While doing some web research on Hyde Park (our current neighborhood of the month), I stumbled onto Mr. Hyde Records. This label not only focuses on Hyde Park, but is also non-profit entity focused on promoting the music scene in the neighborhood and supporting its growth.
With three compilations under it's belt and two more in the works, it is clear Mr. Hyde is an entity which is standing the test of time and drawing a great deal of dedication from everyone involved. I talked with Loren Wilson of Mr. Hyde Records and of the band Starlister to get some info on Mr. Hyde and the Hyde Park music scene.
Loren explained a few points that make Hyde Park a unique and potentially under-appreciated music scene. There aren't any music venues in Hyde Park so bands usually need to head north to find places to play. On the surface it may not sound like much, but this requires people dedicated to their music to load up the van and head north. There are also alot of bands calling Hyde Park home that are breaking the recent trend of music which all sounds vaguely the same. Some of them, notably including Health & Beauty who got airplay on Q101, are getting noticed for it.
Mr. Hyde Records has released three compilations since January 2003. They are all currently out of print, but you can download the most recent two off their web site. Miraculously, they manages to distribute their comps either for free or extremely cheaply. They released their second comp with support from the Hyde Park Festival of the Arts and sold it for a meager $2-3 in order to pay for their third and most recent release.
Aside from financial backing, these releases take a tremendous amount of work for many people. Loren spent 32 hours mastering their most recent compilation. This doesn't include recording, coordination, art, promotion, or any other activity helping to make 500 copies disappear quickly.
Mr. Hyde Records puts out two compilations per year. One promotes the very active bands and the second boasts as many tracks as possible from as many bands as possible in Hyde Park. The next comp is due out in may. Check out the Mr. Hyde Records web site to keep up on the goings-on in Hyde Park and get info later this year about their next comp. You may also want to join the Hyde Park Music List. Both are linked to below.
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