Name: Ripe
Brand: Slug

Bonus disc

Bonus disc: No

Catalogue number

mi0340cd

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Colour

Colour details

Discogs ID

Format multiplier

Download code

Download code: No

Rough Trade Exclusive

Rough Trade Exclusive: No

Extended format

Extended format: No

Format detail

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Format Music US

Limited edition

Release date

2015-06-05

Signed copies

Signed copies: No

Supplier US

RTUK

Tax rate US

Sales:8.875

UPC / Barcode

5060146095266

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Total Cap

1 / CD / Extended format: No / Rough Trade Exclusive: No / Signed copies: No

Artist

Slug

Genre US

Rock-Pop

Label US

Memphis Industries

At the tail end of the 90’s, against all the advice of older, wiser heads, brothers Ollie and Matt Jacob started the label Memphis Industries. As is often the case, the label was initially intended as a vehicle to release some pals EPs, with no further plans beyond that. Their first signing Blue States delivered the album <i>Nothing Changes Under the Sun</i>, a surprise success for the label, they then rode the original chill wave, before finding that those older wiser heads were pretty spot on about starting a label, and washed up with <a href="https://roughtrade.com/us/artist/the-go-team-23286fc4-a92f-4609-a8e7-8a5b8bc7d563">The Go! Team</a> as “definitely their last ever signing before they got proper jobs”. A Mercury Prize nomination, a bucket load of sales and international acclaim later, Memphis went from strength to strength. 2018 sees the label as the home of North-East legends <a href="https://roughtrade.com/us/artist/field-music">Field Music</a>, Minneapolis’ future R&amp;B superstars <a href="https://roughtrade.com/us/artist/polica">POLICA</a>, the wonderful Wonk-Pop of Dutch Uncles and many more.

Rough Trade's Emily Waller sat down with Ollie to talk about the history of the label, avoiding a “proper job” and his favourite projects so far:

To celebrate Memphis Industries being our Label Focus, we have the following special editions available now at Rough Trade, all purchases also come with a free CD sampler:

<a href="https://roughtrade.com/us/music/semicircle">Rough Trade Exclusive - 500 Copies on 180-gram Green Vinyl with Download.</a>

<a href="https://roughtrade.com/us/music/open-here">Rough Trade Exclusive - 500 Copies on Limited Edition 180-gram Blue Vinyl housed in Die Cut Sleeve with Download.</a>

Label Focus - Memphis Industries

<p>Minneapolis, USA based underground hip-hop MC. *Slug* makes up half of the group Atmosphere as well as an extensive number of solo projects and other collaborations. He also manages and operates the influential underground label Rhymesayers Entertainment.</p>
<p>With his raw and introspective lyrics, *Slug* has gained a loyal following in the underground hip-hop scene. His unique storytelling ability combined with his emotive delivery sets him apart from other artists in the genre.</p>
<p>*Slug*'s music is often characterized by its honest and relatable themes, touching on topics such as love, loss, addiction, and personal growth. His thought-provoking lyrics resonate with listeners who appreciate authenticity and vulnerability in their music.</p>

Slug is the brand new musical venture from the mind of Ian Black, a merrily disruptive influence on the North East music for more than a decade. His debut album 'Ripe' is released on Memphis Industries. With Slug, Black wanted to get away from the tinnitus inducing noise rock of his formative bands, letting the idea dictate the song's form and sonic palette. Black says of the album "'what ifs' play a massive part in ripe. what if we use a stoner metal riff and use it like a dub bass part or what if we combined the drumming style of John Bonham with James Brown beat and the squelch bass of Claudio Simonetti and Fabio Pignatelli". Taking inspiration from film soundtracks (Enter the Dragon, Suspiria), 20th century abstract and minimalist music but also the rock and funk chops of Led Zeppelin, Prince and Funkadelic, the resulting album is concise, unselfconscious, idiosyncratic and exquisitely executed. Animators brothers quay, Phil Mulloy and Jan Svankmajer oblique approaches to subject matter also rubbed off on black and lend the slug album an air of the hypnagogic. 'Ripe' opener grimacing mask tackles how to break the cycle of personal and work related problems. Cockeyed rabbit wrapped in plastic focuses on the rocky foundations of apparently immutable institutions of power. 'Greasy Mind' is the most pop moment on the album that sees Zeppelin matched with 80's Madonna and screaming guitar solos. Running to get past your heart rides a wave of simplicity with a three note distorted bass riff, a one line chorus purely based on the phonetics, bongos and drums recorded with two vocal mics. 'Kill Your Darlings' is a straight to video horror film soundtrack dealing with how, as an artist, you have to avoid treating each creation like one of your kids. The album was recorded at Field Music's Roker studio with Peter and David Brewis on production duties. The Field Music brothers also return the favour for Black who toured extensively with their band as bassist. They play on the album and in the surreally fun yet precision engineered live band where they're joined by Andrew Lowther on bass and Rhys Patterson. It was playing with Field Music that gave Ian the impetus to start Slug "you cannot be on the road for a year with the guys and not feel inspired. sometimes that helps create a sense of self belief that you can create your own thing.....however delusional that maybe." Slug have made one of the year's most inventive and rewarding debut long players. 2015 is 'Ripe' for their picking. LP - White Vinyl with Download.