Black Bell Records
Encyclopedia
Black Bell Records is an independent record label
based in New York, New York. The label was started in 2010 by Ayad Al Adhamy
, who is member of Boston
synth-pop band, Passion Pit
.
The label was started to release the 8-track EP
"A Balloon Called Moaning" by The Joy Formidable
in the U.S. The New York Times
' Jon Pareles praised the EP highly and it's "cryptic lyrics that glint with urgency." The release also earned critical raves from Spin
and Pitchfork
, and praise from Dave Grohl
and Steve Nieve
, among others.
Black Bell Records followed up with a one-off single with Dom
that also featured Madeline from Cults
and was produced by Ayad Al Adhamy
. This was the first 7" single in a series that included Boston
garage-pop band Girlfriends, Hardly Art
almuni Pretty & Nice and [(Brooklyn)] duo Secret Music. In support of Record Store Day
a limited run of 12" vinyl was made that included tracks by The Joy Formidable
, ARMS
, Normandy and "Soundcheck" (a 50's Rock n Roll
cover band started by Ayad Al Adhamy
) Secret Music, Pretty & Nice and Dom
.
Black Bell Records inked a distribution deal with ILG / Alternative Distribution Alliance
in 2011 shortly after signing Secret Music; whose record will be Black Bells first full-length Album
release in early 2012.
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:...
based in New York, New York. The label was started in 2010 by Ayad Al Adhamy
Ayad Al Adhamy
Ayad Al Adhamy is a multi-instrumentalist, producer and record label owner based in Brooklyn New York. He is mostly known as the synthesizer, sample, and percussion player of Passion Pit, as well as sharing remix duties with Nate Donmoyer and Ian Hultquist....
, who is member of Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
synth-pop band, Passion Pit
Passion Pit
Passion Pit is an American electropop band from Cambridge, Massachusetts. The group, which formed in 2007, consists of Michael Angelakos , Ian Hultquist , Ayad Al Adhamy , Jeff Apruzzese and Nate Donmoyer...
.
The label was started to release the 8-track EP
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
"A Balloon Called Moaning" by The Joy Formidable
The Joy Formidable
The Joy Formidable are a three-piece band formed in 2007 in North Wales and currently located in London, England. The band consists of Ritzy Bryan , Rhydian Dafydd , and Matt Thomas ....
in the U.S. The New York Times
The New York Times
The New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
' Jon Pareles praised the EP highly and it's "cryptic lyrics that glint with urgency." The release also earned critical raves from Spin
Spin (magazine)
Spin is a music magazine founded in 1985 by publisher Bob Guccione Jr.-History:In its early years, the magazine was noted for its broad music coverage with an emphasis on college-oriented rock music and on the ongoing emergence of hip-hop. The magazine was eclectic and bold, if sometimes haphazard...
and Pitchfork
Pitchfork Media
Pitchfork Media, usually known simply as Pitchfork or P4k, is a Chicago-based daily Internet publication established in 1995 that is devoted to music criticism and commentary, music news, and artist interviews. Its focus is on underground and independent music, especially indie rock...
, and praise from Dave Grohl
Dave Grohl
David Eric "Dave" Grohl is an American rock musician, multi-instrumentalist, and singer-songwriter who is the lead vocalist, guitarist, and primary songwriter for Foo Fighters; the former drummer for Nirvana and Scream; and the current drummer for Them Crooked Vultures...
and Steve Nieve
Steve Nieve
Steve Nieve is an English keyboardist, best known for his work with Elvis Costello and the Attractions and Elvis Costello and the Imposters.-Musical career:...
, among others.
Black Bell Records followed up with a one-off single with Dom
Dom (band)
Dom is an American indie rock band hailing from Worcester, Massachusetts.With fuzzy low-fi distortion and broken Casio keyboard lines, Dom filters a DIY aesthetic through the upbeat, sunny rhythms of pop music. The band was formed in January 2010 by Dom and drummer Bobby after writing the song,...
that also featured Madeline from Cults
Cults (band)
Cults is an indie pop band from Manhattan, New York. The band first drew to prominence when they posted a three song EP, Cults 7", on their Bandcamp page.-History:...
and was produced by Ayad Al Adhamy
Ayad Al Adhamy
Ayad Al Adhamy is a multi-instrumentalist, producer and record label owner based in Brooklyn New York. He is mostly known as the synthesizer, sample, and percussion player of Passion Pit, as well as sharing remix duties with Nate Donmoyer and Ian Hultquist....
. This was the first 7" single in a series that included Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
garage-pop band Girlfriends, Hardly Art
Hardly Art
Hardly Art is an independent record label based in Seattle, Washington. Founded in early 2007 by Sub Pop Records, Hardly Art is run by two full-time employees and is distributed by the Alternative Distribution Alliance and Sub Pop...
almuni Pretty & Nice and [(Brooklyn)] duo Secret Music. In support of Record Store Day
Record Store Day
Record Store Day is an internationally celebrated day observed the third Saturday of April each year. Its purpose, as conceived by independent record store employee Chris Brown, is to celebrate the art of music...
a limited run of 12" vinyl was made that included tracks by The Joy Formidable
The Joy Formidable
The Joy Formidable are a three-piece band formed in 2007 in North Wales and currently located in London, England. The band consists of Ritzy Bryan , Rhydian Dafydd , and Matt Thomas ....
, ARMS
ARMS (band)
ARMS is an American indie rock band, formed in New York in 2004. Originally a solo project created by ex-Harlem Shakes' guitarist Todd Goldstein, ARMS has since evolved into a four-piece band, with the inclusion of drummer Tlacael Esparza, bassist Matty Fasano, and keyboardist Dave Harrington...
, Normandy and "Soundcheck" (a 50's Rock n Roll
Rock N Roll
-Personnel:*Ryan Adams - Bass, Composer, Costume Design, Guitar, Keyboards, Multi Instruments, Vocals, Vocals *Billie Joe Armstrong - Vocals *Melissa Auf der Maur - Vocals...
cover band started by Ayad Al Adhamy
Ayad Al Adhamy
Ayad Al Adhamy is a multi-instrumentalist, producer and record label owner based in Brooklyn New York. He is mostly known as the synthesizer, sample, and percussion player of Passion Pit, as well as sharing remix duties with Nate Donmoyer and Ian Hultquist....
) Secret Music, Pretty & Nice and Dom
Dom (band)
Dom is an American indie rock band hailing from Worcester, Massachusetts.With fuzzy low-fi distortion and broken Casio keyboard lines, Dom filters a DIY aesthetic through the upbeat, sunny rhythms of pop music. The band was formed in January 2010 by Dom and drummer Bobby after writing the song,...
.
Black Bell Records inked a distribution deal with ILG / Alternative Distribution Alliance
Alternative Distribution Alliance
The Alternative Distribution Alliance was created in 1993 by Warner Music Group and Sub Pop Records as a joint venture to distribute and manufacture records owned by indie labels. Headed up by Mitchell Wolk, ADA is the leading "indie" distribution company in the U.S. for both physical and digital...
in 2011 shortly after signing Secret Music; whose record will be Black Bells first full-length Album
Album
An album is a collection of recordings, released as a single package on gramophone record, cassette, compact disc, or via digital distribution. The word derives from the Latin word for list .Vinyl LP records have two sides, each comprising one half of the album...
release in early 2012.
Artists
- The Joy FormidableThe Joy FormidableThe Joy Formidable are a three-piece band formed in 2007 in North Wales and currently located in London, England. The band consists of Ritzy Bryan , Rhydian Dafydd , and Matt Thomas ....
- DomDom (band)Dom is an American indie rock band hailing from Worcester, Massachusetts.With fuzzy low-fi distortion and broken Casio keyboard lines, Dom filters a DIY aesthetic through the upbeat, sunny rhythms of pop music. The band was formed in January 2010 by Dom and drummer Bobby after writing the song,...
- GirlfriendsGirlfriendsGirlfriends is an American comedy-drama sitcom that premiered on September 11, 2000, on UPN and aired on UPN's successor network, The CW, before being cancelled in 2008...
- Pretty & Nice
- Secret Music