Knw-Yr-Own
Encyclopedia
Knw-Yr-Own Records is a small record label
operating out of Anacortes, Washington
, home to releases from such notoriously independent Northwest bands as D+, Karl Blau
, and Little Wings. The label is known for putting on What The Heck Fest
, an annual music and arts festival in Anacortes.
Knw-Yr-Own was founded by Bret Lunsford
(Beat Happening
, D+) in 1987
, as an outlet for Anacortes, Wash., area music. Lunsford, an Anacortes native, operated a book and record store called the Business, which hosted frequent live music events and was also home to a small studio where some of the Knw-Yr-Own recordings were produced. Started initially as a cassette-only label, the first releases on Knw-Yr-Own were the series of local compilations Sore Optimists, To Go Nowhere and Too Sore to Move.
In its current status, Knw-Yr-Own operates as a loose collective releasing CDs by Little Wings, Nate Ashley, Karl Blau
, Dennis Driscoll, The Gift Machine, D+ and many others.
Today, the label is now perhaps best known for putting on What The Heck Fest
, an annual music and arts festival in Anacortes. Knw-Yr-Own is planning releases from D+, Stuart & Caan, the Pyramids, Photosynthesis and more for 2008.
Record label
In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. Most commonly, a record label is the company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing and promotion,...
operating out of Anacortes, Washington
Anacortes, Washington
Anacortes is a city in Skagit County, Washington, United States. The name "Anacortes" is a consolidation of the name Anna Curtis, who was the wife of early Fidalgo Island settler Amos Bowman. Anacortes' population was 15,778 at the time of the 2010 census...
, home to releases from such notoriously independent Northwest bands as D+, Karl Blau
Karl Blau
Karl Blau is an indie rock and folk musician based in Anacortes, Washington, and member of the Knw-Yr-Own/K Records collective. His music is eclectic, incorporating elements of folk, dub, R&B, bossa nova, grunge, hip hop, drone, and worldbeat....
, and Little Wings. The label is known for putting on What The Heck Fest
What the Heck Fest
What the Heck Fest is an annual festival in Anacortes, Washington, coinciding with a citywide rummage sale called Shipwreck Day. It began in 2001. The festival takes place at various locations all over town in a week in the middle of July. Performers present music, movies, literature, and art...
, an annual music and arts festival in Anacortes.
Knw-Yr-Own was founded by Bret Lunsford
Bret Lunsford
Bret Lunsford is a vocalist, songwriter, guitarist, and founding member of the influential bands Beat Happening and D+...
(Beat Happening
Beat Happening
Beat Happening is an American punk band formed in Olympia, Washington in 1982. Calvin Johnson, Heather Lewis and Bret Lunsford have been the band's continual members...
, D+) in 1987
1987 in music
This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1987.See also:Record labels established in 1987-January-February:*January 3 – Aretha Franklin becomes the first woman inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame...
, as an outlet for Anacortes, Wash., area music. Lunsford, an Anacortes native, operated a book and record store called the Business, which hosted frequent live music events and was also home to a small studio where some of the Knw-Yr-Own recordings were produced. Started initially as a cassette-only label, the first releases on Knw-Yr-Own were the series of local compilations Sore Optimists, To Go Nowhere and Too Sore to Move.
In its current status, Knw-Yr-Own operates as a loose collective releasing CDs by Little Wings, Nate Ashley, Karl Blau
Karl Blau
Karl Blau is an indie rock and folk musician based in Anacortes, Washington, and member of the Knw-Yr-Own/K Records collective. His music is eclectic, incorporating elements of folk, dub, R&B, bossa nova, grunge, hip hop, drone, and worldbeat....
, Dennis Driscoll, The Gift Machine, D+ and many others.
Today, the label is now perhaps best known for putting on What The Heck Fest
What the Heck Fest
What the Heck Fest is an annual festival in Anacortes, Washington, coinciding with a citywide rummage sale called Shipwreck Day. It began in 2001. The festival takes place at various locations all over town in a week in the middle of July. Performers present music, movies, literature, and art...
, an annual music and arts festival in Anacortes. Knw-Yr-Own is planning releases from D+, Stuart & Caan, the Pyramids, Photosynthesis and more for 2008.