Record Label
In February 2009, Andrew found a loophole in his contractual constraints and formed the record label, "Skyscraper Music Maker", based in London, England and Manhattan, New York City, United States. The label is manufactured and distributed exclusively by the UK based, Cargo Records. The first release for the label was the promotional compilation CD, "DAMN! The Mixtape Vol. 1", featuring Andrew's work as a producer for Skyscraper Music Maker artists, Bad Brilliance, Aleister X, and Cherie Lily and music by New York producer, DJ B-Roc. The CD was released in the UK on May 25, 2009, and on digital download sites like iTunes and Amazon.
The second release on the Skyscraper Music Maker label was Andrew's album of "spontaneous solo piano improvisations", entitled 55 CADILLAC, on September 9, 2009. This was Andrew's first album made "by himself", as he told the UK newspaper, The Guardian.
The third release on the label was the debut 12" EP from artist, Aleister X. The EP was called Bangers & Beans, and featured four songs written by Aleister X and produced by Andrew W.K. The EP was released on November 10, 2009. In May 2010, it was announced that Aleister X would be releasing a second EP, The Git.
In late 2009, the Louise Harland Corporation (LHC) went into heated negotiations with Andrew's management and the owners of the first "Andrew W.K. record label", Skyscraper Music Maker, based in London, England. LHC fought to take control of the label, after Skycraper released Andrew's 2009 solo piano album, 55 Cadillac – which was recorded with their involvement – but sold without their permission. LHC demanded credit on each future Skyscraper release, among other financial stipulations. As a result, the Skyscraper Music Maker label name was changed to "STEEV MIKE".
In March, 2010, the newly named STEEV MIKE label presented its first official release: the repackaged 2-disc version of Andrew's 2006 album, Close Calls With Brick Walls. In September, 2010, it was announced that Cherie Lily would be releasing her debut EP WERK, on the STEEV MIKE label, which features her original song and six remixes.
Read more about this topic: Andrew W.K., Biography
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