All of my albums are free or pay-what-you-want! Also, some BIG NEWS on Bandcamp for today only…

You read the title. You can get ALL of my albums for free or any monetary price you want. We’re in uncertain times and I’ve been affected just like you. If you want to download my music directly for free, then go right ahead. If you feel like chipping in for one or more of my recordings, then I’d be honored as well. Don’t feel the need to spend your rent money or grocery if you can’t afford it. I understand.

However, this isn’t just about me.

On Bandcamp, they waived their cut of  the fees for musicians who use that site for March 20th, so any money you send to me or any other artist/band on Bandcamp will see all of it. You pay $5 for example. then they will get every single penny of that sale for today. There are so many bands who can’t tour because of the CV pandemic. I’m not talking about the big name Top 40 stuff, I’m referring to independent artists who aren’t millionaires. Many of them work day jobs outside of music assuming if they aren’t laid off due to the situation going on now.

Feel free to download the music at any price including free from my Bandcamp page. If you’re going to be spending a lot of time at home, then at least get some music from me or even from others.

1 more week until Dear Innovare is released AND I’m part of a Descendents cover album!

One more week until my full-length album comes out! I hope you all preorder it. You also get the first song automatically if you do. Feel free to check it out here: https://ospreyshire.bandcamp.com/album/dear-innovare-the-souls-of-ignored-pioneers-shall-be-renowned

In other news, I have the first ever Ospreyshire cover song out on ZAP Records’ Coverage compilation! This is a FREE album that features various artists covering songs from Descendents. For those of you who don’t know, I’m talking about the punk band and not some crappy Disney Channel movie series about the teenage sons and daughters of random villains in that franchise! Anyway, this was so awesome being a part of this compilation and I’m thankful for Dave for reaching out to me. The song I covered was “Tack” from their “Cool to Be You” album. I give this perky punk song the Ospreyshire treatment and turned it into a dark ambient song. Changing the tempo and lyric order really changes the meaning of the song and I made only minimal changes to the original vocal melody. Feel free to listen and download my cover and the rest of the album.

ZAP Records Spotlight: 2 Minute Minor

Here’s another example of some quality Chicago hardcore music. This is 2 Minute Minor. They are a sextet from the Windy City that also features members from October Bird of Death. They base their music on 80s hardcore and some Oi! music. Their debut EP “…A Goon’s Best Friend” is on ZAP’s Bandcamp. By the way, this album is free or pay-what-you-want. They also have another album coming out on May 11th.

https://www.facebook.com/pg/2minuteminorhardcore/about/?ref=page_internal

ZAP Records Spotlight: Dragged Out

Here’s an old-school example of ZAP Records’ older catalog. This is Dragged Out. They are a Scottish hardcore/punk band that was around in the early-mid 00s. This was one of the early bands from ZAP founder Dave Emmerson and also a mutual friend of ours named Dougle McMysteron. This is their entire discography in one album. By the way…it’s free or pay-what-you-want!

Feel free to check out Dragged Out!

ZAP Records Spotlight: October Bird of Death

Here’s another post involving the ZAP Records family. This time, I’m talking about a band representing my home state of all things.

This is October Bird of Death. They are a hardcore band straight outta Chicago. This isn’t some scene kid stuff or fake machismo metalcore. October Bird of Death play no-frills, no-BS, good old-fashioned hardcore punk rock. These guys are a bit of a superband of sorts in the Chicago hardcore and punk scenes as they contain past and present members of Headnoise, The Blamed, and Ballydowse.

Their debut album “Death Made Its Offer” is free or pay-what-you-want on the ZAP Records Bandcamp page, and there’s even a version on CD and cassette, too.

Feel free to check them out at https://www.facebook.com/octoberbirdofdeath.

Also…I realized that October Bird of Death and my stage name Ospreyshire are both Illinoisan musicians signed to ZAP Records, have names that start with O, and both names reference birds. #HilariousInHindsight

ZAP Records Spotlight: To Live As Sons

This has been irregular, but I need to be better at this recent idea I had where I talk about the other bands and artists on ZAP Records. That’s the label that I’m affiliated with, for those who didn’t know.

This band is To Live As Sons. They are a hardcore band based in West Virginia. This quintet has two original members from Zao, who are a legendary band in the hardcore and metalcore scenes. It’s crazy how I’m labelmates with them, but they make some good music.

It’s their newest song “Get the Horizon”. It was originally on the ZAP Records Vol. 3 compilation album, but the song is now released as a single.

By the way…it’s FREE (or pay-what-you-want)! That should save you some money on Black Friday. Just sayin’.

Feel free to check them out.

-Curtis

ZAP Records Friends Vol. 3 Compilation [FREE Download!]

What’s up, everyone?

ZAP Records has released their third compilation in their Friends Series. There are all kinds of bands including some of my own labelmates from all over the world releasing current and brand new exclusive tunes including this guy! I debuted a new song called “Emancipating Spark” which will be only on the compilation and nowhere else.

What are you waiting for? It’s a free download with 15 songs on it with numerous genres represented.

Also, check out ZAP Records at http://facebook.com/zaprecords.

-Curtis

Hollerin Poets Vol. 2 is here! New poem and my first interview ever!

What’s up, everyone?

I wanted to let you all know that I’m part of another compilation album called Hollerin Poets Vol. 2. It’s a spoken word compilation album that’s a free download on Bandcamp. My buddy Josh Mozug AKA Tirades of a Timid Tongue curated this album and it also features one of his poems in addition to works from Chris Bernstorf, Keyoung, and Levi the Poet among others. I debuted a new track which is an exclusive on it.

Not only that, but Josh interviewed me which has never been done before. Listen to me make a fool of myself and stumble over my words while trying to give some insight about random things.

-Curtis

I’m Featured on ZAP Records’ New Comp!

It’s been a long time since I’ve posted on this blog. My apologies. I really need to increase my discipline on posting things more often.

Anyways, I wanted to let you all know that ZAP Records just released a new compilation on their Bandcamp page that’s free or pay-what-you-want. It features Incomplete Specters from my debut EP which you can also find through ZAP Records or my own Bandcamp page. This compilation features my labelmates such as Willem Samuel, The Festal Shout, The Straight Suits, George Hugo, To Live As Sons, The Jim Achen Band, Captive Portal, and The Old-Timers! There are even non-ZAP artists like Anti-World System [Grrr Records], The Hoax [Thumper Punk Records], Praiser, Blast From Oblivion [SkyBurnsBlack Records], and False Idle [Thumper Punk Records]. There are some album cuts mixed in with exclusive songs you can’t find anywhere else.

https://zaprecords84.bandcamp.com/album/friends-vol-2

Download it and listen to the mix of punk, experimental, hardcore, and folk tracks.

Thanks!

-Curtis