A post by Brent DiCrescenzo over at Time Out Chicago’s Blog seems to confirm rumors we’ve been hearing this week that the longstanding, highly influential Chicago label Touch & Go is closing up shop. Nothing 100% confirmed, but as DiCrescenzo notes:
When reached for confirmation this morning, owner Corey Rusk gave me an official “no comment,” but explained that a press release will be forthcoming later today.
For those of us who cut our teeth on — nay, had our early worldview shaped by — Jesus Lizard (and Scratch Acid), Big Black (and then Rapeman and then Shellac), Laughing Hyenas (and Negative Approach), Slint, and Butthole Surfers, etc., this is a sad day. For folks who cut their teeth on Yeah Yeah Yeahs, !!!, and TV On The Radio, this should be a sad day, too. Really, the list of great albums they put out seems sorta endless.
More details when we have them.
UPDATE: We now have more details, including Corey Rusk’s statement:
It is with great sadness that we are reporting some major changes here at Touch and Go Records. Many of you may not be aware, but for nearly 2 decades, Touch and Go has provided manufacturing and distribution services for a select yet diverse group of other important independent record labels. Titles from these other labels populate the shelves of our warehouse alongside the titles on our own two labels, Touch and Go Records, and Quarterstick Records.
Unfortunately, as much as we love all of these labels, the current state of the economy has reached the point where we can no longer afford to continue this lesser known, yet important part of Touch and Go’s operations. Over the years, these labels have become part of our family, and it pains us to see them go. We wish them all the very best and we will be doing everything we can to help make the transition as easy as possible.
Touch and Go will be returning to its roots and focusing solely on being an independent record label. We’ll be busy for a few months working closely with the departing labels and scaling our company to an appropriate smaller size after their departure. It is the end of a grand chapter in Touch and Go’s history, but we also know that good things can come from new beginnings.
Additionally, the DailySwarm is reporting that “the entire label staff of 20 has been let go.”
But this isn’t just a bummer for Touch & Go. The labels no longer distributed by them include 2131, 5 Rue Christine, All Natural, Atavistic, Drag City, Emperor Jones, Estrus, Flameshovel, Jade Tree, In The Fishtank, Kill Rock Stars, Le Tigre Recordings, Merge Records, Overcoat Recordings, Pretty Activity, Post Present Medium, Record Label, Robcore, Suicide Squeeze, Trance Syndicate, Trixie, Voodoo-EROS, Warm Electronic Recordings, etc.
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seasons change
This is really sad to read. T&G is definitely among the finest labels.
this is NOT the new years fault. distro redistribution////
It is a shame to see this label go. However, it is a sign of the times that the way the music industry works needs to change!!
This really saddens me. A great record label with a great roster of previous and present artists, as well as a great distro for helping smaller labels out doesn’t deserve to fall apart this way. Can’t they just steal massive amounts of Victory records’ capital? Now there’s a label that I wouldn’t mind tanking.
bummer! does this mean touch & go is done or just the smaller labels it distributed? I hope it doesn’t affect the sparklehorse In the Fishtank release…
When I hear they’re stopping construction of any new Starbucks I’ll know Armageddon is approaching and I’ll make a break for New Mexico. In the meantime, fingers crossed the music industry survives the double-whammy of p2p and the economic meltdown.
calexico’s signed on with them too [through quarterstick]. hopefully they’re not affected by this too…
Katy Perry’s boob pops out of her shirt (30234934) comments.
An amazing indie label goes under (9) comments.
Guess we know what we all really care about.
Woah! When did Katy Perry’s BOOB pop out of her shirt??!?!??
This is sad news about T&G and all the other labels involved… But for real though, when did Katy Perry’s boob pop out? Who wouldn’t love to Touch & Goo on one of her talents, am I right fellas?! **wink-wink, nudge-nudge, high five, etc. etc.**.
*phew* I thought the label was going to disappear. I’m glad to see they’re sticking around for now, at least. I hate economy.