Rodriguez, oh Rodriguez. Perhaps you haven’t heard of internationally renowned, Detroit-native Sixto Rodriguez yet. Maybe you haven’t been given the opportunity to sample the fine, fine music that graces his amazing debut Cold Fact. You might not even know about how Large Professor and Nas sampled his classic hit “Sugarman” many years ago.
But you will. Light In The Attic is re-issuing his absolutely stellar 1970 debut Cold Fact (August 19th, save the date ’cause the lines going to be craaaaaaazy) and the world will soon know the magic that is Rodriguez. Drop down to the bottom of this post for a free download of “Sugarman”.
For now, be excited about this: for the first time ever, Rodriguez will play a live show in the United States of America. The man has been playing music for almost half a century, and now, for the first time ever, he’ll be playing, sunglasses and all, live in Montauk, New York (Long Island) this Saturday, the 26th of July.
That’s right, you East Coast folk are the luckiest people on Earth this weekend. Get your friends, scrounge up a little gas money, buy a six pack of road sodas and get to the Surf Lodge in Montauk, New York this Saturday for the first ever live appearance on American soil of RODRIGUEZ.
We’ve been excited about our soon-to-be-released brand spanking new reissue of Rodriguez’s Cold Fact for months now. Don’t you worry when this hot, hot piece of classic 60s psych-folk arrives on August 19th, you’ll be just as excited. Seriously, we’re three weeks out and two of the big mags, Mojo and Uncut are already showering this much deserved masterpiece with love.
We don’t want to gloat or anything, but, well, this is kind of a big deal …
I mean MOJO gave the album four stars, called it a “proto-rap classic” and placed the freely given away single “Sugarman” on their playlist for the week. Not bad right?
Well, Uncut (a brilliant little UK rag) also gave it four stars, referring to him as one of the “stars that fame forgot”. Both articles/reviews will be published in the forthcoming issues of MOJO and Uncut. Pick ‘em up at local convenience store along with three cans of malt liquor and pack of Newport Lights. Do it for Rodriguez.
Yeah, we know, you’re probably not from Britain, but, c’mon you’ve most likely heard of The Guardian, the British newspaper that is read by over 300,000 people in the UK alone and lord knows how many in this wide world of ours. If not, then it’s time to start caring, it’s time to start knowing what’s going on in this wide world of ours. Why?:
Because, Rodriguez, the man behind our absolutely amazing new reissue Cold Fact, has just received an feature in this famed newspaper.And you can read it right HERE.
It concisely, and quite eloquently, explores the fascinating rise, fall, and rebirth of the musical career of Rodriguez, interjecting amazing quotes from the man about his very own life.
Our favorite:
“I’m trying to stay in good shape here, because I’d like to get out and meet the people, and play them my songs. I’m not old – I’m ancient. But there’s only one age: either you’re alive or you’re not.”
Because, if so, we’ve got a bit of a break in plans for you. Our good man, and brand new, most-amazing of reissue artists, Sixto Rodriguez, will be hitting the blonde-headed soil of Sweden to play a show. And this, friends, isn’t just any show, it’s a show at Mosebacke Etablissement in Stockholm, Sweden, the oldest theater in all of Sweden. If the idea of Rodgriguez playing in a historical monument doesn’t shorten your pants a bit, then what about this: he’ll be backed by a full band, horns and strings, in an attempt to exactly replicate the sound of Cold Fact.
Rodriguez, playing the closest thing to a live version of one of the best reissues of the entire year, in a venue that’s hundreds and hundreds of years old. We’ve already booked our private jet for the weekend. You can come, but you can’t bring your friends.
Finally. The day has come when all of you, lucky lucky folk can be exposed to Rodriguez and his amazing reissued debut album Cold Fact. We’re not joking here, this is a classic, a hidden gem buried beneath the dust of time, and we’ve spent long hours unearthing it so the world can know of Rodriguez’s masterpiece. It’s part late-60s psych, part Dylan-folk, smattered with a touch of the Funk Brothers’ Motown horns. It features classics like the Nas-sampled “Sugar Man” and the brilliant folk piece “Crucify Your Mind”, and these are just the beginning. We are most certainly tooting our own horn because this is a reissue for the ages, a true timeless piece of music that is only now going to be able to be exposed to the legions of fan who deserve to be exposed to it.
Our good, good friends over at Aquarium Drunkard do a column called “Off the Record” every once in a while that combines there love of two things: travel and music. Each column features an artist discussing their, er, “places” in the world, the locales they call home and all the wonderful things that make these places special in the slightest. Well, Aquarium Drunkard asked us if we could do a column with Rodriguez where he reported on the various, sigh, “spots” in his hometown – the notorious Detroit, MI.
Here’s a sampling of what Rodriguez gave in response, and we promise you, the rest reads something similar:
“Stop in at 36th District Court. Be witness to the sociology there. The Courthouse sits next to Ford Field (NFL) and Comerica Park (MLB), reflected in the strobe lights of the Fox Theatre and Hockeytown Cafe (NHL). Once there, betwen Woodward and Griswold, pass by what is known as, Urine Street. The stench of it will almost knock a person down.”
Whoa.
As co-owner Matt Sullivan stated, “It’s like he wrote the lyrics to an entirely new album”.
Florida. A weird and mysterious state that you gotta be from to truly understand (yours truly, Patrick, hails from the Northern “Southern” reaches of the state). Smack dab in the middle is the sprawling magical metropolis of Orlando. Largely known for its amusement parks and mosquitos, Orlando’s also got a thriving underground music scene that is centered around Rich Evan’s record shop, Wiggly World, and his label, Floridas Dying. This week we sat down with Rich to talk popsicles, the Beatles, and the strangeness of the Sunshine State.
Shop has been here for just over two years now. It’s an area of town called the Milk District. There is only one Milk factory so I don’t think that technically qualifies as a district, but whatever it’s Florida. We make our own rules. I’m in a free standing building at the back of a parking lot. It’s great for doing in-stores. Jay Reatard played my parking lot for the one year anniversary. The store actually grew out of my house. I started an online distro about 6 years ago, and it started to take my life over and a friend used to rent the space I am now in. Her boutique was moving to a larger location up front, so the building was available and super cheap so I snagged it.
What kinds records/CDs/ etc do you carry? Used & new? That Cramps Memphis Poseurs record I got from you kills!
I carry mainly records but also some tapes and zines. I carry a lot of punk and psych reissues, and mostly smaller current garage/ indie labels.
Is there a record you play that someone will usually buy/inquire about every time?
When I had it the Better Beatles was almost always a definite sale. An insanely understated synth and drum back track with a girl singing a monotone non-version of a Beatles classic over it. Completely stupid and totally better than the Beatles.
What’s the coolest/most prized record that has come into your store that you never thought you’d ever see?
Well unfortunately I don’t sell used vinyl at this point so for me it has been the records that are slow to show and have somehow already become ebay fodder. I don’t do the ebay thing, but it insures that the copies I sell for a reasonable price to end up there. I’m just the middle man.
How about your awesome label Floridas Dying. How did that come about? Didn’t you just celebrate 6 years?
Yeah I celebrated 6 years in January. Floridas Dying stated because Florida really does not get any respect musically, especially 6 years ago. And while I agree that a lot of what goes on here musically should be kept a secret because its shameful there are some really good bands, and some really cool people down here. I was bored here so I figured I better do something to change that. I think its been a real good run so far. I’ve brought a lot of amazing bands down here that would not have come down otherwise, and kids down here have really gravitated towards it. I’ve also got to help some bands down here get some much wider attention nationally which is a great feeling. There are a lot of good bands going on right now, and Im excited to get to be a part of it.
Floridas Dying 6 year anniversary show flyer.
Are the label / shop associated?
Oh god are they associated. I spend pretty much my entire day from the time I wake up till the time I hit the bar to “unwind” working at the shop. I love what I’m doing and couln’t think of anything else I would rather be doing, but it’s a lot of work for one person, which thankfully is starting to pay off. I no longer live on a couch.
Floridas Dying has some great bands on it–Jacuzzi Boys (who just signed to Hardly Art, right?), Dead Ghosts, Shannon and the Clams, Cop City, etc the list goes on…
Yeah I put out mostly Florida bands. I’ve done two singles by the Jacuzzi Boys as well as the first LP. I also put out two Electric Bunnies singles and their full length. I’m currently working on the Cop City / Chill Pillars LP. They are a new band from Lake Worth who I’m really excited about. Also starting a reissue label called Floridas Dead. The first release will be a Roach Motel LP collection. They were an incredible hardcore band from Gainesville in the early 80′s. Floridas Dead is going to do all Florida reissues. Also just started a singles label called Total Punk! It’s gonna be a fun singles label. Real cheap hand stamped covers, two songs a record. All punk of course.
Jacuzzi Boys "No Seasons" LP
Are all of these bands local or do you have greasy A&R dudes out patrolling house party shows across the USA?
I’ve done mostly local bands, but have also done records for bands outside of Florida. Most of the bands I work with are people I know through traveling around, or have met through booking shows down here. I work pretty much exclusively with friends.
OK, what’s your favorite Light in the Attic release and why?
Rodriguez – Cold Fact without a doubt. I got that record when I was going through some real dark times and that for sure helped me through it.
Nice display...dig the Rodriguez in there!
What’s the funniest/weirdest/strangest encounter you’ve had with a customer in the store?
I’m in a bit of a weird area in town. I had a homeless guy that would give me $20 bills for a while. That was pretty cool. He’d tell me “You look like you need $20.” Then he would produce a bill. There was a guy at the milk factory for a while who was standing up on top of the silos during his breaks, and would shoot out windows with a high powered air gun. He was going up there on his break eating popsicles and shooting holes in windows. They never caught the guy, but the police found the spot he was shooting from. There were popsicle sticks and bb’s all over the ground. There is a techno record store in the next parking lot so sometimes they have barbqs where they blast techno music and people throw fire.
The store has a ton of in-stores, right? Have a favorite?
Yeah Thomas Function did an instore that was really great. The Jay Reatard one was the biggest. I’ve also had Pink Reason, Jacuzzi Boys, and the Electric Bunnies play my parking lot. This Friday Cop City is playing.
Lastly, tell us about the scene down in Orlando. Any more cool bands we should be on the lookout for?
Lots of great bands. I play drums in a few bands so everyone should check them out. Garbo’s Daughter is great. 60′s girl group stylings. Mandy Mullins, Garbo’s Daughter mastermind, has a beautiful voice. Slippery Slopes are the go to party band in town. Fun sloppy punk. Hungry Gayze, Vein Cranes, Sexcapades. Snakehole from Miami are great. Love Handles, James, Cop City, Electric Bunnies, Jacuzzi Boys, Ghost Hospital. There are a ton of great bands.
We were crying tears of joy last night when Rodriguez made his “Late Show with David Letterman” debut. Rodriguez performed “Crucify Your Mind” (from Cold Fact and featured on the Searching For Sugar Man Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) supported by the Late Show band and a stellar chamber orchestra. Buttressed by this ensemble and Rodriguez’s intense delivery, the song came to life in a way we haven’t heard in years. As they say, it’s been a long, strange trip, especially for Rodriguez. Check out the clip below (not sure if this is an “official” stream, but we’ll be sure to update it should this link be taken down).
