top of page
vinyl records in shelves

SUPPORTING MUSICIANS AT THE OUTSET OF THEIR CAREERS

What is a nonprofit record label?

clip art clock

We're Just Getting Started

And we're here for musicians who are just getting started too. At Early Work Records, bands at the outset of their careers can find resources, feedback, publicity, and maybe even representation -- but for now, we're helping raise awareness about all the amazing music you've never heard.

clip art of a pencil

Why We Focus on Reviews

Reviews are crucial for bands and musicians early in their careers. Coverage helps increase audience awareness and provides material for bands' press kits, which can be used to garner attention from labels and booking agents at venues. Most importantly, though, reviews encourage bands to continue making music because it confirms their music is listened to, considered, and taken seriously.

Our Latest Review

Julia and the Bazooka

JATB ep"

 

​Bombastic indie rock keeping familiar tropes at an arm’s length

Most contemporary music mining the 90s for inspiration finds it either in the successfully commercialized angst of the Seattle sound or the saturated and pummeling soundscapes of Midwestern bands. Julia and the Bazooka, a slightly embellished solo project from East Patchogue, New York, seems to carve their inspiration from a different cavity of the 90s alt scene: one in which joy drove the dynamics and pop instincts dictated the structure, yet remains firmly outside of the mainstream – think less Nirvana or Smashing Pumpkins and more Tripping Daisy.

​

Their two-songs-plus-a-cover EP JATB is really a one-two punch of bouncy, energetic power pop that uses radio-friendly tools to build a peculiar and cleverly devious sound. The buzzy guitars and massive, pounding power chords would sound at home on a Blink 182 album, but the jittery, rhythmic chord progressions of the verses suggest a whiff of early aughts dance-punk like Franz Ferdinand. But over this familiar pastiche, the vocals weave a stream-of-consciousness melody like Kurt Vile improving karaoke. The sparse backing vocals from the solo-project’s other contributor adds a tasteful amount of asymmetry, further complicating what might otherwise sound reductive. With this mix of influences and elements overlapping in such a unique way, it’s an arresting and enjoyable listen.

​

While both of the original songs employ the tactics listed above in equal measure, “Give Us the Chills” travels further afield and visits some truly unexpected places. A full on punk bridge gives way to a tender and time-signature-shifting coda that underscores the intentionality behind Julia and the Bazooka’s decisions. 

​

At times the ultra-compressed guitars and the steady-as-she-goes drumming beg for a little more nuance, but the overall product here is one of jovial experimentation within a winning formula. 

clip art paper airplane

Submit Your Music

As experienced musicians ourselves, we know how difficult it can be to find meaningful feedback on your music. If you're passionate about and proud of the music you're making, we want to hear it. Not only that, we want to talk to you about it. 

Get Our Newsletter

Join our email list to stay in touch.

Thanks for Subscribing!

early work records logo black on white
bottom of page