Background and founding

The record label RVNG Intl. was launched in 2003 by Matt Werth.^[3] Werth was born in Madison, Wisconsin and spent his formative years in Little Rock, Arkansas. When he was 15, he started the punk 'zine Potluck and took over the record label File Thirteen. First established as what Werth called a "self-reflective journal fanzine" in 1989, File Thirteen was operated by Werth for 8 years.^[3]

In 1996,^[3] Werth moved to Philadelphia at the age of 18^[1] to play bass for^[3] Aspera Ad Astra. While attending Temple University^[3] he met Dave Pianka, and together they came up with the idea of RVNG Intl., which was originally an event production company.^[3] A mutual friend, Michael Zwizanski, recommended the name, which is an anti-voweled version of "revenge", much in the style of Primal Scream's XTRMNTR, which had come out around the same time.^[3]

Werth said that the label's very first mix was intended for event clients, as proof that the label could select and manage good DJs. According to Werth, "Julian Grefe put together the first RVNG mix ―RVNG PRSNTS MX1, which was basically a spray-painted CD in a spray-painted case."^[3] Following the initial mix release, MX CDs became an infrequent series of albums from artists such as Tim Sweeney and DJ Twitch.^[3] After six years in Philadelphia, Werth moved to Brooklyn in 2002^[3] in order to work at Flyer magazine.^[3]

First releases

The record label RVNG Intl was launched in 2003 by Werth.^[3] The label is based in its original location of Brooklyn, New York,^[6] Packaging is frequently detailed and unique. For example, a 7" vinyl from Purple Brain came with a hand-crocheted case by designer Dani Griffiths and 1000 prints of Pink Skull's Endless Bummer were letter-pressed with 1000 different variations on the album title phrase.^[3]

By 2010, the label had put out two original releases: These Are Powers’ Candyman EP and Pink Skull’s Endless Bummer LP.^[1] In 2011, they put out albums by Mirror Mirror and Bronze and were named one of the top 50 indie labels in America by Billboard.^[2] In 2012, the label released Blondes by Blondes, which Sean Adams, the founder of Drowned in Sound, lauded with a 10/10 review, praising the music as "bliss" and his "eureka moment."^[5]

Other notable albums in 2012 included Ekstasis by Julia Holter, which was named Pitchfork's Best New Music and described as "music that's both haunting and life-affirming, something to make you dream and think",^[8] in addition to the critically acclaimed "Movement" by experimental composer Holly Herndon.

In 2013, the label released Swisher by Blondes, and notable albums from Maximillion Dunbar, Blondes, Gardland, and Holly Herndon. As of 2014, RVNG has also released a number of singles and albums from the likes of Bing & Ruth and others. Preserving past works from pioneering musicians is another focus, as exemplified by the release of a double LP set from artist and producer Craig Leon (Nommos and Visiting), titled Anthology of Interplanerary Folk Music Vol. 1 and K. Leimer's A Period of Review.^[9]

Series

Rvng presents Mx series

In 2003 the label first released the Rvng presents Mx CD & vinyl series, which included works from artists such as Tim Sweeney, Justine D and Purple Brain.^[1]

RVNG of the NRDS series

Starting in 2006 the label began releasing a vinyl series of disco edits, titled RVNG of the NRDS. The series ran for four years^[3] with album artwork from Kevin O’Neill of the independent design firm Will Work For Good.^[1] According to a review, the series was "carefully riding the edges of the nu-disco zeitgeist thanks to two obvious factors...the caliber of the artists involved, and the quality of presentation from Will Work For Good, a design agency that has helped form the visual identity of the label across its many releases".^[3]

Ten Rvng of The Nrds albums were released,^[3] including works by Todd Terje, Greg Wilson, and Pilooski. Each artist also contributed to re-edits of songs by artists such as Wire and R.D. Burman.^[1]

FRKWYS series

In 2009, RVNG initiated the FRKWYS series, skipping Volume 1 by initially releasing Frkwys Vol. 2. The first edition featured two remixes of the experimental band Excepter, remixed by Carter Tutti and JG Thirlwell and was praised as "evidence of what can make New York music great when its proprietors are willing to sacrifice expectation for innovation."^[10] The series title references Moses Asch's label Folkways.^[3]

In May 2010, the label released FRKWYS Vol. 3, an album-length collaboration between Arp and Anthony Moore.^[11][12] Arp reworked both original and unreleased music written by Moore in the 1960s, which was the result of working together at Atlantic Sound's Brooklyn studio in September 2009.^[1] FRKWYS Vol. 9 had Los Angeles-based artists Sun Araw and M. Geddes Gengras travel to Jamaica to record with the notable reggae vocal group, The Congos.^[3]

Beats in Space series

In 2011, the label began releasing the Beats in Space series of vinyl singles and albums.^[6] In 2015, Fact TV presented a documentary on Beats In Space and ranked BIS 25th in their Top 30 album covers of 2015. The BIS Boat Party at Mareh Festival was also a featured pick by Resident Advisor. In 2015 the Beats In Space 15th Anniversary Mix was named compilation of the month by Mixmag.
In 2016 the first issue of Record Magazine featured an interview with Tim Sweeney. Beats In Space also joined Bandcamp with Tim Sweeney being featured on Bandcamp's radio show.
In 2017 a Beats In Space photo book was featured in Record Magazine.

Freedom to Spend imprint

RVNG Intl partnered with Pete Swanson (formerly of Yellow Swans) in 2017 to relaunch his Freedom To Spend label, along with Portland record store owner Jed Bindeman. The label is described as "concerned with autonomous anomalies produced by musicians working within and outside the limits of technology to create intimate art. By virtue of this, the music of Freedom to Spend resonates across a broad sound spectrum, but thrives without rigid regulation." Freedom To Spend has reissued several overlooked and underheard experimental albums from the past few decades. Freedom To Spend was named one of the best electronic labels of 2017 by The Quietus.

Events

The label has been active in organizing art and music shows, partnering with the likes of the White Columns Gallery in New York City, the Barbican Center in London, and MoMa PS1′s Summer Warm Up series. RVNG worked with the Unsound Festival in Kraków, Poland,^[6] and presented a label showcase in April 2014 at Moogfest in Asheville, North Carolina featuring Blondes, Holly Herndon, and Craig Leon performing "NOMMOS" with the Asheville Symphony.^[13] Also in 2014 the 15th Anniversary of Beats In Space was celebrated at Corsica Studios in London. In 2018 RVNG featured artists and collaborated with Le Guess Who music festival. RVNG was also featured at MoMA PS1 Come Together Music Festival and Record Fair.

Current

The following artists are current as of August 2018:^[4]

Alumni

Beats in Space (BIS) artists

The following is a complete list (as of August 2018) of artists who have released music as part of the Beats in Space Records series.

• Antenna
• Dukes of Chutney
• E Ruscha V
• Hidden Fees
• Jacques Bon
• Jee Day
• Lauer (Philip Lauer)
• Matt Karmil
• Mount Liberation Unlimited
• Paradis
• Palmbomen II
• Secret Circuit
• Shan
• Tornado Wallace
• Gonno
• Crystal & S. Koshi
• House of Spirits
• Jaakko Eino Kalevi
• Guido w Georges Perin
• T&P
• Shy Layers

FRKWYS series

The following is an incomplete list of artists who have been included in the FRKWYS series:

Freedom to Spend series

The following is an incomplete list of artists who have been included in the Freedom to Spend imprint:

• Michele Mercure
• Marc Barreca
• Pep Llopis
• Richard Horowitz
• Ursula K. Le Guin & Todd Barton
• Cheri Knight
• Ernest Hood
• Universal Liberation Orchestra
• Rimbarimba
• June Chikuma
• Tiziano Popoli

Main album series

RVNG Prsnts Mxs series

RVNG OF THE NRDS series

FRKWYS Series

Beats in Space series

RERVNG series

Commend See series

Freedom to Spend series