Category Archives: The Record Labels

💿 THE RECORD LABELS: Light Organ Records

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Welcome back to The Record Labels, where every week, we tell you a little about an independent label we trust when it comes to music. Last week you heard about legendary east-coast label Murderecords. Now we’re back with Vancouver’s Light Organ Records.

A subsidiary of 604 Records, the label was started in 2010 by Jonathan Simkin. The goal: to distribute records by indie and college radio bands. The label prides itself on being eclectic, releasing everything from pop, to folk, to electronic music. The first year saw releases from artists like Sun Wizard, Adrian Glynn, and iM favourite, Louise Burns.

Since then, they’ve gone on to share music from Capitol 6, mode moderne, We Are The City and more. Recently, they’ve dropped stellar sounds from Pekoe Cat, Sleepy Gonzalez and Hotel Mira.

If you’re not familiar with some of the artists, now is your chance to hit the links above or check out the dope playlist below. You can thank us later.

If you dig this, check out “The Record Labels – Murderecords”

💿 THE RECORD LABELS: Murderecords

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Welcome back to The Record Labels, where every Monday, we tell you about an independent label we know and trust when it comes to music. Last week we introduced you to Toronto’s Glue Gun Records. Now we’re back with legendary east-coast label Murderecords.

The label was started in Halifax by Canadian indie-rock veterans Sloan back in ’92. Originally formed to release their own work, they eventually expanded to other bands like The Inbreds, Eric’s Trip, The Hardship Post, Thrush Hermit, and The Superfriendz. During this time, the “Halifax Pop Explosion” was often used to describe the scene, eventually becoming a full-time festival.

The very first release was the Peppermint EP by Sloan. From 1998 on, for the most part, they mainly released their own recordings. Some exceptions include Will Curry & The Country French, Pony Da Look and Matthew Grimson‘s posthumous record, Prize for Writing. Coincidently, just last week, Rick White from Eric’s Trip dropped a collection of his own Peppermint EP covers. Pretty cool stuff.

If you’re looking for an introductory lesson, look no further than the singles below; these songs were the start of something special. Not sure what you think, but Murderecords might very well be the biggest indie-label this country has ever seen.

If you dig this, you might like “Sonic Unyon – Now We Are 25”

💿 THE RECORD LABELS: Glue Gun Records

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Welcome back to The Record Labels, where every Monday, we tell you about an independent label we trust when it comes to music. Last week we introduced you to Toronto’s Buzz Records … now we’re back with one of Brampton’s finest, Glue Gun Records.

The label has been around since 2018. In that short time, they’ve managed to drop some pretty dope sounds. One of the best things about Glue Gun is their diversity with music. Whether it’s punk, noise-rock, electronic, experimental … you name it, they’ve got it. A perfect place to start is their Stick It To ‘Em compilations. We highly recommend the first one; you can check it out here.

Brent O’Toole, who works with the label, had this to say about the beginnings: “Jesse Alarcon was really the initiator, it was his idea and his name. We were heading to a band practice for a band we were in at the time and he pitched it to me on the ride. We kind of sunk into rolls where Jesse was doing tracking/mixing, outreach, throwing shows, and running a tape and vinyl distro, and myself doing duplication, mastering and organizing the releases.”

Some of our favourite releases included Romshii‘s Headroom Window, INVERTED by Animatist, Sea Of Troubles Ecchi EP, and Aurora Program by Conductor. Just recently, we were introduced to the new Kitjohari album due on March 5th. It will be the label’s 15th release.

Until then, check out our Glue Gun Records playlist in the embed below. And, be sure to hit up their Bandcamp page for more. You can’t go wrong with this bunch.

If you dig this, you might like “The Record Labels – Buzz Records”

💿 THE RECORD LABELS: Buzz Records

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Welcome to The Record Labels, where every Monday, we tell you a little about an independent label we know and trust when it comes to new music. Last week we introduced you to Calgary’s Flemish Eye Records, and now we’re back with one of Toronto’s best, Buzz Records.

The label was co-founded by musicians Denholm Whale, Ian Chai, Dean Tzenos and Erik Jude in 2011. It evolved out of the underground performance space called The Garage. The first releases from the collective were live recordings from the venue in cassette format. Aside from label signees, bands like Doldrums, Hooded Fang, Mausoleum, The Soupcans and Moon King all played at some point. The rest is history.

Over the years, they’ve had more than 70 releases from acts like Odonis Odonis, PONY, Weaves, and Dilly Dally. More recently, they’ve dropped excellent records from Mother Tongues, Kim Gray and Muncie Girls. The best part … the label shows no signs of slowing down.

Check out our Buzz Records playlist in the embed below, and be prepared for a musical journey you won’t soon forget. One thing is certain … this bunch is here to stay.

If you dig this, you might like “The Record Labels – Flemish Eye”

💿 THE RECORD LABELS: Flemish Eye

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Welcome to our latest column: The Record Labels, where every Monday, we tell you about a label we know and trust when it comes to new music. Last week we introduced you to Toronto’s Telephone Explosion Records, and now we’re back with another one of our faves, Flemish Eye Records.

If you’re not familiar with the indie label, you definitely should be; the Calgary-based company has been around since 2003. Over the years, they’ve released over 40 albums, and it all started with Infiniheart by Chad VanGaalen way back in 2004.

Since then, they’ve gone on to release records by Ghostkeeper, Women, Braids, Preoccupations (formerly Viet Cong) and many more. More recently, they’ve dropped some incredible new music from up-and-comers, Yves Jarvis and Blessed. If that’s not enough, we’re rather excited about the new Besnard Lakes album The Besnard Lakes Are The Last of the Great Thunderstorm Warnings.

Check out the playlist below and get familiar with some of our favourite label songs over the years. One can never have too much Flemish Eye in their ife.

If you dig this, be sure to check out our Best Of 2020 – Songs

💿 THE RECORD LABELS: Telephone Explosion

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It’s the beginning of a new week and we’re super stoked to be presenting a fresh column — The Record Labels. Starting today (and every Monday for the foreseeable future), we’re going to tell you a little about some of our favourite independent labels in the industry, and obviously, include a super dope playlist for your listening pleasure.

Today, we start with Toronto’s Telephone Explosion Records.

After relocating to the city in 2007, the label was started by Ottawa-natives Jon Schouten and Steve Sidoli, who also happen to be part of garage-punk outfit Teenanger. With Chris Swimmings already in the band, they enlisted the services of bassist Melissa Ball and dropped their first self-titled cassette on the masses. TER001, to be exact.

Over the years, the label has released over 70+ records from artists like Freak Heat Waves, Odonis Odinis, New Fries, LIDS, Andre Ethier (of Deadly Snakes fame) and of course, Teenanger. The roster shows no signs of slowing down either, with stellar new albums from Lee Paradise and Pantayo released last year.

Check out the playlist below and get familiar with some of our favourite tracks from these purveyors of fine music. You’ll be glad you did.

If you dig this, be sure to check out our Best Of 2020 – Songs