Contraphonic launches new sister label ANTEPHONIC, INC

Contraphonic, Inc. is proud to announce the launch of new boutique label ANTEPHONIC. As our sister label, Antephonic seeks to document the best and most exceptional songwriters working in the pop canon. Our first release on ANTEPHONIC will be courtesy of classically trained viola player Dina Maccabee.

Maccabee, a veteran of the San Francisco Bay Area scene and frequent contributor to the likes of Vetiver, Carla Bozulich, Vienna Teng and lo-fi favorites Ramon & Jessica, will be unleashing her solo debut entitled Who Do You Suppose You Are in the late summer/early fall of this year. For the full scoop on Antephonic and Maccabee, check out the brand new Antephonic page now. [posted MON. 07/12/10]

ADAM GREEN SOUNDTRACK LP "MUSIK FOR A PLAY" OUT TODAY!

Today marks the official release date of singer-songwriter Adam Green's soundtrack LP Musik for a Play. Green, previously of Moldy Peaches/"Juno" soundtrack fame, was commissioned to score the instrumental tracks that make up Musik for a Play for the production of the theatrical adaptation of Paul Auster's novel "Timbuktu." Filled with swirling arrangements -- where clarinets rub elbows with rock drums, oboes with synths, and classical guitars are picked against vaudeville rhythms -- Musik for a Play is a steadfast testament to the ever-evolving talents of Green as a composer and arranger. Available digitally everywhere, only 500 vinyl copies exist of these records so hurry and secure yours today -- either via the ContraStore or your favorite neighborhood music retailer. Get in the spirit by watching the Todd Smolar-directed video for the track "Sailor Shirts" off of Musik now. [posted TUES. 05/11/10]

JON LANGFORD'S LITTLE HELL

The latest volume of our Little Hell Series takes a musical and historical peak into the forces behind Chicago's 1919 Race Riots. For this volume, renowned Waco Brother/artist/Mekon/DJ Jon Langford leads a band by blending his storybook telling touch to capturing the confusion, destruction and lasting effects of the Riots upon the city. A work of art, and a work of history, LH Vol IV is now available in the ContraStore, and on iTunes soon. Details will be forthcoming shortly on Langford and Little Hell related events. [posted TUES. 04/20/10]

Adam Green 'Musik for a Play' LPs Shipping Now

As we noted before, Contraphonic and singer-songwriter Adam Green, previously of Moldy Peaches/"Juno" soundtrack fame, have teamed up to release a very limited edition LP of the complete soundtrack recording to a play Green was commissioned to score. The instrumental tracks that make up Musik for a Play were penned for the production of the theatrical adaptation of Paul Auster's novel "Timbuktu," and while the record will be officially released everywhere on May 11th, we will start filling orders to ship from the ContraStore TODAY. Hurry and get yours now, as only 500 copies of these exist.

Filled with swirling arrangements -- where clarinets rub elbows with rock drums, oboes with synths, and classical guitars are picked against vaudeville rhythms -- Musik for a Play is a steadfast testament to the ever-evolving talents of Green as a composer and arranger. Get on your Tin Pan Alley hat and order away. And stay tuned to the MAGNET MAGAZINE website for the premiere of an exclusive Adam Green video directed by Todd Smolar for the track "Sailor Shirts" off of Musik. [posted TUES. 04/20/10]

Frank Rosaly's Milkwork OFFICIALLY OUT TODAY

Today marks the official release date of the Milkwork LP from Chicago-based drummer and composer Frank Rosaly. Rosaly, a frequent contributor and player alongside the likes of Matana Roberts, Rob Mazurek's Mandarin Movie, The Rempis Percussion Quartet, Ingebrigt Haker-Flaten, Jeff Parker/Nels Cline Quartet, Josh Abrams' Remindring, Fred Lonberg-Holm's Valentine Trio, and many more, has been navigating a fine line between the improvised music, indie-rock, experimental and jazz communities for the past decade.

Milkwork is the resulting work of one of Rosaly's solo drum ventures. Milkwork explores the process of free-improvisation with both acoustic and electronically manipulated percussion instruments to produce a wild and gorgeous panoply of sound. Released in a limited edition version on milky white vinyl only, Milkwork navigates a wide sonic palette: Afro-Cuban, Brazilian, Jazz and non-idiomatic grooves using unconventional techniques, dense Free-Jazz vocabulary, heavy drones and feedback. Again, only 500 LPs on milky white vinyl exist! Hurry and secure one up at the ContraStore now. [posted TUES. 01/12/10]

Contraphonic celebrates our Annual WINTER OF LOVE

In what has become an annual celebration, the Contraphonic Winter of Love party is set for Saturday January 16th. This year, we move the party over to Chicago's The Hideout, where we will have sets by Frank Rosaly (official release show!), Pillars & Tongues, and Tobin Summerfield Ensemble. Nothing could possibly cure your winter blues more so than the Winter of Love. Catch Time Out Chicago's preview of the night now and then join us this Saturday, January 16, in imbibing mead with post-holiday cheer. [posted TUES. 01/12/10]

Pillars & Tongues to go back Across the Pond

Our tireless friends in Pillars & Tongues continue their endless touring, and take off to Europe in early Feb. Since the release of their acclaimed Protection lp, P&T have traversed the US numerous times, headed north to Canada alongside Bonnie 'Prince' Billy, and will now be heading back to Europe after successful engagements there in early 2008. Check out their tour page for the emerging details on their French and Spanish excursions, and be sure to engage in their otherworldly avant folk workouts via Protection and Little Hell Vol II: Our Lady of the Underpass available now in the ContraStore. [posted TUES. 01/12/10]

We Don't Stop / Winter of Love

It's been quite a year here at Contra HQ and we thank you all for supporting the cause throughout. We don't quite rest on our laurels though and lazily sip our eggnog by the fire. We've got exciting releases to unleash in the coming year, and a series of events that know no rest. Martin Bisi continues his year-long touring by heading out to the West Coast as we speak, The Lesser Birds of Paradise are gearing up for a series of shows as they emerge anew, and we here at Contra HQ are in the final planning stages for our annual Winter of Love show. More details TBA, but here's your save the date info: it's going to be a full blast Contraphonic Winter of Love Weekend:

Contraphonic DJs at the Burlington- Chicago, Friday, January 15th.

Contraphonic Winter of Love/High Five Anniversary Celebration at The Hideout with Frank Rosaly, Pillars & Tongues, Tobin Summerfield Ensemble and perhaps some guests to boot. Chicago, Saturday, January 16th. [posted MON. 11/30/09]

Working Up to Full Reflection, new release from Never Enough Hope composer Tobin Summerfield

Never Enough Hope composer Tobin Summerfield is currently writing and preparing the next NEH record for sometime in the coming year. While meticulously preparing and prepping for the 20-part orchestra that is Never Enough Hope, Summerfield pares things down a bit in the interim, with the release of Working Up to Full Reflection, a digital-only full-length release of solo guitar pieces in the vein of Rafael Toral and Morton Feldman. There's a frozen gorgeousness to Summerfield's textured drones, played and executed with more emotion than most ambient artists. The release of Working Up will be celebrated with a set by Summerfield at the Hideout in Chicago on Thursday, November 5th. You can get your copy today by heading to the ContraStore, iTunes, or your preferred digital vendor. [posted MON. 10/26/09]

Joshua Marcus emerges with Environmental Justice Project in This Land

Over the past year-and-a-half, Philadelphia-based banjo balladeer Joshua Marcus has been working on This Land: an environmental justice folk recording project, with community groups and individuals in the eastern United States. Following the tradition of social justice folk music, such as songs from the U.S. Civil Rights Movement, Marcus partnered with seven different community action groups and individuals to create songs about their current successes over and struggles with environmental justice issues. The songs focus on issues like mountaintop removal, toxic soil and water contamination, and environmental racism. This Land is structured within seven songs and accompanying interviews, with Marcus aiming to share the powerful experiences and perspectives of those involved in their causes. Contraphonic has teamed up in distributing This Land by making it available now in the ContraStore. In addition, Marcus will be playing a series of shows to highlight this new release across the US in the coming months. For more info, please visit the beautifully rendered http://thislandourland.org. [posted MON. 10/05/09]

Martin Bisi Video Tour

Resident Contra HQ "cultural antagonist," Martin Bisi will be heading back out to the West Coast yet again, for a series of dates this Winter. While checking out his tour dates on his artist page, be sure to pick up a copy of the two acclaimed releases from this year: Son of a Gun ep and Sirens of the Apocalypse. In leading up to the tour dates, Contraphonic will be rolling out episodes of our "Talks with Martin" series on the CJ's Corner page of our site. Each episode will feature Bisi talking about some of the illustrious records he has worked on in his lengthy and storied career as a producer since launching BC Studios. Take a peek at the first episode now to hear Martin on working with Sonic Youth, Unsane, Material, William S Burroughs and more! [posted MON. 10/05/09]

Pronto Unleashes The Cheetah; Tour With Fruit Bats

The day we let The Cheetah free is finally upon us!

While it's already been a busy year for Wilco's Mikael Jorgensen and his solo project Pronto, things keep piling up for the TransAtlantic band. Their All Is Golden CD, which was released on Contraphonic in March of 2009, saw critical praise from far corners of the blogosphere, to the cover of the Weekend Section of the Chicago Sun-Times.

And now comes The Cheetah, a collection of songs and musical experiments that were created between 2000 and 2004 by Jorgensen, Chris Girard and Greg O'Keeffe, with guests Rob Mazurek and Noel Kupersmith. Representing a different face of Pronto, The Cheetah is the product of new technological music-making tools, and documenting the resulting inspiration. Although it may be the follow-up release to All is Golden, it also serves as an indication of where they were coming from and where they are going.

We are proud to announce that The Cheetah is available now--in various stripes-- in the ContraStore. In addition to the standard digital release, you can get your deluxe version equipped with exclusive animated videos from video artist Michael Lascarides. Turn your computer into a museum with Lascarides rich visuals set to Pronto's songs. Plus, we are rolling out the entire Pronto catalog for a limited time- get both the deluxe version of The Cheetah and All is Golden in one compact package.

To coincide with all this, Pronto are heading out on tour starting...today! First up, a duo of Jorgensen and Girard will play some supporting dates for SubPoppers Fruit Bats. Then Pronto reassembles with a full band of O'Keeffe and bassist Tunde Oyewole for the remaining dates. Check out the dates here to mark your calendars, and head on over to the ContraStore now. [posted TUE. 09/08/09]

Upcoming Shows

09.03.10 Martin Bisi @ The Garrison. Toronto, Ontario, C

09.03.10 Pillars & Tongues @ The Bishop. Bloomington, IN

09.04.10 Pillars & Tongues @ The Pine Room. Nashville, IN

09.05.10 Martin Bisi @ Casa Del Popolo. Montreal, Quebec, Ca

09.05.10 Pillars & Tongues @ Skull Alley. Louisville, KY

09.06.10 Pillars & Tongues @ Wallstreet. Murfreesboro, TN

09.08.10 Pillars & Tongues @ AllWays Lounge. New Orleans, LA

09.09.10 Pillars & Tongues @ The Orange Show Center for Visionary Art. Houston , TX

09.09.10 Frigates @ Hideout. Chicago, IL

09.10.10 Pillars & Tongues @ Annie St. Arts Collective. Austin, TX

09.11.10 Pillars & Tongues @ Marfa Book Co.. Marfa, TX

09.12.10 Pillars & Tongues @ The Trainyard. Las Cruces, NM

09.13.10 Pillars & Tongues @ Seco Pearl. Arroyo Seco, NM

09.14.10 Pillars & Tongues @ Winning Coffee. Albuquerque , NM

09.15.10 Pillars & Tongues @ Cottage Haus. Flagstaff, AZ

09.16.10 Pillars & Tongues @ Echo Curio. Los Angeles, CA

09.17.10 Pillars & Tongues @ The Crepe Place. Santa Cruz, CA

09.19.10 Pillars & Tongues @ The Hub. Sacramento, CA

09.20.10 Pillars & Tongues @ 1078 Gallery. Chico, CA

09.21.10 Pillars & Tongues @ Cafe Mekka. Nevada City, CA

09.22.10 Pillars & Tongues @ Viracocha. San Francisco, CA

09.24.10 Pillars & Tongues @ The Raven Cafe. Prescott, AZ

09.25.10 Pillars & Tongues @ Muykind Collective. Albuquerque, NM

09.26.10 Pillars & Tongues @ The Process presents at Little Wing. Santa Fe, NM

09.28.10 Pillars & Tongues @ Modbo Gallery. Colorado Springs, CO

09.29.10 Pillars & Tongues @ Meadowlark Bar. Denver, CO

09.29.10 Martin Bisi @ Das Bett. Frankfurt, Germany

09.30.10 Pillars & Tongues @ Clawfoot House. Lincoln, NE

09.30.10 Martin Bisi @ White Trash. Berlin, Germany

10.01.10 Pillars & Tongues @ Grinnell College Herrick Chapel. Grinnell, IA

10.02.10 Pillars & Tongues @ White Lightning Warehouse. Iowa City, IA

10.02.10 Martin Bisi @ Klub 007. Prague, Czech Repu

10.03.10 Pillars & Tongues @ Daytrotter. Rock Island, IL

11.12.10 Martin Bisi @ Langweiligkeit Festival. The Hague, Netherland

Recent Releases

Recent Sound Series Entries

+ ST. ROCCO

+ LUNCHING WITH MIES

+ KITES AND DOGS

+ GOOD FENCES MAKE GOOD NEIGHBORS

+ SHEDD AQUARIUM

+ DRAGON BOAT RACES

+ FINKL & SONS: THE NORTH CENTER INDUSTRIAL CORRIDOR

+ MAI FEST

+ CALUMET FISHERIES

+ MOTHER'S DAY AT THE SOUTH SHORE BEACH

+ ZEN AND THE ART OF DROPPING IN

+ GARFIELD PARK CONSERVATORY

Past Releases