Sharon Van Etten Covers Daniel Johnston

Back in the fall, the lovely Sharon Van Etten released a new jam, "Let Go," for the documentary film "Feels Good Man."  A 7" single of the track is coming out soon and features a cover of Daniel Johnston's "Some Things Last a Long Time" on the B-side.  We're big fans of both Van Etten and Johnston around these parts, and her gothy, sprawling take on the tune brings out all the right kind of melancholy.  Check it out below, download both songs here via Jagjaguwar and pre-order the record here from Mondo.

Dream Division

Okay, why am i just now finding out about Dream Division?  The UK artist makes horror score inspired music that pulls from everyone from Frizzi to Carpenter to Goblin to Bernstein and everything in between.  They also do real film score work as well and released three albums last year, the most recent one dropping last month.  And they're all sold out now.  So seriously, why am i just now finding out about Dream Division?  Anyway, going through the catalog here, and you just can't miss with anything.  Check out "Illusion" from last October's "Beyond the Mirror's Image" LP, download it here, or if you're so inclined, head over here to Mondo as it looks like they still have a few in stock.

Le Matos featuring Computer Magic

I've heard some good things about the upcoming film, "Summer of '84," and that the guys who made "Turbo Kid" are involved, i'm all in.  And it appears that synthwave act Le Matos are back in the mix as well, providing the score and some pop songs as well.  Check out the Computer Magic assisted "Cold Summer" below, download it from the band here, and then swing over here to grab the whole soundtrack from Mondo/Death Waltz.

Communion

Did you miss out on something cool a few weeks ago on Record Store Day?  Never fret, because as happens every year, a string of those releases that were maybe over-pressed, or were maybe always meant to be available to wider market later are popping up online for your consumption.  The items in particular that pique my interest are the RSD UK stuff that didn't make stateside to begin with.  One of those releases is the compilation album from Burning Witches Records, "Communion," a companion album of sorts to the "Halloween Witch's Brew" tape the label put out last Cassette Store Day (yes, that's a thing).  It's another cool mix of dark synth wave featuring Deadly Avenger, Timothy Fife, Graham Reznick, and more to soundtrack your descent into madness.  Stream the whole thing below, download it here, or snag a physical copy from Mondo while they've got 'em.

Dust Witch

Here's another goody i missed out on last weekend at Mondo-Con.  Massachusetts proggy synth band Dust Witch make 70's (and 80's) soundtrack inspired madness, taking cues from Goblin and Carpenter in equal measure.  Listen to both "Mirage" and "Hibernaculum" below, download the songs here, and you can still get the 7" from Mondo/Death Waltz here.

Deadly Avenger

Aside from an endless string of amazing reissued soundtracks, Death Waltz also knocks it out of park with regularity on their original releases too.  One of the latest, from the UK's Deadly Avenger, is the artist's new album "Everyday Is Kill."  It's synth drenched goodness, and will be available at this weekend's Mondo-Con here in Austin (which i'm missing this year).  But don't fret if you can't make the trip, as it should be up for sale online shortly thereafter.  In the meanwhile, listen to "Nightrunner" below.

Box of Souls: A Nightmare on Elm Street Collection

So, this is pretty amazing.  Mondo/Death Waltz has been working on this release for well over a year, and now it's finally complete...the 8LP "Box of Souls: A Nightmare on Elm Street Collection," featuring the scores to the first 7 Elm Street films.  Featuring work from Charles Bernstein, Christopher Young, Angelo Badalamenti, and more, this fantastic looking box set looks to be perfect for horror hounds and film score connoisseurs alike.  It goes on sale today, and if i had an extra $250 hanging around, i'd totally order it.  Maybe you do have an extra $250 hanging around, so maybe you do order it.  Maybe you have an extra $500 on you.  Maybe you order two.  Maybe you give one to me.  I don't know, i'm just spit-balling here.  Anyway, get it here and listen to "Prologue/Main Title" from the Bernstein's original film score below.

The Blackcoat's Daughter

I have not seen Oz Perkins' "The Blackcoat's Daughter" yet, though i understand it's a creepy and dread-fueled little slow burn of a horror movie, so maybe i can remedy that this weekend (VOD!). But i have sampled the soundtrack from the film, composed by the filmmaker's brother Elvis Perkins, and it's a haunting mix of spooky Americana, folk, jazz, and ominous drone.  And you can get it today from Mondo in an edition of 666 copies.  Listen to "In the Garden" below.

Pye Corner Audio - The Spiral

Irritated that you missed out on that last Pye Corner Audio 7"?  Me too.  But don't worry about it too terribly much as the artist has another 7" record, "The Spiral," out this week on Mondo/Death Waltz.  Stream the whole thing below, snag the record later this week, or just download it here.

Federale

Portland based Federale make awesome, Spaghetti Western inspired music, wholly indebted to the works of Ennio Morricone, but adding their own psychedelic flair to the proceedings to keep things real.  On their new album "All the Colours of the Dark," the band adds some dusty Lee Hazlewood like vocals into the mix giving the this cinematic homage some extra oomph.  Listen to the title track below and get the advance vinyl edition of the record from Mondo/Death Waltz.

Wojciech Golczewski

Wojciech Golczewski is a Polish film score composer and musician, who most notably provided the soundtrack to the excellent throwback horror film "We Are Still Here" (definitely worth checking out if you're a horror nut like me).  Earlier this year, the artist released an album of original material inspired by films called "Reality Check," and it's great, synthy fun.  Currently, you can grab it digitally or on cassette over here, but a vinyl version will be available on Mondo tomorrow.  In the meantime, listen to album opener "The Puppets Dream" below.

Twin Peaks

Over two years in the making, the good folks at Mondo/Death Waltz finally unveil their vinyl reissue of Angelo Badalamenti's score for David Lynch's "Twin Peaks."  This is one of the quintessential soundtracks out there, and wholly worth your time and cash.  Get it here and listen to the "Twin Peaks Theme" below.

Pentagram Home Video

Aside from the stellar and beautiful soundtrack albums released by Mondo/Death Waltz throughout the year, the label also releases killer original works by artists inspired by all of these wonderful film scores.  The label's latest comes from Pentagram Home Video, whose "Who's Out There?" LP feels like it could have perfectly scored any number of 80's direct-to-video-nasty releases, all spooky atmospherics and pulsing synths.  Listen to icy album opener "Vision 1 The Coast" below and get the record here.

The Monster Squad

Easily one of my favorite movies when i was growing up, it wasn't until the last few years that i realized what a devoted following Fred Dekker's film has.  I saw a packed screening a decade ago with the director and some cast members in attendance, and everyone just went nuts.  I'm sure i did too.  And so, i'm stoked that the great folks at Mondo are releasing the a 7" featuring Michael Sembello's "Rock Until You Drop" and the end credits "Monster Squad Rap" on the B-side.  Are these songs good?  Probably not.  But the artwork on the single is amazing (4 variants featuring Dracula, Frankenstein's Monster, Wolfman, and Gillman), and the little kid in me would kick me until the day i died if didn't snag at least one of these up.  Watch the movie's montage scene that featured "Rock Until Your Drop" below and snag the Dracula or Wolfman records here tomorrow.

Time is almost up.  It's your last chance for pie.

You're Next

Adam Wingard's "You're Next" is easily one of my favorite horror flicks of the last five years, and it's soundtrack is now finally getting a proper release from Death Waltz/Mondo.  The score, composed by Mads Heldtberg takes its cues from old industrial and ambient releases to create moods of impending dread and frenetic tension.  Get it tomorrow and listen to "Run Motherfucker" below.

Turbo Kid

I posted about the Le Matos and Pawws track "No Tomorrow" from the "Turbo Kid" soundtrack last year when Mondo/Deathwaltz released the 7" single.  The score itself is pretty amazing too.  The LP appears to be sold out, but you can still grab the download or CD here.  Listen to "Wasteland" below.

Nostra Signora delle Tenebre

A couple of weeks ago, i was fortunate enough to check out the second annual poster, art, and music-palooza that is Mondo-Con.  As per usual, i emptied my pockets for all manner of goodies...namely horror movie soundtracks.  While digging through the import albums that Death Waltz main man Spencer Hickman brought with him from across the pond, i came across an interesting compilation album called "Nostra Signora delle Tenebre" from Backwards Records featuring a whole slew of weirdo experimental artists performing covers of music from old Italian films, specifically from horror flicks and giallos.  We're talking stuff by Morricone, Fidenco, Goblin, Frizzi, and more.  They may as well have just stuck a big, neon sticker that said TOMMY on the thing, because purchasing the record was a total no-brainer.  Just listen to Heroin in Tahiti's "Nuda per Satana" and instantly want more, more, more.  You can currently purchase a copy (stateside) over at Mondo.

Army of Darkness

Austin's a little crazy right now, as Fantastic Fest winds down, and ACL Fest gears up, and the 2nd annual Mondo-Con gets ready to melt our faces again.  I'm going to attempt to cram in as much as possible, on top of a seemingly endless amount of unpacking to do in our new house.  Man, my head hurts.

Anyway, one of the must-retrieves for me this weekend at Mondo-Con is the bitchin (look at that cover art above) reissue of Joe LoDuca's "Army of Darkness" score.  I have been a huge fan of all things "Evil Dead" and Ash for so long that i'd be lying to myself if i didn't at least acknowledge that it had a little bit of influence on my son's name.  So, i need this.  Listen to "Building the Deathcoaster" below and check out Mondo-Con here.

Le Matos

I had never even heard of it until yesterday, but the film "Turbo Kid" looks absolutely bonkers, and it features music from Montreal synth pop band Le Matos.  "No Tomorrow" featuring PAWWS sounds like the kind of saccharine pop anthem that would have accompanied any and all manner of fantasy or children's adventure movies in the 80's, the score to an epic ride upon Falcor.  Listen to the track below, buy it digitally here, or grab the 7" from Mondo/Deathwaltz.