Born in a punk house in Eugene, Oregon back in 1994, Woodson Lateral Records began as a name to stick on a self-released split LP between pop-punker bands Bicker and Artless Motives. Over the years, the label did a few things here and there, but really became a full-time project beginning in early 2002 with the release of the Mass Transit compilation, a CD with tracks from 15 unknown, but talented bands from Seattle and the broader Northwest, covering a wide range of musical styles including indie pop, math rock, IDM & experimental electronica, post-stuff, alt-country, space rock and punk.
Since the release of Mass Transit, 9 of the 15 bands represented went on to release proper full-length albums, and the large majority of the musicians represented continue to perform and release interesting and adventurous music, in these and new projects.
Woodson Lateral is committed to releasing music that moves us, done by hard working, kind musicians, regardless of genre confines or profitablity. Not that profit is a bad thing, mind you, but we want to release music that we can be proud of first and formost. We are especially drawn to artists that draw influence from many styles of music, and don't limit themselves to emulation of existing bands and genres. We also operate on prinicpals of fairness and partnership with our artists, allowing bands to keep the rights to their own music. We don't "sign" bands, but try to help our friends to put out the records they are ideally trying to create, lending our time and resources where we can to help realize common goals. Yep.
The label has recently been releasing a fair amount of Electronic music, focusing on the output from three individuals- Choncey Langford, Victor Couto, and label head Ben Torrence. Configurations of these musicians (including solo efforts) have yeilded albums from Lamplighter (all 3), Bookmobile (Ben and Victor), Splinters (Ben Solo) and Choncey Langford (solo).
Not to worry techno-phobes, our indie rock blood runs deep, and recent albums from Treasure State and Field Notes prove it. Each band has future Woodson Lateral releases in the works, along with the ever-ovedue debut from WLR label founders, Lunch Buddy Program.
