Born Yesterday Records

Born Yesterday Records is an independent record label based in Chicago, Illinois, founded by Kevin Fairbairn and Greg Obis. The label describes itself as interested in "smart, unique, musically exciting bands" and is "keen towards political awareness and consciousness." It operates as a small, artist-focused imprint that releases vinyl LPs, digital downloads, and occasional merchandise, with catalog numbers prefixed "BYE" (e.g., BYE-023, BYE-025). The label's catalog spans noise rock, post-punk, and experimental music. Notable releases include Stuck's "Freak Frequency" (BYE-023, released May 26, 2023) and NECKBOLT's "Dream Dump" (BYE-025, released September 22, 2023). Both were issued on colored vinyl and digital formats, with pressing runs in the hundreds, reflecting the label's DIY, independent scale. The label also promotes releases such as Landowner's "Escape the Compound" and Stuck's "Freak Frequency," and has welcomed artists like glow in the dark flowers to its roster. Born Yesterday Records maintains a direct-to-consumer online store and accepts demo submissions, though it notes it cannot guarantee a response to every submission. Its visual identity includes artwork and design contributions from associated artists and designers, and its website was built by Pamela Buschbacher. The label is rooted in the Chicago independent music community, with recording and mastering often handled by figures such as Greg Obis at Palisade Studios and Chicago Mastering Service, and Will Killingsworth at Dead Air. As a private, independent entity, Born Yesterday Records does not disclose financial details or a founding year in its public materials. It remains active, releasing new music and maintaining an online presence.

Born Yesterday Records is an American independent record label based in Chicago, Illinois. It was founded by Kevin Fairbairn and Greg Obis, who are identified on the label's About page as its founders. The label's public identity is deliberately informal and self-aware: its About page opens with the phrase "plz take us srsly" and states that Born Yesterday Records is "a Chicago-based label founded by Kevin Fairbairn and Greg Obis. Please take us seriously." It describes its interests as "smart, unique, musically exciting bands" and notes a leaning "towards political awareness and consciousness." The page also lists "Leos" as a playful aside and credits a photo by Jake Stolz, a logo by Clare Byrne, and website design by Pamela Buschbacher. The label operates in the Chicago independent music scene and issues records under the "BYE" catalog prefix. Its releases include Stuck's "Freak Frequency" (BYE-023), released May 26, 2023, and NECKBOLT's "Dream Dump" (BYE-025), released September 22, 2023. "Freak Frequency" was recorded by Greg Obis at Palisade Studios, mixed by Graham Walsh, and mastered by Greg Obis at Chicago Mastering Service; it was pressed at Smashed Plastic in Chicago in a run of 550 black LPs and 200 peach LPs. "Dream Dump" was written and performed by Benjamin Krause, Bill Indelicato, Brent Hodge, James Roo, and Kilyn Massey, engineered and mixed by a team including Benjamin Krause, Bill Indelicato, Brent Hodge, Connor Schmigle, Jasper den Hartigh, James Roo, John Hutchinson, and Kilyn Massey, mastered by Will Killingsworth at Dead Air, with artwork by James Roo and layout by Tim Green. These credits show the label's close ties to a network of Chicago and Midwest musicians, engineers, and designers. The label's online store lists releases such as NECKBOLT's "Dream Dump," Landowner's "Escape the Compound," and Stuck's "Freak Frequency," with prices typically ranging from $10 to $22 depending on format. It also announces news items, including welcoming the band glow in the dark flowers to the label and the release of "Dummy EP2." Born Yesterday Records accepts demo submissions but states that while it tries to listen and respond to every submission, it does not guarantee a response. The label does not publicly disclose a founding year, financial information, or a parent company, and it operates as a private, independent entity. It remains active as of its most recent public communications.

• Stuck's 'Freak Frequency' (BYE-023) released

• NECKBOLT's 'Dream Dump' (BYE-025) released

• Label welcomes glow in the dark flowers to its roster

• 'Dummy EP2' released

Independent, artist-focused Chicago label for smart, unique, politically conscious rock and experimental music.

• Stuck – Freak Frequency (BYE-023)

• NECKBOLT – Dream Dump (BYE-025)

• Landowner – Escape the Compound

• Dummy – EP2

1. 1Born Yesterdaybornyesterdayrecords.com
2. 2About - Born Yesterdaybornyesterdayrecords.com
3. 3Dream Dump - Born Yesterdaybornyesterdayrecords.com
4. 4Freak Frequency - Born Yesterdaybornyesterdayrecords.com
5. 5Born Yesterday Records - Wikidatawikidata.org