Touch & Go Records, the 25 year old Chicago label that released albums by Slint, the Jesus Lizard, and Big Black, will stop releasing new albums and operate as a catalog label, effective today. A source at the label confirms the closure and adds that all albums slated to come out through the spring will be released.
The source also said the announcement comes as a complete surprise to everyone on staff. "Last week we were talking about SXSW, and now this has happened," said the source.
Touch & Go will continue to operate with a "skeleton crew" through the end of the year. Their distribution company will fold; a source says all the labels that use the service have been notified.
What's sad is that indie labels, for both music and books, seem to be doing better than major labels and publishing houses. This is a big lose for indie music.
PSNYC's TOP 25 TOUCH & GO RECORD RELEASES
25. TV on the Radio - Desperate Youth, Blood Thirsty Babes
24. CocoRosie - Noah's Ark
23. Killdozer - Snakeboy
22. Black Heart Procession - Three
21. Calexico - Hot Rail
20. The Delta 72 - The Sould of a New Machine
19. Girls Against Boys - House of GVSB
18. June of 44 - Engine Takes to the Water
17. Man or Astroman? - Experiment Zero
16. The Meatmen - Stud Powercock: The Touch and Go Years 1981-1984
15. Shellac - 1000 Hurts
14. Blonde Redhead - Fake Can Be Just as Good
13. Calexico - Feast of Wire
12. The Mekons - I ♥ Mekons
11. Urge Overkill - The Supersonic Playbook
10. Silkworm - Lifestyle
9. Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Yeah Yeah Yeahs EP
8. !!! - Louden Up Now
7. Pinback - Summer in Abaddon
6. Jesus Lizard - Goat
5. Big Black - Songs About Fucking
4. Brianiac - Hissing Prigs in Static Couture
3. Slint - Spiderland
2. Girls Against Boys - Venus Luxure No. 1 Baby
1. Blonde Redhead - Melody of Certain Damaged Lemons
