RUN IT BACK
Written By: Henry Allen | Photos By: Ben Leeson
Evan Westfall is a music machine. He’s a proficient multi-instrumentalist with 10+ years of experience touring, recording, and producing records. When he’s not on the road, you’ll find him in the basement making surf instrumentals. At least, that’s where he was a few years ago. The pandemic forced his band off the road and with ample time in his home studio, he finished up a record for his new surf-rock project, Super Sport. He was amped up – it’s always exciting to release new music! But first he wanted to build a place for it to live: his very own record label.
To push his new idea forward, Evan enlisted the help of his cousin Ali Bell, a seasoned graphic designer and visual artist. She handled the creative direction and branding of the label. The duo launched Super Sport Records in the Spring of 2020. They call it a neighborhood DIY label and they’re working with a growing roster of independent artists (mostly from Columbus, OH). As they grow, they’re building relationships with each band and making physical copies of every release to give fans a better opportunity to connect with the art. “We’re just trying to find unique ways to release music,” Westfall explained. “A lot of music and art is treated as disposable these days and we want to give fans something to sink their teeth into.”
Super Sport, the eponymous surf-rock band fronted by Westfall, announced their debut LP on the new label in June of 2021.
For that album and each subsequent release, Evan and Ali have designed and produced a small batch of cassette tapes. A staple of their growing label, the tapes are a celebration of all things analog. Plus, they sound great in Evan’s 1974 El Camino Super Sport (the name referring to a signature performance package option from Chevrolet). The car serves as an endless source of inspiration for him and it’s perfect for cruising around on a sunny Sunday. “I’ve always loved driving around and hearing my favorite songs. Music and driving go together like peanut butter and jelly,” he shared.
“A lot of music and art is treated as disposable these days and we want to give fans something to sink their teeth into.”
Ali Bell’s designs are an integral part of the label’s overall aesthetic. She graduated from Kent State University in 2020 and was already headed back to Columbus when Evan called about the new project. “I’d always been around music, but I had never been a part of the scene,” she explained. “This was my way into that world.” She started by designing Super Sport’s Scioto Surf Club Vol. 1 cover and the scope of work grew quickly. Everything you see on the website, the socials, and even some of the album covers – that’s Ali.
As the label continues to grow, Evan is searching for new ways to provide artists with physical copies of their music. His latest investment is a record lathe. The machine uses an embossing needle to carve a groove into a polycarbonate disc. It’s an esoteric machine with a steep learning curve. After some trial and error, the machine is up and running. Each record is hand-cut by Evan in his home studio.
“These are rare, limited edition pressings that are supposed to be fun and collectible”
Record production facilities around the world are backed up and most bands are waiting between 12-14 months to receive their orders. Lathe-cuts are a great way for local musicians to get their music on a disc as quickly as possible. “These are rare, limited edition pressings that are supposed to be fun and collectible,” the label website explains. Several of the latest Super Sport releases have included a small batch of lathe-cuts, some of which are available for sale on their website.
Evan and Ali are committed to supporting their roster with limited strings attached. “When I was growing up playing in bands, people told me not to sign anything – you always hear that,” Evan shared. “We’re working with a lot of younger artists, and I never want them to feel pressured.” To keep everyone comfortable, the deals are structured heavily in favor of the artist. There’s no pressure to turn in recordings for approval or to sign a long-term deal. Both Evan and Ali want every band to make music for themselves – the label isn’t going to overstep.
Another benefit of this laissez-fare business model is the opportunity for the artists to grow. Evan got his start as an independent musician booking gigs, playing open mics, and making music at home. He believes it’s important to let people figure it out as they go. “Whether they know it or not, these bands are eventually going to be making some business decisions,” he shared. “We want to help, but they also need to learn and grow on their own.”
A few artists have enlisted Evan’s help in the studio. Despite the hands-off approach of the label, he’ll jump in if it seems like the right opportunity. He co-produced the last fulllength release from Radattack (Columbus) and produced and played banjo on the self-titled debut from Dom Louis (Toronto). “I really enjoy coming into this role as an older head in the scene,” Evan shared. He learned a lot making music in Columbus as a teenager, so he’s doing his best to help younger artists build up their chops.
“We’re working with a lot of younger artists, and I never want them to feel pressured.”
There is a sense of camaraderie at every Super Sport Records event. The musicians are rooting for one another. The crowd is full of friends and family, old fans and new. As the label continues to grow, so too will this community of talented, supportive musicians in Columbus, Ohio and beyond.
Published December 28, 2023