Sonic Cathedral

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Sonic Cathedral
Founded2004;21 years ago (2004)
FounderNathaniel Cramp
Distributor(s) Cargo Records
Genre Shoegaze, dream pop
Country of originUnited Kingdom
LocationLondon
Official website https://soniccathedral.co.uk

Sonic Cathedral is a British independent record label with a focus on shoegaze. [1]

History

Originally started as a club night by ex-NME journalist Nathaniel Cramp in October 2004, [2] it became a record label in 2006 after offering to put out a 7" single for Mark Gardener of Ride. [3]

The first edition of the club night was held at The Legion on Old Street, in East London, and featured a DJ set by The Telescopes and a live performance by The Radio Dept. [4]

Over the first few years as a label it continued to just put out 7" records, by bands such as School of Seven Bells, [5] Maps, and M83. [2] In 2009 these were compiled on Cathedral Classics Volume 1. [2] That year the label released its first album, the UK edition of Unknown Colors by Swedish band Sad Day For Puppets. [2]

In 2013 the label released a solo mini-album by Dean Wareham (of Galaxie 500, Luna, and Dean & Britta), titled Emancipated Hearts, followed by a self-titled full-length album in 2014. [6]

On 18 May 2014, a reformed Slowdive performed a surprise live set at the label's 10th anniversary concert at Hoxton Square Bar & Kitchen. [7]

In October 2020 the label released a solo album by Andy Bell of Ride, named The View From Halfway Down. This was followed by a second in 2022, Flicker. [8]

In October 2023 the label released Pearlies , the debut solo album of Emma Anderson of Lush. [9] [10]

In February 2024 it released the first full-length album by London band Whitelands, Night-Bound Eyes Are Blind To The Day. In June 2024 NME called it one of the best debut albums of the year so far. [11]

In 2024 Sonic Cathedral celebrated its 20th anniversary with four concerts in London, featuring artists such as Slowdive, Ride, and A Place to Bury Strangers. [12]

References

  1. ↑ Rogers, Jude (27 July 2007). "Diamond gazers". The Guardian . Retrieved 5 October 2024.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Gourlay, Dom (20 April 2009). "Shoegaze Week: Label Focus #25: Sonic Cathedral". Drowned In Sound . Retrieved 5 October 2024.
  3. ↑ Murray, Robin (2 October 2024). "Scene Celebration: Sonic Cathedral At 20". Clash . Retrieved 5 October 2024.
  4. ↑ Cramp, Nathanial (7 October 2024). "Shoegaze Revivals I Have Known, by Sonic Cathedral's Nat Cramp". The Quietus . Retrieved 2 October 2025.
  5. ↑ Mules, Adrian (10 August 2010). "Label Profile #4 // Sonic Cathedral". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 5 October 2024.
  6. ↑ Welsh, April Clare (12 May 2014). "This Is My Music: Dean Wareham's Favourite Albums". The Quietus . Retrieved 5 October 2024.
  7. ↑ Cooper, Leonie (19 May 2014). "Slowdive play first gig in nearly 20 years in London". NME . Retrieved 2 October 2025.
  8. ↑ Moore, Sam (11 January 2022). "Andy Bell announces his new solo album 'Flicker' and shares 'Something Like Love'". NME . Retrieved 5 October 2024.
  9. ↑ Monroe, Jazz (20 July 2023). "Lush's Emma Anderson Announces Debut Solo Album Pearlies, Shares Video for New Song". Pitchfork . Retrieved 5 October 2024.
  10. ↑ Hannah, Lesa (29 April 2024). "Shoegaze's Pioneering Women Are Still Going Strong". Stereogum . Retrieved 9 October 2024.
  11. ↑ "The 10 best debut albums of 2024… so far!". NME . 26 June 2024. Retrieved 5 October 2024.
  12. ↑ Richards, Sam (16 July 2024). "Slowdive and Ride to play Sonic Cathedral's 20th birthday". Uncut . Retrieved 5 October 2024.


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