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It's a sad day for the D.C. music scene. Homegrown label Gypsy Eyes Records sent an email to its artists Thursday morning announcing they are closing up shop for good.
Hello All,Gypsy Eyes was founded in 2006 by friends Kalani Tifford, Josh Read and Nick Pimentel, with the stated goal of filling the "void between pop radio and DIY indie music." Since then the label had provided a home to a large cast of local musicians, including John Bustine, Brandon Butler, Vandaveer, Shortstack, Mikal Evans and The Apes. The City Paper's Aaron Leitko recently penned a cover story focused on the label and its struggle to make money. In light of the news that they've folded, this quote from Tifford from that story is pretty heartbreaking: “The point is to give people a career doing music—doing what they love,” Tifford says. “I believe that we’re on that path, and it’s only a matter of time.”We are writing this to let you know that after much thought and exploration of all available options, we have decided that it is time to shutter Gypsy Eyes. It was a very hard decision, but our only option at this time.
If any of you want, we have copies of your albums that we will give you back, you are, effective immediately, free from any contractual obligations to Gypsy Eyes. The albums are currently at Nick's studio, please let us know if you want the product back and when you can come and get them. If you do not want them, please let us know that as well.
We are really sorry this didn't work out. You guys are all incredibly talented, we love the music, and we hope this has not been a bad experience for you.
Any questions, we are free to talk.
Thanks for everything.
Kalani, Josh, Nick
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Very sad news, I'm terribly sorry to hear this. I know how passionate Mr. Tifford was about this project and how much effort he put into it (not to mention the other guys). It's a sad day for the DC music scene.
Given the growth of online distribution, bands taking charge of distribution, and the decline in CD sales, seems like niche labels are going the way of the big labels. Pity, but a small label will never have the reach of a couple dorks in Iceland with a Facebook page.
i believe they're called "ðørks" or "ðørkdottirs" in iceland, though, depending of whom you're speaking...
damnit.
I'm not sure where the writer received her information, but Gypsy Eyes has NOT called it quits. We freed the artists from any contractual obligations which does NOT mean we are no longer. We will continue to exist and do what we can for these artists. Feel free to contact me with any questions.
Thanks
Nick
nick@gypsyeyesrecords.com
nick: gotta say, amanda might have got the idea from this line:
sure as hell sounds like a going-out-of-business notice.IMGoph, I see your point but the letter, which was intended for the artists only, was taken out of context. Certain parts of Gypsy Eyes are very active...
nick: gotcha. do you plan on signing new artists in the future, or are you still in business just to wrap up loose ends?