Constantinople Records
Encyclopedia
Constantinople Records is an upstart record label
created by Billy Corgan
of The Smashing Pumpkins
. Little is known about the label and no official website or company exists. The US Patent Office's website listed the label as being trademarked by Corgan. When word of the label was made public, a domain name
was registered but no website ever appeared. After one year the URL
had expired.
The label was ultimately created to release the album by The Smashing Pumpkins: "Machina II" and the EPs that were associated with it, because Corgan's relationship with Virgin Records
had deteriorated. Virgin had refused to release Machina
and Machina II as a double album, and when Machina sold poorly, refused entirely to release the sequel. Since the band was breaking up at the time, Corgan decided to release Machina II for free download on the internet. Only twenty-five vinyl copies were pressed, and were shipped via FedEx to several prominent fans in the online community, with instructions to immediately redistribute it on the Internet free of charge.
It was rumored that this label would support all future releases for work done by Billy Corgan. However, starting in 2003 he began publishing work under the label "Martha's Music," with distribution by Reprise Records
.
Record label
In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. Most commonly, a record label is the company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing and promotion,...
created by Billy Corgan
Billy Corgan
William Patrick "Billy" Corgan, Jr. is an American singer, songwriter, guitarist and occasional poet best known as the frontman and sole permanent member of The Smashing Pumpkins. Formed by Corgan and guitarist James Iha in Chicago, Illinois in 1987, the band quickly gained steam with the...
of The Smashing Pumpkins
The Smashing Pumpkins
The Smashing Pumpkins are an American alternative rock band that formed in Chicago, Illinois in 1988. Formed by Billy Corgan frontman and James Iha , the band has included Jimmy Chamberlin , D'arcy Wretzky , and currently includes Jeff Schroeder Mike Byrne , and Nicole Fiorentino The Smashing...
. Little is known about the label and no official website or company exists. The US Patent Office's website listed the label as being trademarked by Corgan. When word of the label was made public, a domain name
Domain name
A domain name is an identification string that defines a realm of administrative autonomy, authority, or control in the Internet. Domain names are formed by the rules and procedures of the Domain Name System ....
was registered but no website ever appeared. After one year the URL
Uniform Resource Locator
In computing, a uniform resource locator or universal resource locator is a specific character string that constitutes a reference to an Internet resource....
had expired.
The label was ultimately created to release the album by The Smashing Pumpkins: "Machina II" and the EPs that were associated with it, because Corgan's relationship with Virgin Records
Virgin Records
Virgin Records is a British record label founded by English entrepreneur Richard Branson, Simon Draper, and Nik Powell in 1972. The company grew to be a worldwide music phenomenon, with platinum performers such as Roy Orbison, Devo, Genesis, Keith Richards, Janet Jackson, Culture Club, Lenny...
had deteriorated. Virgin had refused to release Machina
MACHINA/The Machines of God
Machina/The Machines of God is the fifth album by American alternative rock band The Smashing Pumpkins, released on February 29, 2000 by Virgin Records. A concept album, it marked the return of drummer Jimmy Chamberlin and was intended to be the band's final official LP release prior to their first...
and Machina II as a double album, and when Machina sold poorly, refused entirely to release the sequel. Since the band was breaking up at the time, Corgan decided to release Machina II for free download on the internet. Only twenty-five vinyl copies were pressed, and were shipped via FedEx to several prominent fans in the online community, with instructions to immediately redistribute it on the Internet free of charge.
Releases
Five releases have come out on Constantinople Records:- CR-01: The first EPExtended playAn EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
in Machina II/The Friends & Enemies of Modern MusicMACHINA II/The Friends & Enemies of Modern MusicMachina II/The Friends & Enemies of Modern Music is the sixth album by American alternative rock band The Smashing Pumpkins. It was released for free on the Internet on September 5, 2000... - CR-02: The second EP in Machina II
- CR-03: The third EP in Machina II
- CR-04: The double LP in Machina II
- CR-05: Live at Cabaret Metro 10-5-88Live at Cabaret Metro 10-5-88Live at Cabaret Metro 10-5-88 is a live album from The Smashing Pumpkins. It was recorded during the band's first concert at the Cabaret Metro on October 5, 1988. This was the band's fourth gig and their first with Jimmy Chamberlin. Approximately 1,200 copies of the CD were made and distributed to...
It was rumored that this label would support all future releases for work done by Billy Corgan. However, starting in 2003 he began publishing work under the label "Martha's Music," with distribution by Reprise Records
Reprise Records
Reprise Records is an American record label, founded in 1960 by Frank Sinatra. It is owned by Warner Music Group, and operated through Warner Bros. Records.-Beginnings:...
.