Q: and/OAR?
A: and/OAR is a publisher and retailer specializing in environmental and avant-garde sound. Currently, and/OAR has three
divisions: and/OAR, either/OAR , mOAR and (in 2012) fOARward - each having distinct exploratory parameters.
One mission of and/OAR is to help raise awareness and appreciation of the sonic environment that surrounds each of us.
and/OAR encourages a broader understanding and appreciation of all that is "sound", which in turn, can lead to a better
understanding and appreciation of life in general.
The and/OAR Diffusion shop has been a strong advocate for making hard-to-find sound art as affordable as possible so that as
many people as possible can afford to collect, explore, experiment and support it. In 2003, a/O started the Diffusion shop in an
attempt to initiate a positive new paradigm in online music sales by providing the best prices plus conscientious customer
service and shipping practices.
A: and/OAR is a publisher and retailer specializing in environmental and avant-garde sound. Currently, and/OAR has three
divisions: and/OAR, either/OAR , mOAR and (in 2012) fOARward - each having distinct exploratory parameters.
One mission of and/OAR is to help raise awareness and appreciation of the sonic environment that surrounds each of us.
and/OAR encourages a broader understanding and appreciation of all that is "sound", which in turn, can lead to a better
understanding and appreciation of life in general.
The and/OAR Diffusion shop has been a strong advocate for making hard-to-find sound art as affordable as possible so that as
many people as possible can afford to collect, explore, experiment and support it. In 2003, a/O started the Diffusion shop in an
attempt to initiate a positive new paradigm in online music sales by providing the best prices plus conscientious customer
service and shipping practices.
Q: What does the name "and/OAR" refer to?
A: "OAR" is an acronym for Overheard And Rendered.
Overheard And Rendered was a recording label from 1999 to 2001.
and/OAR was originally founded in 2001 as a sub-label of Overheard And Rendered.
In 2008, the either/OAR and mOAR sectors were established in order to expand the range of sound art presented on the label,
while preserving the focus of the main sector to environmental sound art.
Also, the and/OAR & either/OAR names were derived from the phrases "and/or" & "either/or" which are often used in English
sentences to indicate "one or the other" or "both". Therefore, the names were partially chosen because of their all inclusive
nature. They are unifying and collective names. Of course the name "mOAR" just means "MORE" from the same source, only
different!
"OAR" is also similar to words in other languages that refer to the ear like "ohr" (German), "oor" (Dutch), "oreille" (French),
"orecchio" (Italian), "orelha" (Portugese), etc.
Additionally, in the film industry,"OAR" refers to "Original Aspect Ratio", which is the size and shape that a director intended
their film to be viewed in, or the size and shape that a film is being presented in. This relates to an obvious interest in film that
has made itself apparent with releases such as "Another Kind Of Language: Dedicated to Andrei Tarkovsky", "Yasujiro Ozu -
Hitokomakura" and "Michelangelo Antonioni - Trilogy And Epilogue". Cinematic references / comparisons are also often made
in release descriptions because this is one of the more compelling aspects of the kind of music that a/O presents, and such
mental connections can enhance the enjoyment of the listening experience, regardless of whether the artist intended the
connection to be there or not. However, in the end, it's really up to the listener to decide what connections they wish to make.
A: "OAR" is an acronym for Overheard And Rendered.
Overheard And Rendered was a recording label from 1999 to 2001.
and/OAR was originally founded in 2001 as a sub-label of Overheard And Rendered.
In 2008, the either/OAR and mOAR sectors were established in order to expand the range of sound art presented on the label,
while preserving the focus of the main sector to environmental sound art.
Also, the and/OAR & either/OAR names were derived from the phrases "and/or" & "either/or" which are often used in English
sentences to indicate "one or the other" or "both". Therefore, the names were partially chosen because of their all inclusive
nature. They are unifying and collective names. Of course the name "mOAR" just means "MORE" from the same source, only
different!
"OAR" is also similar to words in other languages that refer to the ear like "ohr" (German), "oor" (Dutch), "oreille" (French),
"orecchio" (Italian), "orelha" (Portugese), etc.
Additionally, in the film industry,"OAR" refers to "Original Aspect Ratio", which is the size and shape that a director intended
their film to be viewed in, or the size and shape that a film is being presented in. This relates to an obvious interest in film that
has made itself apparent with releases such as "Another Kind Of Language: Dedicated to Andrei Tarkovsky", "Yasujiro Ozu -
Hitokomakura" and "Michelangelo Antonioni - Trilogy And Epilogue". Cinematic references / comparisons are also often made
in release descriptions because this is one of the more compelling aspects of the kind of music that a/O presents, and such
mental connections can enhance the enjoyment of the listening experience, regardless of whether the artist intended the
connection to be there or not. However, in the end, it's really up to the listener to decide what connections they wish to make.
Q: What do you consider to be an "environmental recording"?
A: Since an "environmental recording" is a recording of the sounds of a particular environment, this would include various
kinds of captures made with various open-air microphones, as well as non-open air microphones, receivers, & various sonic
sensor apparati like: piezo discs, hydrophones, geophones, shortwave radios, VLF receivers, satellite transmissions, inductive
mics (magnetic coils), bat detectors, etc.
A: Since an "environmental recording" is a recording of the sounds of a particular environment, this would include various
kinds of captures made with various open-air microphones, as well as non-open air microphones, receivers, & various sonic
sensor apparati like: piezo discs, hydrophones, geophones, shortwave radios, VLF receivers, satellite transmissions, inductive
mics (magnetic coils), bat detectors, etc.
Q: Demos?
A: Yes, however the focus of the main division of and/OAR has been shifting to straight (non-processed or manipulated)
environmental recording documents of unique sonic phenomena or subject matter (preferably which have rarely or never been
recorded or published on CD), plus sound installations and site-specific work. Composed soundscape-type of work will mostly be
featured as part of the various artist project series called Overheard And Rendered, or the mOAR division. Special
consideration will be given to previously unreleased, rarely heard and/or out-of-print sound art rarities as well.
- Before sending your demo, please research each division of the label to make sure your work is appropriate. For example, if
you have a rock band, rap group or are a singer / songwriter, I'm sorry, but your music is NOT APPROPRIATE.
- Please do not send your demo via registered mail.
- Please do not send sound files as e-mail attachments.
A: Yes, however the focus of the main division of and/OAR has been shifting to straight (non-processed or manipulated)
environmental recording documents of unique sonic phenomena or subject matter (preferably which have rarely or never been
recorded or published on CD), plus sound installations and site-specific work. Composed soundscape-type of work will mostly be
featured as part of the various artist project series called Overheard And Rendered, or the mOAR division. Special
consideration will be given to previously unreleased, rarely heard and/or out-of-print sound art rarities as well.
- Before sending your demo, please research each division of the label to make sure your work is appropriate. For example, if
you have a rock band, rap group or are a singer / songwriter, I'm sorry, but your music is NOT APPROPRIATE.
- Please do not send your demo via registered mail.
- Please do not send sound files as e-mail attachments.
Q: Radio promos?
A: We receive a lot of requests from DJs for airplay copies, but after some careful consideration, it was decided that the end
result for this extra expenditure does not justify the cost. We do offer "DJ discounts" for all and/OAR releases and certain
Diffusion shop items, so please contact us about this if you are interested. If we don't know who you are or haven't heard of your
program, we might need to see a website and/or any recent play lists as proof your program actually exists.
A: We receive a lot of requests from DJs for airplay copies, but after some careful consideration, it was decided that the end
result for this extra expenditure does not justify the cost. We do offer "DJ discounts" for all and/OAR releases and certain
Diffusion shop items, so please contact us about this if you are interested. If we don't know who you are or haven't heard of your
program, we might need to see a website and/or any recent play lists as proof your program actually exists.
Q: Limited editions?
A: Yes. From 2001 to 2003, and/OAR was a CDR label only, so edition numbers ranged from 50 to 150 copies per release. In
2004, a/O started to issue replicated CDs, which have been issued in quantities of 300+, 500+ or 1,000+.
A: Yes. From 2001 to 2003, and/OAR was a CDR label only, so edition numbers ranged from 50 to 150 copies per release. In
2004, a/O started to issue replicated CDs, which have been issued in quantities of 300+, 500+ or 1,000+.
Q: Logo change?
A: Yes. 2010 marks the beginning of the and/OAR's ninth year of existence. So, in advance of the ten year anniversary (in 2011),
a new logo was introduced. This is a significant change from the original name logo which has been used from the beginning.
Below is a memorial for the previous logo also commemorating the past ten years of work.
A: Yes. 2010 marks the beginning of the and/OAR's ninth year of existence. So, in advance of the ten year anniversary (in 2011),
a new logo was introduced. This is a significant change from the original name logo which has been used from the beginning.
Below is a memorial for the previous logo also commemorating the past ten years of work.
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