Pitchfork

They're rolling out the Christmas presents early in indie land-- long-running experimental outfit Nurse With Wound is throwing a bash this week for the simultaneous unveiling of three new releases. The trio of albums have all been (for confusion's sake) titled Angry Eelectric Finger, and offer the combined talents of fellow avant-weird artists Jim O'Rourke, irr.app.(ext.), and Cyclobe.

And while the title thing may seem a little odd to our more buttoned-down readers, a description on the Beta-lactam Ring Records (the band's label) website conveniently explains the projects...sort of. Those with an adverse reaction to "wacky" (read: stupid) indie label copy are advised to skip a paragraph.

"The recipe began with our fearless leader, Steve Stapleton, cooking up some recordings & mixing in a few tablespoons of Xhol Caravan. He then sent this delicious sound casserole, one each, to Jim O'Rourke, Cyclobe & Irr.App.(Ext.) & asked that they bake said casseroles in their own sonic ovens. The 3 separate sound casseroles were then returned to the NWW kitchen where Chef Steve added just a dash of this & a pinch of that. Beta-lactam Ring now serves up these 3 piping hot dishes to you, the hungriest of hungry, hungry hippos."

And as for the release party, you hungry hipposÉColin Potter, Matt Waldron of irr.app.(ext.), and NWW founder Steven Stapleton have been confirmed attendees at the event, which will take place at the Doug Fir Lounge in Portland, Ore., on Saturday, December 11. The gathering also promises live performances by Colin Potter, irr.app.(ext.), and a DJ set by Stapleton himself. But the fun doesn't end there, as the following evening, Sunday, December 12, will feature an art exhibition of Stapleton's handpainted album covers. Tickets are available at www.ticketswest.com < http://www.ticketswest.com > or www.jackpotrecords.com.

Finally, for those unable to attend, the label started shipping Angry Eelectric Finger this week, with CD copies available through their website. A limited run of 550 vinyl copies for each of the three discs are already sold out, the first 25 of which offered a numbered and signed handpainted sleeve by Stapleton, as well as a photo insert. Thankfully Santa does Ebay.

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