dizzybird records
(Grand Rapids) — Coming up on its one-year anniversary, dizzybird records is the brainchild of Nicole LaRae and Brian Hoekstra. LaRae and Hoekstra have made a lot of headway in dizzybird’s short lifespan, with a focus on fuzzy, dreamy garage rock. The label has released music from Grand Rapids’ own Heaters and Dear Tracks, Gringo Starr (Atlanta) and Las Rosas (Brooklyn), as well as a full plate of records scheduled for 2016.
Double Phelix Collective
(Kalamazoo) — Double Phelix is an ass-kicking collective of musicians and artists based in Kalamazoo. The group does it all: Write, produce and record albums for various groups in K-Zoo. Its ranks include over a dozen ensembles, songwriters, performers and engineers, including members from The Go Rounds, Maraj, Lasso, The Double Phelix Orchestra and more.
Earthwork Music
(Lake City) — Earthwork Music has grown to become kind of a folk-rock institution at this point. Operated out of Lake City, Earthwork’s roster of nearly 40 artists includes some of the state’s most well-known roots rockers, including Joshua Davis, Seth Bernard & May Erlewine, Lindsay Lou & The Flatbellys, Steppin’ In It and The Appleseed Collective. The label also holds the annual Earthwork Harvest Gathering on the Bernard family farm each year with over 90 acts and a series of workshops from all sorts of creators.
Emetic Records
(Flint) — Emetic Records is an imprint specializing in death metal, doom, hardcore and the like. Among Emetic’s signed artists are Noothgrush, Cold As Life, Bongripper, Celophys, Crowbar and Speedball. The label releases a new BelzebonG record this fall, so if you’re into stoner metal — keep your eyes on this imprint.
Ghostly International
(Ann Arbor) — Ghostly International began as an art and music collective in 1999 in Ann Arbor under the tutelage of founder Samuel Valenti IV. As a University of Michigan student with a love for electronica, particularly Detroit’s underground scene, Valenti started the label with a release from fellow U of M student Matthew Dear. Since then, Ghostly International has grown into a global label with releases from some next-level electronic artists, including Tycho, Dabrye, Gold Panda, Matthew Dear, Matrixxman and Com Truise.
Hot Capicola Records
(Grand Rapids) — Another new label out of Grand Rapids, Hot Capicola Records is run by Luke Schmidt and JP Pinckney. In addition to releasing music for its artists, including Lady Ace Boogie, DJ Dean Martian, Convotronics and AOK, Hot Capicola also assists with booking and management. Thus far, Hot Capicola has focused on hip-hop, but has made it clear they’re open to exploring any genre.
Lower Peninsula Records
(Lansing) — Lower Peninsula Records is a small, independent label out of Lansing that focuses on vinyl releases. Run by musician and engineer John Krohn, LPR has worked with some of Michigan’s most ambitious bands, including Joe Hertler and the Rainbow Seekers, as well as Frontier Ruckus, Jake Simmons & the Little Ghosts, Husband & Wife and The Sights.
Salinas Records
(Detroit) — Founded in 2003 in Detroit, Salinas Records drops stellar records from both Michigan and out-of-state acts. Some artists on their roster include Radiator Hospital, Swearin’, PS Eliot and The Ambulars. This month, Salinas releases Kicking Every Day — the debut LP from Columbus/Philadelphia four-piece All Dogs.
