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Sonic Archives Sonic Archives
  • Sound
  • Touch
  • Smell
  • Taste
    • Reviews
    • Interviews
    • Op-Eds & Cheap Comments
  • Sight
  • Blog
Aug 19

How I make lathe-cut records

This is a short demo clip I made several years ago, that I thought would be fun to share, and which might help folks understand more about the making of a lathe-cut record in general.
  • August 19, 2024
  • Audio 101
May 02

Lathe-Cut Records : Rates

When artists approach me about making a small run of lathe-cut records for them, the first question nearly everyone asks is: how much does it cost? I don’t have a fixed price list for all the different types of lathecut records I make, due to the nature of how specialized... read more →
  • May 2, 2024
  • Audio 101
May 02

Lathe-cut Plunderphonics!

Here's a little blast from my early adventures in lathe-cutting : A nifty Plunder-phonics styled track I created entirely from dozens of vinyl scrubs; embedded in my very first 5" record, created at Mike Dixon's Lathe Camp in Tucson, 2018. https://videopress.com/v/VLmQoNzn?resizeToParent=true&cover=true&posterUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fsonicarchives.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fbrazil-goes-to-the-byrds_mp4_std.original.jpg&preloadContent=metadata&useAverageColor=true Can anyone identify the original source LP I used... read more →
  • May 2, 2024
  • Recordings Of Independent Origin
May 01

An Introduction to Lathe-Cut Records

A lathe-cut record is small-batch art. It was made by hand, one-at-a-time, in real time, on a polycarbonate (plexiglass) medium, using machines built in the 1930s & '40s. The embossing process presses the sound into the medium with a stylus made of tungsten or sapphire as the music is playing.... read more →
  • May 1, 2024
  • Audio 101
Feb 18

Catching Up With The Past

This post is dedicated to a clever troll - tapesfor2 - who once publicly posted this nice comment about my efforts to preserve the Sonic Archives tape collection: "You shouldn't have. His recordings were at 'best' personal souvenirs. They were not quality recordings. They should not be shared. Those tapes... read more →
  • February 18, 2024
  • Live Music Archive, Recordings Of Independent Origin
Jul 13

Twin Cities Music Archives

Remember when shows cost $5 and someone was always taping in the back? That was me. Since the '80s, I've recorded live performances of Twin Cities bands on whatever gear I had at the time, preserving the magic of the moment. Just about any genre of music you can think... read more →
  • July 13, 2025
  • Live Music Archive, Recordings Of Independent Origin
Apr 03

Zuzu’s Petals • 1992-02-09 • Mpls MN • 7th St. Entry

This soundboard recording came from the collection of another taper, known as Minnesota Mike, who made audience recordings of shows in the Minneapolis / St. Paul area between 1978 and 1992. Zuzu’s PetalsMinneapolis MNSeventh Street EntrySunday 9 February 1992stereo soundboard recording16/44.1 analog > digital transfer from 1st-generation cassetteduration (34:10) [01]... read more →
  • April 3, 2025
  • Live Music Archive, Recordings Of Independent Origin
Apr 01

Zuzu’s Petals • 1994-11-09 • San Francisco CA • Bottom Of The Hill

Here is Zuzu’s Petals from Minneapolis, playing at Bottom of the Hill. The band was Coleen Elwood, Laurie Lindeen, and Linda Pitmon. They had a couple of LP’s on Twin/Tone in the early 1990s. Linda went on to play with Golden Smog, Steve Wynn, The Baseball Project, Filthy Friends and... read more →
  • April 1, 2025
  • Live Music Archive, Recordings Of Independent Origin
Apr 01

Zuzu’s Petals • 1995-01-14 • Moorhead MN • CMU Ballroom

This is the only recording I’ve ever seen of Zuzu’s Petals after 1994, so there is some merit in that alone. I don’t know the story behind this show, but it could very well be one of the last shows the band ever performed at the time. Zuzu’s PetalsMoorhead MNMinnesota... read more →
  • April 1, 2025
  • Live Music Archive, Recordings Of Independent Origin
Mar 28

Zuzu’s Petals • 1994-09-10 • Mpls MN • 7th St. Entry

This was the first of two back-to-back record release shows for the album The Music Of Your Life, presenting ten of the eleven tracks on that album, and just over half of their earlier debut LP, When No One's Looking. Zuzu's PetalsMinneapolis MNSeventh Street EntrySaturday 10 September 1994stereo audience recording24/48... read more →
  • March 28, 2025
  • Live Music Archive
Mar 28

Zuzu’s Petals • 1994-07-08 • Mpls MN • 7th St. Entry

Here's a short, sweet and rockin' set from ZuZu's Petals, one of the featured showcase bands during the 1994 Minnesota Music Academy Icebreaker conference; performing most of their LP, The Music Of Your Life. Zuzu's PetalsMinneapolis MNSeventh Street EntryFriday 8 July 1994stereo audience recording24/48 analog > digital transfer from master... read more →
  • March 28, 2025
  • Live Music Archive
Mar 27

Zuzu’s Petals • 1993 John Peel Session

The session features three tracks from their 1992 debut LP, When No One’s Looking, and one which would turn up on their follow-up LP – The Music Of Your Life, released in 1994. Zuzu’s PetalsBBC Radio 1Maida Vale StudioJohn Peel SessionSaturday 17 April 1993stereo FM recording24/48 analog > digital transfer... read more →
  • March 27, 2025
  • Live Music Archive
Aug 28

Borrowed Time • Listening Party

Here is an advance Screening / Listening Party for the projected Borrowed Time album, In A New Land. Welcome to the Listening Party! This is a Private Party - Invitation Only - but feel free to bring a guest, if you're willing to vouch for them.This album was recorded in... read more →
  • August 28, 2024
  • Recordings Of Independent Origin
Aug 27

Colt Vista • Holocene 2008

I was asked to record this show alongside a film crew at Holocene, so the audio mix could be digitally synced with their video. (originally posted in 2008) Colt Vistalive at HolocenePortland, Oregon29 June 2008 This was a good opportunity to try out my Church Audio custom-built 4-channel pre-amp in... read more →
  • August 27, 2024
  • Recordings Of Independent Origin
Aug 26

Horde Of Two – Portland 2009

Hailing from Vancouver, B.C., Horde Of Two is my new favorite band that is *not* from Portland, although their ties with the PDX music scene run deeper than most would probably be aware of. (originally posted in 2009) Horde Of Twolive at HOMEland GalleryPortland, OR26 June 2009 One of the tracks on bassist Wendy... read more →
  • August 26, 2024
  • Recordings Of Independent Origin
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Recent Posts

  • Twin Cities Music Archives
  • Zuzu’s Petals • 1992-02-09 • Mpls MN • 7th St. Entry
  • Zuzu’s Petals • 1994-11-09 • San Francisco CA • Bottom Of The Hill
  • Zuzu’s Petals • 1995-01-14 • Moorhead MN • CMU Ballroom
  • Zuzu’s Petals • 1994-09-10 • Mpls MN • 7th St. Entry

Categories

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  • Live Music Archive
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Hi, my name is J.Free, and I wear a few different hats!

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E-Mail: info@sonicarchives.com

The Sonic Archives Recording Company:
Small-run lathe-cut records made by hand – if you’re interested in a unique alternative to traditional factory-pressed records for your band or musical project.

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