Barsuk Moves to Queen Anne, Spawns Tiny Human

Late last week, employees of Barsuk Records quietly packed up their Georgetown headquarters and decamped to the top of Queen Anne.The eclectic alterna-pop label, which launched Death Cab's career and boasts a roster of artists that includes the Long Winters, Nada Surf, Mates of State, Ra Ra Riot, and Say Hi (whose Oohs & Aahs is one of my favorite releases of the year), now occupies a large, raw space that formerly housed a photo studio near the Galer St. Trader Joe's.

That's not the only change that's afoot at Barsuk: The label's longtime in-house publicist, Ever Kipp (pictured at left, looking far more vicious than usual), has started his own media relations company, Tiny Human, with Barsuk's blessing. The fruit, however, isn't falling very far from the tree, as Kipp's office is housed in the new Barsuk headquarters, and he will continue to rep the label as well as its artists.

Through Tiny Human, Kipp will broaden his client roster to include artists from other labels, such as HUSH Records' Laura Gibson. "Barsuk being the lable that it is, the number of records it puts out each year fluctuates," explains Kipp. "We're very artist-friendly. We don't hound anyone to get records done. We let the art take its time. [Tiny Human] gives me the opportunity to make sure I'm always at my capacity and move beyond the reins of only having to work Barsuk bands."

Additionally, Kipp is handling national publicity for Seattle-based Light in the Attic Records, and has already helped the label garner praise for its recent Rodriguez and Serge Gainsbourg reissues in outlets like SPIN, Mojo, and Pitchfork.

"He's one of the best publicists in the business," says LITA founder Matt Sullivan. "He understands our releases. He's done an amazing job."

Perhaps the most complicated decision Kipp will face in his new role is how to travel to work each morning. Kipp rents a home that's literally located behind Barsuk and Tiny Human's new digs. Does he jump the backyard fence or walk around the block? If only this were the extent of all life's dilemmas.