Kill Rock Stars
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| Kill Rock Stars | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Founded | 1991 |
| Founder | Slim Moon Tinuviel Sampson |
| Distributor(s) | Redeye Distribution |
| Genre | Rock, indie rock, punk rock, electronic |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Location | Portland, Oregon |
| Official website | www |
Kill Rock Stars is an
History
Sampson and Moon initially started the label because, in Moon's words, "I just wanted to put out my friends' records because nobody was putting out my friends' records. And to put out
Although the label's music has never reflected a singular genre or underground music movement, it is arguably most notable for releasing the work of various riot grrrl bands during the mid-'90s, some of which, especially Bikini Kill, generated a good deal of press attention. Other Kill Rock Stars releases in this genre includes albums by Bratmobile, Huggy Bear, Heavens to Betsy and Excuse 17.
The label continued its tradition of spoken word by releasing their first full-length spoken word LP Big Broad by Juliana Luecking in 1995. This was also the year that Elliott Smith released his self-titled solo LP on the label. Another milestone was the 1997 release of Sleater-Kinney's third LP (and first on Kill Rock Stars) Dig Me Out, which garnered national press attention in Spin and Rolling Stone.[6]
In 1997–98, the
Another popular band on Kill Rock Stars was
In October 2006, Slim Moon, the label's owner, announced he would be departing Kill Rock Stars to work as an A&R representative at Nonesuch Records, a Warner Music Group subsidiary.[7] Moon's wife, Portia Sabin, then took over ownership of Kill Rock Stars. In 2007, the label released eleven records, including New Moon, a collection of songs recorded by Elliott Smith between 1994 and 1997. The label has begun to further diversify its roster: since 2013, Kill Rock Stars has released albums by comedians including W. Kamau Bell, Nathan Brannon, Kurt Braunohler, River Butcher, Cameron Esposito, Emily Heller, Hot Tub with Kurt and Kristen, Ian Karmel, Hari Kondabolu, and Amy Miller.
In September 2019, Kill Rock Stars issued a press release announcing Slim Moon's return to management of the label after a thirteen-year hiatus, as well as the signing of Portland band MAITA; the press release described the signing as "both previous label head Portia Sabin's last act and the first initiative of Slim Moon in his second tenure as guiding light of KRS".[8]
In February 2022, it was announced that independent music company Exceleration Music has acquired the Kill Rock Stars catalog and formed a partnership with its founder, Slim Moon. Under the deal, Moon would continue to handle A&R and would be actively signing and developing new artists.[9]
See also
- List of companies based in Oregon
- List of record labels
- List of Kill Rock Stars artists
- 5 Rue Christine
References
- ^ Rose, Cynthia (July 5, 1996). "The Return Of Vinyl Frenzy – Seven-Inch Singles Are The Hot New Item For Rock's Underground". Seattle Times.
- ^ Lord, Mary Lou (2011). "About Mary Lou Lord". Kill Rock Stars. Archived from the original on November 14, 2013. Retrieved November 13, 2013.
- ^ "Sisters Outsiders: The Oral History of the 'Bikini Kill' EP". Spin: 3. November 15, 2012. Retrieved November 14, 2013.
- ^ "About Kill Rock Stars". killrockstars.com. Archived from the original on 2004-03-11.
- ^ "Interview With Slim Moon". HitQuarters. 13 April 2009. Archived from the original on July 11, 2011.
- ^ "Kill Rock Stars Timeline". killrockstars.com. Archived from the original on August 19, 2012. Retrieved October 22, 2005.
- ^ Kati Llewellyn. "Slim Moon Leaves KRS to work for Warner Music Group subsidiary Nonesuch Records". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on 2006-10-21. Retrieved October 6, 2006.
- ^ "Kill Rock Stars Signs MAITA". killrockstars.com. September 24, 2019. Archived from the original on September 26, 2019.
- ^ "Exceleration Music acquires catalog of US independent label Kill Rock Stars". Music Business Worldwide. 2022-02-01. Retrieved 2022-02-01.