There are two types of people in the world.
Actually thats not true. There are many types of people in the world, but for our purposes here allow me to delineate two: dreamers and doers. People tend to fall into one category or the other, and once in a rare while they encompass both. Erik Aucoin is one of these.
In 2001 at a ripe, young age of 19, Erik started indie rock label, Lujo Records. A small town void of rock shows and flanked by swamps and gators isnt the most conducive environment for starting a record label, or even dreaming of starting one. But his love for music and determination to do overcame this and brought his dream to life.
Inspired by labels founded on the DIY ethic -labels like Dischord, Touch & Go, and Jade Tree- Erik first put his dream into action by contacting his favorite musical luminaries. He enquired to work with Jeff Bettger (Suffering & The Hideous Thieves), Shelby Cinca (Frodus), and Nathan Burke (Frodus), his enthusiasm proving enough to bring the artists quickly into the fold.
In 2002, Lujo overcame near downfall due to a brief dealing with a well-intentioned non-profit organization that capsized. Wading through the wreckage, energies were refocused, and the label was able to regain the stability necessary to move forward as an independent company, now with complete creative control.
With this newfound creative control, Lujo began to unleash a conglomerate of strong records, all of which served to spread the label name and grow the company in new directions. This series included critically acclaimed records from bands such as: The Fall of Troy, Suffering & The Hideous Thieves, Baby Teeth, The Out-Circuit, In Praise of Folly, and more.
In 2004, Erik relocated his base of operations to Washington, DC. Not long after that, he solicited the help of former Lujo press girl, Jocelyn Aucoin, to be his partner. (She later became his wife.) At the time, Jocelyn was working as a marketing coordinator at Caroline Distribution in Los Angeles. Persuading her to come back to Lujo did not take much persuasion, however. She had always felt a connection with the label and knew she belonged on the label side of the industry, as opposed to distribution.
So with Erik and Jocelyn in co-command, Nigel Dennis as art director, Stephen Guidry in charge of finding new talent, Aaron Feibus ruling over accounting and the digital world, Ana Aucoin operating mailorder, Joseph Jakuta mastering the www, and Riot Act and Guerilla on press, the Lujo ship was strong and the time was right to bring in some more players. Musical players, that is.
In 2005 the label signed Roy, Summer Darling, and The Dark Romantics. Coho and The Drugstore Cowboys soon followed suit, rounding out the roster for 2006. These bands, along with new records from A Lull (ex-members of The Evaluation), The Gena Rowlands Band and Look Mexico, position the label for great things in 2007.
And through all the changes, one thing remains constant: Lujo's commitment to maintaining a high aesthetic standard. Afterall, Lujo (a Spanish word pronounced lou-hoe), means high-quality or luxurious. This ethic has been there from the labels' conception, and serves as the common thread throughout the company, from sound to design to composition to fans.
Thank you for reading. Thank you for listening. You are a part of the Lujo legacy and we love you!
Quality, Quantity, and Luxury
Look Mexico "You Come Into My House, While I Sleep?" from This Is Animal Music
Pomegranates "Whom/Who" from Everything Is Alive out now!
The Dark Romantics "Another Song For Another Night" from Midnight Kissing!
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The Gena Rowlands Band "Love, For Want of a Lesser Word"
Baby Teeth " Heather via JC"
Look Mexico "Guys I Need A Helicopter"
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