MLP 3: Local Music Label

First… let me say I was surprised to know that there were so many local music Labels. Seriously, when someone mentions Louisville,  pop culture does not come to mind—Yes, Horses, bluegrass, basketball  and definitely gorgeous women..But not music.   But….surprisingly enough there were several music labels founded in Louisville including, the  more notable Initial Records ( hard core rock—yuck BTW) and Label X (mainstream adult contemporary) to the more recent Sonablast, Karate Body, and Noise Pollution records.  If you are an inspiring singer there are many avenues for you in Louisville—if you take the time to look.

After Googleing (is that even a word?) around a bit I decided to write my MLP on Ear X-tacy records.  The Founder John Timmons said he created the label as an “an altruistic vehicle designed to help out local artists with promotion (www.louisvillemusicnews.net). I like that….in it for the good of music not the all mighty buck!

Although Timmons message to “Keep Louisville Weird” is front and center in all that he does, he manages to cater to a wide variety of music lovers including those that want the “commercial crap” as he calls it.  Timmons was quoted in a recent Louisville Music Scene article to say, "We're always changing the mix as to what we carry. We have to listen to our customers as to what they want. As far as music goes, it changes constantly." (www.louisvillemusicscene.)"

Timmons message is the same in his recording business started in 1995 (although business may not be the right term as Timmons does not claim to make money at it) as his well known local Louisville retail store on Bardstown rd. The Ear X-tacy label has promoted Artist to include Tim Krekel (with and without the Groovebillies), Bryan Hurst (with and without the Lolligaggers), Heidi Howe, Dick Sisto, Butch Rice, Kathleen Hoye, Ut Gret, The Pennies, Lexington's Taildragger and The Mighty Jeremiahs, whose nationally-recognized self-titled release from last year is the label's biggest seller. The genres produced include singer-songwriter pop, country, blues-rock, jazz, Alternative, improvisational and Christian alternative.

Ear X-tacy may have an advantage over previously failed record labels because the store and founder are somewhat of a local treasure.  As long as Timmons isn’t in it for the money… he may just survive the quickly changing world of the music Industry because he relishes the change and honors the diversity in music as part of our culture (although his quotes make me believe he does not "honor" those that just spit out music to make a buck rather than a statement of theor own choice...whatever that may be.)  Timmons, a musician himself, started the label to help local artist be heard.

The music business has proven to be a difficult make money at. The business has just changed so much," Leslie Stewart, a former DJ for WFPK and longtime promoter/enthusiast of Louisville music, said. "People don't need labels to get their music out there. I think that labels as a general rule are dinosaurs, and they don't make sense for either the artists or the people who own the label."

Jeffery Smith, founder of Label X records, agreed and decided he could not hang any longer. "I had to put the label down like you shoot a horse. I don't think you can sell records anymore. I think you have to say music is free, at least for now, so you have to figure out what can you sell other than music." And while Timmons has had the same thought on many occasions he quickly changes his mind when a young Artist comes to him for a little help… promising to pay him back when they “make it big.”

  Timmons…. I say, Keep up the Good Weird fight!