The History Of An Independent Student Record Label: Madstop Records

01Apr08

Ever since its inception, Madstop Records has been a student-volunteer organization focused on supporting the local music community and educating its members on the operations and techniques of the music industry. Quickly developing throughout the years, the label has ever sought new avenues to participate in the music scene and help artists achieve their dreams. The growing number of Madstop Records members has brought a consistent flow of new ideas and fresh talent, continuing the evolution of the organization.

It all began in the spring of 2003, when a small group of Music Business students in SUNY Potsdam’s Record Company Administration course brainstormed and executed the launch of Madstop Records, a student-run not-for-profit label. In the following fall, with the consent of the on-campus, nonprofit auxiliary college services organization PACES, Madstop Records became an entity of PACES which is the business wing of the college foundation and as such has 501c3 status. The subsequent year found the skeleton crew at Madstop working hard to establish a structure and mode for the organization to operate by. The efforts of that year came to fruition in the June 2004 with the release of Madstop’s first album, a compilation entitled “this is the fun part”. The album was iconic of the label’s efforts: promote local artists and generate excitement about the local music scene.

In the fall of 2004, the compilation was starting to get the attention of local artists. The SUNY Potsdam rock band Ask Ryan approached the Madstop about the development of their first album. A milestone in the history of artist service, Madstop signed Ask Ryan as the first group to receive the benefits of the label’s very “artist-friendly” contracts. During that year, the group recorded at a professional studio and brought a master to be released by Madstop. In the spring of 2005 “Rough Copy” was released on Madstop Records to the local market, marking the label’s first artist LP. This all transpired while Madstop was promoting events such as Battle of the Bands and Potsdam Idol.

With the spring of 2005 came the graduation of almost all of the founding members of Madstop. Subsequently, in the fall of 2005, a new group of volunteers stepped into the ranks of Madstop. Due to the increase in visibility brought by the successful events and album releases, the membership in Madstop increased from the small four person group that founded the label. That personnel helped produce the speedy release of Madstop’s second compilation ablum: Compilation2. similar to it’s predecessor, the second Madstop Records compilation featured six artists, but this time put the focus on high sound recording quality. The compilation was released locally in the spring of 2006.

In the following fall, Madstop Records began to expand the scope of its activities. Recognizing Madstop’s efforts to support the local music community, the Crane School of Music’s Music Business Program donated a large amount of money to purchase new audio equipment to the label. This included a live sound setup, giving Madstop the ability to not only supply their own sound at events, but give its volunteers experience in the field. Also unique to the 2006-2007 seasos was the first annual Lillian Cohen Competition. In cooperation with the Lillian-Cohen Foundation the label played host to over 24 different classical musicians competing for a scholarship and a chance to record in the newly updated Madstop studio.

Also in early 2007, Madstop Records signed its second artist: The Cherubs. A noise-dance-rock duo, The Cherubs’ revolutionary performance music was a unique venture in truly original, independent music. Following their CD release party in May at SUNY Potsdam, The Cherubs took the album to Canada and locations in the western United States. This marked the first time that a Madstop album was sold on a major international tour.

Madstop greatly expanded its boundaries in the holiday season of 2007 when it provided tour management for the 16 piece Potsdam Rock Orchestra. Taking after the celebrated Tran-Siberian Orchestra, the large group was a unique oppurtunity which the Potsdam music scene had yet to hear. Madstop provided services in booking, marketing, and audio engineering as the group played very successful dates at SUNY Potsdam and SUNY IT in Utica.

The previous years have brought about a quick development of the label. With a constant flow of new students to the ranks of Madstop Records, the label continues to expand not only in numbers, but in presence and service to the music community.

To learn more, visit http://www.MadstopRecords.com