It recently occurred to me that a large chunk of people in my life don’t know that I used to run a physical record label called “Actually, Records.” from 2003-2009. Time moves on, yes, but those six years I was pretty much consumed by all things record label - recording, mixing, mastering, promo, booking shows, graphic design, etc. I’m not going to claim that I was particularly gifted at any of it but what I can say is that almost 20 years on, the music holds up all day. All day!

I try not to look back too often (this is not an attribute - just a trait) so listening to the 14 “Actually, Records.” releases again after many years was odd at first but quickly transformed into a delightful experience. Sure, I blew a crap ton of money on the label and sure, pressing CDs right when they were at their most expensive to manufacture and declining in sales a quick pace was not the best financial decision and sure, my wife had the patience of a saint as I was practically consumed with all things “Actually, Records.” when most women would have bailed early on but hey, that’s how it goes sometimes hahaha

But the music - the music! I couldn’t be prouder today to re-present these 14 tracks - my favorites from each physical release - I could ramble on and on and on about how much I adore them but I will just ask this of you, potential listener. Play this compilation all the way through and you’ll find a story there - of a city, of a time, of a vision, of creativity, and of the artists themselves. There’s indie rock, noise, pop, folk pop, indie pop, melancholy guitars, outlaw folk, epic guitars, synths, indie rock royalty Sooyoung Park and Damien Jurado, and the best flute solo ever laid on a record ever.

So enjoy the dream that was "Actually, Records." and as always, thanks for listening!

Acknowledgements:

First, thanks to Jon Monteverde, the unofficial co-dude of “Actually, Records.”, of which the label could never have existed in the first place. Jon recorded, engineered, mixed, and mastered the majority of the “A,R.” discography, dealt with me at my most extra, and was and still is a sonic wizard.

Massive thanks and love to the artists who trusted me to help deliver their music to the world: ee, Ted Flynn, Kite Operations, Jon Monteverde, Pete Nguyen, Carly Oishi, Maria Photopulos, Joel Walter, and Jarrod Whittington

Thanks for all the support, creative contributions, and encouragement: Chris Sherman, John Almonte, Allison Wasilewski, Jeff Chan, Michael Giles, Vincent Tsu, Ian Dingman, Mike Skoch, Jung Ee, Alan Takaoka, Josh Denner, Liz Han, Transistor, Eric and Martin of Giant Robot, SueAnne Tae, Tawa Mitchell, Melanie Garrett, Jami Primmer, Ann Poochareon, my bro, and of course, Jaime.

Finally, thanks to any of you who came to a show, bought a CD and/or merch, played on the same bill, ran the sound board, booked us for a show, or just said hello. You may not have known it then but oh, how it mattered!