Local Labels

Station 1 Records

Des Moines

STATION1RECORDS.COM

There’s more altruism in music than the notoriously exclusive and abusive mainstream industry would have you believe. Station 1 Records in Des Moines is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit designed to not only record local minority and underrepresented artists but to serve as a sort of business school for artist entrepreneurs.

“We take on a handful of artists at a time,” said Executive Director Thomas Kutz, “those we see particular promise or potential in, and work with them directly to offer financial support for production, marketing, recording, booking/touring and album distribution.”

Prior to the pandemic, Station 1 released an album quarterly, with each artist working on a 14-month album cycle. While the organization is working to return to that production rate, many projects were suspended when live music shows were no longer a possibility. Without live shows as a means of promotion and artist income, Station 1 had to adapt. The label reformatted some projects into shorter EPs, mix tapes or singles. In the meantime, Kutz has a ton of in-the-works material to gush about: “Lily DeTaeye, our masterful troubadour, has spent the summer in Door County, Wisconsin writing, performing and taking in the northwoods and Great Lakes for inspiration. She’s been working with Bryan and Sarah Vanderpool (the Well Pennies) over at Golden Bear Records on some brilliant new material. It’s really unlike anything she’s recorded previously … she’s absolutely found her mark as a songwriter and is using the complete breadth and scope of her musical tastes to develop something really truly special, and we can’t wait to share it with everyone.”

Upcoming releases include a new soul/R&B rock opera from the Finesse (formerly Madison Ray and the Finesse) in collaboration with Jeremy Franklin and Gabe Scheid from Motide and Lost Horizon Productions.

Andre Davis has a project with DK Imamu Akachi and Writing History, which includes the single “The Alchemist,” out in early November. Also on their agenda are some music videos in collaboration with Eli Fox of ELIVE Productions, which Kutz calls “next level.”

Plans for Station 1 artists stretch into next summer, when xBk hosts a MAIDS reunion show. Live shows and music festivals are a priority. And, of course, finding new artists.

Station 1’s mission, however, does not include growing its roster. Artists are not expected to remain with the label for long but to launch their own independent careers. Kutz encourages other early-career industry professionals to get involved with Station 1.

“If nothing else, when people are done working with Station 1 Records, I want them to have a network of professionals and to know who to ask or where to turn so they’re ready for anything this industry could throw at them.”

Other label programs include Breaking the Band, a monthly showcase in partnership with Des Moines Music Coalition and xBk, and Summer in the City, a live summer concert series focused on underrepresented communities and underutilized venues throughout the Des Moines area.

—Melanie Hanson

Speak Up Records

Ottumwa

SPEAKUPRECORDS.BANDCAMP.COM

In both life and in music, Jason Bolinger has always sort of seen himself as a drummer.

“I’ve always been the organizational guy, the guy that books all the tours,” he says. “That’s always been me, holding it all together and helping everyone get to the finish line.”

Bolinger, an Iowa native, has played in bands for 30 years, usually from behind a drum kit. He’s also the founder and manager of Speak Up Records, the Ottumwabased record label that since 2011 has released nearly 50 titles across the musical spectrum, from straightahead death metal to coffeehouse folk.

Speak Up is actually the second record label Bolinger founded.

“Back in 2000 or so, I was in this band called the Eggnogs. It was just crazy, fun punk rock, but we were very DIY,” he said. “We made all our own records. We spent hours just gluing and cutting paper and burning CDs and doing the art ourselves, and we were just having so much fun doing it and playing around so much we were like, ‘Hey, friends, you can have albums, too. Let us help.’”

That label, lovingly called Poopsicle Records, released records by Iowa bands such as Rianisis, Polyorchidman and Laser Skeleton.

“It only lasted two years, but we burned bright,” Bolinger said.

Around the same time, Bolinger began his other creative endeavor, the horror film company Prescribed Films. “We love dumping fake blood on each other,” he said. “The best part of life is being creative, right? We’re looking for all the outlets.”

Speak Up has released records by Jake Book, Joretta Oaks, X-Ray Mary and, most frequently, Jimmie’s in the Basement. This year alone, Speak Up has released eight full-length Jimmie’s in the Basement records. The band is the musical haven of just one person: Jimmie Dalton.

“His brain won’t shut off. He’s incredibly prolific. It’s amazing,” Bolinger says. “I’m sitting on three more albums. We’re just spacing them out.”

Bolinger has been able to play a few shows recently, including an X-Ray Mary show after his film company’s Halloweenaplooza event in downtown Ottumwa. That’s given him some optimism about the future, both for his own performances and for the label.

“At least there’s some shows kind of happening around here again. They’re very infrequent still, but there’s a few bands that I hope to either help record or help put out their album,” Bolinger said. “One of the best parts about being in a band is I get to see a new show every night, and I get to see two or three new acts and bands. That’s amazing. I missed that, and it’s been great to hear some new stuff.”

Bolinger says that he’s always interested in hearing new music from local artists, and that Speak Up supports music across genres, known and unknown. Ultimately, he sees his role at Speak Up as an abettor to creativity.

“I’m just here to help. I feel like that’s my role in life, just to help other people see their creative side come through. I can help record, I can help do graphic design. I do a lot of that for the label,” Bolinger says. “If a person or a band just needed some help, they can always reach out to me. And if I can’t help you, I probably know someone who can.” —Avery Gregurich