Mash Down Babylon Records

Mash Down Babylon Records (also known as MDB Records or Mash Down Babylon Recordings) is a boutique vinyl record label founded in early 2002 by musician Matt Embree. Based in Long Beach, California, the label has always operated out of a small garage, reflecting its DIY, anti-corporate ethos. Embree started the label to release the Seekret Socyetee record "The ILL Word," which he had been writing and recording in his mother's garage with friends Noel and Leron (VITAL and Maylay). Frustrated by the corporatization of the music industry, he aimed to create a label free of contracts and bureaucracy, focused instead on creativity and expression. MDB has released numerous records over the years, all on handshake deals, and describes itself as "a label owned and operated by the musicians and artists who create the music." The label's catalog includes releases by Matt Embree, Pebaluna, Rubedo, Pale Horse, Apotheke, Biceratops, and Seekret Socyetee, among others. It specializes in limited-edition vinyl pressings, often with unique formats such as picture discs and colored vinyl, and also offers merchandise like T-shirts. All support goes directly back to the artists. The label remains active and continues to release new music, with recent releases including Rubedo's "Citrinitas" and a 2019 picture disc EP by Matt Embree.

Mash Down Babylon Records was founded in early 2002 by Matt Embree, a musician best known as a member of the band RX Bandits. The label was created with the specific purpose of releasing the Seekret Socyetee record "The ILL Word," which Embree had been writing and recording in his mother's garage in Long Beach, California, with friends Noel and Leron (known as VITAL and Maylay). Embree has stated that all involved were "sick of the general over corporatization of the music industry," which led him to start his own label—one that would exist "without contracts and bureaucracy" and instead focus on "creativity and expression." From its inception, the label has been run out of a small garage in Long Beach, and it remains a DIY operation. Over the years, MDB has released many records, all on handshake deals. Embree has acknowledged that the label never made much money, but he believes it succeeded in documenting "many wonderful moments of sonic experimentation, genuine emotion and friendship." The label describes itself as "owned and operated by the musicians and artists who create the music," with all support going directly back to the artists. The catalog includes releases by Matt Embree, Pebaluna, Rubedo, Pale Horse, Apotheke, Biceratops, and Seekret Socyetee. MDB specializes in limited-edition vinyl pressings, often with unique formats such as 180-gram virgin vinyl, picture discs, and colored vinyl. For example, Pebaluna's "Carny Life" was pressed on 180g 2-color marbled vinyl in two variants of 150 copies each for its 8th anniversary, and Matt Embree's "2019" was released as a 12" 45RPM picture disc on 180-gram virgin vinyl. The label also sells merchandise such as T-shirts. As of the early 2020s, MDB Records remains active, with recent releases including Rubedo's "Citrinitas." The label's website features a poetic statement about the future being unknown and the beauty of endless questions, reflecting its artistic philosophy.

• 2019

  Matt Embree "2019" 12" picture disc EP released.

• 2002

  Mash Down Babylon Records founded by Matt Embree in Long Beach, California, to release Seekret Socyetee's "The ILL Word".

• Pebaluna "Carny Life" special edition re-master 12" LP released for its 8th anniversary.

• Rubedo "Citrinitas" released.

Boutique, artist-run vinyl label emphasizing creativity, friendship, and anti-corporate DIY ethics; limited-edition physical releases.

• Seekret Socyetee "The ILL Word"

• Matt Embree "2019" 12" picture disc EP

• Pebaluna "Carny Life" 12" LP

• Rubedo "Citrinitas"

• Matt Embree "Sundial" T-shirt

1. 1MDB Recordsmdbcollective.com
2. 2Abstract — MDB Recordsmdbcollective.com
3. 3Mash Down Babylon Recordswikidata.org