Zoom Lens
Founded2009 (2009)
Defunct2022 (2022)
GenreElectronic, dream pop, j-pop, shoegaze, ambient, noise rock
LocationLos Angeles, California
Official websitezoom-lens.org

Zoom Lens was an independent Los Angeles-based record label founded and operated by Faye Yim from 2009 to 2022.[1][2] The label was created "in order to explore the implications of popular culture on the human condition and the duality artistic expression discovered through an intersection of both local and international sounds."[2]

History

In 2009, Zoom Lens was founded[1] by Faye Yim, who was at the time "fascinated with Japanese harsh noise and film"[1] and sought out to release music due to the influence of the Orange County experimental music scene.[1]

The first Zoom Lens release was an album by Yim under the name of Yuko Imada entitled "Ome,"[3] which came packaged as a CD-R contained in a DVD case soaked in the artist's own blood.[1]

In January 2015, Zoom Lens had its first video broadcast on national television through Adult Swim with Meishi Smile and their video "AJS."[4]

On March 15, 2016, Zoom Lens had its first official SXSW showcase.[5]

On February 22, 2022, the end of Zoom Lens was announced from a message on the label's site, while a new label and art collective, Meta Physica, was announced by Yim.

Sound

Zoom Lens' sound had been categorized as "unpredictable",[6] exploring sounds ranging from ambient music, noise music, chiptune, electropop, shoegaze and other forms of experimental music. The sound of Zoom Lens had been described as "broadening definitions of punk,"[7] as well as "dreamy indie with 8-bit and rave euphoria."[8]

Imagery

Aesthetics

The Fader has noted Zoom Lens as "one of the most aesthetically compelling labels in existence.".[6]

Many of Zoom Lens' images revolved around the concept of burnt photography. This practice was first put to use for an EP by Party Girl released in 2011.[9] The imagery was said to be providing feelings about the disconnection towards memories, a commentary on "silver age"[10] Japanese idol music (or Kayōkyoku) and the over-saturation of the digital music market.[11] This theme was also explored in Zoom Lens merchandise.

In 2014, a shirt based on a manipulated image of Yukiko Okada was released on Zoom Lens' official site, with a banner reading "burn a face of forgotten idols to obfuscate the memories of the truth you lost."[12] In a Red Bull Music Academy interview, Yim noted that they had felt a sadness in Okada's music and story, and "wanted to show people that Okada was a real person with real feelings, and that we all have such humanity."[1]

Music critic Adam Harper has noted some of the imagery as "a conscious attempt at confronting and defamiliarising the visual objectification of women (and its consequences)."[7]

Influences

East Asian and global influence

The label had been referenced as one of "the best places for Japanese-inspired indie pop in the online underground,"[13] and it hosted a variety of online shows with Japanese venue 2.5D.[14]

Red Bull Music Academy had also noted Zoom Lens' international roster, which "encompasses artists from Japan, the Philippines, Singapore and the US."[1] and "[spans] cultural and continental canyons through our digital world."

While Yim had identified Zoom Lens as something far more encompassing beyond their own personal views[6] they have noted much of the label was established due to the influence of being a fourth generation Japanese (or Yonsei (Japanese diaspora)) and Chinese American, expressing that their identity felt rather unusual, lonely and that Japanese culture in America is still seen as taboo.[15]

The label had ultimately sought out for the artists to "represent themselves for who they are, not just for the assumptions people make about their country."[6] Despite heavy East Asian influence, Yim had said that the label was also about being unashamed of who you are and sharing the weight of existence.[1]

Artists

Former

  • BEDSPACER
  • Kenneth Takanami
  • bod [包家巷]
  • The Bilinda Butchers
  • Ceramiks
  • LLLL
  • Mark Redito
  • MEISHI SMILE
  • mus.hiba
  • oh my muu
  • Reinabe
  • Plaster Cast
  • Tallinn
  • Thought Tempo
  • Xyloid
  • U-Pistol / Moon Mask
  • Yoshino Yoshikawa[16]

Discography[17][18]

Catalog # Release Date Artist Album Title Notes
ZL-01 2009 Yuko Imada Ome Edition of 20 CD-R. Contained blood-soaked letter in DVD case.
ZL-02 2009 Yuko Imada Untitled (Moon) Edition of 10 CD-R. Contained in hand-stamped envelopes.
ZL-03 2009 Class of 1923 Class of 1923 Edition of 30 CD-R. Contained in hard CD case w/ unique inserts and photographs
ZL-04 2009 nono. nono. Edition of 50 CD-R. Contained in slipcase w/ lyric inserts.
ZL-05 2010 Thieves of Zozo Thieves of Zozo Edition of 100 CD-R. Contained in slipcase.
ZL-06 2011 Young Henry Octagon
ZL-07 2011 Zoom Lens V.A. 1st Zoom Lens Compilation.
ZL-08 2011 Yuko Imada 六本木　ＮＩＧＨＴＬＩＦＥ
ZL-09 2011 Smoke Room Vol. 2
ZL-10 01.01.12 Apollo Knives The Harshest Winter
ZL-11 2012 This Deep Well From
ZL-12 09.22.12 MEISHI SMILE LUST Edition of 30 cassettes. Contained lyrics sheet. 1st collaboration with Orchid Tapes.
ZL-13 01.19.13 i-fls Residential town loneliness
ZL-14 04.01.13 Rinkin Panku Rinkin Panku April Fools Release.
ZL-15 06.30.13 Uio Loi Uio Loi
ZL-17 2013 yasumiyasumi Tokyo Digital Love Edition of 50 cassettes. Contained handmade zine.
ZL-18 2014 MEISHI SMILE LUST Edition of 100 vinyl / 300 CD. 1st collaboration with Attack The Music. Remastered/reissue.
ZL-19 02.25.14 Space Boyfriend bug spray (never give up)
ZL-20 03.08.14 yeule yeule
ZL-21 06.17.14 LLLL Paradice Edition of 250 CD.
ZL-22 2014 Ulzzang Pistol Girlfriend
ZL-23 2014 Plaster Cast مالتا Credited as Malta.
ZL-24 12.28.14 DJ Obake H Edition of 100 CD. Contained postcard + sticker.
ZL-25 01.28.15 la pumpkin pain everywhere. all the time. Edition of 50 CD-R. Contained transparent cover + note. Online release party w/ SPF420.
ZL-26 05.19.15 Cyclops Rock Crush Punk
ZL-27 08.27.15 Tallinn Special Economic Zone Edition of 60 cassettes.
ZL-28 10.06.15 Meishi Smile ...Belong Edition of 350 vinyl / 350 CD.
ZL-30 12.02.16 Ulzzang Pistol Waste First 100 CD came with a poster.
ZL-34 27.06.17 FAKKU & ZOOM LENS Metempsychosis Edition of 350 vinyl / 350 CD. Came with a 36-page artbook, in collaboration with Fakku.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Thomas, Russell (November 9, 2014). "Interview: Zoom Lens' Meishi Smile on J-Pop, Living On The Web, and Real Life". Red Bull Music Academy. Retrieved 2015-06-01.
  2. 1 2 "About". Zoom Lens. Retrieved 2021-10-24.
  3. ↑ "Albums". Zoom Lens. Retrieved 2015-06-01.
  4. ↑ "Meishi Smile - AJS". Adult Swim. January 15, 2015. Retrieved 2015-06-01.
  5. ↑ "Zoom Lens SXSW 2016". SXSW. Retrieved 2016-06-28.
  6. 1 2 3 4 Cooper, Duncan (May 21, 2015). "Fader Mix: Meishi Smile". The Fader. Retrieved 2015-06-01.
  7. 1 2 Harper, Adam (June 4, 2014). "System Focus: Inside 1080p, Zoom Lens & the New Digital DIY Labels". The Fader. Retrieved 2015-06-01.
  8. ↑ Harper, Adam (February 6, 2014). "Pattern Recognition Vol. 10: Pon! Cuter Love". Electronic Beats. Retrieved 2015-06-01.
  9. ↑ "Party Girl "Foulin'" EP". Zoom Lens. Retrieved 2015-06-01.
  10. ↑ "Idollica". Idollica. Retrieved 2015-06-01.
  11. ↑ "Zoom Lens Tumblr Ask". Zoom Lens. December 2, 2012. Retrieved 2015-06-01.
  12. ↑ "Zoom Lens Yukiko Shirt". Zoom Lens. Retrieved 2015-06-01.
  13. ↑ Harper, Adam (April 4, 2014). "If You've OD-ed On The Internet, This Music Will Save You". The Fader. Retrieved 2015-06-01.
  14. ↑ "2.5D x Zoom Lens". 2.5D. Retrieved 2015-06-01.
  15. ↑ St. Michel, Patrick (April 29, 2014). "Meishi Smile brings anime-influenced sounds to Japan". The Japan Times. Retrieved 2015-06-01.
  16. ↑ "Zoom Lens Artists". Zoom Lens. Retrieved 2015-06-01.
  17. ↑ "Releases". zoom-lens.org. Retrieved 2021-01-07.
  18. ↑ "Zoom Lens – Releases – Discogs". discogs.com. Retrieved 2021-01-07.
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