About Early Work Records
Early Work Records is a nonprofit record label & resource for musicians
at the outset of their careers.
Early Work Records is a 501(c)3 nonprofit record label and resource committed to helping musicians at the outset of their careers. We accomplish this mission by:
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Providing detailed feedback on music submitted through our submission page
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Publishing reviews to provide musicians publicity early in their careers
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Providing artists on the verge of accomplishing their vision with recording, production, engineering, mixing, and mastering support.
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Working with artists we feel have accomplished their vision to manufacture and distribute physical and digital music, promote these bands and their work, assist them with design and merchandising strategies, and aid them in booking shows to build their audience and make taking the next step easier.
Throughout every step of this process, Early Work Records is guided by our commitment to share and develop knowledge about songcraft, the recording process, and the music industry.
Our commitment
to sustainability
Early Work Records is committed to operating as close to carbon neutral as possible. Music is a vital part of our culture and society, but our culture and society depend upon a healthy environment. Without organizations committed to meeting safe ecological standards and implementing environmentally sound practices, the joy of creating and sharing music is in danger. To this end, Early Work Records aims to:
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Use 100% post-consumer recycled paper for all internal printing
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Limit energy consumption and emission-based transportation
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Work with vendors that offer standard-exceeding ecological options
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Partner with institutions that show a strong commitment to sustainability
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Pursue distribution channels that minimize carbon emissions
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Invest budget surpluses into green sector non-profit operations
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Ensure that any future projects adhere to carbon neutrality
Our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion
Early Work Records operates under the philosophy that diversity is crucial to a functioning society; that the systemic racism of our culture needs to be exposed, examined, and dismantled; that for anyone to achieve their full potential as a musician or artist or human being, every individual must have the opportunity and means to achieve their full potential.
That said, individuals who identify as white currently comprise the entire staff and board of Early Work Records. While we all consider ourselves open-minded and committed to antiracism, we recognize that racism, sexism, ableism, and many other forms of bias can still influence decision making and practices both at an individual and organizational level.
To this end, Early Work Records is aims to:
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Continue to educate ourselves and perpetually strengthening our commitment to dismantling racism
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Implement policies and practices that reaffirm our commitment to DEI and the dismantling of racism in the music industry and beyond
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Serve as broad and diverse a community of musicians and music lovers as possible
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Employ a staff that more accurately resembles the music-loving audiences we exist to serve
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Create a board of directors that more more accurately reflects the diversity within the music loving audiences we exist to serve
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Support musicians from diverse cultures and working in culturally diverse styles
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Partner with institutions that show a strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion
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Invest budget surpluses into nonprofit organizations that support musicians from underrepresented demographics and cultures.
Robert Martin (he/him) is the founder and Executive Director of Early Work Records. A lifelong musician, writer, and record collector, Robert has worked for more than a decade supporting independent bookstores in both the nonprofit and for-profit sectors. He is currently the director of the Independent Booksellers Consortium, as well as the founder and director of TheIndependentBookseller.com.
Robert's musical resume includes stints in Reclinerland, The Quiet Ones, This is a Process of a Still Life, and Complexes. He currently records and performs solo work as LETTTERS.
Robert lives in Minneapolis, MN.
Pat Gamble (he/him) is the Creative Director of Early Work Records. With over 10 years of experience working at advertising and marketing agencies in New York and San Francisco, Pat Gamble brings his creative art direction, design skills, and joyful collaborative spirit as our creative director and lead designer.
Pat brings more than 20 years of expertise as a musician (notably as the singer and bassist of Arroyo), recording engineer, producer, and studio musician to the table as well as an undisclosed much larger number of years as a dedicated music fan and appreciator.
Pat lives in San Francisco, CA.
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Josh Hackenjos (he/him) is Early Work Records' Director of Development. Over two decades, Josh successfully grew multiple small business in the Portland, Oregon housing & real estate community. Formerly the Team Lead/CEO of Keller Williams Portland West, he now leads the Hackenjos Properities Group.
Josh played lead guitar in power-pop/emo group Hyperstar and the country tinged Mercy Graves. He currently plays guitar and bandleads the instrumental fusion group the Mizar Five. Don't call them funk.
Josh lives in Portland, OR.
Elliot Ginsburg (he/him) practices franchise, cannabis, and alcoholic beverage law at Hop Law as well as Garner & Ginsburg, P.A. Elliot has been named a Super Lawyer Rising Star from 2013 through 2023 – an honor reserved for 2.5% of lawyers in Minnesota – and has written a book on franchise law developments, edited franchise law journals, and published articles and spoken at various industry and legal events about cannabis and alcohol beverage law.
Laura Smith (she/her) currently serves as Vice President of a public affairs firm in St. Paul. Her experience includes more than 15 years in state government, campaigns and issue advocacy. She has worked for nonprofit organizations of various sizes and roles -- including as an employee, consultant and board member. Laura earned a degree in economics and public policy from Trinity University and lives in Minneapolis with her husband and rescue dog.
Mark Hoffman (he/him) is a software professional and electronic music enthusiast who lives in Portland, OR. He is the founder of Underground Software, an independent video game studio, and has previously served as the Software Engineering Manager for New Relic, Inc and as a Technical Architect for ThinkShout. Mark attended the University of Oregon where he earned a degree in English Language and Literature, which he uses nearly every day while communicating with other speakers of the English language.
Interested in joining our Board of Directors ?
Our board consists of passionate professionals with a deep commitment to local music and supporting artists. There is no monetary requirement for board service, nor is there any compensation. The board's contributions consist of occasional general consultation in each person's area of expertise and overall oversight of the company's progress and accomplishments.
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