Type Records, while still a young and prospering label (the fall of 2003 marked their initial release, RJ Valeo's September) has made quite a name for itself in the quality and diversity of records they have released thus far.

Based out of the United Kingdom, their releases are distributed in America (and worldwide via Baked Goods) and have seen positive press and a steady growing scene of like-minded listeners. We were amazed when Goldmund's 'minimal piano opus' Corduroy Road showed up at sctas following Khonnor's 'indietronica masterpiece' Handwriting - but then we knew Type was about quality releases and not just one specific genre.

Recently, Type became partners with Bleep to make their entire catalog available in the spaceage MP3 format, all in an above 200kbps quality (it does matter). You will, however, be missing out on the supreme artwork that comes with each Type release.. . your call totally.

Headed by John Xela and Stefan Lewandowski, John dropped clues about the label, the budding future and its success to us via email.

+ sctas : Connor's album [Handwriting - Khonnor] was just the third release for Type, and that album dramatically defined the [Type] label here in the States.
Fittingly, he's from America (Vermont) - how did that relationship begin?

John Xela : Well, I heard some tracks online a long time ago (he was only 15 years old) and I thought they sounded really good. He had a talent for creating music that sounded a little left of centre so I felt it would be good to have him on board. We chatted online a little bit and he sent me some more tracks which were even better and we started to put Handwriting together.


+ What are the basics behind Andres Lokko's documentary on Khonnor?  Will Type
ever consider making this available to the buying public on DVD?
 

Andres is a music reviewer in Sweden, he heard the album and loved it so he contacted us to see if we wanted to get involved with a tv show he was working on. Before we knew it, we were all in St. Johnsbury, Vermont and filming a documentary for a week. It was a lot of fun! It would be great to make it available to the public, but the licensing from MTV is pretty expensive! I think there are plans for MTV to release the entire series at some point.

+ How do you describe the label to newcomers?  I feel, with releases like Corduroy Road (Goldmund) & Six Preludes (Ryan Teague), it's the 21st century answer to classical.. . then comes along something as digitally stunning as Sanso-Xtro.. .
 

Describing the label is really difficult, as you say, there are a lot of different styles that we try to explore. The sort of music I'm into is not easy to explain either and I guess that's why Type is so varied. I don't want to pigeonhole the label into a certain genre, be it electronic, indiepop, classical or whatever - i want to have the freedom to release high quality alternative music.
Music that interests me really, although I do want people to be able to trust what we release. I think it's nice if someone can appreciate the Khonnor album, the Ryan Teague album and the Sanso-Xtro album, as while they are all very different there's some kind of relationship.


+ I see Xela as an artist on the Type label, yet your LP releases are linked to Neo Ouija and City Centre Offices - any future goods planned for your own label? 

Yes - I haven't released on my own label but I probably would if I didn't have such close ties to City Centre Offices. It's a lot of fun working with those guys and they have helped me out a lot with all the ins and outs of running the label.
Still, there might be some interesting projects from me popping up now and again on Type!

+ Are you fond of any current music here in the States?  I saw Sufjan (Stevens) was on the 2004 top 10 list.. .

Yes of course I'm into US music... I could give you a list but it would take all day. One of my favourite bands is Sonic Youth, and the whole US rock scene was very, very influential to me when I was younger, it really set me on a path. Now with really innovative labels like Drag City, Southern Lord, Temporary Residence and Kill Rock Stars among many others, it's impossible to ignore the scene. A lot of my music purchasing is done online from American label sites!
And yeah I'm a huge Sufjan Stevens fan - Illinois is one of my favourite albums this year!


+ Is there any artist, past or present, you'd like to release (or re-release) something on Type?

That's a really tough question because there's so much music I'd love to release it's really hard to pick one thing. I think it would be too obvious to drop my favourite past bands and artists so I'll try something current. It would certainly be a pleasure to release something by Battles... I've seen them live twice this year and both times were like a religious experience. I'm sure they've been snapped up by now though - and we'll hear a lot more of them in the months/years to come.


+ Have you or Stefan (Lewandowski) quit the "day job(s)" yet?

My day job is music, my own and the label - but of course I do various other things, I teach music part time and I am also finishing an MA degree in Art. Stefan runs another successful business with 3form, so I don't think he'll be quitting anytime soon!
But you'll be pleased to know most of my time is spent on the label.

+ What's next for Type.. .

Next up is a really exciting album called Shopping For Images from the Swedish band Midaircondo. I've been working with them for a couple of years now, and they're an incredible act. They have already been playing live shows (totally improvised) around the world to great acclaim, so it feels great to finally release their debut album.
Then after that we've got the long-awaited follow up to the Deaf Center Neon City EP, which came out last year. The album is called Pale Ravine and it is an absolute masterclass in theatrical electronic/classical music. I guess we've had a lot of albums on this tip this year, but next year we're kicking off with a full on epic post rock album - so don't get too comfortable!

+
Type Records
http://www.typerecords.com
+441252891991
104c West St, Malthouse Yard, Farnham, Surrey, GU9 7EN, UK

Debunking, debunking, debunking...