FAQ

Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

First things first! Unfortunately, most of the questions we receive are from dreamers who want to be pop stars. Earthrid is a label for unusual electronic music, so we are not going to be of much use in promoting sure-fire easy listening hits complete with children’s choir and we are not going to be impressed by photos of someone posing next to a car whilst trying to look tough but actually looking comically bewildered. Right, now on to the sensible questions from more sensible people!

Can I hear Earthrid tracks for free?

Yes, we have made MP3s of some tracks available for download and indeed released full MP3 albums. Please see the list of our releases.

Can I send you a demo CD? / Will you listen to my MP3 demos?

Earthrid has limited resources, and we are therefore unable to consider releasing music by people who are not already connected with the label in some way. If you know us (if only as a listener), we might say yes. Otherwise, that probably won’t be possible.

Can you give me a record contract?

We are not part of the record industry and we are not in a position – or of a disposition – to offer traditional record contracts . We have no interest in taking away musicians’ rights to their music.

Can you distribute my music, or promote it?

No, that’s not what we are about at all.

I am a graphic designer. Would you like to hire me?

No thanks. Our CDs are designed to reflect the music, in consultation with the recording artists – and as a non-profit label, this is something we must do in-house .

Where does the name ‘Earthrid’ come from?

Earthrid is a character in David Lindsay’s novel Voyage to Arcturus (published in 1920). This was a strange and powerful work of philosophical science fantasy which influenced a number of writers (most notably C. S. Lewis) but which is not as well-known as it should be. The character Earthrid was a musician whose bizarre music was of such intensity that it was almost invariably fatal. That’s not the effect we’re after, but we admire the uncompromising attitude.

Here is a short extract, taken from an online copy of the novel:

‘But my music is founded on painful tones; and thus its symmetry is wild, and difficult to discover; its emotion is bitter and terrible.

‘If I had not anticipated its being original, I would not have come here,’ said Maskull. ‘Still, explain–why can’t harsh tones have simple symmetry of form? And why must they necessarily cause more profound emotions in us who listen?’

‘Pleasures may harmonise. Pains must clash; and in the order of their clashing lies the symmetry. The emotions follow the music, which is rough and earnest.’

‘You may call it music,’ remarked Maskull thoughtfully, ‘but to me it bears a closer resemblance to actual life.’

Earthrid’s three-fold theory of the nature of music is reflected in the first letter of our logo. The significance of the rest of the logo is left as an exercise for the reader.

What does ‘Carya Amara’ mean?

As we always say: it means quality electronic music. (That term since seems to have caught on…).