Above: the new IROIRO single "Once" will appear on their debut 45rpm 7" phonograph record.
"So many friends helped us manifest our music into this physical form. This 7" is a co-release by Grand Ultra and K. We are so grateful for their collective resources and knowledge to get this vinyl created. Grand Ultra is a brand new creative co-op that curates creative tools and products out of their storefront in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. It was started by our dear friend Maceo, who wanted to help us put some music out into the world. Since none of us knew anything about vinyl production or running a music label, we asked Calvin from K (who helped Kento and me release recordings as IQU) if he could/would want to help. He said, "Yeah!" So here we are, with our first vinyl release under the Grand Ultra + K partnership.
"Calvin had extra 7" jackets that we could print on and suggested that we silk screen the covers. It turns out that our old friend Chris, who operates Neu Haus Press in Portland, prints record jackets on his vintage letterpress and has simpatico design sensibilities. Kento and I met Chris while touring with the Flaming Lips on the Music Against Brain Degeneration tour in 1999. He was the sound person/driver/roadie who had to load gear, drive the U-Haul, and do sound for 5 bands every single night of the tour. In fact, Chris is an amazing artist, and his hand-printed jackets are individual works of art. At the end of August, we will have an EP release show at Hometeam Gallery where we will play music alongside Chris's artwork. More info about this to come soon.
"The A-side single, "Once," was recorded and mixed by Stuart Hallerman at Avast in Greenwood. IQU had plans to record with Stuart in the early 2000s, which never materialized. Twenty five years later, we asked if he still wanted to record something, and he graciously came out of semi-retirement and we were able to record and mix a full album with him. Recording with Stuart at Avast was such an amazing experience, and I am so happy I got to experience that. The rest of the recordings will be out in October.
"The B-side single, "Formosa," was recorded and mixed by our old friend David Farrell at Arrival Seattle. David was an electro musician who had an impeccably curated and microscopic record store on Olive Way called Tone. He had moved back from NYC during the pandemic, and I ran into him at the Stereolab show. I invited him to come see us at the Clock-out last fall. After the show, he asked if we wanted to come in to his workplace during the Christmas break and hang out and record a couple of songs. Formosa is one of those songs.
"The vinyl was mastered and the lacquer was cut by Adam Gonsalves at Telegraph Mastering in Portland Oregon. It sounds sweet!
"We are personally gluing every jacket, so every copy of the 7" has passed through our hands."
Above: IROIRO do the Elevator Interview!
Earlier this month IROIRO appeared on the debut episode of The Stranger's new in-office concert series Noise Complaint, which can be seen HERE.
Above: IROIRO do the Elevator Interview!
IROIRO were also the subject of the first "Elevator Interview," wherein an artist must answer four questions as the elevator travels from the third floor to the first floor - - - short and sweet, only 1 minute long! All is revealed HERE.