How local music puts out
A guide to the Triangle's indie record labels
By: Margaret Hair and Bryan Reed, Diversions Editors
Issue date: 3/29/07 Section: Diversions
With a tri-city area stuffed to the gills with good bands, there has to be a thriving independent music industry working behind the scenes to manufacture, distribute and promote the music being made.
Often having been started as a means for a band to release its own music to the public, indie record labels have become a fixture in the Triangle.
Whether it's an indie rock powerhouse such as Merge or a friendship brigade such as Trekky, each Triangle record label has its own character, ethic and mission.
But they have one thing in common: a devotion to the music they love.
This list is by no means complete. It leaves out up-and-comers such as the 8088 Record Collective and Breakfast Mascot, which just hosted its first SXSW showcase. It doesn't include the hip-hop presence of Soul Dojo and Hall of Justus. It doesn't mention the electronica collective known as Broken Fader Cartel. And there probably are even more backroom record labels popping up every day to release new music that won't fit on this page.
The real point here is to remind you to check out the back of your new CD and give a little recognition to the folks who work behind the scenes to bring the music into your home, and more importantly, into your heart.
Merge Records
1. Back story: Merge was founded in 1989 as a way to release Superchunk albums. The label started in Chapel Hill, then moved to nearby Durham in 2001.
2. A-list: Arcade Fire, Dinosaur Jr., Neutral Milk Hotel, Spoon, Superchunk
Yep Roc Records
1. Back story: Yep Roc is not so much defined by a genre as it is by its mission to "feature some of the best, most soulful music of any kind."
2. A-list: Rev. Horton Heat, Paul Weller, The Moaners, Bob Mould, Apples In Stereo
Pox World Empire
1. Back story: Pox World is a small collective of rock bands from the Triangle. The label prides itself on being a home for growing artists.
2. A-list: Schooner, Nathan Oliver, The Sames, Pleasant, Jett Rink
Often having been started as a means for a band to release its own music to the public, indie record labels have become a fixture in the Triangle.
Whether it's an indie rock powerhouse such as Merge or a friendship brigade such as Trekky, each Triangle record label has its own character, ethic and mission.
But they have one thing in common: a devotion to the music they love.
This list is by no means complete. It leaves out up-and-comers such as the 8088 Record Collective and Breakfast Mascot, which just hosted its first SXSW showcase. It doesn't include the hip-hop presence of Soul Dojo and Hall of Justus. It doesn't mention the electronica collective known as Broken Fader Cartel. And there probably are even more backroom record labels popping up every day to release new music that won't fit on this page.
The real point here is to remind you to check out the back of your new CD and give a little recognition to the folks who work behind the scenes to bring the music into your home, and more importantly, into your heart.
Merge Records
1. Back story: Merge was founded in 1989 as a way to release Superchunk albums. The label started in Chapel Hill, then moved to nearby Durham in 2001.
2. A-list: Arcade Fire, Dinosaur Jr., Neutral Milk Hotel, Spoon, Superchunk
Yep Roc Records
1. Back story: Yep Roc is not so much defined by a genre as it is by its mission to "feature some of the best, most soulful music of any kind."
2. A-list: Rev. Horton Heat, Paul Weller, The Moaners, Bob Mould, Apples In Stereo
Pox World Empire
1. Back story: Pox World is a small collective of rock bands from the Triangle. The label prides itself on being a home for growing artists.
2. A-list: Schooner, Nathan Oliver, The Sames, Pleasant, Jett Rink
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Mel
posted 3/30/07 @ 10:52 AM EST
Thank you for taking notice of a growing community.
Also for the nice words.
Mel~
www.307knoxrecords.com
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