An introduction to the AoIRL Substack
Music news and features from some of the many record labels involved in AoIRL.
Originally created as a Slack channel and more recently a Discord, a number of Independent Record Label owners have been coming together regularly to discuss all things related to their passionate hustles.
From sharing label music and upcoming promos to discussions on shipping rates, Bandcamp impacts, vinyl plant woes, and more generally, sharing advice and helping each other where possible. Over time, each of us found it useful in confiding with other passionate, experienced, like-minded record label owners, and together, we feel like we can create something greater than the sum of its parts.
The first public outing of AoIRL, is this Substack.
One of the common challenges we see as a collective is sharing news of our music with the world. As smaller labels, promotion is tough, and we are always looking for new ways to tell our artist’s stories. We all manage email lists, socials and websites, yet we likely have significant overlap in music audience, tastes, and styles. Maybe, we thought, people would like to hear from all of us in one concise place and become introduced to new labels and music at the same time.
So, we had the idea to begin a Substack that would become a single source of news and features from our growing collective. The idea, for now at least, is for each of us to share important news in one digest each month, and for subscribers to get an update on some of the most forward-thinking, beautifully curated independent labels out there (yes, we are biased and may toot our own horn, but it’s true).
We are likely to cover label news, upcoming music, releases, interviews, etc, as well as musings on the industry in general. In the future, we aim to be able to create our own community of music fans who benefit from all of us coming together. Who knows… maybe compilations, podcasts, discount codes, giveaways, and events - we’re getting ahead of ourselves!
For now, we’d like to focus on sharing updates with everyone who enjoys the music contained within our collective of record labels. We may offer a paid subscription in the future - details of which will be shared when we finalize the greater plan.
So first, an introduction to some of the labels who have decided to take part in this initiative.
Expect a carefully curated list of independents across a variety of genres as we continue to grow.
Castles in Space
Castles in Space was founded in 2014. Currently undergoing transition, we are expanding our team and starting work on delivering the release schedule for the rest of the year. We continue to work with an incredible roster of artists and the focus never changes from working hard to serve up the best electronic music we can.
A Strangely Isolated Place
Established in 2008 as a blog focused on ambient (adjacent) music and guest mixes, in 2012, A Strangely Isolated Place evolved to become a record label, releasing music of a similar nature across a variety of electronic and ambient adjacent styles. The label has released 50+ physical editions and has recently expanded to create a free, 24/7 radio collective called 9128.live.
A Strangely Isolated Place Bandcamp
Web
Buried Treasure
Est. 2013, the label has released influential electronic + radiophonic recordings by the likes of John Baker, Delia Derbyshire, Yuri Morozov, Tony McPhee, Alan Moore & The Dandelion Set. Plus carefully curated library music LPs of TV, film & radio themes from the 1960s, 70s + 80s. Buried Treasure is also home to The Delaware Road project involving books, records + festival events and there’s new music too on LP, CD + lathe cuts by Revbjelde, Howlround, The Black Albumen, Language Field and other adventurous types carving a unique path in electronics, psych, jazz & noise.
wiaiwya (where it’s at is where you are)
Life is hell, but at least there are records.
Subexotic Records
Subterrania //
Exotica //
Electronica //
Various experiments in electronic music since 2010
Subexotic Bandcamp
Subexotic.com
Woodford Halse
A label run from a Doncaster attic releasing Electronic, Experimental and Folk music, mainly on cassette with the occasional lathe cut single and CD.
Sister labels Preston Capes and Fenny Compton.
DiN Records
The DiN label, established in 1999 by synth musician Ian Boddy bridges the gap between the analogue sound of the early 70’s synth pioneers and the digital soundscapes of the more experimental modern exponents of electronic music.
Clay Pipe Music
Described by Shindig magazine as ‘An entrancing record label built on a foundation of Arcadian sounds and gorgeous graphic design.’Clay Pipe has been a one woman operation since 2011. Releasing instrumental, electronic and experimental music on vinyl, CD and tape.
Listen to the label playlist on Spotify
More labels that are a part of AoIRL will be introduced and announced soon.
We aim to get a monthly cadence going with updates, but we’ll see how things progress, and welcome any of your thoughts, ideas, and feedback in the comments.
Thanks to John Jervis of wiaiwya for the logo design to kick us off!
Until next time.
AoIRL.