As well as the range of exclusive, signed, rare and limited-edition releases available year-round on the Townsend Music Store, we at Townsend Music also run the official artist stores and direct-to-fan services for a vast range of acts across all genres and territories.
This week on the blog, we're shining a light on some of the most eclectic and esoteric artist stores recently launched on the platform, with recommendations from heavy rock to ambient electronica and post-punk to... atmosfolk?
Saint Sister - Where Should I End
FFO: First Aid Kit, Enya
Voted Best Irish Act by the readers of The Irish Times in 2016, Saint Sister are a duo whose close-knit harmonies and synth textures have earned them the description 'Atmosfolk'. Their second full-length Where Should I End is set for release on June 25th via FUGA and is available to pre-order now.
New video and lead track from the album 'Karaoke Song' takes the ethereal folk-driven harmonies of their debut LP and raises the stakes with a subtle disco beat and pop sensibilities that provide the perfect gateway drug into their sanguine sound.
"Inspired by the songs' theme, the video is a nostalgic expression of the moments we miss and look forward to sharing again with our friends and family". - Kev Freeney and Janna Kempermann (Video Directors)
On Saint Sister's official store, pre-order Where I Should End on Classic Cream LP, CD and cassette, alongside new merchandise and specially-priced bundles. Also available is the Deluxe Green Double LP, limited to 250 copies with booklets signed and numbered by Saint Sister, only available here.
Chemia - Something To Believe In
FFO: Serj Tjaken, Alter Bridge
Chemia is a Polish rock band formed in Warsaw back in 2010, with a sound that fits comfortably in the post-grunge arena. With their work across the last decade finding them increasing international recognition, the new album Something To Believe In promises to galvanise their status from global contenders to worldwide rock champions.
“Times are difficult for all of us, especially artists, but if you want to survive this crazy pandemic you’ve got to be on the move all the time.” - Maciek Papalski - Chemia
'Angina', the lead track from the new record, is available to download as an instant grat track for anyone who pre-orders the album. With string arrangements recalling Zepp at their most pomp and ceremonious and epic vocals to match, this music will go down a storm for fans of both classic rock and contemporary juggernauts like Alter Bridge.
Something To Believe In is available to pre-order now on Exclusive Green Vinyl, Black Vinyl and CD, along with a range of merchandise and posters.
Tom Speight - Everything's Waiting For You
FFO: Lewis Watson, Tom Walker
Singer/songwriter Tom Speight has launched a Making Music store for his forthcoming album Everything's Waiting For You. A celebration of living life to the max and a timely reminder to approach every day as an adventure, this campaign is an invitation to ride alongside Tom as he travels the world wide-eyed.
"Play it loud on your walk, in the kitchen, in the car or whatever you like to do on Friday" - Tom Speight
The lyrics of new track 'Strange Days' speak eloquently of the shared experience of 2020 and 2021, the message of 'taking one day at a time' resonating like each strum of the acoustic guitar. Tom's Making Music campaign promises "exclusive updates and content including live acoustic videos, behind the scenes clips and much more".
Everything's Waiting For You is available on limited edition deluxe formats and pre-orders include a code to access a pre-sale for gig tickets before the general sale for Tom's February 2022 tour.
Tilian - Factory Reset
FFO: Metro Station, Dance Gavin Dance
Tilian is the electropop-tinged solo project of alt-rock singer and songwriter Tilian Pearson, also known for post-hardcore outfit Dance Gavin Dance.
"'Anthem’ is the release of energy that follows a sacred epiphany." - Tilian
Factory Reset is preceded by the Dillon Novak-directed video for 'Anthem', matching trippy psychedelic visuals with the track's shimmering electro-pop. Tilian describes the spirit that the song aims to capture as "the perfect alignment of perception and anatomy where imaginative ammunition flows through you in a waterfall of clarity. Precious, blissful and untouchable, it’s that rarest hour of passion every writer dreams about.”
Over on Titlian' official store, we're here for the psychedelic vinyl colourway and clutch of effortlessly cool merchandise including beanies and sweatshirts.
Phobophobes - Modern Medicine
FFO: King Gizzard And The Lizard Wizard, Fat White Family
Spawned in the same Brixton Windmill petri-dish that nourished latter-day post-punk icons Shame and Fat White Family, South London's Phobophobes are gearing up to unleash Modern Medicine, their second full-length, on Liverpool's Modern Sky.
"The wait is finally coming to an end. As we are released from our imposed sanctuaries, our second album will also be set loose..." - Phobophobes
Described by the band as "a gloomy tale of new love dying in its prime by a colossal event”, new video 'I Mean It All' is served up via a home video of frontman Jamie Bardolph Taylor’s grandmother’s birthday celebrations in the 1970s, underpinning the song's haunting refrain with a lo-fi reflection on the transcience of time and family.
Modern Medicine is available from the band's official store on Signed Red Vinyl, with a range of tees and tote bags to boot.
Sedibus - The Heavens
FFO: The Orb, Orbital
As the first release on The Orb's Alex Paterson's Orbscure Recordings, Sedibus's The Heavens is an event in itself. Launched a sub-label of Cooking Vinyl, the new label aims to "offer a space for new material from artists across the world" with A&R duties performed by Alex.
‘The Heavens’ is an immersive journey of ambient electronica which not only references a source, but the distance travelled from that point of origin to something new. - Alex Paterson
The record is a collaboration between Alex Paterson and original Orb member Andy Falconer, nearly 30 years since Alex and Andy were last in the studio together for the recording of The Orb's Adventures Beyond the Ultraworld. Both familiar and fresh, 'Toi 1338b' is the first adventure in this momentous movement in ambient electronica.
As well as the new album on Kelly Green and Bottle Green Vinyl, the official Sedibus store offers signed copies of Alex's Babble On An' Ting book and Orbscure Recordings sampler CDs and downloads - a tantalising taste of the treats in store.