Barsuk Records Songwriters Show
Acoustic performances from a showcase we put on for the Coalition of Independent Music Stores, featuring Matthew Caws (Nada Surf), Ben Gibbard (Death Cab for Cutie), John Roderick (The Long Winters), Jesse Sykes, and John Vanderslice.

ra ra riot : the orchard (2010)

Highly anticipated follow-up to the rhumb line

menomena : mines (2010)

The fourth full-length record from Portland, OR, based trio Menomena.

maps & atlases : perch patchwork (2010)

Maps & Atlases' unique style melds the technicality of progressive music and the idiosyncrasies of art rock into a fascinating and oddly accessible sound all their own.

pearly gate music : pearly gate music (2010)

Lo-fi, high-octane, Tillman is a character on fire. - MOJO

blunt mechanic : world record (2010)

Although this is their debut album, it's certainly not the first release from critically-acclaimed songcrafter Ben Barnett, the brains and soul behind Blunt Mechanic.

rocky votolato : true devotion (2010)

Walking the line between autobiographical fact and fiction, true devotion is deceptively simple, peppering impressionistic narratives with moments of lyrical wisdom that can knock the wind out of you.

phantogram : eyelid movies (2010)

Beautiful, beat-driven dreamlike pop songs.

david bazan : curse your branches (2009)

An album of great music and great humanity. - NPR

ramona falls : intuit (2009)

Ramona Falls is the first solo venture from Menomena-member Brent Knopf.

starlight mints : change remains (2009)

Norman, Oklahoma psych-pop pranksters Starlight Mints are back with their newest album, change remains, ten tracks of inspired uniqueness.

viva voce : rose city (2009)

An angular, immediate record that pulses with the palpable urgency of a band yearning for a return to the vagabond life of the working, touring musician.

the wooden birds : magnolia (2009)

Fans of the Andrew Kenny's previous band, American Analog Set, will recognize his voice and songwriting immediately, but the arrangements on magnolia are more vocal and percussion heavy than anything he's done before. His best effort to date.

say hi : oohs & aahs (2009)

Filled with smart and charismatic songs - Under The Radar

ra ra riot : the rhumb line (2008)

Ra Ra Riot's debut is an inventive and ambitious record that consistently conveys the passions of its creators.

lackthereof : your anchor (2008)

Solo project from Menomena drummer, Danny Seim.

mates of state : re-arrange us (2008)

Throughout re-arrange us, Kori's piano and the emergence of both Mates' lead vocals from their trademark harmonizing signal the next stage of Mates of State's evolution.

jim noir : jim noir (2008)

From a Manchester bedroom to your stereo via outer space, we're overjoyed to introduce the new album from Jim Noir. He's named it after himself, but don't be fooled into thinking he's run out of ideas — Jim's eponymous second album is one of the most expansive pop records you'll hear this year.

what made milwaukee famous : what doesn't kill us (2008)

What Made Milwaukee Famous may unashamedly wear their pop on their sleeves, but that new-wave sheen is stretched taut over a muscular frame of sweaty rock.

nada surf : lucky (2008)

Filled with images of restlessness, longing and the elusiveness of love, counterbalanced by chiming guitars, propulsive rhythms, and a musical buoyancy. Turn up the volume, hit the repeat button, and your troubles will disappear.

chris walla : field manual (2008)

Field manual represents the first time Chris Walla's songs have been given the studio attention and thought-out approach to recording for which he is in such demand by others. Available as a digipak, or as a deluxe limited-edition clothbound book.

travis morrison : all y'all (2007)

"Funny, honest, and for once moving in all the same direction, All Y'All is another major achievement in a career full of them. Trends will shift, but All Y'All finds Travis Morrison as insightful and vital as he ever was with the Dismemberment Plan." (Lost At Sea)

john vanderslice : emerald city (2007)

Fueled by an era of deep insecurity and paranoia, the songs and themes on emerald city develop in front of a backdrop of ritualized and mythologized current events.

rocky votolato : the brag and cuss (2007)

Votolato can paint broad pictures with a simple turn of phrase, and on this record he pulls you into a world of reminiscences and feelings that are truly timeless and eminently human.

david bazan : fewer moving parts (2007)

The 10-track EP presents five new Bazan songs, each recorded in both stripped-down acoustic and full instrumentation forms.

aqueduct : or give me death (2007)

or give me death finds David Terry broadening his tonal horizons to encompass mariachi horns, Gershwin-esque strings, looped and layered vocals, and grand piano. Oh and there’s also quite a lot more electric guitar.

jesse sykes & the sweet hereafter : like, love, lust & the open halls of the soul (2007)

A musically deep piece of work, addressing themes of love, illusion, forgiveness, and the universality of the human experience.

menomena : friend and foe (2007)

Friend and foe shines Northwest indie songcraft through a Chicago post-rock lens, illuminating the quiet recesses with an unpredictable, experimental light.

viva voce : get yr blood sucked out (2006)

"This record will rock and spook you out in equal measure." (Dazed & Confused)

what made milwaukee famous : trying to never catch up (2006)

What Made Milwaukee Famous create pop that's rockin' enough to shake the rafters at your favorite venue, but would also be a perfect backdrop to a drive down the coast.

jim noir : tower of love (2006)

"The wildest psych-ride since Brian Wilson refused to get out of the sandpit for 57 years." (NME)

the long winters : putting the days to bed (2006)

"[Bandleader John] Roderick's charisma and knack for the joyful moment makes for addictive listening." (Spin)

smoosh : free to stay (2006)

"Smoosh runs through a barrel of emotions well suited for any age, and they also remind us that rocknroll is a helluva lot of fun." (Venus)

starlight mints : drowaton (2006)

"Never cluttered, Drowaton is as compelling as it is complex, and it’s one of the most fun listens of the year." (Filter Mini)

mates of state : bring it back (2006)

"On Bring It Back, Gardner and Hammel push and pull each other to new levels of jubilance and complexity, making for perhaps the fullest sounding Mates of State record to date." (Venus)

rocky votolato : makers (2006)

"Makers is Votolato's finest work to date." (Copper Press)

the long winters : ultimatum (2005)

From simple vocal and acoustic guitar folk balladry to sweeping orchestral grandeur, to band-driven electro psych-pop, this six-song EP gives us an enticing glimpse of the bands evolution since 2003's when I pretend to fall.

nada surf : the weight is a gift (2005)

"As perfect as indie-pop gets." (Alternative Press)

death cab for cutie : plans (2005)

The 2005 release from Death Cab on CD or high-quality double LP (with bonus track).

john vanderslice : pixel revolt (2005)

"One of the most unique, talented and thoughtful producers working in indie rock today." (Pitchfork)

aqueduct : i sold gold (2005)

"...personal, cerebral pop worth coming back to." (Pitchfork)
Debut full-length release from Aqueduct, full of blown-out drum sounds, blip pop synths, pianos, and the masterful lyrics of David Terry.

aqueduct : pistols at dawn (2004)

Five-song EP introducing the smart, wry, bedroom pop of David Terry. Includes the song hardcore days & softcore nights

travis morrison : travistan (2004)

"A rewarding art-pop risk." (Alternative Press)

jesse sykes & the sweet hereafter : oh, my girl (2004)

"A beautiful, heart-breaking album. Country gothic at its bleakest and most starkly poignant." (Paste)

john vanderslice : cellar door (2004)

"The most important songwriter of the moment." (Esquire)

death cab for cutie : transatlanticism (2003)

"This is a record of rare beauty and poise." - Uncut

the long winters : when I pretend to fall (2003)

"A pop pin cushion that's incurably catchy, and as prickly as it is pretty." (Alternative Press)

nada surf : let go (2003)

"A near-perfect record to hold onto with all the might you can muster." (Magnet)

jesse sykes & the sweet hereafter : reckless burning (2003)

"The husky yet clear tone of her soprano infuses seamlessly with warmly distorted back-porch strummings for a stunning collection of countrified lullabyes and stark, fable-worthy character sketches." (The Stranger)

death cab for cutie : you can play these songs with chords (2002)

"An enchanting introduction to a talented band's equally solid beginnings." (Billboard)

john vanderslice : life and death of an american fourtracker (2002)

"His thickest, juiciest slabs of honey-baked pop yet." (Pitchfork)

the long winters : the worst you can do is harm (2002)

"Off-kilter pop-hooks and unconventional songwriting techniques." (Synthesis)

death cab for cutie : the photo album (2001)

"... a shimmering Album Of The Year contender." (Splendid)

rilo kiley : take offs and landings (2001)

"Rilo Kiley is music that soothes the soul. The songs invite you in, and tell you the story. Stories of heartbreak and love, told like no one else has told them yet." (No-Nothing Rock)

john vanderslice : time travel is lonely (2001)

"Perhaps the most ambitious record of the new century." (AudioGalaxy)

death cab for cutie : the death cab for cutie forbidden love ep (2000)

"..somber pop-craftsmanship.." (LostAtSea)

john vanderslice : mass suicide occult figurines (2000)

"Exceptionally well-crafted pop songs." (Pitchfork)

death cab for cutie : we have the facts and we're voting yes (2000)

"Infectious, lovely melodies that...burrow easily into your skin." (PopMatters)

death cab for cutie : something about airplanes (1998)

"...solid, emotive, and frequently amazing indie rock..." (allmusic.com)