Two-disc collection features rare, unreleased tracks and lead single from Shiva Burlesque’s first new recording in 35 years.
The Basics
- Title: The Well
- Label: Independent Project Records (IPR)
- Format: Two-disc, 41-song compilation
- Digital Release Date: Friday, November 21, 2024
- Physical Release Date: Friday, December 19, 2024
- Lead Single: “Midnight Chapel” by Shiva Burlesque (available now)
- Content: Rare, unreleased, and archival tracks from IPR vault
- Curator: Bruce Licher (IPR co-owner/founder)
- Artists Featured: Barry Craig, Camper Van Beethoven, David J, Lanterna, Middle Class, Savage Republic, Scenic, Shiva Burlesque, and more
- Listening Party: Bandcamp, Wednesday, November 19 at noon PST
- Release Context: Coincides with IPR’s 45th Anniversary celebration at Gold-Diggers
What’s Happening
Independent Project Records announced The Well, a comprehensive decades-spanning compilation curated by founder Bruce Licher. The 41-song, two-disc collection draws from the label’s extensive archives, combining previously unreleased recordings, rare vault material, and tracks from forthcoming releases.
The compilation arrives amid IPR’s 45th Anniversary celebration (November 5-6 at Gold-Diggers in Los Angeles), positioning the collection as a retrospective document of the label’s artistic identity and creative legacy.
The Well releases digitally November 21 and physically December 19, with a Bandcamp listening party scheduled for November 19 at noon PST.
Lead Single: Shiva Burlesque’s ‘Midnight Chapel’
IPR released “Midnight Chapel” as the compilation’s lead single—the first new recording from cult LA band Shiva Burlesque in 35 years. The track reunites Jeffrey Clark and Grant-Lee Phillips (original Shiva Burlesque founders from the 1980s) and features David J (Bauhaus, Love and Rockets) on bass alongside multi-instrumentalist Dana Gumbiner.
The single’s existence alone constitutes significant news within independent music circles. A three-decade gap between recordings represents rare artist re-engagement, suggesting renewed creative interest from formerly dormant projects.
The release timing coordinates with the band’s performance at the IPR 45th Anniversary celebration, creating momentum between studio recording and live presentation.
Compilation Structure and Content
The Well spans two volumes totaling 41 songs. Volume One emphasizes contemporary IPR releases (Afterimage retrospective, Springhouse, Half String, Ophelias) alongside archival material (demo recordings, previously unreleased tracks, and rare live recordings).
Volume Two deepens historical excavation, featuring previously unreleased David J demos, forgotten 1980s recordings from obscure LA bands (Spadra Moods, BPEOPLE), archival cassette tapes from the 1990s, and material from regional artists (Indiana shoegaze band The Sunflower Conspiracy, Arizona-based jazz ensemble Jazz Bedouins).
Notably, Volume Two, Track 15 (“Radiant Transfer To Non-Grey Walls” by NEEF) represents Bruce Licher’s first-ever recorded music appearance—a historically significant inclusion marking the founder’s own musical origins.
IPR’s Curatorial Philosophy
The compilation demonstrates Licher’s approach to label stewardship: balancing accessible highlights with deep-cut archaeology. The inclusion of Camper Van Beethoven’s 1983 demo “Vegetables” alongside ambient work by A Produce (Barry Craig) illustrates IPR’s genre-defying aesthetic.
This curation strategy reflects a specific archival sensibility: treating previously unheard recordings not as bonus material but as historically vital documents worthy of professional restoration and presentation.
Physical vs. Digital Strategy
The staggered release (digital November 21, physical December 19) reflects contemporary industry practice. Digital distribution captures immediate listener engagement and streaming platform placement, while physical release targets collectors willing to wait for tangible artifacts.
The December 19 physical release timing positions the collection as potential gift merchandise for holiday shopping—a strategic retail consideration for a label historically beloved by collectors.
Label Legacy and Influence
IPR’s influence extends across independent music history. Since 1982, the label has released work from Savage Republic, Stereolab, Camper Van Beethoven, and contemporary artists. The compilation documents both canonical IPR artists and deeply obscure regional musicians whose work might otherwise remain entirely undocumented.
The Well‘s 41 songs represent a specific moment in independent music culture: before algorithmic playlisting, when independent releases circulated through limited cassette pressings, regional radio, and collector networks. The compilation resurrects that pre-internet era of musical discovery.
What Comes Next
The Well arrives digitally November 21, 2024, with a Bandcamp listening party November 19 at noon PST. Physical copies release December 19, 2024.
Shiva Burlesque performs at IPR’s 45th Anniversary celebration November 5-6 at Gold-Diggers in Hollywood.
Forthcoming IPR releases in late 2024 and 2026 include new music from Woo, David J, Driveway Ceiling, and the Louder Than You Think documentary soundtrack.
For fans of: Independent music history, post-punk, experimental music, archival recordings, record collectors, Los Angeles music scene, lo-fi aesthetic, underground music documentation
Release dates: Digital November 21 | Physical December 19, 2024
Label: Independent Project Records
Listening party: Bandcamp, November 19 at noon PST
