MUSIC NEWS - Touch and Go Records, the long established Chicago independent music label and distributor, announced plans today to lay off a "tbd" number of its 25 staff members and cease the manufacturing and distribution services that it's provided to some 20 label partners, the Chicago Tribune reported. "Unfortunately, as much as we love all of these labels, the current state of the economy has reached the point where we can no longer afford to continue this lesser known, yet important part of Touch and Go's operations," wrote founder Corey Rusk.
The indie labels impacted by the loss of manufacturing and distribution services; which Touch and Go had provided for nearly 20 years; include Drag City, Merge Records and Kill Rock Stars. Touch and Go said it plans on continuing putting out new records on its Touch and Go and Quarterstick Records labels. Some of the artists that have released album with them include Big Black, Butthole Surfers, Slint, Calexico and TV on the Radio. Like major labels, indie record companies have been impacted by declining CD sales and troubled retailers.
Rusk has promised to "return to [the label's] roots" and release new music, this will only happen after the company is positioned "to an appropriate smaller size". Crystal Antlers' Tentacles LP is still planned for April7 release and the label will move forward with this year's Jesus Lizard re-issues, but it's not determined whether other projects have been shelved. "It's not coming to an end, but it won't be the same company it has been for the last 20 years," Rusk added.
Check out Touch and Go for release news.
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