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Touch & Go Records cutting distribution, jobs (not RIP)

Touch and Go

“It is with great sadness that we are reporting some major changes here at Touch and Go Records. Many of you may not be aware, but for nearly 2 decades, Touch and Go has provided manufacturing and distribution services for a select yet diverse group of other important independent record labels. Titles from these other labels populate the shelves of our warehouse alongside the titles on our own two labels, Touch and Go Records, and Quarterstick Records.

“Unfortunately, as much as we love all of these labels, the current state of the economy has reached the point where we can no longer afford to continue this lesser known, yet important part of Touch and Go’s operations. Over the years, these labels have become part of our family, and it pains us to see them go. We wish them all the very best and we will be doing everything we can to help make the transition as easy as possible.

“Touch and Go will be returning to its roots and focusing solely on being an independent record label. We’ll be busy for a few months working closely with the departing labels and scaling our company to an appropriate smaller size after their departure. It is the end of a grand chapter in Touch and Go’s history, but we also know that good things can come from new beginnings.” – Corey Rusk

Right before Chicagoist pointed out that the Chicago Tribune had this official statement, a ton of links to Time Out Chicago’s story about the label going completely out of business landed in my inbox simultaneously (thx all). Luckily that turned out to be not completely true.

As Time Out pointed out, “Touch and Go began at the dawn of the ’80s in East Lansing, Michigan, before founders Tesco Vee and Dave Stimson handed the biz over to Necros bassist Corey Rusk in 1983.” Tesco Vee will be in NYC on April 19th when The Meatmen headline a show at Europa with Chapstick. Tickets are on sale.

Touch & Go celebrated their 25th Anniversary as a label in 2006. Check out pictures from the birthday festival they hads that year HERE, HERE, and HERE, and grab a whole ton of Touch & Go MP3’s, HERE.

The complete list of labels with distribution ties to Touch & Go, below…

2131
5, Rue Christine
All Natural
Atavistic
Drag City
Emperor Jones
Estrus
Flameshovel
Jade Tree
In The Fishtank
Kill Rock Stars
Le Tigre Recordings
Merge Records
Overcoat Recordings
Pretty Activity
Post Present Medium
Record Label
Robcore
Suicide Squeeze
Trance Syndicate
Trixie
Voodoo-EROS
Warm Electronic Recordings