Introducing: the 9128.live label

 
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When 9128.live launched two years ago, I envisioned a simple outcome - a place for me (selfishly) to tune in to music that I knew I would love, at any moment, be it at my computer, car or kitchen. If anyone else enjoyed it, that would be a brilliant bonus, but I had no idea it would end up where it is today; a little corner of the internet for some like-minded friends to collectively listen together, and present music (during a tough two years which undoubtedly helped us come together). And now a fledgling record label.

The 9128 label aims to document significant live performances by artists that previously debuted on the 9128.live platform. With recordings initially created for a singular collective listening moment, and often as part of a festival or takeover weekend, label recordings will re-present this music for a greater audience across various formats that best suit each release.

This weekend we launched our very first release by the brilliant Jo Johnson & Hilary Robinson, with a live recording originally aired for the Calma takeover in April 2021. It’s a spectacular piece of music that progresses through simple, expressive movements revolving around Jo’s synthesizer manipulation and Hilary’s piano. The album is now available on (the new 9128.live) Bandcamp.

Photo by Emile Facey

Photo by Emile Facey

It was organic in evolution, seeing artists prepare spectacular live sets specifically for airing on the platform. And so it was inevitable I would find my nature wanting to present some of this music to the world once more, be it on ASIP or otherwise. So, taking inspiration from concepts like the legendary John Peel Sessions, or the WXAXRXP collection, I decided to create something similar, where otherwise lost or archived live recordings are once more presented to the world as part of a greater curatorial, and the physical (or digital) formats they deserve.

In contrast to the (now big sister!) A Strangely Isolated Place label, I wanted something which didn’t obsess over the extended storytelling around the release too much. There’s no right or wrong way to present the music you personally believe in, but for 9128.live it really is about the moment, and re-presenting/documenting it. To me, it’s less about portraying a greater concept or narrative, especially as artists often don’t turn up to play live with a title or concept in mind. some are just jamming out! Therefore, the artwork for the 9128.label will remain generic with a simple and minimal approach similar to the main 9128 site. It remains to be seen what may deviate or develop over time, but I will likely keep vinyl as black and other things simple in presentation. We will not be strict in format approach and will choose a format that best suits each release, be it digital, vinyl, tape or CD. (This is also, as much for respect to the current vinyl situation too, which is clogging up the world and the ASIP label pipeline).

Musically, we already have some amazing releases lined up that look back across two years of takeovers. Not to give too much away right now, but the very first live performance on the platform will make up release #2 (and is off at press), and some unexpected deviations in style from familiar artists will be presented. This is an element I am particularly excited about; being an outlet for artists to present one-off works that they might not feel comfortable adding as part of their regular output or having the freedom to be more experimental (because it was a one-off live recording and not a new alias or something that needs overthinking).

As a result of this approach, the label will not adhere to any specific musical genres - just performances that have appeared on 9128.live before (of course, the curation for the takeovers is often contained, so naturally, there will be a focus). And due to the often extended nature of the live recordings, many will likely not be found on streaming services that cannot accommodate such.

Also not forgetting that we have a simple subscription as part of 9128.live which has enabled us to pay fees to artists to re-upload their sets for an exclusive period. For now, I see this as being pivotal to how 9128.live will continue to evolve, as we are able to present more extensive recordings to subscribers that may also include DJ sets and recordings with previously released/exclusive material. Going forward 9128 subscribers will get a discount on the label, should you wish to join and help support us and the artists this way. The label will focus on all-new material for a greater audience.

On hindsight, the 9128.live label evolution was a similar intention to how ASIP originally began; a simple intention to capture music I enjoyed, a place to revisit time and time again to document my listening adventures. And where both started out as small (maybe self-serving!) ideas, both seem to have grown to appeal to a greater audience, which I am extremely thankful for. Especially to the artists who believe in these new ventures enough to trust me with their music and present it to the world.

A big thanks to Jo Johnson, Hilary Robinson, Rafael Anton Irisarri and Molly Smith who have helped get the 9128 label off and running.

See you in the chat.

 

Now available: Earth House Hold / Daybreak Basements and Broken Hearts

Following his 2018 Earth House Hold album ‘Never Forget Us, Brock Van Wey returns with another exploration of the sounds and influences of his early years that come to life through a unique combination of ambient and deep (DEEP) house.

Brock often jokes each time he sends a record over to me that his music gets deeper, but he really mean’t it with this one. His deepest, darkest iteration of the EHH sound yet, now available on two 2LP versions and digital.

View the album release page for full details, previews and links to buy.

 
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Now available: James Bernard / Unreleased Works 1994-1999

In many ways, James Bernard’s Unreleased Works are one of ambient music’s biggest crimes. They’ve been sat in James’ DAT archives for years now, with only a few close friends experiencing their greatness through a very limited CDr. After going through the process of this release, I came to understand why. Not only are these extremely personal to James, and remind him of tough times in his life, but being the perfectionist he is, maybe he didn’t see them worthy of a full release one day. How wrong he was!

These are, unbiasedly, some of the greatest ambient electronic tracks I have ever heard. And, yes, quote me; up there with the best of FSOL, The Orb or any 90’s pioneers that nailed that era of classic chill-out sound.

Needless to say, I am beyond proud to finally be releasing James’ Unreleased Works, primarily as a listener, but also as a label.

It was an exciting process to get to this point. The original album has 27 tracks, which wouldn’t work even on two 2LPs. So we cut-out some of the originals, and then sequenced the remainder across two thematic editions - a more ‘Acid;’ leaning 2LP (Acid Dreams) and a more organic, other-wordly edition (Elemental Dreams).

A big thank you to Rafael Anton Irisarri for mastering, and Steve Hyland (Geometric Love) who created some magical artwork for this release - taking our brief and ideating a box, unearthed after years, and coming back to life through various states of decay and forms. This is also our first 2LP presented in reverse-board (to some people’s questions!) to imitate the old sketch-book feel and match the concept.

Both versions combine in one 20-track digital album, and individually across two 2LP editions, now available.

See the release page for more info and links to buy.

 
 
 
 

Shipping update - Impacts to EU / UK record shipping from ASIP Bandcamp

 
ASIP / Europe (ASIPV002) release, when Europe, was…. Europe.

ASIP / Europe (ASIPV002) release, when Europe, was…. Europe.

Important - please read the below if you are based in the UK or the EU and buy records from us here at ASIP.

** UPDATED** As of September 2nd 2021 - We now have an IOSS number from Bandcamp which will be applied to all of our packages going go the EU. This should alleviate many of the problems we had previously outlined here, however we still strongly encourage European customers to avoid buying from us in the USA. (If you are a label/artist seeking the IOSS number, please email Bandcamp).

The EU has made substantial changes to cross-border VAT and import regulations starting on July 1st, 2021.

Potential impacts to shipments going to the EU/UK starting on July 1st, 2021:

  • IN SUMMARY: You may be asked to pay custom/duties upon receipt, due to new EU regulations that are not yet 100% clear. We know for certain, some records are taking 3+months to get into the EU and some have not been delivered whatsoever.

  • Businesses shipping to the UK/EU now need both a VAT and an IOSS number when importing goods into the UK/EU. (Even for goods less than or equal to €150). We have the IOSS number from Bandcamp and will be applying it to outbound records. Whether that is enough, remains to be seen so far.

  • Going forward, if you order a record from the ASIP Bandcamp store into the UK or EU, we cannot take responsibility for either a) records not arriving and stuck in customs, or b) records arriving and you being asked to pay extra duties or customs charges upon arrival.

  • If a record is returned to us, we will politely ask you to pay the postage once more, as this is not a cost we can continually subsidize (often at $30/40 each time).

  • UK/EU buyers, we ask that you buy records from Juno, or One Eye Witness, or any other store in Europe - see our full list of stockists here.

  • You can still buy Digital from our Bandcamp store, this is not impacted.

We know there are additional complications to this, such as exclusive availability on our Bandcamp, other charges in your country, and shipping prices, but none of us are in a good situation right now so please be understanding. No one seems to be benefiting from this other than the governments imposing these mandates. Also please consider that every other label and artist in the US is likely in the same boat (whether they know it yet or not).

Thank you for your understanding and support going forward as we try and navigate this new situation.

 

ASIP Sticker Packs now available in our (new) webstore

 
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We may just love doing these stickers more than you love buying them, but I know some people don’t manage to get any because they are only usually available direct with Bandcamp orders….

Now available, 20 stickers (minimum) chosen at random from ASIP release artwork in one sticker pack, only through our new web store.

If you would like a specific sticker, please specify with your order and we will do our best to include it. We cannot guarantee any specific set / sticker.

Only 50 packs available!

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