Following the emergence of CDs in the early 80s you would think that tapes would have died a death, along with vinyl - but apparently not. They’re both still around, but tapes are the contenders that still spark a debate about their presence in 2018. Just another hipster fad? Why go backwards to something analogue with the relentless amount of streaming services now available? Two tape labels working in Wiltshire and Oxford are finding that there is still a market for this retro format within the underground, and even commercial, music scene. 
Swindon-based label Liquid Library is a home project with two guys taking the role of vigilantes within the music industry. Run by friends Charlie Miles and Owen Chambers the guys wanted to create something accessible for bands and musicians. Charlie explained: “It’s less of a label and more of a community project. We embrace and broadcast that we don’t really know what we’re doing, but we want to advertise the idea that you can ‘do it’ - for instance if you have a sharpie and a piece of paper you can make a poster. Simple. We want to help people realise that things are possible - a monkey could do what we do.” 
As musicians themselves the guys are familiar with the limitations and barriers working muscians can be faced with. “Sometimes it seems like there are the people who make the stuff, and people who consume it - I don’t believe that’s how it should work” Charlie said. “It can feel like there are gatekeepers for getting to play a gig, or make a record, and I don’t think that’s right. Liquid Library is all about accessibility and people working together. I want everyone in the world to start a band!” 
Liquid Library has seemingly taken the ‘anti’ approach when it comes to creating, believing that there shouldn’t be a hierarchy in the industry. As well as the label the guys also put on free gigs to encourage networking, as well as other working musicians to support each other, and if they’re unsigned realise that they can still release their music. Anything else we need to know? “Yeah, fuck the tories!” For further information, visit www.liquidlibrary.bandcamp.com
