Mixtape: When I Fall – A Homestead Records Primer

Despite being one of the foundations of the indie movement in music, it still sometimes feels like the legacy of Homestead has been a bit lost these days. I can’t help but scoop any of the label’s releases from the used bins when I see them, but sometimes my jokes about obsessively collecting Homesteads seems lost even at the counter. Maybe its just me that’s obsessed. The label began as a domestic arm for the Dutch East India Trading company, the long island distributor that emerged as a hinge for imports, running into some legal hurdles after the copyright act of 1976 prevented them importing any titles that already had a domestic partner. Homestead served, originally as a solution, but would evolve into a label with it’s own unique voice. While the newly formed label would also bring quite a few imports to the U.S, including The Pastels, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, Tall Dwarfs, The Verlaines, The Ex, and Einstürzende Neubauten, it’s the homegrown releases that have often stood out.

The label’s legacy would prop it up as early homes for Sonic Youth, Dinosaur (before the Jr.), Big Black, and an eventual reissue home for Daniel Johnston. Here, though, I’ve worked to avoid the large tentpoles and dig into the label’s less prominent names. Where there was a tie that bound punk to whatever became College Rock, Alternative, and Indie, Homestead was there to help define the sound. The label’s long running guiding light was Gerald Cosloy, who served as label manager from 1984-1990. Cosloy was later integral in the formation of Matador and currently holding down the roster at 12xU. The label’s eclectic nature mapped quite a few corners of the punk scene and the roster is right up there with SST, AmRep, Sub Pop, and Matador. There are certainly omissions here, but I tried to give a good overview of some label highlights. The mix is already nearing two hours, so it’s pretty stuffed. If you’ve been a fan, reminisce. If you’re unfamiliar, welcome.

::Tracklist::

The Membranes – Big Fun Tonight

Sorry – Anything

Great Plains – Black Sox Scandal / What Are You Living On

Death of Samantha – Harlequin Tragedy

Naked Saygun – Knock Me Down

The Outnumbered – I Feel So Sorry Now

Windbreakers – Changeless

Phantom Tollbooth – Why I See Why

Volcano Suns – Jak

Big Dipper – She’s Fetching

Love Child – Diane