It’s been 5 years since Keith Abrahamsson founded Brooklyn-based record label, Mexican Summer. This weekend, the Red Hook pioneer’s work will hold its anniversary party in commemoration, featuring Ariel Pink, Spiritualized, Connan Mockasin, No Joy and more. It will also release a 250-page book limited to 1,000 copies, designed by Dan Schechter. It features unseen art, photos and written contributions from a host of the label’s artists. We talked with the founder himself for a sneak peek of what’s going to happen!
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Part Time – “I Want To Go” BUY HERE
Ariel Pink/Jorge Elbrecht – “Hang On To Life”
No Joy – “Blue Neck Riviera” BUY HERE
Connan Mockasin – “I’m The Man, That Will Find You”
Happy Jawbone Family Band – “I Have To Speak With Rocky Balboa” BUY HERE
The Fresh & Onlys – “Glass Bottom Boat” BUY HERE
Lace Curtain – “Falling (II)” BUY HERE
Mood Rings – “The Line” BUY HERE
TL: How was curating the anniversary? Was there any criteria?
KA: We just wanted a healthy mix of alumni & current artists, as well as friends/collaborators. It was pretty rough pulling it all together just because there are a lot of bands we wished could’ve played – due to timing and space, it was impossible to fit everything. That said, we’re pretty proud of the bill we ended up with.
TL: Is there any artist we should specially keep our eyes open?
KA: Connan Mockasin, Jorge Elbrecht, Quilt, Ashrae Fax, No Joy, Happy Jawbone Family Band, Travis Bretzer — all artists we’re working with and all worth your attention!
TL: How did the book come together?
KA: VERY slowly. It was a long and arduous process, but we ended up w/ something really amazing. The book itself is an 11×11 format w/ a ton of cool ephemera – band anecdotes, unseen/unique photos, alternate art, etc. And it houses a 10″ w/ exclusive collaborations – Ariel Pink/Jorge Elbrecht, Spiritualized/Soldiers of Fortune/Neil Hagerty, Autre Ne Veut/Fennesz, Quilt/Bobb Trimble and The Lonely Sailor/Renee Mendoza Haran (members of Total Control/Eddy Current Suppression Ring/Lace Curtain & Ashrae Fax). It’s limited to 1000 copies and there’s no digital component. I have to extend a huge thanks to Dan Schechter, Shaun Durkan, Jesper Eklow & Shea Bermingham on this — the project never could’ve been realized without them.
TL: What do you expect for the next 5 years?
KA: We’re staying busy — releasing records w/ artists we love on Mexican Summer, we just announced our publishing arm, Mexican Summer Music, Our sister label, Software, has a great slate of releases next year, we’re launching a reissue arm, Anthology Recordings, in early 2014 and our studio will remain very busy w/ recording projects…
