In Morbid Resplendence...
Shit...
Wed, January 2, 2008 - 9:49 AM
From Ryan:
Strangeland Records is closing...
A Somber Announcement…
It is with deepest regret that I must announce that on March 17th Strangeland Records will be closing its doors forever. Sadly, while we had no shortage of verbal supporters and well-wishers, in the end we simply did not have enough paying customers to cover our expenses and keep the shop going.
An Honor to Serve…
Since day one Strangeland has been an ardent supporter of the local art and music community. In our short time here I'm proud to say that we've hosted over 150 DJs and 200+ bands. We've also displayed on our walls the works of over a dozen promising local artists. I'm personally honored to have had so many talented bands, DJs, and artists come through our doors. I can only hope the other local shops/venues will carry the torch and help to further our DC music and arts scene.
The Show's Almost Over…
We'll be celebrating the memory of Strangeland "Irish wake" style with a series of going away parties here at the shop…
Saturday 1/12 – Goth/Industrial Armageddon (2pm-10pm)
w/ Ego Likeness, Red This Ever, The Opposite Sex, XUBERX,
dharmata101, Rites of Ash and DJs Vlad, Shade, Liebchen, Kangal, Rift,
DuJour, Cheetahdave
Saturday 1/19 – Live @ Strangeland Apocalypse (2pm-12am)
w/ Three Faces of Eve, Salome, Absolute Vengeance, Freehand Arson,
Bliss, Ambition Burning, Vox Populi (more TBA)
Saturday 1/26 – Strictly Locals End of Days (6pm-4am)
w/ Muramasa, ODJ, Deinfamous, Alter-Ego, Encryption, Solace72,
Jungle Jessi, Quannum Logic, Harry Ransom, Brandon Black,
Miguel Lush, Nonchalant, Lycan, Psymon, Darkenetiks, Hollowpoint,
Ademaro, Shaft XXL, Axios
Last Chance Sale…
Our liquidation sale will begin on Friday, February 1st. From here on out we'll be looking to get rid of everything, from merchandise to fixtures to DJ gear. The liquidation discount percentages will escalate with each subsequent week though the final day of business on 3/17. Details about the sale will be announced in late January.
What can you do to help?…
At this point the best thing you can do is spend some money here. Every dollar you spend at Strangeland from here on out is a dollar less that we will have to pay back to the bank. With that in mind, be kind; buy some CDs/vinyl/etc. as a final token of your appreciation.
The Changing Face of Music…
The independent music scene is dying a very painful death right now and it's dying at the hands of its alleged fans. Downloading/piracy from major labels may strike a blow against "the man", but doing the same for independent/underground music is KILLING those that make and make available that type of music, from the bands to the labels, the promoters to the shop & venue owners. Right now downloading is at the "fall of Rome" stage, with people ravenously downloading anything they can get their hands on, downloading stuff that they don't even get around to listening to just so that they can brag about how many songs they have. At the same time fewer people are pulling themselves away from their computers (Tivos, Nintendo Wiis, online gaming, etc.) to see, support and buy merch from bands who are struggling to tour at all before going back to their day jobs.
The effects of this detrimental behavior won't be truly felt until a couple years from now. As the support structure for underground music continues to erode at an exponential rate, indie labels/shops/magazines will continue to fold. As show attendance continues to decline, fewer bands will tour and venues will shut down. As club attendance continues to decline, once popular club events will cease to be. And certainly the effects will be TRULY FELT when all that remains on the desolate musical landscape is local level MySpace band demos and major label pop fodder… with nothing in between, thus robbing us of the next generation VNV Nation, Jesu, Rancid, Dimmu Borgir, etc. You can only rape independent music for so long before nothing is left.
Without support, art ceases to exist. So I urge you from the bottom of my heart, please support the bands you like. Buy their albums. See them live. Buy merch at their shows (very often this means dinner and gas money to them). In the end this is a very small price to pay in order to keep good independent music going.
One Final Note…
It has truly been a pleasure running the shop for these past two years. I'm thankful for all the new friends I've met, the excellent bands and DJs I've seen and the customers I've helped find and discover new music. After all, that was the point, wasn't it? For everyone who has come in and bought something, checked out a show, handed out a flyer for us, for everyone who has shown Strangeland, my brainchild and baby, some love…
Thank You!
Ryan @ Strangeland
Wed, January 2, 2008 - 9:49 AM -
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13 Comments
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Wed, January 2, 2008 - 10:03 AM
A solemn post indeed.
This makes me very very sad. SLR has been such a staple for Maduro and me. We have met new friends there and we've discovered countless musicians.
At this point, we can buy up what they have, and then support the artists by buying from the labels themselves. Sure, it might take longer to buy something from Ad Noiseam or Ant-Zen in Germany, but it's better for the artists (and the label owners). |
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Wed, January 2, 2008 - 10:36 AM
That is terrible it happened to an old punk sytore in Danbury. They ere forced out months ago by a print shop. They wer there for over 12 years. And like your store they were part of the music scene here in CT/NY tate they contribute a lot ..
It is very sad I am sorry... |
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Wed, January 2, 2008 - 10:41 AM
> but doing the same for independent/underground music is KILLING those that make and make available that type of music
So true. I just don't understand why people feel it is acceptable to do this. People who would never knowingly buy stolen goods or even pirated DVDs of movies seem to think that taking music from the internet is just fine. One detriment of the internet is that it has made the (already bad) instant gratification culture of our society many times worse. If people want a song, album, etc. they just go online and download it somewhere, legally or (often) otherwise. Obtaining something that quickly and freely leads to a loss of value of the product itself. I mourn the gradual loss of the CD in favor of downloads. I love having something tangible with artwork, notes, lyrics, etc., yet I know many people who, even if they buy a CD, just make it into mp3s for their ipod, and never listen to or look at the actual CD again. This robs the listener of much; the artwork and notes inside were meant to be viewed. And mp3s are inferior in sound, due to their compressed nature. As the article says above, it's like people don't even care about what they're getting anymore, as long as it's cheap or free. Music has become a devalued, disposable commodity, useful only in the moment, until something else comes along to satisfy our attention-deficit society. As you can tell, this issue really gets me going! |
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Wed, January 2, 2008 - 12:30 PM
It's ok Tim. I feel it too. I prefer cds over mp3's any day. They are superior in sound and less likely to get me killed on the road, unlike my Ipod.
This puts such a rotten taste in my mouth for all the reasons you have stated. I feel like we are losing a wonderful sanctuary. |
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Wed, January 2, 2008 - 6:42 PM
Waaaaaaaa! I love going there, always have what i wanted. Im going to go whine and cry now...xcuse me. ;(
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Wed, January 2, 2008 - 7:02 PM
ALMOST the last of the independents.
Bad. Loss. Bad loss.
Still, people shouldn't forget that just up the road at Picket there's still the little place next to Trader Joe's, which I expect will pick up some of the slack of Strangeland's loss, although in a more eclectic way. |
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Thu, January 3, 2008 - 3:03 PM
Damn
That is such a shame. Thanks for spreading the news.
;>( |
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Fri, January 4, 2008 - 2:00 PM
shite indeed!
Thanks for sharing the info Hilary. This is very sad news and I feel bad that I only went there once even though I did spend a lot of money (for me). I for one wish I had know they were struggling, I would have made it a point to go there. So, I contacted them to find out what it would take to stay open and it is around $150k. Sure would be cool if we could round up people/money to help them but them seems like a lot. I for one will head there on Saturday and spend as much as I can. - Sean
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Mon, January 7, 2008 - 7:47 AM
Wow that is a lot of money. God that sucks. I did my fair share of shopping in there but I guess it wasn't enough :(.
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Mon, January 7, 2008 - 9:13 AM
Yeah, when we heard about this we were pretty bummed as well. Especially since 51 Peg was asked to perform and they can't because they're in the middle of recording right now and the whole practice space has been renovated to accomodate this. Just think...Strangeland is where we met you. :(
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