12.30.2009

Download: Ready In Seconds

Snow Monster released their sophomore album, Ready In Seconds, in July of 2008.
The weekly Louisville paper The LEO wrote the following review:
"Miley Cyrus ain’t got nothin’ on Mabel, the 5-year-old lead singer of Louisville’s own Snow Monster!
The indie/new wave/post-punk band’s second album, Ready in Seconds, features new original material written by Mabel herself. She touches on global issues and the importance of community efforts in “Handz R 4 Helping,” the challenges of suffering an identity crisis in “Now That I’m a Lemon,” and updates listeners with a recurring theme in “Snow Monster (Part 2).” The album includes instrumentation by Mabel’s dad, Dustin, as well as 6-year-old drummer Luke (who is also in the band Sea Monster, not to be confused) and even a visit from the ever-soothing voice of WFPK’s Laura Shine.
The album is brilliant fun, with music mixed electronically with Mabel’s lyrics, each track creative and unique. It’s more than just cute, and I think we all kind of wish we were that cool when we were 5. If she keeps this up, there’s no doubt she’ll go platinum by second grade." —Jane Mattingly

Once again, this download differs slightly from the original CD release.

Tracklist:

1. Handz R 4 Helping
2. Rock & Roll Nicole
3. Now That I'm A Lemon
4. Who's There?
5. Snow Monster (Part 2) featuring Jimmy Conway
6. Make Yr Own Kind Of Music

All songs by Mabel and Dustin except #1 music by Steve Wethington, #5 some lyrics by Addam Vessa and #6 originally recorded by Mama Cass and written by Barry Mann/Cynthia Weil.

Have a happy New Year!
Thnx.

9.30.2009

Download: Untitled (Unicorn #2) b/w Hey 2nite


It has been quite a while since our last post, but we have been very busy @ the T&FR HQ. Mabel just turned 7 on Sept 19th & Oskar turned 4 on Sept 23rd. They got a lot of great presents and birthday greetings and they really appreciated it all. We r also putting the finishing touches on some new material. Lastly, Dustin has been a bit of a slacker but promises 2 try harder in the future.

Anyway.

Untitled (Unicorn #2) originally appeared (hidden track style) on the Louisville Is For Lovers 2008 compilation put out each year by John King & co. We were totally excited 2 b featured with such heroes/comrades such as Bonnie 'Prince' Billy, One Small Step, The Gallery Singers and many other great Louisville bands. The Backseat Sandbar review can be found here. FYI, This is the second song 2 feature our friend Doug Whitaker playing keyboard (incidentally the first was 'The Last Unicorn' from Stone Cold Treasures).

Hey 2nite was recorded early on 4 a CCR tribute compilation which was never released. We still love the song and that is Mabel on harmonica (if u listen carefully u can hear Oskar cheering her on in the background).

Tracklist:

1. Untitled (Unicorn #2)
2. Hey 2nite

Thnx.

9.04.2009

Download: Racecars b/w Monster Truck Power


Racecars b/w Monster Truck Power is the highly anticipated (srsly, rite?) first release from Juicebox Hero. Ever since recording these, we here at T&FR HQ have been made 2 listen 2 them repeatedly by Oskar himself. We r so lucky. We hope u like them as much as he does.

Tracklist:
1. Racecars
2. Monster Truck Power

Thnx.

9.03.2009

Enter Juicebox Hero


While Mabel and Snow Monster! have their feet firmly planted in the ground of unicorns and keytars, her three year old brother Oskar takes his new side project into the uncharted territory of garbage trucks and hair bands. Never one to let his older sister have all of the glory, Oskar really brings everything 2 the table with this new endeavour. Be sure 2 check out the Myspace page 4 all relevant info and new songs.

Thnx.

8.31.2009

Download: Kroaks (Live) b/w No More Sea Monster (Live)


"Kroaks (Live) b/w No More Sea Monster (Live)" was recorded in Lexington, KY on April 26, 2008. Mabel, Luke and Dustin played FreeKY Fest, a music and arts festival celebrating the 20th anniversary of college station WRFL. Other bands included Robbert Bobbert & The Bubble Machine, The Apples In Stereo, Jolie Holland, Mahjongg, The Coup, Hair Police and Pezhead & The Blipsquad. It was an amazing day 2 say the least. We would love 2 thank Amberly Warnke and Ross Compton in particular 4 being such amazing and gracious hosts. You can read a review of the show on You Ain't No Picasso (one of our all time fav music blogs).

Tracklist:
1. Kroaks (Live)
2. No More Sea Monster (Live)

BTW, that is Luke "Sea Monster" Lewis playing the drum solo after NMSM. He totally brought his A game that day.

Thnx.

8.18.2009

Kroaks video!



Here is the first Snow Monster! video we made, 4 the song Kroaks. We made it the same way we made most of the songs from that first album: we had no idea what we were doing and just messed around until we had something we liked. We hope u like it 2. Steadyb of rama lama fa fa fa did.

8.12.2009

Download: Stone Cold Treasures


Stone Cold Treasures was the first Snow Monster album, recorded when Mabel was four years old. This download is slightly different than the original CD version which was released in October of 2007.

Tracklist:
2. Kroaks
3. Green Old Pants
4. No More Sea Monster
5. The Last Unicorn
6. Snow Monster (Part 1)
7. Symmetry
8. Intro (Reprise)

All songs by Mabel and Dustin except #5 lyrics by Jimmy Webb & #7 music by Addam Vessa.

We hope you like it.
Thnx.

8.02.2009

Enter Snow Monster!


Snow Monster! is the new wave/post punk band fronted by six year old Mabel Benzing. The band started in 2007 with Mabel, her dad Dustin, her brother Oskar, a plastic microphone and a laptop. Since that time they have recorded a couple of albums and assorted singles, played some really fun shows and had a sizable rotating lineup. Recurring members include, but r not limited 2, Addam Vessa, Steve Wethington, Doug Whitaker, Mr. Robot and Luke "Sea Monster" Lewis.
Read more about Snow Monster! here (hopefully). You should friend us on Myspace or become a fan on Facebook.
Thnx.

8.01.2009

All U Need 2 Know...

Welcome 2 the Track & Field Records site. T&FR is a label focusing on the music of young artists. We will use this page to bring u news, song downloads and anything else of interest regarding the bands on our roster. Everything is free 2 download and protected under Creative Commons. Feel free 2 contact us with any questions/concerns.
Thnx.