01/01/2016
Happy New Year.
So AVM turns 10 this year and in October its the anniversary of the first vinyl release - Click Pause Nothing by Arctic Sunrise, originally showcased on Radio 1 by Mary Anne Hobbs and sold out along with all other subsequent releases.
The label served primarily as a personal outlet of mine, and also to showcase interesting works from local artists that fitted within my aesthetic and sonic vision for the label. It was setup in 2006 when a lot of other amazing labels at the time were pushing out incredible sonic works and it was a very inspiring time musically.
I put a lot of effort into the label, all CD releases were hand assembled and created with an attention to detail giving a unique product that captured the spirit of the music in a physical form. I wanted to give value to those who invested in the sound and not just give out media files unless I had to. I'm lucky that so many people still respect and talk about the label and the content to this day. These days you don't need a label to get your music out there but for me I still feel its important to have a brand and platform with a clear aesthetic that you can hold your taste to account with.
The industry was changing rapidly around the start of the century though and for small indie labels, especially electronic, it was harder than ever to succeed as a business. I closed the official company and business as my passion died after the first 3 incredible years and the onset of depression altered my priorities; I quietly let the label sleep into its fourth and fifth year to concentrate my energy elsewhere.
For the label, its been rather quiet the past 5 years, save for the odd free mp3 release, as I Ashley James Brown (Digital Artist) kept myself very busy on other things relating to art, technology, electronics and sound carving out a respected career away from the music industry yet still occasionally dabbling away with a wistful nostalgia sweeping over me as I go through the collection.
As pathways converge closer and crossover more than ever before with my work in electronics, visual programming and sound design and my personal enthusiasm and passion for audio returning, I hope to share some news about my plans for the label very soon although I wouldn't say the label is 'back in business' as I'm far too busy to give that sort of commitment, yet my Arctic Sunrise moniker should reveal some material later on in the year at long last.
I can't quite be sure of the 'future' (if any) of Airvent Media as a label yet, but I wont let the decade milestone pass without some sort of respect and acknowledgment, hence this reflection and post.
Thanks for your support.
Here is to 2016 and whatever it may bring.
Ashley
