We’re delighted to announce that TVD has partnered with Warner’s Independent Label Group (ILG) to co-sponsor (along with Modern Art Records, Bright Antenna, and Black Bell Records) what we’re calling one damn fine SXSW showcase, for next Thursday night at Austin’s Soho Lounge.
On the bill TOMORROW are Miniature Tigers, The Chain Gang of 1974, Geographer, Magic Wands, Secret Music, and Stepdad—all of whom we’ve cornered as a lead up to the showcase for a chat about—right, records.
It’s our last preview with the tomorrow’s headliners, Miniture Tigers whose LP Mia Pharaoh is out now on Modern Art Records, and when it comes to instant record collections, guitarist Algernon Quashie seems to have landed at the right place, at the right time.
“My first record was an LL Cool J’s “Momma Said Knock You Out “single that I took from my brother. I would play it on his turntables and try to DJ when he wasn’t home. I didn’t have much money at the time so I would always go to dollar bins. Eventually, my collections was a few Dub and Rap records, nothing I would consider golden yet.
My mom knew I liked records and told me about a her friend who wanted to get rid of some records. Reluctantly I went to her house and to my surprise hit the goldmine. 500+ records and I took them, all free. I’m talking Woody Herman, Herb Alpert, Count Basie, a Beatles collection, Ellington, Monk, Three Dog Night. That held me over for a minute.
A few years later at college, the library threw away their entire collection of records as everything was going digital. So I and a few friends raided that. I was driving a jeep, so my buddy and I put the seats down and filled it. That’s were my real gems came from. Don Muro, Tomita, John Cage, Stockhausen, Xenakis. You know, the stuff you only play at home by yourself.
My favorite covers would have to be anything on Blue Note or the Black Jazz label. Also, the Tijuana Brass album with the girl Whipped Cream and Other Delights. I kinda feel like that could be the alternate cover for Mia Pharaoh.
I’d say I have almost, maybe, close to 2,000 records…
—Algernon Quashie
