Independent Labels Versus The World
By Katie Chuter
Reprinted w/ permission of the Author. Copyright 2003Katie Chuter
Originally Published on Dripfed/Co/UK website - Feb 7, 2003


     The mainstream music business in America is run and led by money. This means that independent labels, and true believers in the ethics of music, are left stranded by the wayside, simply because money counts for more than talent and principles, and they do not have the resources to compete with the big cheeses up in MCA. Vagrant Records of Seattle, Washington (not to be confused with Vagrant Records, L.A.) are one such independent label, still trying to establish themselves after 13 years in the business.

     Self- labelled as an Indi- starter label, founded in 1989 by Erik 4-A, the label promotes music and bands from the North- West U.S.A.'s "... rock and roll subculture". Punk based (but not exclusively) promoting "...sonically interesting [and] obscure music" from the area, Vagrant Records of University Way, Seattle is just one of such labels fighting for independent music and talented musicians to be heard.

     Not just another independent label manufacturing bands for the murky waters of the North American rock scene? Erik 4-A believes in the roots and sees right through corporate monsters masquerading as independent entrepreneurs.

     One has to ask, however, is it better to appreciate roots and the fundamentals of music, and suffer because you don't conform to the norm? If you are a true believer then it's a loud roaring YES! Erik 4-A, prime believer and warrior for the roots, states unswervingly, that he just "...loves music and wants to get what he likes out into the hands of those who might be interested". He continues that "the problem these days is unless you are a HUGE money grubbing corporation making cash hand over fist, no one wants to deal with you. Distribution only wants to re-sell the same music by different bands. Its strictly 'Flavour of the Month'".

     "What is going on in the world, when the world's leading country, and principle popular culture creator and consumer has an unfair and ridiculous view and process of music circulation? Anyone who gives a shit about music knows that it is talent, good song writing and heart, which matter most in music. Not how many times Christina, or some other completely pointless artist can get her ass out and warble some conspicuously stoopid lyrics about bootie to any dirty old men and blissfully ignorant 13-year-olds who will listen."

     Small labels, such as Vagrant have "interesting... music for those with enough appreciation to find it." Independent labels just want to promote new talent, not to the masses directly but to the few of us (and it is sad to say we are a diminishing entourage) who can see past and through the Billboard Top 100. People who really appreciate music and how it makes you feel, does it leave you in tears? Does it make you want to play it again? Did the lyrics have some connotations which it seems were written just for you? As opposed to, "...I just want to shake my bootie to it, and er, it was good." Fuck off!

     "The mainstream market seems to like... 'Watered down restructured... rock rehash'. There are artists and musicians out on the forefront of music trying to create something new and interesting, but it seems it's getting harder for them to earn a living and do their craft at the same time." These words of wisdom from Erik 4-A are in themselves an advert, if not a desperate plea, for the general public to remove their thumbs form their asses and appreciate good music and respectable ethics! PLEASE!

      Bands on Vagrant Records include the funky Neem, who sound like something from the funk era, but in this day in age, they appear way ahead of their time. Also, The Queen Annes- a personal favourite of mine- they rock! Also, many others, punk in the majority, but all rooted and proud! Bands so talented and worthy, if not more so than anything the mainstream can cough up and throw away!

     The point of Indi-starter labels is to try and establish bands such as these, new 'talented' bands so that they can get recognised, so they can make a name for themselves so they can grow and prosper, so they might get recognised by promoters who are willing to get good music out there-out to the world who is sat there waiting for their eyes to be opened!

     Indi labels of all classification deserve a lot more attention than they are receiving at present and Erik 4-A's Vagrant Records is a prime example of this. He is promoting talented bands, who, because of lack of funds can't get themselves on MTV for the entire world to see. It's them versus the corporations, and who wants the corporations to have all the power? Lets not sit around waiting for "...Planet Starbucks" just around the corner, lets appreciate the basics, the punk in punk rock, the ethics of passion in music, and the meaning of lyrics! It's all there waiting to be discovered, and trust me, it means so much more than any 3-minute ditty which O-Town are eagerly trying to grace our ears with.


     For more information about Vagrant Records, contact Erik 4-A at 525-0628. Back to Top