09/02/2024
I always wanted my own record label. And in 2016 the dream came true with Tinker Tone Records. With my wife Mandy's support, we joined the ever-increasing number of indie labels releasing physical media. And it was more fun than I ever expected. Every release was an event and we got immense satisfaction from the overall experience.
With the release of our fifth record, we're realizing times have changed. It's still a thrill seeing our label on a new record but we're realizing the satisfaction isn't the same anymore. Much of our audience has moved on and I'm hearing similar stories from other indie labels. Releasing relatively unknown indie artists on a relatively unknown indie label simply isn't sustainable anymore. All things must end.
The Hayley Payne record will be Tinker Tone's last vinyl record. I don't say this with bitterness or remorse. It was fun while it lasted and there are still plenty of creative projects to keep my interest moving forward. It's simply time to close this particular chapter of our lives.
Tinker Tone Records stands at five releases. For now and always. And I'm so, so proud of each and every one of them. I'm so thankful I had the opportunity to make this dream come true. Thank you to all the artists and music lovers out there who helped us get this far. You have no idea what you mean to us. Without you, this would have never been possible. Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you!
It's not a sad story. Ya' know? We did it. We existed. Onward.
- Shane Devon
