Psyshop is set to introduce a new physical format, the CompactStick, on December 10th. Although information is scarce, it would appear that these things are stripped down USB flash drives that can hold roughly two gigabytes of data. The CompactStick is packaged in a standard CD jewel case with a modified inner tray as shown in the photo.

The first wave of releases coming out on CompactStick include upcoming albums from Atmos, Vibrasphere, Astrix, and Electric Universe. These pending releases will feature heaps of bonus material: additional remixes, music videos, desktop wallpapers, and other multimedia content. Some will also feature source files for remixing–something Vibrasphere has previously explored on their own web site with great success (have a look at how many remixes of “Floating Free” are floating around out there).

Now for the big question: what good is this new format? It will probably cost more than a CD and take just as long to ship–and once the stick arrives its contents will be dumped to the customer’s computer anyhow. This seems like a terribly wasteful and roundabout way to download a bunch of files! In my experience, most psytrance fans are not looking for a new physical format to replace the CD–they’ve already made the switch to downloading digital media. The idea of bonus material is great–but why not apply this value-added strategy to existing digital releases? The industry standard is very low at the present time: most digital releases cost more on a per-song basis than a CD, high-resolution cover art is generally unavailable, selection remains limited, and files are seldom tagged properly, if at all. Why Psyshop’s label partners found it prudent to invest so much in an untried format when their existing digital products remain so lacklustre is downright perplexing. How about offering free bonus material and a bulk discount for customers that purchase an entire album from the leading digital download shops? I suppose that might be asking too much. At any rate, the market will decide–but I don’t imagine that CompactStick will fare much better than Twisted’s short-lived experiment with releasing on MiniDisc in the late nineties. And, as an aside, is it really wise to make CD buyers feel any less important?

FRACTAL SUN WARRIORS PRESENT FRACTAL SUN BLIZZARD 2 in association with SHAKTI COLLECTIVE and BLACKLIGHT ACTIVISTS, SATURDAY DECEMBER 13TH: FROM 5 AM UNTIL SOMETIME AFTER SUNSET….

February 2005 saw the first legendary Fractal Sun Blizzard on Cherry Beach. Get ready for round 2. You know the routine of Cherry Beach…..free party, but donations of $5-10 to cover costs will be appreciated.

DRESS WARM! BRING FOOD! BRING CHAI! NO GLASS! NO GOING NEAR THE WATER OR ICE! NO FALLING IN THE ICE! NO ATTITUDE! NO STUPIDITY!

EARLY DJ LINEUP: order and times to be confirmed

ROOK
ECOPLEX
MANDELBROT
JAREK
MARZ
QUIVERING VIRGIN
OFF-MODE
PLAN 2B

See you there……

BOM BOLINATH

Following up on last year’s Only By Promotion compilation, the Mexican collective Nebular Hypott has returned with a pair of new releases: Voices and Enjoint. Visit their MySpace profile for links to the MP3 packages.

Ultravision Records return after the very recent release of their debut compilation with Traumatic Levels, a double-CD release compiled by Endless Euforia. MP3 and WAV download links are available from the Ultravision MySpace profile. The style? An underground mix of darkpsy and full-on by the looks of the track listing.

Dark Gate is the latest in a long line of darkpsy netlabel releases to break speed limits and inflict scary noises on the listener’s ears. Compiled by Hydrus, it features an assortment of underground artists and is available in MP3 and WAV format.

Unknown Cause is Fragletrollet’s downtempo side project. To mark the impending release of his debut album under this name, he has released a hodge-podge of material on his web site that loosely forms an album of sorts. If you enjoy the Ultimae Records sound head on over to the Fragletrollet homepage and click on “Music.”

Finally, while browsing Agneton’s discography I came across another MP3-only netlabel: BetaChronic Records, an MP3-only netlabel dedicated to uplifting trance, nitzhonot, and melodic psy. They have two free compilations posted on their site and news of a few more on the way.

MusicDock is the latest Chaishop Media property to shut down after the cancellation of the Trancer’s Guide earlier this year. As of November 30th, 2008, every shop hosted by MusicDock has gone under. This includes Vibrasphere’s in-house shop and an assortment of others, none of them particularly memorable. Therein lies the problem: although the MusicDock concept was sound (read their initial press release; you should find it very forward-thinking), labels and artists were slow to adopt. Here is the final statement from Wolfgang and Sam:

After four years of running MusicDock we have decided to discontinue this project. The project has not met our expectations and thus we decided to move on to new challenges. We hope that MusicDock could help you in the past and wish you all the best for the future!