Interview: Fraser Austin (Crystal Magic Records)

I've been listening to the digital discography of New Zealand label Crystal Magic quite a bit lately. Wanting to learn more about the label's backstory, I emailed a few questions to its founder, Fraser Austin. He also happens to be the mastermind behind solo projects Secrets and Feelings as well as a former member of electronic duo Frase + Bri. Read on for the full Q and A.

Cassette Corner: Juniper Rising - "S/T"

Juniper Rising - Self Titled

(2013 Burger Records)

Cassette Corner: William Clay Martin - "Future Street"

William Clay Martin - Future Street

(2013 Self-Released)

"Alien, yet familiar"

Order Issue 3 of the Zine!

Hey there! I just got finished writing issue three of the zine. If you'd like to receive a free print copy, email  your address to jude.noel3@gmail.com. Due to unexpected demand, even if you ordered last time, make sure to email me again. 

Interviews

- Julia Brown

- Lo-Fi By Default

- Kinesthetiac

- Barlow

Features

- Hanson Records

- Vaporwave

Reviews

- Elen Never Sleeps

- Bevo Francis

- Santa Cruz

- Landing

Review: White Pages - 7" EP

White Pages - 7" EP

(Can't Stand Ya 2012)

"The fury that can only be fueled by potato chips and rage."

Half-Gifts turns one year old today...

Here's the namesake of this blog/zine, if you were wondering.

Cocteau Twins - 'Half-Gifts'

Single Review: Suburban Dogs - "Omen"

Suburban Dogs - Omen

(Self-Released 2013)

"Somewhere between detached cool and restrained intensity"

Single Review: Tripping The Light Fantastic - 6 O'Clock News

Tripping The Light Fantastic - Six O' Clock News

(All Rock 'N' Roll Speeds Up 2010)

"Overwhelmingly Jubilant"

Review: Filardo - "Falling Up"

Filardo - Falling Up

(Holy Page 2013)

"A nice balance between the experimental and the conventional."

Review: Julia Brown - "To Be Close To You"

Julia Brown - To Be Close To You

(Bird Tapes 2013)

"A beacon of light in a dark age of cookie-cutter lo-fi bands."

Review: M. Sage - "The Receivers Peaking"

M. Sage - The Receivers Peaking

(Moon Glyph 2013)

"The feeling you have while walking at night, the last gasps of a rainstorm drizzling your hair"

Half-Gifts Zine Issue 2

Hey, Half-Gifts gang! Issue two of the Half-Gifts zine is out now, and if you wanna order your free print copy, then e-mail me your shipping address at jude.noel3@gmail.com. It's no charge at all! If you ordered issue one, I'm already sending you a copy. Check out some sneak peeks of the pre-xeroxed pages below.

LIST OF FEATURES:

- Jayber Crow interview

-Jovontaes interview

-Pure Predication Live Review

-Reviews of the new Beachniks and Funeral Advantage albums.

-Other kool stuff

Cassette Corner: Little Spoon - "I See"

Little Spoon - I See

(Crash Symbols 2013)

"Bleak, Detached and Minimalist"

Cassette Corner: Existentia Cicada - "S/T"

Existentia Cicada - S/T

(Swan City Sounds 2013)

("Breezy pluckings of clean guitar and droning chords")

My Bloody Valentine - "m b v"

My Bloody Valentine - m b v

(Self-Released 2013)

"Stormy Sound Ocean"