A.M. Interstate
The Asteroid ..4
The Capstan Shafts
The Contrast
The Datson Four
Denise James
Frontier Index
The Fletcher Pratt
The Get Quick
The Gurus
The Grip Weeds
The High Dials
The Jessica Fletchers
The Lackloves
The Love Thugs
The Lilys
Marmalade Souls
Morning After Girls
Myracle Brah
New Radiant Storm King
Outrageous Cherry
The Pillbugs
RockFour
The Rhinos
The Shazam
The Telepathic Butterflies
The Sails
The Three-4-Tens
The Winnerys
The Waxwings
The Zinedines
Type of Label
Indie
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Rainbow Quartz is an innovative record label started by music attorney and former musician Jim McGarry, who is located in Manhattan. The label is currently distributed worldwide Red Eye USA. At a time when major labels are becoming mega-corporate-monoliths with diminishing interest in the underground and alternative music scenes, Jim McGarry has "first look" as both an attorney and international label A&R source at some of the finest, most talented, and interesting unsigned artists and bands in the world.
Rainbow Quartz releases guitar-pop and rock with a jangly psychedelic edge as well as solid singer songwriters and bands with a cerebral and artsy bent
THE CAPSTAN SHAFTS are a one-man-band from Lyndonville, Vermont, masterminded by DEAN WELLS. With over 17 releases since 2004 (self-released under his own Ladder The Xmas Monkey and through labels such as Asaurus and Yellow Mica), describing The Capstan Shafts as steadily prolific would be an understatement. However, until 2007's excellently-received “Environ Maiden” on Rainbow Quartz, his catalog was not properly distributed, although word on Wells’ deliriously prodigious recordings has been percolating in the indie pop underground and building momentum with each new release.
In 2008 we welcome the second Rainbow Quartz release by THE CAPSTAN SHAFTS: “Fixation Protocols” is an album that has grown from its lo-fi roots to a more maturely-crafted sound. His inclination towards brevity persists, with nearly all the 22 lo-fi songs getting to the point in under two minutes. The appealing homemade indie fuzz-rock is still replete with catchy melodies, perfect playful pop hooks, and classic rock guitar riffs. This album conjures early R.E.M. through a lysergic prism, GUIDED BY VOICES and WIRE. Some have mentioned hints of LOU BARLOW, THE MOUNTAIN GOATS and NEUTRAL MILK HOTEL.
THE LACKLOVES are a world-class power-pop trio – pure pop confection with jangle and psychedelia abounding. The current lineup features Mike Jarvis on vocals/guitar, Kevin Ponec on bass and Tommy D on drums. This long-awaited third release on Rainbow Quartz was recorded at the Walls Have Ears studios, the same Milwaukee studio they took over for starcitybaby. Each release is better than the last, collecting more followers among pop aficionados worldwide – they have a big following in Spain and Japan.
The Lackloves were formed in 1996 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin by Mike Jarvis of early-90s power-pop band THE BLOW POPS, who enjoyed international success with the classic pop albums Charmed, I’m Sure and American Beauties (on Get Hip). Originally formed as a power trio, they were a quartet for their first release As Far As You Know (now out of print) that showcased Jarvis’ Lennon/Townshend/Wilson-inspired pop gems. They were signed to Rainbow Quartz in 2001, with starcitybaby coming out in 2002 and The Beat and the Time in 2004. They have toured extensively around the world in support of these releases, played their pristine pop and rock at the Chicago International Pop Overthrow Festival, and even had a track licensed by and featured on MTV’s reality show Made.
Cathedral Square Park – All Music Guide review:
It's been nearly two decades since the Blow Pops took root, but frontman Mike Jarvis shows no sign of losing his power pop sweet tooth. Guitar hooks, thick harmonies, and effervescent melodies are the standard on Cathedral Square Park, Jarvis' fourth album with Blow Pops spinoffs the Lackloves. Despite the addition of newcomer Kevin Ponec (their third bassist in ten years, and -- in a startling contrast to the band's lighthearted jangle pop -- a professional gravedigger), the Lackloves rarely sound like a support group for their lead singer. Rather, they're a tight power trio with three competent vocalists, all of whom do their best to pack ample amounts of sticky-sweet melody into the album's every nook and cranny. Cathedral is built on hooks, and hummable bits of pop craftsmanship show up everywhere: the bassline in "Space Age Romeo," the rhythmic interplay of "Dance with Me," the '50s-styled melody and galloping drums that make "Marlena" sound like the long-lost granddaughter of Buddy Holly's "Peggy Sue." Backed by the oohs and aahs of his bandmates, Jarvis spins lovelorn narratives like a 21st century Allan Clarke, occasionally channeling Alex Chilton's pop/rock vigor during the most energetic tracks. Like many Rainbow Quartz bands, the Lackloves haven't trained their eyes on the Billboard charts, and Cathedral Square Park lacks the obvious commercial bent of, say, a Fountains of Wayne release. So while there's nothing like "Stacy's Mom" here, Cathedral could still be the first solid pop album of 2008, with even the least intriguing songs packing a solid punch. After all, it's all ear candy -- even the less substantive pieces are still thoroughly addictive.
- Andrew Leahey – www.allmusic.com
THE GURUS from Spain are a monstrous power trio that have now released three albums on Rainbow Quartz. The first album was a "Revolver"-esque slice of harmony and jangle while the second album veered towards a Kinks vibe with snippets of Fripp and Eno soundscape psychedelia – very appealing stuff!
However, the new album entitled "Now" is a power blast of crunchy guitar harmonics and terrific melodies that evoke an aggressive Yo La Tengo/Pixies/Wire mixture or the neo-punk/grunge of NirvanA – but one also gets a sense of peak-era R.E.M. as well – and there are still Beatles references all over the album!
This album is a gripping blend of psychedelia and hard rock with unbelievable covers of The Doors “Roadhouse Blues” and a drippingly lysergic version of Status Quo’s “Elizabeth Dreams.” The Gurus are one of the finest bands from Spain, and this album should not be missed for true music fans of all rock genres.
The Orchid Highway - The Orchid Highway [May 13 2008]
This 5-piece from Vancouver, B.C., Canada is a super-talented band who have also spent time in London honing their highly professional musical chops. Excellent musicians and fabulous songwriters, these guys (with three brothers in the band) play a broad spectrum of pop, rock and psychedelia. We at Rainbow Quartz are reminded of former label mates Cotton Mather and The Waxwings while the Canadian Press calls them “the Sloan of Vancouver.” The band itself cites influences such as Midnight Oil, Oasis, and Led Zeppelin.
THE ORCHID HIGHWAY are as good as any new band on a major label right now and are awesome live! This self-titled debut LP is sure to please all fans of indie or classic rock and pop and we are extremely excited to release this great record.
The Telepathic Butterflies - Breakfast in Suburbia [May 29 2008]
The Telepathic Butterflies hail from Winnipeg, Canada and consist of guitarist/vocalist Rejean Ricard and super drummer Jacques Dubois and a rotating supporting cast for live shows. Rej Ricard is an ultra-talented songwriter who traffics in pristine pop with psychedelic flourishes as well as crunchy harmonic rock with cleverly textured guitar work.
This 2008 release is the band’s third album on Rainbow Quartz spanning a period of seven years, and their most ambitious full-length recording. While past releases have been chock full of alterna-hip catchy guitar-rock pop gems evoking the likes of The Byrds and Bowie – this new release continues to please and expand the palette. "Breakfast in Suburbia" has snippets of pop-orientated tracks that jangle and shine like the Hollies or Squeeze and at the same time displays catchy linear rockers that would make Green Day or even Oasis smile – and the unpredictable chord changes create an artsy form of rock rarely heard these days.
Painstakingly recorded at their vintage 16-track analog studio, the album is a compelling examination of modern life – expounding on the drudgery of everyday life, and expresses the alienation and paranoia that can swallow up the anchorless among us. Written from the point of view of several characters living in a typical suburb, "Breakfast in Suburbia" is a matter-of-fact piece of sonic art, created by young men who recognize that life is a long haul. Yet there is also redemption in the soaring harmonies, ringing melodies and lovingly crafted songs of The Telepathic Butterflies. And maybe that’s the point.
The warmth of Ricard and Dubois’ music stems from the players’ shared passion for edgy melodic rock and garage pop, an oft-overlooked musical genre that can be traced from to the earliest Beatles and Buddy Holly through the likes of Badfinger, The Faces, The Records and all the way up to contemporary acts such as New Pornographers or Louis XIV. Since 1999, singer/guitarist/bassist Rej and drummer/vocalist have diligently worked at crafting guitar-based pop music that has always had more to say than the latest tuned-down, melodramatic post-grunge act. They’ve released two critically lauded, self-produced albums on Rainbow Quartz — Introducing The Telepathic Butterflies and Songs from a Second Wave — and they have set bodies a-swaying and gotten feet a-moving on nightclub dancefloors from Montreal to L.A. and all stops in between.
Rej and Jacques’ love of songcraft and authenticity is exemplified by their painstaking, recording process, in which their vintage, 16-track analog studio becomes almost a third member of the group. When modern pop music is handmade like this, it’s obviously a labour of love.
Released on double vinyl, while the CD release contains what we at the label feel are the most Rainbow Quartz-y sounding tracks.
Check back for news on more stunning new Rainbow Quartz releases for 2008 - including The Capstan Shafts, The Pillbugs, The Shake, Deleted Waveform Gatherings, The Parties & The Rhinos!!!
DON'T MISS OUT ON THESE OTHER PERFECT POP RELEASES FROM RAINBOW QUARTZ!!!
'Underground Ghosts', the fifth album by Peterborough, England's The Contrast is sure to please fans and critics alike. Again featuring the songs of singer/writer David Reid, chiming jangling psych-pop and vocal/melody balance with overflowing energy and crafty guitar interplay (think a mod-ish Television). Embraced by Little Steven on his Underground Garage radio show as "one of the best bands on the planet," they consistently deliver album after album of solid songwriting, intelligent and thoughtful lyrics wrapped up in 3-minute pop songs - bringing on infectious grooves, all tinted with a rose-colored neo-garage rock glow. Since it's release, Little Steven has already featured 'Believe' as 'Coolest song in the world' on his syndicated show, as well as playlisting - no less than - five tracks from the album on his Sirius satellite radio channel (siri25). In the meantime, the song 'Clue' has also been embraced by triple A radio across America with over 30 stations spinning the track so far. click here to watch the excellent, surreal video for 'My Peace of Mind' which is being promoted to TV right now by our good friends at Hip Video Promo. click here to see the video for 'Clue'.
Hailing from Spain, this extremely cool neo-garage, slightly mod, very psychedelic pop/rock band offer up an album of perfectly sculpted songs dripping with harmonies with guitars both jangly and crunchy -- it is truly Revolveresque material -- reminding the label of the glory days of Cotton Mather.
Mellowmen was formed in spring 2001 by singer and songwriter Andreas Nyberg. In the beginning the band worked mainly within the safety of the studio walls and rarely made any live shows. The debut ep entitled Get out of shape with the Mellowmen made them realise their enormous potential as a live act and since then their gigs has been drawing lots of attention. With influencis like Brian Wilson and Paul McCartney Andreas Nyberg creates his own universe of beautiful melodies and songs. It's classis songwriting with a modern twist. A Swedish reviewer once said: "This is where Sex, Drugs & Rock & Roll meets Peace, Love & Understanding." The debut album Tomorrow's Sound Today is out now.
'Down the Way' is a textured, crystaline blend of rock, pop and pyschedlia. The lead-off track "Every Day" sounds like R.E.M on peyote buttons meets "Good Earth-era Feelies". And track 2 sounds like a Doors, Echo and The Bunnymen, Happy Mondays collaboration. click here to watch the brilliant new video for 'Every Day', which is being promoted to TV by our friends at Hip Video Promo right now.
This band played the 2006 CMJ Music Festival in New York before a packed house at Arlene's Grocery Rainbow Quartz' night. These guys from Philadelphia blew the roof off the house with an inspired set that reminded we at the label of a cross between Nirvana, XTC, Devo and Television -- we are not kidding!! They have just delivered their new album which is an eclectic rocket ride from start to finish. Erik Evol, the lead singer/songwriter and guitarist is another songwriting machine and talented performer who is going to surprise alot of people in 2007 on the heels of his wonderful 2006 debut "And the Story Goes".
Former members of the Dipsomaniacs--who sounded like Cotton Mather meets The Byrds-have recorded a beautiful album of crunchy,harmonic rock & pop. Singer, Oyvind still sounds like a relative of Cotton Mather's Robert Harrison or John Lennon--with album tracks sounding like Pavement meets The Beatles with flourishes of The Who. The 4th track, an ecclectic tune with flutes and a galloping beat even evokes a poppier more psychedelic Dave Matthews meets Donovan! This is a very cool album highly recommended for Cotton Mather fans. A Dipsomaniac's compilation is planned for fall release.
Denise James, an extremely talented
songwriter, singer and musician from Detroit
has recorded an album that blends a
gorgeous mix of ethereal jangle and
harmony – think an alternative Petula Clark
or Linda Ronstadt with echoes of Patsy
Cline – with a 60’s feel and guitar textures
to die for.
Denise James’ new LP, Promises, is a
singer/songwriter album of a rare category. Denise
grew up listening to Francoise Hardy around the
house as well as the regional Detroit radio stations that
have inspired all of the great mid-western musicians.
Denise is the favorite songwriter of a lot of songwriters and rock ‘n’ rollers in her hometown. Denise
wrote songs for a few years, refining her craft before she began to perform solo gigs on Detroit’s
underground scene. She made guest appearances with bands like The Volebeats and Teach Me
Tiger, her songs appeared on records by His Name is Alive, and she was a member of the Dirt
Eaters and the Jills. In 2001, Denise was signed by Alan McGee to the Poptones label, who released
her first LP Denise James to rave reviews. In 2002, she joined Rainbow Quartz and released her
second LP It’s Not Enough To Love to winning acclaim by All Music Guide, Harp, Uncut, Fufkin.com,
Mohair Sweets and Chartattack, among others. The LP is one of Rainbow Quartz’ best sellers
throughout the world. Neko Case, a self-proclaimed fan, invited Denise to open her American tour.
Where her early work was built around a sparse, French pop texture with 60’s strength reverberation,
Promises combines Byrds-style jangle with existentialist lyrics and Pet Sounds harmonies.
The record is produced by Matthew Smith (Outrageous Cherry, The Go, Slumber Party,
The Volebeats) and was recorded at Ghetto Recorders in Detroit with Jim Diamond (White Stripes,
The Sights) engineering.
Promises is not just-another-singer-songwriter-kind-of record. It is a solid classic.
THE WINNERYS - Daily Urban Times [ July 25, 2006 ]
Formed in Madrid in 1999, The Winnerys are like many other Rainbow Quartz bands
influenced by the melodic 60’s sounds of the Kinks, Beatles and the Hollies – but have
created a sound that is distinctly modern while still tipping their hats to the founding
fathers of melodic guitar-based rock, sounding at times like more modern artists like
The Posies and R.E.M. With each member displaying a high degree of musicianship, The
Winnerys have cast a spell on many an audience with the alternating jangle and growl of
Fausto Martin’s and Borja Bonafuente’s guitars, the rock steady grooves of Javier Polo’s
bass and Nacho García’s drums and, of course, their irresistible three-part vocal
harmonies. Lyrically, they exhibit an emotional range from poignant to downright
mysterious in a delicious mixture of catchy power pop, beat and psychedelia. They played
at this year’s SXSW festival in Austin, Texas and floored the large audience in attendance.
They have also played at New York City’s CMJ festival, the IPO (International Pop Overthrow)
in Chicago and also at the mythic Cavern Club in their recent appearance at the
Liverpool IPO.
“If My Bloody Valentine grew up in the hills...” After quickly selling out the first
pressing of their debut concept album (Barroom Confessions), this Portland, Oregon band
headed back into the recording studio with a more focused and mature songwriting approach
along with an eagerness to stretch their boundaries musically. Filling the 700 square foot
house with as much dated recording equipment and instruments that they could get their
hands on, they gathered around the controls, and spent the better part of a year recording
songs to an analog reel-to-reel machine; Hammond organs, Wurlitzer pianos, lap steel,
dulcimer, drums, and numerous guitars were the chosen instrumentation for the project.
The collaboration between Jackson Groves (vocals, guitars, harmonica), and brothers Seth
Erickson (vocals, drums, piano, guitar), and Cy Erickson (vocals, guitar, bass) is a cohesive
exploration through each members vision of indie-music – psychedelic, rocking, and dreamy.
With the opening drone-folk track “Golden Age”, to the mid-album psych-pop “Thin Again”,
to the closing country-folk lullaby “Neon River”, the fruit of these threes' labor is reflected on
the twelve track self-titled album.
A.M. Interstate traffics in a gauzy, mescaline-tinged sound not unlike Mazzy Star, Opal, Thin
White Rope, and the venerable paisley rockers The Rain Parade. The band has been compared
to a wide spectrum of artists ranging from Urge Overkill and Steppenwolf to most alt-country
artists on the scene today as well. Sounds impossible; you have to hear this band for yourself.
The Sails are a visually and sonically captivating 5-piece band, possessing radiant
harmonies, vibrant energy and a powerful, sunshine sound.
Previously, the work of enlivened front man, songwriter and producer Michael Gagliano was
met with much critical acclaim by the music press in the UK and Europe. Credits include a
four-star review in MOJO Magazine.
The self-titled debut album for Rainbow Quartz delivers timeless songwriting dressed with
intricately arranged vocals and instrumentation, covered with The Sail’s immense, brilliant
guitar sound.
Each track has a masterly musical web woven under instant, infectious pop melodies.
This is a blend of psychedelic brit-pop with 21st century nods to The Beatles, The Byrds
and Bowie.
Live, The Sails deliver a fresh, exciting show of classic pop songs played with
a modern edge.
The Asteroid No. 4, from Philadelphia, began in the late 1990s with a series of singles, compilations
and a debut full-length dubbed Introducing the Asteroid No. 4. The album was compared to all things
psychedelic from Pink Floyd to early Verve. In 2000, the band began experimenting with a strippeddown
aesthetic. They explored abandoning what was best associated with their sound – effected
guitars. Looking to the mid-'60s folk rock and British Invasion artists for inspiration, they created the
Apple Street EP.
After touring with fellow Philadelphians the Lilys, they enlisted the greatest retro-revivalist in the
land: Kurt Heasley produced the EP and its corresponding full-length, King Richard's Collectibles, on
Rainbow Quartz. After several national jaunts in 2002-2004, including tours with the Brian Jonestown
Massacre and the Sights that stretched to the West Coast and Canada, the A4 yearned to continue
their quest towards the roots of the musical influence they love – psychedelia. They went on to release
the late '60s-early '70s country rock-tinged Honeyspot on Turquoise Mountain, an imprint specifically
created by Rainbow Quartz's Jim McGarry as a home to the band's rootsy, Gram Parsons/Cosmic
American Music-obsessed excursion.
Now, a few years on, the band celebrates another new record: An Amazing Dream, again backed by
Rainbow Quartz, is slated to be released in late summer 2006. It promises to evoke all of the group's
previous recordings, especially the psychedelic and space rock ambitions they are best known for. This
is number 4 for the number 4 and again, a new course. Only this time it's slightly more familiar.
The Summer Wardrobe is Austin’s best kept secret, but not for long.
The Summer Wardrobe was founded in 2003 by Jon Sanchez (guitars/vocals) and John Leon
(pedal steel), who brought in drummer George Duron almost immediately after forming the
band. Bassist Marty Hobratschk was added to the roster in December 2005. The band signed
with New York-based Rainbow Quartz records after label owner Jim McGarry caught their
showcase during South by Southwest 2006.
The band’s first EP, Sometimes Late at Night..., established The Summer Wardrobe as
purveyors of a sultry, sexy vibe – something the band likes to describe as “ambient southern
rock.” While the band’s EP brought comparisons to such bands as Pink Floyd, the Church,
Mercury Rev and Luna, the Summer Wardrobe has its own unique sound that draws from a
diverse panoply of influences.
Their debut LP on Rainbow Quartz evokes favorable comparisons to such artists as
Rain Parade, Good Earth-era Feelies, Tom Petty, and labelmates/fellow Austin
underground heroes Cotton Mather.
Barcelona-based pop outfit The Gurus put out a mini-album on the very cool Spanish label
Bip Bip – and we liked the record so much we asked the band and label if they could
record a bunch of new songs to fill out a full-length LP – and that resulted in the self-titled
worldwide debut that was their first release on Rainbow Quartz. The sound of the first
album brimmed over with Revolver-esque psychedelia, power-pop, pure guitar pop and
jangle that evokes label-mates Cotton Mather and Telepathic Butterflies and, at the same
time, brought to mind such a diverse mixture as Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, Firefall,
Little River Band and even Oasis. Sounds impossible, but you have to hear the album
for yourself.
For their second and new Rainbow Quartz release, The Gurus mix and match pure pop
perfection, lysergic psychedelia, modern rock and ambient electronica. The new album
has a more prominent guitar crunch and swirling experimentalism at the same time.
Think The Kinks meets Fripp and Eno.
Dog Age was started over a decade ago in Oslo, Norway. Several singles and albums were
issued on different labels under slightly different lineups since their debut LP. Initially
playing industrial synthesized pop, they quickly embraced ethereal folk-pop psychedelia
splashed with prog-rock touches – Revolver-era Beatles meets early Pink Floyd.
The new album, Reefy Seadragon, is their first recording in several years. It is a psychedelic
pop rock jewel sounding very much like the Elephant 6 artists Apples In Stereo and Olivia
Tremor Control. The production is clean, with lysergic flourishes throughout the album –
at times the band sounds like Syd Barrett and at other times they evoke the ultra-sheen
melodicism of the French band Air.
Their strong guitar work is laced with harpsichord, strings, and backward recordings;
carefree lyrics, sometimes stream of consciousness psychedelia, reach the ear with simple
yet irresistible vocal harmonies straight out of the British Isles of 1967.
OUTRAGEOUS CHERRY - Stay Happy [ October 3, 2006 ]
From the same Detroit-based family that gave birth to the Sights, White Stripes, Dirtbombs, and Electric Six
comes another rabble of Detroit mainstays: Outrageous Cherry. Featuring bassist Courtney Sheedy (The Tiny
Steps, The Americans [Detroit]), drummer Carey Gustafson, guitarist Larry Ray (Spike Drivers, The Ivories) and
frontman Matthew Smith (whose Detroit resume reads like producer Jim Diamond’s little black book, more
recently involved in the Volebeats, THTX, and producing Denise James), Detroit’s psychedelic pop kingpins
Outrageous Cherry have come back around.
While the band’s expansive, conceptual LPs Supernatural Equinox and The Book of Spectral Projections
established OC as the Moody Blues of the garage rock set, the 2005 release Our Love Will Change the World was
a shorter, sweeter, harder-hitting package of future rock ’n’ roll classics tuned to the classic AM radio zeitgeist.
The new album Stay Happy could be called authentic 21st century glam/glitter/psych/pop. Produced by Matthew
Smith, also the writer and singer, the band is joined by guest musicians from Wolf Eyes and Medusa Cyclone
on several tracks.
Some recordings are studio-crafted, utilizing the full potential of 70’s-style 24-track recording, while others are
one-take rave-ups recorded in their kitchen rehearsal space. The variety of music – consisting of ballads, outer
space atmospheres, distorted rock ’n’ roll wig-outs, and symphonic arrangements – are unified by an A-sidesingle
aesthetic dominating most of these tunes. Outrageous Cherry specializes in bubblegum observations of a
world gone insane and manages to be a consistent favorite on Little Steven’s Underground Garage
radio program.
