A Mansions and Millions newsletter

Meagre Martin debut album out now, singles by Discovery Zone, Kissen, Martha Rose + GRIP TIGHT, tours, vinyl repress and a give away

November 10, 2023

Intro

Let’s start the newsletter again with one of the best jokes of Edinburgh fringe from a few month ago. Marketing experts have told me this is the way to go. I want to believe them:

I have a suntanning addiction, so only go on holiday in winter. I went cold Turkey last year. (Richard Stott).

That’s pretty funny, no? Another trick the marketing wizards have whispered in my ear is that you need to give newsletter subscribers some free candy, like giving away something. Maybe I will?

As always, thanks again for subscribing to and reading this newsletter. It’s not like there ever was a great time for indie music but the bad news have really been piling up lately: Bandcamp being sold again, most of their editorial staff being laid off, Spotify not wanting to pay for songs with less than 1.000 streams, Universal Music Group buying into NTS. All that is to say: we can’t rely on corporations and big platforms, we can’t trust them. But we trust you and we value you. Independent music can really only flourish and survive if people spend money on it, buy tickets, merchandise and tell all their friends about their new favorite music. We love you for doing this.

Yet at the moment, our thoughts aren't primarily focused on the indie music business. Instead, they are with the horrors happening in the world. We encourage you to stay informed about what is going on, form your own opinions, and, please, consider donating if you have the means. Here is a good donation guide (in German) for you to get an overview. In case you need a recommendation: we have donated to Physicians for Human Rights.

To stay updated, you can also always follow these channels:

Meagre Martin Album Out Now + US & EU Tour

This label mainly works with newcomer bands from Berlin, especially from Berlin-Neukölln. Some of them work at Tennis Bar or hang out there. So do Meagre Martin. I initially knew Sarah because of her previous band, but we became friends at the before mentioned Tennis Bar. She asked me for help in finding ways to release the music of her new band. When I saw the entire band perform live, I knew I had to work with them. That was in January. It's been an amazing journey, and today's release is another milestone.

Meagre Martin - Gut Punch

Shortlink - Spotify - Apple Music - Bandcamp

Speaking of milestones: They are currently on tour in the USA, supporting Alt-J and performing in incredibly large venues, which is still mind-boggling. In February, they will embark on a European tour, including shows in Berlin, Paris, London, and more (Tour Dates below!)

Discovery Zone - Ur Eyes

Discovery Zone is back! We are thrilled to present you with the new single + the next dimension of self transformation which we release in collaboration with RVNG Intl. (one of our favorite labels out there)!

Discovery Zone - Ur Eyes

There will be even more DZ news soon!

Martha Rose & GRIP TIGHT - Come On Over

Summer is long gone, at least over here in Berlin, but we've recently put what can be called an Indie-Pop-LoFi-Bedroom-Summer-Jam for you: 'Come on Over' by Martha Rose and GRIP TIGHT

Martha Rose & GRIP TIGHT - Come on Over

‘Come on Over’ is the second collaborative single by GRIP TIGHT and Martha Rose. It imagines a raucous party on Mount Olympus, inspired by a trip the friends took to Poseidon’s temple near Athens. Fantasies of fresh lovers behind cool marble pillars, with some serious mythical revelries nestled among bouncy synths and the mystical vocals of sirens who lead astray.

Kissen - 2 Swords

After we already released a few of her tracks, electronic artist Kissen put out a new single on Mansions and Millions recently. An EP is also under way for early 2024!

Kissen - 2 Swords

Shortlink - Spotify - Apple Music - Bandcamp

Effortlessly weaving sonic tapestries with touches of R&B, trip-hop, and many more references together, Kissen delves deep into a world of sensuality, darkness, and allure, transcending traditional genre boundaries.

Some words by Kissen about the single:

“A friend of mine read my Tarot cards and pulled the Two of Swords. It signifies confusion in decision making, weighing options, trusting your gut, deciding between your head and your heart, and protecting yourself in the process.”

Some International Touring News

We see ourselves as a local label with an international approach. Most artists have more listeners outside of Germany, where we are based. One of the best way to ensure this is by touring internationally. We are therefore extremely happy that our artists are playing international tours with big artists:

Discovery Zone was recently on tour in on the west coast of the USA, Meagre Martin are, as we just mentioned, going on tour with Alt-J and John Moods got invited by none other than Devendra Banhart to open for him in Europe, the tour starts today! All dates are below!

Some Vinyl Re-releases

You wrote us, we listen: After years the Better Person EP is finally back in stock. Same goes for the Discovery Zone Vinyl and the first John Moods album!

Better Person - It’s Only You on Bandcamp / our Webshop

Discovery Zone - Remote Control on Bandcamp / our Webshop

John Moods - The Essential John Moods on Bandcamp / our Webshop

Although vinyl manufacturing costs have risen by about a third in recent years, we also always want to keep prices low. It’s tough to cover those costs and make some money off of it but we also believe in affordability. We don’t want physical products to be a upper middle class asset only.

Panel @ Pop-Kultur

I recently took part in a panel discussion at the Pop-Kultur festival in Berlin called “A Record Label (What Is It Good For?)” along with Olga Karatzioti-B from Anomic Records & Marc Hollander from Crammed Disk hosted by music journalist Christina Mohr. You can watch the whole thing are here me talk about what’s like running a label these days.

Win a T-Shirt !

Let’s see if you made it this far. Here is the “giving away stuff for free” - part. We have a very limited amount of Size Small shirts still left and whoever replies to this first writing “I want that shirt, I like free things” just gets it for free. That simple.

the M&M shirt

how the shirt looks in the back

Tour Dates

John Moods

10.11.23 Spain Madrid @ Palacio Municipal *
11.11.23 Spain Valencia @ La Rambleta *
12.11.23 Spain Barcelona @ Paral.lel 92 *
14.11.23 France Paris @ Le Grand Rex *
15.11.23 UK London @ Troxy *
18.11.23 France Lyon @ Transbordeur *
19.11.23 Switzerland Lausanne @ Theatre de l’Octogon *
21.11.23 Italy Milan @ Auditorium Fondazione Cariplo *
22.11.23 Italy Trieste @ Teatro Politeama Rossetti *
23.11.23 Austria Vienna @ Globe Theater *
25.11.23 Germany Berlin @ Passionskirche *
26.11.23 Germany Hamburg @ Kampnagel *
28.11.23 Netherlands Amsterdam @ Paradiso *
29.11.23 Belgium Brussels @ Ancienne Belgique *
07.12.23 Germany Berlin @ Berghain Kantine

* /w Devendra Banhart

Kissen

06.12.2023 Germany - Berlin @ arkaoda w/ GENTS

Luis Ake

22.11.2023 Germany Stuttgart, @ Kulturzentrum Merlin
23.11.2023 Germany Berlin @ Tennis Bar

Meagre Martin

10.11.23 - USA Austin, TX @ Stubbs Waller Creek Amphitheater
11.11.23 - USA Austin, TX @ Coral Snake (album release party)
13.11.23 - USA Dallas, TX @ House of Blues - Dallas
14.11.23 - USA Dallas, TX @ House of Blues - Dallas
15.11.23 - USA Houston, TX @ White Oak Music Hall
16.11.23 - USA New Orleans, LA @ Joy Theater
18.11.23 - USA Chicago, IL @ The Salt Shed
19.11.23 - USA Chicago, IL @ The Salt Shed
20.11.23 - CAN Toronto, ON @ HISTORY
21.11.23 - CAN Toronto, ON @ HISTORY
24.11.23 - USA Atlanta, GA @ The Eastern
25.11.23 - USA Atlanta, GA @ The Eastern
26.11.23 - USA Nashville, TN @ Marathon Music Works
27.11.23 - USA Kansas City, MO @ The Midland Theater
29.11.23 - USA Denver, CO @ Mission Ballroom
01.12.23 - USA Seattle, WA @ Showbox SoDo
02.12.23 - USA Seattle, WA @ Showbox SoDo
03.12.23 - USA Seattle, WA @ Showbox SoDo
05.12.23 - USA Portland, OR @ Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall
26.01.24 - DE Stuttgart @ Pop Freaks at Merlin
01.02.24 - DE Berlin @ Urban Spree - Tickets
06.02.24 - DE Mainz @ Schon Schön (free entry)
07.02.24 - LU Luxembourg @ De Gudde Wellen - Tickets
08.02.24 - FR Paris @ L’International
10.02.24 - UK London @ Sebright Arms (free entry) - RSVP
13.02.24 - DE Hannover @ Cafe Glocksee (free entry)
21.02.24 - PL Warsaw @ Chmury
22.02.24 - PL Krakow @ Klub RE
24.02.24 - DE Erfurt @ Franz Mehlhose
25.04.24 - DE Cologne @ C/O Pop Festival

* /w Alt-J

World Brain

10.11.2023 Albania, Tirana @ Radio Bar
11.11.2023 Kosovo, Pristina @ Soma Book Station

Love you!