Free Dirt Records

Free Dirt Records is a Grammy-nominated[2][3] independent record label founded in 2006 by John Smith and Erica Haskell that releases folk and roots music.[4]

Free Dirt Records
Founded2006 (2006)
FounderJohn Smith, Erica Haskell
Distributor(s)AMPED Distribution (US),[1] Entertainment One
GenreFolk, roots, traditional
Country of originU.S.
LocationWashington, DC
Official websitewww.freedirt.net

History

Free Dirt Records was founded while John Smith was working at Smithsonian Folkways.[5] There he collaborated with an intern named Erica Haskell[6] on a box set of spoken word recordings by singer and storyteller Utah Phillips.[5] After that project, Smith and Haskell decided to create a label where they could work with young artists making traditional music and showcase often overlooked material like spoken word. The label's first official release was by the traditional Bosnian group Mostar Sevdah Reunion. Since 2006, the label has released music by Pokey LaFarge,[7] Anna & Elizabeth,[8] Hackensaw Boys, Julian Lage & Chris Eldridge (Grammy-nominated), Cahalen Morrison, Che Apalache (Grammy-nominated), Dori Freeman,[9] JP Harris, and The Two Man Gentlemen Band.[10] Free Dirt also works with PM Press to co-release spoken word and folk music. Together they've put out lectures by Noam Chomsky and Howard Zinn and music from Chumbawamba, Leon Rosselson and Robb Johnson, among others. The label also distributes a number of other roots labels including Jalopy (Brooklyn), Big Muddy (St. Louis), Hi-Style (Nashville), and Mashed Potato (New Orleans). Free Dirt is based in Takoma, Washington, D.C. and currently managed by Jonathan Een Newton and Cassie Michel.

Roster

See also
  • List of record labels

References
  1. "Distribution". Free Dirt Records & Service Co. Retrieved 2018-01-13.
  2. Lynch, Joe. "Grammys 2018: See the Complete List of Nominees". Billboard. Retrieved 2 July 2018.
  3. "2020 GRAMMY Awards: Complete Nominees List". Recording Academy. Grammy.com. Retrieved 10 December 2019.
  4. Laban, Linda. "Free Dirt Records Showcase". The Village Voice. Retrieved 25 February 2016.
  5. Leger, Devon. "Growing Up with Utah Phillips: Nevada City, Erica Haskell, and Utah's West Coast Legacy". KITHFOLK. Retrieved 25 February 2016.
  6. McLaughlin, Lacey. "Erica Haskell". Jackson Free Press. Retrieved 25 February 2016.
  7. Horn, Nick. "Pokey LaFarge on His Rounder Records Debut, Something in the Water". Riverfront Times. Retrieved 29 February 2016.
  8. Adams, Mason. "LISTEN TO ANNA & ELIZABETH'S SPOOKY NEW TAKE ON AN OLD APPALACHIAN MURDER BALLAD". Vice. Retrieved 29 February 2016.
  9. Wicks, Amanda. "THE VIRGINIA SONGBIRD TAKES FLIGHT: A CONVERSATION WITH DORI FREEMAN". The Bluegrass Situation. Retrieved 29 February 2016.
  10. "Prescription Drugs (We're Having A Party!)". Discogs. Retrieved 29 February 2016.
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