Q: "and/OAR?"
A: The main division of and/OAR is a recording label committed to releasing unique and interesting environmental
recordings and various kinds of avant-garde sound art that somehow utilizes environmental recording(s).
One basic mission of and/OAR is to help raise awareness and appreciation of the sonic environment that surrounds each
of us, plus enable people to experience unique sound environments of places, activities and things that they would not
normally be able to do otherwise. All of the work released on the label should also contribute to breaking down the long
held beliefs of what can be considered as "music", and shift the social paradigm in that regard to something more
"all-inclusive"; because the term "music" as usually described in dictionaries, and still understood by many people,
should be expanded to include all sound that can be enjoyed for various reasons. It is the hope of and/OAR to encourage
a broader understanding and appreciation of all that is "sound", which in turn, can lead to a better understanding and
appreciation of life in general.
Another mission of and/OAR & the and/OAR Diffusion shop has been to make sound work as affordable as possible so that
as many people as possible can afford to buy and listen to it. In 2003, a/O started the Diffusion shop in an attempt to
initiate a positive new paradigm in online music sales by providing the best prices, customer service, and shipping
practices possible.
A: The main division of and/OAR is a recording label committed to releasing unique and interesting environmental
recordings and various kinds of avant-garde sound art that somehow utilizes environmental recording(s).
One basic mission of and/OAR is to help raise awareness and appreciation of the sonic environment that surrounds each
of us, plus enable people to experience unique sound environments of places, activities and things that they would not
normally be able to do otherwise. All of the work released on the label should also contribute to breaking down the long
held beliefs of what can be considered as "music", and shift the social paradigm in that regard to something more
"all-inclusive"; because the term "music" as usually described in dictionaries, and still understood by many people,
should be expanded to include all sound that can be enjoyed for various reasons. It is the hope of and/OAR to encourage
a broader understanding and appreciation of all that is "sound", which in turn, can lead to a better understanding and
appreciation of life in general.
Another mission of and/OAR & the and/OAR Diffusion shop has been to make sound work as affordable as possible so that
as many people as possible can afford to buy and listen to it. In 2003, a/O started the Diffusion shop in an attempt to
initiate a positive new paradigm in online music sales by providing the best prices, customer service, and shipping
practices possible.
Q: What does the name "and/OAR" refer to?
A: "OAR" is an acronym for Overheard And Rendered.
Overheard And Rendered was a recording label from 1999 to 2001.
and/OAR was originally founded in 2001 as a sub-label of Overheard And Rendered.
In 2008, the either/OAR and mOAR sectors were established in order to expand the range of sound art presented on the
label, while preserving the focus of the main sector to environmental sound art.
Also, the and/OAR & either/OAR names were derived from the phrases "and/or" & "either/or" which are often used in
English sentences to indicate "one or the other "or "both". Therefore, the names were partially chosen because of their
"all inclusive" nature. They are unifying and collective names. Of course the name "mOAR" just means "MORE" from the
same source (i.e. and/OAR), only different!
"OAR" is also similar to words in other languages that refer to the ear like "ohr" (German), "oor" (Dutch), "oreille"
(French), "orecchio" (Italian), "orelha" (Portugese), etc.
Additionally, in the film industry,"OAR" refers to "Original Aspect Ratio", which is the size and shape that a director
intended their film to be viewed in, or the size and shape that a film is being presented in. This relates to an obvious
interest in film that has made itself apparent with releases such as "Another Kind Of Language: Dedicated to Andrei
Tarkovsky", "Yasujiro Ozu - Hitokomakura" and the upcoming "Michelangelo Antonioni - Trilogy And Epilogue". Cinematic
references/comparisons are also often made in release descriptions because this is one of the more compelling aspects
of the kind of music that a/O presents, and such mental connections can enhance the enjoyment of the listening
experience, regardless of whether the artist intended the connection to be there or not. However, in the end, it's really up
to the listener to decide what connections they wish to make.
A: "OAR" is an acronym for Overheard And Rendered.
Overheard And Rendered was a recording label from 1999 to 2001.
and/OAR was originally founded in 2001 as a sub-label of Overheard And Rendered.
In 2008, the either/OAR and mOAR sectors were established in order to expand the range of sound art presented on the
label, while preserving the focus of the main sector to environmental sound art.
Also, the and/OAR & either/OAR names were derived from the phrases "and/or" & "either/or" which are often used in
English sentences to indicate "one or the other "or "both". Therefore, the names were partially chosen because of their
"all inclusive" nature. They are unifying and collective names. Of course the name "mOAR" just means "MORE" from the
same source (i.e. and/OAR), only different!
"OAR" is also similar to words in other languages that refer to the ear like "ohr" (German), "oor" (Dutch), "oreille"
(French), "orecchio" (Italian), "orelha" (Portugese), etc.
Additionally, in the film industry,"OAR" refers to "Original Aspect Ratio", which is the size and shape that a director
intended their film to be viewed in, or the size and shape that a film is being presented in. This relates to an obvious
interest in film that has made itself apparent with releases such as "Another Kind Of Language: Dedicated to Andrei
Tarkovsky", "Yasujiro Ozu - Hitokomakura" and the upcoming "Michelangelo Antonioni - Trilogy And Epilogue". Cinematic
references/comparisons are also often made in release descriptions because this is one of the more compelling aspects
of the kind of music that a/O presents, and such mental connections can enhance the enjoyment of the listening
experience, regardless of whether the artist intended the connection to be there or not. However, in the end, it's really up
to the listener to decide what connections they wish to make.
Q: What do you consider to be an "environmental recording?"
A: Since an "environmental recording" is a recording of the sounds of a particular environment, this would include
various kinds of captures made with various open-air microphones, as well as non-open air microphones, receivers, &
various sonic sensor apparati like: piezo discs, hydrophones, geophones, shortwave radios, VLF receivers, satellite
transmissions, inductive mics (magnetic coils), bat detectors, etc.
A: Since an "environmental recording" is a recording of the sounds of a particular environment, this would include
various kinds of captures made with various open-air microphones, as well as non-open air microphones, receivers, &
various sonic sensor apparati like: piezo discs, hydrophones, geophones, shortwave radios, VLF receivers, satellite
transmissions, inductive mics (magnetic coils), bat detectors, etc.
Q: Demos?
A: At this time, most demos are being considered for free MP3 presentation until further notice. All demos are listened to,
but feedback is not guaranteed. If there is interest in your work, you will be notified after enough time has been allowed for
proper assimilation. The main division of and/OAR gives priority consideration to straight (i.e. non-processed or
manipulated) environmental recording work of highly unique sonic phenomena (or subject matter) which have rarely or
never been recorded or published on CD. As for composed work, priority consideration will be given to sound
installations and unique approaches to the utilization of environmental sound in composition. Artists who actively tour or
exhibit their work will also be given special consideration, however the compatibility of the work with and/OAR's
aesthetic nexus (to be further established and refined in 2010) will be the most important factor.
- Before sending your demo, please research each division of the label to make sure your work is appropriate.
- Please do not send your demo via registered mail.
- Please do not send sound files as e-mail attachments.
A: At this time, most demos are being considered for free MP3 presentation until further notice. All demos are listened to,
but feedback is not guaranteed. If there is interest in your work, you will be notified after enough time has been allowed for
proper assimilation. The main division of and/OAR gives priority consideration to straight (i.e. non-processed or
manipulated) environmental recording work of highly unique sonic phenomena (or subject matter) which have rarely or
never been recorded or published on CD. As for composed work, priority consideration will be given to sound
installations and unique approaches to the utilization of environmental sound in composition. Artists who actively tour or
exhibit their work will also be given special consideration, however the compatibility of the work with and/OAR's
aesthetic nexus (to be further established and refined in 2010) will be the most important factor.
- Before sending your demo, please research each division of the label to make sure your work is appropriate.
- Please do not send your demo via registered mail.
- Please do not send sound files as e-mail attachments.
Q: Radio promos?
A: We receive a lot of requests from DJs for airplay copies, but after some careful consideration, it was decided that the
end result for this extra expenditure does not justify the cost. We do offer "DJ discounts" for all and/OAR releases and
certain Diffusion shop items, so please contact us about this if you are interested. If we don't know who you are or haven't
heard of your program, we might need to see a website and/or any recent play lists as proof your program actually exists.
A: We receive a lot of requests from DJs for airplay copies, but after some careful consideration, it was decided that the
end result for this extra expenditure does not justify the cost. We do offer "DJ discounts" for all and/OAR releases and
certain Diffusion shop items, so please contact us about this if you are interested. If we don't know who you are or haven't
heard of your program, we might need to see a website and/or any recent play lists as proof your program actually exists.
Q: Limited editions?
A: Yes. From 2001 to 2003, all and/OAR was a CDR label, so edition numbers ranged from 50 to 150 copies per release. In
2004, a/O started to issue replicated CDs in addition to CDRs, and in 2006 CDRs were discontinued as a format option.
Since 2007, CD releases have been issued in quantities of 300+, 500+ or 1,000+. The first DVD release is planned for 2010.
A: Yes. From 2001 to 2003, all and/OAR was a CDR label, so edition numbers ranged from 50 to 150 copies per release. In
2004, a/O started to issue replicated CDs in addition to CDRs, and in 2006 CDRs were discontinued as a format option.
Since 2007, CD releases have been issued in quantities of 300+, 500+ or 1,000+. The first DVD release is planned for 2010.
 |
| 2010 marks the beginning of the and/OAR's ninth year of existence. So, in advance of it's ten year anniversary (in 2011), new logos are being introduced for and/OAR and either/OAR. This is a significant change from the original name logo which has been used from the beginning (shown above). This change is intended to help build momentum toward presenting work that fits within a predetermined nexus, rather than presenting work based only on content quality. In other words, there will be an even tighter focus than before. This shift is partially intended to prevent the release schedule from being booked too far into the future, which hinders new work from being released in a timely fashion. |
