ATIC Records
Encyclopedia
ATIC Records is an independent record label
formed by British musician, DJ
and producer
, Aim
(Andy Turner). He left Grand Central Records
in early 2005 and started ATIC Records in June 2006.
As there had been limited funds available to promote his releases and attract guest performers, Turner had decided to move away from Grand Central prior to that label's collapse. Rather than sign to a new label, Turner decided to form his own, and in doing so gained greater control over the process of releasing his records and co-ordinating live performances
.
Much of the artwork used for the label's releases and on the label's website was created by artist Alicia Vergel de Dios, sister of Niko
.
Independent record label
An independent record label is a record label operating without the funding of or outside the organizations of the major record labels. A great number of bands and musical acts begin on independent labels.-Overview:...
formed by British musician, DJ
Disc jockey
A disc jockey, also known as DJ, is a person who selects and plays recorded music for an audience. Originally, "disc" referred to phonograph records, not the later Compact Discs. Today, the term includes all forms of music playback, no matter the medium.There are several types of disc jockeys...
and producer
Record producer
A record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
, Aim
Aim (musician)
Aim is a British musician, DJ and producer, who was born in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria. Aim's sound is a blend of funky electronic music and hip hop beats, a sound which typified the Grand Central Records label...
(Andy Turner). He left Grand Central Records
Grand Central Records
Grand Central Records was an independent record label based in the Northern Quarter of Manchester, UK. It was started in 1995 by DJ Mark Rae . Rae started out working as manager of the Fat City Records' store...
in early 2005 and started ATIC Records in June 2006.
As there had been limited funds available to promote his releases and attract guest performers, Turner had decided to move away from Grand Central prior to that label's collapse. Rather than sign to a new label, Turner decided to form his own, and in doing so gained greater control over the process of releasing his records and co-ordinating live performances
Concert
A concert is a live performance before an audience. The performance may be by a single musician, sometimes then called a recital, or by a musical ensemble, such as an orchestra, a choir, or a musical band...
.
Much of the artwork used for the label's releases and on the label's website was created by artist Alicia Vergel de Dios, sister of Niko
Niko (musician)
Niko is Seattle, Washington-born musician Nicole Vergel De Dios, to Japanese and Spanish parents.She completed a Jazz and Contemporary Music Degree from the New School University in New York City, prior to signing to Grand Central Records independent record label in 2002.She worked as musical...
.
Artists
- AimAim (musician)Aim is a British musician, DJ and producer, who was born in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria. Aim's sound is a blend of funky electronic music and hip hop beats, a sound which typified the Grand Central Records label...
- Crowhead
- Death of the Neighbourhood
- Gripper
- NikoNiko (musician)Niko is Seattle, Washington-born musician Nicole Vergel De Dios, to Japanese and Spanish parents.She completed a Jazz and Contemporary Music Degree from the New School University in New York City, prior to signing to Grand Central Records independent record label in 2002.She worked as musical...
- Paperboy
- Sevens
- The Witch and the Robot
Current releases
- The first album to be released on ATIC was Aim's own Flight 602Flight 602Flight 602 is the sixth album released by Aim, and the first released on his own ATIC Records independent record label. It is Aim's fourth album of studio material, the other two being DJ mix albums. It was released on 25 September 2006...
, released in the UK on 25 September 2006. It was preceded by the single, "Puget Sound". Unlike his previous albums, Flight 602 featured no guest rappers, and is a more instrumental affair.
- After Grand Central Records' demise, the copyright for Aim's records reverted to Turner's ownership. He re-released his two studio albums Cold Water MusicCold Water Music-Track listing:# "Intro" – 0:55# "Cold Water Music" – 5:44# "The Force" – 4:05# "Sail" – 5:14# "Downstate" – 4:14# "Ain't Got Time to Waste" – 4:08# "Fat City " – 0:38...
and HinterlandHinterland (album)-Track listing:# "Intro" – 1:15# "The Girl Who Fell Through the Ice" – 6:17# "What Do People Do All Day" – 5:15# "No Restriction" – 4:05# "Fall Break" – 4:45# "Guimar" – 4:18...
on ATIC in 2007, adding b-sides as extra tracks to each. He also re-released his singles collection Means of ProductionMeans of ProductionMeans Of Production is a compilation of Aim's early 12" and EP releases, recorded between 1995 and 1998.-Track listing:# "Loop Dreams" – 5:30# "Diggin' Dizzy" – 5:33 # "Let the Funk Ride" – 5:11 # "Original Stuntmaster" – 6:33...
.
- The label's second new album release was a self-titled double-album from Stephen Jones' project, Death of the Neighbourhood, released in November 2008. Jones had previously worked with Aim, providing vocals for the track "Good Disease" from the album HinterlandHinterland (album)-Track listing:# "Intro" – 1:15# "The Girl Who Fell Through the Ice" – 6:17# "What Do People Do All Day" – 5:15# "No Restriction" – 4:05# "Fall Break" – 4:45# "Guimar" – 4:18...
.
- In February 2009, the debut album from Gripper was released, A Life Of Consummate Ease. The album features soul-based music from across the alternative spectrum, taking in beats, breaks, hip hop, psych, soul, funk, Latin, electronica, dub and deep house.
- The debut album from Cumbrian band The Witch and the Robot (often shortened in print to TWATr), On Safari was released on 28 September 2009. Unlike the instrumental hip hop of Aim, Gripper and their previous compatriots, TWATr's music is a modern guitar-based take on indie folk, and has been likened to bands such as British Sea PowerBritish Sea PowerBritish Sea Power are an indie rock band based in Brighton, England, although three of the band members originally come from Kendal in Cumbria. Critics have likened their sound to a variety of groups, from The Cure and Joy Division to the Pixies and Arcade Fire. The band are famed for their live...
and Gorky's Zygotic MynciGorky's Zygotic MynciGorky's Zygotic Mynci were a Welsh alternative rock band, formed in Carmarthen, west Wales in 1991. They sang songs in both Welsh and English. They split up in May 2006.-Biography:...
.
- Crowhead is the new recording name of Christian Wood (aka Woody), who had previously released music on Grand Central Records under the recording name, The Nudge. Wood is a DJ from Salford, Manchester. As The Nudge, he released two 12" singles and released some additional tracks and remixes on Grand Central's compilation albums. As Crowhead, Wood had released 2 singles to date, Best Kept Secret (I Guess) (August 2009) and The Bends EP (September 2009). The debut Crowhead album, Born With Teeth, was recorded in The Nest, his Manchester studio, and features rappers MC Kwasi, Mikey D.O.N. (of Krispy 3) and Rusty PsRusty PsThe Rusty Ps is a hip hop/rap group based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Initially known as the Rusty Pelicans after forming in 1995, its membership currently consists of Phantom Channel , Count Classic , S Watson , and Madhatter ....
, as well as label-mate, Niko.
- A compilation album from the label, entitled Follow the Outline, was released on 25 January 2010. This featured rare and unreleased tracks from the label's artist roster.
Future releases
- Aim is working as producer on fellow former-Grand Central artist and collaborator, NikoNiko (musician)Niko is Seattle, Washington-born musician Nicole Vergel De Dios, to Japanese and Spanish parents.She completed a Jazz and Contemporary Music Degree from the New School University in New York City, prior to signing to Grand Central Records independent record label in 2002.She worked as musical...
's second album, and on Sevens' forthcoming debut.
- Aim is preparing tracks for his fifth album of studio material, which will feature collaborations with QNC, Mikey D.O.N, Death of the Neighbourhood and James YorkstonJames Yorkston-Music career:A native of Fife, James Yorkston was an integral early member of the Fence Collective whose reach across contemporary music continues to lengthen: King Creosote, The Aliens, KT Tunstall, The Beta Band...
.
- Gripper has returned to the studio to begin work on his second album. It is expected to be released in 2010.
- Aim has also started a new collaboration with the band Paperboy. Vocals are performed by Justin Helliwell, the singer from The Chelsea Flower Show, the fledgling band the pair were both members of in their younger days.