The 2024 On Repeat Records Holiday Gift Guide
The shop 'til you drop edition
Good morning!
Today we’re turning the spotlight on the community, and all of the wonderful work you’re doing.
Today, on retail’s high holy day, it's easy to get carried away and buy a bunch of stuff you don't need from faceless corporations churning out disposable products you’ll replace in a year or two anyway. If you’re looking to stock garage sale inventory beforehand, have at it!
But wouldn't it be better to invest in something of lasting value? Something from a name you likely recognize from chatting with them in this community? I would say yes. Getting a gravy boat or whatever Temu has on offer can wait.
Like last year, this is a great way to get some killer gifts for yourself and/or the people in your life while directly supporting friends of On Repeat and small businesses. It's a win-win!
Anyone who would like to give a paid subscription to On Repeat as a gift can do that here. If you would like to donate one to someone in the community, you can also do that by simply clicking here. And, of course, if you’d like to support this project by upgrading your own subscription, now’s a great time to do so!
Let’s get to it!
ART:
Jeremy Shatan Photographs: After a ten-year career as a professional photographer (including shooting the cover of Paul's Boutique for the Beastie Boys, Jeremy transitioned to the nonprofit sector. But he still loves taking pictures and sharing them! Most of his work is made in New York City's urban landscape or the Berkshires' natural landscape. Check out Jeremy’s work here.
Reads:
Matt Berenson- Secret Stars: The Greatest Underdogs of the Rock 'n' Roll Era: This book took me forever to read. Not because it’s bad— it’s fantastic— but because it is littered with rabbit holes. Each chapter covers an underrated band/songwriter (with an accompanying playlist). I would find myself going on side quests every couple of pages. I re-read the charter on The Go-Betweens for part 4 of our recent 100 Best Records series and did it all over again. I should’ve just scribbled notes on the margins to circle back to. Take my advice… (Amazon link)
Michael Elliott- Have a Little Faith: The John Hiatt Story: As much as I knew about Haitt’s discography, I knew very little about the man behind these beloved songs. Luckily, Michael Elliott of The Mixtape has fixed that. In his book, he takes us through Hiatt’s story, starting with his childhood in Indiana and through his early days grinding it out as a songwriter. Through the throes of addiction and depths of despair, wrestling with relationships and fatherhood, and his survival of all of it. (Amazon link)
Dan Epstein- Now You're One of Us: The Incredible Story of Redd Kross: If you're on this page, odds are good you’ve heard of Redd Kross. Heck, odds are good you’ve got a record or two of theirs in one of your crates. The odds are also good that you’re familiar with
’s work, whether covering baseball or the bands we love. His latest covers the Redd Kross from the beginning to today (their new record rips, but you probably already know that, too).
Now You're One of Us is the definitive statement about Redd Kross, an in-depth and riveting tale told in the voices of the talented and tempestuous brothers at the core of this iconic outfit. The band’s flamboyant, genre-defying, joyously tuneful blend of musical, sartorial and pop cultural elements profoundly influenced the punk rock, glam metal and grunge movements and won them a worldwide cult of fervent admirers that includes bands like Pearl Jam, Foo Fighters, Sonic Youth, L7 and The Bangles.
Grab your copy here!
US/worldwide: (Amazon link)
UK only: (Omnibus press link)Rob Janicke- SLACKER: 1991, Teen Spirit Angst, & the Generation It Created
Rob and I first met while working as editors at The Riff. We quickly learned we shared a lot of common ground regarding bands liked and shows seen. I used to joke that if we still had shoeboxes full of ticket stubs, ours would both be full of shows from the same tours, just dates on opposite legs (we grew up on opposite coasts). Rob stepped away from that work to fulfill a long-held dream—writing a book about that era, what it meant to him, and how it changed us all. It is a book not just about the music but also about the people—the good, the bad, the ugly. Everyone has a story; this is Rob’s.
From his website: SlACKER is a historical document of the grunge and alternative (including punk and hip-hop) movement of the early 90s. In addition to the historical, musical, and cultural content, it also entertains and educates. Stories of societal change, my musical and personal journey through it all, battles with mental health, and insights obtained from interviews I conducted with musicians, writers, scientists, professors, promoters, etc., from the era to help you tap into the passion that music naturally delivers. (Pre-order here)
S.W. Lauden (and others)- Remember The Lightning—A Guitar Pop Journal: Vol. 4: Fall/Winter 2024: I was lucky to come across Lauden’s work while editing for The Riff on Medium. That’s just one of many pieces he’s gone on to write, including compiling an oral history of Popsicko, a Substack, and this quarterly series. I was honored to be included in Vol.3 (along with Dan Epstein, Jim Ruland, and several others), and I cannot wait to get my hands on Vol. 4. (Amazon link)
Bob Merckel- Salute: On the surface, this is a book about yoga. In reality, it’s about figuring out who you are and where you want to be. In Salute, he uses each of the poses of the Sun Salute as the framework of the book; he shares his own experiences in trying, failing, and trying again. Perhaps more importantly (or relevant to me), it’s about not being afraid to try things, embracing a fear of failure, and finishing what you start. It is, as he notes, a book about yoga and not about yoga. My life story is littered with projects not seen through—including writing a book. Maybe that’s you as well? (Amazon link)
Sheila Moeschen- Boston and Beyond: Discovering Cities, Harbors, and Country Charms: If you’re not reading Sheila’s newsletter, you should be. Her sense of humor is impeccable. She is also an accomplished photographer and shares her work in a regular feature. This book is a photographic love letter to Boston, Massachusetts, and the surrounding area in the form of a few dozen
field tripphoto essays. The Amazon blurb describes the photography as “sumptuous,” which... I mean, okay. Lol. (Amazon link)Jim Ruland - The Demo: You might know from his books on Bad Religion, SST Records, and his novel Make It Stop. His latest work is a short story in the anthology “Eight Very Bad Nights: A Collection of Hannukah Noir,” edited by Tod Goldberg, which Jim describes as “a riveting collection of short stories around the theme of Hannukah from some of America's best crime writers.” His story, "The Demo," is about a murder at an independent music label circa 1992. (Grab your copy here)
Katherine Rye Jewell- Live from the Underground: A History of College Radio: In her latest book, Katherine Rye Jewell talks about her time in radio, starting with the inauspicious way she joined her college station. If you like music, miss your college station, and believe the airwaves belong to the people, this book will check a ton of boxes for you. (Amazon link)
Jeremy Shatan’s Eclectic Bookshop! After a lifetime of loving all things pop culture, Jeremy is sharing some of his printed treasures through this Etsy shop. Find unique gifts or treat yourself! Visit the Eclectic Bookshop!
Lancelot Shaubert: Bell Hammers: The True Folk Tale of Little Egypt, Illinois: "Schaubert recounts a mischievous man's eight decades in Illinois's Little Egypt region in his picaresque debut. Remmy's life of constant schemes and pranks and a lifelong feud with classmate Jim Johnstone and the local oil drilling company proves consequential. This is a hoot."
- Publisher's Weekly (Goodreads Link)Michelle Teheux- Strapped: Fighting For the Soul of the American Working Class: A collection of essays from Medium & Substack that take a searing look at the myths surrounding America’s middle & lower classes. If Barbara Ehrenreich were still around, she’d probably have a Substack, and this is the sort of ground she’d be covering. Think of it as “Nickel and Dimed” for the newsletter era. (Amazon link)
Michael Thompson- Shy By Design: If you’re one of the legions of people who spent time on Medium, you’ll recognize Michael Thompson’s name. Yes, that Michael Thompson. He’s back with Shy By Design, a book packed with actionable strategies to overcome shyness, imposter syndrome, and more. This isn’t a bunch of pithy hacks stuck between two covers. No, it couldn't “have just been a blog post.” These are easy-to-implement, actionable systems you can leverage right now. (Grab your copy here)
Magazines:
Our friends at CREEM Magazine are running a holiday promotion with Annual Subscriptions, Limited-Edition Gifts, Apparel + Merch, and More.
From the magazine: CREEM offers several tiers of annual subscriptions for the magazine, from the traditional print subscription ($79) to the Fan Club print subscription ($129). For a limited time, both Traditional & Fan Club members get a free, classic CREEM tee shirt here when they sign up. Boy Howdy! It’s your (and your giftee’s) lucky day. All subscriptions come with digital access to the CREEM Archive, all 224 issues published from 1969 - 1989, and all the new issues from 2022 - 2024. That’s over 69,000 articles, reviews, images, and ads; each page has been meticulously scanned and presented in its original form. Digital-only subscriptions are also available for $29 annually.
In addition to an annual 20% discount and $20 merch-store credit, The Fan Club tier currently comes with a limited edition gift: a 500-piece random-cut puzzle made in collaboration with Le Puzz. Featuring original photography by Michael N. Marks from CREEM’s May 1980 Between The Buttons feature, the package includes a bonus fold-out poster and an exclusive pin pack.
MUSIC
***FLASH SALE***
Saturday only! Our friend
is hosting another one of his infamous (and far too infrequent) sales. I’ve found several killer records at previous events. Mark your calendar, and if you see me in the comments, please say hi!Latin Gold Records' Holiday Sale
For Small Business Saturday | November 30th | On Instagram!
Latin Gold Records’ biggest sale of the year is landing on Small Business Saturday (Nov 30) - we’re talking not one, not two, but THREE incredible themed drops throughout the day! Each collection has been carefully curated and saved just for this. From rare finds to absolute classics, there’s something for every collector:
10 AM PST: holiday classics
Holiday records that'll fill your space with pure December magic. You know those perfect winter evenings when the holiday decorations are up, the cocoa's hot, and the right record is spinning? Yeah, these are those records.
12 PM PST: Latin collection
These aren't just any records: Each has been hand-picked and tested. From classic salsa to rare Latin jazz pressings, this collection is pure LATIN GOLD (pun absolutely intended).
2 PM PST: stocking stuffers
Latin Gold's biggest sale of the year wraps up with something extra special - we're talking rare record gems and the kind of stocking stuffers that'll make any record collector's year from Rock to Soul to Funk to Punk. These aren't your average finds - each piece has been carefully selected to bring something unique to your collection. Whether you're shopping for yourself (no judgment!) or looking for the perfect gift for the vinyl lover in your life, drop #3 has got you covered. Some of these finds might surprise you...
How it works:
Starting at 10 AM PST, I’ll drop records on the Latin Gold Records' Instagram Page in three thematic stages.
Comment 'sold' on the record you want, and I'll DM you payment instructions.
Shipping nationwide or free LA pickup
Venmo/Zelle ready
Making this extra special, too: 10% of all proceeds go to @ACLU_Nationwide, and I’m matching it. VINYL FOR GOOD
Bridear-Born Again: From a friend of On Repeat: I co-produced the resurrection of the Japanese band Bridear. Their new album, appropriately titled "Born Again," and their ongoing world tour BURRN are calling the album a masterpiece. Metal Hammer compares them to the uber-group Lovebites. To buy their stuff, go to www.psychoshop.net. It's a perfect gift for the metalhead in your family. You can check out their “Born Again” track here.
Chillr- S/T: Regulars at Monday’s “What Are You Listening To?” sessions may recognize the name Chillr, as their track “Omen” from this record made a recent appearance. The record itself pulls from various influences and in the band's words is “RIYL early 90s alternative like Soundgarden/Nirvana and modern indie rock like DIIV/Been Stellar will feel right at home here. Other songs like Recover are mellower…” The record is currently only available to stream, but the band hopes to have it available on Bandcamp soon. (Spotify link)
Horse Doctor- A Place For Us. : In my initial review, I noted that Opener “Plasticine” comes out of the gate hard, and the record never quite figures out how to slow down. I also mentioned that I played this at work & was asked to turn it down (twice, actually). Don’t be like me. Listen to it in your car with the windows down instead. This record is clearly built to be played loud. It’s colder now, but you should still do this- just turn the heat up. RIYL: At the Drive-In, Sunny Day Real Estate (Bandcamp link)
Nolan Green-Safe (EP): After years of performing as The Grassy Knoll, Green decided to pivot in style and name. On Safe, he’s created a gorgeous soundscape that reveals a little more of itself with each listen. Dust off your good headphones for this one! (Bandcamp link)
Radio Free Albuquerque- Destination: It was an honor to recently premier the record’s lead single, “Tito,” and the entire record is an incredible field trip through roots rock, Americana, and the sort of dreams that take place after falling asleep next to a transistor radio playing music from the faraway big city. RIYL Son Volt, Calexico, and staying up late to listen to music from distant lands. (Bandcamp link)
Looking for something with a little more indie flair to it? Purcell’s previous project, Pike 27, has got you covered. The Long Fight is packed with smart lyrics and infectious, jangly hooks. RIYL: Jangle pop, R.E.M., earworms. (Bandcamp link)Red Pants- Pale Shadows (EP): Following last year’s Not Quite There Yet LP (an On Repeat AOTY pick), the Madison-based band is back with a new EP, Pale Shadows. That layered sound that made Not Quite There Yet so good is very much alive on the follow-up EP Pale Shadows. RIYL: Early Sonic Youth, early Yo La Tengo, and anytime Galaxie 500. (Bandcamp link)
Steve Swindells: Steve describes himself as a singer/songwriter/producer/musician/poet/painter/ photographer/blogger/designer & author, among other things. His records are a great dose of singer/songwriter pop/rock. You can find his entire catalog on Bandcamp and his Substack here.
The Flavor That Kills-Book Of Secrits: A record I described as “lethal for any roof it’s played under,” Book of Secrits is a montage of Funk, R&B, soul, and even punk. The result is a record that feels as manic and barely contained as the era it was made in. Clocking in at just over 35 minutes, it’s 13 tracks, all going 100 mph. It’s a helluva ride. It's also the only record I’ve ever heard of that included a treasure hunt in the liner notes. If you decipher the code and want to go look for it, let me know; I‘d love to join you. If nothing else, enjoy the ride that is Book of Secrits. (Bandcamp link)
Dusty Wright- Dusted Off: Dusty’s “Dusted Off” record is a delight. His unique take on a wide range of songs (some familiar, some not) makes for a fantastic listen. My favorite is his killer take on The Nightcrawlers’ “Little Black Egg.” That’s just one of 11(!) albums and a bunch of singles he’s released. (You can find all of them here.)
Recommended labels:
Check out Mama Manana Records and Phonophore Records! Both labels have killer rosters of talent and music for everyone.
Mama Manana is home to On Repeat favorites Gold Tides, Free Range Buddhas, Strange Magic, and more!
Phonophore is home to Harborcoat, The Pantones, and The Stickarounds.
Still want more?
Check out the massive catalog at Courtesy Desk. This is the online store run by our friends from Outer World. They’ve always had what I’m looking for and get things shipped fast.
It's the same story with Cincy’s Shake It Records. If you’re tired of hearing me fawn over Wussy and want to see what the fuss is all about, this is a great place to pick up the record.
Thanks for being here,
Kevin—
Thanks for the shout, Kevin! Honored to be in such stellar company!
appreciate the shout-out and well curated, my friend! hope your shopping is aces this year