Imprint > Tres
Mar 1, 2008 12:00 PM
Style: Hip-hop
Giant Panda
Established: Chikara Kurahashi (Chikaramanga from Giant Panda) and Taro Aikawa created Tres in March 2004 in Los Angeles.
Artists: Blu, C.R.A.C., DJ Alibi, Giant Panda, Lightheaded, New Jack Hustle, Thes One (of People Under the Stairs), Y Society
Essential Listening: Giant Panda, Fly School Reunion (2005); Lightheaded, Wrong Way (2006); DJ Alibi, One Day (2007); Thes One, Lifestyle Marketing (2007); Y Society, Travel at Your Own Pace (2007)
Manifesto: “Tres Records, a label founded and run by artists, is committed to procuring the hip-hop aesthetic while exploring the infinite possibilities of the sampling tradition,” says Kurahashi, label general manager. “Tres seeks out artists with the same passion and provides them a space to be creative and maintain their musical integrity by putting quality before quantity.”
A&R Philosophy: “We appreciate artists' craftsmanship, such as diggin' and the process of making beats, recording and mixing,” Kurahashi says. “We want to work with artists who care about these things. Projects we put out are always something we can get excited about being part of. Yes, we accept demos.”
Upcoming: “C.R.A.C. [a collaboration between Blu and Ta'Raach] has a full-length, titled The Piece Talks, due out in April 2008,” Kurahashi says. “Giant Panda's second album, Electric Laser, will be out in May. You can also expect a full-length album by Newman (of Giant Panda) and Shawn Jackson's group, New Jack Hustle; Blu's second album; Lightheaded's third album; and 12-inch singles by these artists and some vinyl-only projects. We have the desire to keep vinyl alive.”
Contact: Tres Records, 3325 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 716, Los Angeles, CA 90010; (213) 382-7949; info@tresrecords.com; www.tresrecords.com; www.myspace.com/tresrecords
| Want to use this article? Click here for options! |  |
