American Laundromat Records
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| American Laundromat Records | |
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| Founded | 2004 |
| Founder | Joseph H. Spadaro |
| Distributing label | Darla Records |
| Genre | Indie rock |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Location | Mystic, CT |
| Official website | http://www.alr-music.com |
American Laundromat Records (ALR) was founded in April of 2004 in Huntington Village, NY (Long Island) by Joe Spadaro with a small tax-refund check which was used to produce a 16-song compilation called "Transistor" featuring eight indie bands each contributing two original songs. The compilation showcased tracks by mostly east coast bands including The Atomic Hep Cats, The Lovable Rogues, The Modifiers, AM, and The Bennies, who were lucky enough to open several Pixies shows during the Pixies first reunion tour. Transistor had moderate success with college radio, and earned some critical praise.
In the fall of 2005, American Laundromat Records gained worldwide attention when it produced it's second record "High School Reunion - a tribute to those great 80's films!" which featured indie-rockers Matthew Sweet, Frank Black, Kristin Hersh, The Dresden Dolls and others covering songs from some of the 80's most hilarious teen films. All Music Guide called the project "One of the finest tribute records ever amassed" and went on to say "let this serve as a blueprint for all future tribute sets." U.K. music writer Alan Pedder wrote "American Laundromat Records dreamt up a concept so disgustingly cool that it can only be a triumph." Rolling Stone, VH1, Billboard, Spin, Pitchfork, NME, and others covered the project and helped earn American Laundromat indie-music fans from all over the globe.
In the summer of 2006 the label relocated to Mystic, CT - a picturesque New England coastal town. It was a relatively quiet year "release-wise" for the label as they set-up shop in CT, built a new website, introduced a new logo, became an official iTunes label partner, and secured worldwide distribution through Darla Records.
2007 was by far the labels most prolific. American Laundromat began a 7" vinyl split single series with limited edition "hand-numbered" pressings, beautiful color vinyl, original sleeve art designs, and outstanding tracks from American Laundromat's network of indie bands. In addition, the label conceived and produced three very high-profile tribute compilations. "Dig For Fire - a tribute to PIXIES" (co-produced with Sean T. Rayburn (pixiesmusic.com)), "Cinnamon Girl - Women Artists Cover Neil Young for Charity" and "Gigantic - a tribute to Kim Deal". The projects enjoy contributions by some indie-rocks best loved artists including They Might Be Giants, OK Go, Mogwai, Tanya Donelly, Jill Sobule, Joy Zipper, The Watson Twins, Britta Phillips, Kristin Hersh, and The Rosebuds.
For 2008, American Laundromat has begun production on "Just Like Heaven - a tribute to The Cure" with an intended release date of early 2009. Indie-rockers Tanya Donelly with Dylan in the Movies, The Brunettes, Grand Duchy (Violet Clark & Black Francis), The Wedding Present, The Raveonettes, Dean and Britta, Cassettes Won't Listen, The Submarines, Joy Zipper, The Poems, Elk City, Julie Peel, The Devics, and The Rosebuds are all confirmed to cover tracks.
[edit] Discography
- 2004: Transistor (Various Artists) / CD-LP (16 songs)
- 2005: High School Reunion - a tribute to those great 80's films! (Various Artists) / CD-LP (20 songs)
- 2005: Say It With Fire - EP (Caulfield Sisters) / CD-EP (5 songs)
- 2006: Divine Candy (Caulfield Sisters / Julie Peel) / 7" Blue Vinyl Split (2 songs)
- 2007: So Long City Skies (John P. Strohm / Dylan in the Movies) / 7" Black Vinyl Split (2 songs)
- 2007: Heart Of Gold (Tanya Donelly / Luff) / 7" Gold Vinyl Split (2 songs)
- 2007: Dig For Fire - a tribute to PIXIES Limited Edition 1st Pressing (Various Artists) / CD-LP (21 songs)
- 2007: Dig For Fire Bonus 3-Song Vinyl (Various Artists) / 7" White Vinyl (3 songs)
- 2007: Dig For Fire - a tribute to Pixies (Various Artists) / CD-LP (15 songs)
- 2008: Cinnamon Girl - Women Artists Cover Neil Young For Charity (Various Artists) / Double-CD (21 songs)
- 2008: Songs For Film & TV (Various Artists) / CD-LP (13 songs)
- 2008: Gigantic - a tribute to Kim Deal (Various Artists) / CD-LP (13 songs)
- 2008: Everybody Hurts / Imagine (Elk City / Steve Rizzo) / iTunes Exclusive Digital Split Single (2 songs)
[edit] Notable Artists
Since 2004 the following artists have appeared on American Laundromat projects (listed randomly): Frank Black, They Might Be Giants, Matthew Sweet, OK Go, British Sea Power, Lori McKenna, Kristin Hersh, Tanya Donelly, Britta Phillips, Mogwai, Jill Sobule, The Raveonettes, The Submarines, The Brunettes, Dean & Britta, John Doe, Elk City, The Watson Twins, Josie Cotton, The Devics, Julie Peel, Cassettes Won't Listen, Dylan in the Movies, The Rosebuds, Joy Zipper, The Wedding Present, The Poems, Grand Duchy, Elizabeth Harper & The Matinee, The Atomic Hep Cats, The Caulfield Sisters, The Dresden Dolls, John P. Strohm, PC Munoz, The Lovable Rouges, The Karma Parade, The Wading Girl, AM, Wondernaut, Underdog, The Smarties, Kitty Hawk, Kitty Karlyle, The Modifiers, Luff, The Bennies, 9-Fifty, Dipsomaniacs, The Commons, Blank Pages, Nova Social, Bastards of Melody, Heidi Gluck, Cindy Wheeler, Elizabeth Harper, Charles Douglas, Morning Theft, Dala, The Bedroom Walls, Joe Harvard Band, David Miller, Fashion Victims, Euro-Trash Girl, Kate York, Darcie Miner, Descartes a Kant, PC Munoz, The Douglas Fir, Fiona Lehn, Steve Rizzo, The Wheelers, The Bunnies, Eric Drew Feldman, Francine, The German Art Students, Le Tetsuo, Melissa Gibbs, The Nuevos, Rizzo, Witch Hats, Tara King
