Documentary
Evidence is a website devoted to providing reviews and biographies
of artists appearing on Mute Records and its various sub-labels
since its launch by Daniel Miller in the late seventies. From time
to time, we will also publish interviews with Mute artists or key
personalities connected to the label, and maybe some non-Mute material
too.
Why Mute?
Mute Records were one of the longest-running, most
important and successful of the UK's independent record labels until
they were snapped up by EMI in the early part of this century. Their
roster has been consistently varied and engaging, spanning pop,
rock, noise, dance and all the various points inbetween. All that,
plus the fact that they are my favourite label, my hobby and my
obsession. I am, plain and simple, a sycophantic fan.
Why Documentary Evidence?
For a while in the late '80s and '90s, Mute used
to issue 12" square pamphlets with vinyl releases. These were
called 'Documentary Evidence'. They featured text on the label's
history and its releases by NME / Wire contributor Biba Kopf. They
included photos and back catalogue information - lists of catalogue
numbers, artist names, titles and available formats. To a fourteen
year old with obsessive tendencies and a growing dispassion for
mainstream pop, the 'Documentary Evidence' brochures were like an
indie music bible, an eye-opening, epiphanic experience.
About the content
All articles and reviews are personal statements
of opinion and recollection of facts, and are copyright 2003 - 2010
Documentary Evidence. The Doc.Ev / Documentary Evidence logo is
copyright 2003 - 2010 Documentary Evidence. All other logos and
images are the copyright of their respective record labels.
This site represents an information resource for
Mute and affiliated label music and artists. This site will not
contain or link to illegal sound or video files which breach generally
accepted copyright principles. Links will only be provided to sites
holding legitimate content. From time to time I may make reference
to personally-recorded or downloaded non-available material. Please
do not, however, ask me to provide copies or the source location
of this material.
About the author
MJA Smith divides his time between Buckinghamshire
and London. In addition to Documentary
Evidence he writes the weekly music blog Audio
Journal , the non-music My
Other Blog and occasional short
stories.
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