Every Nottingham record label we can think of, what they’re into, and if they’re up for listening to your demo...
49s Versus Dolphins
Specialists in limited edition, handmade releases by bands with a penchant for American post-hardcore. Recent projects include compilation Touchdowns #1, a label supergroup called Sneinton, a stream of gigs at the Chameleon and some gorgeously put-together
tapes.
49s vs Dolphins on Bandcamp
Adaptation Music
Internationally-sourced deep and soulful house label, with a few Notts artists on board. Sub-label, Cosmic Elements, covers lounge, chillout, jazz, funk and space disco. Has a strict demo policy, but is keen to work with new vocalists and musicians – and don’t rule out any producers as long as ‘they are consistent and produce quality music’
Adaption Music website
Bad News Records
The home of ASBO Peepshow, Fresh Eyes For The Dead Guy and Merciless Terror, Bad News veers towards the even darker side of metal, but isn’t interested in pigeonholing its artists, some of whom are as far-flung as the US and Russia. They accept demo submissions, but prefer physical CD, cassette, vinyl, and even wax cylinders to any of that digital rammell.
Connect For Music
On a mission to ‘create a soundtrack for the city of Nottingham’, CFORM focuses on exclusively Notts house, techno and electro. Set up in order to put out the tracks created by label owner Rich and his mates, they are, quote, ‘definitely open to demo submissions’.
Dealmaker
The primo purveyors of downtempo beats, rap and jazz, the formerly Canning Circus-based Dealmaker is now comfortably ensconced on Broad Street and has multiple fingers in musical pies, including a very swish residency at Nottingham Contemporary. Yes, they accept demos, but via digital dropbox only.
Denizen Recordings
With the likes of Hhymn, Origamibiro, Injured Birds and Kappa Gamma under their wing, Denizen – part of the Confetti empire - deal with 100% Notts-based artists at present, and are happy to stay that way for the foreseeable future. According to label boss Pete Fletcher, they are up for CD or online demo submissions, try to respond to everyone, and will check out your next gig if they think you’re worth it.
Denizen Recordings website
Earache
The legendary bedroom-based brainchild of Digby Pearson championed the very earliest death metal bands of the late eighties, and is now a worldwide concern a quarter of a century later. They now have offices in London and New York, but still keep a base in
Nottingham. Demo submissions welcome - email digby@earache. com with a link to your extreme and innovative sounds, or submit your YouTube clips via the website.
Earache Records website
The Elementz Productions
Specialists in all things bass, tropical and dark carnival, their leftfield club imprint takes in acts from all over the place. Not looking for demo submissions at the moment, but their Lace Market-based studio is available for hire.
The Elementz Productions website
Farmyard Records
According to owner Tommy Farmyard, this label’s oeuvre is ‘varied, eclectic, often beautiful, often dark, always melodic and accessible - a great representation of the talent oozing out of Nottingham’. Like all good farms, the produce is 100% locally sourced, with more to follow. Demos welcome, preferably Soundcloud-based
Farmyard Records on Facebook
Field Records
The self-styled ‘home for dysfunctional artists’ mainly deal with instrumental music that falls into the post-rock, post-hardcore, math and electronic genres. Whilst not Notts-exclusive, taken in the likes of Old Basford, Grain, You Slut! and Alright The Captain, and love to hear from bands and artists who already have stuff to listen to online.
Field Records website
Folkwit Records
A hugely eclectic label, spanning alternative folk roots and alt country through to lo-fi and experimental music, with a global network of artists on board – including a soupçon of local acts such as Andy Whittle, Jezz Hall, The Phil Langran Band and Nimming Ned. Happy to cock a tab at your demos – either drop ‘em an e with links to your online sounds, or upload tracks to their SoundCloud or Dropbox.
Folkwit Records website
Gringo Records
On the verge of a decade and a half of activity, Gringo are proud standard-bearers of, in their own words, ‘UK DIY excellence’, with roughly a third of their roster based in the Motherland. Owner Matt Newnham isn’t one to sift through demos – he’d rather deal with bands who are already self-sufficient and filter through to him through word
of mouth.
Gringo Records website
Hello Thor
The much-loved DIY indie label never set out to be Notts-only, but love the thought of working with artists they can regularly bump into at gigs or pop to the pub with, love to put on gigs and parties in Nottingham, and are constantly blown away by the talent in town. Constantly looking for, quote, ‘music that excites us’, they’re keen for even more demo submissions. As Nick Lawford, Thor’s Artist Liaison says; ‘Just say hello and give us gifts at gigs.’
I'm Not From London
Home to Captain Dangerous, Baby Godzilla, Hot Japanese Girl and most recent signing Practical Lovers. Run by the mercurial Will Robinson, who is known for the sublime and often ridiculous parties he sometimes puts on. By all means contact them with your demo and, even if they don't sign you, they might be able to put you on at gigs around Nottingham.
I'm Not From London website
Low Point
The very under-the-radar home of ambient, drone and experimental music, Low Point handles artists from all over the world. As owner Gareth Hardwick says; ‘As the music released by the label tends to be quite ‘niche’ at the best of times, limiting our output to just
Nottingham based artists would be incredibly restrictive!’ As such, the demo-to-release ratio is small – definitely ‘don’t call us, we’ll call you’ territory.
Low Point website
Mimm
The music wing of the multi-faceted design empire (situated right next door to Dealmaker) concentrates on the eclectic fringes of the dance spectrum, and specialises in producing exquisite limited edition vinylartwork- and-t-shirt/jumper packages, from the likes of Spam Chop. Predominantly, but not exclusively, consisting of all-Notts artists, their release schedule for 2012 is completely blocked out, but they are interested in hearing new stuff.
White Horse Records
Electronic dance label who – while casting the net far and wide – are always keeping an ear to the ground in the NG. House, dubstep, synth pop and drum and bass demos welcome – send ‘em via the website.
White Horse Records website
Wigflex Records
The type of music put out buy this label can, according to designer / promoter / manager, Spam Chop, be summed up by the words ‘gloop’, ‘wobble’ and ‘click’. The majority of the roster is either Notts-based or from here originally, but not exclusively. Demos always welcome; lob them in the direction of the website.
Wigflex Records website
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