DIY CDR LUV

 Here's a new release from a guy out of Nashville Tn and released on a label from Switzerland . What I have is a handmade cdr, each with individual and unique collage art, available from the artist himself. Get 'em while they last

A.M. Salad & Hal McGee & Ironing – Real Plastic Plants This fantastic work of art was released by Sloth Jinni (?) and is comprised of green felt, brown plastic lattice and small green and yellow zip ties. Dymo lettering and a plastic leaf attached to the front. A diy cdr treasure

Here's a great example of creative minimalist design. Black Beast Of Arrrghhh self titled cdr was released by Forever Escaping Boredom. On Bandcamp it's a digital release, and it's credited as a file on Discogs . Simple self printed transparency.. cut, folded and placed in a clear cdr envelope

Oni Gosen - 'Oni Gosen' (2004?) Oni Gosen were a band from Grand Rapids, MI around the early 2000's. Nothing more than a myspace page and a few tracks on Last.fm. Absolutely squat on Discogs. Besides being a pretty good band, they released one of their cdr in a hand stitched purse..    ..with tassels Great band and good luck finding anything from them

Roles – 'Produce Realism Upon Teeth Of Devices' (2008) Released by Closet Sorcery Photocopied collages, florescent pink spray paint on a thin jewel case...delicious!

Wanna whip up some cdrs but don't have any cases? You can always employ some simple origami. There are instruction online for folding a cdr envelope. No glue required. Here's a couple examples, standard and three inch cdrs.. Soup Purse - 'Birth Place' (2011) Released by Lewcid Joosebox /Ratskin Records    Insecticide Lobotomy – The Melted Battery (2008) Meatronic Recordings – MTR-014  Hmmm.. Discogs says this is a digital file/release..Ok Maybe you just had to be there.

Many times CDR's are released in DVD cases, typically the slim variety. Simple and cost effective. Here's a couple examples. Bologna Violenta – 'Il Nuovissimo Mondo' (2011) Released by Placenta Recordings from Detroit   AODL / Vasectomy Party – 'Salt Lake / Sun Coast' (2015) Released by Forever Escaping Boredom Records - Florida Here you can see the insert is printed on both sides, a definite plus in my book.  

 This blog would be remiss in not showcasing a diy cdr label from Gainesville, Florida called 'Hymns'. Hymns is run by Andrew Chadwick, who's work offers an outstanding example of a simple, unique proprietary design of elegant uniformity.  BANDCAMP Simply printed and folded heavy paper, superb design. Cdr's attach to a fastened 'nipple'  Large jewel case bags hold it all together.

 Again, another release absent from Discogs on an otherwise coherent discography. *sigh* I'm just going to guess this if from 2007, close enough. Another recycled digipack cd case. Spray painted cdr and self printed artwork adhered to the outer case/shell. Self released by the artist's label Nihil Underground. https://www.discogs.com/label/128949-Nihil-Underground

This is one of my favorites. Here's a great example of someone recycling a six panel digipack cd. What makes this extra special is the amount of d.i.y. detail given to it's design. The whole case has two coats of spray paint, black and gold and all the lettering is self printed and hand glued. Unfortunately the lettering ink wears off and you can see the spine needs reinforcement. Self printed cd label. The Wintage discography is well represented but this release seems to be missing. (WRT-37)

 ACIN - '(kok)' (2004) bandcamp   Bizcard cdr w/ printing on handmade heavy paper sleeve

 Women In Tragedy – 'Girl In The Grave'  (2007) 3 inch cdrs with spray painted sleeve, inkjet printing on paper. Inserts not shown. https://www.discogs.com/release/2305466-Women-In-Tragedy-Girl-In-The-Grave

 Rubbish - 'Rake' (2006) Spray painted 3" cdr w/stenciled lettering on a manila envelope https://www.discogs.com/release/897841-Rubbish-Rake

Three inch cdrs and bizcard cdrs survive in a niche of their own. I attribute that to their novelty. Most people can't walk into a box store and buy a spool off the shelf. If you're not familiar with them, you're in good company, many people aren't. Oubliette -Cold Parties (2006) https://www.discogs.com/release/954973-Oubliette-Cold-Parties

 Retarded and Lonely (2006) This was a myspace friend, I got this in a trade. Shame I can't tell you more about this cdr. I have another tape of 'theirs', I doubt it yields any more information. Discogs turns up nothing yet again.        California?    The jacket is a paper cdr envelope with some printer collage action glued over it  Printed label maker maybe or just cut to fit? I don't remember there ever being an insert, but to go all the way with front, back and label printing.. I like it.

Velma and the Happy Campers   From bandcamp : "The Very first Velma and the Happy Campers CD!!!!!!!!!!! Mostly recorded on a digital voice recorder in August 2009. All physical copies are handmade by Frail but not Fragile." The envelope sleeves appear to be hand folded poster board. The paint feels almost like house paint.  Sturdy construction that's held up over the years FBNF02?  

Around 2010 it seemed that handmade, self produced cdrs (and handmade cassettes) had given way to professional cassettes. Occasionally at a show someone would hand me a cdr coated with a layer of spray paint, but as the years went on these artifacts became increasingly rare. The what's and why's of this I'll spare you, but with this blog I hope to encourage a resurgence in the lost dark arts of d.i.y. cdr releases.  I'll also promote the brave souls who dare to engage in these creative pursuits when the opportunity arises.  No silly 'thumbs up / thumbs down' reviews either,  just strictly media and medium. So with that said, lets get started..   HNY  'Meet Me In The Trees' (2010) HNY is Heather Young from Social Junk. I haven't found anything about this release on Discogs The envelope is made from a folded page from what looks like a book on  neurochemistry. https://www.discogs.com/artist/1129901-HNY Check out Social Junk on bandcamp