Here's to the lasting kiss of Smooch Records

After over a decade of Colorado-centric album releases, Smooch Records has called it quits. The California-based label released music from over a dozen Mile High City bands with a dark country twinge, putting out music by the likes of Slim Cessna's Auto Club, 16 Horsepower and Woven Hand...

By Bree Davies

December 30, 2010

Audio By Carbonatix

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After over a decade of Colorado-centric album releases, Smooch Records has called it quits. The California-based label released music from over a dozen Mile High City bands with a dark country twinge, putting out music by the likes of Slim Cessna's Auto Club, 16 Horsepower and Woven Hand.

During its ten-plus years of existence, Smooch, an imprint run by Andrew Murphy, extended a hand into Denver's music history, issuing previously unreleased work by influential goth-fathers, Soul Merchants. When we spoke with Murphy a few years back on the reason behind starting the label, the Texas transplant and early Local Shakedown host, expressed a desire to cultivate the only thing he liked about Colorado at the time -- the music. Although Smooch Records is calling it a day, the legacy of the label and the handpicked bands involved will live on, serving as a detailed piece of Denver music community's evolving sound.

Bree Davies is a multimedia journalist, artist advocate and community organizer born and raised in Denver. Rooted in the world of Do-It-Yourself arts and music, Davies co-founded Titwrench experimental music festival, is host of the local music and comedy show Sounds on 29th on CPT12 Colorado Public Television and is creator and host of the civic and social issue-focused podcast, Hello? Denver? Are You Still There? Her work is centered on a passionate advocacy for all ages, accessible, inclusive, non-commercial and autonomous DIY art spaces and music venues in Denver.

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