James Tritten has been in the music industry for years. He has played in numerous bands, toured the country uncounted times, and ran his own booking agency representing quite a roster of talented bands. He has also collected vinyl for years, being particularly drawn to the 7 inch format.
While staying home sick one weekend, he rekindled with his love for the 7 inch and decided to create a name, logo and blog site for Fort Lowell Records, a Tuscon-based, non-profit record label that would release up-and-coming Tuscon artists as well as some seasoned professionals on 7 inch vinyl records only.
What started off as an idea in late 2009 quickly turned into full scale reality. By January of 2010 Fort Lowell already had its first three releases lined up with the Young Mothers "Come On, The Cross" b/w "Good Swords" being released on Record Store Day in 2010. “Come On, The Cross” could easily be the Best. Song. Ever. And I know that's impossible because there is no way something could actually be the best, let alone “forever,” but still it’s a great song. Next ...music video? released "I'm Afraid Of Everything" b/w "feelgooddesperation" followed by a split between Wet & Reckless and Tracy Shedd, James Tritten's wife and very much the artist in her own right.
Dead Western Plains, another fabulous Tucson band released "Alta" b/w "Gift Horse In The Mouth," a supreme vinyl that I enjoyed immensely. The most recent Fort Lowell release is by Death Kit featuring their song "Devadasi" and a remix of their song “I Can Make You Love Me" by ...music video?.
Coming up though is something very exciting as Howe Gelb will release two tracks for Fort Lowell Records on April 16, 2011. Yep, Fort Lowell's 6th release will be on Record Store Day, this time being an officially sponsored release available at record stores around the world.
I have to mention the artwork. Each release up until Death Kit's is beautifully encased in a sleeve featuring photography by the wonderfully talented Alaina Brownell. She even posed as the cover model for ...music video?'s release. Also, each B-side label is adorned with art by clamdiggin. Finally, it's James himself who designs the entire shebang, graphic design being yet another of his passions.
If at any time you run into these records (as I did perusing the record aisle of the Phoenix Bookman's), my recommendation is to buy them immediately. Did I mention that they're all pressed on different colored vinyl (green, clear, red, white and peach, respectively)? Oh, and that they're limited to only 500 hand-numbered pressings of each with no chance of getting printed again? No? Well what are you waiting for? Get out to a record store or go online and complete your collection today!
Fort Lowell Records is the best record label in Tucson right now. There, I said it. And it should be no surprise. One might say it's because they only “physically” release their albums on vinyl. Or, that they spotlight the “local-ist” of bands. But I say it because the man behind it all, James Tritten, is an amazingly dedicated, lets-get-shit-done type of guy who had an idea and made it happen.
