Second Motion Entertainment | SECOND MOTION RECORDS

About Second Motion Records

Second Motion Records was founded on May 1st, 2008 in Chapel Hill, NC by owner Stephen Judge
Judge has worked in the music business for almost 20 years before starting Second Motion, a resume that includes:

1990 -1992: Black Park Management (The Connells, Tommy Keene, Queen Sarah Saturday)
1991 - 2001: Schoolkids Records (Raleigh, Chapel Hill) buyer/manager
1992 - 1993: Managed Chapel Hill, NC band Two Fish Blue
1994- 1995: Mammoth Records (Juliana Hatfield, Dillon Fence, Frente, Machines of Loving Grace)
1993 - 1998: Managed Greensboro, NC's Athenaeum (Atlantic Records), Collapsis (Universal) and Hobex (London)
2002 - 2008: Redeye Distribution/Yep Roc Records (Sales & Marketing Director) (Martin Sexton, The Supersuckers, Pernice Brothers, Caitlin Cary, Paul Weller)
: (A&R) (Liam Finn, Bell X1, John Doe, The Cake Sale, Concrete Blonde, The Gourds, Public Enemy, Maria McKee, You Am I)
: (Controller/General Manager): Redeye/Yep Roc/Eleven Thirty.

May 1st, 2008: Founded Second Motion Entertainment
Graduate of N.C. State University with double degree in Business Management and Accounting.

In Feb 2009 Second Motion will be relocating to East Lansing, Michigan

We are distributed in the United States by Redeye Distribution and in Canada by Outside Music. All of our releases are available for licensing throughout the world. For more information on licensing or questions in general contact: stephen (at) secondmotionrecords.com. For International Distribution and more info please visit our contact page.

Second Motion Records - Releases

NEW RELEASES - PREORDER NOW!!!

Swervedriver

Raise (Extended Version)

Following their recent reunion and a very successful tour in 2008, after 10 years away Swervedriver are back! As one of the finest bands from the so-called 'shoegaze' scene in teh mid 90's their music is often described as a cross between British ethereal bands such as Ride, Lush and My Bloody Valentine and Motor City rock and roll classics like The Stooges and MC5

In these digi-pak reissues, both their debut "Raise" and the critically acclaimed follow up "Mezcal Head" have been digitally re-mastered for the first time and extended with 4-rare bonus tracks and additional liner notes and photographs by the band.

Mezcal Head (Extended Version)

Odds

Cheerleader

Odds are a Canadian alternative rock band that achieved commercial success in the 1990s. The band's power pop style is frequently compared to that of American contemporaries such as Matthew Sweet, The Gin Blossoms or Toad The Wet Sprocket. (The band is somethimes referred to as The Odds, although they were always credit on album covers as simply "Odds".) Odds formed in 1987 in Vancouver, and consisited of vocalist-guitarist Craig Northey and Steven Drake, bassist Doug Elliott and drummer Paul Brenna. Band members claim the name came when Paul said to Steven (in a one horse town somewhere on the BC coast), "What are the odds of us ever escaping bullshit gigs like this!" The band played up to 4 nights a week as a 1960s and 1970s cover band, Dawn Patrol while playing as Odds on weekends. Their break came after they became disappointed in the Vancouver music scene and commuted to Los Angeles every few weeks to play shows which game them enough exposure to sign with major label Zoo/BMG (also home to Matthew Sweet at the time)

Their debut album Neopolitan was released in 1991 and comprised a controversial hit "Wendy Under The Stars" which featured a chorus I was fucking Wendy under the stars/The night that Elvis died. The band soon found a fan in in the late-great Warren Zevon and were invited to be his band and opening act on his tour for Mr. Bad Example. In 1993, the band released "Bedbugs" which attracted attention for its lead single "Heterosexual Man." The video for the song featured the four band members in drag, with The Kids in the Hall as the stereotypically macho jacks. Brennan left the band in 1994 to join Big Sugar and was replaced by former Bryan Adams drummer Pat Steward.

After more records and flirting with top 40 commercial success, the band amicably broke up in 1999 after releasing a greatest hits/singles compilation in 2000. Northey has since become a songwriter for hire, writing for the lies of Colin James, Rosanne Cash and The Who. In 2004 Northey collaborated with former Gin Blossoms frontman Jesse Valenzuela on the Northey-Valenzuela album and also contributed the theme song to the Canadian sitcom Corner Gas, entitled "Not A Lot Going On." which appears here for the first time on the Odds latest release "Cheerleader" Their first album in almost 10 years.

SECOND MOTION RECORDS CATALOG

Gemma Hayes

Hollow of Morning

On September 30th, Second Motion will release the third album by the Mercury Prize nominated artist Gemma Hayes 'THE HOLLOW OF MORNING'

Six years, two albums, the highs of critical accolades and the lows of doubt and exhaustion have all led this Dublin, Ireland native, Gemma Hayes to this her third album 'Hollow Of Morning' and with another roll of the dice, the ingénue of old days has grown and morphed into an experienced songwriter; and also a woman who has surveyed her career to date and decided to go her own way. Independent in every sense.

Co-produced by long time cohort and collaborator David Odlum, who worked with Gemma on her Mercury nominated debut, 'Night On My Side', 'Hollow of Morning' is a ten track filigree of melody and subtle harmonic rhythms. Recorded in Los Angeles, the album is the perfect hybrid of Odlum and Hayes with the sunlit sparkle of California. Guests include: Kevin Shields (My Bloody Valentine) on guitar and Paul Noonan (Bell X1) on drums. "Hollow of Morning" also debuted at #12 in the Irish Charts first week of release.

Check back here for more details about the release of "Hollow of Morning" in the coming weeks including a special pre-order with unreleased tracks and exclusive material only available on Second Motion.

Brian Vander Ark

Resurrection

Massive success and its aftermath have sent many artists into oblivion, forever trying to recapture the moment when the world first bowed at their feet. That moment came for Brian Vander Ark when, as the lead singer and principal songwriter for The Verve Pipe, he sold more than 3 million albums worldwide and produced a string of hit singles, including the #1 song 'The Freshmen.'

More than just the frontman, Vander Ark was its literal and figurative voice, providing the creative spark and writing songs that gave the band its devoted following. Although the songs were cast in the style of the era, they remain singular and special. His gift is one of tremendous storytelling clarity expressed through melodies and rhythms that are unique, riveting, intensely personal and entirely gripping.

Rather than blindly attempt to reclaim a throne that was fleeting at best, the Michigan native struck out on his own, sold all his possessions, hit the road and released his acclaimed debut solo CD, Resurrection, in 2005. This inspired collection of original songs recalls an era when artists were not afraid to express their hearts direction and soul's design. "On Resurrection, the new songs show the sense of melody that made the Verve Pipe a success but with added melancholy and heartbreak." (All-Music Guide).

Resurrection was originally released on Brash Records and is now being re-issued on Second Motion. Vander Ark has also had success writing songs for movie soundtracks, "1299 Sheffield" appeared in the Vince Vaughn indie film "Clay Pigeons", he co-wrote "Blow You Away" with Andy Partridge of XTC for "The Avengers" soundtrack, wrote "When I'm Gone" film the film "Life Or Something Like It" and also portrayed the bass player in the band fronted by Mark Whalberg in "Rock Star", and he wrote and performed the hit song from the film "Colorful".

Brian (affectionately known by his fans as "BVA") will be touring extensively throughout the United States while doing over 15-20 shows a month non-stop.

Angel, Put Your Face On

Angel, Put Your Face On is singer-song-writer Brian Vander Ark's second album, and also marks a clear departure from his former band, The Verve Pipe. Originally released only at shows and though Brian's website, this marks the first time Angel has been released in a environmental friendly eco-pak.

Recorded with former Uncle Tupelo and Wilco drummer, Ken Croomer, Angel evokes influences that range from Elton John to Ryan Adams. Each track having it's own distinct sound, mixing some classic Vander Ark moments with a new direction that will turn him onto a new legion of fans that would not have discovered his talents in the post-grunge era of The Verve Pipe .

The opening track, "I Don't Want To Be A Bother" is a song about growing up amongst the confusion politics and religious morals forced upon someone living a more liberal lifestyle and struggling to come to grips with it's hypocrisy, with such bold lines as "I guess you can't be religious and pro-choice" to even conclusions (referring to a visit with a Priest who doesn't appreciate Vander Ark's liberal views)"I would have told him Jesus was a rebel too, but I didn't want to be a bother." The second track is arguable one of Vander Ark's best works of his career, "Too Good For This World" as Alternative Addition magazine stated "it's driving melody and familiar soaring vocals finds Vander Ark at his best." The review continues "Angel captures a whole new side of Vander Ark, one that just further proves why he's still one of the most talented songwriters in the industry today."

Brian (affectionately known by his fans as "BVA") will be touring extensively throughout the United States while doing over 15-20 shows a month non-stop. His infamous "Lawn Chair Series" that started on tour supporting Angel, will be filmed in an upcoming documentary to be released in early 2009.

Brian Vander Ark

More than just the frontman, Vander Ark (aka: "BVA") was its literal and figurative voice, providing the creative spark and writing songs that gave the band its devoted following. Although the songs were cast in the style of the era, they remain singular and special. His gift is one of tremendous storytelling clarity expressed through melodies and rhythms that are unique, riveting, intensely personal and entirely gripping.

Rather than blindly attempt to reclaim a throne that was fleeting at best, the Michigan native struck out on his own, sold all his possessions, hit the road and released his acclaimed debut solo CD, Resurrection, in 2005. This inspired collection of original songs recalls an era when artists were not afraid to express their hearts direction and soul's design. Vander Ark continued that commitment with the release of Angel, Put Your Face On and his latest solo CD, Brian Vander Ark. Both earnest and reflective, this music once again takes an intimate look at life while exploring themes of family, love and loss.

Produced by legendary producer Bill Szymczyk (Eagles, The Who, BB King) in his Little Switzerland, NC studio, Brian Vander Ark is BVA's most accomplished work of his career, from "We Heard, We Saw" to "We Were Never The Same" the album is a roadmap of a journeyman and his accomplishments and struggles.

His journey has resulted in a lyrical, engrossing collection of songs wrought from an experience that many have dreamed of but few have faced. On the way, Brian rediscovered his love for performing and now revels in a freedom that few can claim as he travels the road playing his songs and connecting with audiences.