Velvet Underground co-founder Lou Reed was no stranger to the music business by the time his storied career truly took shape. As early as 1958, the late Reed worked as a songwriter for Pickwick Records, a Long Island City-based music outlet and content mill dedicated to emulating the songs of the ‘60s, all in hopes of finding a hit of their own among their vast mix of material. From these style copies, Light in the Attic Records has curated the first compilation of this early work by the New York City legend, entitled Why Don’t You Smile Now: Lou Reed at Pickwick Records 1964-65. 

The reel-to-reels unearthed by the Lou Reed Archive contain previously unreleased songs that illustrate Reed’s early growth as a songwriter. His work began at Pickwick Records after meeting the company’s founder and chief songwriter, Terry Phillips. Phillips - no stranger to the studio - proved crucial in Reed’s artistic and professional development. The future Velvet Underground frontman used this time at Pickwick Records to hone his craft and forge a sense of adaptability in the studio - skills that would soon change the very sound and style of rock music altogether. 

At the time, Reed was living with his parents while using this new songwriting experience to kickstart his own band, the Primitives. It was through the promotion of their song “The Ostrich” that Reed first went on tour, touting his work at Pickwick Records and teaming up with fellow future Velvet Underground member, John Cale. True to their name, the Primitives served as a precursor to what would become one of the most defining rock acts of the 1960s. 

Why Don’t You Smile Now: Lou Reed at Pickwick Records 1964-65 is the third in a series of Lou Reed compilations released by Light in the Attic, in conjunction with the Lou Reed Archive and Reed’s wife, mutlidisciplinary artist Laurie Anderson. It follows the Grammy Award-nominated demo collection, Words & Music, May 1965, and Hudson River Wind Meditations, a drone-rock love letter to Reed’s practice of Tai Chi and yoga. 

Why Don’t You Smile Now: Lou Reed at Pickwick Records 1964-65 is set for release on September 27th, 2024 through Light in the Attic Records. Preorder the compilation here, and find the expansive tracklist below: 

Side A

1. The Primitives – “The Ostrich”
2. The Beachnuts – “Cycle Annie”
3. The Hi-Lifes – “I’m Gonna Fight”
4. The Hi-Lifes – “Soul City”
5. Ronnie Dickerson – “Oh No Don’t Do It”
6. Ronnie Dickerson – “Love Can Make You Cry”
7. The Hollywoods – “Teardrop In The Sand”
8. The Roughnecks – “You’re Driving Me Insane”

Side B

1. The Primitives – “Sneaky Pete”
2. Terry Philips – “Wild One”
3. Spongy And the Dolls – “Really – Really – Really – Really – Really – Really Love”
4. The Foxes – “Soul City”
5. The J Brothers – “Ya Running, But I’ll Getcha”
6. Beverley Ann – “We Got Trouble”
7. The All Night Workers – “Why Don’t You Smile”
8. Jeannie Larimore – “Johnny Won’t Surf No More”

Side C

1. Robertha Williams – “Tell Mamma Not to Cry”
2. Robertha Williams – “Maybe Tomorrow”
3. Terry Philips – “Flowers for the Lady”
4. Terry Philips – “This Rose”

Side D

1. The Surfsiders – “Surfin’”
2. The Surfsiders – “Little Deuce Coupe”
3. The Beachnuts – “Sad, Lonely Orphan Boy”
4. The Beachnuts – “I’ve Got a Tiger in My Tank”
5. Ronnie Dickerson – “What About Me”