Zoom Lens (record label)
Zoom Lens (record label) | |
---|---|
Founded | 2009 | -present
Founder | Garrett Yim |
Status | Active |
Genre | electronic, Dream pop, j-pop, shoegaze, ambient, noise |
Location | Los Angeles, California |
Official website |
zoom-lens |
Zoom Lens is an independent Los Angeles-based record label founded and operated by May Yim since 2009.[1] The label was created "in order to explore the implications of popular culture on the human condition and the duality of musical creations discovered across the digital landscape."[1]
History
Founding
In 2009, Zoom Lens was founded[1] by Yim, who was at the time "fascinated with Japanese harsh noise and film"[2] and sought out to release his own music due to the influence of the Orange County experimental music scene.[2]
Eventually Yim released the first album on Zoom Lens, a Yuko Imada album entitled "Ome,"[3] which came packaged as a CD-R contained in a DVD case soaked in Yim's own blood.[2]
In January 2015, Zoom Lens had its first video broadcast on national television through Adult Swim with Meishi Smile and their video "AJS."[4]
On March 15, 2016, Zoom Lens had its first official SXSW showcase.[5]
Sound
Zoom Lens' sound has been categorized as "unpredictable",[6] exploring sounds ranging from ambient music, noise music, chiptune, electropop, shoegaze and other forms of experimental music. The sound of Zoom Lens has been described as "broadening definitions of punk,"[7] as well as "dreamy indie with 8-bit and rave euphoria."[8]
Imagery
Aesthetics & Main Imagery
The Fader has noted Zoom Lens as "one of the most aesthetically compelling labels in existence.".[6]
Many of Zoom Lens' images have revolved around the concept of burnt photography. This practice was first put to use for an EP by Party Girl released in 2011.[9] The imagery has said to be providing feelings about the disconnection towards memories, a commentary on "silver age"[10] Japanese idol music (or Kayōkyoku) and the over-saturation of the digital music market.[11] This theme has also been explored in Zoom Lens merchandise.
In 2014, a shirt based on a manipulated image of Yukiko Okada was released on Zoom Lens' official site, with a banner reading "burn a face of forgotten idols to obfuscate the memories of the truth you lost."[12] In a Red Bull Music Academy interview, Yim noted that he had felt a sadness in Okada's music and story, and "wanted to show people that Okada was a real person with real feelings, and that we all have such humanity."[2]
Music critic Adam Harper has noted some of the imagery as "a conscious attempt at confronting and defamiliarising the visual objectification of women (and its consequences)."[7]
Influences
East-Asian & Global Influences
The label has been referenced as one of "the best places for Japanese-inspired indie pop in the online underground,"[13] and has hosted a variety of online shows with Japanese venue 2.5D.[14]
Red Bull Music Academy has also noted Zoom Lens' international roster, which "encompasses artists from Japan, the Philippines, Singapore and the US."[2] and "[spans] cultural and continental canyons through our digital world."
While Yim has identified Zoom Lens as something far more encompassing beyond his own personal views[6] he has noted much of the label was established due to the influence of being a fourth generation Japanese (or Yonsei (Japanese diaspora)) and Chinese American, expressing that his identity felt rather unusual, lonely and that Japanese culture in America is still seen as taboo.[15]
The label has ultimately sought out for the artists to "represent themselves for who they are, not just for the assumptions people make about their country."[6] Despite heavy East Asian influence, Yim has said that the label is also about being unashamed of who you are and sharing the weight of existence.[2]
Artists
Current[16]
- Apollo Knives
- AEGYOKILLER
- The Bilinda Butchers
- Cyclops Rock
- DJ Obake
- i-fls
- Flowerinth
- KinokoNiji
- KiWi
- la pumpkin
- LLLL
- MEISHI SMILE
- mus.hiba
- nono.
- Plaster Cast
- This Deep Well
- Thought Tempo
- Uio Loi
- Ulzzang Pistol
- WHITE BIKINI
- yasumiyasumi
- yeule
- Yoshino Yoshikawa
- Yuko Imada
Former[16]
- Clover & Sealife
- Slime Girls
- Space Boyfriend
Discography
Albums[17]
Catalog # | Release Date | Artist | Album Title | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
ZL-01 | 2009 | Yuko Imada | Ome | Edition of 20 CD-R. Contained blood-soaked letter in DVD case. |
ZL-02 | 2009 | Yuko Imada | Untitled (Moon) | Edition of 10 CD-R. Contained in hand-stamped envelopes. |
ZL-03 | 2009 | Class of 1923 | Class of 1923 | Edition of 30 CD-R. Contained in hard CD case w/ unique inserts and photographs |
ZL-04 | 2009 | nono. | nono. | Edition of 50 CD-R. Contained in slipcase w/ lyric inserts. |
ZL-05 | 2010 | Thieves of Zozo | Thieves of Zozo | Edition of 100 CD-R. Contained in slipcase. |
ZL-06 | 2011 | Young Henry | Octagon | |
ZL-07 | 2011 | Zoom Lens | V.A. | 1st Zoom Lens Compilation. |
ZL-08 | 2011 | Yuko Imada | 六本木 NIGHTLIFE | |
ZL-09 | 2011 | Smoke Room | Vol. 2 | |
ZL-10 | 1.01.12 | Apollo Knives | The Harshest Winter | |
ZL-11 | 2012 | This Deep Well | From | |
ZL-12 | 9.22.12 | MEISHI SMILE | LUST | Edition of 30 cassettes. Contained lyrics sheet. 1st collaboration with Orchid Tapes. |
ZL-13 | 1.19.13 | i-fls | Residential town loneliness | |
ZL-14 | 4.01.13 | Rinkin Panku | Rinkin Panku | April Fools Release. |
ZL-15 | 6.30.13 | Uio Loi | Uio Loi | |
ZL-17 | 2013 | yasumiyasumi | Tokyo Digital Love | Edition of 50 cassettes. Contained handmade zine. |
ZL-18 | 2014 | MEISHI SMILE | LUST | Edition of 100 vinyl / 300 CD. 1st collaboration with Attack The Music. Remastered/reissue. |
ZL-19 | 2.25.14 | Space Boyfriend | bug spray (never give up) | |
ZL-20 | 3.08.14 | yeule | yeule | |
ZL-21 | 6.17.14 | LLLL | Paradice | Edition of 250 CD. |
ZL-22 | 2014 | Ulzzang Pistol | Girlfriend | |
ZL-23 | 2014 | Plaster Cast | مالتا | Credited as Malta. |
ZL-24 | 12.28.14 | DJ Obake | H | Edition of 100 CD. Contained postcard + sticker. |
ZL-25 | 1.28.15 | la pumpkin | pain everywhere. all the time. | Edition of 50 CD-R. Contained transparent cover + note. Online release party w/ SPF420. |
ZL-26 | 5.19.15 | Cyclops Rock | Crush Punk |
References
- 1 2 3 "About". Zoom Lens. Retrieved 2015-06-01.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 Thomas, Russell (November 9, 2014). "Interview: Zoom Lens' Meishi Smile on J-Pop, Living On The Web, and Real Life". Red Bull Music Academy. Retrieved 2015-06-01.
- ↑ "Albums". Zoom Lens. Retrieved 2015-06-01.
- ↑ "Meishi Smile - AJS". Adult Swim. January 15, 2015. Retrieved 2015-06-01.
- ↑ "Zoom Lens SXSW 2016". SXSW. Retrieved 2016-06-28.
- 1 2 3 4 Cooper, Duncan (May 21, 2015). "Fader Mix: Meishi Smile". The Fader. Retrieved 2015-06-01.
- 1 2 Harper, Adam (June 4, 2014). "System Focus: Inside 1080p, Zoom Lens & the New Digital DIY Labels". The Fader. Retrieved 2015-06-01.
- ↑ Harper, Adam (February 6, 2014). "Pattern Recognition Vol. 10: Pon! Cuter Love". Electronic Beats. Retrieved 2015-06-01.
- ↑ "Party Girl "Foulin'" EP". Zoom Lens. Retrieved 2015-06-01.
- ↑ "Idollica". Idollica. Retrieved 2015-06-01.
- ↑ "Zoom Lens Tumblr Ask". Zoom Lens. December 2, 2012. Retrieved 2015-06-01.
- ↑ "Zoom Lens Yukiko Shirt". Zoom Lens. Retrieved 2015-06-01.
- ↑ Harper, Adam (April 4, 2014). "If You've OD-ed On The Internet, This Music Will Save You". The Fader. Retrieved 2015-06-01.
- ↑ "2.5D x Zoom Lens". 2.5D. Retrieved 2015-06-01.
- ↑ St. Michel, Patrick (April 29, 2014). "Meishi Smile brings anime-influenced sounds to Japan". The Japan Times. Retrieved 2015-06-01.
- 1 2 "Zoom Lens Artists". Zoom Lens. Retrieved 2015-06-01.
- ↑ "ALBUMS". zoom-lens.org. Retrieved 2015-06-01.