a beginning... [HATE ME- cruyff in the bedroom]

(a blog post from a disappearing ghost...)

After delays in production, quality checks, more delays, further quality checks, and a whole lot of work, we are pleased to finally present a band in a format we have always wanted to see them in.  Disappearing is an enigma- the past two years have been happenstance upon happenstance, yet simultaneously the overwhelming product of a singular goal that is still being developed and fulfilled in succession in tiny yet massive waves.  The short story is, in my long amateur career of 'internet historian of underground foreign music and strange literatures' I somehow had the opportunity to work with one of my great inspirations and one of the foundational bands that introduced me to an entire genre which served as a massive part of the elliptical soundtrack that surrounded and comforted me growing up.  The long story is ironically summarized much more succinctly: I have been given a gift through this label to meet new friends of broad stripes, and to work toward a fantastic future of excitement and purpose.

Disappearing's physical purpose is to release deluxe vinyl editions of albums now, not 20 years in the future when the press and the public have caught up and declared it 'a cult classic,' 'an indie gem,' or 'an undiscovered hit' après le départ.  Its fundamental purpose is to redefine what it means for a band to merit deluxe treatment.  Often it is a question of budget, a question of wider public appreciation, or perhaps one of marketing or some other form of publicity.  Disappearing has posed the question: what if such an edition of an album, in which 100% effort was committed to the production and 100% of "will we's? were replaced with "shall we's?", were in fact given over 100% to the impetus of merit?  The album's sound is produced wisely, so we shall strive to reproduce it wisely.  The album flows from track to track smoothly, vividly, efficiently, so we shall strive to work with each other smoothly, efficiently, and showcase it vividly with remastered and updated artwork.  The lyrics speak startlingly, elementally, so we shall use the elements in adding DIY additions and startle with ingenuity, passion, and again and again and again ask... 'shall we?'

The album came about startlingly.  Engrossed in another fascinating Disappearing project, I had the pleasure of communicating with Yusuke-san after working on some cassette reissues for another band on his Only Feedback label with Pandu from Gerpfast Kolektif.  And the question I would never have dared ask such a foundational, influential artist of my beloved scene came to both of us... "shall we?"  The pieces were all there, which had developed on two different sides of the world without any conditional forethought.  A label clad in black, and a Dutch Lion crest cut from the same cloth.  A dark and ambiguous theme for the label, and the album title... HATE.  A label cloaked in darkness, and a record drowned in noise... the parallels were impossible to ignore.  We both said, in broader terms, "Why not now?  Let's do it!"

And now, after making this decision, we finally see the fruits of our labor: our reissue of Cruyff's loud and proud 2017 album.  A 180g black virgin vinyl record, with black lyrics/credits insert, black anti-static inner sleeve, ヘート・ミー 24 bit/48khz download card, an embossed crest on the sleeve (simple and clean!), midnight black Disappearing envelope filled with black-jet linen paper liner notes and certificate of authenticity, sealed with a black wax Dutch Lion.  Darkness is so alluring!  LOVE ME!

And I do... every single release handcrafted by our label is, shortly and simply, a product of LOVE.  No 'budget' reissues.  No shortcuts.  No lack of consideration.  And no choosing a record because it's 'smart' or 'easy'... though I believe this record has both of those qualities and is quite easy to appreciate by any means!  The choice is motivated by appreciation of merit, and appreciation of merit alone.  Every record here deserves it because it's been here, it's always been here, comforting and surrounding.  But "I know this world's ambiguous..." so just listen!!! 

(a disappearing ghost)