The Private Regcords Roundup
Since 2022, independent record label Private Regcords has been quietly gathering momentum. The label belongs to James Vardy and was initially created as a medium of self-release. Under the moniker ‘Private Reg’, Vardy releases his own songs with party starting at their core. ‘6AM Start A
gain’ is one such example – the bastard child of Mike Skinner and Janet Planet.
Adopting the same approach with Private Regcords, the label has been built on the principles of fun and community. It is unreservedly DIY, with production duties mainly falling to long term friend and collaborator Evan J Martin.
Over a three-year period, a sizable roster of bands and artists have been recruited to the Regcords barracks including Substandards, April Tapes and Kiosk. 2025 alone has seen: two all-dayer ‘Regtown’ festivals; a new gig series on Sunday mornings called ‘The Hangover Sessions’; and monthly Reg Bingo. All of the above have taken up residence at Hyde Park Book Club, the label’s spiritual home.
Today, Private Regcords is a revered, progressive and indispensable cornerstone of the Leeds music scene. The label is once again shifting up a gear and it is our pleasure to tell you about what’s coming next…
James Vardy’s having a party – and you’re all invited (as long as you’re not a dickhead).
Rhiannon Hope – ‘All things, Rising and Returning’ EP
The title track on ‘All things, Rising and Returning’ is one of beauty and tragedy. There are few lyrics, but the song is a far cry from an instrumental. It is an outpouring of unbridled emotion with spectral, siren-like vocals harmonising alongside accordion.
Lead single ‘B.B.’ sits in stark contrast vocally. Hope’s voice is softer with a gentle vibrato. Instrumentally, ‘B.B.’ also feels brighter from the first literal word. It features a wider accompaniment of delicately plucked banjo, guitar and violin strings, which crescendo cautiously as the song builds – giving it a natural and optimistic feel. This sentiment doesn’t endure, however, with a tone shifting key midway that leaves the listener uneasy by the song’s climax.
The flipside features ‘Indulge’ and, for those of you picking up a physical copy, you’ll also be treated to a bonus track. A live recording of ‘Toothpaste’ from Hope’s Hangover Session at HPBC back in February.
Bathing Suits – ‘I Can Be A Freak’ Single
The cover stars of issue four have recently received national recognition for their latest single ‘I Can Be A Freak’.
Since its release in August, the band have received airtime on Radio 6 Music and have become regular residents at the Brixton Windmill, a venue notorious for platforming the next big names in alternative music. The single has also received high praise from prestigious institutions such as Rough Trade, So Young, Far Out Magazine and Stub Quarterly.
With support from producer DJ Subaru (Benny Howell), Bathing Suits have created a noise-rock anthem. Songs that fall under this descriptor can often fall victim to being chaotic and claustrophobically busy. But on this release, the contributions of each band member have equal weighting within the mix. Mulholland and Dickinson’s distorted guitars sit alongside Hughes’ bass, rather than being subsumed by it, with Freyja Blevins vocals snaking through the track. Nonetheless, the centrepiece of both ‘I Can Be A Freak’ and their previous single ‘Lousy Havoc’ is the kick drum. The latter tune’s drum pattern was convincing enough for me to tell friends that Bathing Suits were going to lead a ‘Yorkshire gabber’ revolution. Potentially this was a hasty remark, but I do think a Lousy Havoc / Good Boy (THANK) remix should be on the cards in 2026.
Bathing Suits’ music is the sonic polar opposite to Rhiannon Hope, much are their motivations. Hope’s writing is organic, immediate and personal. Bathing Suits reject what feels comfortable and seek boundaries to push, bleed and contort. Their appearance, stage mannerisms, lyricism and music all rank high on the extreme-o-meter.
If you’re brand new to Bathing Suits – despite just reading about the genius of their new single, my advice would be to buy a ticket and watch them cold turkey. Their live performances have a 100% success rate at dropping jaws. Also, it will give the band money for beer, unlike your one single Spotify click that you might follow-up with “nah, not for me”.
Above all, simply take note of the band’s own mantra: “Always dancey. Always loud. Always sexy.” Are you sold?
Normal Village – ‘Pile on’ EP
Another debut EP, on this occasion it’s a four track for the four-piece ‘Normal Village’. The most impressive instrumentalists signed to Private Regcords, able to make the incorporation of complex jazz and math-rock influences look easy. It’s also our favourite cover artwork of 2025, but the credit here all goes to Matt Auger (@mattgoesgigs).
Read more about Normal Village taking on the Brudenell in our Gigs for Gaza write up.
Comments
Post a Comment