Aaron Tanner's Blog

It’s tough to type this, but after much thought and consideration, Melodic Virtue will be closing.

For the past nine years, it’s been a privilege to share our love of underground music and build lasting relationships within that community. Your support has meant the world to us, and we’re truly grateful to everyone who has been part of our weird journey. While this chapter is coming to an end, we remain incredibly proud of everything we’ve accomplished.

And it should come as no surprise that as we prepare to close up shop, we’re having one last clearance sale on our remaining stock. Head to our website and snag what’s left before it’s gone for good!

Truly all the best,
Aaron Tanner

📷: Jordan Barclay

"After nearly a decade-long hiatus, I’m excited to announce that I’m once again offering design services! My focus is on brand identities, album artwork, and coffee table books—though my capabilities extend to other areas as well. Feel free to explore the new website, and please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have a project you’d like to discuss!" – Aaron

CHECK IT OUT!

“A wistful triumph.”
Joel McIver, Record Collector

Compiled and designed by Aaron Tanner, Cardiacs: A Big Book and a Band and Whole World Window spans the group’s formative years as Cardiac Arrest to their last single, Ditzy Scene. This book features rare and unseen photos, artwork, and other ephemera that will captivate long-time fans and newcomers alike. Introduction by Shane Embury (Napalm Death)!

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PRE-ORDER NOW (UK/EU)! PRE-ORDER NOW (US)!

Melodic Virtue has been given unprecedented access to Tim Smith’s personal archive to create Cardiacs: A Big Book and a Band and the Whole World Window, a limited edition coffee table book covering everything from their beginnings as Cardiac Arrest up to their final album, Guns. The fully authorized, 292-page visual history will begin shipping around January 3rd.

 

Due to popular demand, we’re releasing the singles included in our books on Bandcamp as well as on all major streaming services! The first single will appear this Friday followed by a new release every three weeks.

 August 2The Residents "Nobody's Nos" (MVP005)August 23Face to Face "Self-determined" (MVP001)Sept 13Butthole Surfers "Locust Abortion Technician Medley" (MVP002)Oct 4Lil Bub "Transmissions from Space" (MVP004)Oct 25The Residents "That'll Be the Day (Baby Baby)” (MVP007)

Starting this Friday, our records will finally be available in stores nationwide!! If you can’t find what you’re looking for, have your favorite record shop get in touch with Burnside Distribution for wholesale purchasing.

We're extremely excited to announce that we’re about to start production on a fully authorized book for Cardiacs! Founded in 1977 by primary composer Tim Smith, Cardiacs were one of Britain's leading cult rock bands. They were revered for their complex, energetic, and subversive compositions along with their eccentric and theatrical stage shows. During their four-decades-long career, they released eight studio albums which would, on occasion, attract hostility from the press.

Release date to be announced! Check out Instagram periodically for a look behind-the-scenes.

Since the warehouse we moved into last year was recently sold, we’re using this opportunity to restructure that side of our business and outsource fulfillment to a higher volume facility in Austin, TX. And this time it comes with significantly reduced shipping costs for most of our international customers! But unfortunately, that means we'll have to shut down starting March 27th. Orders can still be placed during that time but won't be fulfilled for roughly a week.

This cover of The Residents’ and Renaldo & The Loaf’s “Mahogany Wood” was created by Neil Burke (Men's Recovery Project), Rob Crow (Pinback, PLOSIVS), Roy Mayorga (Ministry, Nausea), Dren McDonald, Nick Rhodes (Duran Duran), and Aaron Tanner to celebrate the release of The Residents: A Sight for Sore Eyes, Vol. 2! Also features a mix by GRAMMY Award Winner, Joshua Blair (Paul McCartney, Mark Ronson)!

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MASSIVE NEWS! Our books on The Residents (along with the Cube-E figurine and art print by Steven Cerio) are now in the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art! Upon acceptance, the museum’s curator said they are “proud to add these to the museum's collection where they will be available for scholars and exhibition far into the future.”