Comp City
Compilations can certainly go horribly awry, like the frightful new
Killer Queen tribute with
Jason Mraz,
Gavin DeGraw,
Joss Stone, and
Sum-41 (plus the
Flaming Lips,
Josh Homme, and
Los Lobos), but they have a much better track record locally. New labels can provide a CV, bands keep their name in the mix between albums, alliances eventually (or suddenly) get formed, and fans get an inexpensive sampler of a good-sized slice of the scene. Also, the release shows are usually great. At least that's how it's supposed to work, and it does on
I Eat Records'
Appetizers & Leftovers and
Almost There's
Turn 1, its first volume of a planned yearly series. I Eat was formed this year by
Lynn Boland of the
Casting Couch and
Okkervil River associate
Jason Callahan, and, following Casting Couch's EP this spring, already has a hefty slate of fall full-lengths: the
Glass Family,
Handsome Charlies,
Ethan Azarian, and a compilation by Azarian's
Orange Mothers. Fifteen artists on the 21-track
Appetizers, which combines off-kilter alt.country from Athens, Ga., and Austin, have never before released anything commercially; this, notes Callahan, "is the first time their music has ever been heard outside their living room." Almost There's
Ty Chandler, who actually got a tribute album right with last year's
Who's Who, sees his forthcoming
Turn 1 as a way for established bands like
Grand Champeen,
Moonlight Towers,
Li'l Cap'n Travis, and
Those Peabodys to offer newer ones (
Fall Collection,
King Tears,
Hackberries) the same example they, including Chandler himself in
Saratone and the
Trustees, once got from
Electric Lounge all-stars
Prescott Curlywolf and
Silver Scooter. The release show Aug. 27 at Stubb's alone, with no less than 12 bands (all those mentioned and more), promises Prescott-worthy moments aplenty.
