Celebrating Firsts with Devil Town Tapes and the Welcome To… Compilation
“I’ve always found it hard to describe what Devil Town Tapes is,” Jack Laurilla, founder and curator of the Leeds, UK based label in question told Wormbrain, when asked about what their recently released Welcome To… compilation, “as in my mind it’s never really been defined by a specific sound exactly, but more of an ethos if that makes sense. I’m not sure I can put my finger on it exactly, but I just really relate to all the artists on the label, both in terms of what they have to say and how they share that in their music. That’s why all these different sounds feel so at home together, as they’re all united by this shared mindset. That feeling of family, of shared experience, that’s what the compilation is all about to me.”
The ten tracks that Welcome To… pulls together represent the Devil Town Tapes résumé since the label formed in 2019, as much a sampler of their growing roster as a grand statement on their expansive and expanding place in the worldwide indie music community. The front half of the tracklist shows off the first five artists that the label worked with, while the back half features those very same artists offering reinterpretations of one another. Imaginative and fresh, but still evocative, friendly, and familiar.
“The reaction to the release has been pretty overwhelming!” relished Laurilla, on the first few weeks of compilation reception. “It’s been super cool to see the amount of excitement around these tracks, not only from the fans who have been with us since day one, but also new listeners who are discovering these artists for the first time. ‘Welcome To…’ was just over two years in the making all in all, and is unlike any release I’ve worked on before. So, to see it all come together and have such a warm reception feels particularly rewarding.”
“I’m not sure I can put my finger on it exactly, but I just really relate to all the artists on the label, both in terms of what they have to say and how they share that in their music. That’s why all these different sounds feel so at home together, as they’re all united by this shared mindset. That feeling of family, of shared experience, that’s what the compilation is all about to me.”
”I wouldn’t say the compilation is a closing of a chapter, but more a celebration of that period of time. Time has felt so blurred that I don’t think I’ve had a chance to take in how far the label has come, it feels miraculous that we ever released one tape, let alone eleven!” they continued. “These artists and their releases were so incredibly formative for the label and it was a period of firsts for us all. It’s the best feeling to be able to come together now and celebrate what we’ve made together.”
As for what Devil Town Tapes has for fans new and old alike, they should maybe be thinking 222 more than 666. Laurilla tells us, “We’re currently working on two albums from two two-pieces! Both very different, both very cool!” And for those closer to DTT HQ, they tipped off UK local Wormbrain World readers that, “Outside of that, we’re also hosting the Leeds leg of American Poetry Club’s first ever UK tour! It’s our first gig in Leeds since relocating from Bournemouth last year, and I can’t wait!”
Photo courtesy of the label.
In our research at Wormbrain World, we have discovered that the five points of the pentagram sometimes represent Earth, Sky, Fire, Water, and Spirit (with the Spirit occupying the top and most important point) in some factions of occultism. How very interesting that there are five artists on the Welcome To… compilation, isn’t it? Almost seems beyond coincidence. Before ending the interview, we pressed Jack Laurilla of Devil Town Tapes to canonize which artists are which points on the DTT star, and here’s what they told us:
Earth: Omes
“The foundation of the label. I’ve shared so much of the journey of Devil Town Tapes with Omar and grown together with him through this, I’m grateful to have him by my side.”
Sky - Greg Mendez
“There is an inherent wisdom in Greg’s music, ‘Cherry Hell’ arrived so fully formed and made such an impact on me straightaway. It taught me so much as a label and as a person. Greg is truly one of the great songwriters of our time.”
Fire - Bedtime Khal
“The energy and passion that comes out of Khal’s music is something else. When art like his comes into your life, it reminds you why you do what you do, and drives and motivates you all over again.”
Water - Dilary Huff
“The release that refreshed the label and widened the scope for what we could do. Dilary Huff was a huge milestone for the label, and was the first time we worked with an artist not just outside of my hometown, but outside of the UK — and what a release to do it with!”
Spirit - Cult Film
“The essence of Devil Town Tapes, Chapman helped chart the course of what the label would become and really kicked this whole thing off. No Cult Film, no Devil Town Tapes.”
W.W: What is Wormbrain?
JL: Wormbrain is dropping your pick into your acoustic guitar and managing to coax it out on the first try.
W.W: Thank you for sharing with Wormbrain.
The new Welcome To… Devil Town Tapes compilation is out now, streaming everywhere and on cassette tape through the label.
