UNIVERSITY NEWS LAST UPDATED : 10 JUNE 2010
Audio cassettes could be making a comeback to tape decks across the country – thanks to a record label founded by some Birmingham City University students.
Brave or Invincible Records has been set up by four BA (hons) Media & Communication students who are about to release a compilation tape of 10 bands. Callum Joynes, Ryan Smith, Chris Williams and Nick Moreton used the skills they’ve acquired during their studies to help them set up their business.
Initially they planned to organise gigs for a solo artist called Tiny Cinema, but decided to set up a record label to release his music. Following on from this they decided to issue a ‘mixtape’, based on the cassettes 1980s teenagers compiled in their bedrooms. The four second year students approached a number of bands whose music they wanted to bring to a wider audience and asked each one to provide a track for the tape. However, it’s not just the music that makes the album unusual; they have also asked designers and artists they know to create the cassette sleeves so each one of the 100 to be produced will be unique. The tape comes with a download code so buyers don’t need a cassette player to listen to the album, which is called The BOI Mixtape: Volume 1.
The music on the tape varies from acoustic to alternative to post-rock and already the students have had interest from as far as Canada. One of the organisers, Callum Joynes, said: "We wanted to release a mixtape on cassette because we believe there is still value in a physical product, it just has to be a desirable package, with some level of uniqueness. Also, in terms of cultural significance, we thought that there was no better way to release a ‘mixtape’, than on an actual tape."
The casette launch coincides with a nationwide campaign entitled Universities Week, June 14 to 20, which will see over 100 universities highlighting the essential role that universities play in sustaining our society, culture and economy.
Matt Grimes, Degree Leader for Music Industries at the School of Media: “The four of them are really enthusiastic about the mix tape. It’s a great idea and although staff at the University’s School of Media are available if students want to talk through their ideas these four have pretty much done everything themselves – from the initial idea to sourcing a company that produces cassettes. We actively encourage students to engage with the industry whilst doing their degree and offer as much support as we can to help. Their entrepreneurial spirit will benefit them in their future careers whatever avenues they decide to follow.”
To find out more about Brave or Invincible records visit www.boirecords.co.uk.