As this issue of the Vanguard proves, Portland has a vibrant local music scene. Most lists about local music focus on bands. Here, the Vanguard takes a look at the local record labels that work behind the scenes to support both emerging and established artists in our ever-expanding community.
Holocene Music
Since opening its doors in 2003, Holocene has become a high-profile venue on the Portland music scene. The performing space showcases a range of local and international musicians from all genres. The associated record label aims to do the same, as well as provide a home base for artists in more than just a physical sense.
Club co-owners Jarkko Cain and Scott MacLean have provided yet another avenue for local musicians to express themselves.
In 2006, the label launched with its first release, It’s Importland to Me to Be One Step Further Than One Step Beyond: Holocene Remix Compilation, Vol. 1, which gave local electronic artists the opportunity to reinterpret songs by their favorite Portland bands. Since then, the label has also released new music by local artists, including Swan Island, Copy, The Shaky Hands and Alela Diane.
Notable releases: The Shaky Hands Lunglight, Alela Diane The Pirate’s Gospel
Kill Rock Stars
Although this famous label is linked to the Olympia, Wash., independent scene, it also has a strong Portland presence and signs many local artists, substantially increasing their profile and clout in the process.
Kill Rock Stars was created in 1991 with the intention of releasing spoken-word 7-inch records. Soon, the imprint was releasing music from the likes of Unwound, Bikini Kill and Bratmobile. Founder Slim Moon claims that the label began releasing music because these bands were too exciting to remain unsigned. The label’s first major release was a compilation titled Kill Rock Stars and included a number of bands from Olympia.
Portland bands signed by Kill Rock Stars include The Decemberists, Quasi, The Gossip, Elliott Smith and Miranda July.
Notable releases: Deerhoof The Runners Four, Sleater Kinney All Hands On the Bad One, Elliott Smith Needle In the Hay
Marriage Records
Marriage Records was co-founded in 2002 by Curtis Knapp and Adrian Orange. Initially a CD-R release-only label, the label has since expanded to release records with elaborate packaging schemes. The label now releases CDs, vinyl, books and even skateboards. A volume of Tom Blood’s poetry published in 2007 won the Oregon Book Award, the same year that the label started publishing Veneer Magazine.
Stephen Malkmus is among the label’s fans, and it seems that the local music press is, as well. Willamette Week’s Best New Band of 2009, Explode Into Colors, is signed to Marriage Records, as is White Fang (ranked No. 5 on the same list).
The label continues to release music by Adrian Orange, and has released records by Portland bands including White Rainbow, Jona Bechtolt and World.
Notable releases: Panther 14 kt. God, Yacht Mega, Thanksgiving Cave Days and Moments
Tender Loving Empire
Jared and Brianne Mees are the brains and heart behind Tender Loving Empire, an ambitious amalgamation of independent business ventures so diverse that it’s difficult to explain in one sentence. TLE encompasses a retail store, screen-printing business, comic book publishing company, distro (Tender Loving Empire will sell any CD or LP brought into their store) and a record label.
In addition to releasing music from Jared Mees’ own band, The Grown Children (who were included in Willamette Week’s “Best New Band 2009” poll), Tender Loving Empire, the label represents other local bands, and routinely organizes showcases for the artists on the label.
The Meeses also moonlight as curators as well. This week, they’ll release the second volume in their “Friends and Friends of Friends” compilation series, the first installment of which featured 20 Portland bands on a $5 CD.
Notable releases: Boy Eats Drum Machine Booomboxxx, Jared Mees and the Grown Children Caffeine, Alcohol, Sunshine, Money