BUFU (By Us For Us) Records is an independent record label formed in 2012 and based in Boston, Massachusetts.Joy, Kevin "What It's Like To Sell Cassettes In 2015" , Boston.com, Boston, 16 October 2015, Retrieved on 10 March 2017.
Originally releasing cassettes and CDs for New England–based DIY rock artists,Marquedant, Zoe "Rewind: The Cassette Makes a Comeback in Boston", Boston, Boston, October 2013, Retrieved on 10 March 2017. the label has expanded to include international artists and has released 77 titles spanning across all physical and digital platforms. Their artists have had premieres or features in publications such as Billboard magazine,Flores, Griselda "Coachella 2017: Latin Artists to See", Billboard, New York, 4 April 2017, Retrieved on 4 July 2017. SPIN,Brown, Harley "Japanther Announce New Album and Debut Skuzzy Lead Single 'Do It (Don't Try)', Spin, New York, 17 February 2014, Retrieved on 5 March 2017. Brooklyn Vegan,Pearis, Bill "Tall Juan preps 'Olden Goldies' LP (listen to 'Getting Cold' ft. Jimmy Whispers), Brooklyn Vegan, New York, 24 February 2017, Retrieved on 5 March 2017. and Tom Tom Magazine,Anderson, Lindsey "Video Premiere and Tour Announcement: Veiny Hands", Tom Tom Magazine, New York, February 2017, Retrieved on 5 March 2017. and have received recognition from Rolling Stone,Sheffield, Rob "Rob Sheffield's Top 20 Albums of 2016", Rolling Stone, New York, 21 December 2016, Retrieved on 5 March 2017. NME,Bartleet, Larry "Tall Juan's Mac DeMarco-Recorded EP Is A Rollicking Thrill-Ride – Listen", NME, 26 October 2015, Retrieved on 5 March 2017. and Stereogum.Stereogum Staff "Stereogum's 40 Best New Bands of 2013", Stereogum, 19 September 2013, Retrieved on 5 March 2017.
The label's includes Tall Juan, Flower Girl, Veiny Hands, Ben Katzman's DeGreaser, Free Pizza, and The Jellyfish Brothers.
History BUFU Records was founded in 2012 by Ben Katzman, who is a former member of Guerilla TossClark, William F "Wydyde – "Body in the Sand"", Boston Hassle, Boston, 24 March 2016, Retrieved on 4 March 2017. as well as the frontman of his own group Ben Katzman's DeGreaser.Geslani, Michelle "Ben Katzman's DeGreaser premieres new song "You Shred (But Really You're Just Playing Me) Baby" — listen", Consequence of Sound, Chicago, 19 August 2015, Retrieved on 4 March 2017. Christopher Collins of The Boston Hassle joined as co-owner in 2014, and by then the label had already been well established in the Boston area, having issued nearly 30 releases and booking national tours for its artists.Eaton, Perry "Local label BUFU Records announces first BUFU FEST", "BDCwire", Boston, 13 February 2014, Retrieved on 10 March 2017. The label has put out releases from Japanther, Krill,Johnston, Maura "End of the road for Boston indie-rock trio Krill", The Boston Globe, Boston, 7 October 2015, Retrieved on 5 March 2017. and Mannequin Pussy, for which they released either LPs or a special edition cassette. Additionally, they have partnered with Boston Hassle Fest on occasion to release live compilation tapes of the annual music festival.Pitcherella, Amelia "Boston Hassle Fest 6 Approaches, Launches Wayne's World Indiegogo Campaign With Updated Line Up", Impose Magazine, Brooklyn, 17 September 2014, Retrieved on 10 March 2017.
Over the years, the label has built a reputation for their tape releases, which greatly outnumber their vinyl releases. Many of their artists have gone on to sign to larger record labels as well, such as IAN who went on to sign with Hardly Art.Webber, Kieran https://clunkmag.com/2016/06/30/music-news-ian-sweet-signs-to-hardly-art-announces-debut-lp-shapeshifter/ "Ian Sweet Signs to Hardly Art & Announces Debut LP 'Shapeshifter'], Clunk Magazine, Newquay, 30 June 2016, Retrieved on 10 March 2017. Additionally, they have booked concert tours for their artists,Frances, Flor "BUFU Records' Shred Cleanse Brings Local and National Talent Together at Gramps", Miami New Times, Miami, 12 May 2016, Retrieved on 10 March 2017. and have organized their own BUFU Festival in their base location of Boston and in Katzman's hometown of Miami, Florida.Wlodarczyk, Walter "Fest Report: BUFU Fest Miami", Impose, Brooklyn, 30 January 2015, Retrieved on 10 March 2017.
The label's roster includes Tall Juan, Flower Girl, Veiny Hands, Ben Katzman's DeGreaser, Free Pizza, and The Jellyfish Brothers. Tall Juan released Olden Goldies via BUFU Records in May 2017, which garnered him a highly acclaimed appearance at Coachella Music Festival.Corcoran, Nina "The Best of the Tiny Fonts in Coachella's 2017 Lineup", Consequence of Sound, Chicago, 13 April 2017, Retrieved on 4 July 2017. Additionally, the label has gone on to release comic books such as in conjunction with Ben Katzman's DeGreaser's release We Bled to Shred.Bennett, David "DeGreaser Defends the Planet With Rock 'n' Roll on New EP", Miami New Times, Miami, 29 June 2017, Retrieved on 4 July 2017.
Notable releases Designer – "Kelvin & Kline" (2013). Designer is listed No. 9 in "Best 40 New Bands of 2013" by Stereogum. Japanther – "Instant Money Magic" (LP only) (2014). Lead single "Do It (Don't Try)" premiered on SPIN magazine. Tall Juan – "Why Not?" (2015). Recorded and engineered by Mac DeMarco. Mannequin Pussy – "Romantic" (Special Edition Cassette only) (2016). Listed No. 3 in "Top 20 Albums of 2016" by Rolling Stone. Las Nubes & Palomino Blond - "Split EP" (2020)
References