Debt Records

An independent record label based in Manchester

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Bridie Jackson and The Arbour get into Debt!

Bridie Jackson and The Arbour

Bridie Jackson and the ArbourWe are thrilled to announce another edition to the Debt roster… and WHAT AN ADDITION!

Bridie Jackson and The Arbour are a Newcastle-based four-piece, who use sparse instrumentation and intriguing vocal harmonies to create music that is simultaneously beautiful, ethereal, dark and powerful.

Their music has drawn comparisons to artists such as The Fleet Foxes, Joanna Newsom and Feist, but there are echoes of influences as diverse as gospel and flamenco. Their unique sound may be difficult to define, but they draw audiences in with their engaging, passionate performances.

Debt has been aware of Bridie for a couple of years now, particularly through collaborations with The Bedlam Six (both live in Newcastle and on record for “The Devil And The Hole”). The Arbour was also a much lauded act on the stage we curated for Liverpool’s Threshold Festival in 2011 and 2012. It is with great pleasure that we welcome them to the label.

Their first release on Debt will be the single “Scarecrow” (aka “On My Wedding Day”) in February 2013, written by our own Louis Barabbas. Their first album (described as having the “power to intrigue and surprise… an impressive debut” by Rock n Reel Magazine) is available from their Bandcamp store.

A Warm Welcome To Felix Hagan & The Family

Felix Hagan & The Family

Felix Hagan & The FamilyIt is with great pleasure that we announce a new edition to our wonderful roster: Felix Hagan & The Family.

This lot have been on our radar for a while. They played one of their first ever shows on our Debt stage at Liverpool’s Threshold Festival, then went on to support Louis Barabbas & The Bedlam Six at the London launch of “Memoir Noir” earlier this year. Felix and Louis met up again a few months ago to record a duet and subsequently film a comically pugilistic music video at Liverpool’s Rydal Gym (more information about that on Louis’ blog).

The Family are a phenomenal live band, employing unashamedly spectacular musicianship accompanied by just the right amount of tongue-in-cheek.

Their first release on Debt will be an EP (featuring the aforementioned duet) early next year. In the meantime check out Felix’s superb debut album “Dawn Breaks, The Monster Awakes…” – be sure to have a look at the individual track artwork created by long-time friend of Debt Sam Alder.

Here is the video for “Dirty Little Urchin Child” (directed by another Debt veteran, Joe Mannion):

For more information about Felix Hagan & The Family, visit their website.

Alabaster’s Letter To Mina

Alabaster dePlume

A Letter to MinaPaperDolls, a creative and collaborative aerial performance group, present “A Letter to Mina”, starring Alabaster dePlume, on 26th, 27th and 28th October, 2012.

PaperDolls meet Bram Stoker in a Victorian inspired exploration of the female and the monstrous.

Featuring performance and writing by Alabaster DePlume, an original score by the darlings of Dublin’s alternative music scene Estel, and a diverse display of talent and skill from Dublin’s rogue cabaret and subterranean theatre culture, PaperDolls performance company are creating a Gothic theatrical playground of ideas and physicality, for three nights only in the ever malleable D-Light Studios.

An engrossing visual feast incorporates new writing, original music, aerial, circus skills, suspension and theatrics. A Letter to Mina is an immersive and site specific performative adventure which oscillates between beauty and disgust.

Louis Barabbas nominated for Independent Entrepreneur Of The Year at AIM Awards

Louis Barabbas

AIM logoDebt Records’ creative director Louis Barabbas has been nominated for the Independent Entrepreneur award by the Association of Independent Music (AIM) for his work with Debt Records and Salford’s Un-Convention, representing the only northern label in the shortlist.

Other nominations across the various categories include artists such as Adele, Frank Turner, Edwyn Collins, Madness and Arctic Monkeys. Labels include veteran companies Mute and Bella Union. Fellow Manchester-based music enthusiast Shell Zenner is also nominated in the Indie Champion category.

Of his nomination Louis said: “I’m just thrilled to get a chance to be in the same room as Madness – they were the first band I really loved when I was a kid!” But then, on a more serious note, he added “It’s great that Debt Records is getting more attention in the south… Manchester still has the a lot of the best acts around and it’s a real honour to work with so many of them.”

The awards ceremony takes place on 29th October at The Brewery in East London.