The mythology of musicians’ careers tends to overshadow the powerful forces behind the creation and dissemination of their projects. Music labels are one such example of this phenomenon, generally perceived negatively as greedy enterprises that solely exploit artists. Although this holds true in many cases and warrants criticism, specific record labels deserve to be highlighted for their importance to the development of independent music communities. K Records, located in Olympia, Washington, is one such case; they earned the respect of many by upholding a unique creative philosophy, releasing classic independent music, and serving as a site for archival work and collaborative projects.
Olympia has long been a key location for the growth of various musical subcultures (post-hardcore, indie rock, feminist punk, etc.), including well-known bands like Unwound, Sleater-Kinney and Bikini Kill. K Records’ founder Calvin Johnson had set out to work in creating essential foundations for the city’s indie scene. Since 1982, Johnson’s K Records had been operating as an independent record label in Olympia, providing underground artists with a platform for the publication of their work. Later co-owned and managed by Candice Pedersen, K became associated with cassette culture, a practice of amateur production and distribution of music. Cassettes were seen by Johnson as an ideal way for underground artists to cheaply produce their work in larger quantities, enabling wider reaches in promotion without draining funds. This DIY attitude in regards to music creation served as an influential artistic philosophy for many bands both signed by—and unrelated to—K itself, achieving what the label describes in their Instagram bio as, “Exploding the teenage underground into passionate revolt against the corporate ogre.” This practice has permanently left a mark on independent music culture even as the label began diversifying their production practices.
Alongside contributions to music recording and production culture, K Records has released essential music for fans of indie rock and similar genres, helping to advance the careers of now-famous artists while giving a platform to up-and-comers. For instance, The Microphones released four of their early albums on K, most notably their magnum opus “The Glow Pt. 2.” K’s recording philosophy is notably present throughout this record, showcasing a commitment to the lo-fi style that immortalized the album’s position among indie fans. Outside of this genre’s world, the album’s fourth track “Headless Horseman” was sampled by Lil Peep on “Beamerboy,” highlighting the disparate range of K’s impact. Additionally, Johnson’s group Beat Happening has long served as an essential inspiration for groups creating music in lo-fi and amateur styles. Beat Happening was a leader in the early American lo-fi recording movement, creating music with simple song forms, basic means of recording and typically innocent lyrics reminiscent of ’60s pop music, influencing styles now known as indie pop or twee pop (typically viewed as a subversion of the punk ethos of the time, challenging the genre’s masculine image by embracing cheery melodies, romantic lyrics and boy-girl harmonic singing). The group has inspired many notable acts, with their album “Jamboree” listed as one of Kurt Cobain’s fifty favorite albums. Cobain further demonstrated his appreciation for K by having the label’s logo tattooed on his arm. Similarly, rapper Kid Cudi uploaded an image on Instagram of his tattoo featuring Kurt Cobain in a Daniel Johnston shirt, with K’s shield visible in the photo as a separate tattoo.
Within the world of twee pop, beloved scene bands like Tiger Trap and The Softies have released albums on K. Likewise, British bands such as Heavenly and Talulah Gosh have also had their works distributed in America through K. Other important K releases include the first and final album by post-hardcore band Lync, “These Are Not Fall Colors,” and an early album by Beck, “One Foot in The Grave.” Lync’s highly praised sound has drawn comparisons to fellow Olympians Unwound and gathered them a cult following, with members of the band later serving as touring musicians for legendary group Built to Spill. In a different vein, Beck would later find mainstream success on his next release, “Odelay,” continuing the momentum of his career driven by earlier songs like “Loser”.
K Records also deserves recognition for supporting archival work and collaborative efforts between various artists. For instance, Modest Mouse intended to release their first album “Sad Sappy Sucker” with K in the mid-’90s, but the project was shelved until 2001 in favor of the release of “This is a Long Drive for Someone With Nothing to Think About.” The album offers a glimpse into the early beginnings of the band’s now-legendary career, functioning as an important piece of musical history for dedicated fans. Another similar K release is Built to Spill’s compilation “The Normal Years,” showcasing some of the band’s earliest recorded material, including multiple songs recorded by Johnson. By publishing all of these works, K has played an important role in documenting the early history of two of indie rock’s most famous groups, archiving material which may have been otherwise lost to history. Built to Spill’s frontman Doug Martsch would later collaborate with Johnson as The Halo Benders, releasing multiple projects through K.
Along with Pedersen, Johnson also helped organize and facilitate the International Pop Underground Convention, a 1991 music festival that centered on resistance to corporate pressure as an exaltation of DIY values. The IPU Convention has since earned a strong legacy for both its performances and musical philosophy, documented in a compilation of live recordings released by K in 1992. Artists featured include Bratmobile, Fugazi, Courtney Love, Melvins, Unwound and The Pastels, a strong lineup for an event which, as noted by Johnson, few expected to succeed.
Unfortunately for fans, K’s entire history cannot be wholly celebrated. Moldy Peaches singer Kimya Dawson noted in 2016 that the label owes her unpaid royalties for solo albums released through K, publicly airing grievances with Johnson and his label on Facebook. She has described K as a “broken, sinking ship.” Similarly, former business partner Pedersen alleged that Johnson cheated her out of a 50/50 split in earnings agreed upon in a 1999 deal. Contesting these claims, K artist Arrington de Dionyso has claimed that many bands owe the label itself money. A described decline in the culture of record buying is listed as reasoning behind K’s scramble for funds, a struggling attempt to pay pack artists who later grew famous. Johnson himself has admitted to partial incompetence and mismanagment while also contesting certain aspects of the financial claims against him.
Regardless of current struggles, K’s supportive impact on independent artists deserves to be recognized as a net good for many music communities and their artistic philosophies. K’s ideals should be seen in a positive light for their influence on countless musicians, backed by an impressive catalog of releases that have rightfully earned their place as an integral part of the indie canon.
Playlist focusing on some of the label’s essential recordings: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5eDtgi3Igq1IdoL4NcUYKv?si=3cdb4c34a2b94b6e&pt=64d71ab7be06d86447e5fefafc9f203e