Sick and tired of playing games with another label, The Discolobos took their latest album and walked, making the title The Thieves’ Machine all the more appropriate.

The Thieves’ Machine is an instrumental album, crafted from samples and sound bits taken from more than 70 records, AM radio, and other sources. Created over three years’ time, The Thieves’ Machine channels Discolobos’ years of DJing and producing, in addition to their interest in dozens of styles of music. While the record itself is a great listen, the story of its development and release may be just as interesting. The Discolobos originally signed with a small Brooklyn label (name withheld). After about a year of run around, the album was going no place fast. In a recent interview, Brasby of the Discolobos put it this way:

“They promised to have it professionally mastered, print up CD’s, get us in some magazines and all that. They went so far as to write up a contract and have me sign it. As time went on they didn’t do anything they said they would. They stuck our rough mixes up on iTunes and that’s all. It was frustrating.”

At the time Brasby was living in Brooklyn. He moved back to Rochester and re-united with Wagun, Discolobos’ other half, to properly release the project. They also launched Fish & Crown, a label focusing on ‘Sumthin Different.’

“A lot of people look at me funny when I tell them I moved from NYC to Rochester to focus on music. But I have a vision, lots of them actually. In the city I was broke most of the time and felt like another rat in the race. I’ve always wanted to be a part of something good- it got to the point where I realized I’d just have to build it myself.”

With a small team of writers, a designer and a video specialist, the Fish & Crown website (www.fishandcrown.com) is growing and traffic is on the rise. Discolobos’ The Thieves’ Machine is out now on iTunes fully mastered and sounding great.

“With iTunes we can hit all over the world for only $10 bucks; it’s exciting. It’s the sort of revolution that allows great small label music to really compete with the big budget stuff constantly being pushed in our faces,” says Wagun.

Fish And Crown Website