Field Hymns Records
» Making monsters out of pretty things since the golden age of cassettes.
Field Hymns was born in Portland, Oregon on my birthday 2008 but really did not get rolling until late 2009. I had just helped put down a record label called Stereotype, in which I had been a minor partner, and for some odd reason thought it was a good idea to get back into the business. Or, I was at least receptive to the idea. I asked some friends who were making music I felt was languishing due to inattention if they would further their craft's descent in willful obscurity by allowing Field Hymns to put its stamp upon their albums. Quite surprisingly a handful said yes, and once that pressure was established there was no way out, and back to work I went.
Grapefruit
Field Hymns became a cassette label by means of economics – they are much cheaper to produce in small numbers and luckily I truly love the little ferrite-eating buggers. Besides, who listens to CDs any more? And with vinyl being so bloody expensive, that was not an option. Being a product of practicality myself, I realized that not everyone wants to carry a Walkman around, and decided to make digital downloads part of the package design – if vinyl can do it, why not tapes? It’s the best of both worlds. And being a graphic designer by trade had a whole new canvas to work with (I do all the layout and most of the art for the releases).
Detainee
I am totally stoked for 2012: coming are albums by Brad Rose, a fellow from Siberia named Foton, Detainee, Grapefruit, Adderall Canyonly, EYES, Susurrus, a couple from Oxykitten, and hopefully a re-issue of an album from 1978 that I hold close to my heart everyday, but that is hush-hush at the moment.
Dust
And what does Field Hymns Sound like? For better or worse it sounds like my perfect playlist - what else would a label owner say? And you can listen below if that is too obtuse.
So there is your creation tale.
Catalog by Field Hymns Records
Posted on January 24, 2012. More on: field hymns, foton, detainee, grapefruit, adderall canyonly, eyes, susurrus, oxykitten
