Colin Goldie with Granite Mansion

 Catalogue Number: BE24034

release date July 19 2024

We are pleased to announce the release of Colin Goldie's album "Random Notes". Colin is a well known folk musician that has been a part of the West Coast Blue Grass and Folk scene for over forty years! Produced by Mark Henning and recorded at the Boutique Empire studio in East Vancouver, Random Notes features several members of  Headlong Hearts (known in this instance as Granite Mansion) as well as vocals from Kate Main (Murfitt and Main) and Isabelle Dunlop (Combine the Victorious) and instrumentalists Tom Hammell, Cindy Fairbank, Brian Samuels and Paul Pigat. 

A 12 song collection of tunes all written by Colin Goldie over the past decades and brought together for this album. It includes his crowd pleasing favourite tune "Come Closer to Me" as well as the spiritual-inspired "Drowned In Deep Waters" and the heartfelt "How."

Available worldwide on all streaming sites and on a limited edition cd pressing. Please contact us here for more information. 

Listen now!

 

Combine the Victorious - Love Ballad - new Video and single

 

For the first time, Combine the Victorious has released a new single in partnership with Thorvald Records from Los Angeles, California.  On Feb 11 2022 a double A-side featuring the songs Love Ballad and Thunder was released worldwide.

A massive benefit of this partnership has been the introduction to Steven R. Gilmore, graphic artist extraordinaire (he's done covers for artists such as Skinny Puppy, Grapes of Wrath, A Perfect Circle and countless others) whose art now graces our cover. The incredible image and layout is so engaging and inspiring it seems to elevate the music to new level!

In addition to the new double A side release there is also a new video for the song Love Ballad. Filmed on location at the Isabelle Dunlop Clothing Store the video is a depiction of a fairly typical day for Isabelle. She meets her customer, as portrayed by actress/model Carmel Amit, discusses designing a dress for her and then we see her go to work. The Isabelle Dunlop Clothing Store is featured throughout the video, with loving depiction of the design studio in the back of the shop. 

Combine the Victorious - Love Ballad video

produced by Boutique Empire

directed, edited and audio by HENNING

camera operators: Mark R Henning, Isabelle Dunlop

featuring: Isabelle Dunlop and Carmel Amit

released on February 1th 2022.

La Faena - a short film

I'm really excited to present the finished short film by the flamenco dance troupe Calle Verde.

Back at the beginning of June we went to the top of Queen Elizabeth part and filmed Calle Verde dancing the story of La Faena. The story involves a bull who is transported from his fields to the bullring. Here the bull encounters a bull fighter and a struggle ensues. However both parties have a change of heart.

Calle Verde is a well known flamenco dance group in Vancouver, BC, Canada. The three, Maria Avila, Michelle Harding, and Peter Mole have become a fixture of the local scene. This short film is their entrance into the 2021 Flamenco de la Isla Society of Victoria BC. It debuted on June 22nd. 

Helping me with this project was Isabelle Dunlop who assisted and shot second camera. Together we filmed at 7AM in the QE Park, surrounded by a large early morning Tai Chi class and the comings and going of the Vancouver parks board. I'm very proud of this film as it presented me with many challenges and the results look great! 

If you enjoyed this please check out Calle Verde as they are currently performing Friday evenings at the Havana Theatre on Commercial Drive here in Vancouver. 

Produced by Boutique Empire

Directed and Edited by Mark R Henning

Camera Operators Isabelle Dunlop and M R Henning

Original music by Peter Mole except "El Toro" by Maria Avila

Chreographed and performed by Maria Avila and Michelle Harding.

New Music! The Bolsheviks

Combine the Victorious has a new single, "The Bolsheviks" which is now available on all the major streaming sites!








Or try bandcamp if you don't use Spotify:

Records In My Life; Day Wave

Northern Transmissions and Boutique Empire present the Day Wave episode of Records In My Life.  We caught up with Jackson Phillips at Red Cat Records to discuss some of his favorite albums including Bill Evans, King Crimson and Yes. Check it out!

Jackson Phillips referenced the following titles:
1. Fripp & Eno - Evening Star
2. Ravel - Piano Concerto in G
3. Chet Baker - Chet Baker Sings
4. Yes - Close to the Edge
5. King Crimson - Larks' Tongues in Aspic
6. Bill Evans - How My Heart Sings!

RIML is produced and hosted by Charles Brownstein for NorthernTransmission.com
Videography, Direction and editing by Mark Henning
Animations and logo by Susana Ramirez

Music Credits:
This episode features the song "Nothing At All" by Day Wave https://itunes.apple.com/ca/album/not...

Theme music is "Best Tonight" by Combine the Victorious https://itunes.apple.com/ca/album/bes...

Day Wave on Records In My Life © 2016 Northern Transmissions

Dark Matter - Art & Music - The Population Drops Live

Boutique Empire presents Dark Matter  - Art & Music - The Population Drops Live

Filmed Dec 17th 2015 at the Isabelle Dunlop Clothing Store, Vancouver, Canada, we had an art opening for the mysterious Jean Vercoe as well as a live showcase set by The Population Drops.  We have created a mini documentary that succinctly captures some of the energy of the night.

Produced by Boutique Empire
videography by Mark Henning and Sean McFarland
Editing by Mark Henning

Thanks to The Population Drops, Jean Vercoe, Isabelle Dunlop, and Sean McFarland for their help in the creation of this film.

The Population Drops are performing their songs:
On Your Dress
Find Another End
from their debut album Way Down.

Contact the band or the artist thru boutiqueempire@gmail.com

Isabelle Dunlop Clothing
4158 Main Street, Vancouver BC Canada

The Pop Drops at Isabelle Dunlop Clothing

We had our Boutique Empire xmas party last December and have just gotten around to editing together the footage from that night.  We shall soon be revealing the live performance of The Population Drops at Isabelle Dunlop Clothing.

Titled "Dark Matters" after the artist Jean Vercoe's series of the same name, we shall soon be airing the mini documentary of Mr. Vercoe's artwork as well as a five song set by The Population Drops.

 

It was a great party and the shop was filled by the band's music.  

 

Filmed live at Isabelle Dunlop Clothing Store, 41 58 Main Street, Vancouver Canada 

Produced by Boutique Empire

Videography by Mark Henning and Sean McFarland

Editing by Henning

Artwork by Jean Vercoe

The Population Drops performed the following songs from their debut album
Way Down:

1. Enough

2. Marketplace

3. What You're After

4. On Your Dress

5. Find Another End

Video will debut soon!

 

Records In My Life: Dan Deacon

This week's episode of Records In My Life features the very affable and informed Dan Deacon.  He joined us for a quick chat about the albums that shaped his tastes, opened his mind, and helped his music develop.   Filmed before soundcheck at the Cobalt Cabaret here in Vancouver, Dan was a real treat to talk music with.  From Stockhausen to Mr. Bungle, he covered a lot of ground, but stayed centred around his electronic tastes.

Produced and hosted by Charles Brownstein for northerntransmissions.com
Directed and edited by Mark Henning
Videography by Katharina Schulz and Mark Henning
Animations and logo by Susana Ramirez

Dan Deacon listed the following albums in his interview:
Terry Riley - A Rainbow in Curved Air
Mr. Bungle - Disco Volante
Eliane Radigue - Trilogie de la Mort
Talking Heads - Remain In Light
Karlheinz Stockhousen/Mauricio Kagel - feat David Tudor

Music Credit:
This episode of Records In My Life features the song "Learning to Relax" from the Dan Deacon album "Gliss Riffer." https://itunes.apple.com/ca/album/gli...

Theme music for RIML is "Best Tonight" by Combine the Victorious https://itunes.apple.com/ca/album/bes...

Check out the entire Records In My Life series at this link! 

Records In My Life: Health

This week's episode features Jacob and John from the Los Angeles band Health.  We filmed them in the hidden ballroom of the former Biltmore Hotel amid the mirrors and chandeliers.  Jake and John were filled with stories and humour and offered up a collection of esoteric albums from their past.  They spoke about the Stooges, Steve Reich, Crass and Ex Models as well as Andrew WK and Xui Xui.  Truly one of the funnier episodes we've filmed.  Check it out!

Producer and host: Charles Brownstein for Northerntransmissions.com
Directer and editer: Mark Henning
Videography: Benn McQuire and Mark Henning
Animations and RIML logo: Susana Ramirez

This episodes features the song "New Coke" from the Health album Death Magic
Intro theme is Best Tonight by Combine the Victorious from their album Autonomous

Records In My Life: Pictureplane

This week's episode of Records In My Life features Travis Egedy of the electronic project Pictureplane.  He picked out a few classic albums including Nirvana and Madonna, as well as personal favorites such as Purient and Wolf Eyes. A very enthusiastic interview, quite an easy one to film down at Red Car Records once again. Have a look!

Presented by Northern Transmissions and Boutique Empire
Produced and hosted by Charles Brownstein
Videography, direction, editing by Mark Henning
Animations, logos by Susana Ramirez

This episode features the song Esoterrorist by Pictureplane
Theme music - Best Tonight by Combine the Victorious

Check out more episodes at this link!

Records in my Life: Yo La Tengo

 
Northern Transmissions and Boutique Empire proudly present another episode of Records In My Life, this week we feature an in depth interview with Ira Kaplan of Yo La Tengo.  Ira was so comfortable and charming during the filming of this interview, he really went into depth and detail on his record choices, including  referencing The Kinks, "a gigantic band in my life" and how he went to shows in NYC when he was still a kid and saw that band performing for on $2 in central park!

Filmed in the greenroom backstage of The Vogue Theatre, Vancouver, Canada.

Host and producer: Charles Brownstein
Director, editor: Mark Henning
Videography: Katharina Schulz and Mark Henning
Animations and logos: Susana Ramirez

Music:
intro theme: Best Tonight - Combine the Victorious
this episode features the song "Autumn Sweater" by Yo La Tengo. 

Our first Xmas Party!

We held our first xmas party at the Isabelle Dunlop Clothing Store on Thursday night, and it was a blast!  The Population Drops performed a tight showcase set in the front of the store and we all shared in a few festive drinks and amid Isabelle's fashion and the mysterious Jean Vercoe's art.

Big thankd to all our friends for coming down to celebrate a successful second year at Isabelle Dunlop Clothing.  It's been a great season so far, and it was fun to share a few laughs and stories with everyone.  Thanks to The Pop Drops for performing, Jean Vercoe for the art, Red Truck Brewery for the beer, and of  course Isabelle for hosting the party in her store!

Hope you're all having a good time this season and hope to see you soon!

Cheers and happy xmas!

Records in My Life: Joanna Gruesome

 Northern Transmissions and Boutique Empire presents this week's episode of Records in My Life featuring Owen Guesome from the Welsh band Joanna Gruesome.   Owen joined us in the lobby of the illustrious Cobalt Motor Hotel to discuss a few of the albums that had made impressions on him, the band's music and in the case of Nina Simone, he just loves!   A couple surprising picks in this list for sure, check it out.

Host and producer: Charles Brownstein
Videography direction editing: Mark Henning
Animations and logos: Susana Ramirez

Filmed at the Cobalt Motor Hotel, right beside the Cobalt Nightclub,

Intro Theme Music: Best Tonight by Combine the Victorious

Episode features the song Last Year by Joanna Gruesome

Records In My Life: RIDE

It was quite cool meeting Mark Gardener from the band RIDE the other week.  As a fan of the band if was interesting to hear him discuss the albums that helped shape his musical career.   From The Beat with its great Ska, to the Beach Boys through The Smiths,  the Cockteau Twins and Joni Mitchell Mark was generous with his stories and detailed in his love of the music.

Northern Transmission and Boutique Empire present Records In My Life featuring Ride.  Check it out!

Produced and Hosted by Charles Brownstein
Videography, Direction and Editing: Mark Henning
Animations and logos: Susana Ramirez
Filmed backstage at the Commodore Ballroom, Vancouver, Canada

Guest: Mark Gardener of the band Ride

Opening theme music: Best Tonight by Combine the Victorious
Episode features Leave Them All Behind by Ride

Records In My Life: Broncho

Northern Transmissions and Boutique Empire present another episode of Records In My Life, this week featuring Ryan Lyndsey from the Band Broncho.   Ryan was very charming and came into Red Cat Records and quickly listed off five albums that have been sources of inspiration and excitement for him.  The Pretenders, The Cars and even Dire Straights get listed this week!  Have a look, it's a good one.

Producer and host: Charles Brownstein
Videography, direction, editing: Mark Henning
Animations: Susana Ramirez

Filmed at Red Cat Records

Opening Theme: Best Tonight - Combine the Victorious
Episode features: Class Historian - Broncho

Records In My Life: Beach Slang

Northern Transmissions and Boutique Empire present this week's episode of Records In My Life featuring James Alex from the band Beach Slang.   We caught up with James in the lobby of the Cobalt Motor Hotel right before soundcheck and he fired off a few of him most important/favorite records.  Amongst his influences are The Replacements, Jawbreaker and The Beach Boys.  We coaxed him into offering a few extras as well.  Check it out

Episode features the song Bad Art and Weirdo Ideas by Beach Slang off their latest album The Things We Do To Find People Who Feel Like Us.

Intro theme song Best Tonight by Combine the Victorious.

Producer, host: Charles Brownstein
Videography, direction, editing: Mark Henning
Animations: Susana Ramirez

Records In My Life: Here We Go Magic

Northern Transmissions and Boutique Empire present another episode of Records In My Life, this time featuring Luke Temple from the band Here We Go Magic.   Luke discusses a couple of his favorite albums and then chooses a few more that he hasn't heard yet!

Check out what he discusses, from William Onyeabor, Talk Talk, John Hassell, Eno and Terry Riley.

Produced and hosted by Charles Brownstein for Northern Transmissions
Edited by Mark Henning
Videography: Isabelle Dunlop and Susana Ramirez
Animations and graphics: Susana Ramirez

The episode also features opening theme music Best Tonight by Combine the Victorious as well a Falling by Here We Go Magic.

Filmed at Red Cat Records, Vancouver, BC Canada

Records In My Life: Dilly Dally

Northern Transmissions and Boutique Empire present Records In My Life, this week featuring the Toronto band Dilly Dally.   Watch as they discuss the records that they love and have influenced them including: The Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Blur, Kurt Vile and Big Black.

Produced and hosted by Charles Brownstien for Northern Transmissions
Videography, direction and editing by Mark Henning
Animations and graphics by Susana Ramirez

Filmed at The Media Club in Vancouver, Canada. 

Thanks to the band Dilly Dally for the interview, check out their new album Sore. 

Records In My Life: Mac Demarco

Northern Transmissions and Boutique Empire present another episode of Records In My Life, this time featuring Mac Demarco. Filmed backstage during soundcheck at his sold out show at the Commodore in Vancouver, BC, Mac goes on to talk about some of his favorite albums including John Lennon, Neil Young and Collin Mockasin.

Produced  and hosted by Charles Brownstein for Northern Transmissions
Videography by Mark Henning and Susana Ramirez
Direction and editing by Mark Henning
Animations and graphics by Susana Ramirez

The episode features the Mac Demarco song I've Been Waiting for Her from his album Another One, though you can quite plainly hear the music of opening act Alex Calder at they are soundchecking in the first half of the video.

Intro theme music Best Tonight by Combine the Victorious

Records in My Life: Mew

 Northern Transmission and Boutique Empire proudly present another episode of Records In My Life, this time featuring Johan Wolhert of the band Mew.  We caught up with him for a lengthy chat about rmusic in the hidden garden behind Red Cat Records in Vancouver, Canada.

Mew are touring the world in support of their new +/- album, and Johan gave us an extended insight into a few of the albums that have inspired him over the decades.  Included were: My Bloody Valentine, Genesis, Abba, Fleetwood Mac and Bruce Springteen!

The video also featured the Mew track Rows off their +/- album.

Host: Charles Brownstein
Camera operators: Susana Ramirez, Mark Henning
Graphics and animations: Susana Ramirez
Director editor; Mark Henning
opening them music: Best Tonight by Combine the Victorious