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Not just news posts anymore


We see this space as an opportunity to give a platform for our roster—but moreso, the individual people that comprise our roster—to speak on anything that's important to them, or to simply share anecdotes about their music. Our hope is that this will expand into a curated, open-ended hub for not just news and updates, but also recommendations, behind-the-scenes, "premieres" & exclusives, random musings, calls to action, and as a means for us to riff on what we think is important. Our logo is a speech bubble, after all.

Every post we've ever made going back to 2006 has been meticulously tagged and archived here for you. Use the 'by artist' dropdown or the filters to show posts that're more specific to what you're looking for, or just scroll down to peruse things chronologically. Thanks for reading!
 
 
an illustration by Madeline Dowd, showing whimsical people enjoying music in various ways i illustration by Madeline Dowd of Crisman.

announcing our new UK shop

today we’re excited to announce our partnership with Devil Dog Distro in the UK. We’re running a huge sale to celebrate, with lots of buy-one-get one deals, mystery items, and discounts from 20-70% off. read more →

 

Boyscott // Spellbound

Boyscott

Boyscott's new album Spellbound is out everywhere today! The band's touring the US later this month and will have copies on CD, cassette, and LP. Tour dates and album info abound! read more →

 

Peel Dream Magazine announce new album Rose Main Reading Room with the lush and gorgeous "Lie In The Gutter"

Peel Dream Magazine

Please welcome Peel Dream Magazine to the Topshelf roster! Their new album, Rose Main Reading Room, is a lush, inviting headphones record; the kind of album made to accompany city bus rides and rainy-day solo trips to accidental destinations. read more →

 

Ekko Astral emerges from the D.C. punk scene with a new standalone single "baethoven"

Ekko Astral

We're very hype to have Ekko Astral on the roster with their new song "baethoven"! These DC punks bring crashing drums, fuzzed-out guitar riffs, and a bewitching + frantic voice to our roster. Listen and check out their upcoming tour dates with Ted Leo read more →

 

Thanya Iyer // West coast tour dates with Land of Talk

Thanya Iyer

Our resident north-of-the-border multi-instrumentalist Thanya Iyer is headed out to the west coast to play some shows with Land of Talk!! read more →

 

Weatherday // Merch Sale and North American Tour with Panchiko and They Are Gutting a Body of Water

Weatherday

Sputnik is bringing Weatherday's music back on the road this spring, with a full backing band. This time, they'll be supporting Panchiko and They Are Gutting a Body of Water, who we released a split with A Country Western for last year). Frankly, this bill is insane. read more →

 

Elephant Gym // New Music and World Tour

Elephant Gym

Elephant Gym are headed out on tour! Dates, info, and tickets are all available now. The band also has a new music video, a new single, and a new album for you read more →

 

2023 release guide + moving sale

We're having a moving sale to lighten the load for our move to our new Portland location! It's a celebration of not only the label's 2023 release output, but also of simply overcoming the challenges of the last year, once again regaining full control of our physical inventory. read more →

 

Gulfer // New pop-leaning single "Clean"

Gulfer

On new standalone single "Clean", Montreal four-piece Gulfer return with their signature style of glimmering, propulsive, and emotionally driven indie-rock. read more →

 

No Vacation // Spring 2024 North American Tour

No Vacation

​Everyone's wavy gravy dream poppers are headed out for a run of dates across North America this spring! Tickets go on sale November 17! read more →

 

Ratboys // UK / EU Tour

Ratboys

Just a week after completing their five-week US tour, Ratboys are embarking on a two-week UK and EU tour read more →

 

Bruiser and Bicycle // Northeast US Fall Tour Dates

Bruiser and Bicycle

ATTN: Northeast US citizenry, Bruiser and Bicycle are taking their "free-spirited chaos" on the road this fall and attendance is mandatory to complete your wizard training!! read more →

 

Weatherday // On tour with New Grounds Death Rugby

Weatherday

Sputnik is back in the US and Weatherday are playing shows all August with a full backing band read more →

 

Ratboys // announcing new album 'The Window' + fall tour!

Ratboys

Ratboys' new album The Window is coming out August 25. The first single "It's Alive!" is out now. read more →

 

Sweet Pill // "Dog Song" video

Sweet Pill

THE NEW ̶ ̶S̶W̶E̶E̶T̶ ̶P̶I̶L̶L̶ ̶ ̶SWEET PUPS MUSIC VIDEO FOR “DOG SONG” IS OUT NOW !! read more →

 

Bruiser and Bicycle // 'Holy Red Wagon'

Bruiser and Bicycle

'Holy Red Wagon' - the explosive and frenetic new album from Bruiser and Bicycle - is out now! read more →

 

TSR @ SXSW 2023

Bruiser and Bicycle

We’ll be at SXSW this year! Our 12th year, and our first time back since 2019! We and our artists have a lot going on all week. We’re throwing 2 showcases read more →

 

Call to action: visa fee increases for international artists

Bruiser and Bicycle

The US Department of Homeland Security has proposed rate increases that would make touring in the United States for international artists significantly more expensive. read more →

 

Introducing: Bruiser and Bicycle

Bruiser and Bicycle

Please welcome Bruiser and Bicycle to our roster! Their album Holy Red Wagon is out April 5. The first single "1000 Engines" is out now. read more →

 

Sweet Pill and Their / They're / There go on tour!

Sweet Pill

Sweet Pill and Their / They're / There are heading out on tour together! read more →

 

Parannoul // announcing: 'After the Magic'

Parannoul

We're so excited to finally share our partnership with Parannoul and announce the new record. 'After the Magic' will be released on 1/28 read more →

 

Knifeplay X TAGABOW // the TOUR

Knifeplay

That’s right, Knifeplay and They Are Gutting a Body of Water are heading out on tour together. Sickest bands, sickest tour, sickest shoe, sickest gaze. read more →

 

No Vacation // West Coast Tour

No Vacation are heading up the West Coast on tour this February! read more →

 

Knifeplay // Audiotree Live

Knifeplay

Knifeplay’s full Audiotree Live session is out now. 6 songs performed live. read more →

 

Sobs // the First US Tour

Sobs

Sobs are heading out across the US for their first ever shows in North America! read more →

 

Sweet Pill // Audiotree Live

Sweet Pill

Sweet Pill’s Audiotree session is out now! 8 songs off their debut record Where the Heart Is performed live, and they went hard as hell. read more →

 

rescue(d) sale

Sweet Pill

our whole store is back up!! it's time for a sale :-) read more →

 

we're unloaded in Portland! + Kickstarter backer rewards artwork // an update on our inventory

Sweet Pill

after driving 2200 miles in 36 hours (lololol) we are now unloaded and now officially 100% in Portland! read more →

 

hello from Texas!! // an update on our inventory

Sweet Pill

today was a big day. we have officially gotten our inventory back! five of us are down in Austin loading up a truck read more →