ARCHIVE

Laura Kuhn talks with Brian Brandt, who founded Mode Records with its first recording in 1984 of John Cage’s Etudes Borealis, in a 2-LP set. Brian has long had the intention of recording all of Cage’s work, and at 54 volumes in its present Cage Edition, Mode has produced more commercial recordings of Cage’s music than any other label. Mode’s “curated” aspect is important and has led to a loyal following – this is not a label run by committee, but one built on Brian’s personal vision of producing fine recordings that are not necessarily a part of current mainstream musical fashion.

We talk not only about both Brian and Mode’s beginnings in the industry, but also about the many challenges facing the independent record producer today. And we listen to a bit of one of both of our favorite Mode releases – John Cage’s Roaratorio: An Irish Circus on Finnegans Wake (1979; Mode 28/29, No. 6).