Collection context
Summary
- Creator:
- Asthmatic Kitty Records
- Abstract:
- Asthmatic Kitty Records (AKR) is an independent record label originally founded in 1999. AKR music is released through the distribution arm of Secretly Canadian, a Bloomington-based record label and distributor. This collection was donated by Michael Kaufmann, who worked as a label manager of Asthmatic Kitty Records (AKR) from 2001-2011. Some rare items in this collection include vinyl releases of Asthmatic Kitty's Unusual Animals series and a first pressing of Sufjan Steven's Illinois. Other items include a mixture of Asthmatic Kitty record releases throughout the years and items from Kaufmann's personal record collection, including rare vinyl pressings by Soul-Junk (of which he was a member) and Danielson.
- Extent:
- 4 cubic feet (8 custom boxes 1 document case)
- Language:
- English .
- Preferred citation:
[Item], Asthmatic Kitty Records, Collection C766, Indiana University Archives, Bloomington.
Background
- Biographical / Historical:
Asthmatic Kitty Records (AKR) was founded in 1999 by Sufjan Stevens and his stepfather, Lowell Brams, to release Stevens' music and support independent artists. Beyond Stevens' albums, AKR hs released music by artists such as Ariel Pink, Castanets, Danielson and Danielson Familie, and Jad Fair. AKR music releases are distributed through Secretly Canadian's Distribution arm, Secretly Distribution, in Bloomington, IN. Many AKR artists have performed in Bloomington and have personal connections to the area.
- Scope and Content:
This collection contains vinyl records released by Asthmatic Kitty Records (AKR). The Danielson series highlights this indie pop gospel group, which has a long history with AKR. Fetch the Compass Kids, a 2001 album included in this series, was notably produced by Steve Albini. The Library Catalog Music Series contains a special set of albums released by AKR between 2009-2012. AKR intended for this series to be a tongue-in-cheek blend of instrumental music and sounds created for possible use in television, movies, and other media.
Unusual Animals is a vinyl series that highlighted local music scenes.
Import/Export pairs bands from Indianapolis with bands from other regional music scenes.
General releases include Asthmatic Kitty record releases and items from Michael Kaufmann's personal collection, highlighting the history of the independent music industry.
Unrelated to Asthmatic Kitty but included in the collection is a boxset from Fieldworks, a multimedia project created by musical composer and IU grad Stuart Hyatt that highlights field recording, music, and storytelling.
Tomlab Alphabet series is an A-Z 7" series released in the early 2000s, highlighting Tomlab artists and friends of the label.
- Acquisition information:
- Indiana University Archives Accession 2023/123
- Processing information:
Processed by Ryan Clay in 2024.
- Arrangement:
Collection is arranged by release series and musical artist.
- Rules or conventions:
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Access
- RESTRICTIONS:
-
Collection is open for research. Advanced notice required.
- TERMS OF ACCESS:
-
The Indiana University Archives respects the intellectual property rights of others and does not claim any copyrights for non-university records, materials in the public domain, or materials for which we do not hold a Deed of Gift. Responsibility for the determination of the copyright status of these materials rests with those persons wishing to reuse the materials. Researchers are responsible for securing permission from copyright owners and any other rights holders for any reuse of these materials that extends beyond fair use or other statutory limitations.
Digital reproductions of archival materials from the Indiana University Archives are made available for noncommercial educational and research purposes only. If you are the copyright holder for any of the digitized materials and have questions about its inclusion on our site, please contact the Indiana University Archivist.
- PREFERRED CITATION:
-
[Item], Asthmatic Kitty Records, Collection C766, Indiana University Archives, Bloomington.
- CAMPUS:
- Indiana University Bloomington
- LOCATION OF THIS COLLECTION:
-
Herman B Wells Library E4601320 East Tenth StreetBloomington, Indiana 47405-7000, United States
- CAMPUS:
- Indiana University Bloomington
- CONTACT:
-
812-855-1127archives@iu.edu