MorningStar Records will build on a strong 2024 for an even better 2025. Read more below.
An update from label founder and flagship artist, Mike Haggith.
Friends,
As the year draws to a close, I'd like to take a moment to address you directly and reflect on what we’ve been through during 2024. It’s been a year marked by bold expansions, unforgettable new music, and some genuine obstacles that tested our resolve. We kicked off the year excited to welcome new affiliates to our ranks, including beatmaster Midnight Bandit; brass-infused rockers Odd Man Out; and, most recently, the darkwave project Coax Chrome, whose moody, atmospheric sound has injected a fresh sonic dimension into our growing catalogue.
Of course, along with the new artists came new albums that showcased the diversity of styles we thrive on at MorningStar. We were proud to have Odd Man Out release Quadranium, an album layered with rock elements, brass sections, and an energy that calls to mind festival stages packed with excited fans. Punk rockers Vanity First delivered a raw and relentless debut with Identity Crisis, a record that recalls the spirit of punk’s origins while adding its own modern flair. MAEZEND Music Lab finally revealed their long-awaited debut album Tentacles, a carefully crafted project that satisfied longtime listeners who had been anticipating a record for years. And not to be overlooked, the New Jersey-based rapper Sanity released Postcards From Siberia, a project featuring an expanded tracklist and a full remaster that drew attention for its distinct storytelling, personal narrative, and evocative production.
But it wouldn’t be the music business without the occasional wrench thrown into the works, and our biggest headache this year came when Kunaki, our longtime manufacturer, announced in September that they would cease international shipping for both CDs and LPs. This really rattled our operation since we aim to connect with artists not only in the US and Canada, but around the world. Without reliable shipping and fulfillment, entire international markets are left in the dark, and that’s the last thing we want for our artists or for the label’s future. This challenge forced us to embark on a tireless search for a new manufacturing solution that wouldn’t just patch the problem, but actually align with our values and model in the long run. Ultimately, after investigating countless options, we forged a partnership with ElasticStage—an on-demand CD and LP manufacturer based in London, UK. They’ll help us produce high-quality physical albums and ship them worldwide, all while offering a streamlined sales solution that connects directly to our new online store.
Over the past few months, we’ve been preparing for this move away from our existing BigCartel-hosted Webstore so that, come 01 January 2025, everything will be hosted under our new Webstore on ElasticStage. This will mean a better experience for our artists and their listeners. We’ll start by migrating a handful of titles right on launch day and then gradually add the rest of our catalogue throughout the month. Each album deserves its own spotlight, and we want to make sure that everything from the artwork to the page layout is exactly the way our artists intend it to be. With the technical side handled, we’ll be able to pour more of our energy into what really matters: discovering talent, developing our collective, and helping our artists reach as many ears as possible.
As we turn our attention to 2025, I can’t help but feel a sense of optimism. We’ve got new affiliates in mind, new albums already in the works, and a renewed sense of purpose that comes from tackling adversity head-on and coming out the other side stronger. We want to keep growing MorningStar Records not just for ourselves, but for every artist who trusts their work with us and for every fan who’s stuck around, bought an album, streamed a track, or shown up to a show. This sense of community is what keeps me motivated, and I hope it does the same for all of you.
With that all said, please allow me to thank you all for being a part of our story in 2024. From the big wins to the moments of unexpected difficulty, we couldn’t have done it without your continued support. Here’s to a new year loaded with fresh music, new opportunities, and greater heights for the MorningStar Collective. Visit the Shop tab of this site to visit our new Webstore, and prepare yourselves for everything we have lined up for 2025. It’s shaping up to be a year of incredible growth, and I can’t wait to see where this journey takes us together.
With gratitude,
Founder, MorningStar Records