Moodgadget is an independent
electronic music
Electronic music is a genre of music that employs electronic musical instruments, digital instruments, or circuitry-based music technology in its creation. It includes both music made using electronic and electromechanical means ( electroac ...
label with the mission of exposing the diversity in electronically made music. Founded in 2004 in Ann Arbor, Michigan by Jakub Alexander and Adam E. Hunt, the label began as an effort to popularize the founders' opinion that electronic music is a process, not a
genre
Genre () is any form or type of communication in any mode (written, spoken, digital, artistic, etc.) with socially-agreed-upon conventions developed over time. In popular usage, it normally describes a category of literature, music, or other for ...
; within its walls live a diverse range of sounds, which would be documented over the course of the label's development.
The label is based in
Brooklyn
Brooklyn () is a borough of New York City, coextensive with Kings County, in the U.S. state of New York. Kings County is the most populous county in the State of New York, and the second-most densely populated county in the United States, be ...
, New York, with Jakub and Adam sharing label management duties. Alexander handles
A+R
AR, Ar, or A&R may refer to:
Arts, entertainment, and media
Music
* Artists and repertoire
Periodicals
* ''Absolute Return + Alpha'', a hedge fund publication
*''The Adelaide Review'', an Australian arts magazine
* ''American Renaissance'' ( ...
and Hunt serves as the
mastering engineer and web designer. Design and artwork are provided by Alex Koplin, who joined the label in 2008. Design contributors include PhilistineDSGN, Adam E. Hunt, Jakub Alexander, Martyna Alexander, Ben Saginaw and Taro Yumiba.
Artists
The following artists are or have been affiliated with Moodgadget.
*
BenoƮt Pioulard
*
Beacon
A beacon is an intentionally conspicuous device designed to attract attention to a specific location. A common example is the lighthouse, which draws attention to a fixed point that can be used to navigate around obstacles or into port. More mode ...
*Boreal Network
*Brael
*
Casino Versus Japan
Casino Versus Japan or Casino vs. Japan (born Erik Paul Kowalski; May 5, 1973) is a United States-based musician who works in electronic music.
Influences
As a child, Erik Kowalski was originally heavily influenced by Jan Hammer's music for ' ...
*Charles Trees
*D. Gookin
*Direwires
*Dykehouse
*Foxes in Fiction
*Frank Omura
*Isomer Transition
*JDSY
*
Khonnor
*
Kyle Bobby Dunn
Kyle Bobby Dunn (born February 27, 1986) is a Canadian composer, arranger, and live performer of modern compositional and guitar based drone music. He has performed in live and exclusive outdoor settings, including Banff National Park, since 200 ...
*Kyson
*
Machinedrum
Travis Stewart, better known as Machinedrum, is an American electronic record producer and performer from North Carolina.[Mux Mool
Mux Mool (born Brian Lindgren) is an American electronic musician, producer, and visual artist affiliated with the labels Moodgadget, Ghostly International, and Super Best Records. He has been featured on Cartoon Network's Adult Swim, and is a m ...](_blank)
*New Villager
*
Nitemoves
*Praveen
*The Reflecting Skin
*
Seth Troxler
Seth Troxler is an American DJ and record producer from Lake Orion, Michigan. His DJ work focuses on house and techno, while he has produced on the Wolf + Lamb, Crosstown Rebels and Circus Company labels, collaborating with artists Art Departmen ...
*
Shigeto
Shigeto (written: , , or ) is a masculine Japanese given name. Notable people with the name include:
*, Japanese physician
*, Japanese linguist
*, Japanese sport shooter
*, Japanese footballer
*, Japanese basketball player
*, Japanese economist
* ...
*Small Sails
*
Wisp
Releases
Compilations
In 2006, Moodgadget released "The Rorschach Suite", a 20-song compilation. It reached #17 in
iTunes
iTunes () is a software program that acts as a media player, media library, mobile device management utility, and the client app for the iTunes Store. Developed by Apple Inc., it is used to purchase, play, download, and organize digital mul ...
electronic music section, and the single "Lost and Found" by
Mux Mool
Mux Mool (born Brian Lindgren) is an American electronic musician, producer, and visual artist affiliated with the labels Moodgadget, Ghostly International, and Super Best Records. He has been featured on Cartoon Network's Adult Swim, and is a m ...
was selected for the "Best of iTunes 2006." In 2008, Moodgadget released two compilations, "The Synchronicity Suite" and "No New Enemies Vol. 1" both made it into the top 30 in iTunes' electronic music section.
Limited and premiere
The label has made use of the donation sales method popularized by
Radiohead
Radiohead are an English rock band formed in Abingdon, Oxfordshire, in 1985. The band consists of Thom Yorke (vocals, guitar, piano, keyboards); brothers Jonny Greenwood (lead guitar, keyboards, other instruments) and Colin Greenwood (bass) ...
for their Limited and Premiere releases. Limited releases are those by established artists, and Premiere releases are those by new artists; both allow the customer to choose their own price.
Distribution
Moodgadet are partnered with
The Orchard
The Orchard may refer to:
* The Orchard (company), American music and entertainment company
* The Orchard (band), Canadian country music duo
* ''The Orchard'' (Lizz Wright album), 2008
* ''The Orchard'' (Ra Ra Riot album), 2010
* The Orchard (t ...
for distribution through online music retailers, including:
iTunes
iTunes () is a software program that acts as a media player, media library, mobile device management utility, and the client app for the iTunes Store. Developed by Apple Inc., it is used to purchase, play, download, and organize digital mul ...
,
Amazon
Amazon most often refers to:
* Amazons, a tribe of female warriors in Greek mythology
* Amazon rainforest, a rainforest covering most of the Amazon basin
* Amazon River, in South America
* Amazon (company), an American multinational technology c ...
and
Beatport
Beatport is an American electronic music-oriented online music store owned by LiveStyle. The company is based in Denver, Los Angeles, and Berlin. Beatport is oriented primarily towards DJs, selling full songs as well as resources that can be used ...
. They have also utilized the controversial technology
BitTorrent, and it is their opinion that music is increasingly becoming a promotional tool for touring, merchandising and
licensing
A license (or licence) is an official permission or permit to do, use, or own something (as well as the document of that permission or permit).
A license is granted by a party (licensor) to another party (licensee) as an element of an agreeme ...
.
Licensing
Moodgadget has licensed music through Jeremy Peters an
GHO(a subsidiary of
Ghostly International
Ghostly International is an American independent record label founded in 1999 by Samuel Valenti IV and currently headquartered in Brooklyn, New York City. Chief artists include Matthew Dear, Dabrye (a.k.a. Tadd Mullinix), Com Truise, Tycho, Gol ...
) to
LG, and
Prada
Prada S.p.A. (, ; ) is an Italian luxury fashion house founded in 1913 in Milan by Mario Prada. It specializes in leather handbags, travel accessories, shoes, ready-to-wear, and other fashion accessories. Prada licenses its name and branding t ...
.
External links
Official website*
{{Authority control
American independent record labels
Electronic music record labels
Record labels established in 2004
Music of Ann Arbor, Michigan
Companies based in New York City
2004 establishments in the United States