The Big Stir Singles Series returns afresh for 2020 with a new release from BSR founders THE ARMOIRES, out Friday January 17 and available for preorder at www.bigstirrecords.com/big-stir-digital-singles now. “Pushing Forty”, the new single from the band's ZIBALDONE album, is accompanied by a new video (the first to feature the groups's new lineup with drummer JOHN BORACK) and is backed by a brand new exclusive B-side, “Shame And Bourbon”, and sports cover art by painter EDWARD HUERTA (who's also the band ROCKFORD's drummer).

THE ARMOIRES' 2019 album Zibaldone and its songs landed a clutch of Best of 2019 honors including Top 10 Album nods from the UK's I Don't Hear a Single, All Around Records, and Ian Canty of Louder Than War Magazine. “Pushing Forty” has been an airplay and live performance favorite, noted for its Who-referencing lyrics, the viola-and-12-string interplay between LARYSA BULBENKO and REX BROOME, and the characteristic harmonies of Broome and CHRISTINA BULBENKO – it's a rocking summation of the band's unique sound. The brand new video, out day-and-date with the single on the Big Stir Media YouTube Channel, finds the band dressed to the nines with new drummer Borack, bassist CLIFFORD ULRICH and the rest decked out in gold lamé variants of their habitual paisley stage attire. Guest star KAREN BASSET (of THE PANDORAS, THE KARIANNES and THE TEST PRESSINGS) appears as the “Mystery Woman” taking in the performance.

“Shame And Bourbon” is a brand new recording, perhaps harkening back to Broome's West Virginia roots and showcasing Larysa, who also performs in old-time music ensemble THE OLD CORN LICKERS, on a raucous fiddle solo. An uncharacteristic and dark slice of what's now known as Americana, the framework of the song arrived to Broome in a dream. “A bizarre and holy fire is burning through the town tonight”, it began, a turn of phrase Christina immediately equated with the traditions of Resurrection Day in Jerusalem. “A collision of deeply religious imagery and lonely alcoholic decline”, says Rex, “If that ain't country...”

Tracked by the two Bulbenkos and Broome at Big Stir Headquarters in Burbank, “Shame And Bourbon” was mixed by Zibaldone producer STEVEN WILSON (of PLASTICSOUL) and appears here for the first time ever. THE ARMOIRES continue to perform live and tour with their new lineup in support of Zibaldone, and can be expected to offer up a few new recordings throughout 2020 as work up tracks for their third full album with sessions expected to commence later in the year.

For our last Big Stir Digital Single of 2019, we're taking the unusual step of issuing “the one that got away”... “Nostradamus” from THE MORNING LINE, b/w a terrific synth-based remix, is out Friday, December 27, at www.bigstirrecords.con/big-stir-digital-singles and available for preorder now, with the band's permission and courtesy of Kool Kat Musik.

We've cut this deal because the song, which appears on the San Francisco-area band's 2019 album NORTH and was already issued as a single, is very simply one of the best slabs of rock and roll we heard all year and we honestly don't feel like our Singles Series can live up to its brief of presenting the very best from the global pop-rock scene without it. Imagine two bracing minutes of IRS-era R.E.M. at their most revved up with Gene Clark on vocals and one of the cleverest lyrical hooks of the year and you're getting close to the mark, although TML have a sound all their own (and the remix deftly demonstrates the band's versatility).

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The Morning Line has been around, in various configurations, for over 10 years. The Morning Line band members have been playing for much longer. Singer-songwriter Stephen Smith released records on labels like Homestead, Rough Trade, and Sub Pop. He was briefly signed to (but not released by) Arista Records. Guitarist Brian Mello has played with just about everyone in San FranciscoF, most notably in his band The Bellyachers. He has also helped out John Doe, Mark Eitzel, and Ian Moore. Drummer Peter Craft and bassist David Knupp have similarly been found in many bands playing every venue in the SF.

Here are just a few lines from many reviews about collection of songs from The Morning Lines’ 2017 album entitled “Smoke”: “Smoke is an enjoyable ride – hit play and hit the highway” – Poprock Record “Classic power pop, chock full of jangle and hooks” – Power Pop News “Emotionally charged tales set to exquisite melodies” – Broken Hearted Toy “Bright hooks, sweet harmonies” – The Daily Country “Anybody Else” and “All Mine” are “very catchy jangle-pop gems” – Powerpopaholic “All Mine” is a "stately, plaintive pop tune" – Goldmine Magazine “All Mine” is a "tremenda canción" – Magic Pop Blog Reviews of other material: "The Morning Line pour forth gauzy, disillusioned guitar pop on their stellar CD debut . . . glorious guitars through uniformly thoughtful catchy songs, sturdy melodies taking flight . . . the chiming brilliance of 'New Jacket' . . . the lushly meandering grasp of 'Spellbound,' whose cracked majesty sounds like a long-forgotten Big Star 3rd composition” – Pop Culture Press The Morning Line “pops and shines like a mournful, West Coast Luna, fronted by a ragged, smoky Elvis Costello type.” – East Bay Express "[S]pacious and melodic alt-country moodiness. The vocals sometimes traffic in a Dharma Bums’ smoothness, and some songs hold up a soft sad hand towards early American Music Club. But these boys rock a little harder, with great guitar work and steady drums that catch on a few nice stop start rhythms. I want to hear more." – Big Takeover (ep review) “[T]hey remind of chunkier ‘80s bands like Smith's old Homestead labelmates Big Dipper and Windbreakers, Crippled Pilgrims, or Velvet Crush, whose Paul Chastain has a very similar voice to Smith. ‘The Ugly Truth’ is even like Neil Young with R.E.M. on backing vocals. And with such experience, they play with extra power pop/indie guitar/bass/drums oomph from guys who lived the life when ‘my space’ meant a dingy rehearsal room. Really strong record.” – Big Takeover (album review)

Available for pre-order now: Big Stir’s last single of 2019. “Nostradamus”, by The Morning Line

The 57th BIG STIR DIGITAL SINGLE is as fresh as they come. IT'S KARMA IT'S COOL (Lincoln, England) have just released their debut EP “Hipsters And Aeroplanes” with our friends at KOOL KAT MUSIK, and they're already back with the gift of two new and exclusive tracks for BSR! “Wooden Buddha” b/w “Ghosts of Rome” are out Friday December 20 and available for preorder at www.bigstirrecords.com/digital-singles now!

Original alternative jangle from Lincoln, UK!

James Styring - Vocals (formally of UK power poppers, The Popdogs, and pop punksters, B-Leaguers) Mikey Barraclough - Guitars, Bass Guitar (formally of B-Leaguers) Martyn Bewick - Guitars, Additional Instrumentation Danny Krash - Drums, Percussion, Additional Instrumentation

All songs written by Barraclough and Styring. All lyrics by Styring

It came as a surprise when James Styring's previous bands The Popdogs and the THE B-Leaguers, called it a day. Styring and co B-Leaguer Mikey Barraclough have shared many a UK stage with Big Stir Records’ mainstays such as Spygenius, Plasticsoul and The Armoires. Along the way both The Popdogs and the B-Leaguers had been gaining great press and positive reviews, especially for the B-Leaguers debut album, “Death of a Western Heart.” “Several songs are just classic" - Aaron Kupferberg, Power Popaholic "A masterclass in Power Pop" - Steve Worrall, Retro Man Blog

IT'S KARMA IT'S COOL are now set to pick-up where The Popdogs left off - albeit with melodic guitars turned up to eleven and an extra dose of jangle for luck!

Styring on the songs: “Both tracks written by Barraclough /Styring. I write all the lyrics. Both recorded, mixed and mastered by Martyn Bewick, at Playing Aloud Studios, Lincoln. “Wooden Buddha” is about living in the moment - Eeverything is there for the taking, go out and grab it, tomorrow may be too late! “Ghosts of Rome” is about the original Woodstock festival, 50 years ago. I'd been watching a documentary on the BBC and that inspired the song.”

With the release of their debut mini-album, 'Hipsters and Aeroplanes', on the prestigious American Power Pop label, Kool Kat Musik, IT'S KARMA IT'S COOL, bring you six killer tracks that capture their pop sensibilities, massive melodies and HUGE choruses. With influences from The Beatles to Big Star, REM to Material Issue, these songs are instant friends that stick around long after the CD has finished playing. Every track is a favourite. Now with these two new exclusive tracks for the Big Stir Singe, IKIC looks to be a force with which to be reckoned in the roaring '20s!

Just in time for your winter holidays, Big Stir Records presents “Wooden Buddha” and “Ghosts of Rome” by IT’S KARMA IT’S COOL!