Music
Deal proves beneficial for Teng and record label

By Tom Scanlon
Seattle Times staff reporter

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Virt Records and Vienna Teng's professional career came into existence almost simultaneously. Teng had just quit her day job and was playing coffeehouses around San Francisco when Michael Tarlowe, who was getting a small record label in Boston off the ground, discovered her.

"Michael Tarlowe was scouring the Internet for talent," Teng relates. "He came across my Web site, downloaded some MP3s, then flew to Mountain View (between San Francisco and San Jose) to see one of my shows — he pretty much offered me a deal on the spot. I hadn't heard of them ... but I really liked his philosophy, it was a new label and he wanted to do it right, do some creative marketing, have it always be about the artist.

"So much of music business is who discovers you — I feel I really got a blessing in Virt Records."

To say the feeling is mutual would be an understatement, as the fast-rising Teng is making a name for Virt, Seattle's latest hot boutique label (see also: Up Records, Barsuk).

Tarlowe started Virt Records in Boston in 2002, then moved the small shop to Seattle at the start of 2003. The move, says Tarlowe by e-mail, was "more of a personal decision than anything else ... looking for a change after many years on the East Coast. It certainly didn't hurt that Seattle had a vibrant music scene and community, yet didn't seem to have an indie label focused on singer/songwriters and AAA artists."

Does the small company plan to expand?

"The original business plan called for two releases in year one, three in year two and three in year three, and we are right on track for that. For year four, which would be 2005, the answer is yes, we plan to expand, but it is unlikely that you'll see us put out something like one release per month, as we are obviously very selective when signing artists and we don't want to be in a position where we can't put all of our resources, time and effort behind each and every release.

"We have been approached by major labels and will certainly evaluate all opportunities for expansion, provided they are consistent with our mission and goals."

The current Virt roster includes Brenda Weiler, who recently moved from Minnesota to Portland — and quickly had The Oregonian tap her album as one of the top 10 releases by local artists in 2003. She plays at the Tractor Tavern on March 16.
 
For more information on Virt Records and Teng, go to www.virtrecords.com and www.viennateng.com.

Tom Scanlon: tscanlon@seattletimes.com

Copyright © 2004 The Seattle Times Company