Shy Mirrors

Midwest shows!

noreply@blogger.com (Shy Mirrors) — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 20:28:00 +0000

Man, time flies. In just a few weeks I'll be headed back to the US and playing the first-ever string of Shy Mirrors shows. These shows will be as a duo, with Curt Swank on drums. I've been tight with Curt since the mid '90s and have always been impressed with his rock solid skills. Check out his band Chew Heart if you have a chance. We're both really looking forward to hitting the road...

+Sat, March 31st, 2012 - Joliet, IL @ Third City Sound w/ The Official Ironman Rally Band

+Tues, April 3rd, 2012 - Champaign, IL @ Mike n' Molly's w/Anna Karenina/Anna Karina, Pree

+Weds, April 4th, 2012 - Chicago, IL @ Township w/ The Treasure Fleet (mbrs of Arrivals, Smoking Popes, Lawrence Arms) - Buy tickets

+ Thurs, April 5th, 2012 - Milwaukee, WI @ Cactus Club w/ CONTROL, Dinosaur Feathers

Hope to see some of you out there!

Big School Records Mixtape Series

noreply@blogger.com (Shy Mirrors) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 07:04:00 +0000

I put together a mix of some of my favorites for Big School Records' mixtape series. Check it out!

Jersey Beat review and Best Of lists and some shows!

noreply@blogger.com (Shy Mirrors) — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 21:10:00 +0000

Yo! I hope everyone's 2012 started off on the right foot. Big things to come from camp Shy Mirrors this year so stay tuned!

First off, we have a couple US dates confirmed for this Spring. There might be another show or two booked in Illinois around this time but these are the definites at the moment:

April 4th - Chicago, IL @ TBA
April 5th - Milwaukee, WI @ Cactus Club

And, here's a round up of some recent Sailed Blanks press:

Jersey Beat calls Sailed Blanks "radiant". That's fancy.

Wilfully Obscure : 13th on their Top 25 of 2011.

I Buy WAY Too Many Records dot com : 13th on their Absolute Best Records of 2011.

No Love for Ned : 3rd on his Favorite Releases of 2011.

The Dream Comparison : "Face Paint" included on their Best of 2011 mix.

Much appreciated!

Wilfully Obscure reviews Sailed Blanks

noreply@blogger.com (Shy Mirrors) — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 13:30:00 +0000

Wilfully Obscure proclaims Sailed Blanks as "perhaps the finest LP of 2011's late-breaking releases". Cool! Thanks!

Read the full review here.

Big Takeover reviews Sailed Blanks

noreply@blogger.com (Shy Mirrors) — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 17:54:00 +0000

The first review for Sailed Blanks is in courtesy of The Big Takeover. Written by none other than Big Takeover head hancho Jack Rabid, I think he's into it!

No need to squint so much, here's what it says:

"We’re not used to veteran rockers moving abroad—we’re expect the opposite. Then again, relocating to Sweden makes sense, considering the way Scandinavia has been taking it to us in the rock ‘n’ roll racket. Shy Mirrors is Mike Downey, ex-frontman of Illinois/Parasol Records’ faves Wolfie, National Splits, New Constitution, etc. And going it alone in the land of the Hives, Hellacopters, Shout Out Louds, Sahara Hotnights, etc., he hollers hot, quick-hitting, indie rock with heavier 1977-1981 punk guitars, like The Rich Kids on double the amphetamines covering Negative Trend, or Sebadoh with Superchunk’s Mac McCaughan singing doing The Controllers. Give him two-minutes 11 times, and he’ll bang out a big blast of babyfaced energy with pop hooks like the breakout “Breakout,” or the Ramones-ish “Argon” (beat on this, brats!), that will blitzkrieg your bop in nothing flat. (bigschoolrecords.com)"

Order The Big Takeover #69 here.
Order Sailed Blanks on clear vinyl or digital download.

Sailed Blanks out today

noreply@blogger.com (Shy Mirrors) — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 15:46:00 +0000

Sailed Blanks, the debut full length by Shy Mirrors, is now available on vinyl and digital.

Order the 12" on clear vinyl from Big School Records

Download from bandcamp

Stream on Spotify

Also available for download via iTunes and Amazon

Thanks for reading and listening!

Records!

noreply@blogger.com (Shy Mirrors) — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 19:40:00 +0000

The LPs arrived just in time for tomorrow's release and are safe in Philly in the hands of Big School Records. Those of you who pre-ordered, they'll be shipped to your doorsteps shortly.

Sailed Blanks is now streaming

noreply@blogger.com (Shy Mirrors) — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 17:14:00 +0000

Here we go!

Sailed Blanks is now streaming in its entirety! Go have a listen and pre-order the vinyl if you're so inclined. Pre-orders will be rewarded with a download code ahead of the release date.

LP and digital will be for sale November 8th.

Thanks for listening!

Thanks in advance

noreply@blogger.com (Shy Mirrors) — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 11:15:00 +0000

When I finished recording and mixing Sailed Blanks in the middle of August I was pretty much set on releasing it myself. You see, I've been at this game for a long time and I've been on a lot of different labels (mostly amazing) and I've played the game, but in the end the game had left a bad taste in my mouth. I like to touch every part of the process; I'm sort of a control freak so self-releasing stuff has been good for me for the most part.

Here's what the album would've been released as, if I had done it myself. A short-run of homemade cassettes would've been the extent of what my budget could've afforded for a physical release.

In two days Sailed Blanks will be available, in full, for streaming. Then a week after that it'll be for sale on vinyl thanks to Matt over at Big School Records. Before it's all officially underway, I just wanted to publicly thank Matt for his encouragement and excitement about putting this album out. Matt was a big supporter of the Reactors EP (2010) on his Beat the Indie Drum blog and his energetic words made me want even more to create more music and get it out to those who were into it.

I would also like to equally thank Ned at Thinking About the Needle for putting out the first Shy Mirrors release out last year. You really inspired me to focus on and grow Shy Mirrors in the beginning when I was completely unsure as to if the songs would ever see the light of day. Ned has featured songs of mine, in many different forms, over the years on his essential No Love for Ned radio show and his continued support has not gone unnoticed.

And finally, thank you to Dan Marsden and Joe Ziemba for their leadership and execution of the design and layout for each of my two Shy Mirrors releases. You guys have been best friends and bandmates since the beginning. I would have never been able to produce the music I dreamt up without your collaboration. As both artists and musicians, you two are the best I know.

See you on Tuesday!

Track Changes

noreply@blogger.com (Shy Mirrors) — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 18:05:00 +0000

We're about a month out from the Sailed Blanks release. Here's the 3rd and final free track from the album, entitled "Track Changes". Hope you dig it! Now go pre-order the vinyl!

Track Changes by Shy Mirrors

Sailed Blanks Pre-Order available now

noreply@blogger.com (Shy Mirrors) — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 18:13:00 +0000

Sailed Blanks, the debut full length from Shy Mirrors, is now available for pre-order on limited edition clear vinyl from Big School Records! And the best part is, if you pre-order now you'll be rewarded by receiving a download code for the entire album well in advance of the release date. The album isn't even streaming yet!

Official release date is November 8th, 2011.

Head over here to pre-order.

More details on the Big School website.

AND, here's another song, entitled "Breakout", from the album for your streaming/downloading needs:

Breakout by Shy Mirrors

I'm Not Around

noreply@blogger.com (Shy Mirrors) — Sun, 11 Sep 2011 07:14:00 +0000

"I'm Not Around" is now streamable and downloadable via the Shy Mirrors Soundcloud page. Enjoy!

I'm Not Around by Shy Mirrors

Details, details

noreply@blogger.com (Shy Mirrors) — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 18:35:00 +0000

Heya,
News keeps trickling in regarding the Sailed Blanks long player. The mastering is completed (Thanks Brian Slusher at Dreamboat in ATL! Brian also mastered the Reactors EP) and the artwork is underway by none other than long-time pal and former bandmate Joe Ziemba!

The finalized track listing:

BSR-003
Side A:
Track Changes
Face Paint
Breakout
Argon
Don't Say
Flashlight

Side B:
I'm Not Around
Newspaper Boats
You Were Lonely Too
Lake Placid Flyer
Lose Cool

I'll be sharing another couple songs in the coming week or so. Stay tuned!

xo

Face Paint (mixing)

noreply@blogger.com (Shy Mirrors) — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 09:02:00 +0000

Face Paint (mixing) from sailedblanks on Vimeo.

Mixing "Face Paint" July 29th, 2011. This'll be track 2 on the Shy Mirrors Sailed Blanks LP.

Debut LP coming in 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Shy Mirrors) — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 11:36:00 +0000

Hey gang!
Some seriously cool news out of camp Shy Mirrors to dial you in on: the debut LP, entitled Sailed Blanks, will be released later this year on US label Big School Records. The album will be released on 12" vinyl and digitally.

More details coming on this super soon. For the time being you can check out the first song from the album to make its way public entitled "I'm Not Around" over at Beat the Indie Drum.

And, I put up a Facebook page a couple weeks ago and promptly forgot to mention it to anyone. Do you like it?

Summer update

noreply@blogger.com (Shy Mirrors) — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 07:29:00 +0000

Update from the "studio". I don't want to candy coat it; I record in a bedroom wedged between a bed and a bookshelf. I have always taken to the limitations on resources though. I'm forced to make due with what I have, which in my reality of being an adult (can you believe it?) is, overall, a limitation on time. To add to that, I'm smack dab in the middle of a 2-week writing and recording frenzy. The master plan is to have the first Shy Mirrors full length done (tracked at least) by the end of next week. Details forthcoming on release and that sort of stuff but I really want to get this out sooner than later.

The Arrow EP is being held up for the simple fact that we just can't seem to find anyone who has the ability to do lathe cut records at the moment. If you have any suggestions please get in touch.

A friend of mine finally kicked my ass into gear and got me back into a practice space. It had been a while. He assembled some of his buddies and we got in a room and fucked around with a few songs each of us had written. Wouldn't you know that we even found the time to play through 'One Way Rat'. It was so refreshing to hear the song played live by a band, as it was originally intended. Hopefully I get to do that again. Never say never.

I recorded a song for a Kleenex Girl Wonder covers comp that is possibly coming out this summer. If it does you'll be the first to know.

Over/out.

Something you were wondering?

noreply@blogger.com (Shy Mirrors) — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 17:33:00 +0000

Hi all!
2011 is clipping right along now isn't it. I'm happy to say that there's a new batch of songs coming together nicely for a new release. No real details now, except that it "rocks".

The next 12", called Arrow EP, should see a release sometime this summer on Thinking About the Needle. If you are at all interested in buying the first 12", there are still some copies available here.

xo

Late Operator Mixtape

noreply@blogger.com (Shy Mirrors) — Sun, 19 Dec 2010 21:02:00 +0000

The tape deck works in the Volvo.

Download the zip file here

Side A.
Car Trouble - Adam and the Ants
(Dirk Wears White Sox, Epic, 1983)

The Glam Goddess - The Smith Westerns
(S/T, HoZac, 2009)

Temptation Island - Love As Laughter
(Sea to Shining Sea, Luckyhorse Industries, 2001)

I'm Racing Isaiah - Kleenex Girl Wonder
(Long Live the Pelican Express 7", MOC, 1996)

Astronauts - Shy Mirrors
(Reactors, Thinking About the Needle, 2010)

Meet Me by the Flagpole - M.O.T.O.
(4 Pac 7", MOC, 1996)

Outcast - The Animals
(Animalisms, Decca, 1966)

Want is You - The Sights
(Are you Green?, Fall of Rome, 2001)

I Can't Make it on Time - Ramones
(End of the Century, Sire, 1980)

Book of Stories - The Drums
(S/T, Downtown Music, 2010)

Mystery - The Wipers
(Is This Real?, Jackpot Records, 2006 reissue)

Clean Sheets (live) - Descendents
(Liveage!, SST, 1987)

Side B.
Sandful of Hand - 84 Nash
(Band for Hire, Rockathon, 1999)

Landscape - Tommy Keene
(Strange Alliance, Avenue Records, 1982)

Swiss Flags Everywhere (slow) - Shy Mirrors
(Unreleased, 2010)

Even if it Worked Out - Cloud Nothings
(Didn't You 7", Old Flame Records, 2010)

Electrocution - Bill Fox
(I Stayed Up All Night Listening to Records comp, Anyway Records, 1998)

In Need - Slackjawed
(Give Me A Tumble, Mid-Fi Records, 1996)

Grammar of Misery - The Barracudas
(Mean Time, Closer, 1983)

22nd Century - Mannequin Men
(Fresh Rot, Flameshovel, 2007)

Cathy's Clown - The Inbreds
(Yelverton Hill 7", Summershine, 1997)

Silly Rocker - The Ex-Suns
((comp comp)), ((tape-tape)), 1998)

Stick to the Formula - Eat Skull
(Wild and Inside, Siltbreeze, 2009)

Needle - Sea Saw
(Magnetophone, Simple Machines, 1996)

Reactors shipping

noreply@blogger.com (Shy Mirrors) — Sun, 14 Nov 2010 07:12:00 +0000

Reactors have been shipping and the first batch of recipients should have theirs in hand. Thanks Ned for all of your hard work!

There are still copies available!

Click here for purchasing info.

Reactors EP released

noreply@blogger.com (Shy Mirrors) — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 20:29:00 +0000

We're super happy to announce that the debut Shy Mirrors release Reactors is available for purchase today. We've waited. You've waited. We're totally there. Let's go:

Reactors is available as a limited-edition, hand-numbered 12" lathe-cut LP. Every purchase comes with a download code and a 1" badge.

You could also purchase the digital version only if that's your style.

To stream, download or purchase the LP please click here.

Shy Mirrors : Reactors EP
Thinking About the Needle (TATN-002a)

A.
One Way Rat
Paper Machine
Change1

B.
Reactors
Magnet to Magnet
Astronauts

We have product

noreply@blogger.com (Shy Mirrors) — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 08:58:00 +0000

We told you; you didn't believe us.
Details always forthcoming.

Rumor has it

noreply@blogger.com (Shy Mirrors) — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 10:21:00 +0000

...that the Reactors EP 12"s have shipped from the lathe cutter and are on their way to North Carolina where Ned will immediately start spraying shot-gunned beer into each and every groove while sticking Dan Marsden-designed artwork all over them. Oh, the black sleeves are on backorder. We're getting there.

Shy Skulls

noreply@blogger.com (Shy Mirrors) — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 12:19:00 +0000

Don't worry, you'll get one of these when you order your record in September.

Slave to the Summer

noreply@blogger.com (Shy Mirrors) — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 06:25:00 +0000

Just a quick note to let you know that the Reactors EP has been pushed back to a September release. So until then, enjoy your summer and keep on rockin' dudes!

Cutter

noreply@blogger.com (Shy Mirrors) — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 20:49:00 +0000

This is the lathe that is currently grinding out the Reactors EP, courtesy of Single Piece Slate.

Ordering details coming in July!