Free Dirt Records

Free Dirt Records is an American independent record label and label services company founded in 2006 by John Smith and Erica Haskell that releases folk and roots music.[2] The label's releases have received two Grammy nominations.[3][4]

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

History

John Smith met Erica Haskell when Haskell interned at Smithsonian Folkways in 2000.[5] Later while Haskell was attending graduate school in ethnomusicology[6] they collaborated on a box set of spoken word introductions paired with original songs by anarchist folk musician and storyteller Utah Phillips[5] before founding Free Dirt Records in 2006. The label's first official release was by the traditional Bosnian group Mostar Sevdah Reunion.[7] Smith and Haskell ventured to create a label where they could work with young artists making traditionally rooted music and showcase often overlooked material like spoken word. Since 2006, the label has released music by Pokey LaFarge,[8] Anna & Elizabeth,[9] Hackensaw Boys, Julian Lage & Chris Eldridge (Grammy-nominated), Cahalen Morrison, Che Apalache (Grammy-nominated), Dori Freeman,[10] JP Harris, and The Two Man Gentlemen Band.[11] 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. Free Dirt also distributes a number of independent roots record 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.

Roster

See also

References
  1. "Distribution". Free Dirt Records & Service Co. Retrieved 2018-01-13.
  2. Laban, Linda. "Free Dirt Records Showcase". The Village Voice. Retrieved 25 February 2016.
  3. Lynch, Joe. "Grammys 2018: See the Complete List of Nominees". Billboard. Retrieved 2 July 2018.
  4. "2020 GRAMMY Awards: Complete Nominees List". Recording Academy. Grammy.com. Retrieved 10 December 2019.
  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. Larry, Leblanc. "John Smith". Celebrity Access. Retrieved 7 May 2021.
  8. Horn, Nick. "Pokey LaFarge on His Rounder Records Debut, Something in the Water". Riverfront Times. Retrieved 29 February 2016.
  9. Adams, Mason. "LISTEN TO ANNA & ELIZABETH'S SPOOKY NEW TAKE ON AN OLD APPALACHIAN MURDER BALLAD". Vice. Retrieved 29 February 2016.
  10. Wicks, Amanda. "THE VIRGINIA SONGBIRD TAKES FLIGHT: A CONVERSATION WITH DORI FREEMAN". The Bluegrass Situation. Retrieved 29 February 2016.
  11. "Prescription Drugs (We're Having A Party!)". Discogs. Retrieved 29 February 2016.
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