Engine Room Recordings (ERR) is a record label and music distribution company based in New York City, particularly notable for releasing previously the Guilt By Association compilations (“today’s most exciting Indie talent re-interpreting their favorite guilty pleasure pop songs”) which included artists such as Bonnie ‘Prince Billy, Devendra Banhart, Mooney Suzuki, and Luna on Vol. 1, and including Frightened Rabbit, Kaki King, and My Brightest Diamond on Vol. 2. Three Engine Room Recordings artists (who have also figured on the compilations mentioned above), all based in New York, Lowry, Porter Block, and The Bloodsugars are the subjects of today’s label feature.

Lowry
Lowry is rather evocative of the album cover and title of their latest release Love is Dead: there is something soundtrack-like and storybook-esque about it all. Members Heidi, Jasper, Crash, Greg, and Alex have crafted a unique brand of folk-rock, with the drifting, beautiful “Whiskey” and the simultaneously bittersweet and anthemic “Face Behind Your Hands” being chief highlights on an altogether lovely album not to be missed.

The Cactus Moons - A Blog About Lowry | Lowry on MySpace Music

Porter Block
Emphasizing ERR-founder Peter Block’s fine-tuned songcraft, Peter and members Caleb Sherma (bass, keyboards), Garrett Alarcon (guitar), and Steve Holly (drums) are Porter Block. Pueblo A-Go-Go is their 3rd Engine Room Recordings release, conjuring up desert images, namely in the title track and “Haunted”, and soft introspection on highlight “Wipe It From Your Eyes”. Free download from official site (from previous LP Suburban Sprawl): “Circles”

Porter Block - Official Site | Porter Block on MySpace Music

The Bloodsugars
From the hook-laden catchiness of “Bloody Mary” and “Cinderella” to poignant closer “Uh Oh”, BQEP offers up the charming, synth-touched slices of indie pop of the Bloodsugars (recently appearing at SXSW), led by Jason Rabinowitz’s sweet, soulful sound, Brendon O’ Grady (bass), Matt Katz (synths), and Kenneth Salters (drums). Free download from official site: “Purpose Was Again”

The Bloodsugars - Official Site | The Bloodsugars on MySpace Music