interesting record labels
Current electronic record labels putting out music I love.
A great record label will instill confidence.
A great record label will instill confidence. That confidence is evident when you will listen to, and sometimes even buy without a first listen, new music solely based on the label putting out the music. A great record label curates a genre, sound, aesthetic, or movement in music. Sometime finding a new label is much more exciting than finding a single new artist because there is so much more to explore.
Sometimes the label is driven by a particular producer. For example, Martin Hannet was a particularly influential producer for Factory Records, and was even credited for the “Manchester Sound” which spawn so many bands that I love. Another incredibly influential producer in the jazz genre was Rudy Van Gelder. To this day jazz record collectors will view his name on the record as being almost as important (or in some cases more) important that the artists name on the record. His name is synonymous with great production and sound.
Here are a couple labels that I’ve been listening to. What are your favorite record labels?
What are your favorite record labels?
Ghostly International
Ghostly International has so many electronic artists I have on regular play. I came across Ghostly when hunting down an artist (Lusine) and after sampling a few songs of their artists, I have to say I haven’t found one yet that I don’t enjoy. I love both the sound and visual aesthetics of the label. Here is a taste of some of the artists.
- Mux Mool
- Tycho
Tycho is Scott Hansen of iso50.com fame. He is a design/musician, and if you don’t follow his blog, you should.
- Kiln
- Lusine
Lusine is Scott McIlwain, and he lives here in Seattle.
- Shigeto
Also on Ghostly (or have been on) are Phantogram, School of Seven Bells, Gold Panda. But the based on the music I’ve found on this label I’m willing to give anything they have a listen.
Erased Tapes
I mention Erased Tapes based on one artist alone, but I’m excited to see what they have to offer. In particular, I tend to like music made by talented artists who blend traditional instruments with electronics, and do so in a way that they can perform in a live setting.
Nils Frahm
I have to include this video made by the folks at Erased Tapes talking about their label:
I can’t wait to explore the rest of what they have to offer.
