When you catch local artists performing in your backyard, sometimes you forgot to grab a physical copy of their music. If you read DigBoston, you know our city is stacked with talent, but there are some equally hardworking people who hang behind the scenes. In order to press that music to wax, wind it up on cassette, or burn it to a CD, there are the diligent record labels who work to help catalogue and promote the best of Boston and beyond.
This Saturday, Great Scott will host its second record store pop-up. The event sees 10 different record labels and music distributors setting up booths inside the Allston venue to show patrons what’ve they got in stock. Consider it your chance to browse their digital racks in real life, be it Run For Cover Records, which frequently gets national press, or Wide Eyed Noise, a smaller label paying its dues. Did we mention it’s free? We suggest you poke around the pop-up—and we’ve created a breakdown of who’s who at it to help make your local music shopping that much easier.
LABEL: Ancient Injury Records
GIST: A newer Lowell-based DIY label focusing on emo, folk, hardcore, and screamo
MUST BUY: The US pressing of We’re Drowning In Slowmotion by Sweden hardcore post-rock band Young Mountain
SPECIAL SNAG: A copy of Flores, Carne by Spain-based screamo group Viva Belgrado
LABEL: Artificial Distro
GIST: Emo and punk store via digital spreadsheet whose prices beat out Discogs
MUST BUY: A 2xLP of Strictly East Coast from legendary ’90s Boston shoegaze act Swirlies
SPECIAL SNAG: The wrestling-themed powerviolence album Our Gimmick Is Wrestling from the Ultimate Warriors before members went on to be in Pissed Jeans
LABEL: Deathwish Inc.
GIST: Punk, hardcore, and metal label founded by Jacob Bannon of Converge and Tre McCarthy
MUST BUY: The classic of classics, Jane Doe by metalcore heroes Converge, except the live version recorded in 2016
SPECIAL SNAG: Love Garfield but hate posers? rep the black long-sleeved “Garfeelme” shirt for post-hardcore emo act Self Defense Family
LABEL: Disposable America
GIST: “For true believers only since 2012” who love folk, indie rock, and slowcore gems
MUST BUY: The long-awaited debut LP from Horse Jumper of Love, Boston’s slowcore trio with a massive volume
SPECIAL SNAG: The catchy alt-rock of Boston trio Lilith on Apology Plant, off our Best Local EPs of 2017 list
LABEL: Midnight Werewolf Records
GIST: Boston-based label offering a wide range of local artists on vinyl and cassettes, usually with homemade covers
MUST BUY: The massive, feedback-filled album You Are My Sunshine from Big Mess, featuring Kal Marks’ old drummer
SPECIAL SNAG: The El Jefe / Nicholas Cage Match cassette from Flat Swamp, a notable, overlooked Allston fuzz pop act featuring members of Ovlov
LABEL: Run for Cover Records
GIST: Local punk and hardcore DIY label born from a New England dorm room in 2004
MUST BUY: The classic Tigers Jaw self-titled album on purple vinyl, because it’s never too late to yell along to mopey emo
SPECIAL SNAG: The second full-length from Sweden noise pop group Makthaverskan, II, on silver vinyl
LABEL: State Line Records
GIST: Charlestown label that wants to explore new territory ever since beginning in 2007
MUST BUY: Laughing at the Shape I’m In, the new EP from Worcester alt-country group Michael Kane & the Morning Afters
SPECIAL SNAG: A copy of Demos by Dirty Water, a local band bringing that classic vintage sound to rock harmonies
LABEL: Tor Johnson Records
GIST: “We’re not looking to be the next big thing; we’re looking to put out sweet tunes from bands we love.”
MUST BUY: Murdock Street, the debut release from Boston D-beat hardcore group Ascend/Descend
SPECIAL SNAG: A grab bag containing three CDs, two 7”s, and an LP, because you can’t go wrong with a collection as deep as Tor Johnson’s
LABEL: Triple B Records
GIST: “Too hardcore for smartphone punks. Too punk for clap mosh losers.”
MUST BUY: The second vinyl pressing of The Armageddon Blues Sessions by thrash metal band Power Trip, this time on yellow with a special etched B-side
SPECIAL SNAG: The “GLORY” long-sleeved shirt, to rep BBB in the wintertime with white, purple, and green apparel
LABEL: Wide Eyed Noise
GIST: “An independent record label dedicated to promoting unity and inclusion within the hardcore and punk scene”
MUST BUY: A custom-stamped Admission of Guilt, the debut full-length from New Hampshire hardcore act Infernal Diatribe
SPECIAL SNAG: A cassette demo from Bark, a youth-crew inspired hardcore band from the bay area, hand-numbered out of 20
RECORD STORE POP UP #2. SAT 2.17. GREAT SCOTT, 1222 COMM. AVE., ALLSTON. 12PM/ALL AGES/FREE. GREATSCOTTBOSTON.COM
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NINA CORCORANhttps://digboston.com/author/nina-corcoran/
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NINA CORCORANhttps://digboston.com/author/nina-corcoran/
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NINA CORCORANhttps://digboston.com/author/nina-corcoran/
