Octopus Records

“Distributing, promoting and enabling Cedar Valley/Iowa bands and musicians that perform and write original music”

• The Hollowmen "Poison For Profit" EP is Out! – Thanks to all who ordered the Deluxe, Limited Edition 10” Vinyl! OCTO-004

• Available only from Octopus Records. The Hollowmen were a critically-lauded 1980s alternative band from Des Moines, IA. The band’s first recording session produced a 6-song EP titled "Poison For Profit" that was never released in the U.S. and only available on cassette in the U.K. "Poison For Profit" captures the band’s early darker-tinged jangle pop/garage rock sound that made them popular across the midwest music scene. Includes a limited-edition, lathe cut 10” record featuring clear vinyl plus fold-out poster, show flyer replicas, and copy of the original cassette artwork.

• The Hollowmen - www.thehollowmenband.com

• “Bite outta Life” CD/Download - Octopus Bartenders Virtual Tip Jar Octo-003

• -Special limited edition live release with all proceeds going to the octopus bartenders virtual tip jar. Who’s on it? Go here for all the details and to download: https://octopuscollegehill.bandcamp.com/releases. Want a cd-r? go here: http://www.mohairpearshop.com/bite-outta-life-octopus.../. thx!

• SR Turner Limited Edition Lathe Cut Clear Vinyl 7” Record Octo-002

• Update: 11/05/20: The SR Turner lathe cut limited edition 7” is out now and available for purchase. Details here: http://www.mohairpearshop.com/octopus/

• Update 5/31/20: We are expecting the SR Turner records this week. Covers are being printed. With a little luck we’ll be shipping very soon. Your patience is appreciated.

• Update:3/15/20: Update: We are now accepting orders for SR Turner’s “Yab Yum”/ “Streetlife” 7” release. We anticipate physical delivery/local pick up on or around April 1. You can find more information and order it here: https://tinyurl.com/suoh28h Thx!

• Octopus Live COmpilation Octo-001

• Live music is healthy - Octopus made a record!

• The compilation is out and you can order it here: http://www.mohairpearshop.com/octopus-live-vinyl-compilation/ starting at 5pm on friday december 13. You can also order octopus tees and hoodies at this site.

• Bonus Digital Tracks!

• Live bonus tracks from the Evan Stock Band and Emily Otis can be found here: https://tinyurl.com/rnref75

From our original Kickstarter campaign:

Octopus is a small bar and venue located in the College Hill neighborhood of Cedar Falls, Iowa. We've been around since 2012. We love live music. A lot. We love vinyl records. A lot. OK, we love beer too, but that's another story.  Our home, the Cedar Valley (Cedar Falls and Waterloo, IA), has a long history and tradition of creating and supporting live, original music. Octopus is proud to play a small part in that history.  We have witnessed so many amazing shows since the bar started having live music back in 2014!  

Shortly after bands started playing at Octopus we started recording them. We have been discussing for a while a project that would utilize these recordings. We really wanted something permanent that you could hold in your hands. Something real. Live music enthusiast Ralph Bryant over saw the initial recordings and eventually upgraded to a multi track 24 bit recording process that is in place now. 12 of these recordings will be professionally mixed and mastered at a local studio for this compilation. 

The big picture? This record is about community. A diverse group that includes the bands/musicians, the venue/Octopus and those of us who support and go out and experience live music on a regular basis.  We believe that 150 members of this community will feel strongly enough about this project to invest the minimum of $25. Listed below are the amazing bands and musicians who have agreed to be on this compilation as we undertake this kickstarter project. 

We approached adding bands as we would building a lineup for a great night of music. We have confirmed Brother Trucker, Elizabeth Moen, Holy White Hounds, TWINS, Peas and Carrot, Brooks Strause, Sires, Hex Girls, Honeyswell, SOTR/Sires and Greasy Strangers. Yes, we know. This is a dream lineup!

Where exactly will your money go if you choose to be involved? What will you get if you choose to participate? The bulk of it will go to the record manufacturing plant to make the record and the sleeve containing it. Also included in our budget is money to have the individual recordings mixed down to 2 track stereo masters and for the graphic design work for the sleeve and record label. We are estimating the overall cost to be around $3500. Our budget for this project is very straightforward and hopefully very realistic. Just as importantly, we've tried to be very level-headed about the number of copies we think we can sell. 250 seems like a doable number for our first live compilation attempt. When we are funded, our contributors will receive a record containing bands recorded live at the Octopus!

It is vitally important to document, appreciate and maintain the great live music scene we have here in the CV. This compilation record will be a great way contribute to that mission. Something to build on and a way to make people more aware of our local, original musicians and bands. Also, something to look back on. A permanent part of your record collection. How cool is that? Another important reason to make this record? It will be a hell of a lot of fun. Together we can do this. Thanks.

- Dave Deibler/Team Octopus

Bands and Musicians on the Record

FAQ

Is the Kickstarter over? Did the record get fully funded?

Yes, the Kickstarter has ended and we met our goal and then some! Thank you for helping us make the Octopus Live Vinyl Compilation a reality!

When will the Octopus Live Vinyl Compilation be released?

The Octopus Live Vinyl Compilation's official release date is Friday, December 13. You can order it here after 4pm Friday December 13 2019. Quantities are limited.

I was a Kickstarter backer. How do I get my rewards?

Backers of the Kickstarter project who opted for local pickup can stop by Octopus for our Local Pickup Happy Hour on December 13, from 4-5pm. If you are not local to Cedar Falls and you opted for your rewards to be shipped to you, we will be sending those out on December 10, and they should arrive to you on or around December 13.

Will there be an event for the record release?

Yep! The Release Party will be held at Octopus on Friday, December 13th at 5pm. Hex Girls, Peas and Carrot, Twins, Brooks Strause, and Greasy Strangers will be playing on this night to celebrate. $10 cover goes directly to the bands playing the release show. Dooors for the show are 9pm with music starting at 10pm. Free keg with paid admission from 8:30-9:30. You can find more information on the facebook event.

Can I buy a shirt or a record if I didn’t back the Kickstarter?

Yes! You can buy a record, shirt, or hoodie at Octopus on December 13th after 5pm. Quantities are limited and are available on a first come, first serve basis only. Sorry, no holds! Any remaining records and apparel will be available for purchase at Octopus and Mohair Pear or at mohairpearshop.com after December 13th.

The Kickstarter has ended, but can I still see the information and updates you posted over there?

Sure, you can find all that information right here.

Are you going to do another live compilation record in the future?

Yes! We had fun and learned a lot this first go around, so we really want to do this again. We haven’t set a date or a timeline, but check back on our social media for updates - we’ll eventually announce Octopus Live Vinyl Compilation #2 there!

Merch

Available at Octopus and Mohair Pear and mohairpearshop.com on a first come, first serve basis.