[Various Artists]

No Watches No Maps

From the early days of its frontline existence as a record store (’89 – ’97), FatCat has always set out to support and encourage good, independent creators and producers – stocking fanzines, DIY / home-label releases, and mixtapes; helping (in our own small way) to plug activists into a network of support and development; spreading enthusiasm and desire through word of mouth; treating people equally, regardless of who you were – you didn’t have to be part of some cliquey scene, some big name DJ or producer. You could just be some guy with a tape. You were accepted for being into the music. For attempting to push things onwards.

Since the closure of the shop and its inception as a label, FatCat has continued this commitment - searching out, encouraging, and releasing music from ‘unknown’ or first-time artists; helping to organise gigs, and provide support slots. Numerous artists have seen their debut release through the label. Others have been put in touch with other labels, or received help and advice in releasing material themselves.

Conceived nearly two years ago, and compiled from material received over the course of the last 16 months, 'no watches. no maps' consists entirely of unsolicited demo material received through the mail on tape, CD, minidisc, DAT, and via the internet in the form of MP3s.

Spanning a wide spread of nationalities, and made up almost completely of artists who (at the time of its compilition) have yet to be released, the album – like all previous FatCat compilations – encompasses a broad range of styles and approaches, yet maintains that certain quality essential to FatCat: from the jerky, bustling electronic rhythms of Com.A and Duplo Remote, to the abrasive, abstract digital incursions of QT?; the warm, rolling post-rock of Ukiyo-E or The Balky Mule; the freeform improv / instrumental sprawl of Opaque; the insane, genre-mushing blitz of Joseph Nothing; the fractured rhythmic constructions of Skist or Digi.Otaku; the switching, post-house shimmer of Mokira; the woozy melodic ambience of Chib.

Some of these artists will work with FatCat in the future, but for the most part, with our already considerable release commitments, we simply don’t have the time to properly pursue further releases with them. Hence the necessity for this release.

We believe that this is all high quality music, material we are more than happy to release under the FatCat banner. Hopefully, their inclusion on this compilation will increase their visibility; help them find the outlets and supporters that their music rightly deserves. Contact details for each artist have been included for interested parties to follow the lead…

Besides the tracks gathered here, we are expanding this project outwards through the FatCat website. A section dedicated to demos will host further tracks (in the form of MP3s) and artist information which we aim to continually update.

Alongside this, we are curating a pool of information that aims to demystify the whole process of releasing a record / CD / etc. – providing detailed information about each stage of the process (from mastering to distribution) and listing contact details for a wide range of service providers (cutting rooms, manufacturing plants, distribution outlets, receptive shops, internet options, etc.). Hopefully, this will provide a useful resource for those admirably pursuing the DIY route.