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Ratskin Summer 2025 Update!

Maya Songbird Releases Space Cadet Bachelorette on Ratskin Records

 

 

An interstellar disco ritual celebrating queer Black femme power

 Maya Songbird, the Bay Area’s legendary electro-soul alchemist, releases her third full-length album, Space Cadet Bachelorette, today via Ratskin Records. This…

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Tyler Holmes "Patience"

Tyler Holmes

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‘Patience’ is the new, experimental full length album from Tyler Holmes. ‘Patience’ because it’s been 5 years since their last record. ‘Patience’ because they, admittedly, have none and profess that it is their life’s Read more

‘Patience’ is the new, experimental full length album from Tyler Holmes. ‘Patience’ because it’s been 5 years since their last record. ‘Patience’ because they, admittedly, have none and profess that it is their life’s work to learn some. ‘Patience’ is built on the bones of ‘The Southern Reach Trilogy’ by Jeff Vandermeer and ‘No.44, The Mysterious Stranger’ by Mark Twain. Themes of accepting our place in nature, the universe’s apathy at our existence, and its extreme care in allowing us to exist, violence and horror devoid of malice all factor into the serene, agonizing, brutal, destroyed landscapes of these 9 songs. Gentle, bucolic, acoustic arrangements grate against rusted metallic backdrops that barely contain the swirling and glitching vocal loops of a bottled specter suddenly shattered. Tyler Holmes’ work centers around a concept they coined, ‘Trapping The Ghost’, which speaks to capturing the human experience, mortality, and/or consciousness within artwork, devices, objects, and media, this record serves as such an artifact. After writing their last album, ‘Nightmare In Paradise’, Tyler Holmes moved to Los Angeles, experienced the death of a parent, and had their heart broken twice, but this record (and the next) direct focus elsewhere. The only ‘breakup song’ is ‘Commercial Success’ and it was one of the first composed for this collection. Anchored heavily by contorted, or manipulated vocals, the album is intentionally opaque and features few songs with intelligible lyrics. The song ‘Hazel’ directly references a character from the film Synecdoche, NY with the quote: ‘it’s a big decision how one prefers to die’ while ‘Singing Hate’ is a lark on Holmes’ late father’s conceit that ‘you’re either singing love or you’re singing hate’. Recording of the album was split between the rural seaside escape of Point Arena CA and the cement reverberant art space Human Resources in Los Angeles. To research this project Holmes gorged as much media as possible where the human form or essence is duplicated, replicated, captured, distilled, or manufactured; this is the synthesis, this is the document.

Album Credits / Artwork Credits:

Written, Produced, Mixed, Performed by Tyler Holmes Recorded by Josephine Shetty & Tyler Holmes at ‘This Will Take Time’ in Point Arena,CA ‘Human Resources’ in Los Angeles,CA Mastered by Jake Rodriguez Cello on ‘Singing Hate’ & ‘Commercial Success’ by Peekaboo Electric Guitar on ‘Singing Hate’ by Anya Good Original Sculptures by Helena Martinez Bravo Sculpture Photography by Lise Silva Gomez Photos & Design by Tyler Holmes Graphic Design & Layout by Paradise Khanmalek Ratskin Records 2025 RAT102

For Fans Of: Ethel Cain, Grouper, Holly Herndon, and Eartheater Other: (Xiu Xiu, Kelela, Radiohead, Cat Power, Portishead)

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RECTRIX "The Bell That Never Stops Ringing"

RECTRIX

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Existing somewhere between Diamanda Galas’s “the Litanies Of Satan”, 80s horror plunderphonic, and harsh noise cut up collage, RECTRIX uses the human body as her own personal catacomb to sculpt a shaking, menacing reverb Read more

Existing somewhere between Diamanda Galas’s “the Litanies Of Satan”, 80s horror plunderphonic, and harsh noise cut up collage, RECTRIX uses the human body as her own personal catacomb to sculpt a shaking, menacing reverb chamber for her sonic terror evocations. Rhythmic pulsing tension, hypnotic pacing, curdling shrieks mauled by sub bass, The Bell That Never Stops Ringing is both relentlessly terrifying and acutely beautiful in its sonic and conceptual roadmap of horror. Throughout all ten tracks, RECTRIX maintains a creative tension that helps build suspense and anticipation throughout the near fifty minute journey through a bloodied, brutalized world in which the artist Pippi Zornoza is the sole creative and sonic architect. Blending elements of extreme metal, drone, industrial, plunderphonics/collage with harsh noise, TBTNSR offers a terrifying oeuvre of contemporary extreme music and art.

The Bell that Never Stops Ringing is a collection of RECTRIX songs from the 2012 - 2016 era of her career. This “lost album” (recorded over the course of 8 years and then deleted from a series of equipment failures), had been in purgatory and now being brought to light by Ratskin after over a decade in the unmaking.

Comprised almost entirely of samples from iconic horror films, the songs from these years mark a preoccupation with horror and what it means to be a body. Where pretensions and posturing of “evil” within the extreme genres of metal, power electronics abound, TBTNSR flips the tropes of what images and sounds are used to signify power, and who wields it, on its head — Making something that is genuinely horrifying, a haunting and a meditation the incessant toll of mortality.

RECTRIX began in 2009 as the solo sound and performance project of interdisciplinary artist Pippi Zornoza. A natural outgrowth of both Bonedust and Vvltvre (experimental metal bands Zornoza was a part of from 2004 - 2009), RECTRIX is an experiment in the limitations of traditional musical instruments in the performance of live music. RECTRIX performances often combine performative actions (being buried in dirt), handbuilt instruments (an ax that triggers midi signals when used) and constructed environments ( a 10 foot swinging pendulum), as a form of ritual theater. Her live performances can be simultaneously nightmarish and cathartic. The Bell that Never Stops Ringing scratches at the surface of this era, a document of a time where unfortunately “you just had to be there”.

Having pushed at the boundaries of underground music for a quarter century, Zornoza’s past projects include Bonedust, VVLTVRE, Worms in Women and Cattle, Throne of Blood, Sawzall, Nine Orifices and live percussion for the seminal Saskatchewan black metal/ black noise project Wold. Currently she is also one half of Harpy, a collaboration with sound, performance, and visual artist Gyna Bootleg.

A limited number of copies of The Bell That Never Stops Ringing will be accompanied by the Out of Both Mouths Songbook RECTRIX created in 2021.The Out of Both Mouths Songbook is hand screen printed and digitally printed zine with screen printed dust jacked and hand cut peep window. Original Edition of 75.

La Tonada de la Luna Llena written by Simón Díaz Saxophone - RRLEW on tracks 3 & 7 Vocals - Alison Nitkiewicz track 8 All songs by Pippi Zornoza Recorded by Josh Plotkin, Sean Halpin, and “self” in Providence, RI 2012 - 2019 Mastered by Lapke Audio Photo on front cover Sam Levin Photography on back & inside cover by Sean Campbell Drawing on cd by Otto Horvath Logo collab - Lux Lucidi

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SPACE CADET BACHELORETTE

MAYA SONGBIRD

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Space Cadet Bachelorette is Maya’s third release with Ratskin Records- previous collaborations included EP’s “Queen Of Darkness” and “Welcome To The Darkside” Despite these three releases boasting Songbird’s infamous Read more

Space Cadet Bachelorette is Maya’s third release with Ratskin Records- previous collaborations included EP’s “Queen Of Darkness” and “Welcome To The Darkside” Despite these three releases boasting Songbird’s infamous brand of psychedelic, cosmic, femme forward disco, Space Cadet Bachelorette is the most complete manifestation of Maya’s vision in its production, arranging and its ritualistic, unapologetic celebration of Black femme power.

Nutty; Sweaty and soaked in sex, Maya’s iconic queer dark-disco anthems on Space Cadet Bachelorette pounds alien disco flesh through the grates of the club speakers onto the dance floor in a sexy, psychedelic fervor. Maya refuses to let off the gas from the very first track “” all the way through “” the epic closing grande mal of SC, Maya piques interest in adventure through self affirmation, heavy disco beats, and bloody murderous visions if you try her. Seeing the power Maya commands on stage and speaker is nothing short of inspiring and we are forever grateful to release this powerful and unique disco record on Ratskin Records.

Artist Biography:

Maya Songbird is a genre-defying musician, performer, and cultural innovator known for her eclectic sound, dynamic creativity, and unapologetic individuality. Blending elements of funk, electro, soul, and DIY aesthetics, she creates music that feels like anthems for self-love, liberation, and embracing life’s eccentricities. Her magnetic stage presence and bold, avant-garde style have earned her a devoted following and solidified her reputation as a trailblazer in the independent music scene.

With lyrics that celebrate empowerment and authenticity, Maya’s work invites listeners to explore their own sense of freedom and expression. Over the years, she has independently released a wide array of music, gaining recognition for her ability to seamlessly combine storytelling with infectious beats and fearless experimentation. A fixture in the underground scene, Maya Songbird continues to break boundaries, inspiring fans around the globe with her vibrant sound, fierce creativity, and unwavering commitment to being unapologetically herself.

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Silhouettes

YAMA UBA

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‘Silhouettes’ is a strong debut album that captures the shifting perspectives of its five-year writing period, and the emergence of Yama Uba’s uniquely crafted sound. With Akiko Sampson's charismatic vocals and rumbling Read more

‘Silhouettes’ is a strong debut album that captures the shifting perspectives of its five-year writing period, and the emergence of Yama Uba’s uniquely crafted sound. With Akiko Sampson's charismatic vocals and rumbling bass combined with Winter Zora's sweeping guitar and saxophone soaring over velvet synthesizers and synthpop beats, Yama Uba makes several nods to their post-punk and darkwave predecessors while creating a sound entirely their own. Throughout each track, Yama Uba emerges as a songwriting unit able to capture the complexities of the human spirit, as fragile as it is powerful, as it experiences its own evolution. States Sampson, ‘‘As a whole, 'Silhouettes’ is about personal transformation and self-discovery, and is a reckoning with the power of time.” credits releases January 24, 2024

Akiko Sampson: Vocals, bass, synthesizers, drum programming Winter Zora: Vocals, guitar, saxophone Additional percussion on “Disappear,” “Shapes,” “Facade,” “Isolation,” “Laura,” “Claustrophobia” by Charlie Vela Additional percussion on “Shatter” by Michael Daddona

All songs written by Akiko Sampson and Winter Zora except “I’m in Love With a German Film Star,” by B. Gogan, C. Timperley, D. Aagar, R. Williams

Lyrics for all songs by Akiko Sampson except “Claustrophobia” by Akiko Sampson and Winter Zora, “Isolation” by Winter Zora, and “I'm in Love With a German Film Star” by Barbara Gogan

All songs recorded by Akiko Sampson at Psychic Rat Studios except “I’m in Love With a German Film Star” and “Angel,” recorded by Michael Daddona at Zoo Labs Studios Mixed by Charlie Vera Mastered by Daniel Husayn Produced by Akiko Sampson

Album front and back covers designed by Pearl Thompson Album interior designed by Akiko Sampson Photos by Michael Daddona

©2023 Yama Uba Psychic Eye Records 2023 Ratskin Records 2023

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EXHAUSTIVE LABEL PROFILE ON RATSKIN IN BANDCAMP DAILY TODAY!

Previous events

Date Event Location
 — (PDT, UTC-07)  — (PDT, UTC-07) Outsider Sounds and Visions Festival - 20 Years of Ratskin Records - DAY TWO First Church Of The Buzzard, Oakland First Church Of The Buzzard, Oakland
 — (PDT, UTC-07)  — (PDT, UTC-07) Outsider Sounds and Visions Festival - 20 YEARS OF RATSKIN RECORDS - DAY ONE First Church Of The Buzzard , Oakland First Church Of The Buzzard , Oakland
 — (PDT, UTC-07)  — (PDT, UTC-07) Ratskin Explastical: RICHARDS + MEANSTREETZ / LA MACACOA / ZACHARY JAMES WATKINS / GOLDEN CHAMPAGNE FLAVORED SWEATSHIRT @ UNIMATRIX ZERO UNIMATRIX ZERO , OAKLAND UNIMATRIX ZERO , OAKLAND
"Nightmare In Paradise" Album Release Show w/ TYLER HOLMES, SPELLLING , PLANINGTOROCK Ratskin Records Youtube Ratskin Records Youtube
 —  — VOLTAGE DROP: The Return Ratskin Records Twitch Ratskin Records Twitch
 —  — VIRTUAL HYBRID SERIES: Headboggle, Whettman Chelmets, mynameisblueskye, Malocculsion : STOP AAPI Hate Fundraiser Ratskin Records Youtube Ratskin Records Youtube
 —  — AUTISOMENESS ON DISPLAY Ratskin Records Twitch Ratskin Records Twitch

While it is exciting for us to see so many of our friends family peers and cohorts getting back to some semblance of social interactions (live shows, vaccinated hangouts, outdoor meetup’s  etc)  we want to remind everyone that while case numbers have drastically improved in the United States (for now) in many populated cities, there is still a huge disparity towards access to health care and vaccines amongst Black people and especially Black disabled people, so while “on the news” things appear to be improving for many, but for many others the battle and aftermath that covid is leaving in it’s wake are nothing short of horrifying.  In many other places in the world, INDIA for example is currently and has been suffering a humanitarian crisis with the continuing surge of cases and fatalities due to COVID-19.    COVID-19 in INDIA and many other parts of the world is very much far from over and eclipsing even the worst U.S. case numbers on a daily basis. Just two weeks ago INDIA recorded nearly 404,000 cases in a SINGLE DAY. Yes, in a single day. if these numbers themselves don’t send a shockwave through your system because you think you don’t know anyone directly affected by this, well that shouldn’t matter, because being a human and artist and musician should be empathy based. We will also share that Ratskin collective members as well as close personal friends and family members of Ratskin artists have suffered insurmountable familial losses and tragedy just within the last few weeks while we are all planning tours and festival travels including one of the three  core members of Ratskin.  These atrocities are still happening as you read this, as the numbers have begun to decline, but so much damage and trauma and loss has already been endured, and we need to show true solidarity. In India along with other places around the world, COVID is once again surging out of control, without access to proper PPE and vaccine supply / access , there is little end in sight at least in the next few months. As people flock back to shows and community gatherings  in the states and Europe etc , we are forced (out of the safety and well being of our families and friends and extended communities)  how can people both hold space for shows progressing to be more accessible and safer in ways which can acknowledge the rich and vast history of this work often led by Black and Brown women and femme and non binary people,  subvert and push against a white supremacist system often perpetuated by underground communities through anti Blackness, transphobia, AAPI hate, islamophobia, native erasure and ableism. Before March 2020, many/most events and spaces weren't very  accessible for many artists, musicians, and community members to begin with, so to be rushing back with no real plan in sight, seems like it has the potential to be slightly dangerous and reckless.  to talk about “community” we also must talk about the enemy of “community” which is whiteness - an extension of white supremacy- the violent system that allows white people to simply point comment and gaze at the trauma and violence of the rest of the modern world done in the name of whiteness.  it is in this framework that we ask white CIS members of the music art and adjacent communities consider what the resources and privilege  they are using rushing back to go on a tour or fly to europe’s to play a festival. if humanity and empathy are  not embedded into the  art or music  we are sharing than who are we really sharing it for ?  

all  white CIS People have  resources and privilege even if you have had a difficult life. there is always room for both and it does not negate your own trauma to  admit the system still benefits us .  going forward,  how can  privilege be leveraged and allocated to help friends and fellow artists and musicians whose lives are  still being affected in ways which are made exponentially worse based on colonialism, fascism and white supremacy.  

below is a list of ways you can support financially the covid crisis in india. also we (and me , MD. as a white cis male) often overlook that the most  obvious way you can support your Desi friends is just ask them what they need and stay true to your commitment to offer help assistance or mutual aid.   

If you would like to participate in a benefit show for COVID RELIEF TO INDIA PLEASE EMAIL RATSKINSOUND@GMAIL.COM with INDIA BENEFIT SHOW in the title  

https://mutualaidindia.com/   - A curated list of opportunities to donate for COVID relief.