# Audiotree > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Audiotree > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Audiotree.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Audiotree > Source revision: 1322833683 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{short description|American music record label}} {{Use mdy dates|date=April 2021}} {{Infobox record label | name = Audiotree | image = File:Audiotree_Logo.png | founded = {{start date|2011}} | founder = Michael Johnston, Adam Thurston | genre = | country = [United States](/source/United_States) | location = [Chicago](/source/Chicago), [Illinois](/source/Illinois), | website = {{URL|https://audiotree.tv/}} }} '''Audiotree''' is an American music record label located in [Chicago](/source/Chicago), founded in 2011.{{cite web|last=Raymer|first=Miles|date=March 10, 2011|title=Audiotree Does the Record Business a la Carte|url=https://chicagoreader.com/music/audiotree-does-the-record-business-a-la-carte/|website=[Chicago Reader](/source/Chicago_Reader)|access-date=October 15, 2011}} The company [records](/source/Sound_recording_and_reproduction) and publishes live music sessions. It also promotes artists and organizes live events, and invites artists from around the world to enter a professional studio setting, to record, perform, and release a live [EP](/source/Extended_play) free of cost.{{cite web|url=https://audiotree.tv/about/|title=About|website=Audiotree|access-date=December 16, 2017}} ==History== Audiotree was founded in 2011 in Chicago by Michael Johnston and Adam Thurston, who saw the potential for a viable business recording live sessions for artist and sharing the revenue from sales. Michael Johnston was already working as an [audio engineer](/source/audio_engineer) in the Chicago area, and founded the company to help promote [independent artist](/source/independent_artist)s and bands. Johnston was removed from his post as president and CEO of Audiotree following his arrest for felony unauthorized videotaping in November of 2021.{{Cite web |last=Channel 3 |first=Andrew Feather {{!}} News |date=2021-12-06 |title=Kalamazoo billionaires' son indicted, accused of secretly recording naked nanny |url=https://wwmt.com/news/local/kalamazoo-billionaires-son-indicted-accused-of-secretly-recording-naked-nanny |access-date=2022-10-21 |website=WWMT |language=en}} In 2018 Audiotree announced its extension into Canada, collaborating with Paquin Entertainment Agency to create a Canadian artist discovery platform.{{Cite web|title=Chicago-based Audiotree launches multi-faceted artist discovery platform in Canada|url=http://www.indoorrecess.com/chicago-based-audiotree-launches-multi-faceted-artist-discovery-platform-in-canada|date=April 5, 2018|access-date=February 23, 2021|website=www.indoorrecess.com|language=en}}{{cite journal |last=Raine |first=Michael |date=May–June 2018 |title=Audiotree & Paquin Launch Canadian Artist Discovery Platform |journal=[Canadian Musician](/source/Canadian_Musician) |volume=39 |issue=3 |pages=14 |issn=0708-9635 |url=https://shorttakes.canadianmusician.com/audiotree-paquin-entertainment-partner-on-launch-of-canadian-artist-discovery-platform/}} ==Live events== The company's series known as Audiotree Live is broadcast from the studio directly to [YouTube](/source/YouTube) and the Audiotree website for fans to listen live. Audiotree company serves as one of the top music video outlets, having amassed over 700 thousand subscribers and 280 million video views on their YouTube channel as of 2022.{{cite web |title=Audiotree - About |url=https://www.youtube.com/c/Audiotreetv/about |website=YouTube |access-date=25 April 2022}} Audiotree has held its annual Audiotree Music Festival since 2012. The festival is typically held in September, and takes place at the Arcadia Creek Festival Place in [Kalamazoo, Michigan](/source/Kalamazoo%2C_Michigan).{{Cite web|title=Audiotree Music Festival 2017 – Festival Outlook|url=https://consequence.net/festival/audiotree-music-festival-2017/|access-date=February 25, 2021|website=Consequence of Sound|language=en-US}} The festival was held every year until 2019, when Audiotree shifted their focus to hosting special concerts at their independently owned venues at [Lincoln Hall](/source/Lincoln_Hall_(Chicago)) and Schubas Tavern in [Chicago](/source/Chicago).{{Cite web|date=January 11, 2019|title=Audiotree won't stage music festival in Kalamazoo for 2019|url=https://localspins.com/audiotree-wont-stage-music-festival-in-kalamazoo-for-2019/|access-date=February 22, 2021|website=Local Spins|language=en-US}} At the end of 2020, during the [COVID-19 pandemic](/source/COVID-19_pandemic), Audiotree began organizing live [virtual concert](/source/virtual_concert)s under a new segment called "Staged". This segment allowed fans to pay a small fee to join a private broadcast of the show, which they could stream as much as they want for 24 hours after completion.{{Cite web|author=TV News Desk|title=Julien Baker Will Perform Streaming Album Release Concert|url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwmusic/article/Julien-Baker-Will-Perform-Streaming-Album-Release-Concert-20210217|access-date=February 22, 2021|website=BroadwayWorld.com|language=en}} ''[Time Out Chicago](/source/Time_Out_Chicago)'' noted that due to Audiotree's extensive prior experience with producing [streaming media](/source/streaming_media), the label was "uniquely equipped" to help bands keep performing online during the pandemic.{{cite web |last=Long |first=Zach |date=December 22, 2020 |title=Chicago venues and bands weigh in on the future of streaming concerts |url=https://www.timeout.com/chicago/news/chicago-venues-and-bands-weigh-in-on-the-future-of-streaming-concerts-122220 |website=[Time Out Chicago](/source/Time_Out_Chicago) |access-date=October 16, 2021}} ==Business model== Audiotree typically shares revenue from sales of live session recordings with the artist, usually split 50:50. The company works mainly with musicians that are independent or on [independent music label](/source/independent_music_label)s.{{Cite web|last=Daniels|first=Melissa|title=How Audiotree Is Reinventing Music Videos, One Live Performance At A Time|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/melissamdaniels/2017/04/06/how-audiotree-is-reinventing-music-videos-one-live-performance-at-a-time/|access-date=February 22, 2021|website=Forbes|language=en}}{{Cite web|title=Audiotree|url=https://openhousechicago.org/sites/site/audiotree/|access-date=February 25, 2021|website=Open House Chicago|language=en}} In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic's limitations on public gatherings created problems for music venues,{{cite web|last=Garcia|first=Evan|date=December 14, 2020|title=Coronavirus-Inspired Songs From Paul Cherry at Livestreamed Chicago Show|url=https://news.wttw.com/2020/12/14/coronavirus-inspired-songs-paul-cherry-livestreamed-chicago-show|website=[WTTW](/source/WTTW)|access-date=October 16, 2021}} leading Audiotree to release merchandise online to help afford maintenance and other venue fees.{{Cite web|last=Pasbani|first=Robert|date=June 9, 2020|title=90% of Independent Music Venues Won't Survive the Pandemic According To New Survey|url=https://metalinjection.net/its-just-business/90-of-independent-music-venues-wont-survive-the-pandemic-according-to-new-survey|access-date=February 25, 2021|website=Metal Injection|language=en-US}} ==Recording process== In 2015–2016, Audiotree released a series of videos showing behind the scenes of how they record music and prepare video and lighting. The studio holds a wide variety of [microphone](/source/microphone)s, ranging from the AKG 460 or the Royer 122 for acoustic guitar recordings, to a Telefunken M-82 used on the [bass drum](/source/bass_drum).{{Cite web|title=Behind the Scenes|url=https://audiotree.tv/behind-the-scenes|access-date=February 23, 2021|website=Audiotree|language=en-US}} The company does on-the-spot [sound mastering](/source/Mastering_(audio)) using [iZotope](/source/iZotope) Ozone 9, and partnered with Antelope Audio for [analog audio](/source/analog_audio) equipment in their control room.{{Cite web|last=Audio|first=Antelope|title=Audiotree|url=https://en.antelopeaudio.com/2018/04/audiotree/|access-date=February 23, 2021|website=Antelope Audio|language=en-US}} In 2017 Audiotree started a new series named Far Out sessions, taking their work outside of the studio and recording live music sessions away from traditional music venues.{{cite web|last=Berlatsky|first=Noah|date=February 2, 2018|title=Audiotree's Far Out video series records bands where you'd least expect|url=https://chicagoreader.com/blogs/audiotrees-far-out-video-series-records-bands-where-youd-least-expect/|website=[Chicago Reader](/source/Chicago_Reader)|access-date=October 16, 2021}} ==Selected roster== A complete roster is available on the Audiotree website; the dates of the selected sessions below are from the metadata of the relevant session pages.{{cite web |title=Alumni – Audiotree |url=https://audiotree.tv/#alumni |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250822081249/https://www.audiotree.tv/#alumni |archive-date=August 22, 2025 |access-date=September 5, 2025 |website=audiotree.tv}} {{Div col|colwidth=22em}} * [Passafire](/source/Passafire) (January 29, 2012) * [Caspian](/source/Caspian_(band)) (September 12, 2012 & February 5, 2016) * [Geographer](/source/Geographer_(band)) (January 21, 2013 & October 16, 2015) * [K.Flay](/source/K.Flay) (February 21, 2013 & July 24, 2015) * [Shakey Graves](/source/Shakey_Graves) (June 20, 2013) * [The World Is a Beautiful Place & I Am No Longer Afraid to Die](/source/The_World_Is_a_Beautiful_Place_%26_I_Am_No_Longer_Afraid_to_Die) (March 1, 2014) * [Nathaniel Rateliff](/source/Nathaniel_Rateliff) (May 1, 2014) * [Maybe April](/source/Maybe_April) (July 22, 2014) * [Foxing](/source/Foxing_(band)) (July 24, 2014) * [Glass Animals](/source/Glass_Animals) (September 10, 2014) * [Artifex Pereo](/source/Artifex_Pereo) (January 15, 2015) * [Rayland Baxter](/source/Rayland_Baxter) (February 22, 2015) * [The Suffers](/source/The_Suffers) (April 7, 2015) * [Guster](/source/Guster) (April 13, 2015) * [Genevieve](/source/Genevieve_(musician)) (April 28, 2015) * [The Main Squeeze](/source/The_Main_Squeeze) (June 9, 2015) * [Mitski](/source/Mitski) (June 20, 2015) * [Turnover](/source/Turnover_(band)) (August 11, 2015) * [Mothers](/source/Mothers_(band)) (September 23, 2015) * [Amasa Hines](/source/Amasa_Hines) (October 3, 2015) * [Hemming](/source/Hemming_(musician)) (October 6, 2015) * [Emily King](/source/Emily_King) (October 28, 2015) * [Jill Andrews](/source/Jill_Andrews) (November 9, 2015) * [The Bottle Rockets](/source/The_Bottle_Rockets) (November 23, 2015) * [Jared & The Mill](/source/Jared_%26_The_Mill) (December 4, 2015) * [Charly Bliss](/source/Charly_Bliss) (January 15, 2016) * [Julien Baker](/source/Julien_Baker) (January 16, 2016) * [Low Cut Connie](/source/Low_Cut_Connie) (February 22, 2016) * [The Wild Reeds](/source/The_Wild_Reeds) (February 25, 2016) * [Raging Fyah](/source/Raging_Fyah) (March 19, 2016) * [Escondido](/source/Escondido_(band)) (March 24, 2016) * [Lucy Dacus](/source/Lucy_Dacus) (March 28, 2016) * [Covet](/source/Covet) (March 30, 2016) * [The Yawpers](/source/The_Yawpers) (April 5, 2016) * [Pinegrove](/source/Pinegrove_(band)) (April 30, 2016) * [Lydia Loveless](/source/Lydia_Loveless) (July 8, 2016) * [Liz Cooper & The Stampede](/source/Liz_Cooper_%26_The_Stampede) (October 10, 2016) * [Rainbow Kitten Surprise](/source/Rainbow_Kitten_Surprise) (January 26, 2017) * [Crying](/source/Crying_(band)) (March 2, 2017) * [Slothrust](/source/Slothrust) (March 10, 2017) * [Sinai Vessel](/source/Sinai_Vessel) (April 6, 2017 & April 21, 2021) * [Snail Mail](/source/Snail_Mail_(musician)) (June 2, 2017) * [Forth Wanderers](/source/Forth_Wanderers_(band)) (June 8, 2017) * [Andrea von Kampen](/source/Andrea_von_Kampen) (June 9, 2017) * [Ratboys](/source/Ratboys) (June 30, 2017) * [Michigander](/source/Michigander_(band)) (July 12, 2017) * [Pet Symmetry](/source/Pet_Symmetry) (July 17, 2017) * [Camp Cope](/source/Camp_Cope) (July 21, 2017) * [Nicole Atkins](/source/Nicole_Atkins) (August 9, 2017) * [Larkin Poe](/source/Larkin_Poe) (August 28, 2017) * [Strange Ranger](/source/Strange_Ranger) (September 7, 2017) * [Soccer Mommy](/source/Soccer_Mommy) (September 14, 2017) * [Wild Pink](/source/Wild_Pink_(band)) (September 29, 2017) * [Peach Pit](/source/Peach_Pit_(band)) (October 17, 2017) * [Cuco](/source/Cuco_(musician)) (January 17, 2018) * [Samantha Fish](/source/Samantha_Fish) (January 29, 2018) * [Black Joe Lewis & the Honeybears](/source/Black_Joe_Lewis_%26_the_Honeybears) (October 4, 2018) * [Beach Bunny](/source/Beach_Bunny_(band)) (November 20, 2018) * [The Accidentals](/source/The_Accidentals) (January 3, 2019) * [Emily Blue](/source/Emily_Blue) (January 10, 2019) * [Laura Stevenson](/source/Laura_Stevenson) (May 30, 2019) * [Vansire](/source/Vansire) (August 8, 2019) * [We Are The Union](/source/We_Are_The_Union) (September 18, 2019) * [Yours Truly](/source/Yours_Truly_(band)) (October 8, 2019) * [Mega Bog](/source/Mega_Bog) (October 10, 2019) * [Phum Viphurit](/source/Phum_Viphurit) (October 15, 2019) * [Tasha](/source/Tasha_(musician)) (January 9, 2020) * [Marco Benevento](/source/Marco_Benevento) (November 8, 2019) * [Heart Attack Man](/source/Heart_Attack_Man) (January 14, 2020) * [Kneebody](/source/Kneebody) (February 10, 2020) * [Reuben and the Dark](/source/Reuben_and_the_Dark) (March 9, 2020) * [Stonefield](/source/Stonefield_(band)) (March 18, 2020) * [Tenci](/source/Tenci) (September 29, 2020) * [Charmer](/source/Charmer_(band)) (December 7, 2020) * [Momma (band)](/source/Momma_(band)) (April 1, 2022) * [Jordana](/source/Jordana) (May 8, 2025) {{Div col end}} ==See also== * [List of record labels](/source/List_of_record_labels) ==References== {{Reflist}} {{Authority control}} Category:American independent record labels Category:2011 establishments in Illinois --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Audiotree](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Audiotree) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Audiotree?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.