Brassland Records
Encyclopedia
Brassland is an artist-operated independent record label
started in 2001
by Alec Hanley Bemis
and Aaron and Bryce Dessner
. On their 10th anniversary, The Guardian
said of it that it is at "the centre of New York's other music scene."
Bemis is a writer who has contributed to publications such as LA Weekly
, the New York Times, the New Yorker, LA Times, Slate.com, and Coolfer.com. The Dessners are twin brothers and both musicians. Bryce plays in Clogs and The National
, and has guested as guitar player with artists such as the Bang on a Can All-Stars and Sufjan Stevens
. Aaron plays guitar and writes music for The National
. Brassland Records is based in New York
, though it claims to operate "a satellite office in California." The label also has close ties to Ohio, where the Dessner brothers were raised. All five members of the label's original flagship band, The National, hail from Cincinnati, Ohio.
The first two releases were debut albums by The National
and Clogs
. Over the years, it has also released albums by musicians such as Baby Dayliner
, Erik Friedlander, and Pela
. The label considers itself something of a collective, making A&R decisions based on the tastes of its founders but also the interests of the artists involved in the label. The label actively encourages collaboration among its musicians, and with members of the larger community of which the label is part. For example, founding Clogs
' member Padma Newsome now contributes regularly to The National
's records and live shows. He also plays on Devastations second album, Coal. Bryce Dessner performed on Erik Friedlander
's album, "Grains of Paradise"; later the favor was returned on Clogs' "Stick Music". Pela guitarist, Nate Martinez, has frequently acted as a fill-in guitarist for The National
; Bryan Devendorf from The National
plays on Pela's first EP, "All in Time". Also, Thomas Bartlett (aka Doveman
) contributed heavily to The National
's 2007 album, Boxer. He has since frequently been a part of their live presentation, including an appearance with them on the David Letterman
show. Many of the artists on the label have collaborated with Vincent Moon
, perhaps best known being director on La Blogotheque's "The Take-Away Shows", a Paris-based videocast of performances by bands.
Brassland published this mission statement on its website: "Music is our current focus. We like music that transcends genre. At the same time we try not to make transcending genre a cliché by applying labels to what we do: funk-metal, progressive punk, Afro-Cuban jazz, underground hip-hop, intelligent dance music, whateva! We like musicians who play well and possess the elusive tonic of personality. Most of all we just like music."
Independent record label
An independent record label is a record label operating without the funding of or outside the organizations of the major record labels. A great number of bands and musical acts begin on independent labels.-Overview:...
started in 2001
2001 in music
See also:* 2001 in music Record labels established in 2001-Events:*January 1**Comeback of Guns N' Roses in House of Blues**Hum disbands.*January 17 – Bass player Jason Newsted leaves Metallica after 14 years with the band....
by Alec Hanley Bemis
Alec Hanley Bemis
Alec Hanley Bemis is a writer and manager for creative cultural projects who lives in New York City.-History:In 2001, Bemis co-founded Brassland with Aaron and Bryce Dessner, twins known for their prominent role in American independent music...
and Aaron and Bryce Dessner
Aaron and Bryce Dessner
Aaron and Bryce Dessner are twin brothers and members of the rock band The National. Aaron Dessnerwrites the majority of the music for The National. The brothers are co-founders, alongside Alec Hanley Bemis, of Brassland, a label that is home to artists including The National, the Clogs, catalog...
. On their 10th anniversary, The Guardian
The Guardian
The Guardian, formerly known as The Manchester Guardian , is a British national daily newspaper in the Berliner format...
said of it that it is at "the centre of New York's other music scene."
Bemis is a writer who has contributed to publications such as LA Weekly
LA Weekly
LA Weekly is a free weekly tabloid-sized "alternative weekly" in Los Angeles, California. It was founded in 1978 by Editor/Publisher Jay Levin and a board of directors that included actor-producer Michael Douglas...
, the New York Times, the New Yorker, LA Times, Slate.com, and Coolfer.com. The Dessners are twin brothers and both musicians. Bryce plays in Clogs and The National
The National (band)
The National is an indie rock band formed in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1999 and currently based in Brooklyn, New York. The band's lyrics are written and sung by Matt Berninger, a baritone...
, and has guested as guitar player with artists such as the Bang on a Can All-Stars and Sufjan Stevens
Sufjan Stevens
Sufjan Stevens is an American singer-songwriter and musician born in Detroit, Michigan. Stevens first began releasing his music on Asthmatic Kitty, a label co-founded with his stepfather, beginning with the 1999 release, A Sun Came...
. Aaron plays guitar and writes music for The National
The National (band)
The National is an indie rock band formed in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1999 and currently based in Brooklyn, New York. The band's lyrics are written and sung by Matt Berninger, a baritone...
. Brassland Records is based in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, though it claims to operate "a satellite office in California." The label also has close ties to Ohio, where the Dessner brothers were raised. All five members of the label's original flagship band, The National, hail from Cincinnati, Ohio.
The first two releases were debut albums by The National
The National (band)
The National is an indie rock band formed in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1999 and currently based in Brooklyn, New York. The band's lyrics are written and sung by Matt Berninger, a baritone...
and Clogs
Clogs (band)
Clogs are a mostly instrumental project led by Bryce Dessner and Australia's Padma Newsome. Their existence predates Dessner's other band The National...
. Over the years, it has also released albums by musicians such as Baby Dayliner
Baby Dayliner
Baby Dayliner is a musical recording and performing artist from and based out of New York City. He was born and raised in New York City, and went to Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts, also known as the high school from the 1980 film Fame. He studied at St. John's...
, Erik Friedlander, and Pela
Pela
Pela was an American indie rock band from Brooklyn known for their intense live performances.-History:Pela's history goes back to the early ’90s when lead vocalist and guitarist Billy McCarthy met Christopher Herb. As best friends they worked at a mall together after dropping out of high school,...
. The label considers itself something of a collective, making A&R decisions based on the tastes of its founders but also the interests of the artists involved in the label. The label actively encourages collaboration among its musicians, and with members of the larger community of which the label is part. For example, founding Clogs
Clogs (band)
Clogs are a mostly instrumental project led by Bryce Dessner and Australia's Padma Newsome. Their existence predates Dessner's other band The National...
' member Padma Newsome now contributes regularly to The National
The National (band)
The National is an indie rock band formed in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1999 and currently based in Brooklyn, New York. The band's lyrics are written and sung by Matt Berninger, a baritone...
's records and live shows. He also plays on Devastations second album, Coal. Bryce Dessner performed on Erik Friedlander
Erik Friedlander
Erik Friedlander is an American cellist and composer based in New York City.A veteran of NYC's experimental downtown scene, Friedlander has worked in many contexts, but is perhaps best known for his frequent collaborations with saxophonist/composer John Zorn...
's album, "Grains of Paradise"; later the favor was returned on Clogs' "Stick Music". Pela guitarist, Nate Martinez, has frequently acted as a fill-in guitarist for The National
The National (band)
The National is an indie rock band formed in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1999 and currently based in Brooklyn, New York. The band's lyrics are written and sung by Matt Berninger, a baritone...
; Bryan Devendorf from The National
The National (band)
The National is an indie rock band formed in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1999 and currently based in Brooklyn, New York. The band's lyrics are written and sung by Matt Berninger, a baritone...
plays on Pela's first EP, "All in Time". Also, Thomas Bartlett (aka Doveman
Doveman
Doveman is a band founded by Thomas Bartlett. Originally from Vermont, Bartlett studied piano in London with Maria Curcio before moving to New York City to attend Columbia University. He attended Columbia for one year, when he left to focus on his studies of classical music. After leaving Columbia,...
) contributed heavily to The National
The National (band)
The National is an indie rock band formed in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1999 and currently based in Brooklyn, New York. The band's lyrics are written and sung by Matt Berninger, a baritone...
's 2007 album, Boxer. He has since frequently been a part of their live presentation, including an appearance with them on the David Letterman
David Letterman
David Michael Letterman is an American television host and comedian. He hosts the late night television talk show, Late Show with David Letterman, broadcast on CBS. Letterman has been a fixture on late night television since the 1982 debut of Late Night with David Letterman on NBC...
show. Many of the artists on the label have collaborated with Vincent Moon
Vincent Moon
Vincent Moon is an independent filmmaker from Paris mainly known for his field work music videos of indie rock related musicians as well as some notable mainstream artists like Tom Jones, R.E.M. or Arcade Fire. Besides making music videos he also makes experimental films and documentaries...
, perhaps best known being director on La Blogotheque's "The Take-Away Shows", a Paris-based videocast of performances by bands.
Brassland published this mission statement on its website: "Music is our current focus. We like music that transcends genre. At the same time we try not to make transcending genre a cliché by applying labels to what we do: funk-metal, progressive punk, Afro-Cuban jazz, underground hip-hop, intelligent dance music, whateva! We like musicians who play well and possess the elusive tonic of personality. Most of all we just like music."
Current roster
- Baby DaylinerBaby DaylinerBaby Dayliner is a musical recording and performing artist from and based out of New York City. He was born and raised in New York City, and went to Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts, also known as the high school from the 1980 film Fame. He studied at St. John's...
- Buke and Gass
- ClogsClogs (band)Clogs are a mostly instrumental project led by Bryce Dessner and Australia's Padma Newsome. Their existence predates Dessner's other band The National...
- DovemanDovemanDoveman is a band founded by Thomas Bartlett. Originally from Vermont, Bartlett studied piano in London with Maria Curcio before moving to New York City to attend Columbia University. He attended Columbia for one year, when he left to focus on his studies of classical music. After leaving Columbia,...
- Nico MuhlyNico MuhlyNico Muhly is a contemporary classical music composer, who has worked and recorded with classical and pop/rock musicians. He currently lives in the Lower East Side section of Manhattan in New York City.-Early years:...
Past Musicians on the Roster
- Devastations
- The NationalThe National (band)The National is an indie rock band formed in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1999 and currently based in Brooklyn, New York. The band's lyrics are written and sung by Matt Berninger, a baritone...
- PelaPelaPela was an American indie rock band from Brooklyn known for their intense live performances.-History:Pela's history goes back to the early ’90s when lead vocalist and guitarist Billy McCarthy met Christopher Herb. As best friends they worked at a mall together after dropping out of high school,...
- Erik FriedlanderErik FriedlanderErik Friedlander is an American cellist and composer based in New York City.A veteran of NYC's experimental downtown scene, Friedlander has worked in many contexts, but is perhaps best known for his frequent collaborations with saxophonist/composer John Zorn...