Radiohead's Jonny Greenwood has announced that he is launching a new record label, Octatonic Records. Operating as an imprint of existing label Council Records, the new venture will focus on classical music, putting out recordings by musicians Greenwood has met as he moves further into the genre, as well as his own compositions.
"I've been documenting the musicians I've worked with and encountered in the contemporary classical world", says Greenwood. "Since doing my first soundtrack, I've become friends with lots of these remarkable musicians, as well as familiar with the music they play. It's a whole world out there".
Releases on the new label will come from soloists or small groups of musicians, he explains. "My intention is to capture these musicians playing the pieces they love, both contemporary and ancient, and release the recordings on vinyl and streaming services, as regularly as I can".
"The sessions I've already had with some of these friends have been glorious", he goes on. "Any excuse to hear them play is a pleasure. But, more importantly, I want to produce a great, intimate recording, that captures the music in a way that does justice to the musician's talent, and the composers they choose to interpret".
His motives go beyond these specific recordings, however. He adds: "I hope these recordings encourage more people to see live classical music, and to take an interest in the featured artists. And, whilst a recording can only ever be an approximation of the real thing, I'm going to work hard to produce recordings that encourage you to see this music as something vital and passionate".
The first two releases on the label, titled 'Vol 1' and Vol 2', are set for release digitally on 24 Sep. Vinyl will follow on 4 Oct. 'Vol 1' will feature Oliver Coates performing Michael Gordon's 'Industry' and Greenwood performing his own composition 'Water' with Daniel Pioro and Katherine Tinker. Meanwhile, 'Vol 2' will feature Pioro on his own, performing Bach's 'Partita No.2 In D Minor For Violin'.
Find more information on the label and its upcoming releases here.