Getting what is looking to be a busy 2012 for him off to a quick start, Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon has decided to add his own record label to the repertoire. Chigliak Records will release new recordings but will primarily focus on reissuing independent and local albums that were never commercially released and never received their proper amount of public love.
It seems to be a very novel effort from the Wisconsin music hero, but he’s certainly not the only one out there tirelessly pushing and promoting all that Wisconsin, and more specifically Milwaukee, artists have to offer. In honor of Vernon’s jump into the indie label pool, we take a closer look at a handful of the many Milwaukee-based record labels that are poised to continue making some serious noise in 2012.
DUSTY MEDICAL RECORDS
What they do: Label founder and owner Kevin Meyer started Dusty Medical back in 2005 when he pressed 500 albums of a Black Lips live radio show and toured the country selling it out of his band’s van. Ever since, Dusty Medical has been cranking out some of the loudest, most innovative garage fuzz rock and pop from Milwaukee and around the nation.
Notable bands they’ve worked with: Black Lips, Goodnight Loving, Call Me Lightning
Why 2012 should be cool: The label has already dropped a double LP collection of singles from now defunct band The Mistreaters and plans on re-releasing 2003’s Psychic Voodoo Mind Control by Catholic Boys this spring.
HALO OF FLIES RECORDS
What they do: As DIY as it gets, Halo of Flies began in 2007 when label founder Cory von Bohlen and his band mates cobbled together enough money to press their band Protestant’s first release. Chances are if you’ve been to a Milwaukee metal or hardcore show you’ve probably had the opportunity to buy their wares, including last year’s brilliant double LP Clandestine Abuse from sludge metal masters Northless.
Notable band they’ve worked with: Northless, Protestant, Get Rad, Enabler
Why 2012 should be cool: An impressive list of upcoming releases includes split albums from Enabler/Drainland, Enth/Amarok and the endlessly intriguing Protestant/Maritime.
LATEST FLAME RECORDS
What they do: Ten years is a long time for any kind of business to stay operational and relevant, but when it comes to successfully keeping an independent record label afloat for a decade, you know you’re doing something right. Started by three friends in Milwaukee who wanted little more than to share the work of Midwest bands they loved with the world, Latest Flame continues to release a steady stream of acclaimed albums from some of the region’s best.
Notable bands they’ve worked with: Testa Rosa, Fuckface, Brief Candles
Why 2012 should be cool: 2012 promises to be a big year as the label celebrates a decade of music making. Milwaukee noise rockers IfIHadAHiFi drop their latest Nada Surf EP + 3 on January 17 followed by new releases from Dallas-based Nervous Curtains and Seattle’s Police Teeth.
TEN ATOMS RECORDS
What they do: Though relatively new to the game (started in June 2010), Ten Atoms has the kind of pedigree that can make an indie label stick. Successful bloggers-turned-labelmates Ryan Matteson (Muzzle of Bees) and Kyle Matteson (More Cowbell) have made careers out of telling people about worthwhile new music. Now they plan on showing people through the release of limited edition vinyl from local artists.
Notable bands they’ve worked with: Conrad Plymouth, Strand of Oaks, Eric & Magill
Why 2012 should be cool: With three solid releases in a little over a year, these guys seem like they prefer quality to quantity. Expect big things in the year ahead.
LISTENING PARTY RECORDS
What they do: Milwaukee’s Decibully had been a city institution until the band abruptly called it quits this past April. Don’t worry about how ex-members Andy Menchal and Nicholas Sanborn will be filling their time, though. These two like to keep busy with multiple projects, including Listening Party Records, a boutique label that releases short-run vinyl pressings and pay-what-you-want downloads of all their albums.
Notable bands they’ve worked with: Decibully, Def Harmonic, Blessed Feathers
Why 2012 should be cool: Although we haven’t heard much from the boys since last year’s release of Blessed Feathers’ From the Mouths of the Middle Class, we have a feeling they won’t be able to sit still for too long.
