New split EP! DFxO! That’s Dystopian Futures X Ospreyshire, for those scoring at home.

This is what I referred to last week!

I, Ospreyshire got to be involved with a split EP and it’s the first time I’ve ever done a collaborative album with anyone. The other part of the split involves the Scottish experimental punk band Dystopian Futures whom I’ve mentioned on this blog before and I’ve even made a music video for them on their first EP. Dave Emmerson (lead singer/bassist) and I are good friends. We had an email conversation a while ago about potentially collaborating and once the Coronavirus was unfortunately spreading worldwide, he came up with an idea of coming up with a “lockdown” project. Despite him being in the UK and me here in America, we sent each other songs.

I got to remix Dystopian Futures’ song “Apocalyptic Romance” which was really fun. I added some digital synths, random sound effects, a lo-fi recording of me playing a keyboard and I do back up vocals in the middle of the song. Dystopian Futures also got to cover the song “Corona” by the Minutemen. Some of you might recognize that song as the theme to Jackass.

For me, I got to bust out with two new Ospreyshire tracks. The first one is “Is This a New Normal?”. I used an organ setting on my keyboard while adding my trademark acousmatics in it. I also freestyled all of the lyrics which was a first for anything I’ve ever done as a way to reflect about how I felt about the pandemic. The second one is “Art In the Midst of Pandemonium and Pandemics”. I wrote down the lyrics to this one as well as doing some avant-garde soundscapes by multitracking live sounds of me playing bass in traditional and unconventional ways. This was also an Ospreyshire first since it involves a guest vocalist with the aforementioned Dave. He got to write and record his vocals in the song and it really tied in well. I liked how he referenced all the other songs in the split EP with his verse.

Just so you know, this split EP is either FREE or pay-what-you-want. Whether you want to chip in some money or not is totally up to you to get some new music.

Have a great day, everyone!

Over 3000 views and the Birthday Aftermath

Well, the birthday surprises just keep coming, don’t they?

For starters, I recently crossed the 3000 view threshold on the Ospreyshire blog. Thank you to all who have checked out this blog for my music, opinions, poems, and everything else!

Without further ado, I’m going to show you some of the gifts I’ve received on my birthday…

I got this vinyl in the mail from my Scottish friend Dave. This is the newest album from 2 Minute Minor, who are labelmates of mine who also happen to be from the same state as me. This Chicago-based hardcore band make some conscious music while still making quality tunes. You can listen to their album here.

In this block of photos, it involves drawings, Twix, and a Target gift card from my friend Kip. He’s a talented artist and I hope he finishes the comic book projects he’s been working on for years. I’ve known him since I was in middle school and we still talk to each other.

I just so happened to get two Amazon gift cards with the same amount from two separate friends. They would be from Marcie and Christy whom I’ve known for a long time. Marcie went to the same church as I did growing up and Christy went to the same school as Kip and I when we were young. It was great of the both of them surprising me.

I hope my aniblogger friends appreciate this picture. This is an amigurumi (crocheted figures) of Kimba the White Lion. My friend Essence made this for me and it looks amazing. There’s no pattern to making Kimba, so she created this crocheted attempt at this character entirely from scratch and she did a phenomenal job with it. Feel free to support Essence’s crocheting business at Hooked on Cozy. She’s created amigurumi of Pokemon and Attack on Titan characters so far.

Thank you, everyone!

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: UntilWeDie!

This new album just dropped today according to UK time. It’s the newest band signed to ZAP Records: UntilWeDie!

They are a punk quartet based in California who play some thrashy tunes with urgent and loud vocals. UntilWeDie! is heavily influenced by old-school punk and 90s hardcore. If you’re into some traditional punk rock, then UntilWeDie! will be something you may like.

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: Dystopian Futures

Here’s another spotlight from people on ZAP Records.

This is Dystopian Futures. It’s an experimental punk side project from Dave of The Old-Timers fame. They make some noisy and angular music that has a surprising message to it. The Fear EP is available digitally and on cassette (I have both, by the way).

Definitely check these guys out if you like some creative music!

ZAP Records Spotlight: Praiser

It’s been a little while since I talked about some other bands or artists from ZAP Records, but I’ve known these guys for a few years now.

This is Praiser. They are a hardcore/punk band from Hamburg, Germany. They just released a greatest hits album called “20 Again” on ZAP’s Bandcamp page. These guys make some fun music. I like how that can make legitimate punk tunes that are socially conscious, have meaning, and they subvert so many cliches associated with Christian rock despite having that world view. I can’t think of too many other bands of that ilk destroying the Prosperity Gospel, calling out hypocrisy in religious sociopolitical circles, and even criticizing Christians who hold racist, sexist, or homophobic views. Good on them for being brave like that.

You can get this 20 song album for only $8 on Bandcamp. That money goes to making quality DIY independent music instead of some faceless musical conglomerate.

Check out Praiser at the following sites…

http://praiser.de
http://praiser.bandcamp.com
https://www.facebook.com/PryrHardcore/

-Curtis

A ZAP Records Spotlight (Easter Teeth) and Being a Year Older

I thought I would try something new in Ospreyshire’s Realm. As you may know, I’m part of the ZAP Records family for the Ospreyshire project. They are a UK-based independent label that’s owned my my buddy Dave Emmerson from The Old-Timers, Their Throats Are Open Tombs, and Dystopian Futures. I thought I would do something where I can talk about my labelmates and expose you to some good music that you won’t find on a Top 40 station or Billboard’s Charts.

Here’s the newest album from the ZAP family: Truckstop Fear by Easter Teeth.

They are an experimental noise punk band from California and they make some really creative and angular tunes. They are duo consisting of two brothers making some inventive music. What makes them stand out is that they DON’T use guitars in their songs. Only drums, bass, keyboards, and other things besides a six-string.

Feel free to check them out!

Also, in other news…today’s actually my birthday. No, really. Hahaha! It’s probably going to be low-key though.

Have a great day.

-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

Friendship Friday: The Old-Timers

https://theold-timers.bandcamp.com/

I thought I would try something new for the Ospreyshire page. It’s called Friendship Friday where I cross-promote my friends who do creative things such as music, literature, art, film, etc.

For my first #FF project, I’d like to tell you about The Old-Timers. They are a hardcore band based in South Africa and Scotland. I’ve met their lead singer Dave at the final Cornerstone Festival back in 2012 and he was such a legit person. We’ve been talking online ever since and I found out years ago that he was in this band. They’ve been making some great albums and EPs over the past few years. I also want to thank Dave for giving me a platform with my Ospreyshire project after falling out of the music scene for years.

Thank you, The Old-Timers!

-Curtis