You can put ‘Running a label’ high on the list of thankless jobs, which I think is why there’s so often a direct reason when someone does so. In the case of Firelight Recordings, the someone is Erik Sugg, whom one might recall from his time in Demon Eye and Lightning Born. His new band is The Magpie, and The Magpie‘s self-titled debut album will be the first release on Firelight Recordings. Kinda nice when things come together like that. In corporatespeak, they call that synergy. First single? Yeah that’s out. Also the whole record is streaming, so stick that in your marketing rollout.

These days, an artist issuing their own work on their own imprint isn’t always news, but I’ll argue that Sugg partnering with players from Crystal Spiders, Double Negative, etc., and making a record with Mike Dean (C.O.C., Lightning Born, and this orbit generally) wants nothing for relevance here, especially if Sugg is going to look at signing outside projects to Firelight, which may or may not be the case or is yet undetermined, I have no idea. But I do get asked once or twice in the average week for label recommendations, so having another name in my back pocket to float is nearly always welcome. Certainly so in this case.

From the PR wire:

Firelight Recordings: A New Home for Incredible, Heavy Rock, Psychedelia, and Experimental Darkness

Erik Sugg, (ex- Demon Eye, Lightning Born) is thrilled to announce Firelight Recordings. This new label brought to you from North Carolina, USA explores heavy rock, psychedelia, dark folk, and other sonic offerings of the ambient underground is just now ramping up. If those genre terms are relevant to you, Firelight Recordings is your next destination for new and upcoming great, original heavy music. Please, read on!

Our Firelight Recordings journey begins with Sugg’s latest project, “The Magpie,” dropping on Friday, September 8, 2023. The band’s Mike Dean-produced, self-titled album blends elements of heavy metal, post hardcore, noise, and vintage psychedelia in ten electrifying tracks. The band has Erik joining up with iconic punk artist, Brian Walsby (Snake Nation, Double Negative) and Mike Deloatch (Crystal Spiders.) Get a taste by checking out The Magpie lyric video for “Juice Glass” now, or streaming the full album via Hear Now. You can also listen to the full glory of the album on the Magpie Bandcamp and purchase a download, order a CD, or better yet a vinyl pre-order with an instant complimentary download. Vinyl copies are expected in early December and are limited to 100 copies. If you dig what you hear, please follow The Magpie and Firelight Recordings on social media, and stay tuned for all of their unforgettable musical developments.

Produced and Engineered by Mike Dean (Corrosion of Conformity) and Mastered by Pete Weiss at Jade Crow Music. Album Art courtesy of Kristen Walsby.

The Magpie is:
Erik Sugg: Guitar and vocals
Brian Walsby: Drums and percussion
Mike Deloatch: Bass and vocals

https://www.facebook.com/firelightrecords
https://www.instagram.com/firelightrecordsnc/
https://www.youtube.com/@FirelightRecordsnc

The Magpie, “Juice Glass” lyric video

The Magpie, The Magpie (2023)

Firelight Records announcement