Local label embraces the analog, the local and the independent

It is apt that a record label named for a staple activity of the junior high set has organized a late night gathering to put together an origami-like item whose most official title is “cootie catcher.” The paper fold-outs, complete with screen-pressed art by Joey Lynch, are a promotional party favor to accompany the upcoming Slumber Party Records re-release of the self-titled Baby Walrus album.

Although the setting and goal of the evening are different, it was a similar late, cold night that gave birth to Slumber Party Records a little over two years ago. In October 2005, a large group of friends from bands including Bear Country, Capgun Coup, FTL Drive and April in Andalusia decided to put together a split album. Their chosen method of execution was to convene at Hotel Frank, common living quarters and something of a residential artist compound at 38th and Farnam (or, as they state on the Slumber Party website, “a huge house that a lot of our friends live in”), and record the entire thing record in one night; hence, the Slumber Party moniker. As Aaron Markley, 21, label owner and Bear Country band member, remembers it, Sam Martin, of Capgun Coup, came up with the idea to start a label and Mike Schlesinger, also of Bear Country, was the originator of the name. “We all talked about it, but didn’t really do anything.” The seed of the idea stuck with Markley, and after about a week and a half of mulling it over, he took action. Markley and Martin pooled some money together and in December 2005, the split was released, complete with a paper CD sleeve and homemade stickers.

The term DIY is tossed around quite a bit these days, but I can’t help but invoke it for what is going on in the Omaha arts community. More and more musicians, artists, craft-makers, and aspiring storeowners are taking the risk of starting an independent venture or producing their work on their own. When prompted with the question, “Why start your own label rather than look for a label to release your music?” Markley exposed a streak of youthful impatience and self-confidence: “Why wait? I didn’t want to wait for something. If you want something to happen, you have to go out there and make it happen yourself.” Some attribute this trend of self-starting to the work ethic of the Midwest, others to not wanting to have to adhere to someone else’s decisions about something so personal to your heart as your own music. Whatever the reason, the youthful do-it-yourself spirit has been burgeoning in Omaha for some time now, and Slumber Party Records is another group of creative individuals that decided to take matters into its own hands. Their passion for music and a desire for independence were ample motivation.

The business end of Slumber Party is currently run by Markley and Elle Lien, while Cody Peterson, a member of Bear Country, handles artwork and web design. However, it is clear that the enterprise was, and still is, a collective effort. “Every couple of months we have an all-Slumber Party meeting. We had that for Baby Walrus. We get together and talk about what bands we might want to release. We try to include everyone in decisions we make for Slumber Party even if those people aren’t involved in the day-to-day operations of the label,” states Markley.

While the music marketplace moves towards digitalization, globalization and conglomeration, this Omaha contingent has embraced the analog, the local and the independent. By no means do they eschew technology; Slumber Party tunes can be purchased on iTunes and AmazonMP3 and the label recently unveiled a new website designed by Cody Peterson and Dave Nelson of Omaha graphic design outfit Secret Penguin. However, there is clearly a love for the rudimentary and the tactile within this community. Case in point: the creation of the cassette tape label I’m Drinkin’ This, conceived within the walls of Hotel Frank. Whether it is the process of self-recording or the designing of band stickers and show flyers, there is a hands-on aesthetic to the label’s operation. The aim isn’t gloss and quick consumption, but a homemade touch and a personal connection to the music.

Baby Walrus, a three piece consisting of Chris Senseney on guitars, keyboards and vocals, John P. Voris on drums, and Dylan Strimple on guitar and keyboards, share a similar approach; they recorded their album in a friend’s basement and created their own album art. They are the most recent band added to Slumber Party’s roster. When asked what he found most exciting about the album, Markley quickly responded with a smile, “The fact that Baby Walrus wanted to put it out with us.” The band has played a spate of recent shows in Omaha to enthusiastic crowds clamoring for more songs. Their album will be released on CD and vinyl on February 5 (the album will not be released in stores until February 19, pre-orders are available online now and will be shipped on February 5). Then the band will test the waters outside of Omaha, heading out on a tour that includes a coveted spot in the South by Southwest festival in Austin, Texas in March.

The DIY ethic and tight-knit community recalls the early foundations of another local label: Saddle Creek Records. The label may loom large on the independent music horizon now, but it was once an upstart releasing albums on cassette tape. So it is fitting that Saddle Creek has assumed a kind of paternalistic relationship with the label, signing them to a distribution deal that allows for Slumber Party releases to be sold on their website and nationally in stores through the Alternative Distribution Alliance (ADA). Markley and Lien are quick to point out that Saddle Creek has been a big help throughout the process, offering advice and the wisdom of their experience of running a successful record company.

So what else lies in the future of Slumber Party? Bear Country is currently working on their next album, tentatively titled Coolie Trade, slated for a mid-2008 release. Honeybee is also working on an album to be released later this year. As for beyond that, Markley can’t say for sure – there doesn’t appear to be any clear business plan or master scheme. The intent, as stated in his words, is quite simply, “to release records from bands we love.” This straightforward mission statement brings to mind a quote from punk legend Ian MacKaye, co-owner of Dischord Records and former Minor Threat and Fugazi frontman: “My idea was: Enjoy baking, sell your bread, people like it, sell more. Keep the bakery going because you’re making good food and people are happy.” In Omaha, the fans are happy and hungry for more.