What's the purpose?

Ah yes, the adage of "it's been a while". Repeated endlessly by countless many as an excuse to restart something or to preface how things will be different now. I am not really sure that works in the context of Chief Tizo Records (the blog? the record label? outlet for bored afternoons or insomniac nights?) since it is hard to say what it even was to begin with.

Well, it is possible to chronicle the somewhat patchy history of what Chief Tizo Records was supposed to mean. In short summary, in 2011 there was a need to encompass and legitimize all musical releases that I would make. Inspired by the myths of independent record labels of old, Chief Tizo Records was formed to assist and, perhaps more accurately, fulfill the illusion that it was indeed possible to start a label. 

Surprisingly, it got farther than I thought possible; we ended up actually "signing" a couple people that didn't go anywhere, and then merged with another "digital" label to no real strategic advantage. Eventually I landed a decent interview with Dan Barrett of Have a Nice Life, and we started to get some minor traffic. People would submit music to be reviewed, or to be considered for this hilariously intangible label. But over time with other life priorities and general disinterest, we packed our bags and left.

Yet in the era of reunions, even Chief Tizo would have one. So after a short revival in 2016, we packed it up again after doing some video interviews with a couple of friends and artists. It was an entirely easy decision, really. With the advent of microblogging, Instagram, and Spotify as the seemingly only way people decide to read, view, and discover things in the musical and art realm, what was really the purpose of this blog? We did not have an answer, so we disbanded again.

Then something kinda changed in 2017, when I was able to physically release How Scandinavian's single, Emma, on cassette. The folly of this whole Chief Tizo Records thing was somewhat made reality, since it was released under Chief Tizo Records and had that name in the liner notes. The purpose of this initial enterprise was finally fulfilled in an echo of a mention.

So what's the purpose now? Well, Chief Tizo Records is back, but again, it never really existed to begin with. It's a real independent label, but perhaps the capital and logistics of it aren't ever going to be what was dreamed of back in 2011. But hey, at least we can print stuff out with CHIEF TIZO RECORDS on it in bold followed by a catalog number.

So for now, this blog will serve as a place for updates on what releases we might get out (as of right now, we have two that are being completed and planned) and it shares pretty much the same cast of musicians when all is said and done.  In addition to that, it'll still share music and "songs of the day" that are of interest, along with small stories and anecdotes on recording, printing, and art. We might even get the interview series back in action if we can muster the courage. 

For now, at least, Chief Tizo Records is back.