This is a story about the power of music, the power of friendship, and about how small the world really is. If you’ve been reading some of my writing in the past, then you’ll be aware of how much Frank Turner means to me. He’s a musician that I have inked on my skin. My wife and I have traveled thousands of miles to see him perform in large venues and small dive bars. In short, he’s pretty damn important.
In 2016, one of these road trips saw us down in Columbus, Ohio to see Frank Turner play with The Homeless Gospel Choir and Two Cow Garage. Two Cow Garage was the main support, but this show was extra special for them since that was their hometown show. The energy they gave off was infectious. One thing we love about Frank shows is the care he takes in picking openers. So many of my favorite bands now are bands I first saw opening for Frank Turner. Two Car Garage was no exception.
Fast forward one year. My wife and I found ourselves in Ohio again.
This time, we were at Bogart’s in Cincinnati. We were in town to see Frank Turner (naturally), and we got there a bit earlier than we needed to. This is because of some weird anxieties about not relaxing until I get to the venue and get situated. So, there we were, early, with plenty of time to kill.
My wife is the type of person who makes fast friends, while I’m the type of person to just stand around awkwardly in an attempt to avoid any sort of communication with people I don’t know. Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted a guy in an H2O shirt. She immediately went up to him and struck up a conversation. As it turned out, he was just as dedicated to music as we were. Here we were, almost 300 miles from home, and the guy in the H2O shirt was also from Michigan and drove down to see Frank. We got to talking, and we started to realize that we’ve been going to the same shows for the last 20 odd years. We talked the rest of the time before the music started, hung out during all three sets, and exchanged contact information.
I have to thank my wife for being the social one in our marriage, because after that show, we all became fast friends. We went to lots more shows together naturally, but we also went to his wedding. It felt like, even though we didn’t know each other at the time, we were friends for the entire 20 years prior. So when the guy in the H2O shirt hit me up one day last year during the height of pandemic lockdowns with a big idea that involved our massive love of music, I was all ears.
What Was The Big Idea?
So, the guy in the H2O shirt has a name. It’s Brandon Noah. From this point on, I’ll just refer to him by his name instead of the band t-shirt he was wearing when I met him. We were talking about dreams and aspirations one evening, and he told me he’d always wanted to start a record label. Inspired by many of the current independent labels out there, he wanted to finally make a go at it. There was just too much negativity in the world, and this was a way to bring about something positive.
This is where Brandon is putting his money where his mouth is. Everything he plans to sell as a part of Gear City Records will always have a charity component to it. Also, wherever possible, he’s going to work with union shops and union made products wherever possible. And, as you’d likely imagine, he wants to work with bands who are equally interested in working towards positive change in the world. It’s an ambitious plan, and one that I’m excited to help my friend with.
Without Further Ado, I Introduce Gear City Records
Today, Monday August 2, 2021 marks the beginning of Gear City Records. The label will be releasing music comps and full-lengths in the future. Before that, Gear City is getting their feet wet by working with a band I mentioned above.
See, I told you this was a story about music, friendship, and small worlds.
It just so happens that Two Cow Garage is celebrating their 20th anniversary this year. In fact, they have a 20th anniversary show already booked down in Columbus on August 21st at the Rumba Cafe.
Two Cow Garage is a band that has a place in Brandon’s heart, so it just feels right to have Gear City’s first project be one with Two Cow Garage. After countless years of seeing them play live, and as solo performers, Brandon is working with them to help commemorate their career milestone. Starting today, and going through Friday, August 6th, Gear City Records will be having a pre-order for a special Two Cow Garage 20th Anniversary Shirt. Proceeds of the shirt will be donated to NIVA (National Independent Venue Association), and the shirt is being printed at a union shop, so you know the quality and care will be top notch. If you’re interested in pre-ordering one of these limited t-shirts, head over to the Gear City Records Bandcamp link.
This t-shirt is just the beginning. In the future, Gear City Records will be working on comps, as well as putting out bands with a desire to help people and make positive change in the world. If you’re in a band, and this describes you, then reach out.