Today we’d like to introduce you to Adam Victorn and Charlie Greengoss.
Adam and Charlie, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Vinyl For a Cause started in Adam’s basement in Wilmette, almost two and a half years ago. We were watching videos of bands covering other bands – specifically Brand New covering Modest Mouse – and got to talking about how special it is when bands influence one another and mold their sound. We are lifelong music fans that feel compelled to bring forth positive social change here in Chicago. Since inception, we’ve worked with six bands and produced three split 7-inch records, with proceeds benefiting VH1 Save The Music. We are gearing up for our fourth release, and plan to continue working with like-minded individuals to “promote good, one record sale at a time.” Chicago is a city rich in diversity and talent, and we’re adamant that our work is just getting started. As we grow, so too will our goal of bringing awareness and fundraising to organizations that need it most.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Since the very beginning, we’ve been fortunate in that our idea resonated with many people right away. Including our pro-bono counsel that has been with us since the start, Daliah Saper and her team at Saper Law. We’ve had lots of success thus far in terms of production, marketing, getting good press, and connecting with music fans that seek to make the world a better place. At this stage, our major struggles are selling units each week with consistency and navigating lull periods between releases while negotiating terms with new artists.
Please tell us about Vinyl For A Cause.
We are a record label based on the idea that music can be a driver for charitable good. With impacting the community as the number one focus, every limited edition release features two bands covering each other, on sides A and B of a 7-inch vinyl record. Each band then chooses their charity of choice for which to give a large portion of the record sales. For our first three releases we have partnered with VH1 Save The Music Foundation and 50% of all net proceeds go directly to them. Through charitable small batch vinyl sales, we’ve built a platform for musicians to bring awareness to causes they feel need support and recognition.
We’re always hungry. it’s a sense of persistence and a faith that what we’re doing will continue to resonate with the community at large. There are millions of startups out there, and for us, knowing each other since age seven, we’re able to hold each other accountable and make sure that we’re staying within our lanes and being true to our mission. Another piece that has been important to keep in mind has been that there will be change as we move forward and that we must continue to align ourselves accordingly along the way to stay relevant.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
We have many childhood memories together, but going to a countless number of shows in the city of Chicago helped shape our passion for the industry and this beautiful city we call home.
Pricing:
- $20.00 – VFAC 001 –
- 500. Every copy is autographed by both bands!
- $.20.00 – VFAC 002 –
- 500. Every copy is autographed by both bands!
- $20.00 – VFAC 003 – This release is for all the Funk / Dance / Electronica music fans out there!
- 500. Every copy is autographed by members of both bands!!
- The custom artwork done by Tyler Gasek 50% of all net proceeds from this release go directly to VH1 Save The Music Foundation!
- $10.00 – Slip-mat featuring our VFAC Logo
- $20.00 – T-shirt – with 3 different VFAC design options
Contact Info:
- Website: www.vinylforacause.com
- Email: adam@vinylforacause.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/vinylforacause
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/vinylforacause
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/vinylforacause
Image Credit:
Allison Ziemba, Fire Engine Red Films
Getting in touch: VoyageChicago is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
