Hippos In Tanks: Local Labels We Love
Considering that this LA-based label’s name comes from a novel co-written by Jack Kerouac & William S. Burroughs a whole 10 years before they became “Jack Kerouac” and “William S. Burroughs,” the…
By Mario Cotto • • 1 min reada novel co-written by Jack Kerouac & William S. Burroughs a whole 10 years before they became “Jack Kerouac” and “William S. Burroughs,” the creators of Hippos in Tanks are placing themselves firmly in the timeline of music alt.culture history. Trafficking in a left of-left of center avant-synth zone, Hippos In Tanks is doing really bold work that should be recognized right now, but may very well be so cutting edge that it’s the label kids will be talking about in 20 years in the same way that ZE Records(and “No Wave”) was so informative to the early 2000s.
With an already future-classic release from Games under their belt, and a phenomenal roster of great young talent with solid releases from next wave artists like Hype Williams, D’Eon, Grimes, Sleep-Over,Laurel Halo, and most recently synth wunderkind James Ferraro (who Simon Reynolds recently likened to Jean Baudrillard in his latest book, Retromania) Hippos in Tanks have already been named one of FACT magazines “Labels of 2011.”
Games (ft. Laurel Halo): “Strawberry Skies” by alteredzones
I recently sat down for a margarita with label head, Barron Machat, whose youthful idealism and profound respect for the artists he’s releasing is super-inspiring. He told me the story of how Hippos In Tanks had started as an offshoot of a late-night radio show he’d co-curated with Travis Woolsey for KXLU back in 2009, and how their mutual passion for these radically retro (but completely fresh) artists they were contacting and being contacted by moved them to want to release their music. And one EP at a time, one LP at a time, Hippos in Tanks began floating in the ether.
Sleep ∞ Over – Romantic Streams by Hippos In Tanks
Defying logic, surreally pleasant and peaceful, with a definite air of physical precariousness, the image of a hippo in a tank is a powerful one.
You should pay attention now…so you can relate to your kids when they start talking about their influences.
James Ferraro – Adventures In Green Foot Printing by Hippos In Tanks