Optical Sounds

Optical Sounds is a Toronto based record label that was launched in 2008 by brothers Robert[1] and Richard Gibson.[2]

Optical Sounds
Founded2008 (2008)
FounderRobert Gibson, Richard Gibson
Distributor(s)Outside Music
GenrePsych pop
Country of origin Canada
LocationToronto, Ontario
Official websiteopticalsounds.com

The label is focused on a community of underground bands with broad psychedelic influences[3][4] with The Embassy Bar in Kensington Market serving as a common meeting place for the musicians.[5]

Optical Sounds operates without contracts or employees and the organization’s main focus is on community based events rather than record releases.[2][6] The name Optical Sounds was taken from a track by the 1960s LA psych rock group The Human Expression.[7] It is distributed in Canada by the Outside Music group.[8]

Optical Sounds' roster has included Action Makes,[9] The Auras, B17,[10][11] The BB Guns, Bodies That Matter, The Disraelis, The Hoa Hoa's,[12] The Flowers of Hell including Odes and "O",[13] Magic Shoppe, Mimico, Ostrich Tuning, Planet Creature, Postcards, Sounds Around, Sun Stone Revolvers, Tess Parks, Twist, The Veldt, and Your 33 Black Angels.[6][14]

The label's 2012 compilation Psych Pop From Toronto was curated by Spacemen 3's Will Carruthers and reached the Top 20 of the Canadian campus radio charts.[15][16]

The label and its artists have showcased at Canadian Music Week, North by Northeast,[17] and South by Southwest.[18]

Media

The label’s releases and artists have appeared in media including Pitchfork,[19] the Financial Times,[20] The Guardian,[21] The Quietus,[22] Noisey/Vice,[23] Exclaim!,[24] Drowned In Sound,[25] Now Magazine[26] and on the cover of Eye Weekly,[27] along with numerous music blogs and campus radio stations.[28]

References
  1. Stephanie Corratie (18 Oct 2013). "Alumni Spotlight: Robert Gibson". The Ontarion.
  2. "Optical Illusion". NOW Toronto. 2010-07-08.
  3. Richard Trapunski (2012-11-08). "Psych Pop From Toronto". NOW Toronto.
  4. James Sandham. "Canada Underground". Canadian Music Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 9 December 2015.
  5. "Optical Sounds". Zunior. Retrieved 2015-11-08.
  6. Richard Trapunski (6 March 2014). "Optical Sounds second Toronto(ish) compilation". Chart Attack.
  7. "Acid Shampoo & Flower Punk: The Hypnotic Eye Interviewed". The Quietus. Retrieved 2 September 2016.
  8. "Labels". Outside Music. Retrieved 2015-11-08.
  9. "Action Makes – Action Makes". Now (newspaper). 9 December 2010. Retrieved 2 September 2016.
  10. "B-17 'Raven Hair' (video)". Exclaim. Retrieved 2 September 2016.
  11. "Your New Favourite Thing: B-17". Toronto Star. Retrieved 2 September 2016.
  12. "The Hoa Hoa's". Nowtoronto.com. 25 August 2011. Retrieved 2 September 2016.
  13. "Flowers Of Hell mainman mistaken for MI5 spy in Papua New Guinea". NME.COM. Retrieved 2 September 2016.
  14. "This Week in Music: Optical Sounds and Dine Alone freebies, Ice Cream, Marker Starling x Twin Peaks". blogTO. Retrieved 2 September 2016.
  15. "National Chart". Earshot. 2013-04-30.
  16. Chris Dart (2012-10-31). "Sound Advice: Psych Pop From Toronto by Various Artists". Torontoist.
  17. "Wavelength @ NXNE". Wavelength Music Arts Projects. 2015-06-17.
  18. Carlick, Stephen. "The Hoa Hoa's Host Montreal CD Release Party for Pop/Drone/Pedals". Exclaim!. Retrieved 2 September 2016.
  19. Ryan Dombal (12 October 2010). "Flowers Of Hell Leader Mistaken For A Spy". Pitchfork.
  20. David Cheal (27 November 2015). "The Life Of A Song: Walk On The Wild Side". Financial Times.
  21. Mike Doherty (5 Feb 2016). "The Veldt: Pioneering black shoegazers who anticipated The Weeknd". The Guardian.
  22. Ned Raggett (12 November 2013). "INTERVIEW Tess Parks". The Quietus.
  23. Julia Romanowski (23 April 2013). "Premiere The BB Guns Pennie Lane". Noisey, Vice.
  24. Sarah Green (10 May 2016). "B17 You Don't Come Around Anymore". Exclaim!.
  25. J.R. Moores (30 April 2013). "Flowers Of Hell, Odes". Drowned In Sound. Archived from the original on 23 September 2013. Retrieved 2 September 2016.
  26. Richard Trapunski (26 April 2012). "You're On Planet Creature". Now.
  27. Stuart Berman (12 December 2009). "Season's Dronings". Eye Weekly.
  28. "Season's Dronings". Earshot. 30 April 2012.
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