Departure Records

The wait is almost over for the new Ladybirds CD! That's fabulous and even more fabulous will be the CD Release show! Friday September 9th at Headliners Music Hall we'll be doing the Shimmy Shimmy Dang with very special guests Those Darlins!

The Ladybirds and Edgehill Avenue have emerged from the studio's over the winter and both nailed fantastic brand new rockin' songs. The Ladybirds recorded their yet to be titled first full length for the label in Louisville at the Funeral Home recording studio. Hopefully you caught some of the new tunes when the Ladybirds opened for lengendary Wanda Jackson at Headliners. Edgehill Avenue finished with a 6 song EP recorded titled, Just Out of Sight, in Lexington at Saint Claire recording studio. Both bands will be announcing release dates, release shows, and surprises in the next coming months. Please stay in touch. Departure

It's that busy time of the year, but make sure you get out to support the local music scene.

Your News Vehicles are staying busy with support of their release "Red Hot Zen". They'll be playing an in-store show at Ear-x-tacy Wednesday, December 8th, 7pm. Also, a big day planned on Friday, January 21st, when they'll be playing WFPK's Live Lunch and later in the evening opening for Drivin' and Cryin' at Headliners.

Early next year kicks off studio time for The Ladybirds and Edgehill Avenue. The Ladybirds will begin recording for their next release in early January, while Edgehill hits the studio in February.

Alot of exciting stuff planned for next year and we hope you have a happy holiday.

Departure

Come celebrate Your News Vehicles new cd, Red Hot Zen

Info:

Your News Vehicles w/
J.Glenn and the Ladybirds
The Vernon Club
Saturday, September 18th
$10 - includes a copy of the new album

Street Date for the album is Tuesday, September 7th. Available at all major download sites and local independent music retailers.

Now we have all the local festivals out of the way we have alot great shows coming up for bands on the label. Here's your chance to catch'em at their best...big shows, big venues.

The Ladybirds will be going into the studio in October to work on their first Departure release. Some new stuff is being played at live shows. Tell me you don't like it....

The Ladybirds
Opening for Justin Townes Earle
Friday, September 17th
Headliners Music Hall
$10

Jon Ashley and the Decedents
Opening for David Allen Coe
Saturday, August 14th
Rustic Frog (Southern Indiana)
$25

Edgehill Avenue
Saturday, August 14th
Summit City Lounge
Whitesburg, KY

DO NOT MISS THIS SHOW
Edgehill Avenue w/ Sunday Valley
Saturday, September 4th
Zanzabar

Sunday Valley is my favorite band from Lexington, check them out here if you do not know!!
www.myspace.com/sundayvalley


Finally, Your News Vehicles, a release date to be determined this week with a CD Release show to follow. Also stay tuned for a WFPK Live Lunch details. Name of the album, Red Hot Zen!

This is going to be a busy end of Summer into the Fall for the bands and label. Try to keep up.

As always, keep supporting local music and the venues.

All the best,

Departure

Leo Weekly, June 10th
By Brent Owen

Jon Ashley’s Doghouse Flowers is an earnest collection of depressed country songs that tell tales of pretty much every woman who has done him wrong. He sings in 180 proof, and his voice perpetually sounds like it’s on the verge of an emotional collision with a honky-tonk band. That said, it’s sad, angry and self-deprecating and might be the finest country album in a long time. Back to back, Ashley hits you with the wonderfully miserable “Bad Enough Alone” and “The Whole Bed,” both of which are downhearted meditations on failed marriage. While Ashley’s songwriting and soppy vocals are the focal point of Doghouse Flowers, it would be irresponsible not to mention the band he’s assembled to back him here. Joe Glidden’s steel guitar accents almost every track on the album as Ashley’s unspoken duet partner.


Jon Ashley's new release "Doghouse Flowers" is now available on iTunes. Please check it out and make a purchase. Thanks.

Your News Vehicles to open up for Gin Blossoms at 4th Street Live, Saturday, June 19th. That's right, Gin Blossoms.

All the best,

Departure

Congratulations to Your News Vehicles for making the Forecastle Festival lineup. Be sure to catch them on the Saturday of the Festival. We'll give you the exact time and stage when we get the info.

The album is currently being mixed and mastered, we hope to have a release date real soon. In the meantime, check out the demo Spleen which will appear on the album. The video was shot at a recent New York City gig.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0jZ58wps2qQ

Big thanks for everyone who made it out to the Jon Ashley CD release. It was a fun time and we thank you for your support. His album Doghouse Flowers is currently available at Ear-x-Tacy and CDBaby. Downloads are being added to all the popular sites in future days, but is currently available at Digstation.com.

Edgehill Avenue is still working songs for their next release. They've been playing out recently and working the new songs at shows. They sound terrific. Check them out any chance you get.

Hope all is well and thanks for the support.

Departure

Jon Ashley's new release, Doghouse Flowers, is now available at Ear-X-Tacy and for download at Digstation.com. Additional download sites will be available shortly.

Check out Jeffery Lee Puckett's review in the Courier-Journal:

Album Review Jon Ashley, "Doghouse Flowers"
By Jeffrey Lee Puckett • jpuckett@courier-journal.com • April 23, 2010

Jon Ashley is less a country music traditionalist than a classicist, a songwriter steeped in the genre’s most time-honored themes but committed to a point of view that’s intrinsically modern, reflecting his age (28) and mindset (an OCD, post-punk, addictive personality).

Ashley combines his uneasy aesthetic with country music of the 1960s and ‘70s, when the old school was being crowded by stoner outlaws, creating vivid scenes of Ritalin kids on barstools drowning in well bourbon. “And the cut marks on your calves, well you act like they’re all you have/The welcome looks and neon lights won’t take them back,” he sings on “Neon Lights,” bridging the world he lives in and the one he listens to.
“Doghouse Flowers” is filled with similar stories, sung in Ashley’s booming nicotine twang and performed by a knowing, empathetic band. It could be a couple of songs shorter — the weaker tracks tend to drag — but the stories that hit hardest linger for days.
Stream: n/a
Long nights: 7
Morning afters: 9

Your News Vehicles has finished recording their new yet to be titled release a few weeks ago and are on the road. They'll play Morgantown this week and in New York City for the Motherlodge festival. CD and vinyl release information will be coming soon.

Jon Ashley's new release, "Doghouse Flowers" is almost signed, sealed, and delivered. We'll be having a CD release very soon, so stay on the lookout for details.

Edgehill Avenue continues to play in support of "Rambler" and "Off the Edge (live)" CDs. They are currently writing new material for a new release for the not too distant future.

The Ladybirds continue to work on new material and have been playing some awesome shows around town lately. They'll be looking to hit the studio sometime this summer.

Hope everyone has great Derby times and continue to support the local music scene.

All the best,

Departure.

Departure Records, LLC
Gregg Carter
924 Swan Street
Louisville, KY 40204
Phone: (502) 587-2468
http://www.departurerecords.com/
departurerecords@gmail.com

Departure Records, LLC signs Louisville artist Jon Ashley

Louisville, KY - March 22, 2010 - Louisville independent record company Departure Records is excited to announce the signing of their fourth artist, Jon Ashley. Jon has been an influence on the local music scene for years, including bands such as The Shooting Gallery and Jon Ashley and the Little Triggers.

His new release, "Doghouse Flowers", has been recorded and will be released by Departure Records in Spring 2010. "Doghouse Flowers" is a follow-up to "Damaged Goods" and "Walking Free" which were released on the Ear-X-Tacy Label. "Doghouse Flowers" will include 16 new songs.

http://www.myspace.com/jonathandownsashley

Jon Ashley joins The Ladybirds, Edgehill Avenue, and Your News Vehicles, on the Departure Record Label. Edgehill Avenue currently has "Rambler" on the label released in early 2009 and releases are scheduled for Spring 2010 for Your News Vehicles, and Summer 2010 for The Ladybirds.

Edgehill Avenue will release "Off the Edge" on February 16th. It'll include songs off of "Rambler", along with a new cuts "Summer Rain" and "Corduroy". Recorded at the 2009 Highland Festival and mixed to capture Edgehill at their best, playing live. Please check it out and place an order at http://www.edgehillavenue.com/. A special deal is in place to those who order early.

Also, catch Your News Vehicles at Tinks on February 20th and The Ladybirds opening for Those Darlins at Zanzabar on March 6th.

Hope all is well,

Departure

It's been awhile since the last post but it doesn't mean little is going on with Departure Records.

Scott Mertz has put together a dynamite new band, "Your News Vehicles". The band features Scott Mertz, Fred Wethington, Charlie Bock, Jyn Yates, and Christy O'Connell. They are playing a few shows around town before hitting the studio in the next couple of months for a release early 2010.

Edgehill Avenue will be playing a show at Gerstle's on November 20th with special guests from Lexington, Fifth on the Floor. Show starts at 9.

In addition, Edgehill will be releasing a live EP recorded during several shows over the summer. Look for the release around Thanksgiving.

Departure has an exciting announcement coming very soon about a new band who'll be working with the label. We'll have a press release in the coming weeks.

Take care.

Departure

Hope everyone is having a terrific Summer. Excellent reviews continue to come in on Edgehill Avenue's "Rambler". The latest review is from Village Records:

Remember how Tom Petty’s seminal ‘Damn the Torpedoes’ album instantly grabbed you with its classic rock salvo, “Refugee”? Well, it’s no exaggeration to compare that with Edgehill Avenue’s CD-opener (& title-track), “Rambler”, an Hammond organ-rich, Neil Young-meets-Bottle Rockets gem that serves as an excellent introduction to a disc of riveting roots rock of the 1st order. Hailing from Louisville, KY, the 5-member Edgehill Avenue are much at home with Allman Brothers-style Southern Rock (“Don’t Come Around Here Anymore”, “How You Really Feel”), but also display a more-than-able touch with country-rock balladry (“I’ll Be Leaving Now”, “Out of Time”). Elsewhere, “With These Hands” is reminiscent of R.E.M.’s “Driver 8”, & “Just Don’t Care Anymore”, with its honky tonk piano backing, feels like Blue Rodeo at their rocking best. Regardless of style, though, ‘Rambler’ is nothing less than a seamless & compelling mix of well-crafted & equally well-played (think Petty’s Heartbreakers or the E Street Band ensembles as models) Americana-inspired classic rock.

July 13, 2009
www.VillageRecords.com


In addition, Powerplay magazine based in England will feature Edgehill Avenue in its August edition. Powerplay magazine is a hardcover subscription magazine with over 40,000 subscribers. We'll let you know when the issue is available.

Also, we are excited Edgehill has been selected to perform at the 2009 Highland Festival in September. It's a fun time with many great artists performing over that weekend. Can't wait!!

We are trying out a new release format, digital cards. They will be available at shows for $5. The digital card contains a code which is used to access the album and download at Edgehill Avenue's website. There's no sign up or information requests during the download. Simple as can be. Plus it allows us to add bonus material and additional features. Hope you give the cards a shot.


Scott Mertz continues to work on new material. He is also in the process of putting together a band for both live and studio performances. Mertz recently played the Shotgun Festival and debuted a song titled, "Sister Tequila". Sounded great and we are all excited to hear what's coming next. We are still expecting a late Fall release.

Additional announcements to be coming soon. Please check back for updates.

Departure Records is excited to announce the signing of legendary local artist, Scott Mertz. Scott has performed with local acts Cornbread Mafia, the Shinerunners, Southside, and Scott Mertz and His Panel of Experts. Scott is currently in the process of writing with expectations of a late Fall release. Expect all new material and some special surprises on the release.

www.myspace.com/mertzartist

Edgehill Avenue continues to play in support of the "Rambler" release. Look for more regional and local shows during the Summer. Hope you can make it out to some of the events

5/30 Zeppelin (Louisville)- Canceled
6/8 The Dame (Lexington)
7/9 Headliners Music Hall (Louisville) - Forecastle Kickoff
7/31 Stanley's Pub (Cincinnati)

More dates to be added!!

Thanks to everyone who made it to Edgehill Avenue's Rambler release show last weekend. The show was a success and hope you enjoyed it as well. Special thanks to Leigh Ann Yost, Daphne Luster, and opener Teneia Sanders for making the first Departure release show a special evening. Also, thanks to WFPK for the spins and appearance on Friday's Live Lunch.

Hope you've had a chance to preview or pick up Rambler. Check out the review from Tim Roberts on LouisvilleMusicNews.net,

Edgehill Avenue will be opening for progressive bluegrass band "Cornmeal" out of Chicago on March 26th at Headliner's Music Hall.

Be on the lookout for an exciting announcement about a new addition to the Departure Label.
Stay tuned.........

Have a Great St. Patrick's Day!

Departure

Edgehill Avenue's CD release party is February 27th at Phoenix Hill Tavern. Tickets are $10 and will include a CD with ticket stub. The CD release day will kick off with a WFPK Live Lunch on Friday, followed by the evening show. Teneia Sanders will open the show at 8pm. Hope you can make it out.

Edgehill Avenue will also be performing with Grayson Capps at Phoenix Hill on Saturday January 31. Show starts at 8.

Keep an ear out for single releases and some spins on WFPK in the coming weeks.

Departure is excited about the first release on the label and hope you enjoy the songs as well. That's the most important. Let us know what you think. Hope to see you soon.

Departure

Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving and will enjoy the upcoming holidays.

The new Edgehill Avenue disc, "Rambler", will be delayed until sometime early next year with a CD Release show in late February. Also look for Edgehill to perform on WFPK's "Live Lunch" around the release date. We'll let you know as soon as we get the dates confirmed. Some delays in mixing and the holidays are the reason for pushing back the date.

We've seen some great shows over the last month or so. Scott Mertz and his Panel of Experts, Honey Highway and Country Blues Show, J. Glenn, The Confessional's, and Johnny Berry just to name a few. A couple of good shows coming to the newly located Dame this month. If you haven't seen the Heartless Bastards or Sunday Valley get down to Lexington and check them out. You won't be disappointed. Anyway hope you've been out seeing and supporting live original music.

Best Wishes and have a great New Year!

Departure Records

"Rambler" by Edgehill Avenue is officially recorded as of this weekend. Downtown Studios did an excellent job of working with the band and providing insights to produce one of the best quality sounding albums in town. Now the mixing begins.......

Track Listing:
Rambler
Don't Come 'Round Here Anymore
With These Hands
Justified
I'll be Leaving Now
Just Another Day
Out of Time
Holding On
Just Don't Care Anymore
How You Really Feel

Edgehill Avenue previews the album at a show with special guest Yardsale on November 8th, 9pm, Gerstle's. Door is only $5. Also we are in the process of putting together a CD Listening Party in early December, more to follow.

Edgehill Avenue will be performing a "WFPK Live Lunch" on Friday, January 9th. The performance will follow with the official CD release show on Saturday, January 10th at Gerstle's. Hope you can make it out.

Departure Records is still looking for the second band to work with, so feel free to contact us if there's a local band you think we should check out. DepartureRecords@gmail.com.

Thanks for your time and support. Have a Happy Halloween.