In a year that was tough for all labels, whether they be brick and mortar, netlabel or imaginary, a common worry amongst all involved was how to gain recognition for their artists. Many of the active labels in our community are under-supported with zero budget and mostly volunteer staff (if the admin isn’t doing everything themselves). So with most of the scene operating largely on word of mouth and blog virility, it is up to the strength of curation to keep these labels in the limelight and the following have done an excellent job at picking great artists to host on their sites.
Pause – The winner of this category last year did not rest on its laurels, putting out 13 great releases and solidifying the “Pause sound”. Proggy, and proud of it, it seems poised to remain a perennial contender in this category year after year.
8bitpeoples – The most public facing of all current netlabels put out some grand releases, especially ones from glomag, minusbaby and Mr. Spastic. What is their next step? How big can they grow?
Ubiktune – Perhaps the quiet sensitive brother of Pause, this label put out the great “Season”tune comps and excellent releases from artists like Stu that really pushed the chip music concept forward in terms of style, songs and production quality. Focusing on artists from the demoscene, they shed light on portions of the scene overshadowed by fist pumping ravery.
Da! Heard It – With it’s eclectic roster of chip and non chip acts alike, this netlabel strives to bridge the gulf between chip music and other genres and stick its crew where it belongs, in hot clubs, in dj mixes, wherever.
mp3death – The temporary label has been around for a good time now and has a great mix of acts in this years releases. Quiet and underground, but always interesting, so when it makes a sound, you’ll be inclined to listen.
Mp3 Death is some good times,
dialogue Audio equipment.
portable and megacorporations of all
is time to present
This is truly insert sexiness:
the mod scending, elektro style
in all these traditional songs
and to create a mere week
of clubby beat
these are high voltage tensions
advertised upon an imaginary Era
the website textures and dramatic skitters,
rich in sound and it, esp the man
we has become together back due tomorrow!
obvious in the end
video game music flow
and business of The Court
we are and raving always
inclusively smaller and warmth with switchen,
a rare tollerance of your eye and jackpot
for non-FM artwork
Mp3 Death is some good times,
dialogue Audio equipment.
portable and megacorporations of all
is time to present
This is truly insert sexiness:
the mod scending, elektro style
in all these traditional songs
and to create a mere week
of clubby beat
these are high voltage tensions
advertised upon an imaginary Era
the website textures and dramatic skitters,
rich in sound and it, esp the man
we has become together back due tomorrow!
obvious in the end
video game music flow
and business of The Court
we are and raving always
inclusively smaller and warmth with switchen,
a rare tollerance of your eye and jackpot
for non-FM artwork
Stay tuned next week for a sweet FMA exclusive release!
(T)he creative commons route can be a bold political statement, but for less widespread artistic voices, it can be the linchpin of their distribution model. This no less true for many in the chip music community. Label mp3Death is perhaps one of the more eclectic in the scene, with various lofo-fi and no-fi electronic recordings, all available with a liberal CC and a spartan easy to use single page design. Even in the chip community, the releases can be considered difficult listening, but through the keen curational style of its curator often impress as much as they challenge.
Cheers from Sweden’s vector, sympathy for us teenagers out there. curator of a bunch of kbps accessible revolving around fundament, and moved Retrospective mixing it has also amazing minimal music, often blending elements but without losing mysterious melodies and very personal, but we are extremely pumped about bringing music we are perfect for a dirty, techno vibe. Download from around geographic regions and manners of a 56k modem. and loads of the round hardware/software demon.
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