Bloodshot Records Explained

Bloodshot Records
Image Alt:Bloodshot Records logo
Founder:Nan Warshaw
Rob Miller
Eric Babcock
(former partner from 1993–1997)
Distributor:ADA
Country:United States
Location:Chicago, Illinois

Bloodshot Records is an independent record label based in Chicago, Illinois, which specializes in alternative country music.[1] [2]

History

Bloodshot Records was founded in 1994 by Nan Warshaw,[3] Rob Miller,[4] and Eric Babcock,[5] [6] who knew each other from jobs in the music industry and from being active in was then a burgeoning underground country-roots music scene.

Warshaw had been promoting, booking, and managing bands for years and also worked as a publicist for the band Killbilly, which released a record on Flying Fish Records, where Babcock worked.[7] She was well known around Chicago as a punk raconteur. Her reputation was confirmed when Kurt Cobain's diaries were posthumously published in 2002 included this mention: "Call Nan Warshaw" appears on his to-do list.[8]

Miller moved to Chicago in 1991 from Ann Arbor, Michigan where he helped to produce shows for a local promoter and DJed on a local radio station. He met Warshaw in 1993 at Crash Palace (now Delilah's), a local punk bar where Warshaw was a DJ spinning country records on Wednesday nights.

While having drinks at a bar, Warshaw, Miller, and Babcock made a wish-list on a cocktail napkin of unheralded Chicago bands and musicians they loved[9] — who all had a thread of old school country running through their music. That cocktail napkin list became 17 songs from 16 bands recorded for a self-funded first release in 1994 under the Bloodshot Records label titled For A Life of Sin: A Compilation of Insurgent Chicago Country.[10] The album included artists such as The Bottle Rockets, Freakwater, The Handsome Family, and Robbie Fulks, as well as The Sundowners, a country music trio that started in the 1950s. The record was self-distributed and sold on consignment in stores and, selling out its initial pressing of 1,000 copies.[11] The success of the record left funds to do another compilation.[12] [13]

Bloodshot Records was initially run out of Warshaw's apartment in the Lakeview neighborhood of Chicago and later the business moved into her Warshaw's basement. In 1997, singer and Bloodshot Records artist, Kelly Hogan was the first paid employee, working as the label's publicist.[14] In 1999, the label moved to its current location on West Irving Park Road. Both Warshaw and Miller worked supplemental jobs to keep afloat. Miller was a carpenter painting houses and Warshaw was doing publicity work.

Growth of the record label

Following the compilation format of the initial album release, Bloodshot organized record release shows in multiple cities with four or five bands on each night's line-up. The shows drew press coverage for the new label and the bands/artists, which for some was their first recording and opportunity to play multiple-band shows.

A year later, in 1995, the label released their second compilation album Hell Bent: Insurgent Country Volume 2. The album included bands from all over the country, and Bloodshot continued to put on events showcasing the bands involved with the making of the record. Although well received by critics, Bloodshot had very tight financial constraints, and worked under the model of not starting a new project until the prior project had paid for itself. Also challenging was establishing Bloodshot's brand, a mixture of country, punk, and folk that had no precedent.[15] [16] The name of the music genre was a point of contention, with some grouping the unique, hard-to-classify singer-songwriter music under the alternative country and some grouping it under the Americana label.[17]

In 1997, co-founder Babcock left Bloodshot, eventually relocating to Nashville, where he founded Catamount Records.[18] After Babcock left, ownership of Bloodshot was split fifty/fifty between the two other founding partners, Warshaw and Miller.

By 1999, its fifth year in business, Bloodshot had released 60 records. That year, the label released another compilation, Down to the Promised Land, with 40 unreleased track on two CD that included every artist and band on the label.[19]

In 2000, Bloodshot released Ryan Adams' record Heartbreaker, and the popularity of the record created a more stable financial base for the label. allowed Warshaw and Miller to dedicate themselves full-time to running the label, move to a bigger office space in the northwest side of Chicago, and begin to hire employees. The full-time Bloodshot staff eventually grew to six. Singer Kelly Hogan was the first paid employee, working as the label's publicist. The Chicago twang, country, and punk scene, often described as a sort of an anti-Nashville, continued to expand, often led by various projects involving The Mekons' Jon Langford.[20]

In 2014, Bloodshot released their 20th-anniversary album, While No One Was Looking: Toasting 20 Years of Bloodshot Records.[21] The album is a two-CD set with 38 artists that include Andrew Bird, Blitzen Trapper, Superchunk, and Diarrhea Planet covering songs by some of Bloodshot's stable of artists (i.e., Ryan Adams, Old 97's, Cory Branan, and Justin Townes Earle).[22] Bloodshot spent the year celebrating their success at surviving during a period when most independent record labels were going out of business.

In November 2019, Bloodshot celebrated its 25th anniversary by holding a concert/party and issuing another compilation album.[23]

Chicago community and SXSW

Bloodshot had close ties to the Chicago community[24] and particularly to the Hideout, a bar and music venue.[25]

Starting in the mid 1990s, Bloodshot hosted a free barbecue-and-music day-long showcase at both Austin, Texas' SXSW and New York City's CMJ music festivals.[26] [27] The annual SXSW shows have often been anchored by performances by The Waco Brothers.[28]

Sale of Bloodshot

In January 2019, Bloodshot artist, Lydia Loveless, accused Warshaw of attempting to cover up sexual harassment by Warshaw's long-term domestic partner, Mark Panick.[29] Warshaw issued a public apology to Loveless, while also announcing she was stepping away from the label. A month later she announced that she was not just stepping away, but resigning, with Miller to continue the work of running the label with Warshaw still retaining 50% ownership.[30] In mid-July 2020, after an internal audit, Bloodshot Records staff issued a statement further accusing Warshaw of long-term negligence in regard to royalty payments and accounting.[31]

On October 19, 2021, Miller posted a message on the Bloodshot website saying that the office is permanently closed, and said "Regrettably, it is time for this phase of Bloodshot Records to come to an end". [32] Just three days later, on October 22, 2021, Exceleration Music announced that it had purchased Bloodshot from Miller and Warshaw.[33] [34]

With the sale of Bloodshot, Dave Hansen, a principal with Exceleration said "Bloodshot is a vitally important part of American music history, a genre-defining label founded on passion and vision, dedicated to bringing a unique set of artists from its musical orbit to the world." Warshaw said, "This passing of the torch ensures that the legacy of nurturing and celebrating unique indie music will live on."

In early 2023, Bloodshot, under Exceleration, announced that it had signed new contracts with several artists, including three who had previously worked with Bloodshot, and would shortly start releasing new recordings again.[35]

Artists

Some of the early artists who started out on Bloodshot went on to sign with larger major record labels, specifically Old 97's and Ryan Adams.[36] Ryan Adams had one of the label's best-selling albums with the 2000 release Heartbreaker, having sold almost 500,000 copies. Neko Case had a licensing deal with Bloodshot Records in the United States and Mint Records in Canada before she signed with ANTI-.[37]

Under Miller and Warshaw, Bloodshot included a diverse roster of artists, including the late Andre Williams, who wrote "Shake a Tail Feather," faced challenges, and then had a career renaissance making records at Bloodshot.[38] Bloodshot includes bands and projects by several members of The Mekons, including Jon Langford, Sally Timms, and Rico Bell.

‡ denotes active Bloodshot artists

Discography

Compilations

Bloodshot Records began its life as a label by releasing compilations of tracks not released elsewhere.[39]

Bloodshot Revival

Bloodshot Revival/Soundies: A series of historic transcription acetate recordings that were leased to radio stations for airplay but never sold at the time of recording.[41]

Partnerships

DVD

The label planned to release a 10th anniversary DVD (Bloodied But Unbowed: Bloodshot Records' Life In The Trenches) in 2004, but it was not released until late 2006.[42] [43]

See also

Further reading

Notes and References

  1. News: Maurice. Raphael. While No One Was Looking: Twenty Years of Bloodshot Records. The Bluegrass Situation. November 14, 2014. November 29, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20151208160502/http://www.thebluegrasssituation.com/read/while-no-one-was-looking-twenty-years-bloodshot-records. December 8, 2015. dead.
  2. News: Loerzel. Robert. How Bloodshot Records has lasted so long (One hint: Lydia Loveless). Crain's Chicago Business. April 12, 2014.
  3. Web site: Meet an FMC fan: Nan Warshaw of Bloodshot Records. Future of Music Coalition. August 20, 2012.
  4. Web site: Chamberlain. Dave. So you wanna start a record label? Bloodshot Records shares the inside information on starting—and keeping—a music business.. New City Chicago. https://web.archive.org/web/20030210183434/http://www.newcitychicago.com/chicago/1620.html. February 10, 2003. April 11, 2002.
  5. Web site: Chipps. William. Bloodshot Records: An Indie Music Label's Take On Sponsorship. Sponsorship.com. September 17, 2009. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20131007101606/http://www.sponsorship.com/About-IEG/Sponsorship-Blogs/William-Chipps/September-2009/Bloodshot-Records--An-Indie-Music-Label-s-Take-On.aspx. October 7, 2013.
  6. News: Dickinson. Chris. Fledgling Country Label Opts For 'Life Of Sin'. Chicago Tribune. June 3, 1994.
  7. Web site: Karpowicz. Katie. November 20, 2014. Bloodshot Records Celebrates 20 Years: An Oral History Of Its Beginnings. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20151005005344/http://chicagoist.com/2014/11/20/bloodshot_records_celebrates_20_yea_1.php. October 5, 2015. Chicagoist.
  8. Web site: Guarino, Mark. December 10, 2020. Will Bloodshot Records stay in the saddle?. Chicago Reader. Mark Guarino. 2021-10-25.
  9. News: Kot. Greg. Greg Kot. December 28, 2014. Bloodshot duo hits 20 without compromise. Chicago Tribune.
  10. News: Dickenson. Chris. Jun 3, 1994. FLEDGLING COUNTRY LABEL OPTS FOR 'LIFE OF SIN'. Chicago Tribune.
  11. News: Lee. Zimmerman. May 11, 2007. Rebels with a Cause: Bloodshot Records' "Insurgent Country". Goldmine Magazine. 33. 10.
  12. News: Finn. Timothy. October 12, 2000. Country Confessions: Oh, it's country time again for industry. The Kansas City Star. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20010118173400/http://www.kcstar.com/item/pages/fyi.pat%2Cfyi/3774d419.a11%2C.html. January 18, 2001.
  13. News: Smith-Lindall. Anders. October 11, 2000. Sweethearts of the Rodeo: Chicago transplants Neko Case and Kelly Hogan carry the torch for 21st-century twang. City Pages (Minneapolis/St. Paul). https://web.archive.org/web/20010204032900/http://www.citypages.com/databank/21/1036/article9058.asp. February 4, 2001.
  14. Web site: KELLY HOGAN, Bloodshot Records. live. Bloodshot Records. https://web.archive.org/web/20081226102517/http://www.bloodshotrecords.com:80/artist/kelly-hogan . December 26, 2008 .
  15. News: Margasak. Peter. Peter Margasak. Bloodshot Eyes the Future. Chicago Reader. June 15, 2000.
  16. Web site: Bloodshot Records Week: Rob Miller on 10 Years Since Heartbreaker. The Line Of Best Fit. September 14, 2010. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20121220110901/http://www.thelineofbestfit.com/features/interviews/bloodshot-records-week-rob-miller-on-10-years-since-heartbreaker-35877. December 20, 2012.
  17. News: Wener. Ben. Americana, what art thou? Pop: The word has replaced alt-country and No Depression as the new label for roots music – but does that mean it's a real genre?. The Orange County Register. July 29, 2001 . https://web.archive.org/web/20010805023601/http://www.ocregister.com/show/americana00729cci1.shtml. August 5, 2001.
  18. News: Kot. Greg. They might be Bloodshot, but not tired at all. Chicago Tribune. January 30, 2004.
  19. Web site: DOWN TO THE PROMISED LAND: 5 YEARS OF BLOODSHOT RECORDS. live. Bloodshot Records. https://web.archive.org/web/20081231070126/http://www.bloodshotrecords.com:80/album/down-promised-land-5-years-bloodshot-records . December 31, 2008 .
  20. News: Kot . Greg . January 16, 2000 . You Call This Country? Chicago's Crowd Is Maverick, Direct – And True To The Honky-tonk Spirit . .
  21. News: Dickinson. Chrissie. Celebrating 20 years at Bloodshot Records: Venerated Chicago indie label toasts 2 decades of music with special release. Chicago Tribune. November 17, 2014.
  22. Web site: Sullivan. James. Bloodshot Records Celebrates 20 Years of 'Insurgent Country' With Double Album. Rolling Stone. November 14, 2014.
  23. Web site: Vitali, Marc. November 7, 2019. Chicago's Bloodshot Records Celebrates 25th Anniversary. November 26, 2019. WTTW.
  24. News: Where is Bloodshot Records going now that 'insurgent country' has outgrown it? . Margasak . Peter . January 7, 2015 . Chicago Reader.
  25. News: Hideout revives block party as small but potent . Kot . Greg . Chicago Tribune . September 21, 2017.
  26. News: Bishop. Robert. Split Decision. The Pitch. March 29, 2001. May 4, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20150218210350/http://www.pitch.com/kansascity/split-decision/Content?oid=2162915. February 18, 2015. dead.
  27. Web site: Bloodshot Records Week Interview: Elia Einhorn (Scotland Yard Gospel Choir) interviews Jon Langford. The Line Of Best Fit. September 15, 2010.
  28. News: Sisario. Ben. Seeking Comfort, and Innovation, at South by Southwest. The New York Times. March 18, 2012.
  29. Web site: August 11, 2022. Rolling Stone. Bernstein. Jonathan. Lydia Loveless Alleges Sexual Misconduct by Domestic Partner of Record Label Head . February 18, 2019 .
  30. Web site: Chicago Reader. December 10, 2020. Will Bloodshot Records stay in the saddle?. Guarino, Mark. Mark Guarino. 2021-10-25.
  31. Web site: Bloodshot Records Co-Founder Responds to Artists' Unpaid Royalty Claims . Pitchfork . Minsker, Evan . July 24, 2020 . July 24, 2020.
  32. Web site: William. Christopher. August 11, 2022. . Influential Indie Label Bloodshot Records Shuts Down After Two Years of Turmoil . October 19, 2021 .
  33. Web site: Willman. Chris. October 22, 2021. Bloodshot Records Bought by Exceleration Music, Which Vows to Promote Troubled Indie Label's Catalog. live. Variety. Chris Willman. 2021-10-27. https://web.archive.org/web/20211022193422/https://variety.com/2021/music/news/bloodshot-records-acquired-exceleration-music-indie-label-1235095678/ . October 22, 2021 .
  34. Web site: Chicago Reader. October 22, 2021. Bloodshot Records is bought by Exceleration Music. Guarino, Mark. 2021-10-25.
  35. Web site: Saving Country Music. New Bloodshot Re-Signs Lydia Loveless, Jason Hawk Harris, More. March 10, 2023. 2023-03-12.
  36. News: Strauss. Neil. MUSIC; A Future So Bright, He's Already Seen It. The New York Times. June 17, 2001.
  37. News: Hill. David. A Special Case: Neko Case has yet to make the Opry, but her reputation as a new country pioneer is grand.. Denver Westword. August 23, 2001.
  38. News: Knight. Meribah. A Soul Singer's Life of Highs and Lows Soars Anew. The New York Times. November 20, 2010.
  39. Web site: Label Spotlight: Bloodshot Records. plug in music. August 11, 2008.
  40. Web site: Bloodshot Records . Too Late to Pray: Defiant Chicago Roots . 2019 . November 26, 2019 . April 28, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200428124135/https://www.bloodshotrecords.com/album/too-late-to-pray . dead .
  41. Web site: Bloodshot Revival at Bloodshot Records. Bloodshot Records. December 5, 2013.
  42. News: Carlozo. Louis R.. Bloodshot DVD celebrates label that's insurgent. Chicago Tribune. November 7, 2006.
  43. News: Perlich. Tim. Bloodied but unbowed. Now (Toronto). October 26, 2006.

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