RVNG Intl.

RVNG Intl. is an independent record label based in Brooklyn, New York. Founded in 2003 by Matt Werth, the label is run by Werth and focuses on experimental dance and electronic music, often incorporating avant-garde genres. Release formats include vinyl, CDs, and digital downloads.[1] In 2011, they were named one of the top 50 indie labels in America by Billboard.[2]

RVNG Intl.
Founded2003 (2003)
FounderMatt Werth, David Pianka
GenreElectronic, experimental
Country of originU.S.
LocationBrooklyn, New York City
Official websitewww.igetrvng.com

In its nascent years, the label released the mix tape series RVNG PRSNTS MX, which was later followed by the Rvng of the Nrds 12" edit series. The ReRVNG archival series and FRKWYS series continue to this day, the latter of which pairs contemporary artists with influential musical pioneers.[3] RVNG Intl. has also released original albums by artists such as Blondes, The Body, Holly Herndon, Julia Holter, Maxmillion Dunbar, and Stellar OM Source.[4][5] In 2011, the label began releasing vinyl singles under the Beats in Space imprint, which Werth co-owns with Tim Sweeney.[6]

RVNG Intl. was chosen as Resident Advisor's label of the month in January 2014 and Tiny Mix Tapes included RVNG Intl. amongst their favourite labels of 2015.

In 2016 Gideon Coe hosted “Label of Love is RVNG Records” on BBC Radio 6 and The Vinyl Factory featured RVNG as one of the top “20 Record Labels to Follow on Instagram”. The same year Apple Music Experimental Spotlight was on RVNG Intl.

In 2017 RVNG Intl. was listed as one of the best things/happenings of 2017 by The Ransom Note. The label also participated in the Prelude to Sleep series at Moogfest. An LGBTQ benefit compilation entitled “Peaceful Protest” was produced by RVNG Intl. in 2017, while in the same year RVNG pledged all profits from Bandcamp to benefit the ACLU.

The label is also noted for its charitable programme Come Mend,[7] in which a portion of record sale profits are donated to causes chosen by the label's artists.

History

Background and founding

The record label RVNG Intl. was launched in 2003 by Matt Werth.[3] Werth was born in Madison, Wisconsin and spent his formative years in Little Rock, Arkansas. When he was 15, he started the punk 'zine Potluck and took over the record label File Thirteen. First established as what Werth called a "self-reflective journal fanzine" in 1989, File Thirteen was operated by Werth for 8 years.[3]

In 1996,[3] Werth moved to Philadelphia at the age of 18[1] to play bass for[3] Aspera Ad Astra. While attending Temple University[3] he met Dave Pianka, and together they came up with the idea of RVNG Intl., which was originally an event production company.[3] A mutual friend, Michael Zwizanski, recommended the name, which is an anti-voweled version of "revenge", much in the style of Primal Scream's XTRMNTR, which had come out around the same time.[3]

Werth said that the label's very first mix was intended for event clients, as proof that the label could select and manage good DJs. According to Werth, "Julian Grefe put together the first RVNG mix ―RVNG PRSNTS MX1, which was basically a spray-painted CD in a spray-painted case."[3] Following the initial mix release, MX CDs became an infrequent series of albums from artists such as Tim Sweeney and DJ Twitch.[3] After six years in Philadelphia, Werth moved to Brooklyn in 2002[3] in order to work at Flyer magazine.[3]

First releases

The record label RVNG Intl was launched in 2003 by Werth.[3] The label is based in its original location of Brooklyn, New York,[6] Packaging is frequently detailed and unique. For example, a 7" vinyl from Purple Brain came with a hand-crocheted case by designer Dani Griffiths and 1000 prints of Pink Skull's Endless Bummer were letter-pressed with 1000 different variations on the album title phrase.[3]

By 2010, the label had put out two original releases: These Are Powers’ Candyman EP and Pink Skull’s Endless Bummer LP.[1] In 2011, they put out albums by Mirror Mirror and Bronze, and were named one of the top 50 indie labels in America by Billboard.[2] In 2012, the label released Blondes by Blondes, which Sean Adams, the founder of Drowned in Sound, lauded with a 10/10 review, praising the music as "bliss" and his "eureka moment." [5]

Other notable albums in 2012 included Ekstasis by Julia Holter, which was named Pitchfork's Best New Music and described as "music that's both haunting and life-affirming, something to make you dream and think",[8] in addition to the critically acclaimed "Movement" by experimental composer Holly Herndon.

In 2013, the label released Swisher by Blondes, and notable albums from Maximillion Dunbar, Blondes, Gardland and Holly Herndon. As of 2014, RVNG has also released a number of singles and albums from the likes of Bing & Ruth and others. Preserving past works from pioneering musicians is another focus, as exemplified by the release of a double LP set from artist and producer Craig Leon (Nommos and Visiting), titled Anthology of Interplanerary Folk Music Vol. 1 and K. Leimer's A Period of Review.[9]

Series
Rvng presents Mx series

In 2003 the label first released the Rvng presents Mx CD & vinyl series, which included works from artists such as Tim Sweeney, Justine D and Purple Brain.[1]

RVNG of the NRDS series

Starting in 2006 the label began releasing a vinyl series of disco edits, titled RVNG of the NRDS. The series ran for four years[3] with album artwork from Kevin O’Neill of the independent design firm Will Work For Good.[1] According to a review, the series was "carefully riding the edges of the nu-disco zeitgeist thanks to two obvious factors...the calibre of the artists involved, and the quality of presentation from Will Work For Good, a design agency that has helped form the visual identity of the label across its many releases".[3]

Ten Rvng of The Nrds albums were released,[3] including works by Todd Terje, Greg Wilson, and Pilooski. Each artist also contributed to re-edits of songs by artists such as Wire and R.D. Burman.[1]

FRKWYS series
"The guiding concept behind [FRKWYS] is to bring contemporary electronic artists together with their creative fore-bearers of sorts and allow them to collaborate as inspired."
— Fact Magazine[1]

In 2009, RVNG initiated the FRKWYS series, skipping Volume 1 by initially releasing Frkwys Vol. 2. The first edition featured two remixes of the experimental band Excepter, remixed by Carter Tutti and JG Thirlwell and was praised as "evidence of what can make New York music great when its proprietors are willing to sacrifice expectation for innovation." [10] The series title references Moses Asch's label Folkways.[3]

In May 2010, the label released FRKWYS Vol. 3, an album-length collaboration between Arp and Anthony Moore.[11][12] Arp reworked both original and unreleased music written by Moore in the 1960s, which was the result of working together at Atlantic Sound's Brooklyn studio in September 2009.[1] FRKWYS Vol. 9 had Los Angeles-based artists Sun Araw and M. Geddes Gengras travel to Jamaica to record with the notable reggae vocal group, The Congos.[3]

Beats in Space series

In 2011, the label began releasing the Beats in Space series of vinyl singles and albums.[6] In 2015, Fact TV presented a documentary on Beats In Space and ranked BIS 25th in their Top 30 album covers of 2015. The BIS Boat Party at Mareh Festival was also a featured pick by Resident Advisor. In 2015 the Beats In Space 15th Anniversary Mix was named compilation of the month by Mixmag.
In 2016 the first issue of Record Magazine featured an interview with Tim Sweeney. Beats In Space also joined Bandcamp with Tim Sweeney being featured on Bandcamp's radio show.
In 2017 a Beats In Space photo book was featured in Record Magazine.

Freedom to Spend imprint

RVNG Intl partnered with Pete Swanson (formerly of Yellow Swans) in 2017 to relaunch his Freedom To Spend label, along with Portland record store owner Jed Bindeman. The label is described as "concerned with autonomous anomalies produced by musicians working within and outside the limits of technology to create intimate art. By virtue of this, the music of Freedom to Spend resonates across a broad sound spectrum, but thrives without rigid regulation." Freedom To Spend has reissued several overlooked and underheard experimental albums from the past few decades. Freedom To Spend was named one of the best electronic labels of 2017 by The Quietus.

Events

The label has been active in organizing art and music shows, partnering with the likes of the White Columns Gallery in New York City, the Barbican Center in London and MoMa PS1′s Summer Warm Up series. RVNG worked with the Unsound Festival in Kraków, Poland,[6] and presented a label showcase in April 2014 at Moogfest in Asheville, North Carolina featuring Blondes, Holly Herndon, and Craig Leon performing "NOMMOS" with the Asheville Symphony.[13] Also in 2014 the 15th Anniversary of Beats In Space was celebrated at Corsica Studios in London. In 2018 RVNG featured artists and collaborated with Le Guess Who music festival. RVNG was also featured at MoMA PS1 Come Together Music Festival and Record Fair.

Artists

Current

The following artists are current as of August 2018:[4]

Alumni
This list is incomplete; you can help by adding missing items with reliable sources.

Beats in Space (BIS) artists

The following is a complete list (as of August 2018) of artists who have released music as part of the Beats in Space Records series.

  • Antenna
  • Dukes of Chutney
  • E Ruscha V
  • Hidden Fees
  • Jacques Bon
  • Jee Day
  • Lauer (Philip Lauer)
  • Matt Karmil
  • Mount Liberation Unlimited
  • Paradis
  • Palmbomen II
  • Secret Circuit
  • Shan
  • Tornado Wallace
  • Gonno
  • Crystal & S. Koshi
  • House of Spirits
  • Jaakko Eino Kalevi
  • Guido w Georges Perin
  • T&P
  • Shy Layers

FRKWYS series

The following is an incomplete list of artists who have been included in the FRKWYS series:

Freedom to Spend series

The following is an incomplete list of artists who have been included in the Freedom to Spend imprint:

  • Michele Mercure
  • Marc Barreca
  • Pep Llopis
  • Richard Horowitz
  • Ursula K. Le Guin & Todd Barton

Discography

Main album series
Partial RVNG Intl. discography
Cat. # Yr Album title Artist(s) Notes
RVNGNL012009 Endless Bummer Pink Skull
RVNGNL022010 CandymanThese Are PowersEP
RVNGNL03 Hideous Racket Allez-Allezsingle
RVNGNL04 The RiverCFCFEP
RVNGNL052011 Lover / Hater Blondessingle
RVNGNL06 Clean Plate Clean Platesingle
RVNGNL07 Business / Pleasure Blondessingle
RVNGNL08 Psychic WelfarePink Skull
RVNGNL09 InteriorsMirror Mirror
RVNGNL10 CopperBronze
RVNGNL11 Wine / Water Blondessingle
RVNGNL122012BlondesBlondes10/10 review by Drowned in Sound.[5]
RVNGNL14 EkstasisJulia Holter
RVNGNL15 Movement Holly Herndon
RVNGNL16 WooMaximillion Dunbarsingle
RVNGNL17 House of WooMaximillion Dunbar
RVNGNL18 EkstasisJulia Holterexpanded edition
RVNGNL192013 Elite Excel Stellar OM Sourcesingle
RVNGNL20 Joy One Mile Stellar OM Source
RVNGNL21SwisherBlondes
RVNGNL222014 ImprovisationsGardlandlive album
RVNGNL23Syndrome SyndromeGardland
RVNGNL24"Chorus"Holly Herndonsingle
RVNGNL25 I Shall Die HereThe Body & The Haxan Cloak
RVNGNL26 RewireBlondesEP
RVNGNL27 Tomorrow Was the Golden AgeBing & Ruth
RVNGNL28 HomeHolly Herndonsingle
RVNGNL292015PlatformHolly Herndon
RVNGNL30 Nite-GloStellar OM SourceEP
RVNGNL31 City LakeBing & Ruth
RVNGNL32 PersuasionsBlondesEP
RVNGNL33 We Are Not the FirstHieroglyphic Being & J.I.T.U. Ahn-Sahm-Buhl
RVNGNL342016 ZelalemMikael SeifuEP
RVNGNL35 The Enlightening Beam of Bobby BrownVarious artists
RVNGNL36 Catalog Compendium vol. 1Various artists
RVNGNL37 ReassemblageVisible CloaksRVNGNL37-1 is Valve / Valve (Revisited) single
RVNGNL382017The Gradual ProgressionGreg Fox
RVNGNL39 Private Energy (Expanded)Helado Negro
RVNGNL40 UkabazUmorezUSugai Ken
RVNGNL41 Peaceful ProtestVarious Artists
RVNGNL44 LexVisible Cloaks
RVNGNL43 Shelly's On Zenn-laOliver CoatesAlbum
RVNGNL462018 Anticlines Lucretia DaltAlbum
RVNGNL50 для FOR Kate NVAlbum

RVNG Prsnts Mxs series
Selected releases from the RVNG Prsnts Mxs series
Cat# Yr Album title Artist(s) Notes
Mx1B2003 Rvng Prsnts Mx1B: Julian S. Process Julian S. ProcessCD, 12" vinyl
Mx22004 Rvng Prsnts Mx2: Diabolic & Julian S. Process Julian S. Process, DiabolicCD, 12" vinyl
Mx32003Rvng Prsnts Mx3: Tim Sweeney Tim Sweeney
Mx42005Rvng Prsnts Mx4: Crazy Rhythms Crazy Rhythms
Mx52007Rvng Prsnts Mx5: Justine D Justine D
Mx62008Rvng Prsnts Mx6: JD Twitch JD TwitchSubtitled 60 Minutes of Fear
Mx6TENRvng Prsnts Mx6TEN: JD Twitch JD TwitchSubtitled 10 Inches of Fear
Mx72009Rvng Prsnts Mx7: Purple BrainPurple Brain
Mx7SEVENRvng Prsnts Mx7SEVEN: Purple BrainPurple Brain

RVNG OF THE NRDS series
Selected releases from the Rvng Of The Nrds series
Cat. # Yr Album title Artist(s) Notes
NRDS012006 Rvng of the Nrds Vol. 1 The Flying Squad12" vinyl
NRDS02 Rvng of the Nrds Vol. 2 Betty Botox12" vinyl
NRDS032007 Rvng of the Nrds Vol. 3 Mock & Toof12" vinyl
NRDS042008 Rvng of the Nrds Vol. 4 Lovefingers12" vinyl
NRDS05 Rvng of the Nrds Vol. 5 Wade Nichols12" vinyl
NRDS06 Rvng of the Nrds Vol. 6 Jacques Renault12" vinyl
NRDS07 Rvng of the Nrds Vol. 7 Greg Wilson12" vinyl
NRDS082009 Rvng of the Nrds Vol. 8 In Flagranti12" vinyl
NRDS09 Rvng of the Nrds Vol. 9 Jackpot12" vinyl
NRDS102010 Rvng of the Nrds Vol. 10 Pilooski12" vinyl

FRKWYS Series
Selected releases from the FRKWYS Series
Cat. # Yr Album title Artist(s) Notes
FRKWYS022009 FRKWYS Vol. 2 Carter Tutti, JG Thirlwell12" + MP3
FRKWYS032010 FRKWYS Vol. 3 Arp, Anthony Moore12" + MP3
FRKWYS04 FRKWYS Vol. 4 Psychic Ills12" + MP3
FRKWYS052011 FRKWYS Vol. 5 Mirror Mirror12" + MP3
FRKWYS06 FRKWYS Vol. 6 Julianna Barwick, Ikue Mori
FRKWYS07 FRKWYS Vol. 7 David Borden, James Ferraro, Sam Godin, Laurel Halo, Daniel Lopatin
FRKWYS08 FRKWYS Vol. 8 Blues Control, Laraaji
FRKWYS092012 FRKWYS Vol. 9 Sun Araw, M. Geddes Gengras and The CongosICON GIVE THANK
FRKWYS102013 FRKWYS Vol. 10David Van Tieghem x TenFits & Starts
FRKWYS112014 FRKWYS Vol. 11 Steve Gunn & Mike CooperCantos de Lisboa
FRKWYS122015 FRKWYS Vol. 12 Robert Aiki Aubrey Lowe & Ariel KalmaWe Know Each Other Somehow
FRKWYS132016 FRKWYS Vol. 13 Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith & Suzanne CianiSunergy
FRKWYS142018 FRKWYS Vol. 14 Tashi Wada with Yoshi Wada and FriendsNue
FRKWYS152019 FRKWYS Vol. 15 Visible Cloaks, Yoshio Ojima & Satsuki Shibanoserenitatem
FRKWYS162020 FRKWYS Vol. 16 Ian William Craig & Daniel LentzIn a Word

Beats in Space series
Selected releases from the BIS series
Cat# Yr Single title Artist(s) Notes
BIS0012011"Parfait Tirage"Paradis12", mp3
BIS0022012"Nebula Sphynx"Secret Circuit
BIS003"Hempisphere"Paradis
BIS004"Macsat Ring Down"Lauer
BIS0052013"Afterlife"Secret Circuit
BIS006Tactile Galactics Secret Circuit
BIS007"Sum of Love"Jee Day
BIS008Desperate Pleasures EP Tornado Wallace
BIS009"The Noughties"Gonno
BIS010"Break the Dawn"Crystal & S. Koshi
BIS0112014Domino EP Dukes of Chutney
BIS012So What EP Hidden Fees
BIS013"Holding On"House of Spirits
BIS014"So You Say"Matt Karmil
BIS015"Yin Yang Theatre"Jaakko Eino Kalevi
BIS016"Gin 'n' Tears"Guiddo feat. Georges Perin
BIS017"Hands & Feet"Lauer
BIS0182015"Kangaroo Ground / Ferntree Gully"Tornado Wallace
BIS019Palmbomen IIPalmbomen II
BIS0202016"Shoot the Freak"T & P
BIS021Beats in Space 15th Anniversary Mix Tim SweeneyMix of previous releases
BIS022BIS: 001–020Various artistsCollection of previous releases
BIS023Primavera EP Antenna
BIS024"Memories of Cindy Pt. 1"Palmbomen II
BIS025"(Eerie) For Your Love"Mount Liberation Unlimited
BIS026"Good to Me"Shan
BIS0272017"Dawning Light"Jacques Bon
BIS028"Memories of Cindy Pt. 2"Palmbomen II
BIS0292018"Memories of Cindy Pt. 3"Palmbomen II
BIS031Memories of CindyPalmbomen II
BIS032Who Are YouE Ruscha V
BIS032Midnight Markers Shy Layers
BIS032Woo are you E Ruscha V. And Woo

RERVNG series
Selected releases from the RERVNG series
Cat# Yr Album title Artist(s) Notes
RERVNG012011Synthesist / Re-Synthesist Harald Grosskopf / Various artists
RERVNG022012Music Is Painting in the Air (1974-1977)Sensations' Fix
RERVNG032014A Period of Review (1975-1983)K. Leimer
RERVNG04Anthology of Interplanetary Folk Music vol. 1: Nommos / VisitingCraig Leon
RERVNG05 An Evolutionary Music (1972–1979) Ariel Kalma
RERVNG072015Artificial DanceSavant
RERVNG062016Breadwoman & Other TalesAnna Homler and Steve Moshier
RERVNG08Tumblers from the Vault (1970–1972)Syrinx
RERVNG102017Trans-Millenia MusicPauline Anna Strom
RERVNG112018Few TracesMark Renner

Commend See series
Selected releases from the Commend See series
Cat# Yr Album title Artist(s) Notes
CMMND0012016For Haku RAMZi
CMMND002 Water Falls Into a Blank 7FO
CMMND0032017Parcel Melanie Velarde

Freedom to Spend series
Selected releases from the Freedom to Spend series
Cat# Yr Album title Artist(s) Notes
FTS0012017Eye ChantMichele Mercure
FTS002 Music Works for Industry Marc Barreca
FTS003 Poiemusia La Nau Dels Argonautes Pep Llopis
FTS004 Eros in Arabia Richard Horowitz
FTS0092018Music and Poetry of the Kesh Ursula K. Le Guin & Todd Barton

Further reading
Interviews
  • "Label Profile: FRKWYS". Fact Magazine. May 10, 2010.
  • "A potted history of RVNG Intl". Juno Download. May 30, 2012.

See also
  • List of independent record labels

References
  1. "Label Profile: FRKWYS". Fact Magazine. May 10, 2010. Retrieved 2014-04-06.
  2. "Billboards counts 50 best indie labels in America, are big fans of Tri Angle". Dummy Magazine. August 16, 2011. Retrieved 2014-04-06.
  3. Mercer, Nik (May 30, 2012). "Human Resources, Zombie Invasions & Mean Librarians: A potted history of RVNG Intl". Juno Download. Retrieved 2014-04-06.
  4. "Artists". RVNG Intl. Retrieved 2014-04-06.
  5. Adams, Sean. "Blondes - Blondes / Releases". Drowned in Sound. Retrieved 25 June 2012.
  6. "About RVNG Intl". RVNG Intl. Retrieved 2014-04-06.
  7. https://commendnyc.com/come-mend/
  8. "Julia Holter: Ekstasis". Pitchfork Media. March 2, 2012. Retrieved 2014-10-21.
  9. Tolmach, Beth (March 19, 2014). "RVNG Intl. to Reissue Craig Leon Albums". Ad Hoc. Retrieved 2014-04-06.
  10. "RA Reviews: Excepter". Resident Advisor. September 15, 2008. Retrieved 2014-10-21.
  11. "ARP and Anthony Moore team up for Frkwys Vol.3". 17 March 2010. Retrieved 2020-12-13.
  12. "Simple Pleasures - Rvng Prsnts Frkwys Vol. 3. ARP and Anthony Moore". PopMatters. 28 April 2010. Retrieved 2020-12-13.
  13. "The Synthesis of Technology, Art and Music: Showcases". Moogfest: Asheville, North Carolina. 2014. Retrieved 2014-04-06.
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