What is the 8088 Record Collective?

The Collective was established around a campfire in 2001 by Abram Morphew and Joshua Abbott in Conway, Arkansas. Eight years later, it has developed into its current status: a collective of artists across the nation who share the same ideals, enthusiasm, and convictions. The Collective doubles as an experiment in the exposure of underground art while working as a community of artists for collaboration.

How do I join the Collective?

The first thing you need to do is sign up with a username and password on the website. This will give you the ability to create your own profile and participate in the online community of the Collective, as well as stay up to date on other artists and news of any group projects, such as our annual compilations.

What’s in it for me?

The Collective is specifically designed so that you’ll get as much out of it as you put into it. Many members have booked shows with each other, set up tours, and collaborated on joint projects. The range of the Collective currently stretches from Texas up to the northeastern side of the United States – that’s a lot of tour destinations and bands along the way to inform you about venues and detours along the way.

Since 2007, the Collective has produced an annual compilation of artists. Because of the physical distance between several of the artists on these compilations and the fact that everyone participating gets their own share of copies, you can be sure that your track on the compilation is going to be distributed hundreds of miles away from you. This exposes your work to more audiences (and reviewers) across the nation.

Yeah, well, I’m not a musician, so why should I bother?

Admittedly, the Collective’s focus is primarily music. However, we are always brainstorming means to get other artists involved. Visual artists get to submit their artwork for the CD and poster art, for example. Filmmakers were featured on our second Compilation, an enhanced multi-media disc. As we get more visual artists, filmmakers, and writers participating in the site, we will collectively pool our efforts to perhaps publish some literature, a book of photography, or a DVD of short films.

In the meantime, the nature of the Collective still allows artists, not just musicians, to take part. Post links to your personal site, for example; set up a photo gallery or video player. Collaborate: design album covers or make a music video. Use the music of Collective members to score your own films, whatever. Again, it all comes back to how much you put into it. We welcome any ideas for ways to focus as much on these other artistic endeavors outside of the strictly musical realm.

why haven’t i received any emails after signing up?

Emails from the Collective might end up in your spam folder. Check that out and reset your spam filters.

the Compilations

How does the compilation work?

The compilation begins with a call for artists’ submissions which lasts for several months. A budget is conceived: taking into account the number of musicians submitting a track, how many copies to be professionally pressed, packaging and shipping costs, this amount is divided amongst the musicians. Each track requires a donation of a specific, equal amount to compensate for the cost of the compilation that year. Meanwhile, visual artists post their artwork in the Forum for the collective to vote on. This determines the front and back cover artwork and the disc artwork.

Everyone participating submits their track and money by a certain day. Collective members do some mastering and graphic design, ship it off to the facility, and ship the finished compilation to all of the artists. The number of copies they’ll receive is based on the number pressed divided by the amount of people participating, subtracting out a base amount for the Collective used for distribution to reviewers, at compilation release shows, or out on the street.

How do you decide whose track gets to be on the compilation?

The compilation is first-come, first-served. If the track listing fills up before the deadline, other artists will have to wait until the next compilation to submit their work.

How often does a compilation come out?

We’re up to one a year at this point, and entertaining the idea of semi-annual releases.

Where’s the information regarding the Collective’s Compilation Vol. IV?

Have a look here for costs, schedules and deadlines, or email Emily at emily (at) 8088records (dot) com. You can also post any ideas or questions in the forum.

donations

I don’t want to submit any artwork right now, but I’d like to donate. How will you use that money?

Donations will be used for maintaining the costs of the server, helping out with pressing and shipping of the compilation if our budget estimations are incorrect, and if there’s actually some money left over, possibly aiding in the printing of promotional items (posters, stickers, etc.).

How can I donate outside of participating in the compilation?

We have an active PayPal account set up for ease in your kind contribution. Thank you.

contact information

General Inquiries: info (at) 8088records (dot) com

Booking: booking (at) 8088records (dot) com

Promotional Materials: promotions (at) 8088records (dot) com

Compilation Information: emily (at) 8088records (dot) com

Send us stuff:

Randy Vaughn c/o 8088 Collective

3446 Willowrun Dr. – Apt. D

Austin, TX 78704