At Start-Track we like to invite our favourite artists and labels to create guest playlists for us to share on our ever-expanding Spotify profile. Across the playlist’s 30 songs, the creators share music they’ve been listening to recently, as well as some which has shaped their own art and philosophies.
This new playlist is from Graham W. Bell, who runs the Brooklyn-based Rue Defense record label. We’ve been following them since the label released Alexei Shishkin’s ‘Goodbye Sunrise’ in 2023, which we called “slacker lo-fi rock with a strong emphasis on vocals and lyrics…something that every reader of this blog can enjoy” (read our full review and interview here).
Most recently, Rue Defense also co-released Shishkin’s excellent ‘Open Door Policy’ album, which we were lucky enough to premiere in June. Beyond the wildly prolific Shishkin, the label has also worked with artists like Dead Painters, Elly Swope, goodgrief, Cowboy Dinosaur, and others.
30 Tracks Picked by Rue Defense:
Bell’s playlist combines songs from the Rue Defensive back catalogue alongside great artists like Pom Pom Squad, Snail Mail, Horse Jumper of Love, DIIV, Pissed Jeans, and many more.
There’s much to discover in this new playlist, both established and emerging artists, so please be sure to listen here, and subscribe to the Start-Track Spotify channel here. You can find a full list of guest playlists here.
Alexei Shishkin’s ‘Open Door Policy’ is out now via Rue Defense.