It's taken me way, way, way too long to get these tapes organized and stocked at the Half and Half but I am really stoked to be extending Eggy's reach beyond the US border with three releases from Sydney, Australia based Near Tapes. The label is the project of Matthew Hopkins of the epic Naked On the Vague (Siltbreeze, guys), and is devoted to documenting the fringe scene of Australia. The art for these tapes is totally out-of-sight -- simple, primitive, visceral -- and matches the raw, weird energy of the music. It's really a treat to get a hold of these tapes!


NAKED ON THE VAGUE - THE MICKEY MOUSE HEADACHE TAPES - NEAR TAPES 002
Spacey, shape-shifting music from these Sydney stalwarts. Less song-oriented and much less aggressive but no less engaging than their recent releases on Siltbreeze and Sacred Bones. The title is a good indicator -- playful and difficult. Good tape to listen to after work. $6


KNITTED ABYSS - SUMMER BARN - NEAR TAPES 005
Duo of Lucy of Naked On the Vague and Anna of Holy Balm make a tape for each season. This one is a slow, fuzzy, droning collection of abstract jams. Difficult passages open onto really wonderful, earthy bliss-outs that you wish would go on forever. Homemade krautrock. Far-out but also simple in a way that's really nice. $6


VINCENT OVER THE SINK - 22 COLOURED BULL-TERRIERS - NEAR TAPES 006
Vincent Over the Sink is the skewed pop project of Matthew Hopkins and Christopher Schueler. These songs drift really nicely in and out of focus, sometimes departing for long stretches on strange wanderings. Reminds me of Alastair Galbraith in it's gentle/experimental balance. My favorite song on here is about mice jumping from the oven into the sink. $6