Sold Date: July 29, 2017
Start Date: July 1, 2017
Final Price: $25.97 (USD)
Seller Feedback: 1414
Buyer Feedback: 15

Also includes 2 buttons, 2 stickers, and a download card

Juliana Hatfield—Pussycat

For fans of Liz Phair, Velocity Girl, Luscious Jackson, Lemonheads, Blake Babies

File under another angry pop star

“I wasn’t planning on making a record,” says Juliana Hatfield, of her new “Pussycat” album. In fact, she thought her songwriting career was on hiatus, and that she had nothing left to say in song form; that she had finally said it all after two decades as a recording artist.

But then the presidential election happened. “All of these songs just started pouring out of me. And I felt an urgency to record them, to get them down, and get them out there.” She booked some time at Q Division studios in Somerville, Massachusetts near her home in Cambridge and went in with a drummer (Pete Caldes), an engineer (Pat DiCenso) and fourteen brand-new songs. Hatfield produced and played every instrument other than drums—bass, keyboards, guitars, vocals. From start to finish—recording through mixing—the whole thing took a total of just twelve and a half days to complete.

“It was a blur. It was cathartic,” says Hatfield. “I almost don’t even understand what happened in there, or how it came together so smoothly, so quickly. I was there, directing it all, managing it, getting it all done, but I was being swept along by some force that was driving me. The songs had a will, they forced themselves on me, or out of me, and I did what they told me to do. Even my hands—it felt like they were not my hands. I played bass differently-- looser, more confident, better.”

“Pussycat” comes on the heels of last year’s Hatfield collaboration with Paul Westerberg, the I Don’t Cares’ “Wild Stab” album, and before that, 2015’s Juliana Hatfield Three (“My Sister”, “Spin The Bottle”) reunion/reformation album, “Whatever, My Love”.

“I’ve always been prolific and productive and I have a good solid work ethic but this one happened so fast, I didn’t have time to think or plan,” says Hatfield. “I just went with it, rode the wave. And now it is out of my hands. It feels a little scary.”

”Pussycat” is being released into a very tense, divided and inflamed America. The songs are reflective of that atmosphere—angry (“When You’re A Star”), defiant (“Touch You Again”), disgusted (“Rhinoceros”), but also funny (“Short-Fingered Man”), reflective (“Wonder Why”), righteous (“Heartless”) and even hopeful (“Impossible Song”, with its chorus of ‘What if we tried to get along/and sing an impossible song’).

 ___________________________SHIPPING & PACKING INFO

All records are shipped using bubble wrap and cardboard flats (plus extra shrink wrap over the bubble and cardboard if I think the situation calls for it)—all enclosed in a secure LP box that includes extra cardboard planks secured on the outside off each corner. Shipment is clearly marked "fragile" on both sides.

Each "loose" LP is shipped outside of the cover and packaged within a poly bag. Records are notorious for tearing through these jackets during the shipping process. Thus, many smaller labels ship records outside of the cover in a poly bag to eliminate damage (and ultimately replacement costs).

Note that all boxsets are given extra special attention to arrive safe and sound through the mail.

Upon request, I can open any sealed record and ship it outside of the sleeve (both placed within a poly bag).

Unless damaged through the mail, any return postage must be paid by buyer. Purchases must be returned as delivered.

____________________________A LITTLE 'BOUT US

Your purchase goes toward the efforts of launching NIN9VOLT RECORDS?an independent label of a couple of guys who love the Replacements, Drag the River, ALL, Archers of Loaf, Sam Beam, Ryan Adams, Liz Phair, and small indie labels like Polyvinyl, Topshelf, Run for Cover, Tiny Engines and many more.

We like smart, well-written lyrics and big guitars most of the time. But we can dig Natalie Merchant singing "Verdi Cries" or Jay Som's "I Think You're Alright".  Or her cool-as-shit ditty to Rush... "Why'd you wait...so long". One of us teaches high school English, the other is imaginary. It just sounds less artificial and not so pompous to think people care about one guy's taste. (But we are currently really digging Bridget Kearney's (Lake Street Dive) new solo record Won't Let You Down.