There is a lot of Liatris Records news to share as we approach the latest album release and wrap up the heavy booking season. Yesterday was warm and sunny in Winona which meant the computer got turned off a bit early, the windows were thrown open and we went outdoors. Running your own small business means you must determine how best to spend your time each day. This label thrives on a healthy balance of sunshine and work tasks.

The newest Mike Munson Trio release on Liatris Records is coming out on May 22!! “Sometimes, not always.” will be released on vinyl and cd at Icehouse in Minneapolis where the Trio will split the night with Dosh. Get your tickets now: Mike Munson Trio Release Show. The following night, May 23, the group will head down to Peter’s Biergarten in Winona, MN to perform the new album in Mike’s hometown. 

The release will also be available for purchase and streaming via Bandcamp. I encourage you to “follow” both Liatris Records and Mike Munson on Bandcamp. This platform has been vital to connecting directly with fans and musicians alike and provides an invaluable service to musicians and labels allowing the direct sale of their music. As a follower you will receive an email as soon as new music or merch is released and access to special releases or discounts. 

The winter prompted some research into grant opportunities that exist for small businesses like this one. I am in the midst of a couple applications that, if awarded, would enable some growth within the label, namely the capacity to host and sponsor live music events in the Driftless Region and also to stretch the ways in which Liatris is able to work with and support artists.  

Spring brings a wave of gratitude for season changes and the radical flexibility of a life in the arts. The weight of precarity tied to running a small business is balanced with the freedom of mobility and creativity afforded by this work. There were many opportunities that I pursued last fall and winter that did not end up yielding what I expected, the outcome being a fresh batch of ideas and pursuits this spring. Here’s to a season of hope and growth and gratitude!!

~diane