Antiquated Future

Antiquated Future is an independent, multi-faceted commercial entity that operates as an online store, zine distro, vintage cassette reseller, and record label. It began in 2008 in Olympia, Washington, and has been based in Portland, Oregon, since 2013. The operation is run by a small core team, primarily Joshua James Amberson and Novie Nimble (also known as Tape Witch), with contributions from a network of collaborators, artists, and designers. Over its history, Antiquated Future has distributed hundreds of thousands of different zines, books, cassettes, records, and handmade items by independent artists. Its catalog spans small-press publications, mini-zines, political and historical zines, sticker art, and music releases. The label arm, sometimes referred to as Antiquated Future Records, focuses on pop, indie rock, lo-fi, and electro, and its physical releases are sold through the website while the full catalog is streamed and sold via Bandcamp. The store also sells vintage cassette grab bags through Etsy. While it does not have its own storefront, it co-runs Grover's Curiosity Shop in Portland, where many of its titles are stocked. The brand's ethos is captured in its own phrase: 'employing the future to preserve the past.'

Antiquated Future began in 2008 in Olympia, Washington, as a small operation distributing zines and physical media. According to its FAQ, it went through a name change fairly early on but has remained essentially the same in mission: spreading print and physical mediums through digital avenues. In 2013, the operation moved to Portland, Oregon, where it has been based since. Over the years, it grew into an online store, zine distro, vintage cassette reseller, and record label. It has distributed hundreds of thousands of different zines, books, cassettes, records, and handmade odds and ends by independent artists. The label side, sometimes called Antiquated Future Records, releases pop, indie rock, lo-fi, and electro music. Physical releases are sold through the website, while the full catalog is available on Bandcamp. The store also sells vintage cassette grab bags via Etsy. While it does not have its own storefront, it co-runs Grover's Curiosity Shop in Portland. The team has included a rotating cast of collaborators over the years, with Joshua James Amberson and Novie Nimble as the primary daily operators.

• 2013

  Moved operations to Portland, Oregon.

• 2008

  Founded in Olympia, Washington.

Independent, DIY-focused distributor and label for print and physical media by independent artists.

• The Pumpkin Dispatch, Vol. 2

  Annual zine of autumnal delights; 54 pages, half-letter size, full-color.

• Zines as Activism: An Abridged History

  16-page mini zine, B&W on green paper, timeline of zines creating societal change.

• Selected Songs series

  Curated and designed by Andrew Barton.

1. 1Antiquated Future official websiteantiquatedfuture.com
2. 2FAQs | Antiquated Futureantiquatedfuture.com
3. 3Dayna Moth - Zines as Activism: An Abridged History | Antiquated Futureantiquatedfuture.com
4. 4Antiquated Future on Wikidatawikidata.org
5. 5FAQs | Antiquated Futureantiquatedfuture.com