In a project to keep up with whats new, I am starting a weekly series called Label Mates. Each week I will give the run down on a local/Canadian record label. For those mathematicians out there that is 52 labels over the next year. Are there 52 canadian music labels? Lets find out. Lets Start.
Blocks Recording Club is a Toronto based label that also acts as an artist-owned workers co-operative. What does that mean? It means that everybody helps everybody make music. “…working together we can accomplish far more than we ever could working apart….” Their first general meeting was held at Christi Pits Park in 2005. How community is that? Having a meeting in a park? Right on. Blocks got a lot of attention after Final Fantasy won the Polaris Prize in 2006 and he donated a large portion of his award back to the label. The label was founded by Steven Kado and Mark McLean in 2003 as a tapes and mini-cd only label. It is currently run by a 5 member board of directors.
I love going to the Blocks website. Right there on the home page it says “Don’t Try, Do!!”. It always makes me feel good and inspires me to say “fuck it” and do that thing that has been rolling around in my head that I have been too self conscious to do.
A few notable names from the Blocks roster include Katie Stelmains, The Phonemes, Kids On TV, Brian Joseph Davis, Fucked Up, Creeping Nobodies, Bob Wiseman, and The Barcelona Pavilion.
Quote From The Label: As for the blocks quote, unless someone has given you a better one I’d go here: http://www.blocksblocksblocks.com/about/ (Katie Stelmanis)
Next Show: This Friday night, January 11th, Katie Stelmanis is having her CD Release at the Silver Dollar in Toronto (College/Spadina). Katie is a classically trianed singer, piano player, experimental composer and former member of of Galaxy and The Bruce Peninsula. Also on the bill is the Luyas, the Torrent and Emma McKenna. I’m going.
Also…The Phonemes are playing in Kingston on January 15th for the apple crisp music series in a church…all ages…and a bake sale. Baked goods and The Phonemes? Might be worth the trip to Kingston. (I heart The Phonemes)
Have a lable we should know about? Let me know.
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