“We are very proud to be releasing our debut EP ‘Robots’ on vinyl as part of RSD2011. The four-track EP was recorded especially with the side A/ side B vinyl format in mind. The record explores themes of solitude, mind control and living in a dystopian world.
Because of the vinyl format we decided to record four songs we felt would work together as conceptual piece of work. Robots and Dark Clouds of London make up side A and describes an external view of a manipulative and totalitarian world… where Side B includes the songs House of Make Believe and Sharks and this focus’ on a more internal, human perspective on emotions in respect to this. —Mozzy Green
Anna | I remember the record player in the sitting room when I was growing up, we had our dad’s vinyl collection at our disposal so my brother and I would spend afternoons sat crossed legged in front of it leafing through the records and giggling as we negotiated putting the stylus on the record. The favourites were the Beatles ‘Abbey Road’ album and Alice Cooper’s ‘Love it to Death’. I loved learning exactly where your favourite bit of a song was and knowing which groove to go for. I love looking at the sleeve artwork as well, especially those covers that, each time you look you see something you hadn’t noticed before.
For all the technological advances since then, digital simply doesn’t compare to the sound of a well loved and well played record. When I went round to a friend’s to listen to the ‘Robots’ EP white label when it came through, it was a thoroughly different experience – it’s our first release on vinyl and there was something so physical and kind of romantic about it, not to mention the sound quality – it was a little emotional! Needless to say, I’m scouting around for a record player now.
Ryan | Vinyl to me conjures up fairy stories, epic adventures, tales and music. I was always around it but I never owned any, so when my parents sold their collection a part of my childhood went with it. I discovered music for the first time through this medium, watched the stylus jump across the record, listened to bedtime stories and played with the rpm making chipmunks of it all… to my great satisfaction! At one point I dismantled the whole thing in a bid to find out just how it worked! I find it a tangible, satisfying, beautiful. I am proud to be involved.
Mozzy Green | Beware Of Billy’s Ghost by The Vinyl District
Ben | Vinyl to me has always been that holy grail of a music format. When I was growing up it was a choice of tape or radio for walks/drives to school but when I got home it would be the record player that went straight on. My parents were both into The Beatles/David Bowie/Pink Floyd/ Mott The Hoople etc and luckily I’ve inherited a lot of these collections.
The biggest thing is the sound. For me you just can’t compare any other platform to vinyl. The crackles and pops and the warmth – the modern day digital formats that dominate todays market bear no comparison with glorious vinyl. The art work too. It’s heartbreaking that album artwork has been reduced to a tiny square thumbnail viewed on a computer screen.
We worked with a very good friend of ours, Leaf Vigurs on our record sleeve. For me it’s as important as the music and to see it displayed on a 12″ vinyl is a good thing! In this age of digital music where people can carry around their whole record collection in their pocket and where the art of a physical recording is dying a death, it feels good to realise a dream we have grown up with.
