New music from Mill Pond Records: Josh Ottum, Jason Holstrom, and Luke Temple

Posted by Flick in News on 07 11th, 2007 | no responses |

Mill Pond Records, an independent label in San Clemente, California, is getting ready to release two albums over the next two months. Jason Holstrom will strike first on July 24 with his Thieves of Kailua. Being described as an "island-pop masterpiece," Holstrom spent three years recording this album since he was also busy recording other bands, such as the latest Aqueduct disc.

Jason's album begs the listener to close their eyes and imagine themselves on a Hawaiian beach:

"The record was born from a trip with Jasonâ€™s future-wife to Hawaii a few years back and draws much of its story from those actual events. Stylistically inspired by the myths of old Hawaii, and informed by its modern reality, Thieves opens up a window to a fantastical paradise. The song-to-song narrative takes the listener across the great Pacific to a welcoming ancient land of beauty, spirit and love. Clouds roll in and the tourists get robbed, good prevails and they fall in love underneath a palm tree." (Mill Pond Records)

Luke Temple's Snowbeast will follow on August 21, less than a month later. With the potential to be a breakout album for Luke, Snowbeast showcases Luke's best songwriting, drawing praise from Sufjan Stevens and Ben Gibbard.

Snowbeast will feature Robert Stillman, as well as several members of The Subjects. Matthew Pickles shared with Puddlegum, "Rob Stillman and Luke are some of our best friends. Dave and I sing on some of Luke's new album."

Intrigue Group wrote:
"[Luke Temple] recorded it on an old 8-track in his apartment and considers it his greatest achievement to date. It will be released later in the year. Daytrotter recently reviewed the material calling it 'the first keeper of 2007.'"

Mill Pond Records has released a limited print of It's Alright EP by Josh Ottum. Mike Manning of Mill Pond shared with Puddlegum that the EP is, "a precursor to Josh's full length debut with Mill Pond." The latest update from Manning places the LP release in November 2007.

Josh Ottum had a strong line-up to work with while recording Like the Season. James McAlister and Casey Foubert, both of whom work with Sufjan Stevens on drums, joined Ottum in the studio. Ottum engineered the album, along with Jon Ervie (Damien Jurado, Presidents of the USA) and Casey Foubert (Pedro the Lion, Sufjan Stevens).

July and August also bring a stack of shows for Josh Ottum, Luke Temple, and Jason Hostrom on the West and East Coast.

Jason Holstrom – Thieves of Kailua
Luke Temple – Saturday People
Josh Ottum – Who Left

Josh Ottum
June 28 – High Dive – Seattle, WA
July 7 – Tractor Tavern w/ Tim Seely – Seattle, WA
July 27 – Out To Lunch – Two Union Square – Seattle, WA
Aug 2 – Stillwater Lake w/ Avett Brothers – Whitefish, Montana

Luke Temple
July 17 – Crocodile Cafe – Seattle, WA
July 19 – Doug Fir Lounge w/ Rocky Votolato and Langhorne Slime – Portland, OR
July 23 – The Make-Out Room – San Francisco, CA
Aug 4 – Lizard Lounge – Cambridge, Mass
Aug 20 – WFMU Radio – NY, NY
Aug 23 – Joe's Pub – CD Release Show! – NY, NY

Jason Holstrom/Thieves of Kailua
Aug 9 – Chop Suey – Seattle, WA
Aug 24 – The Crocodile Cafe – Seattle, WA