Kindercore Records

Kindercore Records was an Indie record label based in Athens, Georgia, which was founded in 1996 by Ryan Lewis and Daniel Geller to document the emerging music scene in Athens, Georgia. As told by Lewis and Geller, they formed the label "one night at a Butterglory show."

Related Topics:
Indie - Record label - Athens, Georgia - 1996 - Ryan Lewis - Daniel Geller - Butterglory

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Their first release was a cassette compilation called "The Treble Revolution", which sold out in a week. This release was followed by Kindercore's first vinyl 7" by kincaid.

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Subsequent 7" singles were released including The Mendoza Line, Masters of the Hemisphere, and others.

Related Topics:
The Mendoza Line - Masters of the Hemisphere

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Although Kindercore was often called "indiepop" by many, the label soon added the hip-hop influenced Kitty Craft to their roster (Kindercore's first Top 10 record at college radio), along with the alt-country tinged instrumental group, Japancakes. Also coming on board at that time was the restrained and acoustic based band, Vermont, a side project of The Promise Ring.

Related Topics:
Kitty Craft - Japancakes - Vermont - The Promise Ring

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With these new bands, Kindercore began to gain national attention. The label was approached by Emperor Norton Records who provided financial backing. With this support, Kindercore continued to sign talented artists from around the world, including Britain?s Birdie, Denver's Dressy Bessy and San Francisco?s Call and Response. In 2000, Spin Magazine named Kindercore the year?s ?indie label to watch?.

Related Topics:
Emperor Norton Records - Britain - Birdie - Denver - Dressy Bessy - San Francisco - Call and Response - Spin Magazine

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In 2000, Kindercore hosted the Athens Expo 2000, a showcase for their friends and bands that lasted for three days and drew visitors from all over the world to their hometown of Athens, GA.

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In 2002, Emperor Norton elected to not continue financing Kindercore. Shortly after this arrangmenet ended. Kindercore entered into a similar partnership with The Telegraph Company.

Related Topics:
Emperor Norton - The Telegraph Company

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Geller and Lewis decided that they wanted to continue to broaden the scope of Kindercore's sound by signing new artists that reflected their evolving tastes. These included Maserati, Jet By Day, and Paper Lions.

Related Topics:
Geller - Lewis - Maserati - Jet By Day - Paper Lions

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The relationship between Telegraph and Kindercore came to an abrupt end when Stan Hartman, CEO of The Telegraph Company abruptly closed the business. A series of contradictory press releases about the fate of the company caused much confusion and it quickly came to light that Geller and Lewis had little control over the company they had founded. In an attempt to regain control of the label, they filed a lawsuit against The Telegraph Company, Hartman and Telegraph/Kindercore General Manager, Jerod Gunsberg. Gunsberg responded with a series of surprisingly candid statements and interviews in the music press. Hartman dropped from view and is rumored to be living in Canada.

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Lewis and Geller continue to live in Athens, GA. Lewis is a columnist for the Athens Banner Herald and plays music. Geller continues to work with his band I Am The World Trade Center and works as a bio-diesel researcher for the University of Georgia.

Related Topics:
Athens Banner Herald - I Am The World Trade Center - Bio-diesel - University of Georgia

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However, the lasting effect was that two labels that were poised to take their 1990s underground success to the mainstream were shuttered, and a slew of recording artists were forced to quickly find new label homes:

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Of Montreal are now on Polyvinyl Records, Dressy Bessy are now on Transdreamer Records,I Am The World Trade Center are now on Gammon Records,Maserati are now on Hello Sir Records, Jet By Day are now on Future Farmer Records,Japancakes are now on Warm Records

Related Topics:
Of Montreal - Polyvinyl Records - Dressy Bessy - Transdreamer Records - I Am The World Trade Center - Gammon Records - Maserati - Hello Sir Records - Jet By Day - Future Farmer Records - Japancakes - Warm Records

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http://www.kindercore.com

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News items related to Kindercore issues (scroll down)

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http://pitchforkmedia.com/news/03-11/13.shtml

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http://pitchforkmedia.com/news/03-11/19.shtml

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http://pitchforkmedia.com/news/03-12/02.shtml

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