This site is brand new and quite incomplete. I don't know what it will have, there's plenty of discographical / biographical information out there already, so that seems unnecessary. Eventually we will put up some rough mixes or ideas in progress from the upcoming record, or maybe you people have some suggestions about content. What do you want?

Attention: Sound Engineers / Promoters / Venues:
Here's the equipment we are playing with for all upcoming shows. Thanks.

From The Stranger, Vol. 13 No. 23, Feb 19-Feb 25, 2004
THE LEGACY CONTINUES
Up Records Celebrates a Decade of Dream Records
>> Complete Article

Dreams are commonly thought to run like absurd little movies that play out in our heads as we sleep. But a popular theory says that dreams are more like snapshots, and our brain attaches narratives to these frozen moments, weaving a story so their significance can be understood, or at least pondered.

Though they do tell stories, the songs on certain albums are also like snapshots--still images that come to life when animated by lyrics and music. When it comes to memorable, dreamlike snapshots of local talent, Up Records has, over 10 years, assembled the works--one hundred releases, to be exact--of a most picturesque lot of musicians and singers.

Up label founder Chris Takino had respected, excellent taste in music, which is why he was able to take his tiny endeavor (envisioned while he worked at Sub Pop in the early '90s) and make it into one of the most jaw-dropping, prosperous labels in local history--at one point even overshadowing the label where he learned about the business.

When Takino passed away from leukemia in 2000, a lot of people assumed the label would close. His partner Pete Ritchey, however, made Takino a promise to continue to release new albums on the label, but only from artists who were already on the roster.

A super-rare set by Violent Green, whose multi-textured blend of emotional vocals, triphop, and impassioned bass could be heard on three Up discs, will happen next week, on Friday, February 27, with Duster. Speaking from his home base of San Jose, Duster singer Dove Amber tells me his band is finishing a new record to add to their achingly sporadic catalog. In my opinion, they're one of the main reasons (no disrespect to headliners Quasi intended) to by all means go to this show--Duster's hazy blanket of distortion and wooly dreaminess produce a comfortable sound you won't be able to live without, making for a perfect and fitting tribute to Takino's vivid, enduring dream.

-- Kathleen Wilson (kathleen@thestranger.com)

Links:

Pretty comprehensive fan site:
The Landing

Duster puts shit out on:
Up Records

You can buy all that shit from:
Up Direct

Special thanks to:
The Static Cult