Moshpit Tragedy Records is a Canadian independent record label founded in Windsor, Ontario in 2006. The label specialises in punk, metal and some of their subgenres (crust, sludge, etc.). In 2007, they became the first record label to abandon physical releases in favour of a fully "sliding-scale" or "pay what you want" download model.
Origin:
Moshpit Tragedy began in the mid nineties booking local punk concerts in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. The name came about after one of these shows when founder Rayny Forster was brought to the emergency room and a doctor dubbed him a "moshpit tragedy". It wasn't until early 2006 that the first releases on the label were issued. Founder Rayny Forster is actually a volunteer as he does not receive any pay from the label.
Pay-what-you-want downloading:
In 2007, the label abandoned releasing CDs in favour of a new sliding scale download format in which fans could pay as much or as little as they want to - even free - for a high quality MP3 album with print-ready sleeve artwork. After becoming the first record label to do so, Metal Hammer printed an article in which Ozzy Osbourne bassist Blasko stated "This model could very well be the future of all indie labels." In 2009, Digby Pearson wrote on his 'Ask Earache' blog "Rayny has a great promotional angle and decent taste in music, if he can persuade some biggish bands to join him then it could really spell trouble for the regular music industry."
In a review of the Amebix album Monolith, Punknews.org quoted "Moshpit Tragedy has actually put a decent amount of thought into what makes a good music download."
Partner labels:
In January 2010, Moshpit Tragedy announced it will begin working with other record labels who would like to make their catalogs available via pay-what-you-want download format. Inimical Records made their entire 20-album catalogue available that same month. In early 2011, Feral Ward Records made their catalogue available as well, with titles from Tragedy, His Hero is Gone, From Ashes Rise, Inepsy, and Born Dead Icons. Relapse Records also joined the fold and have begun making one select album per week available in pay-what-you-want format. On December 25, From Ashes Rise guitarist/vocalist Brad Boatright launched Audiosiege Media, which is an exclusive Moshpit Tragedy imprint.
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