Experimedia
Experimedia (est.2000) is a record label, mailorder record shop, and arts/design organization based in Ohio, United States.
The scope of Experimedia covers a broad stylistic palette of exploratory music including ambient, electro-acoustic, experimental, sound-art, microsound, electronic, avant-garde, abstract, minimalist, noise, folk, americana, shoegaze, generative, conceptual, contemporary classical, phonography, and more. Further interests lie in design, photography, and other forms of visual art.
In the summer of 2000 Experimedia was founded, originally as the name for a weekly experimental multimedia event at gallery and performance venue The Peanut Gallery located in Akron, Ohio. During these events recordings were made (now lost) which led to the initial presence of experimedia on the web by making these recordings freely available. In the fall following that summer the venue was closed.
The following summer another venue was found which acted not only as a performance space but as a gallery workshop for many local artists. This venue became known as The Archetype Group Studios also in Akron, Ohio. At this venue many more events took place and from there Experimedia events expanded into other venues in surrounding areas including Cleveland, Akron, Canton, Cincinnati, and Columbus. Over the next several years many events took place and Experimedia became a staple in the local experimental and electronic music and arts community.
During this time the Experimedia net-label was born which grew and developed over the years to include a broad range of experimental artists and styles. There was also one 12inch compilation released under Experimedia’s Molotov sub-label which is now a rare and sought after item.
Between the years 2003 and 2005 Experimedia hosted, managed, and programmed a local pirate FM radio station, Radio Free Canton. This radio station had about a 10 mile radius broadcast area and featured 24/7 commercial free obscure music from a broad spectrum of styles. The station would also rebroadcast some independent shows, most notably Negativland’s radio show, Over The Edge. The Experimedia House at the time was a strange sight to see as it had an FM antennae sticking about 100 feet off the top of the house. This came to an end when the antennae was struck by lightning (even though it was grounded), taking out the transmitter, the computer used to program the station from, and many other electronics throughout the house. The antennae was thus passed back onto other members of the station’s circle of friends and has since been repaired and back on air with new programmers. Amidst this time period the focus on events gradually lessened while the focus on the net-label increased.
2007 – began releasing cd format
2008 – increase in cd releases with newly designed custom packaging
2008 – expansion into a mailorder record shop
2009 – expansion into offering design & prepress services 2009 – 5 new CD releases
I’ve ordered a few CD’s from Experimedia. Nice selection and great service. Recommended.