Automation Records

Automation Records emerged in Seattle as an independent label whose first release was issued in 2003. Its initial period, from 2003 through 2005, was comparatively obscure. The label released only a handful of compact discs, mainly by local artists, and its public profile was built through occasional coverage in Seattle newspapers and other local outlets. The label’s visibility increased substantially in 2006. Its release of Cex’s Actual Fucking attracted widespread print attention and became the label’s most prominent early success. The album appeared on the CMJ RPM chart for six weeks and reached number 11. Automation Records also released Abiku’s Location and Uglyhead’s From Time To Time, both of which received reviews from national publications. Together, these releases gave the Seattle label a stronger presence in the wider independent-music press. Automation Records concentrated on follow-up projects in 2007. Cex’s Exotical Privates presented four remixes of tracks associated with Actual Fucking. Uglyhead released the tour-oriented EPs Inward and Outward. The label also issued a 7-inch by Abiku and added Red Squirrels with the 7-inch Acicorn Twirl. The two 7-inch releases were reviewed by The Wire. Exotical Privates received heavy rotation on KEXP, and Larry Metro, one of the station’s DJs, named it among his ten best releases of 2007. The documented Automation Records roster included Abiku, Cex, Curse, DJ Strapon, Forest Kingdom, Gonken, Hopen, Kid Camaro, Mochipet, Mr. Messiah, nonnon, Producer Snafu, Red Squirrels, Graz, and Uglyhead. This catalog reflects a small-label model centered on varied independent artists, physical releases, and specialist critical exposure rather than mass-market scale. Its formats included albums, remix EPs, tour EPs, and 7-inch records. By 2013, the label was reported to have more than fifty releases. The available reference material does not document a founder, parent company, ownership arrangement, executive team, later corporate transactions, or a definitive closure or continuation date. The label’s current status therefore remains unconfirmed.

• 2013

  Catalog exceeds fifty releases

  [1]Automation Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  The label was reported to have more than fifty releases by this point.

• 2007

  Follow-up EPs and 7-inch releases

  [1]Automation Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  Automation Records expanded its catalog with remix, tour, and 7-inch companion releases by Cex, Uglyhead, Abiku, and Red Squirrels.

• 2006

  Cex's Actual Fucking gains national attention

  [1]Automation Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  Actual Fucking received broad print coverage and reached number 11 on the CMJ RPM chart after a six-week chart run.

• 2003

  First recorded release

  [1]Automation Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  Automation Records issued its first release, beginning its documented activity as a Seattle independent label.

• 2003

  Early local-label period begins

  [1]Automation Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  The label entered a relatively obscure phase focused on a small number of releases by local artists.

Independent, artist-focused record label with Seattle roots and an orientation toward experimental and electronic-leaning music.

• Studio album · 2006

  Actual Fucking

  Cex's Actual Fucking was Automation Records' major breakthrough release. Issued in 2006, the album moved the label beyond its mainly local profile by receiving widespread print coverage. It also charted on the CMJ RPM chart for six weeks, peaking at number 11. The album subsequently supported a companion remix release, helping establish a broader release cycle around one of the label's most visible artists.

• Studio album · 2006

  Location

  Location is an album by Abiku released through Automation Records in 2006. It formed part of the label's important mid-decade catalog expansion, alongside Cex's Actual Fucking and Uglyhead's From Time To Time. The release received coverage from publications outside the label's home market, contributing to Automation Records' growing recognition among national independent-music audiences.

• Studio album · 2006

  From Time To Time

  Uglyhead's From Time To Time was issued by Automation Records in 2006. It was one of the releases that helped broaden the label's profile beyond Seattle, receiving additional reviews in national publications. The album was followed in 2007 by two tour-related EPs, Inward and Outward, illustrating the label's practice of extending an artist's catalog through related physical releases.

• Remix EP · 2007

  Exotical Privates

  Exotical Privates is a 2007 remix EP by Cex containing four remixes connected to the Actual Fucking album. The release received heavy rotation on Seattle's KEXP and was named by DJ Larry Metro among his top ten releases of 2007. It demonstrates Automation Records' use of companion formats to revisit and extend an earlier album rather than limiting the catalog to standalone full-length records.

• Tour EP · 2007

  Inward

  Inward was one of two tour-related EPs released by Uglyhead through Automation Records in 2007. It accompanied the label's broader follow-up activity after Uglyhead's 2006 album From Time To Time and formed part of a pair with Outward. The available reference material identifies the release and its tour context but does not provide detailed track, format, or sales information.

• Tour EP · 2007

  Outward

  Outward was a 2007 tour-related EP by Uglyhead released on Automation Records. It was issued alongside Inward as a companion to the artist's 2006 album From Time To Time. The EP reflects the label's support for touring artists and its willingness to build releases around live activity, although the available source material does not specify the track listing, sales, or distribution details.

• 7-inch record · 2007

  Acicorn Twirl

  Acicorn Twirl is a 7-inch release by Red Squirrels issued by Automation Records in 2007. It represented an expansion of the label's roster beyond the artists associated with its 2006 album program. The release was reviewed by The Wire, giving it visibility in a specialist publication and reinforcing the label's profile within independent and experimental music circles.

• 2007

  Expand successful albums through companion releasesStrategy

  Background

  Following the attention generated by its 2006 catalog, Automation Records had several artists issue related EPs and smaller-format records in 2007.

  Action taken

  The label released Cex's four-track remix EP Exotical Privates, Uglyhead's Inward and Outward tour EPs, an Abiku 7-inch, and Red Squirrels' Acicorn Twirl 7-inch.

  Aftermath

  The releases generated further specialist coverage, including reviews in The Wire for the two 7-inch records, while Exotical Privates received heavy KEXP rotation.

  Source

1. 1Automation Recordsen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Automation Records official websiteautomationrecords.com