"Fueled by Boredom, Hubris, Naivete..."

By Scott Smith in Arts & Entertainment on Aug 17, 2006 8:47PM

Bloodshot Records has been up to some fun stuff as of late.

First, they dropped an advance copy of the Old Town School of Folk Music Songbook Vol. 1 in the Chicagoist mailbox and it's full of gems. We usually like more rock in our folk but damn if we aren't suckers for any version of "I Know You Rider." Linda Smith turns in a fine turn here as does Robbie Fulks on the following track, "Browns Ferry Blues." In fact, most of the selections lean on the bluesier side of Americana. Including both Old Town School gadflies and Chicago rock celebrities (Jon Langford, John Stirratt, and Eleventh Dream Day's Janet Bean), it's a quick trip through the folky side of life, complete with historical liner notes on every song. It drops on October 24th.

Then an early warning about the label's first DVD, Bloodied But Unbowed: Bloodshot Records' Life in the Trenches landed in our inbox. Due October 10th, it's an odds and sods collection of obscure live performances and behind-the-scenes looks at Ryan Adams, Old 97's, Neko Case and Graham Parker among others. Many of these have never been seen outside of Bloodshot HQ.

They've posted two clips on YouTube, this video for Bobby Bare Jr.'s "Rock and Roll" and an "inside look" at the history and present times of the now decade-old label.