A limited-edition run of CDs have been made and packaged in used jewel cases sourced from eBay and yard sales
Los Angeles indie label Big Tent Records has unveiled Friends & Family Vol. 1, the labels’ first-ever compilation album. Featuring contributions from artists such as gum.mp3, Juletta, CARBIKE, and others, the project casts a wide net across a diverse range of styles that speak to the core of the label’s origins. The compilation follows last year’s well-received debut EP from NYC downtempo duo Forgotten Warmth Becomes Dust, along with a sold-out punk rock showcase at longtime LA landmark Genghis Cohen in May (one of the venue’s last at its original Fairfax location).
Formed in 2023, Big Tent Records shares its name with the term for a political party that accommodates many different viewpoints. The overlap signals the label’s intent to support artists of various shapes, sizes and sounds, finding a common thread through each release by prioritizing mutual support and creative sovereignty. To date the label has released six projects and thrown multiple live shows across genres such as IDM, rap, indie electronica and experimental pop. Now, after spending two years building deep connections with artists across LA, NY and beyond, Big Tent brings these voices together on a single project representing the rich sonic world it’s come to occupy.
Friends & Family Vol. 1 consists of six original songs contributed by eight artists. Though short in runtime, the project’s stylistic range is characteristically broad, featuring traces of ambient, hip-hop and jersey club. Even at a song level the project defies easy categorization and rewards repeat listens. At first you might gravitate to the crisp hi-hats and open-hearted songwriting of Nicholas‘s lo-fi pop ballad “The Big One,” later you may find yourself riding out to the Lustwerkian deep space vibe of Detroit producer toriin‘s closer “blues,” and a third time around it could be the blown-out bass and careening white noise of PrettyBoy2k25‘s horrorcore opener “Focus Freestyle” that catches your ears.
There are of course softer moments too, such as the lead single “faith + time,” a mantric hyperpop track by for francis that’s all weightless pads and cooing vocals until a laconic last minute beat drop. “Hands Off The Wheel” is another vaporous vocal sketch that comes courtesy of longtime collaborators Juletta and Ishan, the first release from either since their acclaimed joint project If I Never Hit Land back in 2020. The emotional high-point of the record though is undoubtedly gum.mp3 and CARBIKE‘s “Gotta Get It,” a lustful jersey club track featuring over-the-top vocal performances from each artist about wanting someone so bad they become your North Star.
Outreach for Friends & Family Vol. 1 began last Fall. Artists were paid a small upfront fee to cover mixing costs and will receive 70% of recording royalties. The compilation is also the first physical release from Big Tent. A limited run of 50 CDs were made and packaged in used jewel cases sourced from eBay and yard sales, an extension of the label’s commitment to communal responsibility in the form of simple, sustainable production practices.
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- I'm Al Mega the CEO of Comic Crusaders, CEO of the Undercover Capes Podcast Network, CEO of Geekery Magazine & Owner of Splintered Press (coming soon). I'm a fan of comics, cartoons and old school video games. Make sure to check out our podcasts/vidcasts and more!
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