Sunset Alliance Records

Last updated
Sunset Alliance Records
Sunset logo.jpg
Founded1999 (1999)
FounderSteve Lefever
David Jensen
Genre Rock
Country of originU.S.
Location Mesa, Arizona
Official website sunsetalliance.com

Sunset Alliance Records is an independent record label based in Mesa, Arizona. It is owned and operated by David Jensen.

Contents

History

After the release of a couple LPs featuring local rock bands, original owner and founder Steve Lefever had plans to let the label die. [1] Then, in 2000, he approached the then-frontman of Before Braille, Dave Jensen, [2] who had been working for two years to create a compilation album for the benefit of a local Phoenix art house and music venue, Modified Arts, and invited him to join in the management of Sunset Alliance and release that compilation on the label. [3] [1] While Dave Jensen's original plans had been to release that record on his own start-up label, Aireshire Drive, he jumped at the opportunity. [3] [1] In 2001, Dave Jensen took full ownership of the label and has managed it since. [1] [4]

After a decade of operations, Sunset Alliance remains a small enterprise that focuses on local artists. [5] However, this has not kept the little label from attaining some significant national (and even international) success. During those first ten years, Sunset Alliance put out 46 releases, had three bands appear in the popular Emo Diaries series on Deep Elm Records, [6] [7] [8] found its bands charting on the CMJ 200, [9] sent its bands across the U.S. on concert and music festival tours, watched as some of its artists received international praise [10] and released their records in foreign markets, and has even applauded as one of its groups moved on to a major label. [11]

In January 2010, Sunset Alliance celebrated its ten-year anniversary with a revue show featuring some of its most successful bands, including: Before Braille, Fivespeed, The Player Piano, Novi Split, The Letterpress, and special guests Pinewood Derby. [12] [13]

Today, Sunset Alliance remains an active record label cooperating with different artists globally and focusing mainly on indie and alternative music. Although the majority of the latest releases are digital, the label keeps selling physical records and merch as well through their online shop.

Bands

This list is compiled from information found on the Sunset Alliance website, [14] [15] as well as through the label's discography.

Discography

Release numberTitleArtistNotes
SA 001Fair Weather Fan Stereotyperider
SA 002UninvitedCorrupt Citizen
SA 003Born to RockRedfield
SA 004Self-titled EP Fivespeed Also known as the First of the Compact Cars EP
SA 005 Triplesplit Series, Vol. 1 [16] Fivespeed, Before Braille, & Andherson
SA 006 Not One Light Red: A Modified Document Various ArtistsReleased with This Argonaut Records for the benefit of Modified Arts. [17] Bands featured on the compilation: Seven Storey, Fivespeed, Sea of Cortez, Harcuvar, Go Big Casino (Jim Adkins/Jimmy Eat World), Pinewood Derby, Redfield, Before Braille, Sextet, Pollen, ...And Guppies Eat Their Young, Scott Tennent, Reubens Accomplice, Fightshy, Death of Marat, Chula, Half Visconte.
SA 007Driving at 90mph Last Day Parade Released with Kickstart Audio
SA 008The Night was SultryThe Manhattan Project
ALLY009Trade in Your Halo Fivespeed
ALLY010Two Years of Silence Split EPFelix & The Manhattan Project
ALLY011Not One Light Red: A Desert Extendedby Various ArtistsBands featured on this release include: The Go Reflex, Cursive, Seven Storey, The Real Diego, Recover, Kristofer Astrom & Hidden Truck, Mock Orange, Bluetip, Fine China, The Format, Grey AM, Fivespeed, The Good Life, Fireside, Before Braille, J.Rawls, Bluebird, The Revolution Smile, Chris Mills, and Reubens Accomplice.
ALLY012Lost SightRedfield
ALLY013 His First Crush The Bled Released by Ride the Rocket Records. Sunset Alliance served as a distributive partner.
ALLY014Melodic Array of Change The Necronauts Released with High School Football Records.
ALLY015Self-titledSignedso
ALLY016 Self-titled The Player Piano The original LP had a limited release of 1000, hand-numbered copies.
ALLY017What the Hell is Rock'n Roll Shotstar Released with Downfall Records
ALLY018Self-titled EP Half Visconte Released by This Argonaut Records. Sunset Alliance served as a distributive partner.
ALLY019 Was it Fear Half Visconte
ALLY020You're Causing a Scene Tickertape Parade Originally, this release was listed as number ALLY020 in the Sunset Alliance catalog. [18] [19] [20] However, for reasons that are not entirely clear, Tickertape Parade was "excommunicated" from the Sunset Alliance line-up and its catalog number was replaced by two other releases. The official Sunset Alliance website lacks any information concerning this recording or the band.
ALLY020ASelf-titledThe Retaliation for What They Have Done to UsThe Retaliation for What They Have Done to Us was a "secret" project started by members of Before Braille while they were still under contract with Aezra Records. [21] They released this recording during that time, and it was later incorporated into the Sunset Alliance catalog.
ALLY020B The Rumor Before Braille The Rumor was originally released on Aezra Records. [22] Years later, Sunset Alliance purchased the rights to the album and thereafter has included it among its catalog of releases.
ALLY021 Keep Moving Novi Split
ALLY022 Obey the Cattle Rajiv Patel
ALLY023 Cattle Punching on a Jack Rabbit EP Before Braille This EP had a limited release, and preceded the full-length album, Tired of Not Being Away From Here .
ALLY024 Input/Output The Letterpress
ALLY025Americopa Mantle, Vol. 1Various ArtistsThis release was made for the benefit of local artists. [23] [24] It features: Before Braille, The Ruby Lee, The Go Reflex, Black Feet, Awake & Alert, Rajiv Patel, Sweet Bleeders, Not Quite Bernadette, and Wonderful Wednesday.
ALLY026Of Black Water Rajiv Patel
ALLY027 Balance and Timing EP Before Braille Released with Bad News Bears Records. This was originally released as a "Holiday" EP. [25]
ALLY028 Tired of Not Being Away From Here Before Braille UK Import release with You and Whose Army? Records. Distributed in the U.S. by Sunset Alliance and Common Wall Media.
ALLY029 Satellite The Player Piano The Japanese re-release of original Self-titled LP with Friend of Mine Records. This release carries two extra tracks: Jazz Odyssey and Cotton Carolinae. [26]
ALLY030Drugs Made My Favorite Bands, Drugs Ruined My Favorite People Art for Starters Two-disc LP, one disc being purely rock, while the other contains only acoustic songs.
ALLY031Ham Hocks & Guitar Strings Mr. Fantastical
ALLY032 Kill the Messenger, Keep the Message Before Braille
ALLY033 Spring Cleaning Before Braille This album's full name is: Spring Cleaning...Cut, Clean, Scab, Scar, Rewind, Remind, Repeat. This record is essentially a compilation of B-sides and rareties, but it also contains some original Before Braille songs.
ALLY034Get Phased EP Rajiv Patel Released first as a tour EP.
ALLY035Step Up or Step Back (Single)BeninemDigital release only.
ALLY036Santa's Sleigh is Thumpin' (Single)BeninemDigital release only.
ALLY037One Liners (Single)BeninemDigital release only.
ALLY038Seconds Accumulate DustRoger Over & OutDigital release only.
ALLY039Mark So Made Art for Starters Digital release only. This record features B-sides from the Drugs Made My Favorite Bands, Drugs Ruined My Favorite People Double-LP.
ALLY040Sunset Alliance Discography 1999-2001Various ArtistsDigital release only.
ALLY041Sunset Alliance Discography 2002-2004Various ArtistsDigital release only.
ALLY042Sunset Alliance Discography 2005-2011Various ArtistsDigital release only.
ALLY043Without Voice Art for Starters Digital release only.
ALLY044Without Instrument Art for Starters Digital release only.
ALLY045Instrumentals Before Braille Digital release only.
ALLY046Vocals Only Before Braille Digital release only.
ALLY047 Faux Light Loyal Wife
ALLY048Extended StayJeff JohnreyDigital release only.
ALLY049In Lieu of the Flu Sunset Alliance Mixtape, Vol. 1Various ArtistsDigital release only available on Bandcamp.
ALLY05052nd Street Revisited52nd Street Jazz Band
ALLY051 Keep Moving Disk 2 Novi Split B-Sides, rare tracks, and live recordings from Keep Moving-era; digital only release.
ALLY052Sugar OxCaptain Baby
ALLY053Born to Boogie, Born to Die Mr. Fantastical
ALLY054Sugar Ox ReduxVarious ArtistsA Bandcamp exclusive album released as a free download that contained remixed tracks from Captain Baby's debut, Sugar Ox. The artists contributing tracks were: D. Konopka (of OK Go), La Guerre, Grassfight, Octajohn, Hot Wheels, Reptoid, and Shunno).
ALLY055 Faux Light Instrumentals Loyal Wife Digital only release of Loyal Wife's debut album without any vocals.
ALLY056Sugar Ox InstrumentalsCaptain BabyDigital only release of Captain Baby's debut album without any vocals.
ALLY057MJC AlphaCaptain BabyDigital only release.
ALLY058We Notice Homes When They BreakLoyal WifeDigital only release.
ALLY059ClaimLoyal WifeDigital release containing original, alternative, and acoustic versions of the song. [27]
ALLY060Old FriendsLoyal WifeDigital only release. Get Right bonus track. [28]
ALLY061This Is An ApologyLoyal WifeDigital only release.
ALLY062CulpritLoyal WifeDigital only release.
ALLY063About This TownLoyal WifeDigital only release.
ALLY064Fast As I CanLoyal WifeDigital only release.
ALLY065LowlightLoyal WifeDigital release containing original and alternative versions of the single. [29]
ALLY066Black SerenadeLoyal WifeDigital release containing original and alternative versions of the single. [30]
ALLY067Hold UpLoyal WifeDigital release containing original and alternative versions of the single. [31]
ALLY068Get Right (Instrumentals)Loyal Wife
ALLY069Get Right (Bandaged)Loyal Wife
ALLY070Get RightLoyal WifeFull record released as monthly singles. The release of the LP itself is expected in 2024 and it may have a short run of vinyl and CDs in limited quantity. [32]
ALLY071Mormon Wheels (Pioneer Edit)Loyal WifeDigital only release.
ALLY072I & IIUmbrellaA retrospective LP of one of the key members of the indie-rock scene circa 1995-2005. [33]
ALLY073The Bone Stopped The BulletArt For StartersDigital release of the single from the Mark So Made LP. [34]
ALLY074A Great BattleMilo JensenThe debut of single a 7-year-old composer and David Jensen's son Milo. [35]
ALLY075No Tree Can Grow To Heaven Unless Its Roots Reach Down To HellIcarus PhoenixThe release is available both digitally and physically as a high-bias cassette tape. [36]
ALLY076Knowhere (acoustic version)Loyal WifeDigital only release.
ALLY077Megatron (Freestyle)J-WillzDigital only release.
ALLY078Geek HackerBeninemDigital only release.
ALLY079The TruthHomeless RadioThe debut work from the Ukrainian indie-rock band. Digital only release. [37]
ALLY080Dine OutBeninemDigital only release.
ALLY081Autistic FlowBeninem11-track LP available both digitally and physically as a CD. [38]
ALLY082Mine (Original Intent)RetaliationDigital only release.
ALLY083Just Ask JohnnyBeninemDigital only release.
ALLY084A Great Battle (8-bit remix)Milo MemesDigital only release. A remix of the original battle soundtrack released back in the day. [35]
ALLY085Brightest DaysNochipDigital only release.
ALLY086More MilkLoyal WifeDigital only release.
ALLY087Young Benny (Tribute to Benjamin Layne Shill)J-WillzDigital only release.
ALLY08824 Minus 18Before BrailleDigital only release. A remastered version of the song from Before Braille's debut LP. [39]
ALLY089Dysfunction/VictimizationIcarus PhoenixExclusive 'New Year' single available digitally. [40]
ALLY090About YouHomeless RadioDigital only release. Was released at the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The contact with the band was lost for several months due to the tragic happenings in Ukraine, including Izyum. [41]
ALLY091LoversSpencer L'RoyDebut work of Spencer L'Roy. Digital only release. [42]
ALLY092Spanish DaggerBefore BrailleDigital only release. A remastered version of the song from Before Braille's debut LP. [43]
ALLY093Abra CadaverBefore BrailleDigital only release. A remastered version of the song from Before Braille's debut LP. [44]
ALLY094Saddle UpSpencer L'RoyDigital only release.
ALLY095비밀 7Before BrailleDigital only release.
ALLY096비밀 8Before BrailleDigital only release.
ALLY097비밀 9Before BrailleDigital only release.
ALLY098SubmarineHomeless RadioDigital only release. Tribute to the Joe Dunthorne's novel and Richard Ayoade's movie. The song received positive feedback from Dunthorne The Strokes producer Gordon Raphael. [45]
ALLY099Not Misunderstanding Litotes (NML)Icarus PhoenixDigital only release.
ALLY100The Rumor (2022)Before BrailleThe remastered version of the Before Braille debut LP The Rumor, is available both digitally and physically as a vinyl. [46]
ALLY101The Rumor (Instrumentals)Before Braille
ALLY102CoversBefore Braille (V/A)
ALLY103Before Braille Covers(V/A) Before BrailleA compilation covering Before Braille songs - primarily from the album The Rumor. The compilation consists predominantly of the Sunset Alliance roster artists. [47]
ALLY104SupercarJesus Chrysler Supercar
ALLY105Latterday SpeedwayJesus Chrysler Supercar
ALLY106LandspeedJesus Chrysler Supercar

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Garcia, Gilbert. Speed Kills, The Phoenix New Times, Jan. 17, 2002 [ permanent dead link ] retrieved 01-09-12
  2. Yahoo! Music Before Braille Bio retrieved 02-17-12
  3. 1 2 Sunset Alliance Official Site: Story retrieved 02-17-12
  4. Dominic, Serene. Before Braille's David Jensen Returns with New Band Loyal Wife, The Phoenix New Times, May, 10, 2012 Archived 2012-06-28 at the Wayback Machine retrieved 2012-05-12
  5. See Manta.com Sunset Alliance Records Profile retrieved 02-17-12
  6. The Emo Diaries Chapter 6, featuring Andherson retrieved 12-08-11
  7. The Emo Diaries Chapter 4, featuring Fivespeed retrieved 12-08-11
  8. The Emo Diaries Chapter 7, featuring Before Braille retrieved 12-08-11
  9. See, e.g.,CMJ New Music Monthly, Issue 135, 2004 retrieved 01-12-12
  10. See, e.g., Indiepoprock.com French Review of The Player Piano, May 2004 retrieved 02-17-12
  11. Ide, Chelsea. Fivespeed Rejoins the Field, The Phoenix New Times, Dec. 23, 2004 Archived 2012-01-10 at the Wayback Machine retrieved 02-01-12
  12. Music Snobs Anonymous Blog Post, Dec. 14, 2009 retrieved 02-17-12
  13. Before Braille Official MySpace Blog, Dec.14, 2009 retrieved 02-20-12
  14. "Sunset Alliance". Sunset Alliance.
  15. Sunset Alliance Official Site: Allies retrieved 01-21-12
  16. Mehr, Bob. The Short and the Long, The Phoenix New Times, July 26, 2001 retrieved 02-17-12
  17. Mehr, Bob.Flashing Red, The Phoenix New Times, Feb. 1, 2001 retrieved 03-02-12
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  23. Americopa Mantle Website retrieved 02-17-12
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  26. "The Player Piano - Satellite". www.punknews.org. May 9, 2008.
  27. "Claim (Single), by LOYAL WIFE".
  28. "Loyal Wife - Old Friends".
  29. "Lowlight (Single), by LOYAL WIFE".
  30. "Black Serenade (Single), by LOYAL WIFE".
  31. "Hold up (Single), by LOYAL WIFE".
  32. "Loyal Wife - Get Right".
  33. "I & II, by UMBRELLA".
  34. "The Bone Stopped the Bullet, by ART FOR STARTERS".
  35. 1 2 "Milo Jensen".
  36. "No Tree Can Grow..., by ICARUS PHOENIX".
  37. "Homeless Radio".
  38. "Beninem - Autistic Flow".
  39. "Twenty Four Minus Eighteen (2022), by BEFORE BRAILLE".
  40. "Icarus Phoenix - Dysfunction".
  41. "Homeless Radio - About You".
  42. "Spencer l'Roy - Lovers".
  43. "The Spanish Dagger (2022), by BEFORE BRAILLE".
  44. "Abracadver (2022), by BEFORE BRAILLE".
  45. "Homeless Radio - Submarine".
  46. "The Rumor (20th Anniversary)".
  47. "(V/A) Before Braille - Under the Covers".