weirdo, psychedelic, deep and beatdown sounds @whiskeypickle1
“weirdo, psychedelic, deep and beatdown sounds” is the self-confessed motto for Texas label Whiskey Pickle. Despite their preference for the leftfield and the awkward they’ve reached their thirtieth release – though, truth be told, any label that has had releases from Hardkiss, Steve Cobby and Q-Burns Abstract Message is worth cherishing. And they’ve got a new comp to celebrate.
The comp opens with the Cbeebies-loving Chugginton from Audiotronic. This paean to the badge-collecting trains is a groovy slab of electronic funk with wobbling bass. Ben Davidson goes for Love is Knocking. This is 80s style proto-house. Indigo from Daniel Allen & Used Manatee Salesman has a bit of chip chirp running throughout alongside some whooshing deep house. A perfect example of the Whiskey Pickle weirdo element in that this awkward marriage sounds not in the bit forced.
David Ricardo’s Twenty Three Thoughts are all sombre ones contained in a beatdown framework. If only all philosophy could sound this good. Old Fashioned from Johnny Blackouts is anything but. It offers warm electronic house pleasures. Ninety-Six from Jorgito has that bit of steel drum that makes it perfect for cricket-highlight opening credits (though I doubt there are many cricket lovers in Texas – unless of the insect variety).
Llama A’s Flying High has more beatdown with little synth flourishes to tickle your synapses. Lucy in the Sky With Acid from P-Rez does what it says on the tin. Some early 90s acid combined with distorted vocal samples. Not quite the track it should have been. The comp closes with some lovely house in the form of Astrolabe from Without Wax. Perhaps the perfectly entitled closer, as Whiskey Pickle use the stars to chart a course into the future. Here’s to 30 more releases.
Blurb: Whiskey Pickle Records has positioned itself as a stronghold for weirdo, psychedelic, deep and beatdown sounds coming straight from the heart of Texas. Over the course of seven years, the indie label has built a stable of artists that both showcase the Lone Star State and encompasses a-list and global acts alike. Having hosted the likes of Gavin & Robbie Hardkiss, Sleazy McQueen, Walter Jones, The Funk District, B.G. Baarregaard, James Curd, Steve Cobby, Q-Burns Abstract Message, as well as label heads Johnny Blackouts and RiCHARD.GEAR.
Here, Whiskey Pickle presents it’s 30th release with a celebratory, various artists compilation that features label stalwarts P-Rez, Jake Childs, and Schugar(donning his Llama A moniker) plus fresh faces Without Wax, David Ricardo, Ben Davidson, and Jorgito. Rounding out the release are appearances from Leeds very own Al Bradley (as Audiotonic), Texan goth trio The Fallen, and a righteous collaboration from Used Manatee Salesman and Daniel Allen. In typical, Whiskey Pickle fashion, all rules are thrown out the door with this genre-busting compilation that refuses to be pigeon-holed. Expect plenty of heavy rhythms and cosmic grooves as they offer their “XXX” rated, 30th release.
