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

Chamber Of Commerce – 2009 Portland Jazz Festival

One of my personal highlights of the 2009 PDX Jazz Festival was an ambitious collaborative project between Blue Cranes and Paxselin Quartet, not only sharing the same bill, but performing... read more →
  • August 26, 2024
  • Recordings Of Independent Origin

PDX Pop Now! 2009 CD Release Party

On Thursday, June 4, 2009, PDX Pop Now! threw a CD release party at Holocene, to celebrate the release of their fifth annual compilation CD, PDX Pop Now! 2009. (originally... read more →
  • August 25, 2024
  • Recordings Of Independent Origin

The Baseball Project • Portland 2009

The Baseball Project is what some might call a "super-group" whose members are some of the most durable players of the 80s & 90s alternative / indie / underground rock... read more →
  • August 25, 2024
  • Recordings Of Independent Origin

Überscenesters On 45!

Here's a fun little project I recently had the pleasure of working on for some old pals in Minneapolis. Four different half-speed mastered singles, in four different colors. These tracks... read more →
  • May 2, 2024
  • Recordings Of Independent Origin

Spooks!

Every now and then I have to break away from the industry aspect of the music biz, and tackle a pet project just for the fun of it. This time... read more →
  • May 2, 2024
  • Recordings Of Independent Origin

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"... read more →
  • May 2, 2024
  • Recordings Of Independent Origin

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... read more →
  • February 18, 2024
  • Recordings Of Independent Origin
One of a series of mock First Avenue calendars; circa 1983

Mpls band archives

During the ’70s, ‘80s, ‘90s, and early oughts, I worked at The Longhorn Bar, First Avenue, and the Uptown Bar in Minneapolis. Throughout those years, I worked at a handful... read more →
  • January 17, 2024
  • Recordings Of Independent Origin

Matisyahu & Wookiefoot • 2004-10-31 • Mpls MN • Cabooze

Matisyahu, on the verge of becoming huge, in a small club, wove his songs into the Wookiefoot set, who then backed him during his own set. [link to audio below]•... read more →
  • May 8, 2023
  • Recordings Of Independent Origin

Mike Watt • 1998-05-24 • Mpls MN • 7th St. Entry

Watt + The Black Gang rip through the complete Contemplating The Engine Room opera, plus a few covers by Daniel Johnston, Wire, and Blue Oyster Cult [link to audio below]... read more →
  • May 8, 2023
  • Live Music Archive
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Recent Posts

  • Zuzu’s Petals • 1992-02-09 • Mpls MN • 7th St. Entry
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  • Zuzu’s Petals • 1995-01-14 • Moorhead MN • CMU Ballroom
  • Zuzu’s Petals • 1994-09-10 • Mpls MN • 7th St. Entry
  • Zuzu’s Petals • 1994-07-08 • Mpls MN • 7th St. Entry

Categories

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

Get in Touch

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.

Record Rescue Rehab Restore:
For the last 40 years or so, I’ve been buying and selling vintage vinyl records. If you’re looking for a hard-to-find vinyl record; or if you have a collection of records you would like to sell, please get in touch with me!

The DJ Hypnos Sound System:
Not your usual DJ – If you have a special event that calls for something a little different, how about a space-age blast of rhythm, soul, jazz and pop, at all speeds!

While you’re here, why not take a look around and check out some of the bands I’ve played in, and some early writing and visual art from the past few decades. You just never know…

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