Local band members form record label

Four friends have banded together and formed a record label to bring fresh music to the Baton Rouge community. Kidsleep Records founders Jordan Courtney, Jonathan Livingston, Logan Knight and David Johnston are not looking to get big but rather just looking to get their and other artists' music out. Kidsleep Records was started in September as a label for experimental and folk singer/songwriters, Courtney said. Aaron Kimball, music education senior, is one of the local artists on Kidsleep Records. Kimball's project, Sitkod, is featured on the label. "I think Baton Rouge is a growing arts community," he said. "It's not developed, and there's no real market [for the bands on the label]." Courtney said Kidsleep Records is the only Baton Rouge label featuring this unique experimental sound. "We just didn't see as many opportunities to our music," he said. Courtney and the other founders of the label are in local bands. "The label helps us out," he said. "With that, we want to help others out with similar taste in music, whether we get it out on vinyl, CD or even tapes." Courtney said the label is set to follow the growing trend of releasing albums on vinyl along with CDs. The label is releasing a compilation Friday featuring 16 artists, including two out-of-state bands. The first record release show is going to be held Friday at Kimball's home, keeping with the do-it-yourself attitude of the label. Courtney said house shows are the perfect atmosphere for his label's music. He said the bands on the label aren't interested in success or money, but playing shows. Johnston said when he plays house shows with his band - The Holy Mirror - he puts forth more effort in his performance. He said the people who have shown up are there to see his band, not just to stand around a bar. Johnston is not only pleased with the house show aspect of the label but the recording process too. Almost all the label's artists record without a studio. "It takes the pressure off," he said. "I record people I like, and that makes the vibe a lot better." Kidsleep Records was able to form because of the Internet, Knight said. Knight said all the founders wouldn't have met if it weren't for MySpace.com. There are advantages and disadvantages with the digital age, Courtney said. While he understands that digital music is helping his label, he is displeased by people who disrespect music by not paying for it.

--- Contact Adam Pfeider at apfleider@lsureveille.com