Shallow Dive Records

04/20/2022

😎 LINK IN BIO! 🎸

“To play the Blues, you got to think Blues… A tragic story to bring you over the top… Because that’s what you care about most” - Sam

Sam Empasis’ Sophomore album ‘The Kidd Returns’ was recorded in 6 hours over two days at SubRosa in Santa Cruz, Calif. It was recorded, mixed, mastered & produced by myself (.florence).

Sam was actually the reason I decided to start this label 5 years ago. I heard him playing “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” at an unassuming open mic in Watsonville and it completely blew me away. His idiosyncratic and clunky guitar stylings paired with his virtuoso harmonica playing and vocal delivery drenched in soul was a revelation. I knew that his music would resonate deeply with folks who enjoyed lofi outsider music.

After making a mini documentary on his life, struggles with houselessness and substance use (which you can find on our YouTube channel or website), we were successfully able to record and fund his debut album which was released as both a compact disc and a 45 record. On it was the title track “Haight Street Kid” which will probably always remain my favorite song I’ve ever recorded or heard for that matter. It’s truly an unrivaled stoner anthem depicting his life living on the streets selling art and w**d. It’s EASILY a contender for my favorite song of all time.

This sophomore album is also great. It has more originals than his debut record and it has a darker, more punk aesthetic/ ethos that I think will resonate with folks who enjoy the spirit of niche music. I don’t expect folks to enjoy it who are worried about wearing punk uniforms and appearing cool or famous to their friends. Though, I do think people who care about niche music from those who have been marginalized, and have an unrelenting spirit and story to be floored by Sam and his art.

He’s an old Polynesian hippie who thinks he’s a Ramone… but he might actually be better. Look out kids, it’s bong-man extraordinaire, SAM!

💚 Happy 4/20 XO SDR 💚

03/23/2022

Good morning!

Today, we are excited to release Laurence White's 'blue eye' EP. It's a tender listen from our very talented singer-songwriter friend Laurence. From p***y abandon to mountainous climax to solitary reflection, this EP explores many feelings that I think folks could relate to. Especially in the covid era. Give it a stream or listen on youtube, bandcamp, or soundcloud. cheers! xx - sdr

laurence white is a poet , singer songwriter and seeker based in northern california. recorded, mixed and mastered by rip florence stream or download here:ht...

10/13/2021

Link here https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6GOjlYpu8qsOz5B3zp0YB9?si=850deb0c325d4292 🤡

Check out this new playlist on the SDR Spotify! Curated by Kevin Linn of SF’s he shares some diddies he’s been enjoying lately as well as music he’s helped release through PSR. (FFO lofi post punk). Lots of great Bay Area bands on here… 🎃 go give it a spin!

09/07/2021

Hello all! 💦

We have a new comp out… it’s called “Cry of the Fish”! I made these tapes for folks who’s music I’ve been lately. I only made 30 measly copies… just enough for the artists featured. However, I decided to put the audio up on our YouTube, SoundCloud, and bandcamp. If you want to listen, go check it out!! If you want a tape, you will have to message one of the artists on the comp & beg them to borrow their copy so that you can bootleg copies for all of your nice friends. Next release will be a little bigger maybe! Not sure, I just do this for fun 😌👍

Have a fun day!
xoxo sdr 🐟

07/18/2020

06/29/2020

Hey everyone! We just wanted to share this livestream instagram show we're helping organize with Maya Songbird, Gorgeous D***s, and R.E. Seraphin! This will be a cool opportunity for folks to safely gather, listen to cool local music, talk about radical ideas in the comment section, and donate to suggested non-profits. The show will be Friday, 7/3 at 6PM PST on the Shallow Dive Records instagram. Thanks and stay safe! XOXO

05/03/2020

SDR's Spotify Playlist for May is here

30 airy songs for yr lofi, quarantine, alien blues. xo

04/06/2020

Made a healing playlist to ward off any CV19 stressors you may be feeling while in self-quarantine. (LINK IN BIO) ffo: diy, lofi folk, jangle pop, post punk 😷🦇💚

04/02/2020

Long Beach noise weirdos, The Lice, put out their record “Hoarder House UFO” today! It’s an absolute banger and you should def check it out. 👽 We were planning on doing the release through SDR but due to complications surrounding COVID-19, they decided to self release! So please go support them and cop a physical copy if you are able to 💚

03/26/2020

NEW SPOTIFY PLAYLIST!! 🤯 (link in bio) ~We are launching a new series of playlists on our Shallow Dive Records Spotify Account called, "A Local's Playlist". These playlists will highlight a local musician, artist, or friend's music tastes and share what they've been listening to lately. These playlists have the potential to be v diverse and introduce you to new genres, sounds, aesthetics and artists.
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This first Local's Playlist is curated by bb Sinclair’s Fernly Mueller-Tuescher. This selection of emo, trancy, smooth shoegaze songs sums up who Fern has been listening to & inspired by lately. It's pretty diverse and also includes foreign selections, rap, and femme folk 🌹Please enjoy!

03/17/2020

Check out this Video Premiere for The Lice's "Sheltered Life"!

WL//WH Video Premiere The Lice In spite of hailing from the sunny Long Beach, California, THE LICE rather stay in the shadow, making spare, minimal punk not for the clubs, but for bedrooms and headphones. Drawing inspiration from sources as disparate as Young Marble Giants, Solid Space, JAMC demos,...

03/02/2020

Our March 2020 Spotify playlist is now live 🤤 link in bio 🍭 give it a listen for some of our fav lofi folk, jangle pop, post punk tunes // selections came from friends, peers, kindred 👻 & local labels / 💜