VARIOUS ARTISTS
Brighter Days Ahead Vol. 2 [RELEASE DATE 11/27/2026]

Hey there! If you’re reading this, chances are you are a dedicated Colemine supporter or someone browsing around their favorite local record shop. Either way, thanks for picking this record up and taking a minute to investigate. I appreciate it! My name is Terry Cole, and I have the privilege of operating a wonderful independent record label called Colemine Records in Loveland, Ohio. We’ve been doing it for almost 20 years, and we’re lucky enough to operate our label above our equally wonderful record shop called Plaid Room Records.

In March of 2020, when the reality of a global pandemic set in, we weren’t sure what we were going to do as far as our release schedule. Everything sort of came to an immediate halt. But after a few weeks of brainstorming, we decided that even though our physical release schedule had been completely upended, we would pivot to releasing a new digital single every Thursday night until we were able to resume normal operations. We called the campaign Brighter Days Ahead, because at Colemine, we try to find the silver lining whenever we can. So, for the better part of 2020 we released digital singles every Thursday; we would have virtual listening parties and DJ sets on YouTube. It was pretty fun.  All of those tunes culminated in a 2LP set that we finally released in its physical form in 2021. And while we hope nothing like a global pandemic ever happens again, I had to admit that I wanted to find a way to make the Brighter Days Ahead campaign some sort of permanent vehicle for us.

It’s 2026 as I write this, so obviously it’s taken me a few years to conceive this idea, but we’ve finally arrived and it feels pretty damn good. The idea is pretty simple: the first volume of Brighter Days Ahead took a retrospective approach...compiling what we had already released...and this time around we’re taking a prospective approach. What you hold in your hands is a preview of what’s to come. This record is a crystal ball looking deep into the musical future of 2027, and giving you a sneak preview as to what you can look forward to hearing from the Colemine universe. And guess what? This piece of plastic you hold in your hands is the only way to hear it. These tunes aren’t out digitally yet. Some of these are rough mixes. Some are so fresh the song titles aren’t even final. So tear off the plastic and strap in — you’re about to travel forward in time, no flux capacitor required.

— TERRY COLE