Glass Mountain Records

American independent record label

Glass Mountain Records

Founded| 2007
Founder| Tori Sparks
Status| Active
Distributor(s)| BDC/Burnside Distribution
Genre| Rock
Blues
Soul
Jazz
Americana
Folk
Country of origin| United States
Location| Nashville, Tennessee
Official website| glassmountainrecords.com

Glass Mountain Records is an American independent record label that was launched in 2007. It was created by singer-songwriter Tori Sparks, and represents an example of the DIY business model that has become popular among musicians since the 1990s.

## Contents

* 1 Brief background
* 2 DIY business model
* 3 References
* 4 External links

## Brief background[edit]

Glass Mountain Records was formed in 2007 by Nashville and Barcelona-based artist Tori Sparks.[1] She sought legal aid to escape a contract with now-defunct record label Platinum Plus Universal Records, then opened GMR and its publishing arm, Hand Over Foot, in the same year. Sparks stated that the purpose of starting her label was to continue to release albums while retaining legal and artistic control. Tori has released four independent albums[2] and has been asked to speak at music conferences and universities on various music business topics, including South by Southwest,[3] and syndicated programs such as Music Business Radio.[4] She has written articles for ProMusicU,[5] Sivers.org[6] a monthly column for Nashville-based Dream Row Magazine,[7] and other industry groups and publications. In 2009, Glass Mountain partnered with BDC/Burnside Distribution in Portland, Oregon, for physical and digital distribution.

## DIY business model[edit]

Glass Mountain Records is an example of the DIY business model,[8] that has been popularized since the 1990s by independent artist-entrepreneurs such as Ani DiFranco (Righteous Babe Records)[9] and Martin Sexton (Kitchen Table Records).[10] These artist-run labels are characterized by smaller in-house staff, or greater reliance on outside independent promoters and distributors, as well as greater flexibility and artistic control. Former major-label band Radiohead[11] helped to bring the DIY trend to the forefront of public consciousness 2007 when they elected to release their album In Rainbows without the help of their former label EMI/Capitol.

## References[edit]

1. ^ Glass Mountain Records, Artist: Tori Sparks
2. ^ ToriSparks.com: Discography
3. ^ "SXSW 2011 Panel: What It Takes to Get and Promote Gigs". Archived from the original on September 17, 2011.
4. ^ Music Business Radio: Live with Host David Hooper
5. ^ ProMusicU Advisory Board
6. ^ Sivers.org
7. ^ Dreamrow Records
8. ^ The Herald Sun Triangle Live "Sparks Takes DIY Approach to Music Business" by Dawn Baumgartner (April 11–17, 2008) Cover Story, continued on Pg D4
9. ^ Righteous Babe Records
10. ^ The Marquee: "Martin Sexton Has Enviable Freedom in His Career, and His Own Record Label" July 1, 2008, By Timothy Dwenger
11. ^ Tyrangiel, Josh (October 1, 2007). "Radiohead Says: Pay What You Want". Time.

## External links[edit]

* Official website
* GMR MySpace