Shortwave Records - Publishing Vinyl and Digital Music In Madison - The Lorenzo's Music Podcast
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In this episode of Lorenzo’s Music Podcast, I meet Eric Hartz, the founder of Shortwave Records, a local label in Madison, Wisconsin. Eric shares the history of his label, how he started in the 90’s to release his band’s music. We talk about the label, from its early days with physical CDs to its current focus on vinyl and digital releases through Bandcamp.
Eric tells me about the challenges of running a small label, vinyl production, mastering, and distribution. We also talk about how he creates archival projects, bringing forgotten local music releases back.
We both discuss our experiences with the local music scene in Madison, his experiences with various bands, and how he wants to help new local musicians.
Key Takeaways
- Independent label Mastering, cutting, pressing, quality control, and fulfillment are just as important as discovering music.
- Direct distribution Direct-to-fan platforms provide payment, listener data, downloads, and communication that streaming services often do not.
- Archiving old music releases Releasing forgotten demos, cassettes, and recordings can preserve local history while giving old work a new audience.
- Support a music community Eric often helps fund releases while allowing artists to retain their rights, focusing only on projects he truly believes in.
Links Mentioned
- Dick Valentine https://dick-valentine.bandcamp.com
- The Flavor That Kills https://tftk.bandcamp.com
- Mystery Room Mastering https://mysteryroommastering.com
- Carl Saff Mastering https://saffmastering.com/_site/main.html
Connect with Shortwave Records
- Shortwave Records Bandcamp https://shortwaverecords.bandcamp.com
This episode was recorded on Augunst 20, 2026. Special thanks to Eric Hartz of Shortwave Records for sharing their insights and experiences with me.
Listen to the full episode on your favorite podcast platform or watch the video above.