Hey everyone,
If you’ve been paying attention to me at all the last few weeks/months/years, you might have noticed I’ve been promoting a new album. This is my 6th solo album and , for the first time ever, I’m putting it out myself. Yes, I’m no longer on Ninja Tune. But thank to them for years and years of a great service.
Anyway, because I’m doing this myself, things are a little different this time. For one, it’s a digital release only at the moment. So, if you want to own it, the only way is to download it. For you enthusiasts of non-digital music, hold your heads. While I’m not planning on making cd’s (it’s still possible but , honestly, I’m doing this all myself and no one buys Cd’s anymore) I AM getting vinyl done. I’m starting with 1000 copies. If that goes well, I will do represses. If you’re wondering “So, how can I get this vinyl?!?!” wellllll…I can’t say yet. It will be done and ready around early 2015. I’m still working out how to distribute it. When I do, I’ll let everyone know. Just know that I want to sell it as much as you want to buy it so I’m gonna figure something out. But, sadly, I’m not taking pre-orders on it right now.
The good news is, if you’re an internet/music downloader kinda person, this new album is available in many forms.
I-Tunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/bells-and-whistles/id938842632
Bandcamp:https://blockheadnyc.bandcamp.com/album/bells-and-whistles
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Bells-Whistles-Blockhead/dp/B00R6PRWKS/ref=sr_1_1?s=dmusic&ie=UTF8&qid=1419098989&sr=1-1&keywords=blockhead+bells+and+whistles
spotify: https://play.spotify.com/album/4FNHMOVkgTBRiPj1lHksLY (feel free to do that thing where you leave it on repeat for the whole day…that’s like 15 cents a day for me!)
Emusic: http://www.emusic.com/album/blockhead/bells-and-whistles/15434134/
Rhapsody: http://www.rhapsody.com/artist/blockhead/album/bells-and-whistles
And a bunch of other places you can get digital/streaming music. I used tunecore so that covers most of the places you can think of. There’s a chance it might not be ready on some of those sites right away but, rest assured, it will be there.
Here’s a stream of the album, for those people who don’t just blindly make purchases:
In closing, I’d just like to say thanks to all the fans who have supported me over the years. I’ve met a bunch of you on the road and spoken to many of you online in some form. You are a small but loyal group. Without you, I wouldn’t be doing this. Also, know that , with this album being self released,I’m doing something I’ve never done. I’m old and this is new territory for me. I’m learning as I go. It’s kinda like teaching your mom how to text. so have a little patience. If you have questions (that are not answered in this post) feel free to ask.
An extra shout out to the people who pre-ordered on bandcamp and paid more than the asking price. I don’t know why you did it…maybe you were drunk and feeling philanthropic but that was above and beyond. Seriously…in a world where people have pretty much taken the value away from as much art as possible, that kind of thing really speaks volumes about your character. I sure as hell wouldn’t do it…you’re better people than me! So, seriously, thanks.
I didn’t do any real liner notes so…Shout out to all the people who helped me with this album: Gabe Hilfer, Owen Brozman, Damien Paris, Brian Koerber, Aaron Meola. And to all the people looking out for me on blogs and websites and magazines…it’s appreciated. This is some grassroots shit right here so all the little things count extra.
Okay. So, I hope you guys enjoy the album. As always, thanks for the support!
Great record T. Can’t wait to get my hands on the vinyl when it comes out.
Really impressed by how you’ve taken such changes in stride. Aside from the awesome music, you’re definitely an artist who I believe merits support. Break a leg dude!
i listened 5 times on Spotify already. mad guap right there.
Predicament though… i’ve got ALL your CD’s. even that Peanuts one. so i will send you $15 if you burn it to a CD-R and draw some shit w/ a sharpie on it. seriously
Hahaha…That’s a long shot
Was about to go to bed, saw your post and stayed up to listen to the album: full attention, headphones on. The sun’s about to do a knee-jerk but am incredibly happy right now. Can’t wait to buy & play it all again tomorrow… ehhr, later today. Thanks Blockhead!
Just copped. great album
My money is now yours. Make good use of it.
Just a quick question…I wonder if this is the closest you’ve ever felt to having “a real job” with all the logistical work you’ve had to do with this?
Not really.I’ve never had office jobs but I’ve had real jobs with annoying responsibilities and all that.
Dopeness. Been bumping kaput since you leaked it, glad I can jam to this at work tomorrow.
Speaking of when you leaked kaput, didn’t you say something back then about selling vinyls at shows? I’m in NYC and missed your show last week, but I’d be interested if you aren’t fresh out.
Vinyl’s in early 2015.
the everything song is my favorite . You my friend are amazing can’t wait to see you live again and dance my little heart out.
You’re lucky it all sound great, because that cover is terrible.
If you think it’s terrible, you’re missing the entire point of what “bells and whistles” means. Think about it. Get back to me.
He probably made it himself ya jerk!
Yet another great album. Would tell you my favorite track but there are about 5 or 6.
Really random question for you, but what is the sample at the beginning of “On The Back of a Golden Dolphin”? Brother Ali also used it at the beginning of “So Dearly” and I can’t get it out of my head, not to mention I annoyed all of my coworkers by whistling it all day.
No clue. I don’t really pay close attention to sample sources until I have to.
I searched this site out just to say THANKS!!! This is one of the top 3 albums of this year. I mean Damn Mang. So impressed. I can listen start to finish. Each song is a journey. This is by far your best work. Thanks again big big uPS!!
Damn. Not on cd, not on amazon for digital DL either. 😦
It’ll be on amazon. Not sure what the hold up is though.
FYI, there are plenty of perfectly fine places to buy it from other than Amazon though. It’s not just I-tunes and bandcamp.
Truly awesome album as ever, can’t stop listening to it. Please release it on CD some day, people DO still buy CDs.
Blockhead is master…….nobody compares. ……
why no ninja tune?
All the answers are in here:
https://phatfriend.com/2014/08/14/hey-check-this-new-song-off-my-new-album-and-lets-talk-about-all-that/
You said this is your sixth solo album. I have Downtown Science (CD), Music by Cavelight (vinyl), Interludes After Midnight (vinyl), The Music Scene (vinyl), and Bells and Whistles (hopefully vinyl!) will be fifth.
Is there some way I can get my hands on Uncle Tony’s Coloring Book? Obviously I’d love vinyl, but I know it’s old and rare (according to your Wikipedia page), so a digital copy would do. I’d love to just buy it straight from you, or Bandcamp. I like to have things in lossless format (i.e. FLAC), and I hate iTunes regardless. All I can find is a YouTube stream of it, and I’d rather not walk around listening to a crummy YouTube rip. Help me out? (As in an opportunity to buy, not asking for anything free). Thanks, you’re one of my favorite artists period!
I’m afraid it’s out of print and it was never on vinyl. So, the only place you can get it is directly from me at shows. I sell the cd’s. Otherwise, maybe E-bay or amazon.com has them used.
This project is amazing. 5 stars. I can’t wait to see what you put out next.
Top 5 for 2014 for sure.
Hey Blockhead,
Once upon a time, your music inspired a shy kid to start writing rhymes.
4 years, 2 albums and over 100 shows later, I just wanted to say thank you.
Thank you.
Been listening to you for 10 years â?¤ time flies when you're listening to good music . Can't wait to see you back in Detroit again!
Hey Blockhead! Huge fan of your work! Any word on when this album will be getting pressed? Thanks!
It is pressed. You can find it at selected outlets for sale. I don’t have a definitive list but fat beats is distributing it so maybe go to their site and look into it. I also will have it for sale at any shows I play coming up.
Just picked up a copy on fat beats since it doesn’t look like you’re touring anywhere near me. Thanks man!