December 30th, 2024

Nassau Manor on IRM’s Top 50 of 2024

Nassau Manor from Epic & Rob Crooks has made Indie Rock Mag‘s Top 50 of 2024 list, and that’s just awesome!

Check out the full list here, with reviews of the Top 24 and links to any reviews they did of the remaining 26 (which includes Nassau Manor).

December 14th, 2024

Hand’Solo Records makes IRM’s Top 24 Labels of 2024

It’s a great honour to have Hand’Solo Records land at #22 on Indie Rock Magazine‘s Top 24 Labels of 2024, a list that includes some great labels from around the world!

December 13th, 2024

Prairie Rap Podcast interview with Mickey O’Brien (also one with Fortunato)

This week the interview with Mickey O’Brien by Prairie Rap Podcast went live on all your favourite streaming sites. Listen to him talk about his new EPs (Post Cards as a solo artist and Samhain with his Sudbury pals Max Moon and Johnny Bizness as Magick Show), his job as a miner and union activist, touring the world, and working with his frequent collaborator, producer Fresh Kils.

And I don’t think I posted about Fortunato’s interview by Prairie Rap Podcast when it dropped a few months back. He talks about The Coalition, his new album with producer The Dirty Sample, hit experiences in the battle rap scene, and the New Brunswick rap scene he wasn’t involved with for a few years.

December 11th, 2024

Local and looking for last minute Christmas gifts?

With Canada Post on strike, delivery of Christmas gifts isn’t always possible. If you’re in the Toronto area, you can satisfy your Christmas shopping needs for you favourite hip hop fan with a quick trek to Sonic Boom or Play De Record, both of which have a nice selection of vinyl, cassettes and CDs from Hand’Solo Records. Both are also shipping via alternate carriers so you can also purchase for shipping with confidence. Play De’s website doesn’t appear to be working properly right now, but they should have all Hand’Solo vinyl releases. Here’s what’s available at Sonic Boom, with prices…

December 5th, 2024

Congratulations Mickey O’Brien!

The first single from Mickey O’Brien’s Post Cards EP, “Ikigai” was selected by Stephanie Marie, the Promo God of Underground Sound Off, as one of the 25 best songs for the second half of 2024. “Ikigai” is featured on a compilation along with the other 24 songs, which you can download for your own enjoyment here or by clicking on the Certificate of Recognition…

November 25th, 2024

Beats To Murder Rappers 2 on IRM’s Top Albums for Oct 2024

“Véritable séance de cinéma pour les oreilles, cette dernière livraison de The Dirty Sample n’oublie surtout pas d’être un excellent album de très bonne musique. Clairement un must de ce mois d’octobre.” – Indie Rock Mag

The Dirty Sample’s Beats To Murder Rappers 2 beat tape lands at #4 on Indie Rock Mag’s top albums for October 2024…

November 15th, 2024

Epic interview by Memphis Reigns

Following some similar music trajectories, Epic joins Memphis Reigns for his podcast Off The Grid, to discuss his evolution from first discovery of hip hop to his upcoming projects, with time well-spent on his two albums on Hand’Solo Records, Aging is What Friends Do Together (2008) and Nassau Manor (2024).

November 14th, 2024

Magick Show live on Friday the 13th

Before heading out on tour in Japan and Australia, Mickey O’Brien is going to join his Magick Show compatriots for a Friday the 13th show in the group’s hometown of Sudbury, ON aka Nickel City on December 13, 2024.

November 11th, 2024

Mickey O’Brien’s Post Cards world tour

Mickey O’Brien is going on tour in early-2025 starting with Japan and Australia. Here are the flyers with the tour dates. Come out and support if you’re in any of these cities!

November 10th, 2024

Mickey O’Brien on Fresh Juice Media

Check out that last episode of Fresh Juice Media featuring Mickey O’Brien as well as Ced Bash… You may have to jump over to YouTube to watch it.