… a blog post from Chairman’s Corner.

Hey there music lovers. This week, we’re going to focus our attention on an independent record label out of Portland, Oregon: NADINE RECORDS!

Not only is Mandy Morgan the owner and operator of Nadine, she’s also my bass-playin’ bandmate in Nasalrod (full disclosure). You could safely say that music is her life, as she also plays in both Berzerk and Time & The Bell! As if that wasn’t enough musical activity, Mandy does quality control over at Cascade Record Pressing (our awesome neighbors) as well!

The Nadine Records catalog is incredibly diverse, as it includes everything from the soothing sounds of Portland’s own Larry Yes to the brutal, heavy assault of Seattle’s Tacos! Since we LOVE talking about music (especially in a physical format!) with the folks who are heavily immersed in it, I decided to ask Mandy a few questions about running the label and more. Here goes:

SPINNEY MEDIA: Between working at a record pressing plant and running a record label that puts out vinyl releases for various artists (including your own projects), your life seems very centered around physical media. What does having your own album on vinyl (or even a CD or cassette for that matter) mean to you? How does it feel to put out physical releases for the Nadine artists?

MANDY MORGAN: Like many others, I really enjoy the “art object” aspect of physical media. The visuals, the liner notes, hearing the songs in the intended order and having something tangible to interact with all serve to enhance the album listening experience. When I see the manifestation of love and labor existing in the world in physical form, it feels very satisfying, substantial and legitimizing. 

Helping to put out physical releases for the artists on my label is a gratifying way to support and give back to my community. It’s a collaborative experience I feel really lucky to be a part of. 

SM: What are some challenges that come with running a record label?

MM: There are a lot of moving parts and details to keep in your noggin. Trying to sync up with others to navigate timelines can be tricky, and space can quickly become an issue when you are working out of your home, as I am. (Spinney has helped with this aspect though!) Maintaining a healthy work/ life balance is probably the biggest challenge, but I’ve gotten better about this one over the years. 

SM: What are a couple of pdx record stores that you like going to? 

MM: We’re very fortunate to have so many great record shops in PDX! Some of my favorites are Mississippi Records, 2nd Avenue, Specks, Ozone and Landfill Rescue Unit. 

SM: Do you think it’s important for bands to have a variety of merch at their shows?

MM: I say the more merch, the merrier! Especially if you are a touring band, it’s really the only way to sustain the endeavor. A variety of items at various price points seems to be a good approach. While it’s ultimately about the music, t-shirts are still the best-selling merch item, and have the built in bonus of providing excellent promotion for your band. 

SM: Do you currently listen to vinyl, CDs and cassettes?

MM: I still buy and listen to all three! Long live physical media! 

Big THANK YOU to Mandy for chatting with us about all of these things that we truly love.

Cheers,

Jeffrey “Chairman” Couch

Music lover, creator & collector

chairman@spinneymedia.com

Chairman currently enjoys freaking out & creating panic with his spastic rock band Nasalrod, which is based in Portland, Oregon. He created this blog to share his serious love of music, the arts, and physical media.