What if we met at the intersection of art and creativity?
Metalabel + our readers get together IRL
This past weekend your two friendly writers, along with the help of two friends (thanks T and L!), spent two days representing Metalabel at a book and record fair at the great cultural institution (and our friends) Pioneer Works in NYC.
To represent Metalabel, we decked our folding table with some of our favorite releases — Maya Man, Cutout Flipbook, Zarina Nares, Warpmode, Train Songz, Lizzie Klein, Gilded Popcorn, Josh Citarella, the Dark Forest Anthology, and more — plus a mouse, keyboard, and monitor so people could check out the site.
We spoke with hundreds of people over the weekend, including many newsletter subscribers (sup y’all!), as well as people coming across Metalabel for the first time.
So, what did we learn?
People who follow us don’t know Metalabel is a tool
Among the people who already followed us, there was a common refrain: “I love what you all write about and the projects you put out. But I don’t really know what Metalabel does?”
Our bad! We’ve been so careful in not over-promising we haven’t shown you the goods.
That’s why we brought the keyboard and monitor. Over the weekend we repeatedly walked people through how a release is built, how splits work, and let people grab the wheel and build something themselves. Here’s a historical re-creation of the demo:
More than once someone said something like, “Oh, I didn’t realize you were a tool. You mean I could use this?” Absolutely. We haven’t talked enough about this. Lesson learned.
Creative people don’t want to feel alone
Many people asked why we started Metalabel. Where did this project come from? Numerous times your author got emo and shared their journey as a lonely creator looking for connection who became inspired by a new way to think of the concept of a “label” as a new path forward. This story resonated. We had several long discussions with people about similar feelings. Those of us who feel alone are not alone.
Creators need collaboration tools
Some of the things people told us they use to do what Metalabel helps you do: Venmo each other; intense Excel sheets; using Notion to track collaborations; building custom sites and tools to make something like our catalogue page. Creative people today have to work very hard, against the grain, to collaborate and care for their work. Our approach felt simpler.
People love flipping through releases
When people held the Cutout Flipbook, they felt joy. People were drawn to the Aksioma titles and Lizzie Klein’s Virtual Memorials. We sold many editions of Warpmode and sold out of The Dark Forest Anthology of the Internet (the only releases we sold on site). Very cool for the work to be in the flesh with real people.
Treating digital work as valuable matters
Some of the most inspiring conversations came with creators who primarily make digital work and who were amazed to see a product like ours that took it seriously. After one inspiring conversation with an artist whose work felt very in line, we heard her tell a friend as she walked away: “I’ve got goosebumps.” We felt them too. 🙂
This creative universe is thriving
Looking around the packed Pioneer Works hall, it was hard not to be impressed by what people are doing. More people are making stuff than ever before, and so many people are coming out to support them. Spotted several people who have released with us already, like the Whitney Review, Cristine Brache, Inpatient Press, 29 Speedway, and more. We were impressed by what we saw.
People are hungry for collecting to be chill
A number of people mentioned how intimidating “collecting” feels sometimes; so formal, expensive, a luxury they shouldn’t try to have access to. But when we focus on collecting as just a loving exchange — the act of adding a creative work you admire to your possession to share with friends or bring joy when you see it in your apartment — anything is collectible, and collecting is fun.
The best compliment we received all weekend
At one point a ten-year-old boy spent a good 15 minutes browsing the site. We watched him warily, not sure what he was doing. But he systematically looked all around the site, checking out projects as he went. When he stopped on the NYC Garbage project we told him about what it was. “I know,” he said. “I read the description.” He continued to browse for another five minutes, then turned to us:
“Your website is awesome,” he said, giving us a thumbs up. “Awesome!”
What could be better?
NEW RELEASES
For the budding cyberfemme archivist
Katherine Dee, egirl 001
The brilliant writer and poster Katherine Dee has come to Metalabel to launch an ongoing magazine series about internet culture (a topic she continues to be a seemingly natural expert of). The project kicks off with a robust, timestamped trace on the birth of the egirl. Now available for pre-order.
For your out-of-control teen
Emma Stern, Penny & the Dimes: Dimes 4Evr
Self proclaimed former out-of-control teen Emma Stern crafts a voice for the chic, modern day version of The Clique book series in her latest novella, now on Metalabel. Following her 2023 exhibition “Penny & The Dimes: Dimes 4Evr World Tour” in London, Emma Stern wrote this work as a companion piece for the paintings in the show.
Collect and gift Penny & the Dimes
For the friend who swears they’re not a hoarder
NYC Garbage
Back after a ~13 year hiatus, NYC Garbage’s new iteration of glittery found trash from our city streets caused a lot of excitement this week. After using a release to build a waitlist a week in advance, the drop sold out in just 90 minutes (!). As they say, if you can sell garbage you can sell anything. Join the waitlist in case another collection of garbage drops.
For the space cadet who touches down from time to time
Ruby Bailey, *ENDLESSITY* the film
Ruby Bailey debuts her second video work and it's indescribable. Take a trip into the re:re:reality: a dream world, a pseudo-utopia, a proper limbo, a space void of sense-making that strikes all the right chords.
Collect and gift *ENDLISSITY* the film
For the friend who pretends they’re into foraging
Dirt x MPR tote bag
Dirt is a daily(ish) newsletter about the cutting edge of digital pop culture. We’re super excited to welcome Daisy from Dirt as one of our curators for the weeks ahead. For her first release, Dirt brings to life a mushroom-adorned tote bag to benefit award-winning Marfa Public Radio.
For that tumblr couple you know
Ann Hirsch, Twelve
Video and performance artist Ann Hirsch new book takes us back to 1998: the time of AOL chatrooms easily infiltrated by curious preteens and manipulated by others. After releasing this story of an online relationship with a man twice her age as an interactive e-book on iTunes in 2013 and being subsequently censored, Twelve is now back as a physical book designed by Molly Soda.
For your favorite brat summer advocate
Future Commerce, LORE
As collectors and artists, we are naturally big fans of lore as the beautiful world and energy around the work itself. But Future Commerce goes one step further and prompts us to ask what else does lore and myth shape that we can’t control? Where does it escape us? Lore begets lore begets ____?
Bonus: listen to us on Future Commerce’s podcast talking in depth about Metalabel last week.
For that one person who you always run into at the show
The Worst Generation, Master Collection Demo
The Worst Generation is a music collective founded in Charleston, South Carolina. Unbounded by genre and an ultimate example of our power when banded together, the group shared a demo sampler to complement their full catalog limited edition release. Organized by friend of Metalabel Black Dave, we stan for Worst Gen.
Collect and gift The Worst Generation
For the recent MFA dropout you want to encourage
The Creative Independent, On finding your voice
A perfect aid to setting visions for the year ahead, the latest zine by our friends at The Creative Independent centers around strengthening our own artistic voices. With quotes and input from artists like Lynne Tillman, Angela Pilgrim, Chelsea Hodson and more, it’s the perfect set of advice for artists of all stages.
I love the idea of Metalabel and am really keen to try it. Hopefully next year...
Love metalabel and learning a lot from following your journey. It sounds like you used metalabel to sell some collections in person too. Is that a possible using metalabel? Both in person and online options would be awesome.