Root Strata

"Experimental" is a funny way to classify a band group, or artist. The term incurs scoffing from most casual listeners, sarcastic mutterings of avant-garde, and dust collecting in the rarely visited "experimental" section at record store. It's a niche for weirdos and dorks to nerd out over abstract themes, limited record pressings, and obscure noises. The work that arises from this creatively fertile ground perpetually grows while pushing the boundaries of music to the point that those involved exist on the fringe, not just underground, but these artists are on the outside.

Root Strata is a San Francisco based record label that specializes in releasing the work of outsiders. This includes CD-R's from bands too prolific for their own good, writing new material at a striking pace, vinyl releases in small quantities from artists who work alone in remote locations, and cassette tapes from creeps that’ve locked themselves in their bedrooms to record analog masterpieces.

Jefre Cantu-Ledesma and Maxwell August Croy have been running Root Strata out of their apartments for the last five years. Root Strata is just a hobby; they have jobs to pay the bills and make themselves appealing to the stronger sex, but it’s really just a labour of love. Root Strata grew out of the need for Cantu to release his own work and later the work of friends. Rather than relying on some fat cat to harvest them and take ‘em to the marketplace, Cantu created Root Strata to self-release the music. Realistically, the opportunities for outsider musicians are limited (that’s what makes them outsiders), and there aren’t a lot of labels that specialize in this type of music.