Lapith Girl – I Promise That I Won’t Die Before You Do AO№31
PLEASE NOTE: 1. This is a PRE-ORDER, the editions are currently in production in the UK. Right now it looks as if they should be ready to ship to you between December 13th and 16th. 2.) As an experiment (emerged from my uncomfortableness with the high pricing caused by the production costs per saleable copy) I offer you to pre-order the SILVER edition at the base price (only covering the production costs and the fees charged by the store and PayPal). You can add a tip, or just enjoy the full discount. Same for two other releases that you can find in the category «ZERO PROFIT AVAILABLE»
You can stream the complete 10-track album at Bandcamp where it is also offered for the as a name-your-price download for the next few days.
This album by Paw Grabowski’s (alias øjeRum) side project Lapith Girl debuted in 2020 on tape, released at that time by Italian label Subosc Records. The label was surprised by a rather high demand and would a second and third edition follow in quick succession, before the album completely sold out.
In early 2023 Paw would reach out to me, suggesting a CD release of his Lapith Girl debut on my label AOsmosis. To me – as a long-time fan of this album – his offer was a massive honour.
This edition comes with completely new artwork (4 collages by Paw) in two fairly luxurious editions – using metallic gold/silver on black cardboard gatefold packaging that reveals 2 colour prints when opened. Enclosed is a black wallet (printed with gold/silver ink on both sides) that encases an uv-printed disc (finished with a subtle handscript applied via transparent laquer).
The Pricing (Ugh)
Here’s the most detailed overview that I was able to assemble today, regarding both editions’ price tags – this weekend I may follow up with the same for Oberlin’s FALEN tape and sometime the Shalabi Quintet as well. I think it’s absolutely understandable to be struck by the pricing on this page. (Hey, and if you’re not I kinda envy you. Say, would you lend me some cash, perhaps?)
Admittedly I don’t look at the costs at all while designing a packaging – traditionally I postpone the price paralysis until shortly before the release date. And while Brexit has its fair share in these escalating prices, I have a hard time turning away from the manufacturer in the UK, because the experience I had and have with them is so much better than with all the others I learned to know over the years. Anyway, I’ll try a few things out in 2024 – let’s see what sticks.
Pressing Information
Both editions: Printed gatefold packaging with hand-numbered inner wallet (both from black cardboard) that holds a printed CD-R (colour-image finished with a spot gloss handscript).