In an industry where 250,000 songs are released on streaming platforms every day, the traditional record label might seem like a relic. Yet, in the heart of West Seattle, Magen and Kellen Holgate are proving that a label’s most vital function isn’t just distribution—it’s caretaking. Through their venture, The Big Dark Records, the Holgates are eschewing the "toxic" reputation of modern industry deals in favor of a 360-degree approach that prioritizes the human element of music.

From Parent Story to Industry Alternative

The label began as a "simple parent story" when the Holgates’ daughters formed the dark alternative folk trio Sad Dad Autumn. As experienced musicians who had spent decades in bands, Magen and Kellen wanted to help their children navigate the complexities of releasing music into the world. For Magen, the head of the label, their business also represents a personal evolution. "I’ve been slaving away like supporting a bunch of people for decades as a woman," she explains, "and I just got to the age where I want to like show up more and show that actually I’m a musician and I do things and I support people".

You can stay updated on their journey by subscribing to The Big Dark Newsletter or following their Linktree for the latest updates.

Building Fires from Sparks: The Artist Roster

The Big Dark Records operates on a philosophy that contrasts sharply with major label trends. While the "big three" often wait for an artist to reach massive social media stats before intervening, the Holgates look for a "spark". Kellen describes the major label approach as "looking for burning fires that they could throw gasoline on," whereas they are "looking for people with the spark that we can build the fire with".

Sad Dad Autumn

The label's first signing, Sad Dad Autumn, is a sister trio that creates "folk music with an odd touch". Their debut album, The Great Dying, is a conceptual "Greek katabasis," or journey to the underworld, exploring grief and dissociation through guitars, ambient synths, and layered harmonies.

• Must Listen: The title track, "The Great Dying," which serves as a "lullaby for civilization-level destruction".
• Upcoming Performance: See them at the Admiral Block Party on August 22nd.
• Follow: @saddadautumn on Instagram or visit their Bandcamp.

Chewing Gum

In sharp contrast to the folk-leanings of Sad Dad Autumn is Chewing Gum, an all-girls "hard grunge" band bringing a "female-fronted ferocity" back to the Seattle scene. Channelling the raw legacy of Alice in Chains, they are "unapologetically heavy".

• Latest Releases: Their debut single "Possum" and the follow-up "Dirt Girl" are available on all streaming platforms.
• Upcoming Performance: Catch them this Friday, July 17th, at the Alki Art Fair at 4 p.m..
• Follow: @chewing_gum_time on Instagram or check their YouTube channel.

The roster is expanding, with a new artist named Zero currently in development after bringing the Holgates a demo they "cannot stop listening to".

The Return to the Physical "Token"

A cornerstone of their artist-centered approach is a move away from a reliance on streaming revenue, which pays a "ridiculous amount" of 1/1,000th of a cent per stream. Instead, they emphasize physical media like CDs and vinyl, which offer higher margins for the artists.

"Physical is very important even though almost everybody sits and streams," Kellen notes, adding that people still want to "own a token"—an object associated with a sense of time and place.

To make these physical releases special, the label invests heavily in packaging; for example, Sad Dad Autumn’s CD includes a map of the album’s fictional world that listeners can hang on their wall.

These items are available at the The Big Dark Online Store and local staples like Easy Street Records.

In a nod to their effort Easy Street Records owner Matt Vaughan said, "Big Dark Records is off to a great start. We sold out of the Chewing Gum CD at their instore recently. Killer performance ! We brought in more and most of those sold online, outside of Seattle. People are paying attention. Very impressed with this new West Seattle music scene we have. Not sure of the other bands that Big Dark are signing, but the audience is there. Young bands can use guidance. Great labels can help young musicians stay focused while giving them confidence to pursue their dreams. I’ve seen it happen. Looking forward to anything more Big Dark will be releasing. We are here for it."

Protecting the Artist in a "Shark" Infested World

The Holgates are particularly protective of their young acts, providing infrastructure like management that many small bands lack. Kellen, who has a background as a lawyer, ensures everything is "in writing" to protect the artists' rights.

Magen is especially vocal about the sexism that still permeates the industry. She recalls a man at a festival asking if she was just a "figure head" of the label because she "looks good". By leading the label, Magen aims to show that "women can excel" on the business side of music as well.

A Vision of Human Authenticity

As artificial intelligence begins to infiltrate the creative arts, The Big Dark Records is drawing a hard line. "We will not touch AI for any kind of creation," Magen asserts. They believe the rise of AI will actually make human-made art more valuable because "people want real art".

Looking toward 2032, the Holgates envision a blossoming Seattle scene where it is "cool again" to know and support local artists. Their goal is to push Seattle’s reputation beyond the 1990s and showcase the city’s deep, multi-genre musical history. As Kellen summarizes, "if you see the Big Dark logo on something, it’s going to be good... it’s going to be awesome".

Explore The Big Dark Records:

• Website: www.thebigdarkrecords.com
• Instagram: @thebigdarkrecords
• YouTube: The Big Dark Records Official
• Merch & Physical Music: Online Store