Dear HOSSies,

NOW AVAILABLE
The following releases are available on hossrecords.com, through distributors like Revolver and Thrill Jockey, and your local record store.

HOSS001 - Jason Forrest "Blood Tax at Harvest Time"/Ricky Rabbit "Shots Vol. 1"
(12" EP, 500 copies, 100 on clear vinyl)
As the Father of plunderphonic breakcore Jason Forrest/Donna Summer needs no introduction. But Daddy Warbreaks ain't settlin into worn out loafers, check out the ever evolving sound of the man behind Cock Rock Disco on the brilliant "Blood Tax at Harvest Time." As one listener so eloquently put it, "What the shit? That jason forrest track just deleted my life." We are honored to bring you his honor's death by pixel-lazers.

Also on this release we are proud to present Ricky Rabbit, the mind blowing beat deconstructionist from Washington DC's future-skool hip hop Food for Animals. "Shots Vol. 1" will change your expectations for the possibilities of 21st century beat science. Be prepared to reassemble your brain and find new body-hinges on the dance floor.

HOSS003 - Wzt Hearts "Heat Chief" (12" LP, 500 copies, 100 on white vinyl)
Baltimore City Paper's Album of the Year

"Mind-stretchingly wide and sonically fertile" - NOISEWEEK
"The world is our sound source and Jimmy Buffett sells us our microphones," says Mike Haleta, the self-described "commuting member" (he now resides in New Jersey) of Baltimore quartet Wzt Hearts. It's a strange comment, but also telling. The music of Wzt (pronounced Wet) Hearts is definitely wide open, alternately conjuring images of noise gristle, free-jazz wallop, psychedelic expansiveness, and the intellectual curiosity of modern composition. Formed in early 2004 at the behest of former Cutter/Hammer drummer Shaun Flynn, Wzt Hearts have played extensively throughout Baltimore, often supporting such high-profile names as Pita, Gang Gang Dance, Lungfish, Animal Collective, Zbigniew Karkowski, and Sightings to name a few. But with the release of their debut album "Heat Chief," Wzt Hearts are eager to carve out their own niche.

Comprised of Flynn on drums, multi-instumentalists Michael Haleta and Jeff Donaldson (both formerly of French Mistake), and Jason Urick on laptop, Wzt Hearts have been playing together for two years now. Produced by Rob Girardi at Big Crunch Studio in Catonsville, "Heat Chief" was recorded live with no overdubs. True to form, the four members of Wzt Hearts simply showed up, plugged in, and cranked it out for a few hours, editing and mixing down the best parts of their session. All live, the album captures the extremities of the band's sound, from in-depth explorations of scraggly distortion to drone mentalism to guitar sunbursts.

With two extended takes followed by two shorter, more ambient takes, Wzt Hearts' debut shows a quartet exploring the limits of its sound. Although Wzt Hearts are not specifically beholden to the winsome lysergics of the Animal Collective, the monolithic roar of Wolf Eyes, or the cerebral academic tabletop guitar experimentalism of AMM member Keith Rowe (with whom Haleta is also a regular collaborator), the album effortlessly segues from harsh digital dissonance to spare guitar ripples and sweet melodic ambience.

The lack of traditional song structures and penchant for experimentation, however, doesn't mean the band aims for a difficult, confrontational aesthetic. "We really are working to create something beautiful and not trite," Urick maintains. "I, for one, am not into the idea of being abstract for the sake of itself. In my head we are making pretty accessible music." Accessible or not, it's clear after one listen that Wzt Hearts have staked their claim as a band to be watched.

SUMMER READING
- The Excepter/Leb-Laze split got the ears of The Wire (September 2006 issue) and Dusted this month.
- Check out Creative Loafing's interview and feature on HOSS.

COMING UP
Thought it's sad to see summer go so early in DC, we're putting together the perfect soundtrack for Fall - the upcoming Lichens / Lexie Mountain LP will be the latest addition to our split series. We hope to celebrate its debut at an off-CMJ show. More info in the coming weeks.

HOSS004 - CELEPHAIS "I Am Kuranes" CD
HOSS005 - YXIMALLOO & BEN LAWLESS/ASTRAL SOCIAL CLUB split 12" lp
HOSS006 - ZANO 12" ep
HOSS007 - LICHENS "Restoration of Temperament" / LEXIE MOUNTAIN "If You So Choose" 12" LP
HOSS008 - ATLAS SOUND "Fractal Trax" / MEXCELLENT "Cornbread Jungle" split 12" lp

STILL AVAILABLE
HOSS002 - EXCEPTER "The Troglodytes" / LEB-LAZE "Life in the Wilderness" split 12" ep (still available)

WZT HEARTS TOUR DATES

Oct 12 2006: + MOUTHUS + DJ DOGDICK @ Talking Head Baltimore, MD
Nov 1 2006: + LEXIE MTN + ECSTATIC SUNSHINE + FIRST NATION + more! @ Cake Shop NYC, NY

Love,
Nina and BHoss
Contact us anytime at hossrecords@gmail.com or http://myspace.com/hossrecords.