The idea was to build a label which placed as much emphasis on releasing quality reissues as it did developing new talent. In the late '90s, the dot-com boom provided much-needed funds for Light In The Attic's humble birth in a basement in Fremont, Seattle. Ironically, though, it was the dot-com bust that really got LITA going. Suddenly unemployed, Matt wasted none of his new-found free time. Instead, he began building LITA from scratch. His tools? A little savings and a lot of tenacity.
Light In The Attic first became a player in the Seattle music scene by producing live shows by rising artists like Röyksopp, Saul Williams, and Interpol. Many of LITA's shows were sold-out affairs, and the production side of the label's business quickly gained a reputation in the Emerald City. But the plan was always to be a record label first, and a production company second. Armed with much-needed funds that the shows provided, the company began to focus on the business of making records. Eventually, a much-coveted reissue deal was signed with the highly underrated '60s soft-psych group The Free Design. With the LITA ball finally rolling, Matt soon called upon lifelong friend Josh Wright for help with the business. Josh provided the necessary energy and business know-how needed to transform Light In The Attic Records into the much-admired indie label it is today.
Since that first Free Design release, Light In The Attic has proven with just a handful of releases that its company mission is simple: put out great music, wherever it may be found, however it may sound. It's this dedication to music—first and foremost—that has already created a diverse and respected catalog of releases in a relatively short period of time. LITA's commitment to quality, as well as its disdain for convention, has already produced instant classics. Highlights include the critically acclaimed Wheedle's Groove compilation, an exuberant affirmation of Seattle's soul heritage; the reintroduction of Toronto's Wayne McGhie, a Jamaican-born singer-songwriter who effortlessly blends the sounds of reggae, soul, and R&B. LITA also specializes in brilliant reinterpretations of old classics featuring top artists such as The Super Furry Animals, Madlib, and Karen O of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. And who can ignore the recent reissues of the complete Deep Throat Soundtrack Anthology? The music is surprisingly playful, a must-have for every music history buff.
Artists with albums reissued on Light in the Attic include: Karen Dalton; Betty Davis; Earth, Roots & Water; Noel Ellis; The Free Design; Jamaica to Toronto; The Last Poets; Wayne McGhie and The Sounds Of Joy; Jackie Mittoo; Os Mutantes; Rodriguez; Stephen John Kalinich; Doug Randle; ӬSerge Gainsbourg; Monks; Wheedle's Groove
New artists signed by Light in the Attic include: The Saturday Knights; Nicole Willis and The Soul Investigators; The Blakes; The Black Angels
• Read more on Light in the Attic's website
• Visit Light in the Attic on myspace
Below is just a sampling of the albums released or reissued on Light in the Attic. Listen and download a selection of tracks from these albums further down.
In My Own Time by Karen Dalton
The late Karen Dalton has been the muse for countless folk rock geniuses, from Bob Dylan to Devendra Banhart, from Lucinda Williams to Joanna Newsom. Karen Dalton had that affect on people—her timeless, aching, blues-soaked,... [read more]
Betty Davis by Betty Davis
They Say I'm Different by Betty Davis
One can hardly imagine the genre-busting, culture-crossing musical magic of Outkast, Prince, Erykah Badu, Rick James, The Roots, or even the early Red Hot Chili Peppers without the influence of R&B pioneer Betty Davis. Her style of raw and revelatory punk-funk defies any notions that women can't be... [read more]
Cold Fact by Rodriguez [read the groovemine.com review]
Plain and simple, Rodriguez spits the cold facts. He drops acute humanistic observations gleamed from a Detroit born and bred existence. And though this talented singer-songwriter's primary recorded output reaches back to... [read more]
Deep Throat Anthology, Parts I & II (soundtrack)
With the release of "Deep Throat Part I," 1972 marked the year America's right and left ate popcorn and dug porn without shame. Deep Throat's rumored mob ties, the infamous Linda Lovelace, and a $600 million gross would... [read more]
Directions to See a Ghost by the Black Angels
From deep in the heart of Texas, armed with the home-grown mantra "Turn On, Tune In, Drone Out," The Black Angels ring real and rugged like a crimson full moon-lit night. Formed in May of 2004, the band's sanctified... [read more]
The Blakes by The Blakes
When I was growing up I wanted to be Hank Williams. We were dirt poor, had no money. My family lived in a log cabin out in the woods. Garnet and I are Swamp Yankees. Music was one thing our family did to make ourselves... [read more]
Keep Reachin’ Up by Nicole Willis and the Soul Investigators
Light In The Attic Records immediately follows up its' deluxe reissues of the first two Betty Davis classics with Keep Reachin' Up,
a passionate but suave mod soul collaboration between the lovely and
talented Nicole Willis... [read more]
Mingle by The Saturday Knights
Mingle is right! The Saturday Knights have been a crucial part of the Seattle music scene, taking on a room of timid rock and rap dwarves with pop smarts as thick as Sonny Liston's fists. Tapping deep into their creative skills.... [read more]
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“Katie Cruel” by Karen Dalton (right-click & save)You are missing some Flash content that should appear here! Perhaps your browser cannot display it, or maybe it did not initialize correctly.
“Anti-Love-Song” by Betty Davis (right-click & save)You are missing some Flash content that should appear here! Perhaps your browser cannot display it, or maybe it did not initialize correctly.
“He Was a Big Freak” by Betty Davis (right-click & save)You are missing some Flash content that should appear here! Perhaps your browser cannot display it, or maybe it did not initialize correctly.
“Sugar Man” by Rodriguez (right-click & save)You are missing some Flash content that should appear here! Perhaps your browser cannot display it, or maybe it did not initialize correctly.
“Run, Linda, Run” from The Deep Throat Anthology (right-click & save)You are missing some Flash content that should appear here! Perhaps your browser cannot display it, or maybe it did not initialize correctly.
“Doves” by The Black Angels (right-click & save)You are missing some Flash content that should appear here! Perhaps your browser cannot display it, or maybe it did not initialize correctly.
“Two Times” by The Blakes (right-click & save)You are missing some Flash content that should appear here! Perhaps your browser cannot display it, or maybe it did not initialize correctly.
“If This Aint Love, I Don't Know What Is” by Nicole Willis (right-click & save)You are missing some Flash content that should appear here! Perhaps your browser cannot display it, or maybe it did not initialize correctly.
“Dog Park” by The Saturday Knights (right-click & save)
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