Somewherecold Records

Somewherecold Records is an American independent record label founded by Jason T. Lamoreaux in late 2004. It began in Lexington, Kentucky, under the name Somewhere Cold Records and later became part of the broader Somewherecold identity shared with the label's affiliated music webzine. The company is now based in Shelbyville, Kentucky, and maintains an internationally oriented roster covering ambient, shoegaze, dream pop, slowcore, post-rock, space rock, drone, and related experimental styles. The label grew out of Lamoreaux's work as a music journalist and university professor. He joined the Somewhere Cold webzine in 2003, after the publication had been founded by Canadian journalist Brent Diaz in 2002. The webzine concentrated on coverage of shoegaze, dream pop, post-rock, and slowcore through news, reviews, and interviews. After roughly two years of participating in that editorial environment, Lamoreaux moved into releasing music, using a label name derived from the publication. Somewhere Cold Records launched its catalog in 2005 with a limited 12-inch vinyl edition of Starflyer 59's The Last Laurel. Its early releases were co-financed and co-released with Republic of Texas Recordings, a Houston label operated by Lamoreaux's associate Travis Graham. The initial catalog also included Hammock's Stranded Under Endless Sky, Joy Electric's The Ministry Of Archers, and The Sound Gallery's Phos. These releases established a model built around small-run physical editions, colored vinyl, special packaging, and collaborations with artists' own labels. The label briefly expanded its retail ambitions in 2006 by opening the Somewhere Cold Mini-Shop, intended to sell the label's own music and potentially distribute releases from other artists and labels. In practice, the shop distributed only one outside release, Living with Hermits' Apropos EP. Later in 2006, after Lamoreaux relocated to Fort Worth, Texas, he placed the label on indefinite hiatus. The associated webzine continued for several years but eventually became inactive. Operations resumed in September 2016 after a decade-long label hiatus. Lamoreaux assumed full ownership, and the label and webzine adopted the consolidated Somewherecold name. The relaunch began on March 28, 2017, with The Beremy Jets' Collection I, a cassette and digital compilation of two earlier EPs. The renewed catalog quickly expanded to include releases by Yellow6, Ummagma, Mis+ress, Aidan Baker, and Lamoreaux's own project The Corrupting Sea. During 2018 and 2019, Somewherecold Records broadened its roster and formats while moving back to Kentucky. The label issued albums, EPs, compilations, and reissues on compact disc, cassette, vinyl, and digital platforms. In 2019 it introduced packaging-led lines including the Frostbite Series for specially packaged CDs, the Icebox Series for mini-CDs with merchandise, and the Avalanche Series for multi-disc editions. The year included 25 new releases, while 2020 brought 45 new releases according to the label's published history. The label has also used compilation projects for social and political fundraising. Resistance: In Support of the Southern Poverty Law Center was released digitally in 2018, followed by Resistance Compilation II: In Support of the ACLU in 2020. In March 2020, Somewherecold announced a global distribution agreement with The Business. Its continuing catalog and international artist roster position it as a specialist independent label emphasizing atmospheric, experimental, and alternative music rather than mainstream commercial repertoire.

Somewherecold Records was established in late 2004 by Jason T. Lamoreaux in Lexington, Kentucky. Its origins were closely connected to the Somewhere Cold webzine, an online publication founded in 2002 by Canadian journalist Brent Diaz. Lamoreaux joined the webzine in March 2003 and contributed interviews, reviews, and journalism about shoegaze, dream pop, post-rock, and slowcore. After developing relationships with artists through this work, he created a record label using a related name. The company initially operated as Somewhere Cold Records. Its first four releases were co-financed and co-released with Republic of Texas Recordings, a Houston label run by Travis Graham. The debut was Starflyer 59's The Last Laurel, released on March 9, 2005, as a limited single-sided clear 12-inch vinyl EP with screen-printed artwork in several numbered color variations. Hammock's Stranded Under Endless Sky followed in July 2005 in limited black and clear vinyl editions. The early catalog continued with Joy Electric's The Ministry Of Archers, issued on limited colored vinyl with bonus tracks, and The Sound Gallery's Phos, the label's first compact disc release. In June 2006, the label opened the Somewhere Cold Mini-Shop. The project was intended to become an online outlet for the label's own releases and for selected records from other shoegaze, dream pop, and post-rock artists and companies. Its outside distribution activity remained limited, with Living with Hermits' self-released Apropos EP identified as the only non-label release ultimately sold through the shop. Later that year, Lamoreaux relocated to Fort Worth, Texas, and placed the record label on indefinite hiatus. The webzine remained active longer, but its publication slowed and ended with a final post in September 2009. On September 15, 2016, Lamoreaux decided to restart operations after a ten-year label hiatus. He took full ownership and changed the name from Somewhere Cold to Somewherecold, a change also applied to the related webzine. A new logo designed by Paul Lewis was unveiled in February 2017. The formal relaunch took place on March 28, 2017, with The Beremy Jets' Collection I, a cassette compilation combining two EPs and accompanied by a digital edition. The renewed label developed a broad catalog across cassette, CD, vinyl, and digital formats. In 2017 it released music by Yellow6, Ummagma, Mis+ress, Aidan Baker, and The Corrupting Sea, the latter being Lamoreaux's own project. In 2018 the operation moved from Fort Worth to Louisville, Kentucky. Releases that year included albums and EPs by The Beremy Jets, Neiv, Zombie Girlfriend, Thee Koukouvaya, Sciflyer, and The Corrupting Sea. The label also began issuing socially oriented benefit compilations, starting with Resistance: In Support of the Southern Poverty Law Center, a digital 14-track release issued in June 2018. Lamoreaux moved the label again in 2019, this time to Shelbyville, Kentucky. The year produced 25 new releases and introduced several packaging concepts. The Frostbite Series used brown cardboard CD sleeves placed in colored envelopes, the Icebox Series used boxed mini-CDs with label merchandise, and the Avalanche Series was designed for larger multi-CD packages. The catalog during this period included releases by Tombstones in Their Eyes, Blue Unit, Droneroom, Outward, Anders Brørby, The Warm Jets, Blanket Swimming, and A Journey of Giraffes. The label remained highly productive in 2020, with 45 new releases reported in its published history. On March 4 of that year, it announced a global distribution agreement with The Business. Its socially focused activity continued with Resistance Compilation II: In Support of the ACLU, a July digital compilation featuring 34 exclusive tracks and benefiting the American Civil Liberties Union. Other 2020 releases included work by The Microdance, Vision Eternel, Tristan Welch, Wolfredt, Backwards Charm, Giacomelli, Droneroom, Aidan Baker, Yellow6, and The Corrupting Sea. Across its history, Somewherecold Records has combined music journalism, boutique physical editions, digital publishing, artist-led projects, and cause-oriented compilations. Its catalog is characterized by atmospheric and experimental genres, international participation, and packaging-conscious limited editions. The label's available history identifies it as an active independent operation based in Shelbyville, Kentucky.

• 2020

  Global distribution agreement announced

  [1]Somewherecold Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  Somewherecold announces a global distribution relationship with The Business.

• 2019

  Specialized packaging series are introduced

  [1]Somewherecold Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  The Frostbite, Icebox, and Avalanche lines establish distinct packaging formats for selected physical releases.

• 2018

  Label returns to Kentucky

  [1]Somewherecold Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  Lamoreaux relocates the operation from Fort Worth to Louisville, Kentucky.

• 2017

  Formal relaunch under the Somewherecold name

  [1]Somewherecold Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  The Beremy Jets' Collection I becomes the first release of the relaunched label.

• 2016

  Operations resume after a decade-long hiatus

  [1]Somewherecold Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  Lamoreaux restarts the label, takes full ownership, and adopts the Somewherecold name.

• 2006

  Somewhere Cold Mini-Shop opens

  [1]Somewherecold Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  The label launches an online shop intended to expand into third-party distribution.

• 2005

  First releases enter the catalog

  [1]Somewherecold Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  The label begins issuing limited vinyl and compact disc releases, starting with Starflyer 59's The Last Laurel.

• 2004

  Somewhere Cold Records is established

  [1]Somewherecold Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  Jason T. Lamoreaux establishes the independent label in Lexington, Kentucky.

• 2003

  Jason T. Lamoreaux joins the webzine

  [1]Somewherecold Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  Lamoreaux joins Somewhere Cold during the publication's first anniversary period and begins contributing journalism about alternative music.

• 2002

  Somewhere Cold webzine is founded

  [1]Somewherecold Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  Brent Diaz establishes the online publication that later becomes affiliated with the record label.

A specialist independent label for atmospheric, experimental, and alternative music, combining limited physical editions with digital distribution and an internationally sourced artist roster.

• Physical music release · 2005

  Limited vinyl editions

  Somewherecold has used limited 12-inch vinyl editions for important catalog releases, often emphasizing collectible presentation. Early examples include Starflyer 59's The Last Laurel, issued on single-sided clear vinyl with numbered screen-printed variations, and Joy Electric's The Ministry Of Archers, released in special colored-vinyl versions with exclusive bonus tracks.

• Physical music release · 2005

  Compact discs

  Compact discs form a substantial part of the label's catalog, covering albums, EPs, compilations, and reissues. The Sound Gallery's Phos was the label's first CD release. Later CD editions were commonly presented in digipak packaging, while the Frostbite Series introduced a distinct cardboard-and-envelope format.

• Physical music release · 2017

  Compact cassettes and mini-CDs

  The revived label made cassette releases a visible part of its identity, beginning with The Beremy Jets' Collection I and later issuing work by artists such as Yellow6 and Sciflyer. The Icebox Series extended the boutique approach to 8 cm mini-CDs packaged in black boxes with stickers, pins, or other collectible label merchandise.

• Digital music release · 2017

  Digital releases and benefit compilations

  Digital distribution accompanies many of the label's physical editions and is also used for compilation projects. The Resistance series presented exclusive tracks from label-associated artists while directing proceeds or support toward civil-society organizations, including the Southern Poverty Law Center and the American Civil Liberties Union.

• Special-edition catalog series · 2019

  Avalanche Series

  The Avalanche Series is intended for larger multi-disc projects, normally three-CD editions. Releases use special brown cardboard sleeves and a simple single-sided printed insert, giving archival or compilation projects a consistent presentation.

• 2020Resistance Compilation II: In Support of the ACLU

  International digital distribution

  The second Resistance project featured 34 exclusive tracks from artists including Anders Brørby, Aidan Baker, Tape Deck Mountain, Robert Scott Thompson, Yellow6, and The Corrupting Sea, with support directed toward the American Civil Liberties Union.

  Outcome. The project continued the label's use of digital compilations to connect its catalog with civil-liberties fundraising and advocacy.

  Source
• 2018Resistance: In Support of the Southern Poverty Law Center

  International digital distribution

  Somewherecold issued a digital various-artists compilation containing 14 exclusive songs from artists including Tears Run Rings, Pia Fraus, The Beremy Jets, Orange Crate Art, Beatastic, and The Corrupting Sea. The project was created in support of the Southern Poverty Law Center.

  Outcome. The compilation expanded the label's benefit-oriented activity and made the participating music available digitally.

  Source

• 2020

  Global distribution agreement with The BusinessStrategy

  Background

  The independent label sought broader international distribution for its growing catalog.

  Action taken

  Somewherecold announced a global distribution deal with the American company The Business.

  Aftermath

  The agreement provided a formal distribution channel for the label's international catalog, although detailed commercial terms were not reported.

  Source

• 2019

  Introduction of the Frostbite, Icebox, and Avalanche seriesProduct launch

  Background

  The label's growing physical catalog created a need for differentiated packaging and collectible formats.

  Action taken

  Somewherecold introduced three packaging-led series for CDs, mini-CDs with merchandise, and multi-disc releases.

  Aftermath

  The series gave selected releases distinct physical identities while reinforcing the label's boutique and limited-edition positioning.

  Source

• 2016

  Reactivation and renaming of the labelStrategy

  Background

  After approximately ten years away from label operations, Jason T. Lamoreaux decided to resume activity and consolidate the label's identity with the affiliated webzine.

  Action taken

  Lamoreaux took full ownership and changed the name from Somewhere Cold Records to Somewherecold.

  Aftermath

  The label formally relaunched in 2017 with a new logo and a new catalog of physical and digital releases.

  Source

• 2006

  Launch of the Somewhere Cold Mini-ShopStrategy

  Background

  The label sought to supplement its own catalog by offering a web-based retail and distribution outlet for music from related artists and independent labels.

  Action taken

  Somewhere Cold opened the Mini-Shop in June 2006, although only one outside release was ultimately distributed through it.

  Aftermath

  The shop did not develop into a broad third-party distribution operation, and the label entered an indefinite hiatus later in 2006.

  Source

1. 1Somewherecold Recordsen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Somewherecold Records discographydiscogs.com
3. 3Somewherecold Records publishing catalogmusicbrainz.org