Independent labels fascinate me. I’m always curiously investigating how they operate differently from one another and why some artists tirelessly endeavor to be associated with a particular one (or few). There are some charming stories with many indie labels, particularly those run by a single person or very small groups. I’m going to spend the holiday period celebrating some of these tiny labels from around the world, those I consider with great taste & integrity, where a love of music radiates through everything they’re doing.

#5 – Stiff Slack

Next on our list of featured independent labels run by essentially one person is Stiff Slack records. Located in central Japan, 5 hours drive from Tokyo, SS is handled by Tak, who also runs a distribution and record store in addition to the record label. Tak has recently begun assisting with touring of international bands to Japan, including such acts as 31 Knots, The Life & Times, Cinemechanica, Sleeping People and more in addition to his already heavy workload.

Most of the attention for Tak’s musical endeavors focus around variations of an indie / experimental / emo (yes, I just dropped the E word) sound. Many releases from the 40+ released catalog are licensed from overseas labels, although SS is beginning to release more original Japanese local artists on the label including Folio, The Undercurrent & First Day Action. Some of the licensed releases have included records from United States artists The Mercury Program, Look Mexico, Shiner, Fin Fang Foom & Cale Parks (of Joan Of Arc / Aloha).

Stiff Slack distribution plays a large part in what Tak does. The distribution arm carries select titles from plenty of fine labels; Touch & Go, Discord, Temporary Residence, Polyvinyl, Jade Tree, Flameshovel, Big Wheel Recreation & more. It even distributes titles from tiny indies such as Lovitt, Count Your Lucky Stars, Level Plane and Hobbledehoy, ensuring labels and artists alike don’t need major-label distribution to reach Japanese stores. More importantly, it exposes the people of Japan to some wonderful music, of whom may not have otherwise had access to it.

Visit Stiff Slack on the web:
stiffslack.com
myspace.com/stiffslackrecords
twitter.com/stiffslack

OTHER INDIE LABEL FEATURES:
- Asian Man
- Second Nature
- Poison City
- Big Scary Monsters