Published
Tue, Sep 19, 2006, 12:00
- Output Recordings, the UK home of the dance rock likes of The Rapture, LCD Soundsystem, Four Tet and Mu, has closed its doors�
Output Recordings, the UK home of the dance rock likes of The Rapture, LCD Soundsystem, Four Tet and Mu, has closed its doors. In an email to friends and associates, label founder and owner Trevor Jackson cites financial issues and conflicts with artists as the reasons behind his decision.
Output was founded in 1996 and found success releasing the likes of The Rapture, Black Strobe and LCD Soundsystem, and it wasn’t artistic compromise that led to his decision. “I never once made a musical decision based on the amount of revenue that an artist could bring into the business,” Jackson states in his letter. “And perhaps that's partly responsible for the position I am in today. I never wanted to become flavor-of-the-whatever, or become part of any new movement or scene, But as more success and attention was thrown at us, the bigger problems became.”
According to Jackson, who also a successful producer in his own right (Underdog, Playgroup), one reason for jacking it in was that he was sick of dealing with primadonna artists. "I saw people I thought were my friends turn into monsters, sycophantic fools jump bandwagons quicker than sneaker styles, and individuals I thought were affiliates stab me in the back without even thinking twice. Babysitting grown adults is not a skill I possess, so I am more than happy to pass the gauntlet on to trust-funded pseudo-indies with fat pockets and no imagination. Let them deal with paranoid artists with inflated egos who believe their own hype and request tour riders fit for royalty.”
Financial concerns also played a role in the decision. “It's not so easy living in one of the most expensive cities in the world running a label with the sole purpose of releasing music that I love (regardless of style or current musical trend). I never wanted to have all my passion and enthusiasm knocked out of me, but somehow it's happened.”
But it’s not all so grim – Jackson also adds an acknowledgement to Output fans. "I would like to express my gratitude to all the music lovers, buyers, record stores, radio & club DJs, journalists, labels, artists, promoters, and remixers worldwide who supported the label (many of you from day one!). I will miss all the positive feedback and kind words, which I constantly found uplifting, and which gave me the energy to carry on even in the most difficult of circumstances."
The Output Recordings website now reads simply “1996-2006”, the lifespan of his label. Starting from October 1, the final Output release will be made available as free mp3 download for one month only. Jackson has no plans to continue manufacturing any of the label's back catalogue.