About Us
Split Notes is an online music label. Our netlabel focuses on microtonal music. We wish to promote artists who are using microtonal techniques in contemporary styles such as electronic music, rock, dance music, hip hop, or basically anything with a good beat on it. This is a lovely niche which has not yet had its time to shine.
Our earliest releases include some fine dub and drum & bass, plus various styles on our first compilation, chilled and upbeat, electronic and acoustic. The actual genres aren't important, but it's good to know that over time we're hitting more and more styles to combine the much-loved, distinctive microtonal sound with today's music, in a way that is amusing for the listener.
As a side goal, it would be nice to inspire more performers and musicians through our releases.
Many artists have released their music on our label already.
What is microtonal? Why microtonal?
Microtonal music is music which uses pitches that are not in the Western 12 tone system (also known as 12-tet). 12-tet is but one of an infinite amount of scales musicians can use. With those 12 notes you get a good amount of melodies, harmonies and emotionals, but only a limited amount of them.
To truly create a new mood or express a profoundly different emotion, you are going to need microtones. Microtones are the notes which don't appear on a piano. They provide the new intervals that the brain perceives as a mood or feel. In a world dominated by 12-tet, many listeners are welcoming the new feelings offered by microtones.
It is our belief that popular music of all kinds would get a quirky new second life if we used these techniques. While some musicians are working towards this goal, many listeners are unable to find their work. Why so? Microtonal music has its own dark side - there is much microtonal music being made in classical and ambient styles which sounds ghastly! It can be hard to understand, hard to enjoy, hard to share - nobody wants to listen to it. We absolutely avoid this kind of music.
Split Notes was created to find and promote good microtonal music, sharing with today's listeners (all of you) because we have such a passion for it. We hope to share that passion and pass on the good vibes. Finally, we would like to promote as many good microtonalists as we can - not just those on our label. On our music page you will find links to other great music from the micro-universe. Please enjoy!
Why free?
We smartly run this netlabel on a tiny budget, no problems. The benefit of us releasing this our stuff for free is that we can make music for the sake of good music, rather than to attract money to the site. Therefore we make no comprimises in our art. The artists here can achieve their own visions as they please without interference.
The benefit to listeners is that you can fill up your mp3 player with some unique and awesome underground sounds for free - and then play and share (copy) it legally, which is good for everyone. Microtonal music is something you must hear to believe...
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