Cheersquad Records & Tapes launches with Money For Rope single

Melbourne has launched a new label, Cheersquad Records & Tapes, with a single by surf/soul/garage band Money For Rope as the first release.

The track ‘Earl Grey’ is out in Australia on Friday May 4 through Believe Music, and off their forthcoming second album Picture Us, which comes five years after the first.

It also gets a release in Europe through German label Haldern Pop Recordings.

Cheersquad Records & Tapes is the brainchild of Melbourne music identity Wally Kempton.

He used that name for his booking agency in the ‘90s and then again when he got into artist management ten years ago.

He tells TMN, “As a teenager, I always thought it would be cool to work in a record store and put out records through my own label., and I haven’t done any of them until now.

“I’ve done projects for Au Go Go, Shock and Public Opinion, but this is my first label.”

Instead, he became known as a member of The Meanies and Even, presenting shows on community radio, working at venues and distributors, being a booking agent, and these days doing  tour managing and artist management.

He manages two of the bands on the label: Money For Rope and Minibikes, who also have an album in the pipeline.

Cheersquad will also release material by Andrew McKeag Band and Los Chicos, along with older material from artists including Sidewinder, Snout and Even (the latter who also have a new album out this month).

The idea of the label, says Kempton, is to put out the music that he likes and thinks others should hear, and also to make earlier Australian releases available on 12-inch vinyl for the first time.

“Andy (Hayden) of Poison City puts out records that he likes, without fear of what anyone else thinks.

“I like that, it’s really inspiring.”

Kempton also has his heart set on releasing his material in Europe.

While Money For Rope is through Haldern Pop, other releases will go through his numerous contacts, which include labels in Spain, England, France and Germany.

Money For Rope will launch ‘Earl Grey’ at Curtin Bandroom, Melbourne (Saturday May 5), The Wicko, Newcastle (Friday May 11) and The Chippo, Sydney (Saturday May 12).