Carved Records is an American record label operating out of Dallas, Texas,[1] that began operation in 2009.
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Carved Records was formed by CEO Tim Porter (after a career in many non-music business ventures) and Vice President of Operations Phil Thomas (a music industry veteran with over 20 years in the music business).
After forming Carved Records, Porter and Thomas secured distribution through MRI/RED Distribution in late 2009. The label began signing bands directly after.
As of January 2011[update], Carved Records have signed four significant bands.
In September 2011, Carved Records announced they had signed Alternative/Progressive Rock band HURT, their largest and most successful band to date. HURT is a rock band formed in 2000 in Virginia, now located in Los Angeles, California, United States. The band has released two full length albums, Vol. I and Vol. II, while signed with Capitol Records as well as the independent record Goodbye to the Machine. The group consists of lead singer and violinist J. Loren Wince, guitarist Michael Roberts, bassist Rek Mohr, and drummer Victor Ribas. The band and Carved have announced a 2012 release for the as yet untitled highly anticipated follow up to Goodbye to the Machine.
The band Texas Hippie Coalition (THC) was brought to the label’s attention early because of their own self-generated success. THC had been on the road consistently playing with bands they had grown up idolizing. They had found supportive fans in the form of music lovers, gear companies and corporate sponsors. THC met with Carved in late 2009. Shortly thereafter, Texas Hippie Coalition was the first band signed to Carved Records. They released their first national album, Rollin' on July 6th, 2010 via Carved Records.
Carved Records began 2010 with their second signing; Stillwater, Oklahoma based No Justice. The band has averaged over 200 shows a year and has developed a loyal following throughout Oklahoma and Texas. They released two studio albums and one live album on their own before being signed to Carved. On July 6th, 2010, No Justice released 2nd Avenue, their first label-released venture.
Juke Kartel was the third band to be signed to Carved Records. Already having a following in their native Australia, they also have a fan base in the US because of the reality show Rockstar: Supernova, of which vocalist Toby Rand received 3rd place. The band has currently recorded their first major US release, Levolution, and is poised to do an Australian tour with Slash in the Fall of 2010.
Carved Records has partnered with "The Boot Campaign",[2] a non-profit organization dedicated to easing the transitions of returning military from overseas. Their slogan, "get YOUR boots on" implies a need for civilians to put yourself in the position of our troops. Carved Records will be releasing a compilation album benefiting The Boot Campaign entitled When They Come Back...We Give Back. The album features Texas Country artists giving their time and music to support The Boot Campaign. Artists featured on the compilation include Carved Records' own No Justice, Robert Earl Keen Derek Sholl, Wade Bowen, Stoney LaRue, Micky and the Motorcars, Jason Boland and the Stragglers, Eli Young Band, Randy Rogers Band, Kevin Fowler, Aaron Watson, Reckless Kelly, Cross Canadian Ragweed, Bleu Edmondson, and Jack Ingram. The album was released September 14, 2010.