Atlanta-based High Grade Media takes a few moments to reply to igloomag.com’s Five questions. Learn more about this highly motivated record label, its beginnings and the directions they’ll take with sound design in 2012.
Igloo Magazine :: When did High Grade Media start up and what was your inspiration?
High Grade Media :: The love of abstract, and experimental music is what drove us to begin putting out releases of our own. Our first release was in 2006, and that is when we first came onto the Atlanta Electronic music scene. It wasn’t long until we networked with many other like-minded musicians who craved artistic freedom in Atlanta, and around the globe. Our first releases were handmade to try and stand out from the traditional product you see on the shelves, but with the record industry changing so much, we have gone mainly digital, with many releases being name your own price.
Igloo :: Who were some of your initial artist relations and did your location help or hinder progress?
HGM :: Luckily I was surrounded by a strong independent music scene, so I would have to say Atlanta is a great city to be in as an artist. It’s a town where many types of music thrive, and we found a nook where we could fit, even in a city dominated by hip hop and mainstream acts. When HGM first began putting out records we had support from Nophi Recordings, R_Garcia, Larvae, Tricil, Maui Threv, Flexor81, Reklein, Randomform, tay0, Random Rabbit, Sensitive Chaos, and many other friends.
High Grade Media started out of the love for music, and we just want to keep it as simple as that. We want to release quality stuff that stands out now, and even 20 years down the road when you dust it off to give it another spin.
Igloo :: What were some of the challenges (if any) starting up a label? …and how did you envision the label to stand apart?
HGM :: High Grade Media started out of the love for music, and we just want to keep it as simple as that. We want to release quality stuff that stands out now, and even 20 years down the road when you dust it off to give it another spin. Soon we will be utilizing the skills obtained in the studio environment, to expand into a full fledged recording studio, offering recording/editing/mixing/
Igloo :: What is your motivation in keeping the label moving forward into the next decade?
HGM :: Expanding peoples perceptions of what music can or can’t be. The prospect of being able to use the latest technology as a tool motivates us to create. Keeping our listeners guessing with what could be around the corner. We hope to have a very diverse catalog of releases over the next 10 years, and something to suit any mood.
Igloo :: Tell us more about how you (and your staff?) take the label’s “sound” to the listeners and fans. Distribution, campaigns, live shows, word of mouth etc.
HGM :: Artistic freedom was one of the main reasons we decided to start the label back in 2006. Chris Amell and Jonathan Hudson (citizenGreen & Flexor81) began operations by producing dubbed out and down tempo releases with a flair for the experimental. The roster expanded with the dark and glitchy IDM sound of Reklein in 2009, and this became the foundation that made HGM a staple in the ATL electronic scene. The label has evolved somewhat in 2011, making sure to keep things diverse and staying ahead of the curve with futuristic releases from SLiiDE, tay0, Randomform, and AV8R.
For more information about High Grade Media, visit their website at highgrademedia.com.
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