Audiocassettes could be making a comeback to tape decks across the UK, thanks to a record label founded by some Birmingham City University students. Brave or Invincible Records was set up by four second-year Media & Communication students who are about to release a compilation tape of 10 bands: The BOI Mixtape: Volume 1 (which will come with a download code). Callum Joynes, Ryan Smith, Chris Williams and Nick Moreton used the skills they’ve acquired during their studies to help them set up their business.
(L-R) Chris Williams and Nick Moreton
Initially they planned to organise gigs for a solo artist called Tiny Cinema, but decided to set up a record label to release his music. They then decided to issue a ‘mixtape’, based on the cassettes 1980s teenagers compiled in their bedrooms. The team approached a number of bands whose music they wanted to bring to a wider audience and asked each one to provide a track for the tape. However, it’s not just the music that makes the album unusual; they also asked designers and artists they know to create the cassette sleeves so each one of the 100 to be produced will be unique.
The music on the tape varies from acoustic to alternative to post-rock and already the students have had interest from as far as Canada. One of the organisers, Callum Joynes, said: “We wanted to release a mixtape on cassette because we believe there is still value in a physical product, it just has to be a desirable package, with some level of uniqueness. Also, in terms of cultural significance, we thought that there was no better way to release a ‘mixtape’, than on an actual tape.”
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