Tape Hiss is a (semi) regular column focusing solely on cassette releases. For the uninitiated, this feature was originally run on Stylus Magazine's website, but with Stylus shutting its doors, Bryan Berge is bringing it to Foxy Digitalis. So rejoice and all that, and check out some of these recent happenings in the world of cassette labels. In vol. #31, we take a look at a handful of recent releases the HWEM, JK Tapes, and Night People labels... feature :: by Bryan Berge

Chicago’s Red Plastic Buddha has a big sound that just feels right. Their garage rock aesthetic, as evidenced on their 2007 debut “Sunflower Sessions” (Spade Kitty), pays homage to the past yet refuses to be tied to their heroes. Singer/bassist/songwriter Timothy Ferguson calls their music “gas soaked,” and that is right on. There is passion here, with the added fuel of smart hooks, wry lyrics and a fat bottom (courtesy of David Kling on drums) that anchors the power pop riffage. You’ll hear retro-organ, psych freakout, and sweet melodies in every tune. This interview with Ferguson was conducted by email, though MySpace of all places. Who said it had no soul?.. feature :: by Mike Wood

The trio of Painting Petals On Planet Ghost brings together the special talents of brothers Maurizio and Roberto Opalio (My Cat Is An Alien) on acoustic guitars and various percussions + sound effects and their long-time friend and collaborator Ramona Ponzini who sings and/or reads poems in traditional Japanese (Ramona also plays Japanese percussions in Praxinoscope, her duo with Roberto Opalio, and is a full member of Black Magic Disco with the Opalios and JOMF’s Tom Greenwood). .. feature :: by Francois Hubert

I've sort of become obsessed with Isolated Now Waves (INW) over the past year or so. Run by the inimitable Nic Hughes (aka n.213) of the mighty Shearing Pinx. Based out of Vancouver, B.C., you are unlikely to find a better collection of damaged sounds in any other place in the Northwest. It may be a total vanity label, but hey, I like a good peek in the mirror. Loads of tapes, vinyl, and CDRs, all packaged in unique and ingenius ways - there's a little something for everyone. Send Nic some of your hard-earned cash. You won't be disappointed... label-spotlight :: by Brad Rose

It was a revelation when I first heard Aaron Martin. I read that he was from (somewhat nearby) Topeka, Kansas and, having been through there many times, I wasn't sure what to expect. Any and all expectations were blown to bits. Martin crafts hypnotic, folk-infused drone music using a variety of acoustic instrumentation centered around his exquisite cello playing. His first two albums on Australia's Preservation label are nothing short of outstanding, and his semi-recent collaboration ("Cello Recycling") with Machinefabriek on Type is stunning as well. I feel a certain kinship for artists in places like Topeka, and Aaron Martin is no exception... feature :: by Brad Rose

The Hop-Frog Kollectiv has been bringing forth its own melding of global sounds since the late nineties. Their music, art and all other activities revolve around an extreme level of interest in non-western cultures. Musically the bands operating under the collective Hop-Frog banner and those releasing music on the URCK label offer up an exciting blend of sounds with deep roots in the experimental music of the west and the traditional music of the non-western world. .. feature :: by Cory Card

Tape Hiss is a (semi) regular column focusing solely on cassette releases. For the uninitiated, this feature was originally run on Stylus Magazine's website, but with Stylus shutting its doors, Bryan Berge is bringing it to Foxy Digitalis. So rejoice and all that, and check out some of these recent happenings in the world of cassette labels... feature :: by Bryan Berge

Gilgongo might not be the most familiar name to some, but this Tempe, Arizona-based label has a slew of great releases under its belt. Run by the inimitable James Fella (who is also in a number of great Gilgongo bands like Soft Shoulder and Tent City), Gilgongo has been cranking out varoius vinyl & CD releases for a couple years now. The sounds are all over the map from the delicious punk of Soft Shoulder to the genius that is Raccoo-oo-oon (check their killer 7") and James' own sonic crafts. Another great label to keep an eye on for sure... label-spotlight :: by Brad Rose

Most people know Tiago Miranda as a member of the mightiest band in all of Portugal, Os Loosers, but he also runs one hell of a label in Ruby Red Editora. They've released a lot of great stuff from Ed Wilcox and his Temple of Bon Matin as well as CDs and LPs from artists such as Michael Yonkers, Buffalo Suicide Prevention Unit (an incredible group featuring Steve Baczkowski & Ravi Padmanabha among others), Tropa Macaca, Valerio Cosi, Fish & Sheep, and of course Loosers. The future is bright for Miranda's label, and now I just need someone to fly me to Portugal (ahem). .. label-spotlight :: by Brad Rose

Where can we begin when talking about Extreme? I know what I’m going to write may sound really reductive, but when somebody runs a label and he’s released material from artists such as like Jim O’Rourke, Masami Akita (aka Merzbow), Otomo Yoshide and Muslimgauze at a time when their popularity was really far from their current fame, well, I think this alone makes you realize that somebody’s submergible is equipped with a good radar. That somebody is Roger Richards, and he probably could have sat down resting on his laurels limiting his label to press (or repress) exclusively material for some of the aforementioned artists. .. feature :: by Giovanni Rosa

Tape Hiss is a (semi) regular column focusing solely on cassette releases. For the uninitiated, this feature was originally run on Stylus Magazine's website, but with Stylus shutting its doors, Bryan Berge is bringing it to Foxy Digitalis. So rejoice and all that, and check out some of these recent happenings in the world of cassette labels. .. feature :: by Bryan Berge

tUMULt may not be the most prolific label in the world, but for my money it's easily one of the best. Most people know it's figurehead, Andee, from his role as Aquarius Records' mailorder/review-writing magician, but based on the last few years of its output, his greatest gift to us all may, in fact, be tUMULt. With a slew of killer releases under his belt, 2008 looks to be his best year yet (I can attest to the absolute brilliance of PYHA, and if you don't love Dead Reptile Shrine, what is wrong with you?). It's not all black in his corner, though, and as the year progresses we'll see what tricks Andee has up his sleeve... label-spotlight :: by Brad Rose