Directed by AG Rojas, the video for Jack White's “Sixteen Saltines” has premiered on VEVO and is a 180 degree turn from the previous “Love Interruption” video, eschewing that clip’s seductive palette for a magnification of the last frontier of urban wasteland and its dispossessed youth left to indulge any impulse. “Sixteen Saltines” seems to take place in a waking nightmare world outside of time or any kind of rule, a place you’d never want to live–but one you can’t stop visiting. In case you missed it, check it out...
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04/09/2012
Sixteen Saltines Video
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04/01/2012
Jack White Flexi Discs Distributed Via Balloon Launch
Three weeks prior to the April 24 release of his debut album Blunderbuss (Third Man Records/Columbia), Third Man Records has premiered the as yet unreleased Jack White album track "Freedom at 21" exclusively via 1000 flexi-disc records attached to helium balloons launched from the label headquarters in Nashville on April 1st, 2012.
Envisioned as an experiment exploring non-traditional forms of record distribution and a way to get records in the hands of people who don't visit record shops, the label was sure to use biodegradable latex balloons and all-natural twine in the process.
Accompanying the balloons were custom postcards with instructions for the finders to submit photos, discovery location and the date on which the record was found, all of which will be incorporated into a website where fans can access the information at www.thirdmanrecords.com/balloon
Statistics for similar balloon launches show a recovery rate of approximately 10% so it's quite possible that less than 100 of the 1000 records launched will ever be discovered. Whatever the numbers, the "Freedom at 21" flexi-disc will surely be a highly sought-after collectible for years to come
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03/30/2012
Record Store Day 2012
At Third Man we are constantly working on new ways of looking at the art and production of vinyl. It’s always important to us to show that records and vinyl do not have to be strictly the domain of the retro or vintage enthusiast, but that it is very much a modern and viable and important physical product. We strive to make our vinyl products the highest standard of packaging and presentation. A great way to spread the word of vinyl is by showing people that there are always new ways to present and innovate LPs and 45s. Furthermore, Record Store Day is a fantastic way to help get these ideas out there to the public. For one day a year, all eyes are on the independent record industry; the labels, bands and record stores all get a moment to shine. This event gets bigger and word spreads further every year as bands and labels put together great limited edition recordings and packaging that will be available for one day only. It’s almost like an international trade show for records where you can actually buy the innovations you’re seeing demonstrated before you... We love it.
This year we have some things for record store day that we are REALLY excited about... Without further ado... We give you this years innovations:
JACK WHITE “SIXTEEN SALTINES”
The 12-inch single of Jack White’s “Sixteen Saltines” comes complete with a playable etching on the b-side (designed by George Ingram), a cover of U2’s “Love is Blindness.” Truly a sight to behold, the etching depicts Third Man’s iconic logo and the grooves of the record play through the image, presenting consumers with the world’s first-ever playable etched record ®.This is an entirely different process (and look) from your Styx and Split Enz records from the 80’s. No lasers, holograms, or rainbows are involved in this playable etching.
As if that weren’t enough, Third Man took the playable etching one step further and used the same parts to make a limited-edition version of the “Saltines” 12-inch single. Not only is the etching playable, but the record itself is pressed on clear vinyl and filled with psychedelic blue liquid. While the soundtrack for the 1978 film The Black Hole was initially prototyped as a liquid-filled disc, problems with leakage prevented it from ever being released. The liquid-filled “Saltines” is the first-ever disc of its kind to be made available to the public.
KAREN ELSON “MILK AND HONEY”
In addition to these two releases, Third Man is also releasing the new single from Karen Elson. The cover of Jackson C. Frank’s “Milk and Honey” is pressed on milk and honey split-colored vinyl coupled with a laser-cut lace sleeve. The visual these two elements make when combined together is, as you can see, stunning.
The WHITE STRIPES “HAND SPRINGS” B/W “RED DEATH AT 6:14”
In addition to that, Third Man is releasing a milk and honey swirled colored vinyl of Elson’s single as well as a red vinyl with black whisps edition of the White Stripes “Hand Springs” and “Red Death at 6:14”, two songs that have been out of print on vinyl for over ten years. These two releases, along with the CD/LP release of Jerry Lee Lewis’ live recording at Third Man (that took place on Record Store Day 2011) will be available at ANY record store wise enough to have ordered copies for Record Store Day.
The liquid-filled record ® and laser-cut lace split-color will ONLY be available from Third Man Records physical location in Nashville (623 7th Ave S) on Record Store Day, April 21st, 2012. The playable etching will also be available from Third Man and a select number of record stores.
Start lining up now.
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03/29/2012
Strange Boys Black and Blues
Today we regretfully inform our customers that through no fault of our own, the Strange Boys have decided to not release their live recordings from July 2011. The Strange Boys and Third Man apologize for the disappointment and delay of this announcement.
We will do refunds via paypal for both customers who asked their Black and Blue to be shipped to them and to customers who purchased in the storefront. Please bring a copy of your receipt to Third Man in order to receive your refund.
Please email: sales@thirdmanrecords.com
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03/28/2012
Blunderbuss 5 Star Mojo Review
The first review of Blunderbuss is in and MOJO has given it. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★. Click on the spread below to read the review. Recorded in Memphis? Sure.
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03/27/2012
Third Man Records Three Year Anniversary Party
A couple of weeks ago we celebrated our 3rd Year Anniversary as a walking talking real life record label right here at our headquarters in Nashville TN (view pics from the evening here). Joining us were friends, family, supporters old and new and some very lucky Vault members who won a contest to attend. As you've seen previously Jack White played a surprise live set, the one and only Hell Beach opened, legend of Rock n' Roll Greg Cartwright was on the wheels of steel, cake sweets drinks and good times and warm feelings were had by all. Oh, and EVERYONE left with a 3 RPM LP containing EVERY Blue Series single we've ever released.
What's that you say Sonny? Tell us all about it!
The world's first 3 RPM record is a study in contradictions--it's cut at the slowest speed yet it plays faster than anything you've ever heard. It's a compilation of 7 inch records but it's packaged like a 12 inch. But the 12 inch sleeve is made like our 7 inch sleeve (as it is one continues piece of paper folded in half and put into an acetate sleeve). A bit like a snake eating its own tail. It comes with three bumper stickers yet there is no bumper. We gave it away for free yet given what it has fetched on eBay it is proving to be fairly valuable. It's easy to play but impossible to hear. You put your finger on it to slow it down, but this is no easy task (as evidenced by these youtube videos) and we estimate it would take 333 days of 33 hours training per day for your finger, hand, and arm muscles to spin at a continuous speed of 3rpm for X hours and X minutes. Also, you can visit all the little cutouts as they now live in the Third Man store, as does Melissa the "Human Model".
