Check out the new Choo Choo la Rouge video

Debuting today at the Magnet Magazine website!

or watch it on the new Kiam Records youtube channel:

Choo Choo La Rouge doing Frank Black

Choo Choo La Rouge

Where do I begin? At the beginning, I guess.

I met the men of Choo Choo La Rouge in December or 2002. We were on the same bill at a basement Boston venue called The Lizard Lounge. They thought that I was going on first and I thought the same of them. That was our first and only conflict. We exchanged cds (both of our firsts) and made a plan to keep in touch. I didn’t really think much of it until about 2 weeks later when I actually played the cd. Holy shit. The lyrics! The drums! The insanely creative bass lines. I was hooked and instantly became CCLR fan numero uno. Over the next 4 years or so, we traded shows in Boston and New York. Probably around 30 or 40? A lot, in any case and I sang their praises to anyone who would listen.

Most importantly, we became real friends. Like the kind that can only be made while playing your heart out to an audience of five. Not only are they three of my best friends, they are also one of the bands I look to most for inspiration in my own music and in my life. In 2005, when Matador Records called, I borrowed Choo Choo’s drummer, Jon Langmead to join me down at SXSW to play for them. He’s been playing drums with me ever since.

And now, I find myself in the very fortunate position of releasing Choo Choo La Rouge’s 2nd full length album on Kiam.  Recorded in their own studio over the course of  3 years – and while living in 3 separate cities — the record is a classic.  It’s called Black Clouds and it will be released on August 18, 2009.

Please enjoy the song, “It’s Gonna Happen Fast” from Black Clouds.  Download it, share it, spread the word!

It’s Gonna Happen Fast

xoxjo’c

I Am The Kiam!

Welcome to the new Kiam Records blog.

My name is Jennifer O’Connor, and aside from being a record mogul, I also play music. I live and work in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, USA.

Kiam Records was named after a saying my father used to have when I was growing up – “I am the Kiam!” – he would say. Which clearly meant, “I run this show.” He said it in such a way that was fun, and funny – yet kind of serious too. It stuck with me.

Kiam Records was initially, just a name and a p.o.box that I put on my first, self-released record to make it look more official. Seven years later, it’s a real label. Everything I have put out I am personally involved in and I like it this way.  It feels important and lasting.

So, for this first post, the Kiam discography:

KRC01 Jennifer O’Connor – Jennifer O’Connor – 2002 -cd & mp3 – 1000 cd copies – cd almost out of print

KRC02 – Jennifer O’Connor & Choo Choo La Rouge - Little Airplane Heart – 2007 – 7″ red vinyl – 1000 copies

KRC03 – Clint & Amy -  2007 – Ltd Ed Tour CDR – 100 copies -  also almost out of print

KRC04 – Dump & Jennifer O’Connor – 2008 – 7″ white vinyl - 1000 copies

KRC05 – Clint Michigan – Hawthorne to Hennepin – 2009 – cd & mp3 – 1000 cd copies

KRC-06 – Choo Choo La Rouge – Black Clouds – coming out 8/18/2009 – cd & mp3 – 1000 digipack cd copies

Thanks for visiting – please come back again soon.  I’ll be posting free music by Kiam bands (including me), tour dates, news, healthy recipes, pictures of Florida, and who knows what else?

Sincerely,

JO’C