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Not just news posts anymore


We see this space as an opportunity to give a platform for our roster—but moreso, the individual people that comprise our roster—to speak on anything that's important to them, or to simply share anecdotes about their music. Our hope is that this will expand into a curated, open-ended hub for not just news and updates, but also recommendations, behind-the-scenes, "premieres" & exclusives, random musings, calls to action, and as a means for us to riff on what we think is important. Our logo is a speech bubble, after all.

Every post we've ever made going back to 2006 has been meticulously tagged and archived here for you. Use the 'by artist' dropdown or the filters to show posts that're more specific to what you're looking for, or just scroll down to peruse things chronologically. Thanks for reading!
 
 
an illustration by Madeline Dowd, showing whimsical people enjoying music in various ways i illustration by Madeline Dowd of Crisman.

Swedish noise-pop upstart Weatherday releases new album 'Hornet Disaster'

Weatherday

Out everywhere today, Hornet Disaster is a bustling record with disparate songs each vying for space like wasps in a swarm. It can inspire caution and chaos, but there's wonder, purpose, and a certain familiarity there, too. Weatherday has extended the knotted, thrashing maximalism of Come in by doubling down with the uncompromised, no-stone-unturned nature of Hornet Disaster. Where Come in was the product of an artist searching for their voice, Hornet Disaster represents the joyful abandon that comes from having found it. Catch the band on tour this spring and summer across the US, UK, and Europe! read more →

 

Ekko Astral Spring shows with Mannequin Pussy and Bartees Strange

Ekko Astral

Ekko Astral will be playing some shows soon, taking the mascara moshpit on the road this spring. For dates, info, read more →

 

For Your Consideration: A Time Agnostic Music Contextualization Effort

Occasionally, we like to pause and consider ways we can contextualize the music we've released over the years. As we celebrate our 19th birthday this week, we're pairing sonically similar releases from our catalog in a time-agnostic way. Whether you're here for the old stuff and looking for something new, or here for the new stuff and looking for something new to you, we hope you find something to enjoy all the same. Enjoy! read more →

 

Montreal's Thanya Iyer announces new album TIDE/TIED with the syncopated pop gem "Low Tides"

Thanya Iyer

On her third full length TIDE/TIED, Montreal artist Thanya Iyer expands on the future-folk designs of sophomore album KIND with washes of jazz-infected pop and ensemble ambience. While Iyer explored a more personal journey of self-love on KIND, she, her band, and a cohort of guest musicians embark on a new way of moving on TIDE/TIED, prizing collective care and communal healing as antidotes to the dissonances of living in a colonial, capitalistic world. read more →

 

announcing our new UK shop

Thanya Iyer

today we’re excited to announce our partnership with Devil Dog Distro in the UK. We’re running a huge sale to celebrate, with lots of buy-one-get one deals, mystery items, and discounts from 20-70% off. read more →

 

Boyscott // Spellbound

Boyscott

Boyscott's new album Spellbound is out everywhere today! The band's touring the US later this month and will have copies on CD, cassette, and LP. Tour dates and album info abound! read more →

 

Peel Dream Magazine explore a world of natural wonder in their new video for "Wish You Well"

Peel Dream Magazine

Set to the backdrop of New York City and its towering landmarks -- The American Museum of Natural History, Grand Central Station, and the like -- songwriter Joseph Stevens weaves personal stories into the wider fabric of the natural world, touching on themes of instinct, animality, and evolution. On their latest single "Wish You Well", the band leans into its pop rock sensibilities with a lingering feeling of catharsis hanging above. Listen to "wish You Well" and check out the band's upcoming tour schedule. read more →

 

Peel Dream Magazine announce new album Rose Main Reading Room with the lush and gorgeous "Lie In The Gutter"

Peel Dream Magazine

Please welcome Peel Dream Magazine to the Topshelf roster! Their new album, Rose Main Reading Room, is a lush, inviting headphones record; the kind of album made to accompany city bus rides and rainy-day solo trips to accidental destinations. read more →

 

Peel Dream Magazine land gracefully with a pair of new singles "Central Park West" and "Dawn"

We're super excited to release a pair of new singles from Peel Dream Magazine --- the memory stirrer "Central Park West" and the welcome greeting of "Dawn". read more →

 

Ekko Astral emerges from the D.C. punk scene with a new standalone single "baethoven"

Ekko Astral

We're very hype to have Ekko Astral on the roster with their new song "baethoven"! These DC punks bring crashing drums, fuzzed-out guitar riffs, and a bewitching + frantic voice to our roster. Listen and check out their upcoming tour dates with Ted Leo read more →

 

Thanya Iyer // West coast tour dates with Land of Talk

Thanya Iyer

Our resident north-of-the-border multi-instrumentalist Thanya Iyer is headed out to the west coast to play some shows with Land of Talk!! read more →

 

Weatherday // Merch Sale and North American Tour with Panchiko and They Are Gutting a Body of Water

Weatherday

Sputnik is bringing Weatherday's music back on the road this spring, with a full backing band. This time, they'll be supporting Panchiko and They Are Gutting a Body of Water, who we released a split with A Country Western for last year). Frankly, this bill is insane. read more →

 

Elephant Gym // New Music and World Tour

Elephant Gym

Elephant Gym are headed out on tour! Dates, info, and tickets are all available now. The band also has a new music video, a new single, and a new album for you read more →

 

2023 release guide + moving sale

We're having a moving sale to lighten the load for our move to our new Portland location! It's a celebration of not only the label's 2023 release output, but also of simply overcoming the challenges of the last year, once again regaining full control of our physical inventory. read more →

 

Gulfer // New pop-leaning single "Clean"

Gulfer

On new standalone single "Clean", Montreal four-piece Gulfer return with their signature style of glimmering, propulsive, and emotionally driven indie-rock. read more →

 

No Vacation // Spring 2024 North American Tour

No Vacation

​Everyone's wavy gravy dream poppers are headed out for a run of dates across North America this spring! Tickets go on sale November 17! read more →

 

Ratboys // UK / EU Tour

Ratboys

Just a week after completing their five-week US tour, Ratboys are embarking on a two-week UK and EU tour read more →

 

Bruiser and Bicycle // Northeast US Fall Tour Dates

Bruiser and Bicycle

ATTN: Northeast US citizenry, Bruiser and Bicycle are taking their "free-spirited chaos" on the road this fall and attendance is mandatory to complete your wizard training!! read more →

 

Weatherday // On tour with New Grounds Death Rugby

Weatherday

Sputnik is back in the US and Weatherday are playing shows all August with a full backing band read more →

 

Ratboys // announcing new album 'The Window' + fall tour!

Ratboys

Ratboys' new album The Window is coming out August 25. The first single "It's Alive!" is out now. read more →

 

Sweet Pill // "Dog Song" video

Sweet Pill

THE NEW ̶ ̶S̶W̶E̶E̶T̶ ̶P̶I̶L̶L̶ ̶ ̶SWEET PUPS MUSIC VIDEO FOR “DOG SONG” IS OUT NOW !! read more →

 

Bruiser and Bicycle // 'Holy Red Wagon'

Bruiser and Bicycle

'Holy Red Wagon' - the explosive and frenetic new album from Bruiser and Bicycle - is out now! read more →

 

TSR @ SXSW 2023

Bruiser and Bicycle

We’ll be at SXSW this year! Our 12th year, and our first time back since 2019! We and our artists have a lot going on all week. We’re throwing 2 showcases read more →

 

Call to action: visa fee increases for international artists

Bruiser and Bicycle

The US Department of Homeland Security has proposed rate increases that would make touring in the United States for international artists significantly more expensive. read more →

 

Introducing: Bruiser and Bicycle

Bruiser and Bicycle

Please welcome Bruiser and Bicycle to our roster! Their album Holy Red Wagon is out April 5. The first single "1000 Engines" is out now. read more →

 

Sweet Pill and Their / They're / There go on tour!

Sweet Pill

Sweet Pill and Their / They're / There are heading out on tour together! read more →

 

Parannoul // announcing: 'After the Magic'

Parannoul

We're so excited to finally share our partnership with Parannoul and announce the new record. 'After the Magic' will be released on 1/28 read more →

 

Knifeplay X TAGABOW // the TOUR

Knifeplay

That’s right, Knifeplay and They Are Gutting a Body of Water are heading out on tour together. Sickest bands, sickest tour, sickest shoe, sickest gaze. read more →

 

No Vacation // West Coast Tour

No Vacation are heading up the West Coast on tour this February! read more →