Zoom Lens (record label)

Zoom Lens is an independent Los Angeles-based record label founded and operated by Gary Y. since 2009.[1] The label was created "in order to explore the implications of popular culture on the human condition and the duality of musical creations discovered across the digital landscape."[1]

Zoom Lens
Founded2009 (2009)
GenreElectronic, dream pop, j-pop, shoegaze, ambient, noise rock
LocationLos Angeles, California
Official websitezoom-lens.org

History

Founding

In 2009, Zoom Lens was founded[1] by Gary Y., who was at the time "fascinated with Japanese harsh noise and film"[2] and sought out to release music due to the influence of the Orange County experimental music scene.[2]

The first Zoom Lens release, a Yuko Imada album entitled "Ome,"[3] which came packaged as a CD-R contained in a DVD case soaked in the artist's own blood.[2]

In January 2015, Zoom Lens had its first video broadcast on national television through Adult Swim with Meishi Smile and their video "AJS."[4]

On March 15, 2016, Zoom Lens had its first official SXSW showcase.[5]

Sound

Zoom Lens' sound has been categorized as "unpredictable",[6] exploring sounds ranging from ambient music, noise music, chiptune, electropop, shoegaze and other forms of experimental music. The sound of Zoom Lens has been described as "broadening definitions of punk,"[7] as well as "dreamy indie with 8-bit and rave euphoria."[8]

Imagery

Aesthetics

The Fader has noted Zoom Lens as "one of the most aesthetically compelling labels in existence.".[6]

Many of Zoom Lens' images have revolved around the concept of burnt photography. This practice was first put to use for an EP by Party Girl released in 2011.[9] The imagery has said to be providing feelings about the disconnection towards memories, a commentary on "silver age"[10] Japanese idol music (or Kayōkyoku) and the over-saturation of the digital music market.[11] This theme has also been explored in Zoom Lens merchandise.

In 2014, a shirt based on a manipulated image of Yukiko Okada was released on Zoom Lens' official site, with a banner reading "burn a face of forgotten idols to obfuscate the memories of the truth you lost."[12] In a Red Bull Music Academy interview, Gary noted that they had felt a sadness in Okada's music and story, and "wanted to show people that Okada was a real person with real feelings, and that we all have such humanity."[2]

Music critic Adam Harper has noted some of the imagery as "a conscious attempt at confronting and defamiliarising the visual objectification of women (and its consequences)."[7]

Influences

East Asian and global influence

The label has been referenced as one of "the best places for Japanese-inspired indie pop in the online underground,"[13] and has hosted a variety of online shows with Japanese venue 2.5D.[14]

Red Bull Music Academy has also noted Zoom Lens' international roster, which "encompasses artists from Japan, the Philippines, Singapore and the US."[2] and "[spans] cultural and continental canyons through our digital world."

While Gary has identified Zoom Lens as something far more encompassing beyond their own personal views[6] they have noted much of the label was established due to the influence of being a fourth generation Japanese (or Yonsei (Japanese diaspora)) and Chinese American, expressing that their identity felt rather unusual, lonely and that Japanese culture in America is still seen as taboo.[15]

The label has ultimately sought out for the artists to "represent themselves for who they are, not just for the assumptions people make about their country."[6] Despite heavy East Asian influence, Gary has said that the label is also about being unashamed of who you are and sharing the weight of existence.[2]

Artists

Current
  • BEDSPACER
  • Kenneth Takanami
  • bod [包家巷]
  • The Bilinda Butchers
  • Ceramiks
  • LLLL
  • MEISHI SMILE
  • mus.hiba
  • oh my muu
  • Reinabe
  • Plaster Cast
  • Tallinn
  • Thought Tempo
  • Xyloid
  • U-Pistol / Moon Mask
  • Yoshino Yoshikawa[16]

Discography[17][18]
Catalog # Release Date Artist Album Title Notes
ZL-01 2009 Yuko Imada Ome Edition of 20 CD-R. Contained blood-soaked letter in DVD case.
ZL-02 2009 Yuko Imada Untitled (Moon) Edition of 10 CD-R. Contained in hand-stamped envelopes.
ZL-03 2009 Class of 1923 Class of 1923 Edition of 30 CD-R. Contained in hard CD case w/ unique inserts and photographs
ZL-04 2009 nono. nono. Edition of 50 CD-R. Contained in slipcase w/ lyric inserts.
ZL-05 2010 Thieves of Zozo Thieves of Zozo Edition of 100 CD-R. Contained in slipcase.
ZL-06 2011 Young Henry Octagon
ZL-07 2011 Zoom Lens V.A. 1st Zoom Lens Compilation.
ZL-08 2011 Yuko Imada 六本木　ＮＩＧＨＴＬＩＦＥ
ZL-09 2011 Smoke Room Vol. 2
ZL-10 01.01.12 Apollo Knives The Harshest Winter
ZL-11 2012 This Deep Well From
ZL-12 09.22.12 MEISHI SMILE LUST Edition of 30 cassettes. Contained lyrics sheet. 1st collaboration with Orchid Tapes.
ZL-13 01.19.13 i-fls Residential town loneliness
ZL-14 04.01.13 Rinkin Panku Rinkin Panku April Fools Release.
ZL-15 06.30.13 Uio Loi Uio Loi
ZL-17 2013 yasumiyasumi Tokyo Digital Love Edition of 50 cassettes. Contained handmade zine.
ZL-18 2014 MEISHI SMILE LUST Edition of 100 vinyl / 300 CD. 1st collaboration with Attack The Music. Remastered/reissue.
ZL-19 02.25.14 Space Boyfriend bug spray (never give up)
ZL-20 03.08.14 yeule yeule
ZL-21 06.17.14 LLLL Paradice Edition of 250 CD.
ZL-22 2014 Ulzzang Pistol Girlfriend
ZL-23 2014 Plaster Cast مالتا Credited as Malta.
ZL-24 12.28.14 DJ Obake H Edition of 100 CD. Contained postcard + sticker.
ZL-25 01.28.15 la pumpkin pain everywhere. all the time. Edition of 50 CD-R. Contained transparent cover + note. Online release party w/ SPF420.
ZL-26 05.19.15 Cyclops Rock Crush Punk
ZL-27 08.27.15 Tallinn Special Economic Zone Edition of 60 cassettes.
ZL-28 10.06.15 Meishi Smile ...Belong Edition of 350 vinyl / 350 CD.
ZL-30 12.02.16 Ulzzang Pistol Waste First 100 CD came with a poster.
ZL-34 27.06.17 FAKKU & ZOOM LENS Metempsychosis Edition of 350 vinyl / 350 CD. Came with a 36-page artbook, in collaboration with Fakku.

References
  1. "About". Zoom Lens. Retrieved 2015-06-01.
  2. Thomas, Russell (November 9, 2014). "Interview: Zoom Lens' Meishi Smile on J-Pop, Living On The Web, and Real Life". Red Bull Music Academy. Retrieved 2015-06-01.
  3. "Albums". Zoom Lens. Retrieved 2015-06-01.
  4. "Meishi Smile - AJS". Adult Swim. January 15, 2015. Retrieved 2015-06-01.
  5. "Zoom Lens SXSW 2016". SXSW. Retrieved 2016-06-28.
  6. Cooper, Duncan (May 21, 2015). "Fader Mix: Meishi Smile". The Fader. Retrieved 2015-06-01.
  7. Harper, Adam (June 4, 2014). "System Focus: Inside 1080p, Zoom Lens & the New Digital DIY Labels". The Fader. Retrieved 2015-06-01.
  8. Harper, Adam (February 6, 2014). "Pattern Recognition Vol. 10: Pon! Cuter Love". Electronic Beats. Retrieved 2015-06-01.
  9. "Party Girl "Foulin'" EP". Zoom Lens. Retrieved 2015-06-01.
  10. "Idollica". Idollica. Retrieved 2015-06-01.
  11. "Zoom Lens Tumblr Ask". Zoom Lens. December 2, 2012. Retrieved 2015-06-01.
  12. "Zoom Lens Yukiko Shirt". Zoom Lens. Retrieved 2015-06-01.
  13. Harper, Adam (April 4, 2014). "If You've OD-ed On The Internet, This Music Will Save You". The Fader. Retrieved 2015-06-01.
  14. "2.5D x Zoom Lens". 2.5D. Retrieved 2015-06-01.
  15. St. Michel, Patrick (April 29, 2014). "Meishi Smile brings anime-influenced sounds to Japan". The Japan Times. Retrieved 2015-06-01.
  16. "Zoom Lens Artists". Zoom Lens. Retrieved 2015-06-01.
  17. "Releases". zoom-lens.org. Retrieved 2021-01-07.
  18. "Zoom Lens – Releases – Discogs". discogs.com. Retrieved 2021-01-07.
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