museum of Art
06-19 Richmond, VA - The Camel
06-20 Washington DC - Black Cat
06-21 Philadelphia, PA - Johnny Brenda's
06-22 New York, NY - Cake Shop
06-23 Brooklyn, NY - Music Hall of Williamsburg*
06-24 Ithaca, NY - Lot 10
06-25 Thomas, WV - Purple Fiddle
06-26 Columbus, OH - Ace of Cups
06-29 Madison, WI - The Frequency~
06-30 Minneapolis, MN - 1st Ave 7th St Entry
07-01 Milwaukee, WI - Cactus Club~
07-02 Bloomington, IN - The Bishop
07-03 Lexington, KY - Al's Bar%
07-05 Knoxville, TN - The Pilot Light
07-06 Asheville, NC - The Get Down
07-18 Durham, NC - Duke Gardens
07-29 Denver, CO - Hi Dive#
08-04 Portland, OR - Pickathon^
08-05 Portland, OR - Pickathon^
08-07 Arcata, CA - Arcata Playhouse+
08-08 Petrolia, CA - Petrolia Community Center
08-09 Davis, CA - Sophia's Thai Kitchen+
08-12 Los Angeles, CA - Bootleg Theater

* with Bowerbirds, Basia Bulat
~ with The Daredevil Christopher Wright
% with Wooden Wand
# with Southeast Engine
^ with Neko Case, Blitzen Trapper, Bowerbirds, Phosphorescent, etc
+ with Shovels & Rope

TRKfest 2012 date announced!

Trekky Records is proud to announce the return of TRKfest, our annual Summertime blissfest, on Saturday, July 21 at Piedmont Biofuels in Pittsboro, NC. This year's festival will continue its reputation as an essential expression of the North Carolina music scene, as well as include some special, one-time-only performances and collaborations from some of the states finest musicians.

This will be the fifth annual TRKfest. The event began as a one-off fundraiser for the Trekky Records Collective in 2008, but has transformed into an annual event, returning each year by popular demand. As always, the festival will take place at Piedmont Biofuels, a charming industrial biodiesel plant and organic farm nestled into the beautiful Pittsboro countryside. With the help of Piedmont Biofuels and The Abundance Foundation, we will attempt to minimize the ecological impact of the festival, reducing waste and emphasizing local and sustainable foods and drinks.

In addition to the music, the day will be bursting with other activities. Attendees will be able to play games, cool off under the sprinklers, vibe out in the Bliss Tent, purchase local clothing and crafts, tour the biodiesel facility and dance til they collapse, all while listening to some of the finest music North Carolina has to offer.

Admission will be a $10 suggested donation. No person will be turned away. This is a family friendly event! In the event of rain, the festival will be moved indoors to the Haw River Ballroom. Performers to be announced in the coming weeks!

Joe Norkus of Embarrassing Fruits to release solo EP

Embarrassing Fruits' Joe Norkus has been quietly assembling an EP of solo tunes in various bedrooms and home studios over the past few months, and the collection will be released on Trekky Records on May 22, 2012. Long known for his love of guitar-based "slacker rock", Norkus here lets many more influences shine through, harnessing more atmosphere and space to let his songs breathe. Collaborating with Josh Kimbrough and Peter Lewis of Butterflies, Norkus creates biting, sad and dryly hilarious jangle pop anthems that explore the struggles of balancing artistic ambition with the seemingly inescapable weight of "real life". These are feelings that ring true for anyone who punches the clock but doesn't feel defined by their 9-to-5. You can listen to the EP, simply titled EP, now and limited edition CD copies will be available on May 22. Joe Norkus will also appear live, with a full band featuring members of Midtown Dickens, Butterflies and Jenny Besetzt, this Sunday at Nightlight in Chapel Hill. You can ALSO download the first single from the EP, "Call You Up" below:

MP3: Joe Norkus - Call You Up [from the EP EP]

Lost in the Trees announce Summer tour dates

Lost in the Trees has just announced more tour dates in support of their acclaimed new album A Church That Fits Our Needs. The band will first tour the Southeast with Daytona, the new project from Hunter Simpson (member of now defunct Trekky bands The Beauregards and Participation Award). Then they'll hit the Northeast and Midwest with The Head and the Heart. Also included is a very special benefit performance in support of The Jed Foundation, the nation’s leading organization working to reduce emotional distress and prevent suicide among America’s 20 million college students. The show will be on June 7 at Gotham Hall in New York City.

Suicide is an issue that hits very close too home for Ari Picker. Regarding the show, he offered these words on his connection to the cause:

"Mental illness has been a tall hurdle in my life, and I've needed a lot of help to get to a healthy place. Having the support from an organization like the Jed Foundation can make all the difference. I'm so thankful to all who helped me along the way, and I admire all the people who are making the steps towards a healthier place in their own lives."

06-07 New York, NY - Gotham Hall
06-13 Charleston, SC - The Pourhouse*
06-14 Jacksonville, FL - Underbelly*
06-15 Orlando, FL - The Social*
06-16 Tampa, FL - Crowbar*
06-18 Atlanta, GA - The Earl*
06-19 Birmingham, AL - The Bottletree*
06-20 Memphis, TN - Hi-Tone Cafe*
06-21 Jackson, MS - Duling Hall*
06-22 Hot Springs, AR - Low Key Arts*
06-23 Nashville, TN - 12th and Porter*
06-24 Lexington, KY - Cosmic Charlie's*
06-26 Charlottesville, VA - The Southern*
06-27 Asheville, NC - The Grey Eagle*
06-28 Charlotte, NC - Visulite Theatre*
07-28 Northampton, MA - Calvin Theatre#
07-30 New Haven, CT - Toad's Place#
07-31 Cleveland, OH - House of Blues#
08-01 Millvale, PA - Mr. Small's Theatre#
08-02 Grand Rapids, MI - Meijer Gardens#
08-03 Greensboro, NC - Center City Park

* with Daytona
# with The Head and the Heart

Noisevox premieres new Midtown Dickens music video

Noisevox just premiered the new music video for "Walk, Don't You Run", a song from the band's new album, Home. Created by Hueism Pictures and filmed in Durham, North Carolina, the video features the band and a couple dozen friends jumping into a pristine swimming pool in super slow-motion. Slowed down 11 times, you can see every detail of joy and anticipation as each costumed swimmer descends into the pool. Watch the video above (we suggest full-screen), download the free MP3, and order the album now.

Brooklyn Vegan premieres new Lost in the Trees music video

Brooklyn Vegan just debuted the new Lost in the Trees music video, a completely underwater clip for "Golden Eyelids", a song from the band's new album, A Church That Fits Our Needs. Made by the same team that brought you the music video for "Red", the clip features members of the band suspended in watery darkness in various gorgeous vignettes. Watch the clip above, and you can order the new album now.

More Midtown Dickens tour dates announced

Midtown Dickens has just released their triumph of a new album, Home, and now the band will hit the road to bring Home to your home. Don't miss a show near you, and stay tuned for even more shows to be announced! You can order the new album here and the full tour schedule is below:

04-12 Asheville, NC - The Grey Eagle
04-13 Greensboro, NC - The Green Bean
04-19 Wilmington, NC - The Satellite
04-21 Pittsboro, NC - Shakori Hills Grassroots Festival
04-26 Washington DC - IOTA
04-27 Brooklyn, NY - Union Pool #
04-28 New York, NY - Barnard College
05-10 Raleigh, NC - Tir Na Nog
05-11 Charlottesville, VA - Tom Tom Festival *
05-12 Harrisonburg, VA - Clementine
05-18 New Bern, NC - Broad St Social Club
06-01 Columbia, SC - Columbia Museum of Art
06-19 Richmond, VA - The Camel
06-21 Philadelphia, PA - Johnny Brenda's
06-24 Ithaca, NY - Lot 10
06-25 Thomas, WV - Purple Fiddle
06-30 Minneapolis, MN - 1st Ave 7th St Entry
07-01 Milwaukee, WI - Cactus Club ~
07-02 Bloomington, IN - The Bishop
07-03 Lexington, KY - Al's Bar %
07-05 Knoxville, TN - The Pilot Light
08-03 Portland, OR - Pickathon ^

* with The Walkmen, Here We Go Magic, etc
# with Retribution Gospel Choir
~ with The Daredevil Christopher Wright
% with Wooden Wand
^ with Neko Case, Blitzen Trapper, Bowerbirds, Phosphorescent, etc

New Midtown Dickens album out today, new single released

Midtown Dickens' much anticipated new album, Home, is out today on Trekky Records. To celebrate the release, the album's new single "Walk, Don't You Run" is now available from Trekky Records. The song displays an uncanny unity between songwriters Catherine Edgerton and Kym Register, each strumming together and joining their voices as one, ruminating on the virtues of patience and the power of nostalgia.

"Walk, Don't You Run" is the third glimpse into Midtown Dickens' gorgeous meditations on the themes of home (both literal and abstract), family (blood and chosen) and space (within us and about us), following MTV Hive's debut of "Cross My Heart" and NPR Music's debut of "Only Brother".

Home is Midtown Dickens' third album, which is out now in Trekky Records' signature 3-part package, including an LP, CD and digital download. You can order the album now from the Trekky Records Online Store. NPR has already claimed that Home is "the North Carolina band's most nuanced and beautifully produced album yet", and Shuffle Magazine states that "leaps don’t come any bigger or bolder than the one Durham’s Midtown Dickens makes on Home". The band has also announced a US tour in support of Home, including shows with Retribution Gospel Choir, Wooden Wand, and a stop at Portland's celebrated Pickathon Festival. Dates below:

04-07 Carrboro, NC - Cat's Cradle
04-12 Asheville, NC - The Grey Eagle
04-13 Greensboro, NC - The Green Bean
04-19 Wilmington, NC - The Satellite
04-21 Pittsboro, NC - Shakori Hills Grassroots Festival
04-26 Washington DC - IOTA
04-27 Brooklyn, NY - Union Pool #
04-28 New York, NY - Barnard College
05-11 Charlottesville, VA - Tom Tom Festival *
05-12 Harrisonburg, VA - Clementine
05-19 New Bern, NC - Broad St Social Club
06-01 Columbia, SC - Columbia Museum of Art
06-24 Ithaca, NY - Lot 10
06-25 Thomas, WV - Purple Fiddle
06-30 Minneapolis, MN - 1st Ave 7th St Entry
07-01 Milwaukee, WI - Cactus Club ~
07-02 Bloomington, IN - The Bishop
07-03 Lexington, KY - Al's Bar %
07-05 Knoxville, TN - The Pilot Light
08-03 Portland, OR - Pickathon ^

* with The Walkmen, Here We Go Magic, etc
# with Retribution Gospel Choir
~ with The Daredevil Christopher Wright
% with Wooden Wand
^ with Neko Case, Blitzen Trapper, Bowerbirds, Phosphorescent, etc

MP3: Midtown Dickens - Walk, Don't You Run [from the Home LP]

Lost in the Trees featured on All Things Considered

If you were tuned into NPR this weekend, you might have heard Ari Picker of Lost in the Trees on All Things Considered. Ari talks about his new album A Church That Fits Our Needs, the death of his mother and the risk of getting to personal. You can listen to the piece on NPR's website now. Lost in the Trees' new album is out now and you can order it from the Trekky Records Online Store as well as other places music is sold!

Lost in the Trees' new album out today!

Happy release day to Lost in the Trees, whose beautiful album A Church That Fits Our Needs is out today on Trekky and Anti- Records. The New York Times has called it "a stirring blend of modest rusticity and urbane ambition", while NPR's Bob Boilen described it as "the sound of a band taking tragedy and coming to terms with it, finding beauty in a life too short and weaving bittersweet melody out of melancholy." We agree whole-heartedly, and can't wait to share the experience with you. You can now order the album from the Trekky Records Online Store, in both LP and CD versions.


Order now!

Stream new Lost in the Trees album at NPR First Listen

The wait is over! Today NPR’s First Listen premiered the highly anticipated new Lost in the Trees album A Church That Fits Our Needs. The album will be in stores March 20th via Anti- and Trekky Records.

A Church That Fits Our Needs is an ambitious work inspired by loss and transformation. In the summer of 2009, Ari Picker lost his mother when she took her own life. Picker has reconstructed the event into an evocative and moving musical celebration. Far from being a somber affair, the classically trained composer has utilized rhythm as its own emotional language, creating aggressive and engaging pieces filled with darkness and redemption. To stream this exhilarating new record in its entirety visit NPR First Listen now.

Lost in the Trees kicked off their international touring with a performance at the Jeff Mangum curated All Tomorrow’s Parties Festival on March 11th, followed by a run of appearances at South By Southwest this week in Austin, and then a full North American tour with Fleet Foxes members Christian Wargo’s and Casey Wescott’s new project Poor Moon in tow.

SXSW Schedule:
03-14 KUT Event @ Four Seasons, 7:00AM
03-15 ADA/WMG Day Party @ La Zona Rosa, 2:10PM
03-15 Big Star's Third "LIVE" @ Paramount Theater, 8:30PM
03-16 Under The Radar Party, 12:30PM
03-16 Play Network Day Party @ Speakeasy, 3:30PM
03-16 Billions Corporation Official SXSW showcase @ Antone's, 1 AM (Friday Night)

North American Tour Dates:
03-20 San Diego, CA - The Loft
03-22 Los Angeles, CA - The Echo
03-23 Oakland, CA - Bottom of the Hill
03-24 Arcata, CA - Arcata Playhouse
03-25 Portland, OR - Doug Fir Lounge
03-27 Seattle, WA - Tractor Tavern
03-28 Boise, ID -Neurolux
03-29 Salt Lake City, UT - The State Room
03-30 Denver, CO - Hi Dive
03-31 Omaha, NE - Slowdown
04-02 Minneapolis, MN - Cedar Cultural Center
04-03 Chicago, IL - Schubas Tavern
04-04 Evanston, IL - Space
04-05 Columbus, OH - Wexner Center
04-09 Burlington, VT - Burlington City Arts Center
04-10 Portland, ME - Space Gallery
04-11 New York, NY - Le Poisson Rouge
04-13 Boston, MA - Museum of Fine Arts
04-14 Washington, DC - Black Cat
04-20 Carrboro, NC - Cats Cradle

MTV debuts new Midtown Dickens song, US tour announced

MTV Hive debuted a new song from Midtown Dickens' Home today. "Cross My Heart" is one of the darkest passages on Home, beginning with an ominous drone and an anxious finger-picked guitar and building into a tense wave of synths and bowed cymbals before breaking into a hopeful campfire sing-a-long. Home will be out on April 3, 2012 in Trekky Records' signature 3-part package, including an LP, CD and digital download. The band has also announced a US tour in support of home, including shows with Retribution Gospel Choir, Wooden Wand, and a stop at Portland's celebrated Pickathon Festival. Dates below:

04-07 Carrboro, NC - Cat's Cradle *
04-12 Asheville, NC - The Grey Eagle
04-13 Greensboro, NC - The Green Bean
04-19 Wilmington, NC - The Satellite
04-21 Pittsboro, NC - Shakori Hills Grassroots Festival
04-26 Washington DC - IOTA
04-27 Brooklyn, NY - Union Pool #
05-11 Charlottesville, VA - Tom Tom Festival
05-12 Harrisonburg, VA - Clementine
05-19 New Bern, NC - Broad St Social Club
06-01 Columbia, SC - Columbia Museum of Art
06-24 Ithaca, NY - Lot 10
06-25 Thomas, WV - Purple Fiddle
06-30 Minneapolis, MN - 1st Ave 7th St Entry
07-01 Milwaukee, WI - Cactus Club ~
07-02 Bloomington, IN - The Bishop
07-03 Lexington, KY - Al's Bar %
07-05 Knoxville, TN - The Pilot Light
08-03 Portland, OR - Pickathon ^

* Album release w/ Kairaba
# with Retribution Gospel Choir
~ with The Daredevil Christopher Wright
% with Wooden Wand
^ with Neko Case, Blitzen Trapper, Bowerbirds, Phosphorescent, etc

MP3: Midtown Dickens - Only Brother [from the Home LP]

Video: Vibrant Green - "Hunny Bunny" @ Nightlight

Vibrant Green made a rare appearance at our Amalgam mixtape release show last Friday. Here's footage of them performing the unreleased "Hunny Bunny". Stephen Tunnell's backing band featured Emma Nadeau of Lost in the Trees, Yan Westerlund of Bowerbirds and Joe Norkus of Embarrassing Fruits.

Amalgam mixtape out now!

Introducing: Trekky Records. These are our friends, our sisters and brothers, our collaborators and advisers. This is our future as well as our past. These songs are an amalgamation of everything we've worked on for nearly 10 years, supporting each other as artists and picking up new friends along the way. Like the mixtapes you've received from friends and kindred spirits in the past, we hope Amalgam will introduce you to some new music that may come to shape your life, as it has shaped ours.

With contributions from Lost in the Trees, Midtown Dickens, Phil Cook & His Feat, Brice Randall Bickford, Butterflies, Vibrant Green and more, the mixtape features some our favorite songs from our past releases as well as brand new and unreleased gems. Amalgam is limited edition cassette tape that includes a digital download and is now available in the Trekky Records Online Store, as well as NC records stores. You can also download the whole mixtape for the price of your choosing ($0.00 is fine, we all gotta eat!) at Bandcamp. Enjoy!