Footprint Records

Footprint Records is an independent Swedish record company based in Gothenburg. Formally founded in September 2003 by publisher Bo Ejeby and sound engineer Per Sjösten, the label had actually begun operating about a year earlier. Both founders had been making records for other labels since the mid-1980s, and they continue to do so occasionally. The label describes its mission as producing and releasing top-quality sound productions of acoustic music beyond commercial frameworks, with the vision of making room for music that retains its relevance and luminosity long after the people behind it have been forgotten. The catalogue spans classical music, jazz, children's music, world music and art music. Among the artists and ensembles whose work has appeared on Footprint Records are Olle Adolphson, Eric Ericsons Kammarkör, Groupa, Göteborgs kammarkör, Musica Vitae, Georg Riedel, Sarah Riedel, Rilkeensemblen, Sveriges Radios symfoniorkester, Uppsala akademiska kammarkör, Voces Nordicae and Gabriel Wilczkowski. Selected releases highlighted on the label's website include 'Even When He is Silent' with Norid Vocalists conducted by Patrik Sandin, 'Missa Providentiae' with Maria Magdalena Vocal & Baroque Ensembles conducted by Mats Nilsson, 'Summer of the Sea' by Annika Sandberg and Chiara Schmidt, 'I am' by Svanholm Singers & Sofia Söderberg, and 'Nothing to Declare' by Mikael Godée with Strings. Recording, editing and mixing are handled by Per Sjösten through Sound Processing AB. The label places strong emphasis on sound quality: as of 2021 most productions are mixed and mastered for Dolby Atmos, which the label notes makes it possible to experience something close to a real live music event when listening in headphones. Footprint Records also sells its releases directly through its own webshop, offering digital downloads in a range of formats — standard-resolution AAC (44.1 kHz, 256 kb/s, comparable to Apple's iTunes resolution), Apple Digital Master at a lower price and roughly 10% of the file size of high-resolution files, CD-quality or better FLAC lossless, and high-resolution 24/96 audio for audiophiles. Physical records are also available for purchase. Footprint Records operates as a private, independent label rather than as part of a major music group. Its output is niche and curated, aimed at listeners who value acoustic performance and high-fidelity recording. The label maintains a direct relationship with its audience through its website, webshop and social media, and it invites artists to involve the label from the start of a project to achieve the best quality and the best deal. After more than two decades of activity, it continues to release new recordings and to promote its artists internationally through online distribution.

Footprint Records is a Swedish independent record company based in Gothenburg. According to the label's own account, it was formally founded in September 2003, though it had actually set up shop roughly a year earlier. The founders are Bo Ejeby, a publisher, and Per Sjösten, a sound engineer. Both had been making records for other labels since the mid-1980s, and they have continued to do so occasionally alongside their work for Footprint Records. The label was established with the aim of producing and releasing top-quality sound productions of acoustic music beyond commercial frameworks. Its stated vision is to make room for music that retains its relevance and luminosity long after the people behind the label have been forgotten. This places Footprint Records in the tradition of independent classical and acoustic labels that prioritise artistic and sonic quality over mass-market appeal. Over the years, the label has built a catalogue spanning classical music, jazz, children's music, world music and art music. Among the musicians and ensembles whose works or performances have been released on Footprint Records are Olle Adolphson, Eric Ericsons Kammarkör, Groupa, Göteborgs kammarkör, Musica Vitae, Georg Riedel, Sarah Riedel, Rilkeensemblen, Sveriges Radios symfoniorkester, Uppsala akademiska kammarkör, Voces Nordicae and Gabriel Wilczkowski. This roster reflects a focus on Swedish and Nordic choral, chamber and orchestral music, as well as jazz and folk-adjacent world music. Recording, editing and mixing for the label are performed by Per Sjösten through Sound Processing AB. The label has consistently emphasised sound quality as a primary goal. As of 2021, most productions are mixed and mastered for Dolby Atmos, a format the label describes as more than just another surround format: it allows listeners to experience something close to a real live music event when listening through headphones. The label also provides information about Dolby Atmos and binaural sound in its FAQ. In addition to physical releases, Footprint Records operates its own webshop, selling both records and digital downloads. The download offerings are tiered by audio quality: standard-resolution AAC at 44.1 kHz and 256 kb/s (comparable to Apple's iTunes resolution), Apple Digital Master at a low price and roughly 10% of the file size of high-resolution files, CD-quality or better FLAC lossless, and high-resolution 24/96 audio for audiophiles. This direct-to-consumer approach allows the label to share its passion for good music with listeners and to maintain a close relationship with its audience. The label continues to be active, releasing new recordings and promoting its artists. Its website highlights selected and latest releases, and it maintains a presence on Facebook to reach a larger audience. Footprint Records remains a private, independent operation rather than part of a major music group.

• 2021

  Most productions begin to be mixed and mastered for Dolby Atmos.

• 2003

  Formally founded in September by Bo Ejeby and Per Sjösten.

• 2002

  Label begins operating, roughly a year before its formal founding.

Independent label producing top-quality acoustic music beyond commercial frameworks, with a strong emphasis on high-fidelity sound and long-lasting artistic relevance.

• Even When He is Silent

  Album by Norid Vocalists, conducted by Patrik Sandin.

• Missa Providentiae

  Album by Maria Magdalena Vocal & Baroque Ensembles, conducted by Mats Nilsson.

• Summer of the Sea

  Album by Annika Sandberg and Chiara Schmidt.

• I am

  Album by Svanholm Singers & Sofia Söderberg.

• Nothing to Declare

  Album by Mikael Godée with Strings.

• Passage of Time

  Album listed among latest releases.

• Dieterich Buxtehude

  Album listed under popular music.

• Two Orchestral Suites

  Album listed under popular music.

• Sol Salutis

  Album listed under popular music.

• In Paradisum

  Album listed under popular music.

• Ach Swea Trohn – fes...

  Album listed under popular music.

1. 1Footprint Records official websitefootprintrecords.com
2. 2About us – Footprint Recordsfootprintrecords.com
3. 3Footprint Records – Wikidatawikidata.org
4. 4Footprint Records – Wikipedia (Swedish)sv.wikipedia.org