Light in the Attic Records

Light in the Attic Records is an independent record label that was established in 2002 in Seattle, Washington by Matt Sullivan. The label is known for its roster of reissue projects and for its distribution catalog.[1] Light in the Attic has re-released work by The Shaggs, Betty Davis, Serge Gainsbourg, Jim Sullivan, Jane Birkin, Monks and The Free Design. The label has also released albums by contemporary bands The Black Angels and Nicole Willis and The Soul Investigators.

Light in the Attic Records
Founded2002 (2002)
FounderMatt Sullivan
Josh Wright
GenreVarious
Country of originU.S.
LocationSeattle, Washington
Official websitewww.lightintheattic.net

History

Already in highschool, Sullivan was interested in starting his own label. "I always wanted my own label," Sullivan told The Stranger in 2006, "but it was always the wrong time." [2]

After high school and college at the University of Arizona, Sullivan interned for Seattle, Washington-based record labels like Sub Pop and the now-defunct Loosegroove Records. Susie Tennant, Sub Pop’s then radio-promotions director, offered Sullivan a chance to intern with Madrid, Spain-based record label, Munster Records.[2] Munster Records focused primarily on reissues of bands like The Stooges and Spacemen 3, inspiring Sullivan to begin rethinking his own concept behind the still active idea of starting a record label.[3]

Upon Sullivan’s return to the states he began producing live shows in the Seattle area including performances by performers like Saul Williams, Clinic, and Kid Koala under the name Light In The Attic. With a stronger interest in the production of records, Sullivan returned to his original idea of a reissue label.

Major projects were, among others:

  • a reissue of The Last Poet's first two releases - The Last Poets and This Is Madness.[4]
  • the reissue of the soundtrack to 1974 blackploitation film Lialeh composed by Bernard Purdie.
  • the reissue of several works from The Free Design.[4]
  • Wheedle's Groove, a collection of songs from forgotten soul and funk groups from Seattle, including, amongst others, Patrinell Wright, The Black & White Affair, Kenny G, Ron Buford, Overton Berry[5][6]
  • in 2006, Light in the Attic released the album "Passover" from the psych-rock group The Black Angels. This was their first contemporary release.[7]
  • the reissue of Betty Davis' albums Betty Davis and They Say I'm Different. Davis agreed with the project, but did no co-operate.[8]
  • In 2009, the label acquired the rights to distribute deceased Serge Gainsbourg's classic album Histoire de Melody Nelson. This was their first project with an already established artist.[9]
  • In 2010, they launched their 50th album. This album was a release of old demos by folk-country singer Kris Kristofferson and was named Please Don't Tell Me How The Story Ends: Publishing Demos 1968 - 1972.[10]
  • In 2011, the reissue of U.F.O. by singer-songwriter Jim Sullivan.[11]
  • In 2014, the label released the compilation album Native North America, Vol. 1.[12]
  • In 2017, for the occasion of Record Store Day, they released the official soundtrack of the cult film Ciao! Manhattan in vinyl and CD formats on their Cinewax imprint. This marks the first time that the soundtrack has been commercially-released in any form. [13]

Imprints

cinewax

In 2010, Light in the Attic announced their first imprint, cinewax, for vintage and contemporary film. The imprint has released the Winter's Bone Original Soundtrack, Winter's Bone Original Score by Dickon Hinchcliffe, the Project Nim Original Soundtrack also by Dickon Hinchcliffe, and Jennifer Maas' Wheedle's Groove film.[14]

Modern Classic Recordings

Light in the Attic's second imprint, Modern Classic Recordings started in 2011. The imprints first release, Mercury Revs' Deserter's Songs was released in November 2011. Their second release, Morphine's Cure For Pain will follow in 2012.[15]

Retail/Distribution

As well as their own products, Light in the Attic distributes a large portfolio of smaller American and hard-to-find international labels. Light in the Attic currently distributes: "Cultures of Soul", "Delmore Recordings", "Favorite Recordings", "Flat Field Records", "Heavenly Sweetness", "Heavy Light", "Hot Casa", "Kindred Spirits", "Lion Productions", "Masstropicas", "Medical Records", "Now Again", "Paradise of Bachelors", "Regenerator Records", Rhino Handmade, "Secret Seven", "Secret Stash", "Strawberry Rain", "Timmion", Trikont, "Vadim Music", "Votary Disk/Roundtable", Voyag3r and "Golden Pavilion"

Discography

Year
Artist Album Details
2002
The Last Poets
The Last Poets/This Is Madness
  • Originally Released: 1970/1971
2003
Sharpshooters
Twice As Nice
2003
Bernard Purdie
Lialeh
  • Originally Released: 1974
The Free Design
Kites Are Fun
  • Originally Released: 1967
The Free Design
Heaven/Earth
  • Originally Released: 1969
The Free Design
You Could Be Born Again
  • Originally Released: 1968
The Free Design
Stars/Time/Bubbles/Love
  • Originally Released: 1970
Wayne McGhie & The Sounds of Joy
S/T
  • Originally Released: 1970
  • Original Label: Birchmont
  • Jamaica To Toronto Release #1
V/A
Wheedle's Groove: Seattle's Finest In Funk & Soul
V/A
Deep Throat Anthology I & II
  • Originally Released: 1972/1974
V/A
Deep Throat OST Pt. 1
  • Originally Released: 1972
V/A
Deep Throat OST Pt. 2
The Free Design
Sing for Very Important People
  • Originally Released: 1970
The Free Design
One By One
The Free Design
There Is A Song
  • Originally Released: 1972
  • Original Label: Ambrotype
V/A
The Free Design: The Now Sound Redesigned
The Black Angels
S/T
The Black Angels
Passover
V/A
Jamaica to Toronto: Soul Funk & Reggae 1967 - 1974
  • Jamaica To Toronto Release #2
Noel Ellis
S/T
Jackie Mittoo
Wishbone
  • Originally Released: 1971
  • Original Label: Summer Records
  • Jamaica To Toronto Release #4
Karen Dalton
In My Own Time
The Saturday Knights
S/T
V/A
Light In The Attic Sampler 2007
Betty Davis
S/T
  • Originally Released: 1973
  • Original Label: Just Sunshine
Betty Davis
They Say I'm Different
  • Originally Released: 1974
  • Original Label: Just Sunshine
Nicole Willis & The Soul Investigators
Keep Reachin' Up
V/A
Summer Records Anthology 1974-1988
  • Jamaica To Toronto Release #5
The Blakes
Streets
The Blakes
S/T
Earth, Roots & Water
Innocent Youths
  • Originally Released: 1977
  • Original Label: Summer Records
  • Jamaica To Toronto Release #6
The Black Angels
Directions To See A Ghost
Doug Randle
Songs For The New Industrial State
  • Originally Released: 1970
  • Original Label: Kanata Records
The Saturday Knights
Mingle
Rodriguez
Cold Fact
  • Originally Released: 1970
  • Original Label: Sussex
The Black Angels
The Black Exit CD
Rodriguez
Coming from Reality
  • Originally Released: 1971
  • Original Label: Sussex
Serge Gainsbourg
Histoire De Melody Nelson
  • Originally Released: 1971
  • Original Label: Philips
The Monks
The Early Years 1964-1965
The Monks
Black Monk Time
  • Originally Released: 1966
  • Original Label: Polydor
Wheedle's Groove
Kearney Barton
2009
V/A
Light In The Attic Sampler Spring 2009
Karen Dalton
It's So Hard To Tell Who's Going To Love You The Best
  • Originally Released: 1969
  • Original Label: Capitol
Eddie Spencer
If This Is Love (I'd Rather Be Lonely) b/w You're So Good 45
The Cougars
I Wish It Would Rain b/w Right On 45
Lloyd Delpratt
Together b/w Warm Love 45
RAM
Love is the Answer b/w Love is the Answer Pt. 2 45
Karen Dalton
Something On Your Mind b/w Katie Cruel (Alternate) 45
The Black Angels
The First Vietnamese War b/w Nine Years 45
The Black Angels
Better Off Alone b/w Tomorrow Always Knows 45
Betty Davis
Come Take Me b/w You Won't See Me In The Morning 45
Betty Davis
He Was A Big Freak b/w Don't Call Her No Tramp (Rough Mixes) 45
The Black Angels
Doves b/w Drone in G# 45
Rodriguez
I'll Slip Away b/w You'd Like To Admit 45
Rodriguez
Can't Get Away b/w Street Boy 45
Patrinell Staten
I Let A Good Man Go b/w Little Love Affair 45
Clarence Mack/Mister Holmes & The Brotherhood
Runaway Train b/w Thrift Store Score 45
Betty Davis
Nasty Gal
  • Originally Released: 1975
  • Original Label: Island
Betty Davis
Is It Love Or Desire?
Jane Birkin/Serge Gainsbourg
Je t'aime... moi non plus
Lou Bond
S/T
  • Originally Released: 1974
  • Original Label: We Produce
Kris Kristofferson
Please Don't Tell Me How The Story Ends: The Publishing Demos 1968-72
V/A
Si, Para Usted: The Funky Beats of Revolutionary Cuba Vol. 1
V/A
Si, Para Usted: The Funky Beats of Revolutionary Cuba Vol. 2
Gabor Szabo
Jazz Raga
Jim Sullivan
U.F.O.
  • Originally Released: 1969
  • Original Label: Monnie Records
Jane Birkin
Di, doo dah
Pastor T.L. Barrett and the Youth For Christ Choir
Like A Ship... (Without a Sail)
  • Originally Released: 1971
The Overton Berry Ensemble
T.O.B.E./At Seattle's Doubletree Inn
  • Originally Released: 1970/1972
The Vagrants
I Can't Make A Friend 1965 1968
Michael Chapman
Fully Qualified Survivor
  • Originally Released: 1970
  • Original Label: Harvest
Michael Hurley, The Unholy Modal Rollers, Jeffrey Frederick & The Clamtones
Have Moicy!
  • Originally Released: 1976
  • Original Label: Rounder
Michael Hurley
Long Journey
  • Originally Released: 1977
Michael Hurley
Snockgrass
  • Originally Released: 1979
  • Original Label: Rounder
V/A
Our Lives Are Shaped By What We Love: Motown's Mowest Story 1971-1973
V/A
Beautiful Rivers And Mountains: The Psychedelic Rock Sound of South Korea's Shin Joong Hyun 1958-1974
The Black Angels
Another Nice Pair
Charles 'Packy' Axton
Late Late Party 1965-67
Jim Ford
Harlan County
  • Originally Released: 1969
  • Original Label: Sundown Records
Shin Joong Hyun
From Where To Where: Digital EP 1970-79
The Louvin Brothers
Tragic Songs of Life
The Louvin Brothers
Satan Is Real
The Louvin Brothers
Handpicked Songs 1955-1962
The Louvin Brothers
"Satan Is Real/Handpicked Songs 1955-1962
V/A
Thai Funk Volume 1
V/A
Wheedles Groove: Seattle's Finest In Funk & Soul 1965-1979 Limited Edition 45s Box Set
V/A
Thai Funk Volume 2
Michael Chapman
Rainmaker
  • Originally Released: 1970
  • Original Label: Harvest
Wendy Rene
After Laughter Comes Tears: Complete Stax & Volt Singles + Rarities 1964-1965
V/A
Winter's Bone Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
  • cinewax release
Dickon Hinchcliffe
Winter's Bone - Original Score
  • cinewax release
Wheedle's Groove
Wheedle's Groove
  • Director: Jennifer Maas
  • cinewax release
Mercury Rev
Deserter's Songs
  • Originally Released: 1998
  • Original Release: V2 Records
  • Modern Classics Recordings release
Various
Pacific Breeze: Japanese City Pop, AOR and Boogie 1976–1986
  • Originally Released: 1993
  • Original Label: Rykodisc
  • Modern Classics Recordings release
Various artists
Pacific Breeze: Japanese City Pop, AOR and Boogie 1976–1986[16]

References

  1. Levin, Hannah. "Counting Backward: Reissuing Obscure Gems, Local Indie Label Turns Up The Past". The Stranger. Retrieved September 26, 2006.
  2. Levin, Hannah. "Counting Backward: Obscuring Reissuing Obscure Gems, Local Indie Label Turns Up The Past". The Stranger. Retrieved September 26, 2006.
  3. Sullivan, Matt. "About Light In The Attic". Light In The Attic. Retrieved January 1, 2003.
  4. Mudede, Charles. "The Collector's Soul". The Stranger. Retrieved March 19, 2003.
  5. Segal, Dave. "Wheedle's Groove". The Stranger. Retrieved September 9, 2010.
  6. Matos, Michelangelo. "Thrift Store Finds:". Seattle Weekly. Retrieved August 18, 2004.
  7. Howe, Brian. "The Black Angels". Pitchfork.
  8. Barr, Brian J. "Betty Davis Is Back, Thanks To Light In The Attic". The Seattle Weekly.
  9. Barr, Brian J. "Serge Gainsbourg: The King of French Pop". Seattle Weekly.
  10. Barr, Brian J. "Seducing Kris Kristofferson". Seattle Weekly.
  11. "The Strange Tale of Jim Sullivan’s U.F.O.", AquariumDrunkard, November 10, 2010. Retrieved 14 October 2015
  12. "Light in the Attic Unearths the Forgotten History of First Nations Music with 'Native North America' Compilation". Exclaim!, October 8, 2014.
  13. http://lightintheattic.net/releases/3007-ciao-manhattan-original-motion-picture-soundtrack
  14. "Light In The Attic goes to the movies with our new film imprint -- cinewax". Light In The Attic.
  15. "Light In The Attic enters the "Modern" era ..." Light In The Attic.
  16. "V/A - Pacific Breeze Pacific Breeze: Japanese City Pop, AOR & Boogie 1976-1986". Light in the Attic Records. Archived from the original on March 30, 2019. Retrieved May 2, 2019.
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