"Hey mom, what's an Arab Strap?"

The Scottish rock and first post-emo duo Arab Strap return with The Last Romance due out February 7, 2006. It’s the band’s most coherent effort and aggressive album to date, but retains that abrasive lyrical style and engaging, melodic beauty.

Arab Strap created a stir in the indie music world with their debut single, “The First Big Weekend” was hailed by BBC’s Radio One as “the best record of the decade.” Although Arab Strap is established in the alternative music world, last year’s successful tour with Bright Eyes opened up a new audience for the band with some critics proclaiming Arab Strap’s “post-emo vision is real and palpable."

The Arab Strap tale begins in Falkirk, Scotland in the mid-90s, a "shit town lying in the barren land twixt Edinburgh and Glasgow" as the band describe it, but anyone who's been knows it to be much worse, even with the infamous Wheel. Two men - Aidan Moffat and Malcolm Middleton - scratching around in various bands, enjoying the delights of Falkirk - a town portrayed as being lifeless and dull (despite having a bowling alley and Laser Quest) and inhabited by alcoholics and drug takers, who indulge in fighting and casual sex for hobbies. Such disregard for one's homeland is never good and it was no surprise that the town disowned the band, even though both were born there, attended Falkirk High School and, for all their sins, support the local football team. However, as they say “every silver lining has a cloud.”

It's in this unlikely place, the doldrums of life, that Arab Strap was born. Aidan, having counteracted the boredom of Falkirk by spending many an afternoon leafing through stolen porn magazines, had an amusement for a gent's sex aid, called an Arab Strap. For amusement purposes more than symbolism the band was christened and Aidan and Malcolm began their adventure as Arab Strap.

"8 out of 10. Indie popsters return with a joyously upbeat record." – NME

“Universal Audio is a masterclass in harmonious guitar pop.” – Q Magazine

“ONE OF THE GREATEST BANDS IN THE WORLD” – John Peel

“9 out of 10. This is an unbelievably complete record. Essential.” Rocksound

The Delgados just released Universal Audio in the USA on the backs of some strong critical acclaim from their native UK. The “Mercury Nominated” band return with long-time producer Tony Doogan (Belle & Sebastian, Mogwai, Super Furry Animals) and have expanded the scope of their music with a stunning album.

After four albums into their critically acclaimed careers, The Delgados have decided to throw everyone something of a curve ball. Dispensing with the lush orchestrations of their previous two releases, The Delgados withdrew to their Chem19 studio in Hamilton (just outside Glasgow, Scotland) last year and started work on the new album, which would take them five months to write and four more to record; but when they finally emerged blinking in the sunlight, Universal Audio had a sunning melodic sensibility and was a stunning achievement.

Smothered in guitars; drenched in hooks; loaded with melodies and overflowing with harmonies, Universal Audio is a pop triumph: articulate, eclectic, overwhelmingly immediate and thoroughly captivating. It represents the same level of seismic leap taken by the band on their third, Mercury nominated album The Great Eastern, and a brave departure from the dark, symphonic follow up of 2002’s Hate. Universal Audio sounds more effervescent than its bombastic predecessors – a different feel for a very different record.

The Delgados formed in Glasgow in the late 90's and quickly established themselves at the forefront of that city’s flourishing music scene. Their critically acclaimed debut album, Domestiques, was released in ’97 and they have since released 3 additional albums, all garnering heaping amounts of praise from critics and fans on both sides of the Atlantic.

The Official The Delgados Website

	Transdreamer Artists
	"Hey mom, what's an Arab Strap?" The Scottish rock and first post-emo duo Arab Strap return with *The Last Romance* due out February 7, 2006. It’s the band’s most coherent effort and aggressive album to date, but retains that abrasive lyrical style and engaging, melodic beauty. Arab Strap created a stir in the indie music world with their debut single, “The First Big Weekend” was hailed by BBC’s Radio One as “the best record of the decade.” Although Arab Strap is established in the alternative music world, last year’s successful tour with Bright Eyes opened up a new audience for the band with some critics proclaiming Arab Strap’s “post-emo vision is real and palpable." The Arab Strap tale begins in Falkirk, Scotland in the mid-90s, a "shit town lying in the barren land twixt Edinburgh and Glasgow" as the band describe it, but anyone who's been knows it to be much worse, even with the infamous Wheel. Two men - Aidan Moffat and Malcolm Middleton - scratching around in various bands, enjoying the delights of Falkirk - a town portrayed as being lifeless and dull (despite having a bowling alley and Laser Quest) and inhabited by alcoholics and drug takers, who indulge in fighting and casual sex for hobbies. Such disregard for one's homeland is never good and it was no surprise that the town disowned the band, even though both were born there, attended Falkirk High School and, for all their sins, support the local football team. However, as they say “every silver lining has a cloud.” It's in this unlikely place, the doldrums of life, that Arab Strap was born. Aidan, having counteracted the boredom of Falkirk by spending many an afternoon leafing through stolen porn magazines, had an amusement for a gent's sex aid, called an Arab Strap. For amusement purposes more than symbolism the band was christened and Aidan and Malcolm began their adventure as Arab Strap.
	THE DELGADOS "8 out of 10. Indie popsters return with a joyously upbeat record." – NME “Universal Audio is a masterclass in harmonious guitar pop.” – Q Magazine “ONE OF THE GREATEST BANDS IN THE WORLD” – John Peel “9 out of 10. This is an unbelievably complete record. Essential.” Rocksound The Delgados just released Universal Audio in the USA on the backs of some strong critical acclaim from their native UK. The “Mercury Nominated” band return with long-time producer Tony Doogan (Belle & Sebastian, Mogwai, Super Furry Animals) and have expanded the scope of their music with a stunning album. After four albums into their critically acclaimed careers, The Delgados have decided to throw everyone something of a curve ball. Dispensing with the lush orchestrations of their previous two releases, The Delgados withdrew to their Chem19 studio in Hamilton (just outside Glasgow, Scotland) last year and started work on the new album, which would take them five months to write and four more to record; but when they finally emerged blinking in the sunlight, Universal Audio had a sunning melodic sensibility and was a stunning achievement. Smothered in guitars; drenched in hooks; loaded with melodies and overflowing with harmonies, Universal Audio is a pop triumph: articulate, eclectic, overwhelmingly immediate and thoroughly captivating. It represents the same level of seismic leap taken by the band on their third, Mercury nominated album The Great Eastern, and a brave departure from the dark, symphonic follow up of 2002’s Hate. Universal Audio sounds more effervescent than its bombastic predecessors – a different feel for a very different record. The Delgados formed in Glasgow in the late 90's and quickly established themselves at the forefront of that city’s flourishing music scene. Their critically acclaimed debut album, Domestiques, was released in ’97 and they have since released 3 additional albums, all garnering heaping amounts of praise from critics and fans on both sides of the Atlantic. The Official The Delgados Website

	A Whisper in the Noise *"A Whisper in the Noise evokes a lullaby only half remembered, and the half remembered suggests a companion melody that (though unheard) is somehow unspeakably sad."* -- Steve Albini “Think the brilliance of groups like Mogwai, Sigur Ros, Massive Attack, and then think again,” – wookubus, theprp.com “The whole experience [AWITN] is awe-inspiring!” – decoymusic.com West Dylan Thordson savors solitude. His atmospheric music is a reflection of his world, his mood, and his environment. Thordson grew up on a large patch of farmland in rural Minnesota and currently resides and creates in the Hanska, MN (population 365) abandoned elementary school that he attended as a child. The school closed in the early 90’s and is attached to a high school that shut its doors in the 1960’s. Thordson finds himself songwriting in the music room he played in as a child and wandering the empty, haunting halls at night sometimes blasting music throughout. In 2002 Thordson formed Minneaplis-based A Whisper in the Noise (AWITN) with Sonja Larson (vocals, violin,) Rachel Drehmann (french horn,) Andrew Broste (bass,) and Nicholas Conner (drums, percussion). The following year they released their debut album, *Ides of March, with band devotee Steve Albini* recording. Albini needed only two days to capture the beauty, anger, and sadness that is A Whisper In The Noise. Impressed with the recording sessions, Albini took AWITN to Europe to open a string of shows for Shellac. *As The Blue Bird Sings, produced by Tom Herbers* (Low, Soul Asylum, The Jayhawks, Victoria Williams and The Church) is ripe with purity and emotion. When asked how A Whisper in the Noise's album title *As The Bluebird Sings* came about, Thordson replies, “A bluebird will still sing whether or not the world around it is collapsing. It represents purity to me.” A dramatic and dark sense of loneliness, emptiness and intimacy are reflected within the 10 tracks. From the mysterious melancholy of “Hells Half Acre” and the heart-tugging vocal-tonal-teardrop of “Through Wounds We Soon Will Stitch,” to the dynamic balancing of the sweetness of a lullaby with the sadness of a never-ending-solitary-season demonstrated in “The Sounding Line”, *As The Bluebird Sings’* depth and range is executed in a precise, yet languid dynamic; overlapping and intermingling of piano, violin, French horn, children choirs, and haunting vocals over the bastardized foundation of bass and percussion. The record closes with a gut-wrenching rendition of Bob Dylan’s “The Times They Are A Changin”. A Whisper In the Noise shares musical categorization with bands such as Black Heart Procession, Red Sparowes, GYBE!, Low and Sigur Ros. Thordson has been inspired by Philip Glass, John Lennon, Roger Waters and Arvo Part. Bob Dylan has a place in Thordson’s heart as well. When he was 18 and discovered Time Out of Mind -- “it was the singular album that changed my life.” A Whisper In The Noise have toured the UK with Shellac and Mogwai and were greatly received at All Tomorrow’s Parties Festival in Europe. They’ve received rave reviews on their homefront in the pages of St. Paul Pioneer Press, Minneapolis Star Tribune, City Pages , and Pulse of The Twin Cities as well as in NYC’s highly revered, respected and influential Village Voice. Official AWITN site
	DRESSY BESSY Denver's ever-so-magnificent Dressy Bessy is all about the guitars, the buzzed-out power-pop chords, the banging rhythm section...and finally, the sweet vocals of Tammy Ealom. Her sly lyrics wrapped around infectious melodies are what drives the band into indie-pop-rock perfection and critical acclaim. "A minus...Ealom is one cool customer; and her bandmates know their best music arises from showcasing her in all her multitracked glory." says Entertainment Weekly Guitarist John Hill is the elder statesman of the group, whose brilliant guitar-work has already helped propel his side-project Apples (in Stereo) to the forefront of the indie scene. Add the extraordinary talent of Darren Albert (drums) and Rob Greene (bass), and you have a rhythm section that complements the sweet melodies. Dressy Bessy is a perennial superstar in their hometown of Denver. In 1999 they released their first LP, Pink Hearts, Yellow Moons, which was highly acclaimed and hailed as, "virtually perfect…by far, the catchiest indie-pop record of 1999" by The Stranger. Continuing their run of purely joyful noise with 2002's full-length Sound Go Round, the band continued to garner amazing press and steady play on college radio. In the spring of 2003, the band presented Little Music, a special collection of early material and rarities. Later in 2003, their self-titled release expanded the band's base into bona fide indie rockstar status. Dressy Bessy's Electrified is their biggest and most audacious effort. It will be released on June 14, 2005. Official Dressy Bessy Site

	BILL RICCHINI Critically-acclaimed artist Bill Ricchini recorded the songs that would become his debut record, Ordinary Time, in his bedroom on his Dell computer. After sending a few to magazines and friends, and selling it as a limited-edition in various record stores, Ordinary Time has garnered much attention as a self-released demo cd in 2002, generating glowing reviews and landing on critics' top ten lists from the likes of Salon.com, where it was voted Best Unreleased Album. It created an underground buzz and has established him as a voice to watch. "A genius collection of homespun, intimate pop." Rolling Stone "A homespun work of quiet beauty and low-key charm." - Salon.com "A major song writing talent has arrived." -- Magnet Magazine "One of the top 10 records of the year." Amazon.com, San Francisco Weekly, Village Voice, Philadelphia Weekly The new song cycle, Cold Comfort, has just finished recording in NYC. It's a stunning piece of work that will be a great addition to his previous concept album, Ordinary Time. His uncanny ability to link themes and melodies combined with chamber pop sensibilities has made his music so unique and heartwrenching. Bill continues to push the envelope of songwriting on Cold Comfort, which will be released this summer 2005. Official Ricchini Site

	WELLWATER CONSPIRACY "4 out of 5 stars." -- Rolling Stone, october 2003 "5 out of 5 stars." -- Guitar One, october 2003 "4 out of 5 stars." -- Alternative Press, october 2003 "4 out of 5 stars." -- Arizona Republic, september, 2003 "4 out of 5 stars." - All Music Guide, december 2003 When you consider the accomplishments of Wellwater Conspiracy's members, from the ground-breaking Soundgarden to Monster Magnet to Pearl Jam, it's simply astounding that they have created some of rock music's most historical albums. Wellwater Conspiracy is fronted by Matt Cameron, the long-time drummer of the legendary Soundgarden, and now a current member of Pearl Jam, and John McBain, the original founding guitarist of Monster Magnet. Also added this time around is keyboardist Glenn Slater. The impetus for this band remains plain and simple: "We don't have to write a hit single or any of that kind of junk. In that respect, it's great (laughs). I think that's reward in and of itself," says singer Matt Cameron. Official Wellwater Site