Unfiltered Records
Encyclopedia
Unfiltered Records is an American independent record label
based in New York City
, owned by producer, singer-songwriter
and musical entrepreneur Andy Chase
. The label is run out of his New York City loft with label manager Michael Galbe, and in late 2009 became a member of Warner Music Group
's Independent Label Group
, (ILG). The label first gained notoriety after the release of the back catalogue of Andy's critically acclaimed Indie-pop band Ivy
, and has since added a slew of artists to its roster including The Postmarks
, Chase's solo band Brookville
, The Grey Race, Lana Mir
, and newest addition, Stroik.
, after the band's departure from Atlantic Records
. The label also released two albums by Chase’s solo band, Brookville
, and Paco
, the side project of Ivy’s singer Dominique Durand with veteran DC punk musician Michael Hampton
, which Andy Chase produced and mixed. The label quickly gained traction and began to carve a niche for itself in the world of Atmospheric Indie Pop
. The Unfiltered artist roster has since expanded to include the critically acclaimed debut album from The Postmarks
(who spent 5 weeks on the CMJ Top 20 music charts), and Brooklyn
's The Grey Race. 2010 brought the announcement of two new finds, Ukrainian songstress Lana Mir
and North Carolina native, Stroik. Chase has stated that Unfiltered Records operates on the premise of releasing undiluted, un-fabricated alternative pop and claims that this has been the case since its first release.
In early 2009 Andy discovered Ukrainian singer Lana Mir, by that point living in New York City
, and set about producing and recording her self-titled debut album. Her blend of vintage tinged alternative pop recalls elements of Feist, Nouvelle Vague, Sade
, and at times harkens back to the soulful style of Billie Holiday
. Her debut EP features a lounge-inspired cover version of the Stone Roses
classic “I Wanna Be Adored
”. 2010 will also bring a full length from Lana Mir as well as the highly anticipated debut album by Chase and Ivy singer Dominique Durand's new musical project, the Neverendings. Work has also begun on the next Ivy record, set to release sometime next year.
’s Independent Label Group
(ILG). The first release through ILG was The Postmarks’ Memoirs at the End of the World
on 08/18/09, which Pitchfork Media
described as “Lavish and evocative,” followed shortly after by Brookville’s third album Broken Lights, co-produced with Chase by Tahiti 80’s Pedro Resende at Chase’s New York recording studio Stratosphere Sound
, (co-owned with James Iha
and Ivy band-mate and Fountains of Wayne
band member Adam Schlesinger
). The move to ILG was recognized as a way to broaden distribution and more effectively promote albums while allowing Chase to focus his time and energy on the production and creative elements of the artists and music on the label.
In early 2010, Unfiltered debuted the Postmarks’ “Memoirs at the End of the World” album through its worldwide distribution deal with ADA Global
, the independent arm of Warner Music Group
. With the release of the Postmarks in over 50 territories around the world, Unfiltered marked its first truly global release and set the stage for future global releases.
in 2005, (which featured their breakthrough single L-L-Love), Andy began working with Blondfire guitarist and songwriter Bruce Driscoll
, a producer in his own right. Bruce has since become a major collaborator on Chase's projects, including playing lead guitar live and in the studio for Chase’s band Brookville, co-writing songs for Lana Mir, and playing keyboards live with Ivy. In 2010 Bruce began principal production on the album for Unfiltered’s new find, Stroik.
The Neverendings, the new musical side project between Andy Chase and Ivy's vocalist Dominique Durand was recorded at Stratosphere Sound and in Andy's home studio with Andy primarily playing keyboards, Bruce Driscoll playing guitar, and Chris Moll and Jon Wilkins of the Postmarks providing bass, drums, and other instrumentation.
Chase’s band Brookville, by its nature, has been a revolving cast of characters centered around Chase’s singing and songwriting and has included ongoing collaborations and notable guest appearances by members of Tahiti 80
, Eric Matthews, Jody Porter
of Fountains of Wayne
, James Iha
, Marty Beller
and Danny Weinkauf
of They Might Be Giants
, members of Unfiltered Records band The Grey Race, Tim Yehezkely of the Postmarks, Lana Mir, and members of Brazilian Girls
, among many others.
Curiously, Tim Yehezkely appears in the Brookville music video singing the female guest vocal for Nothings' Meant to Last, a vocal part that was performed in the studio by Brazilian Girls
' front-woman Sabina Sciubba.
Other common avenues of collaboration for artists associated with the label include remix albums and EPs which are usually connected with a new release. Notable remixes have included James Iha, the Postmarks, Tahiti 80, Brookville, The King of Nowhere (Bruce Driscoll), Spooky Rubin, Ma Radio Star (Pedro Resende), Eric Matthews, The Summer Republic, (the alias of Brookville's friend and guitar tech. Alex Cox), and others.
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 City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, owned by producer, singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriters are musicians who write, compose and sing their own musical material including lyrics and melodies. As opposed to contemporary popular music singers who write their own songs, the term singer-songwriter describes a distinct form of artistry, closely associated with the...
and musical entrepreneur Andy Chase
Andy Chase
Andy Chase is a New York based musician/songwriter/producer. He is a member of the bands Ivy, Brookville, and Paco. He is also a co-owner of New York City recording studio Stratosphere sound with partners James Iha , and Adam Schlesinger .In 1995, Chase co-produced and engineered the title track...
. The label is run out of his New York City loft with label manager Michael Galbe, and in late 2009 became a member of Warner Music Group
Warner Music Group
Warner Music Group is the third largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry, making it one of the big four record companies...
's Independent Label Group
Independent Label Group
Independent Label Group is an American record label owned by Warner Music Group. The company was formed in 2006 as an umbrella for various Warner auxiliary labels including East West Records, Rykodisc and Cordless Recordings. Outside of the U.S., the label is distributed by WEA International...
, (ILG). The label first gained notoriety after the release of the back catalogue of Andy's critically acclaimed Indie-pop band Ivy
Ivy (band)
Ivy is a New York City band composed of a trio of musicians, Adam Schlesinger, Dominique Durand, and Andy Chase.-Lately and Realistic:...
, and has since added a slew of artists to its roster including The Postmarks
The Postmarks
The Postmarks are a pop band from Pompano Beach, Florida. Their self-titled LP was released in February 2007 and has been met with critical acclaim from Rolling Stone and Spin, as well as Pitchfork Media and a host of other music blogs. The group was discovered by Andy Chase of Ivy and...
, Chase's solo band Brookville
Brookville (Band)
Brookville is a solo project of Andy Chase from Ivy. Brookville toured the United States in November 2006 with pop band Tahiti 80.-Bio:Ivy co-founder Andy Chase is released Brookville's second album, Life in the Shade, on June 13, 2006, on his own label, Unfiltered Records...
, The Grey Race, Lana Mir
Lana Mir
Lana Mir is a singer/songwriter born and raised in Kiev, Ukraine, and based now in New York. and released her debut album on Unfiltered Records/Independent Label Group in 2010. Her music is vintage-tinged alternative pop, made distinctive by her Ukrainian heritage.-History:Mir grew up in Kiev, and...
, and newest addition, Stroik.
Early history
Unfiltered Records was formed in 2003 as a label oriented around releasing musician/producer Andy Chase’s own circle of projects, including the entire back catalog of his critically acclaimed group, IvyIvy (band)
Ivy is a New York City band composed of a trio of musicians, Adam Schlesinger, Dominique Durand, and Andy Chase.-Lately and Realistic:...
, after the band's departure from Atlantic Records
Atlantic Records
Atlantic Records is an American record label best known for its many recordings of rhythm and blues, rock and roll, and jazz...
. The label also released two albums by Chase’s solo band, Brookville
Brookville (Band)
Brookville is a solo project of Andy Chase from Ivy. Brookville toured the United States in November 2006 with pop band Tahiti 80.-Bio:Ivy co-founder Andy Chase is released Brookville's second album, Life in the Shade, on June 13, 2006, on his own label, Unfiltered Records...
, and Paco
Paco
Paco is - together with Pancho - the Spanish nickname for Francisco, as in Pancho Villa, the legendary Mexican revolutionary.The nickname has its origins in Saint Francis of Assisi, who was the father of the Franciscan order...
, the side project of Ivy’s singer Dominique Durand with veteran DC punk musician Michael Hampton
Michael Hampton (punk musician)
Michael Hampton is a guitarist in the Washington, DC hardcore punk scene.His first notable effort was playing guitar in The Extorts in early 1980. There are a few live recordings and a demo tape as evidence of their existence. After The Extorts broke up, Hampton and Henry Garfield formed a new...
, which Andy Chase produced and mixed. The label quickly gained traction and began to carve a niche for itself in the world of Atmospheric Indie Pop
Indie pop
Indie pop is a genre of alternative rock music that originated in the United Kingdom in the mid 1980s, with its roots in the Scottish post-punk bands on the Postcard Records label in the early '80s, such as Orange Juice, Josef K and Aztec Camera, and the dominant UK independent band of the mid...
. The Unfiltered artist roster has since expanded to include the critically acclaimed debut album from The Postmarks
The Postmarks
The Postmarks are a pop band from Pompano Beach, Florida. Their self-titled LP was released in February 2007 and has been met with critical acclaim from Rolling Stone and Spin, as well as Pitchfork Media and a host of other music blogs. The group was discovered by Andy Chase of Ivy and...
(who spent 5 weeks on the CMJ Top 20 music charts), and Brooklyn
Brooklyn
Brooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with nearly 2.6 million residents, and the second-largest in area. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State and the second-most densely populated...
's The Grey Race. 2010 brought the announcement of two new finds, Ukrainian songstress Lana Mir
Lana Mir
Lana Mir is a singer/songwriter born and raised in Kiev, Ukraine, and based now in New York. and released her debut album on Unfiltered Records/Independent Label Group in 2010. Her music is vintage-tinged alternative pop, made distinctive by her Ukrainian heritage.-History:Mir grew up in Kiev, and...
and North Carolina native, Stroik. Chase has stated that Unfiltered Records operates on the premise of releasing undiluted, un-fabricated alternative pop and claims that this has been the case since its first release.
In early 2009 Andy discovered Ukrainian singer Lana Mir, by that point living in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, and set about producing and recording her self-titled debut album. Her blend of vintage tinged alternative pop recalls elements of Feist, Nouvelle Vague, Sade
Sade (band)
Sade is a British smooth jazz band that formed in 1983, named for Nigerian lead singer Sade Adu. Their music features elements of R&B, soul, jazz, and soft rock....
, and at times harkens back to the soulful style of Billie Holiday
Billie Holiday
Billie Holiday was an American jazz singer and songwriter. Nicknamed "Lady Day" by her friend and musical partner Lester Young, Holiday had a seminal influence on jazz and pop singing...
. Her debut EP features a lounge-inspired cover version of the Stone Roses
The Stone Roses
The Stone Roses are an English alternative rock band formed in Manchester in 1983. They were one of the pioneering groups of the Madchester movement that was active during the late 1980s and early 1990s...
classic “I Wanna Be Adored
I Wanna Be Adored
"I Wanna Be Adored" is a song by the British rock group The Stone Roses. It was released as the third single from the band's debut album The Stone Roses in the UK, US, Germany, Japan and Canada...
”. 2010 will also bring a full length from Lana Mir as well as the highly anticipated debut album by Chase and Ivy singer Dominique Durand's new musical project, the Neverendings. Work has also begun on the next Ivy record, set to release sometime next year.
ILG Partnership
In 2009 Unfiltered partnered with Warner Music GroupWarner Music Group
Warner Music Group is the third largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry, making it one of the big four record companies...
’s Independent Label Group
Independent Label Group
Independent Label Group is an American record label owned by Warner Music Group. The company was formed in 2006 as an umbrella for various Warner auxiliary labels including East West Records, Rykodisc and Cordless Recordings. Outside of the U.S., the label is distributed by WEA International...
(ILG). The first release through ILG was The Postmarks’ Memoirs at the End of the World
Memoirs at the End of the World
Memoirs at the End of the World is The Postmarks second full length album and was released on August 18, 2009.Pitchfork.com gave the album a 7.6/10.0-Track listing:#"No One Said This Would Be Easy" - 3:33#"My Lucky Charm" - 4:33#"Thorn In Your Side" - 3:29...
on 08/18/09, which Pitchfork Media
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...
described as “Lavish and evocative,” followed shortly after by Brookville’s third album Broken Lights, co-produced with Chase by Tahiti 80’s Pedro Resende at Chase’s New York recording studio Stratosphere Sound
Stratosphere Sound
Stratosphere Sound is a recording studio located in New York City. Previously known as "The Place", the studio was renamed Stratosphere Sound in 1999....
, (co-owned with James Iha
James Iha
James Yoshinobu Iha b. March 26, 1968 in Chicago, Illinois) is a Japanese American rock musician. He is best known as having been a guitarist and co-founder of the alternative rock band The Smashing Pumpkins and for his eclectic musical projects of recent years, most notably being a permanent...
and Ivy band-mate and Fountains of Wayne
Fountains of Wayne
Fountains of Wayne is an American power pop band that formed in New York City in 1996. The band consists of members Chris Collingwood, Adam Schlesinger, Jody Porter and Brian Young.-Early years:...
band member Adam Schlesinger
Adam Schlesinger
Adam Schlesinger is an American songwriter, composer and record producer. He has been nominated for Oscar, Tony, Emmy, Grammy , and Golden Globe Awards. He is also a winner of the ASCAP Pop Music Award....
). The move to ILG was recognized as a way to broaden distribution and more effectively promote albums while allowing Chase to focus his time and energy on the production and creative elements of the artists and music on the label.
In early 2010, Unfiltered debuted the Postmarks’ “Memoirs at the End of the World” album through its worldwide distribution deal with ADA Global
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...
, the independent arm of Warner Music Group
Warner Music Group
Warner Music Group is the third largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry, making it one of the big four record companies...
. With the release of the Postmarks in over 50 territories around the world, Unfiltered marked its first truly global release and set the stage for future global releases.
Artistic Collaboration
Unfiltered is a largely collaborative endeavor orchestrated by Producer Andy Chase who is always involved in some aspect of the production of an album on the label. After mixing the first EP for iTunes darlings' BlondfireBlondfire
Blondfire is an indie pop band from New York City composed of the brother-and-sister duo Bruce and Erica Driscoll.- Childhood :The Driscolls were born and raised in Grand Rapids, Michigan, to an American father and a Brazilian mother. They spent many summers in northern Brazil, and are citizens of...
in 2005, (which featured their breakthrough single L-L-Love), Andy began working with Blondfire guitarist and songwriter Bruce Driscoll
Bruce Driscoll
Bruce Driscoll is a Brazilian/American record producer, songwriter, guitarist, and vocalist. He first gained notoriety as one half of the indie pop band Astaire . Co-writing/Producing/Self-releasing songs with his sister, Erica, the duo quickly became iTunes darlings...
, a producer in his own right. Bruce has since become a major collaborator on Chase's projects, including playing lead guitar live and in the studio for Chase’s band Brookville, co-writing songs for Lana Mir, and playing keyboards live with Ivy. In 2010 Bruce began principal production on the album for Unfiltered’s new find, Stroik.
The Neverendings, the new musical side project between Andy Chase and Ivy's vocalist Dominique Durand was recorded at Stratosphere Sound and in Andy's home studio with Andy primarily playing keyboards, Bruce Driscoll playing guitar, and Chris Moll and Jon Wilkins of the Postmarks providing bass, drums, and other instrumentation.
Chase’s band Brookville, by its nature, has been a revolving cast of characters centered around Chase’s singing and songwriting and has included ongoing collaborations and notable guest appearances by members of Tahiti 80
Tahiti 80
Tahiti 80 are a French indie pop band from Rouen and Paris. The group was founded in 1993 by Xavier Boyer, Pedro Resende, Médéric Gontier and Sylvain Marchand....
, Eric Matthews, Jody Porter
Jody Porter
Jody Porter is an American musician. He is the guitarist of Grammy Award-nominated power pop band Fountains of Wayne. The band has released four major label albums, including Welcome Interstate Managers on Virgin Records in 2003, an RIAA-certified Gold LP. The album spawned the hugely popular U.S...
of Fountains of Wayne
Fountains of Wayne
Fountains of Wayne is an American power pop band that formed in New York City in 1996. The band consists of members Chris Collingwood, Adam Schlesinger, Jody Porter and Brian Young.-Early years:...
, James Iha
James Iha
James Yoshinobu Iha b. March 26, 1968 in Chicago, Illinois) is a Japanese American rock musician. He is best known as having been a guitarist and co-founder of the alternative rock band The Smashing Pumpkins and for his eclectic musical projects of recent years, most notably being a permanent...
, Marty Beller
Marty Beller
Marty Beller is the drummer for They Might Be Giants. He has two solo albums. He also wrote and sang songs from TMBG's albums, Here Come the ABCs: "Alphabet Lost And Found", Here Come the 123s: "High Five!" and Here Comes Science: "Speed and Velocity".Beller became the full time drummer for the...
and Danny Weinkauf
Danny Weinkauf
Danny Weinkauf is a New York based musician and composer who is a member of They Might Be Giants , a band which won a best children's album Grammy award for the album Here Come the 123s. He has been TMBG's bassist since the late 90s. He previously performed in a band called Lincoln along with Dan...
of They Might Be Giants
They Might Be Giants
They Might Be Giants is an American alternative rock band formed in 1982 by John Flansburgh and John Linnell. During TMBG's early years Flansburgh and Linnell were frequently accompanied by a drum machine. In the early 1990s, TMBG became a full band. Currently, the members of TMBG are...
, members of Unfiltered Records band The Grey Race, Tim Yehezkely of the Postmarks, Lana Mir, and members of Brazilian Girls
Brazilian Girls
Brazilian Girls was a band from New York City known for their eclectic blend of electronic dance music with musical styles as diverse as tango, chanson, house, reggae and lounge. None of the members are actually from Brazil and the only female in the band is Sabina Sciubba. Other members include...
, among many others.
Curiously, Tim Yehezkely appears in the Brookville music video singing the female guest vocal for Nothings' Meant to Last, a vocal part that was performed in the studio by Brazilian Girls
Brazilian Girls
Brazilian Girls was a band from New York City known for their eclectic blend of electronic dance music with musical styles as diverse as tango, chanson, house, reggae and lounge. None of the members are actually from Brazil and the only female in the band is Sabina Sciubba. Other members include...
' front-woman Sabina Sciubba.
Other common avenues of collaboration for artists associated with the label include remix albums and EPs which are usually connected with a new release. Notable remixes have included James Iha, the Postmarks, Tahiti 80, Brookville, The King of Nowhere (Bruce Driscoll), Spooky Rubin, Ma Radio Star (Pedro Resende), Eric Matthews, The Summer Republic, (the alias of Brookville's friend and guitar tech. Alex Cox), and others.
Artistic / Creative Vision
Recognizing the artistic value of a cohesive theme and look to albums on the label, Unfiltered enlisted the design skill of graphic designer and Postmarks performing bassist Brian Hill, who had created the album artwork for the Postmarks releases, to design Brookville’s Broken Lights. This led to his "officially unofficial" position as graphic designer for the label; including the album artwork for Brookville's "Broken Mirrors" remix EP, the Neverendings debut album Here & Now, and all Lana Mir releases. Brian has also created most of the promotional artwork for the label including the tour posters for Brookville and the Postmarks' joint US tour in 2009.Artists
- IvyIvy (band)Ivy is a New York City band composed of a trio of musicians, Adam Schlesinger, Dominique Durand, and Andy Chase.-Lately and Realistic:...
- The PostmarksThe PostmarksThe Postmarks are a pop band from Pompano Beach, Florida. Their self-titled LP was released in February 2007 and has been met with critical acclaim from Rolling Stone and Spin, as well as Pitchfork Media and a host of other music blogs. The group was discovered by Andy Chase of Ivy and...
- BrookvilleBrookville (Band)Brookville is a solo project of Andy Chase from Ivy. Brookville toured the United States in November 2006 with pop band Tahiti 80.-Bio:Ivy co-founder Andy Chase is released Brookville's second album, Life in the Shade, on June 13, 2006, on his own label, Unfiltered Records...
- Lana MirLana MirLana Mir is a singer/songwriter born and raised in Kiev, Ukraine, and based now in New York. and released her debut album on Unfiltered Records/Independent Label Group in 2010. Her music is vintage-tinged alternative pop, made distinctive by her Ukrainian heritage.-History:Mir grew up in Kiev, and...
- The Grey Race
- PacoPacoPaco is - together with Pancho - the Spanish nickname for Francisco, as in Pancho Villa, the legendary Mexican revolutionary.The nickname has its origins in Saint Francis of Assisi, who was the father of the Franciscan order...
- Stroik