What year is it? Oh, yes.

About 16 years ago or so I was at a Bonnie "Prince" Billy Will Oldham Palace concert at Lee's. I was with a guy named Don Wilkie. We'd been introduced by a mutual friend who knew we both liked interesting music. The show was pretty good and I remember Don, who I think was a stockbroker or in some money-related profession, commented about how much pleasure good music brought him. He said he was sick of his work and wanted to start a record label--something I think I've said myself about a hundred times. The difference is that Don, who moved to Montreal shortly after our conversation, did it.

Constellation Records is one of North America's most interesting and influential labels. They put out wonderful records in beautiful packages by bands with unique voices--bands who, with the exception of quality, have little in common.

When Vortex began bringing in new vinyl last summer, Constellation was the second label we focused on--the first being Drag City, Palace Will Oldham Bonnie "Prince" Billy's label.

Today we expect a large shipment of their titles and they'll take center stage between our Digitalis focus and the upcoming Root Strata titles, should that box ever show up.

Here's some of the artists/titles:

Godspeed You! Black Emperor
From Constellation's site: "Godspeed You! Black Emperor began with Efrim, Mauro and Moya in the early 90s, playing a handful of shows and recording a self-released cassette as a trio before deciding to transform the group into a large band. Recruiting numerous Montreal musicians through 1995-1996, GYBE mounted sense-rattling wall-of-sound performances, featuring as many as 14 musicians and several 16mm film projectors, before recording their debut vinyl-only Constellation album in 1997."

I believe I first saw them in 1998 at a small club whose name I forget on Spadina in Chinatown. I'm pretty sure another mutual friend, Anousha, booked them and told me about the show. I'd been kicking myself for missing a Stars of the Lid show she'd booked at the same club a few months earlier. As a result, I made sure to catch the gig. They were a fantastic live band and I made sure to see them every chance I got thereafter.

We should have all of their releases in this next shipment. If you like Yndi Halda or Explosions in the Sky, you will love GY!BE. In fact, I think it's pretty safe to say that if Godspeed had never happened, there'd be no Yndi Halda or EiTS.

Do Make Say Think
From Wikipedia: "Do Make Say Think came together in Toronto in 1995-96 and self-released their self-recorded, self-titled debut CD in 1997. Constellation Records re-issued this record the following year and have worked with the band ever since."

I believe I first saw them when they opened for Danko Jones at Ted's Wrecking Yard, probably in 1996. This shipment will bring four of their records on vinyl: Other Truths, their latest, You, You're a History in Rust, & Yet & Yet, and Winter Hymn Country Hymn Secret Hymn.

Elizabeth Anka Vajagic
From AllMusic Guide: "Unlike the searching yet opaque confessionals of Cat Power, Vajagic is startlingly forward, like an angry widow berating God's decision-making process..."

Vajagic is a Montreal-based singer/songwriter/guitar-player. We're bringing in both of her releases on vinyl and her first release, Stand With The Stillness Of This Day, on CD.

Glissandro 70
Probably my favorite release from 2006. Glissandro 70 is Craig Dunsmuir and Sandro Perri (aka Polmo Polpo). They've only one release so far. We'll have it on CD and vinyl. Here's a sample:



Eric Chenaux
Chiefly known as the singer/guitarist for Phleg Camp and Life Like Weeds, two influential Toronto bands in the 90s, Eric Chenaux has two releases on Constellation. We'll have them both on vinyl.

Sandro Perri
Sandro Perri used to record and play live under the name Polmo Polpo. I think I first saw him open for Stars of the Lid at the Rivoli. His music changed rather radically when he started recording under his own name and Tiny Mirrors, the album we have on order, is a lovely affair.

Feu Therese
Ça Va Cogner is one hell of an album. Says Allmusic in their 4.5 star review: "Even without the context of the multi-faceted musical reference points that are mined here, and whether they're being perpetrated in smirking semi-seriousness or sincere heartfelt homage, it's still a stunning album, an expansive and all-encompassing effort, an absolute tour de force."

Land of Kush
Sam Shalabi's latest output. Here's a sample:



Vic Chesnutt
Vic was a well-loved singer of what most folks would probably call country or Americana. He recorded from the late 80s until 2009. His last album was released a few months before his death this past Christmas. Only two of his dozen or so records are on Constellation but both of those recordings are among his best. At The Cut, his most recent release, will be in on vinyl.

A Silver Mt. Zion
SMZ is a Godspeed-offshoot, but with a completely different feel. Whereas Godspeed is known primarily as a post-rock outfit, Silver Mt. Zion has more of a contemporary classical bent to them. I've often heard them compared to Rachel's, but I don't think they're that similar myself--though both prominently feature cello and other stringed instruments--SMZ also has more vocal in it. A sample:



We've had all SMZ releases in the shop in the past 5 months or so and this order features only their new album, which has more of a rock bent. It'll be on sale next Tuesday, it's official release date. We've got the limited edition version that comes with a book.

Tindersticks
If you're a regular customer, you'll have heard us play Tindersticks, or lead singer Stuart Staples' wonderful solo album, Leaving Songs. They get a lot of airtime at the shop. We've got their last album, Hungry Saw, in on CD and LP, and will also have their new release, Falling Down a Mountain, on CD or LP+CD with limited edition poster. It also comes out next Tuesday.

The album was released a few weeks ago in the UK and has already garnered much praise:

"Stunning….exquisite….gorgeous." - MOJO

"A band on top form." - The Sunday Times

"...a band with restored self-belief, again loving doing what they do better than anyone else." - Uncut