 MALAPHOR is the new project from Related Records Alumni Brendan Casey & Patrick Webb (of San Francisco's TURQOUIZ NOIZ) and friends. The music they are making is a lot of fun and reminds me of how indie-pop groups used to sound in the early 2000's. The songs vary in sound but all fit under the umbrella of pop in the same way everything artists like JASON ANDERSON, KATY DAVIDSON or (Related Records adjacent family member) ZACH BURBA (of iji) make is considered pop. (do not take that to mean MALAPHOR sounds like any of those artists, cause while they could probably share the same bill, they aren't the same sound. But they are all pop, I hope that makes sense) I think it rules and I hope you do too. Here are some words from Brendan about the history/formation of the group if you want to know a little more. "MALAPHOR had been a name I’d been casually kicking around for a number of years as a project title for someday, but it wasn’t until COVID hit and that the project grew wings. In order to keep my sanity (or at least in order to lose it in the most productive way), I practiced piano for like 6 hours a day, mostly DR. JOHN and New Orleans style funk guys as well as Chopin and some other Romantic classical guys. I figured the dreamy surrealist word games I’m drawn to would make a perfect lyrical cherry on top. Meanwhile, the drummer from a prior project (fellow Related Records band TURQOUIZ NOIZ) Patrick, kept asking me if I’d ever want to jam on any new songs I was writing. I wasn’t sure how drums would fit into this project, but I knew that Patrick and I always had good chemistry. Sure enough, in a short span of time, we’d jelled into a distinguished goulash of the highest order. Fairly soon after, I was trying to find the best way to combine the glammy piano Bowie songs - the lush golden soul of Stevie Wonder - the haunting mystery of EMAHOY TSEGE MARIAM GEBRU - the sticky lo-fi hazed-out funk of Sly Stone - the spiritually penetrating sounds of all THE ETHIOPIQUES and the soul stultifying harmonies of everyone’s favorite Liverpool lads. Meanwhile, Lady Luck cast a fine life-line in our direction. I met Kiril from the marvelous local choir I’m in in Oakland, THE FREE KEY CHOIR. They offered their guitar services if needed, I passed, saying we needed a bassist. Then I realized they could probably play bass if needed and before long the three of us began engaging in sip-fueled sessions of mind-melding. We’re currently rounding the bend on our first full length, replete with horn and string sections and a veritable plethora of fine guest guitarists and saxophonists. For lovers of untethered dreamscapes, keep your ears to the wind"  Anyway, they got a new 7" coming out on Related Records later this month and copies of the record are being shipped out as soon as this Monday! They are having a record release show on Saturday, February 20th at Eli's Mile High Club. More info can be found on this show poster.  NEW STUFF ADDED TO THE STORE!I haven't sent out a newsletter since October and there is a bunch of new stuff added to the online store. I am sorry for not sending an email about it, I don't like bugging people like this, but I am also realizing that more and more people (in this realm of weirdo DIY music and art) are leaving social media and so maybe I should be sharing more e-mail newsletters to get the word out about what's going on with the Related Records family. What do you think? I love talking about this type of shit. KNOW YOUR RIGHTSBack in April, 2025 my friend Joseph (of INADRM) made this great PDF that is free and accessible to everyone. It is a list of legal rights to remember if you are put in a situation where you are targeted by ICE agents or even regular old asshole cops. It is available in English and Spanish and I have been including copies in mail order ever since. But, it just hit me that I could/should also be sharing this file with others so they can print and distribute copies themselves. I feel everyone has a role they can play in making this world a better place and sharing knowledge like this is a simple one just about anyone can do.
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