The other day I received a really great letter from a Suburban Home supporter. I asked if I could post the letter on the Suburban Home site and luckily the answer was yes. Running a record label in 2007 can sometimes be a thankless job, but when I receive letters like this one, it really reminds me of why I do all of this stuff. Chris was kind enough to order our 50 for 50 sale and his letter mentions how awesome the deal was; he also gave me the highest compliment by mentioning us in the same sentence as Jade Tree, a label we have serious respect for. Since the letter and our responses are a bit long, you can click the below link to read the letters in their entirety(note that my response is in Italics). Thanks Chris for the kind words and for the support. You are why we do Suburban Home:
Virgil,
I just have to say, I thought it was really great when Jade Tree started this (I assume they started it. Maybe I’m wrong… but they’re the first I got it from) even though I knew they’d mostly be dumping their old, out-dated catalogue out. There were still a handful of decent albums and I think it was overall worth my money.
So when you guys did it, I was like, “Hell fucking yes!” You’re definitely one of my favorite labels. And let me say this: You guys like ten-upped Jade Tree. I’m definitely not saying JT sucks or something; I fucking love them, too. But whereas it was pretty obviously they were just offloading old stock, you guys sent me tons of great shit, including a lot of new stuff! Not only that, but the Jade Tree stuff didn’t even come with jewel cases. Imagine my surprise when every album I got was in its nice retail packaging. Fucking awesome. I can’t see a single album in there I won’t enjoy (and since I already own all The Gamits, Laymen Terms, and Fairlaines albums, I’ll definitely be sharing the love with some of my friends soon).
Anyway, I just wanted to say that I really appreciate it. It blows my mind that in this day and age when we have the RIAA championing the fact that CDs should cost $30 a piece and throwing a tantrum when they lose a 1% profit to digital distribution, that the indie labels like you guys and Jade Tree can offer tons of fantastic albums for a buck a piece. Really puts things into perspective. So thanks and I hope you guys keep the label running forever.
-Chris
Chris, thanks so much for the kind words and the support you have given us throughout the years. Honestly to be mentioned in the same sentence as Jade Tree is a big compliment as they are definitely one of my favorite labels. I have always been a big fan of the diversity their label represents and the strong independent nature of their ethics. I am glad to know that you are digging the CDs as I think there are definitely some gems in there.
Would it be alright if I posted your email on our site? I would like for others to read your email with the hope that a few more people take advantage of our sale.
Virgil
Virgil,
Yeah, you can absolutely use my email (or any parts as you see fit). You guys are definitely one of the most criminally underrated labels/distros around and I’m more than willing to help in any way I can, and I really do mean every word I say. I grew up in Salt Lake, and aside from a handful of bigger bands and your standard staple of local bands, it was usually bands from Suburban Home that would always come out and tour the area. So you guys were definitely a pretty big part of my punk rock life when I started really going out to shows, and you’ve been there ever since, even after the big Financial Scare of ‘04. And although you’ve already got it from me, I hope that more and more people start giving you the kind of respect and admiration a label like Jade Tree gets because, quite frankly, you really do deserve it.
-Chris
