No matter how ingrained you are in the Pittsburgh music scene, you still might not know just how many record labels are operating locally. Many of them fly under the radar, but they're definitely worth knowing.
So, Pittsburgh City Paper decided to create a Pittsburgh Record Label Roundup, featuring larger labels like the North Side’s Get Hip Recordings, to smaller ones like the electronic Machine Age, to help give a glimpse into the diverse and plentiful selection of record labels based in Pittsburgh.
Follow along with us (almost) every other weekday, as we will feature a different Pittsburgh-based label ... until we run out.
MISC Records
Founding Date/Founder(s): 2015, Juan-Augusto LafontaineGenre: Genre-less. "Centers on the exploration of the ever-growing diverse Pittsburgh electronic scene, and its documentation through record releases, visual media, and events."
Artists/Bands Highlights: slowdanger, l0h85, Good Dude Lojack, en EETCHIS
Inspiration: Apron Records, Dirt Tech Reck, Sound Signature, Ghostly Int., Wild Oats
Info: misc-records.com. Lafontaine is always open to checking out other's work. Artists can email him at [email protected] or fill out a form through the website. However, Lafontaine is currently working on a backlog of releases and doesn't plan on adding any more until those are all out, which will likely be sometime in mid-2020.
If Juan-Augusto Lafontaine, owner and founder of MISC Records had to describe the label in words, he'd use warm and sincere.
"Whether it's club music or ambient, I'm always looking for those two feelings on releases," he says. "[But] the vibe is a bit hard to explain with words. Hopefully, it makes more sense when people hear the releases."
MISC Records isn't restricted to one specific genre, but so far, it has mostly been an outlet for enthusiastic electronic producers who are making music at home and are looking to share their creations.
"That's probably the same for a lot of labels out there," says Lafontaine. "I guess I just thought there needed to be more in Pittsburgh. ... It was meant for people to experiment and grow as producers. Outside of that, I 'm just trying to do my best to help put out music that I thought needed to get out there."
Lafontaine and his team at the label, whose focus is Pittsburgh music, facilitate much of the brand management, artwork music videos, and mastering of tracks for the acts on its roster. The best part of the job, Lafontaine says, is getting to work with "such talented people, all of whose music I genuinely enjoy."
"Labels just need to keep doing what they're doing, and that's helping things get out there. Whether it's music, swag, parties or videos, you just need to be able to stand behind it and do your best," says Lafontaine. "Don't forget to have fun with it."
