Update 3: There's a Grouper track on this digital-only release to benefit relief in Japan.

Update 2: I've already gotten multiple emails from people in foreign lands about this package and whether we'd be interested in selling it. No, sorry. It is not for sale.

Update: Just got word that pre-orders for the new Grouper LPs has exceeded the print run and the LPs have sold out prior to the release date. Lets hope we get our fill! (Obviously, we can't take any more pre-orders and orders we already have will be filled in the order in which they arrived. If we receive more copies than we have pre-orders for, those will hit the floor and be announced on our site.)

Original post: Just confirmed a great prize for 2011 Record Store Day. Here's the scoop.

Grouper -- one of my favourite acts of the past decade -- is releasing two new albums in April; first pressings are limited to 1000 copies each. We'll of course be stocking them both (I solicited pre-orders in the last issue of the Specialty Mailing List), but we're actually going one better: last week, Liz Harris (who is Grouper) sent out a note that she was creating a limited number of exclusive packages in order to raise money for Japan. Each package consisted of:

1 x A I A Dream Loss LP, with customized art
1 x A I A Alien Observer LP, with customized art (pictured, left)
1 x art print
1 x hand printed t-shirt

I got one for myself and a second one to give away on Record Store Day. Only 10 packages were created and they sold out minutes after I indicated my interest. Details on how you can win this awesome prize pack will come later--I just wanted to get the news out as soon as everything was confirmed.

I'll have everything except the t-shirt in time for RSD--the winner will receive his or her t-shirt in June, that way I was able to ensure it would fit.

Not familiar with Grouper? Here's a few sample tracks:


Grouper - Invisible, from Dragging a Dead Deer Up a Hill


Grouper - Heavy Water / I'd Rather Be Sleeping, from Dragging a Dead Deer Up a HIll

Here's the cover art work for the two LPs. A | A Alien Observer is on top; A | A Dream Loss is below. I haven't seen these anywhere else online yet: