(日本語版はこちら)

On September 10 2022, I will start running my own CD label named "zappak" and will release the first 2 titles. The name of "zappak" is come from Japanese word "zappaku (雑駁)", and zappaku means "the situation that thoughts and sentences are not well organized and cluttered".
I don't release any of my works including collaborations with someone else from this label. As one of the listeners, I decided to make the place (or add more choices) for publishing many great works and recorded performances of others.
I have been listening to various kinds of music and sound art works. And also, I have been recording, editing, releasing, and performing. In the meanwhile, I started thinking that way, and I decided to do this time. Of course I have my own preference though, this place has its aim to output works I fell in love with, without any restrictions of its style.

Website:  https://zappak.tumblr.com
Bandcamp:  https://zappak.bandcamp.com
Twitter:  https://twitter.com/zappak_label
Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/zappak

Today there are some huge platforms such as Bandcamp, now we can easily release works without contracting to major record labels, and also, we can establish small labels. Although I also had the interest of running my own label, I had been hesitating due to some financial risks. Last January I turned 30, and I think it's a kind of milestone in my life. The opportunities to meet many younger and older artists and players are increasing day by day.
And I often feel 'Today's performance was awesome. I hope it will be released as a physical work someday…'. So I started thinking 'I should do that'. This was when my heart started burning.

This is the stance of zappak, and its function I think.

Demo submissions and label operations

zappak accepts demos openly, regardless of your age, sexuality, region, and so on. And also, sometimes I might ask some artists to make something for zappak. When I find what I like, I plan to release it with the artist(s).
Basically I release works as CD (ltd. 100) and a digital album on Bandcamp. Artists also sell both digitally and physically by themselves.
zappak is run by myself. So I think it's impossible to release frequently and regularly. Now I'm considering releasing 3 times a year, however, sometimes it's quite difficult for me for some reasons. I hope you can wait patiently.

If you have any questions or want to send your demo to me, here is the label's email address;
zappak [dot] label [at] gmail [dot] com

The first releases

As the first release, zappak will publish two albums on September 10.

suzueri & fumi endo [toy-piano sokubaikai (トイピアノ即売会)]
(zappak-001)

The memorable first one is a duo improvised session by suzueri (すずえり, Elico Suzuki) and Fumi Endo (遠藤ふみ) at Ftarri, Tokyo. This time suzueri did a little unusual set that I've never seen that before, and she brought some toy pianos and played them. Fumi Endo promoted this gig with the words "toy-piano sokubaikai (it means "toy piano spot sale")". I was so curious about it and I went to see it. I really liked this session and I thought that if I suggest them and they permit, I will start the record label. That is to say, this work is the trigger of zappak.
On that day, suzueri did a half-automatic performance by toy pianos and an upright piano with her self-made devices. On the other side, Endo used an upright piano and a melodica.

suzueri (すずえり, Elico Suzuki (鈴木英倫子))

website: http://suzueri.org

Fumi Endo (遠藤ふみ)

website: https://linktr.ee/e23227

Sun Yizhou & Zhu Wenbo [Responses]
(zappak-002)

The second one is by Sun Yizhou (孙一舟) and Zhu Wenbo (朱文博), both living in Beijing. When I wrote about my thoughts that I want to start my label on SNS, the first person who contacted me was Zhu Wenbo. I performed with him at the Ftarri Festival 2019, and around that festival, we have some connections. This time he introduced me Sun Yizhou, a young and talented artist. He released his latest album "Noise Floor" from Chinese label 'Bluescreen' on July 2022.
This work's theme is "Response". After the first solo performance, the next one responds. Under the rule that 'playing around 7 minutes long', they both repeated playing solos some times, and finally they mixed these solos and created quite strange pseudo duo sessions. Strongly I feel Zhu Wenbo's playful mood in this work.

Sun Yizhou (孙一舟)

website: sunyizhou.org
Bandcamp: sunyizhou.bandcamp.com

Zhu Wenbo (朱文博)

Bandcamp (Zhu Wenbo): zhuwenbo.bandcamp.com
Bandcamp (Zoomin' Night): zoominnight.bandcamp.com

I hope you are interested and wait expectantly. Thank you!

Leo Okagawa / 岡川怜央