{"title":"The Future Is Bright Recordings","description":"\u003cp\u003eIN THE BEGINNING:\r\n\r\nThe empathy begins: Wellington, New Zealand 2003.\r\n\r\nTwo guys (Shannon McKenna and Mark Rickerby) have some mates who make tunes, they reckon the stuff their mates are making in their bedrooms is better than half the stuff they are hearing on the radio. So a simple prototype release of drum n bass music entitled ‘empathy’ is released – it includes tracks from Double_Negative (John Henderson and Nick Gardiner) as well as a new friend cform (Shane Bradbury). Another school mate who has been mixing beats as ‘Codec Seven’(Peter Howman) has a couple to offer as well. The CDs are sold on a ’sale or return’ basis in central Wellington. The packaging is subtle and discreet. The concept simple: this music needs to reach the ears of those who will love it.\r\n\r\nEncouraged by the response and a love of the process, the guys decide to push it one more time. More tunes come in. The whole process takes on a life of its own; those that want to help join in and offer their expertise. ‘empathy recordings’ is born.\r\n\r\n\r\nThe next release is a compilation called ‘plug_in drummer’. James Robinson (www.jamesrobinson.co.nz) agrees to let us use his art work for the cover. We put out the word for more tunes and more producers crawl out of their bedrooms with shady demos. Some are gems. We meet the likes of ‘Kovski’ and the enigmatic ‘lorax’. We come up with this notion that these tunes would sit nicely with some of the country’s more established artists, and approach The Upbeats and Agent Alvin, who agree. Our first distributor is Adrian from Solidwax. He gets rid of the lot.\r\n\r\nIn 2005, we cant believe the tunes coming out of this country. If we could bridge the gap between the three scenes of Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch, that would be cool. We like to get people together. Remixes start happening with people we have never met. Demos range from obscure to sublime. Mark is overloaded by his day to day grind and steps back from running the show. Shane, John and Nick along with Shannon take up the slack and push things forward.\r\n\r\nOur third compilation and most ambitious project yet arrives back from the factory. Is this code. Its all breakbeat music to us. We approach a specialised distributor, Rhythmethod Ltd and they take us onboard. This time local visual art genius Welfe Bowyer (www.neonsleep.com) gets in on the artwork thing, we love the pink. Our friends at bassdrop.co.nz help us put on a wicked series of gigs promoting the empathy thing and our new cd. Things start to demand a hell of a lot more attention.\r\n\r\nBassdrop provides us with our next project. Rumble in the Jungle  (the search for New Zealand’s premier breakbeat DJ) needs a prize and a mix CD is born. Mr Smith wins the competition with a blistering array of turntable tricks. The Rumble in the Jungle CD expands empathy recordings’ horizons to the far side of the planet and features a combination of New Zealand and the World’s best producers: Fanu, Psidream and Concord Dawn feature with up and commers State of Mind, Trei and Dose. Aaron Beck (www.apbworks.co.nz) provides empathy with explosive artwork he well is renowned for.\r\n\r\nThe same year also sees our first experiment with hip hop. Tommy Ill releases his first ep through empathy and Solidwax – “toast and teakettles”. His bastard hip hop tops independent charts across the nation and sells out in stores. Once again empathy team up with Welfe Bowyer to create an impressive boutique CD package.\r\n\r\nEmpathy next launches a digital indent: Empathy Digital. This gives us the ability to release up and coming artists to a global audience. Trei, Demus, Cern, Opiuo, and more join the empathy family and take on the global mp3 market. This project starts to bear fruits as some of the artists gain world wide attention.\r\n\r\nShannon is given an offer he can’t refuse and Nick heads to the hills to make babies. This leaves Shane and John to continue to expand the empathy story.\r\n\r\nRumble in the Jungle comes calling again. Empathy finds a new distributor in the form of Samurai Distribution, a specialist electronic music distributor who helps empathy market 2008 Rumble in the Jungle winner Import’s first mix CD. The CD once again features a host of established and new artists including Bulletproof, The Upbeats, Mayhem and Optimas Gryme. Aaron Beck supplies customarily dark mecha-art for the cover.\r\n\r\nThis brings empathy to the present era. With more CDs planned and more EPs in the works the future looks bright for empathy. We continue developing the identity and brand side of things, a split second message that says what we are about. The empathy story.\n\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"self-service-checkout","title":"Self-Service Checkout","description":"\u003cp\u003eWith a life full of extraordinary twists and turns, Tom Bright has already worked with some of the most iconic figures in the UK music industry - Matt Johnson, Mick Jones and Ed Harcourt just to name a few. His long-awaited, stripped-back debut album, ‘Self-Service Checkout’, sees Tom tell tales of social workers rescuing the abused, shop assistants losing their jobs to computers and burning rivalries between brothers. From the heartbreaking to the humorous, it shows the many sides to Tom and offers a glimpse into his unique background. Produced by Ed Harcourt \u0026amp; mastered by Miles Showell at Abbey Road Studios.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"I absolutely love it. I love the lyrics. It's a great record. I thoroughly recommend. Why not buy it!\" Guy Garvey \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"The Future Is Bright Recordings","offers":[{"title":"Black | LP","offer_id":50415017689419,"sku":"1092813","price":19.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"CD","offer_id":50415018836299,"sku":"1092812","price":9.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/42fdc00e-2039-4fec-a121-620e2f42904b_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726687250"},{"product_id":"our-house-on-the-hill","title":"Our House On The Hill","description":"\u003cp\u003eSecond album from Cassie Ramone of Vivian Girls and Woods' Kevin Morby. After their first full-length album on shrimper, a demos ep on new images and scores of singles on domestic and international record labels, the babies' second album our house on the hill is their woodsist debut and the first with new bassist brian schleyer. while the band was originally conceived as a side-project outlet for kevin morby and cassie ramone - along with drummer justin sullivan - to trade song ideas and play house parties, the project grew into a full-time affair. the babies spent much of 2011 touring the us and abroad, all the while writing new material, both in their home of brooklyn and during a two-month sojourn in los angeles. simple yet thoughtful; familiar yet haunting. sweet but somber.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Woodsist","offers":[{"title":"Red | LP","offer_id":50416953393483,"sku":"2005262","price":29.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/Our_House_On_the_Hill_c05f82a1_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726713053"},{"product_id":"together-forever-the-music-city-sessions-1","title":"Together Forever - The Music City Sessions","description":"\u003cp\u003ethe two things in one are a band that should have been huge. the precociously-talented, soulful quintet were popular in the early 70s in their native san francisco bay area with three local hits, all sought-after vinyl items today. with an average age of just sixteen at the time of these recordings, all made for the legendary music city label, this self-contained unit blended stevie wonder-like vocal chops and meters\/jb grooves with a rare ability for transforming unlikely covers such as the allman brothers 'dreams' and crosby stills nash and young's 'ohio' into deeply funky workouts. during their time together, the two things in one recorded more than an album's worth of superb, mostly original material, all of which can now be heard on 'together forever'.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"No Label","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":50438216745291,"sku":"341002","price":16.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/88005a81-aac6-4663-be53-466897600c2a_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726940144"},{"product_id":"together-forever-the-music-city-sessions","title":"Together Forever: The Music City Sessions","description":"\u003cp\u003elimited ten track red vinyl release. the two things in one are a band that should have been huge. the precociously-talented, soulful quintet were popular in the early 70s in their native san francisco bay area with three local hits, all sought-after vinyl items today. with an average age of just sixteen at the time of these recordings, all made for the legendary music city label, this self-contained unit blended stevie wonder-like vocal chops and meters\/jb grooves with a rare ability for transforming unlikely covers such as the allman brothers 'dreams' and crosby stills nash and young's 'ohio' into deeply funky workouts. during their time together, the two things in one recorded more than an album's worth of superb, mostly original material, all of which can now be heard on 'together forever'.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"No Label","offers":[{"title":"LP","offer_id":50438244467019,"sku":"343338","price":19.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/bce97c32-9618-4da5-b5fb-4381a35e56ae_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726940387"},{"product_id":"our-house-on-the-hill-1","title":"Our House On The Hill","description":"\u003cp\u003eComes with free Woodsist CD sampler. Second album from Cassie Ramone of Vivian Girls and Woods' Kevin Morby. after their first full-length album on shrimper, a demos ep on new images and scores of singles on domestic and international record labels, the babies' second album our house on the hill is their woodsist debut and the first with new bassist brian schleyer. while the band was originally conceived as a side-project outlet for kevin morby and cassie ramone - along with drummer justin sullivan - to trade song ideas and play house parties, the project grew into a full-time affair. the babies spent much of 2011 touring the us and abroad, all the while writing new material, both in their home of brooklyn and during a two-month sojourn in los angeles. simple yet thoughtful; familiar yet haunting. sweet but somber.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Woodsist","offers":[{"title":"Tape","offer_id":50451577536843,"sku":"356296","price":9.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/e63161b6-7430-4cff-ae7e-797dcf75594e_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727130573"},{"product_id":"live-at-fillmore-west-2","title":"Live At Fillmore West","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn 1969 The Nice were already superstars in their native England due almost entirely to their explosive live performances, as can be heard here when opening for The Chambers Brothers and King Crimson at the Fillmore West, San Francisco on December 12th 1969. Every performance by The Nice was\/is a completely unique creature, a living, breathing entity that is a continual lesson to all. The Fillmore West, and music itself, was about to change forever. However people remember or regard The Nice, their place in music history is solid as a rock (progressive or otherwise).  London Calling revisits that halcyon period when The Nice were changing music forever and laying the path for progressive rock. Beautifully restored and professionally remastered original KSAN-FM broadcast. Presented with an 8-page booklet containing background liners and timeline photos.  Lee Jackson - vocals, bass guitar; Brian Davison - drums; Keith Emerson - keyboards. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e Tracklisting: 1. Country Pie\/ Brandenburg Concerto No.6 \/ 2. Hang On To A Dream \/ 3. Pathetique (Tchaikovsky Symphony No.6, 3rd Movement) \/ 4. For Example \/ 5. She Belongs To Me\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"London Calling","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":50460798714187,"sku":"2006278","price":11.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/s-l500_4acbbeeb_thumbnail_4096.png?v=1727238380"},{"product_id":"legacy-2","title":"Legacy","description":"\u003cp\u003eTom Bright's debut album \u003ci\u003eSelf-Service Checkout\u003c\/i\u003e was a highlight to many people's 2020. Now he's not wasted any time in giving us the follow up: 'Legacy' - produced once again by Ed Harcourt. Mostly written in his Derbyshire shed and recorded over 3 days, the result is nothing short of splendid. John Kennedy has shown enormous support of every single on Radio X, crowning them his X-Posure Hot Ones time and time over. This sophomore outing from Tom is far more personal than the first, but remains laden with his trademark, quirky lyrics and choruses you won't want to stop singing. \u003cbr\u003eOrchestral, moving, epic and raw, this is Tom Bright's \u003ci\u003eLegacy\u003c\/i\u003e. Mastered by Miles Showell at Abbey Road.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eLimited signed CDs available - but be quick!\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"I love it. Highly recommended.\" Guy Garvey (BBC 6 Music \/ Elbow)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"Absolutely fantastic!\" - John Kennedy (Radio X) \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"The Future Is Bright Recordings","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":50465973403979,"sku":"1126480","price":9.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/3fa452ae-8220-469c-9b5b-dfae1ab9cff5_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727299763"},{"product_id":"live-broadcasts-1968-ep","title":"Live Broadcasts 1968 EP","description":"\u003cp\u003eThree live recordings featuring The Nice early on in their career as a four-piece with Davy O ́List on guitar. America and Rondo A La Turk were recorded in colour for Swiss TV in September 1968. The Hits a GoGo series also featured shows by David Bowie and Humble Pie. \u003ci\u003eAzrial (Angel Of Death)\u003c\/i\u003e was captured live at Piper Club, Rome on 6th April the same year for Italian TV. Remarkably, the clips survived and can be seen on popular video channels on the interweb. \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"1960's Records","offers":[{"title":"7\"","offer_id":50466750792011,"sku":"1055236","price":6.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/448742a4-28a7-4947-baa8-ffe4321dffc9_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727319493"},{"product_id":"somewhere-anywhere","title":"Somewhere Anywhere","description":"\u003cp\u003eTom Bright’s 2023 has seen him appear on BBC’s The One Show, BBC Radio 2, live in session on Radio X, perform at The London Palladium, Shepherd's Bush Empire, Glastonbury, Celtic Connections and tour the UK a couple of times over.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHis third album \u003ci\u003eSomewhere Anywhere\u003c\/i\u003e (produced by Ed Harcourt and mastered by Miles Showell at Abbey Road Studios) is the troubadour's most-accomplished work to date.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"The Future Is Bright Recordings","offers":[{"title":"Black LP","offer_id":50530169585995,"sku":"2049335","price":19.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/SOMEWHERE_ANYWHERE_FRONT_COVER_LP_100cb126_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1728073293"},{"product_id":"stories-from-the-battlefield-2","title":"Stories from the Battlefield","description":"\u003cp\u003eOn Mardi Gras morning, your eyes may feast on the intricate and elaborate beadwork of the Indians as they dance down the street, but the first thing you'll hear when they make their way toward you is the back line, known as \"the rumble\". Featuring seven GRAMMY-nominated musicians, The Rumble is more than just a band it's an opportunity to be immersed in a wholly unique facet of New Orleans culture. Composed of Second Chief Joseph Boudreaux Jr. of the Golden Eagles, trumpeter Aurélien Barnes, trombonist José Maize Jr., bassist TJ Norris, guitarist Ari Teitel, keyboardist Andriu Yanovski, and drummer Trenton O'Neal, the group fuses iconic New Orleans funk in the vein of The Meters and The Neville Brothers but updated, modern and vibrant befitting the next generation with electrifying brass and the singular visual splendor of the Black Masking carnival tradition. On their debut studio effort, Stories from the Battlefield, The Rumble boldly stake their claim as the torch bearers for where New Orleans music is going– a progressive, propulsive sound that packs venues across America, while keeping a firm grasp on the unique tradition that informs it. The musicians here don't just have world class chops, they live this tradition every single day. Throughout the music, it's evident from the exaltation to \"do it for your people\" on 'Take It Back' to the reminder that it takes a \"heart of steel\" to survive on the album's title track these Stories aren't fiction.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Well Kept Secret","offers":[{"title":"Black LP","offer_id":50543917138251,"sku":"2226742","price":29.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/Stories_from_the_Battlefield_156cbf79_thumbnail_4096_3234595c_thumbnail_409.webp?v=1731110082"},{"product_id":"the-thoughts-of-emerlist-davjack-expanded-edition","title":"The Thoughts Of Emerlist Davjack (Expanded Edition)","description":"\u003cp\u003eGroundbreaking debut album by The Nice reborn to inspire a new generation of music fans. Recorded in 1967 and originally released in 1968,\u003ci\u003e The Thoughts of Emerlist Davjack\u003c\/i\u003e marked the beginning of a revolutionary journey into progressive rock. Featuring the iconic lineup of Keith Emerson, Lee Jackson, David O’List and Brian Davison, \u003ci\u003eThe Thoughts of Emerlist Davjack\u003c\/i\u003e is a true testament to the band's pioneering sound. The album seamlessly fuses elements of classical music, avant-garde, jazz, and rock into a cohesive and innovative whole, setting the stage for the evolution of prog rock in the late 60s and beyond. Highlights of the album include tracks like ‘Flower King of Flies’, ‘Rondo’, and ‘Tantalising Maggie’, which capture the era's psychedelic vibe with echoes of San Francisco's counter-culture sound and the mind- bending influences of artists like Jefferson Airplane, Iron Butterfly, Jimi Hendrix Experience, and Cream. The expanded CD edition of this release also includes the haunting and brilliant track ‘Azrial (Angel of Death)’, originally released in 1967 as the B-side to The Nice's debut recording. This reissue is the opportunity to experience the daring creativity and genre-defying spirit of The Nice in their prime. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e TRACK LIST LP SIDE A 1. Flower King Of Flies 2. The Thoughts Of Emerlist Davjack 3. Bonnie K 4. Rondo SIDE B 1. War And Peace 2. Tantalising Maggie 3. Dawn 4. The Cry Of Eugene TRACK LIST EXPANDED CD 1. Flower King Of Flies 2. The Thoughts Of Emerlist Davjack 3. Bonnie K 4. Rondo 5. War And Peace 6. Tantalising Maggie 7. Dawn 8. The Cry Of Eugene Bonus track 9. Azrial (Angel of Death)\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Charly","offers":[{"title":"Black LP","offer_id":51069930897739,"sku":"2238791","price":24.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"CD","offer_id":51069930406219,"sku":"2238786","price":14.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/5060767442043_0e15803e_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1736516548"},{"product_id":"young-old-bloke","title":"Young Old Bloke","description":"\u003cp\u003eProduced by Mick Jones (The Clash\/Big Audio Dynamite) and Dirty White.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTom Bright's feet haven't touched the ground these past 12 months. From performing on BBC One's Sunday Morning Live, at Glastonbury Festival and appearing on Sky News to supporting The Libertines, The Leisure Society, Ed Harcourt, Katherine Priddy and Alberta Cross on UK\/EU shows, he's toured relentlessly across the continent.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eArmed with his guitar signed by Johnny Marr of The Smiths and John Squire of The Stone Roses, previous career highlights include performing at the London Palladium, Shepherd's Bush Empire, The One Show, multiple live sessions and interviews on BBC Radio 2, 5Live, Radio X, opening for the likes of Mystery Jets, Tom Grennan, Richard Walters, Reverend \u0026amp; The Makers and working with the likes of The The. He's earned the plaudits of esteemed music champions John Kennedy \u0026amp; Guy Garvey, publication CLASH Magazine and spent 2 years in Spotify's Most Beautiful Songs in the World with 'If I Met Your Shadow'.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTom is now all set to wind the clock back by releasing an early collection of songs he recorded with legendary producer and punk rock pioneer Mick Jones of The Clash\/Big Audio Dynamite and his right-hand man Dirty White, mastered by Miles Showell at Abbey Road Studios. Featuring Mick on piano throughout and even Sex Pistol Glen Matlock playing bass on track ‘Temptress’, the collection titled \u003cem\u003eYoung Old Bloke\u003c\/em\u003e (abbreviated to ‘YOB') offers a fascinating insight into how it all started music-wise for Tom. There’s rock’n’roll, big guitar riffs, tongue in cheek lyrics and even a theremin. The title is multi-layered, referring to how Tom felt post-pub landlord days, whilst also referencing working alongside music royalty, seeing that they were all just young old, or older young, blokes.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"The Future Is Bright Recordings","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":51625994453323,"sku":"R6535-7231","price":11.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/YOUNGOLDBLOKELP.jpg?v=1744385805"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/collections\/test_439ebded_thumbnail_4096_fb379397-67a4-449f-82a2-8eb78a32ca77.jpg?v=1726687212","url":"https:\/\/shop.roughtrade.com\/de\/collections\/the-future-is-bright-recordings.oembed","provider":"Rough Trade","version":"1.0","type":"link"}