Yep Roc Records

An easy way to tap into the local music scene in the Triangle is to be familiar with the local record labels. This week I'm going to introduce you to a unique record label located in Hillsborough, NC...not too far outside the Triangle. 

Yep Roc Records is a seventeen year old local boutique record label, and they're incredibly unique. Yep Roc admits in a blog post that the easiest way to describe a record label is to define what kinds of music it releases, but they pride themselves on the variety of artists that they represent. They now represent genres from bluegrass to modern rock. What are they all about? Here are some things you should know:

• The label was founded in 1997 by Tor Hansen and Glenn Dicker after being inspired by the rich music scene in Chapel Hill. 
•  In the first 15 years of business, Yep Roc released over 300 albums, singles, videos and box sets.
• They pride themselves in signing "legacy artists," honoring the artists' pasts and rejuvenating their futures by releasing some of the most exciting music of their careers. 
• They also take pride in launching successful careers of some of the most notable North Carolina artists today.
• The label's name is after a notable jazz pioneer, Slim Gaillard.

You can read an extended history of the label on Indy Week, and you'll see that the label grew from a humble beginning to a unique and successful company. The two founders worked out of Hansen's basement and started small with releases of regional artist compilations. Two of the most successful early artists with Yep Roc were Los Straitjackets and Nick Lowe. However, not all artists that they've taken on have taken off. According to an article on Indy Week, these are some of the founders' favorite artists that never became successful.

•  C.C. Adcock is an artist that they produced the "coolest album" they'd ever done...but it never took off. 

• An NC band called The Comas did a record called Conductor with Yep Roc which the founders deem as amazing, which unfortunately was not mirrored with success.  

If you check these artists out...you may find that music fans missed out! Over the years though, Yep Roc has had more success stories than un-success stories. They refer to themselves as "the artist-driven label that refuses to be labeled," and this image is portrayed through the diverse group of artists that they represent. They've signed artists Ranging from Paul Weller, a British Rocker, to indie rock artists like Dave Alvin. 

If you're looking for some new music, I'd encourage you to explore the full list of artists on the label now. You won't be disappointed!