The 10 Best Cassette Labels of 2015
the-top-10-best-cassette-labels-of-2015
December 16, 2015
ready
12
# The 10 Best Cassette Labels of 2015
2015 was the year when cassette tapes finally entered the mainstream.
Well, almost. Actually, not really. But the format did gain more
traction thanks to growing interest in the annual Cassette Store Day and
a constant influx of new tape labels. We kept track of our favorite
cassette outposts in [Germany][1]{: target="_blank" rel="noopener"}, the
[UK][2]{: target="_blank" rel="noopener"}, [US][3]{: target="_blank"
rel="noopener"} and [Eastern Europe][4]{: target="_blank"
rel="noopener"}, and now that it's nearly New Years, it's time to pick
some all-around standouts.
## 1080p
The former [blog][5]{: target="_blank" rel="noopener"}-turned-tape label
[1080p][6]{: target="_blank" rel="noopener"} is as HD as it gets. Its
strong showing this year, which included releases from the likes of Via
App and [Umfang][7]{: target="_blank" rel="noopener"}, justifies its
spot at the top of this list. Past productions from Dan Bodan, Seth
(James K. & Gobby) and [OOBE][8]{: target="_blank"
rel="noopener"} define the future present and capture post-internet hype
down to the second.
[SoundCloud Track (230702956)][9]{: target="_blank" rel="noopener
noreferrer"}
## mmodemm
The first recognizable thing about [this label][10]{: target="_blank"
rel="noopener"} is their formalistic approach: each release comes as a
clear box containing five cassingles (yes, that is actually a word). The
[latest batch][11]{: target="_blank" rel="noopener"} includes Privacy,
Chinaski, Umberto, DJ S and [recent EB interviewee][12]{:
target="_blank" rel="noopener"} [Nick Klein][13]{: target="_blank"
rel="noopener"}, while [past standouts from 2015][14]{: target="_blank"
rel="noopener"} involved [Budapest][15]{: target="_blank"
rel="noopener"}'s [Farbwechsel][16]{: target="_blank" rel="noopener"}
duo [SILF][17]{: target="_blank" rel="noopener"} and Container. I can't
wait to see what's next for this Frankfurt crew.
[SoundCloud Track][18]{: target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"}
## Orange Milk Records
[Orange Milk][19]{: target="_blank" rel="noopener"} has been on the
forefront of experimental music for some time now, and it managed to up
its standards again in 2015 with releases from Giant Claw and Gora Sou.
[SoundCloud Track (228060553)][20]{: target="_blank" rel="noopener
noreferrer"}
## Grafiti Tapes
This subsidiary of Berlin-based Klasse Recordings aims to bridge the gap
between street art and cassettes. I already included this one in [my
list of German tape outposts][1]{: target="_blank" rel="noopener"}
earlier this year, but it reinforced its worth with the recently
released *GRAFITI TAPES #5*, which features London's Honest Jon's signee
Tapes and graffiti artist 10Foot serving a [chutney][21]{:
target="_blank" rel="noopener"} mix of epic proportions.
[https://soundcloud.com/lucalozano/grafiti-tapes-5-tapes-10foot][22]
## Opal Tapes
Do we all know about Opal Tapes or do I still have to write something
about how Stephen Bishop's seminal [tape label][23]{: target="_blank"
rel="noopener"} has managed to develop a unique sound that captures the
bleak northern English countryside and merges it with gritty house
beats? Well, I just did. Excited to see what Bishop has in store for
2016.
[SoundCloud Track (233612073)][24]{: target="_blank" rel="noopener
noreferrer"}
## Seagrave
This young British label almost immediately found a very special place
in my heart. You can feel all the love and dedication that goes into
their beautifully designed packaging.
[SoundCloud Track][25]{: target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"}
## Awesome Tapes From Africa
Of course Brian Shimkovitz's [long-standing cassette operation][26]{:
target="_blank" rel="noopener"} deserves a spot on this list. While all
the other labels source from and cater to a very specific audience,
Shimkovitz goes out of the way to unearth fantastic stuff from Africa
that usually doesn't find its way into Western music media discourses.
[Ata Kak's][27]{: target="_blank" rel="noopener"} slow grooves were a
highlight of 2015. Read our 2012 interview with Shimkovitz [here][28]{:
target="_blank" rel="noopener"}.
[SoundCloud Track (184180402)][29]{: target="_blank" rel="noopener
noreferrer"}
## SicSic Tapes
In my humble opinion, [SicSic][30]{: target="_blank" rel="noopener"} is
still the best tape label in Germany. Just click on above link and dive
into its vast amount of glorious releases. 2015's standout releases came
from [Bastian Void][31]{: target="_blank" rel="noopener"} and [Nils
Quak][32]{: target="_blank" rel="noopener"}.
[SoundCloud Track][33]{: target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"}
## YYAA
Minimal design and an even more minimal release schedule turns every
tape on [this label][34]{: target="_blank" rel="noopener"} into an
instant hit. Sometimes you gotta wait a while for the good things; in
2015, that meant waiting for [Backtearer's Swear
cassette][35]{: target="_blank" rel="noopener"}.
[SoundCloud Track (232485029)][36]{: target="_blank" rel="noopener
noreferrer"}
## Posh Isolation
This [label][37]{: target="_blank" rel="noopener"} from Copenhagen is
one of the defining voices in the current global noise scene and
has churned out many releases over the past few years. If you're only
going to buy one tape release from 2015, I would highly recommend Varg's
*Under Beige Neon*. It's my album of the year.
[SoundCloud Track (226519267)][38]{: target="_blank" rel="noopener
noreferrer"}
[1]: http://www.electronicbeats.net/the-10-cassette-labels-keeping-tapes-alive-in-germany/
[2]: http://www.electronicbeats.net/10-leading-cassette-labels-in-the-uk/
[3]: http://www.electronicbeats.net/10-cassette-labels-that-define-americas-tape-scene/
[4]: http://www.electronicbeats.net/why-were-stoked-about-eastern-europes-cassette-scene/
[5]: http://www.electronicbeats.net/music-site-no-fear-of-pop-says-blogs-not-dead/
[6]: http://1080pcollection.net/collections/cassettes
[7]: http://www.electronicbeats.net/artist/umfang/
[8]: http://www.electronicbeats.net/stream-opal-tapes-alumni-oobe-try-digital-gloss-on-digitalsea/
[9]: https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/230702956
[10]: http://www.mmodemm.com/
[11]: https://mmodemm.bandcamp.com/album/mdm-d
[12]: http://www.electronicbeats.net/primitive-languages-are-coming-up-in-brooklyns-techno-scene/
[13]: http://www.electronicbeats.net/artist/nick-klein/
[14]: https://mmodemm.bandcamp.com/album/mdm-c
[15]: http://www.electronicbeats.net/a-guide-to-artists-making-budapests-music-scene-special/
[16]: http://www.electronicbeats.net/tag/farbwechsel/
[17]: http://www.electronicbeats.net/feed/watch-silf-seduce-synths-in-this-new-video/
[18]: https://api.soundcloud.com/playlists/169983758
[19]: http://www.orangemilkrecords.com/
[20]: https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/228060553
[21]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chutney_music
[22]: https://soundcloud.com/lucalozano/grafiti-tapes-5-tapes-10foot
[23]: https://opaltapes.bandcamp.com/
[24]: https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/233612073
[25]: https://api.soundcloud.com/playlists/117739141
[26]: http://www.awesometapes.com/
[27]: http://www.awesometapes.com/ata-kak-obaa-sima-march-3-2015/
[28]: http://www.electronicbeats.net/a-z-awesome-tapes-from-africa/
[29]: https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/184180402
[30]: http://www.sicsic.de/
[31]: http://sicsic.bandcamp.com/album/no-dreams-sicsic090
[32]: http://sicsic.bandcamp.com/album/titoli-di-coda-sicsic089
[33]: https://api.soundcloud.com/playlists/81911253
[34]: http://yyaarecordings.com/
[35]: https://boomkat.com/products/swear-5e879810-d398-4be7-b005-a96956b5ebff
[36]: https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/232485029
[37]: http://poshisolation.net
[38]: https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/226519267
---
id: 28320366-f89f-4621-b04b-265abbabe39d
blueprint: article
title: 'The 10 Best Cassette Labels of 2015'
date: 2015-12-16T09:30:19+01:00
wp_id: '105639'
slug: the-top-10-best-cassette-labels-of-2015
teaser_image: legacy/the-top-10-best-cassette-labels-of-2015/cassette_01.png
contents:
-
type: text
text: '<p>2015 was the year when cassette tapes finally entered the mainstream. Well, almost. Actually, not really. But the format did gain more traction thanks to growing interest in the annual Cassette Store Day and a constant influx of new tape labels. We kept track of our favorite cassette outposts in <a href="http://www.electronicbeats.net/the-10-cassette-labels-keeping-tapes-alive-in-germany/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Germany</a>, the <a href="http://www.electronicbeats.net/10-leading-cassette-labels-in-the-uk/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">UK</a>, <a href="http://www.electronicbeats.net/10-cassette-labels-that-define-americas-tape-scene/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">US</a> and <a href="http://www.electronicbeats.net/why-were-stoked-about-eastern-europes-cassette-scene/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Eastern Europe</a>, and now that it’s nearly New Years, it’s time to pick some all-around standouts.</p><h2>1080p</h2><p>The former <a href="http://www.electronicbeats.net/music-site-no-fear-of-pop-says-blogs-not-dead/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">blog</a>-turned-tape label <a href="http://1080pcollection.net/collections/cassettes" target="_blank" rel="noopener">1080p</a> is as HD as it gets. Its strong showing this year, which included releases from the likes of Via App and <a href="http://www.electronicbeats.net/artist/umfang/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Umfang</a>, justifies its spot at the top of this list. Past productions from Dan Bodan, Seth (James K. & Gobby) and <a href="http://www.electronicbeats.net/stream-opal-tapes-alumni-oobe-try-digital-gloss-on-digitalsea/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">OOBE</a> define the future present and capture post-internet hype down to the second.</p><p><a href="https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/230702956" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">SoundCloud Track (230702956)</a></p><h2>mmodemm</h2><p>The first recognizable thing about <a href="http://www.mmodemm.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">this label</a> is their formalistic approach: each release comes as a clear box containing five cassingles (yes, that is actually a word). The <a href="https://mmodemm.bandcamp.com/album/mdm-d" target="_blank" rel="noopener">latest batch</a> includes Privacy, Chinaski, Umberto, DJ S and <a href="http://www.electronicbeats.net/primitive-languages-are-coming-up-in-brooklyns-techno-scene/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">recent EB interviewee</a> <a href="http://www.electronicbeats.net/artist/nick-klein/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Nick Klein</a>, while <a href="https://mmodemm.bandcamp.com/album/mdm-c" target="_blank" rel="noopener">past standouts from 2015</a> involved <a href="http://www.electronicbeats.net/a-guide-to-artists-making-budapests-music-scene-special/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Budapest</a>‘s <a href="http://www.electronicbeats.net/tag/farbwechsel/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Farbwechsel</a> duo <a href="http://www.electronicbeats.net/feed/watch-silf-seduce-synths-in-this-new-video/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">SILF</a> and Container. I can’t wait to see what’s next for this Frankfurt crew.</p><p><a href="https://api.soundcloud.com/playlists/169983758" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">SoundCloud Track</a></p><h2>Orange Milk Records</h2><p><a href="http://www.orangemilkrecords.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Orange Milk</a> has been on the forefront of experimental music for some time now, and it managed to up its standards again in 2015 with releases from Giant Claw and Gora Sou.</p><p><a href="https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/228060553" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">SoundCloud Track (228060553)</a></p><h2>Grafiti Tapes</h2><p>This subsidiary of Berlin-based Klasse Recordings aims to bridge the gap between street art and cassettes. I already included this one in <a href="http://www.electronicbeats.net/the-10-cassette-labels-keeping-tapes-alive-in-germany/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">my list of German tape outposts</a> earlier this year, but it reinforced its worth with the recently released <em>GRAFITI TAPES #5</em>, which features London’s Honest Jon’s signee Tapes and graffiti artist 10Foot serving a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chutney_music" target="_blank" rel="noopener">chutney</a> mix of epic proportions.</p><p><a href="https://soundcloud.com/lucalozano/grafiti-tapes-5-tapes-10foot">https://soundcloud.com/lucalozano/grafiti-tapes-5-tapes-10foot</a></p><h2>Opal Tapes</h2><p>Do we all know about Opal Tapes or do I still have to write something about how Stephen Bishop’s seminal <a href="https://opaltapes.bandcamp.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">tape label</a> has managed to develop a unique sound that captures the bleak northern English countryside and merges it with gritty house beats? Well, I just did. Excited to see what Bishop has in store for 2016.</p><p><a href="https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/233612073" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">SoundCloud Track (233612073)</a></p><h2>Seagrave</h2><p>This young British label almost immediately found a very special place in my heart. You can feel all the love and dedication that goes into their beautifully designed packaging.</p><p><a href="https://api.soundcloud.com/playlists/117739141" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">SoundCloud Track</a></p><h2>Awesome Tapes From Africa</h2><p>Of course Brian Shimkovitz’s <a href="http://www.awesometapes.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">long-standing cassette operation</a> deserves a spot on this list. While all the other labels source from and cater to a very specific audience, Shimkovitz goes out of the way to unearth fantastic stuff from Africa that usually doesn’t find its way into Western music media discourses. <a href="http://www.awesometapes.com/ata-kak-obaa-sima-march-3-2015/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ata Kak’s</a> slow grooves were a highlight of 2015. Read our 2012 interview with Shimkovitz <a href="http://www.electronicbeats.net/a-z-awesome-tapes-from-africa/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>.</p><p><a href="https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/184180402" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">SoundCloud Track (184180402)</a></p><h2>SicSic Tapes</h2><p>In my humble opinion, <a href="http://www.sicsic.de/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">SicSic</a> is still the best tape label in Germany. Just click on above link and dive into its vast amount of glorious releases. 2015’s standout releases came from <a href="http://sicsic.bandcamp.com/album/no-dreams-sicsic090" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bastian Void</a> and <a href="http://sicsic.bandcamp.com/album/titoli-di-coda-sicsic089" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Nils Quak</a>.</p><p><a href="https://api.soundcloud.com/playlists/81911253" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">SoundCloud Track</a></p><h2>YYAA</h2><p>Minimal design and an even more minimal release schedule turns every tape on <a href="http://yyaarecordings.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">this label</a> into an instant hit. Sometimes you gotta wait a while for the good things; in 2015, that meant waiting for <a href="https://boomkat.com/products/swear-5e879810-d398-4be7-b005-a96956b5ebff" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Backtearer’s <em>Swear </em>cassette</a>.</p><p><a href="https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/232485029" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">SoundCloud Track (232485029)</a></p><h2>Posh Isolation</h2><p>This <a href="http://poshisolation.net" target="_blank" rel="noopener">label</a> from Copenhagen is one of the defining voices in the current global noise scene and has churned out many releases over the past few years. If you’re only going to buy one tape release from 2015, I would highly recommend Varg’s <em>Under Beige Neon</em>. It’s my album of the year.</p><p><a href="https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/226519267" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">SoundCloud Track (226519267)</a></p>'
---
Chunk #1 (Position: 0)
# The 10 Best Cassette Labels of 2015 2015 was the year when cassette tapes finally entered the mainstream. Well, almost. Actually, not really. But the format did gain more traction thanks to growing interest in the annual Cassette Store Day and a constant influx of new tape labels. We kept trac...
Chunk #2 (Position: 1)
But the format did gain more traction thanks to growing interest in the annual Cassette Store Day and a constant influx of new tape labels. We kept track of our favorite cassette outposts in [Germany][1]{: target="_blank" rel="noopener"}, the [UK][2]{: target="_blank" rel="noopener"}, [US][3]{: t...
Chunk #3 (Position: 2)
& Gobby) and [OOBE][8]{: target="_blank" rel="noopener"} define the future present and capture post-internet hype down to the second. [SoundCloud Track (230702956)][9]{: target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"} . ## mmodemm The first recognizable thing about [this label][10]{: target...
Chunk #4 (Position: 3)
The [latest batch][11]{: target="_blank" rel="noopener"} includes Privacy, Chinaski, Umberto, DJ S and [recent EB interviewee][12]{: target="_blank" rel="noopener"} [Nick Klein][13]{: target="_blank" rel="noopener"}, while [past standouts from 2015][14]{: target="_blank" rel="noopener"} involved ...
Chunk #5 (Position: 4)
## Orange Milk Records [Orange Milk][19]{: target="_blank" rel="noopener"} has been on the forefront of experimental music for some time now, and it managed to up its standards again in 2015 with releases from Giant Claw and Gora Sou. [SoundCloud Track (228060553)][20]{: target="_blank...
Chunk #6 (Position: 5)
I already included this one in [my list of German tape outposts][1]{: target="_blank" rel="noopener"} earlier this year, but it reinforced its worth with the recently released *GRAFITI TAPES #5*, which features London's Honest Jon's signee Tapes and graffiti artist 10Foot serving a...
Chunk #7 (Position: 6)
Excited to see what Bishop has in store for 2016. [SoundCloud Track (233612073)][24]{: target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"} . ## Seagrave This young British label almost immediately found a very special place in my heart. You can feel all the love and dedication that goes into their beaut...
Chunk #8 (Position: 7)
You can feel all the love and dedication that goes into their beautifully designed packaging. [SoundCloud Track][25]{: target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"} . ## Awesome Tapes From Africa Of course Brian Shimkovitz's [long-standing cassette operation][26]{: target="_blank" rel="n...
Chunk #9 (Position: 8)
Read our 2012 interview with Shimkovitz [here][28]{: target="_blank" rel="noopener"}. [SoundCloud Track (184180402)][29]{: target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"} . ## SicSic Tapes In my humble opinion, [SicSic][30]{: target="_blank" rel="noopener"} is still the best tape label in Germa...
Chunk #10 (Position: 9)
2015's standout releases came from [Bastian Void][31]{: target="_blank" rel="noopener"} and [Nils Quak][32]{: target="_blank" rel="noopener"}. [SoundCloud Track][33]{: target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"} . ## YYAA Minimal design and an even more minimal release schedule turns every tape ...
Showing 10 of 12 chunks