Choose a record label and give an oral report to the class on it.

What makes up the label’s

identity (type of music, accompanying artwork, liner notes)? How deep is its catalog and
how has it changed over time? Upload links (label homepage, discography, recordings,
artwork) to Moodle (here) to show the class.

Lovely Music

I choose a label I hadn’t heard about before.

Founded in 1978, Lovely Music is one of the longest-lived and most distinctive independent labels
active in the recording and promotion of new American music. According to label founder Mimi
Johnson the label is “dedicated to releasing the best in avant-garde and experimental music, from
electronics and computer music to new opera and extended vocal techniques.” The first cd was Robert
Ashley’s Private Parts. almost all of Ashley’s most important works have been released by the label,
even the name was suggested by him. The first cd’s were recorded at Mills College recording studio
because it was available because Ashley was director of Center for Contemporary Music
(CCM)
The record label was founded by Johnson as an adjunct to the activities of Performing Artservices,
Inc., a non-profit organization dedicated to the management and administration of American avant-
garde artists working in the fields of music, dance and theater. When these artists were not able to
get their music out to the record-buying public, Lovely was put forth as a solution.

The first cd was Robert Ashley’s Private Parts. almost all of Ashley’s most important works have been
released by the label, even the name was suggested by him.

The artwork is eclectic.

Composers and performers:

Joan la Barbara

Alvin Lucier

John Cage

Pauline Oliveiros

Meredith monk

Thomas Buckner

Elaine Radigue (not American but worked New York University School of the Arts in 1970-71)

Ron Kuivila