What’s the full name of your label? Which city is the home of your label? Do you run any sub-labels?
The full name of the record label is Sockets Records. It is located in Washington, DC. At this time, there are no sub-labels.
Why did you choose that name? Which meaning do names of labels have for their work?
To me, a socket wrench is a symbol of building. It’s a tool to create. And I wanted to have some sort of symbol that captured the idea of building something, like a music community in Washington, DC. I think it is really important to have thought through the name of a label. It’s something you might have to live with for a while.
When did you start the label? What where initial motivations, what the initial idea?
The label began at the end of 2004. It sprung out of a weekly radio show in Washington, DC that hosted live sessions with new DC bands. These bands were interesting and needed to be documented, so Sockets started as a CDR label issuing 25-50 editions of these recorded sessions.
How many people do work for the label?
Sean Peoples founded the label and runs the day-to-day operations. At any given time, there are a few interns who help with label.
What criteria decide about whether you release a record or not?
Sockets works mainly with Washington, DC bands, but also releases a youth hip-hop series from Brooklyn as well as bands like ZS, EXTRA LIFE and LITTLE WOMEN who are all also from Brooklyn. The criteria behind releasing music on Sockets are usually based on existing relationships with artists and musicians who have been in the label sphere. But bands that are really experimenting with the pop framework always intrigue me. In many ways, if I really like the music that is sent to me, I will see if there’s a way to release it.
Vinyl, CD or MP3? And why?
At this point, Sockets has released music on vinyl, CD, tape and MP3. Some releases make better sense on one format over another. But the label is transitioning to, in the next few years, only vinyl and digital releases.
Which record from your back-catalog represents the label best, aesthetically, ethically and musically?
In 2009 THE CORNEL WEST THEORY released “Second Rome”. Featuring Dr. Cornel West, the band released an album that deftly combined hip-hop, experimental soundscapes, a punk ethic, and their own strident politics. The band has been in existence for nearly 5 years and the musicians have all known each other and played in one another’s projects over the years. Each of the members was born in Washington, DC and the music both celebrates what Washington, DC is and can be, but it also warns against what the city may become if we let the politics of fear to grab hold.
Buildings – Be Here (“Endless”: SCKTS007)
Imperial China – Go Where Airplanes Go (“Phosphenes”: SCKTS011)
The Cornel West Theory – Duritos Revenge (“Second Rome”: SCKTS008)
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