A passion-project compilation of deep cuts, rare grooves and new discoveries, from End Of The Road festival founder Simon Taffe
Out 16th September with a festival onsite exclusive available 1-4th September [pre-order here]
Photo credit Sonny Malhotra, high res available here
Each year, in the weeks that follow End Of The Road, the festival’s founder, Simon Taffe, receives a flurry of emails. There are notes of thanks, of course, and the tying up of festival business, but in amongst them he will find numerous messages asking urgent questions such as: “What was that song playing two songs before Mac DeMarco came on?” It was in answer to these persistent queries that End Of The Road decided to launch the first of what will be an ongoing compilation series: Between the Music.
“A compilation based on all the tracks that I play in between bands on all the different stages. It’s not really necessarily bands that play End of the Road, it’s more like my whole record collection.”
Listen to 'Life's Too Short' by The Lafayettes from Between the Music
Taffe has distinct memories of going to festivals that hadn’t given much thought to the music playing between performers; the repetition of it, the sudden jolt of it. When End Of The Road first began, he was determined that his festival would not make the same oversight.
Before the first ever End Of The Road, Simon sat up all night with a friend, burning songs to CDs, considering every stage and every track in detail. He has continued this approach ever since, always finishing his playlists at the eleventh hour, always spurred on by the thought of what song will you have as the first song opening the main stage.
“I still get really excited to make a compilation, even though it’s a lot bloody harder these days because everyone’s heard everything on Spotify,” he says. “But I love sharing music with people and love introducing them to songs.”
To listen to Between the Music is something akin to spending a short while in Taffe’s company, or perhaps a long weekend at his festival. There is the sheer exuberant love for music, the sense of discovery, the delight in the unexpected rhythmic turn. Above anything, there is the feeling that Between the Music is a compilation series that could just play on forever.
Between The Music will be released on End Of The Road Records on 16th September on white vinyl for independent record stores and black vinyl everywhere else. There will also be an onsite clear vinyl exclusive available at End Of The Road 1-4th September. Pre-order here.
Tracklist for ‘Between the Music’ Below
The Lafayettes - Life's Too Short
Dion - DripDrop
Captain Beefheart - Observatory Crest
Link Wray - Fallin' Rain
The Monzas - Hey! I Know You
Abner Jay - I'm So Depressed
Johnnie Frierson - Have You Been Good To Yourself
Hailu Mergia & Dahlak Band - Anchin Kfu Ayinkash
Amanaz - Khala My Friend
Al Kooper - Lookin For A Home
Jim Ford - She Turns My Radio On
Jackie Shane - Any Other Way
Chuck Jackson - Any Day Now
Alexander Skip Spence - Cripple Creek
Lael Neale - Blue Vein
Washington Phillips - Mother's Last Word To Her Son
Michael Hurley - I Stole The Right to Live
Ted Hawkins - Cold & Bitter Tears
Josephine Foster - Child of God
Jeff Cowell - Lucky Strikes and Liquid Gold
Blaze Foley - Clay Pigeons
Die Wellttaumforscher - Glücklich. Traurig. Seltsam.
The Soul Stirrers - Jesus Gave Me Water
Paul Robeson - Lazy Bones (1933)
The Cryin Shames - Please Stay
When it launched in 2006, End Of The Road swiftly established itself as the festival season’s greatest jewel, with a line-up that is always eclectic, joyful, and frequently revelatory. Over 15 years, it has welcomed everyone from Sufjan Stevens to Patti Smith and Little Simz.
A SOLD OUT End Of The Road returns on 1st - 4th September 2022, at the Larmer Tree Gardens, Dorset/Wiltshire. Featuring Headliners Pixies, Fleet Foxes, Bright Eyes and Khruangbin, as well as an undercard full of the most exciting buzz bands, indie veterans and emerging artists.
