Local Record Label Tandem Shop Celebrates Its Fifth Birthday

By Katie Karpowicz in Arts & Entertainment on Aug 13, 2013 7:00PM

It was roughly five years ago that Sam McAllister and Megan Frestedt discovered they shared a similar desire to work in the music industry while sitting on a trampoline in their home state of Minnesota. College brought the two budding entrepreneurs to Chicago, which brought them a healthy crop of bands eager to get their music out.

Fast forward to today: McAllister and Frestedt, owners of Tandem Shoprecords, are prepping for their label's 12th release and celebrating Tandem's fifth anniversary Thursday, Aug. 15, at Lincoln Hall.

Tandem Shop's roster—currently boasting seven local bands and solo artists—is comprised of what Frestedt describes as "mostly indie rock bands with a pop mentality." The co-founders celebrate this week as the anniversary of the Tandem Shop's conception and the point at which they began working with the label's first artist, Mr. Bear. The label's first release, These Machines from Mr. Bear, dropped in January, 2009.

Now they're ready to welcome release number twelve: The Oarsman's upcoming debut LP Writing House—an album the two can't stop praising while speaking with Chicagoist. This week's anniversary show will double as a record release party as The Oarsman will be in the midst of a three-month U.S. tour when the record is released on Sept. 24. A pre-order system will be available at the show.

"One of the cool things that's been happening over the last five years is that the label has been creating a sort of community," beams Frestedt. "That's one of my favorite parts, just becoming friends with everybody that we've been working with. I'm excited for that to solidify more and grow more over the next five years."

Thursday's show will feature a slew of Tandem Shop acts including Marko Casso, Mr. Bear, The Oarsman, Many Places and Project Film (of which McAllister and Frestedt are also members of). It will also "most likely" feature cake. And everybody loves cake.

Tandem Shop's 5-Year Anniversary Party is Thursday, Aug. 15, at Lincoln Hall. The show starts at 7 p.m. Tickets can be purchased in advance for $8.