Recent Highlights: Q2 2024
It has been a busy few months across the Ochre platform. Here’s the usual rundown of some highlights in Q2, including some big names and interesting campaigns: Oasis, Aphex Twin, Beabadoobee, Fontaines DC , X-Men 2, Peggy Gou, Yannis & The Yaw, Overmono, Broadcast, Joe Goddard, Ben Bohmer, Thom Yorke and Hinds
Oasis
The 30th anniversary of “Definitely Maybe” was the perfect opportunity to rebuild the iconic bands D2C set up, making the most of some key anniversaries coming up for Oasis. We were very excited to work with the team launching a brand new artist store, timed alongside the reissue announcements.
Limited edition deluxe 2xCD and limited edition deluxe 4xLP formats of “Definitely Maybe” include the previously unreleased and discarded original recording session from Monnow Valley, along with outtakes from Sawmills Studios, plus a demo of "Sad Song" featuring Liam’s vocal - all recently mixed for this release by Noel Gallagher and Callum Marinho.
In addition to the deluxe CD and LP there is currently also a limited blue & white marble 2xLP and sky blue cassette, along with brand new merchandise and bundle options for fans.
This project is also taking advantage of Ochre’s new integration with fan engagement platform Openstage who the band are working with on some interesting fan focussed activity.
Aphex Twin
From one iconic 90’s release to another. An essential piece of electronic history is restored to its full glory for the 30th anniversary, with all 25 tracks of “Selected Ambient Works II” reunited in this expanded edition alongside two extras
On pre-order for a limited time only is an oak boxset that includes 4xLP vinyl, fold out poster, sticker sheet and booklet containing development sketches from the original artwork. All housed in a hinged oak case with a bespoke chemical etched and eroded copper plate and engraved logo with paint infill.
Other formats include Black 4xLP vinyl, 2xCD and 2xCassette.
The store also features two exclusive t-shirts to mark the anniversary.
Beabadoobee
Dirty Hit announced "This Is How Tomorrow Moves," the new album from Beabadoobee. The album was recorded at Shangri-La in Malibu, with renowned producer Rick Rubin and long term collaborator Jacob Bugden. Set to release on August 16, 2024, on her long-standing label.
Fans pre-ordering any format before 17th June gained first access to Beabadoobee's UK 2024 Tour presale and chose between an exclusive DH store sea glass coloured vinyl with alternative artwork, red apple vinyl, CD and two different coloured cassette tapes.
A DH store exclusive album t-shirt was also on sale, available on its own or with various bundles.
Fontaines DC
Fontaines D.C. announced details of their highly-anticipated fourth album, "ROMANCE". Released on 23rd August via XL Recordings, "ROMANCE" is the band’s first album with producer James Ford and is without doubt their most assured, inventive and sonically adventurous record yet.
This is the first album since the band signed to XL Recordings and to mark the occasion the label put on sale a strictly limited edition numbered to order, first pressing available for 24 hours only, as a 12” white label which went live before the full album announcement.
Standard formats, online exclusive deluxe 2xLP, limited clear vinyl and limited pink cassette then went on pre-order timed alongside the main announcement.
Bundle options also included a signed print, slipmat featuring the album artwork and Fontaines D.C bumper sticker.
X-Men 2
Mutant, in partnership with Hollywood Records and Marvel Studios proudly announced Newton Brothers' score to the hit animated series X-Men '97 and put live an exclusive pressing available for pre-order.
The record is pressed on 2x140 gram Mutant webstore exclusive Cornetto colour vinyl, featuring artwork by Phantom City Creative.
Peggy Gou
Artist, producer, DJ and cultural trailblazer Peggy Gou announced details of her long-awaited debut album - one of the most hotly-anticipated debut records in recent years.
As well as the usual label store activity, XL launched an artist store for this D2C campaign. Standard music formats were offered alongside an exclusive picture disc and white label formats which included a zoetrope slipmat and metallic sticker.
T-shirt, cap and umbrella merch items ensured there was album themed merchandise for all weather scenarios and of course created options for an extensive bundling strategy.
Yannis & The Yaw
In 2016, Foals frontman Yannis Philippakis was offered the opportunity of a lifetime: a two-day session working with the great drummer Tony Allen. The result is the five-track EP, "Lagos Paris London", under the Yannis & The Yaw umbrella - a project that he plans to return to in the future for further collaborations with inspiring musicians from across the globe.
The "Lagos Paris London" EP is available on limited signed fire red vinyl and limited signed black vinyl with exclusive "Lagos Paris London" postcard and limited edition embossed sleeve.
CD and HQ download options are available, and anyone pre-ordering the EP is in for a chance to win a bespoke signed lyric poster.
Overmono
Overmono first performed their version of The Streets’ seminal “Turn The Page” at the 2022 edition of Lost Village Festival to a rapturous response. Hailed by Rolling Stone UK as a "glitchy techno banger”, it has since grown into a word-of-mouth phenomenon and a pinnacle moment in the duo’s critically acclaimed live show.
The track continues to resonate across continents, solidifying its status as a timeless dancefloor anthem and Overmono responded to demand by making a 12” vinyl with laser etched lyrics on the b-side available from their store.
Broadcast
Warp Records presented two new Broadcast albums for 2024.
“Spell Blanket” comprises songs and sketches drawn from Trish's extensive archive of 4-track tapes and MiniDiscs. The recordings lay the groundwork for what would have been Broadcast’s fifth album, offering a window into Trish and James’ creative process during the post-Tender Buttons period from 2006-2009.
And “Distant Call”, In contrast to Spell Blanket, is a collection of early demos of songs that would subsequently appear as finished productions on the albums Haha Sound, Tender Buttons and The Future Crayon.
24bit HQ WAV files are auto-credited with all physical purchases. “Spell Blanket” is released on May 3rd and “Distant Call” on 28th September.
Joe Goddard
"Harmonics" is the brand-new album from Joe Goddard, where Goddard opens the floor for a number of collaborators including Barrie, Fiorious, Tom McFarland (Jungle), Alabaster DePlume, Ibibio Sound Machine, Hayden Thorpe, Findia, Oranj, Falle Nioke, Alexis Taylor & Al Doyle (Hot Chip/LCD Soundsystem).
Joe launched his store on the Ochre platform in time for the album announcement, which includes a D2C store exclusive pink vinyl with sticker set and CD format that comes with a signed polaroid. Alongside a hand spray painted limited edition double LP!
Ben Böhmer
A hand-stamped white label limited to 500 copies, a peach vinyl in a gatefold wallet, CD and digital formats were launched by Ninja Tune via Ben Böhmer’s store.
Fans pre-ordering any album format of “Bloom” by Ben Böhmer before 10th June received early access to pre-sale tickets for Ben Böhmer’s European tour dates in November 2024.
Thom Yorke
Thom Yorke’s “Confidenza” original soundtrack came out digitally in April and physical formats were made available to pre-order via the XL Recordings store.
Limited edition cream vinyl and the black vinyl come with an exclusive embossed 12x12" art print. The LP features a debossed front sleeve, embossed back sleeve and printed inners.
Hinds
Beloved Spanish indie rockers Hinds announced the release of their fourth album, “VIVA HINDS”, featuring the band’s first-ever Spanish language songs, as well as collaborations with Beck and Fontaines D.C.’s Grian Chatten.
The band's store featured limited edition magenta in transparent clear vinyl, including an interactive printed Insert and belly band as well as a signed postcard and bundles containing tea towels and album t-shirts.
