In Music We Trust

In Music We Trust is an American music media and promotion venture associated with Portland, Oregon. It began in July 1997 as an online music magazine founded by Alex Steininger with assistance from his friend Ryan O'Neill, whose web-design skills helped establish the publication. The original purpose was to give exposure to new and developing artists, reflecting the role that independent webzines played in the late 1990s as an alternative to established music press and mainstream media. The publication developed beyond editorial coverage into a broader music-business operation. In addition to operating as a webzine, In Music We Trust became a publicity company, helping promote artists and releases, and later created In Music We Trust Records. The label was launched by Steininger in 2001, with Sean Croghan's debut solo album identified as its first release. The label's roster connected it with Portland's independent music community and included artists such as Luther Russell, Sean Croghan, Joe Davis, Casey Neill, Grand Champeen, Hillstomp, I Can Lick Any Sonofabitch in the House, Matt Sharp, and Ruth Ruth. The venture's profile grew through its combination of editorial discovery, artist publicity, and direct release activity. Contemporary coverage characterized Steininger as an energetic participant in Portland's music scene and highlighted releases by local musicians. In 2004, In Music We Trust Records issued Matt Sharp's debut solo album, which was described at the time as the label's largest release to that point. This release broadened the label's visibility beyond its earlier local and emerging-artist focus. The brand therefore occupies several overlapping categories: independent online music journalism, artist and release promotion, and small-scale record-label publishing. Its identity is centered on music discovery and support for artists rather than on a single genre or mass-market product line. Available reference material does not establish its current ownership, financial structure, release schedule, executive team, or operating status, so those details remain unspecified.

In Music We Trust was established in July 1997 in Portland, Oregon, as a webzine created by Alex Steininger with help from Ryan O'Neill. Steininger turned to O'Neill for web-design assistance after losing his position at another online magazine. The new publication was intended to promote and introduce emerging artists, giving musicians an alternative channel for exposure at a time when online music publishing was still developing. The site subsequently received recognition as a "cool site" from the Open Directory Project. The project grew from a publication into a wider music-promotion operation. Its activities came to include publicity work for artists and releases, allowing the brand to function not only as an editorial outlet but also as a promotional intermediary within the independent music sector. This combination of coverage and publicity helped connect In Music We Trust with Portland's local scene and with artists outside the region. In 2001, Alex Steininger established In Music We Trust Records. The label's first release was Sean Croghan's debut solo album. The creation of the label marked a significant shift from covering and promoting music to directly issuing recordings. Contemporary reporting described Steininger as a prominent and highly active figure in Portland's music community, citing label releases by Luther Russell, Sean Croghan, and Joe Davis. The label continued to develop its roster during the early 2000s. Artists associated with releases on In Music We Trust Records included Casey Neill, Grand Champeen, Hillstomp, I Can Lick Any Sonofabitch in the House, Luther Russell, Matt Sharp, Ruth Ruth, Sean Croghan, and Joe Davis. In 2004, the label released Matt Sharp's debut solo album. That album was identified as the company's largest release up to that point, giving the small independent label a notable expansion in profile. In Music We Trust is consequently best understood as a hybrid independent-music brand rather than solely as a record label. Its documented history combines online editorial publishing, artist publicity, and recording releases. The available reference material does not provide reliable information about later ownership, corporate structure, current personnel, catalog activity, or whether all of its operations remain active.

• 2004

  Matt Sharp solo album released

  [1]In Music We Trusten.wikipedia.org

  In Music We Trust Records released Matt Sharp's debut solo album, described in contemporary reporting as the label's largest release at that time.

• 2001

  In Music We Trust Records founded

  [1]In Music We Trusten.wikipedia.org

  Alex Steininger launched the record-label arm, whose first release was Sean Croghan's debut solo album.

• 1997

  Webzine established

  [1]In Music We Trusten.wikipedia.org

  Alex Steininger and Ryan O'Neill established In Music We Trust as an online music magazine in Portland, Oregon, with a mission to promote new artists.

• 1997

  Early online recognition

  [1]In Music We Trusten.wikipedia.org

  The website was recognized as a "cool site" by the Open Directory Project.

An independent music-discovery and artist-support platform combining webzine publishing, publicity services, and record-label activity, with strong ties to Portland's music scene.

• Online music publication · 1997

  In Music We Trust webzine

  The original In Music We Trust operation was an online music magazine launched in 1997. Its stated purpose was to promote new and developing artists, using web-based editorial coverage as an alternative route to audience discovery. The publication formed the foundation for the brand's later publicity and label activities.

• Music promotion

  Publicity services

  In Music We Trust also operated as a publicity company, supporting the promotion of artists and music releases. The available sources do not specify its service packages, client roster, geographic scope, or current availability, but the activity broadened the brand beyond editorial publishing.

• Independent record label · 2001

  In Music We Trust Records

  The label arm was founded in 2001 by Alex Steininger. It issued releases by independent and Portland-associated artists, beginning with Sean Croghan's debut solo album. Other documented associated artists include Luther Russell, Joe Davis, Casey Neill, Grand Champeen, Hillstomp, I Can Lick Any Sonofabitch in the House, Matt Sharp, and Ruth Ruth.

• 2004

  Release of Matt Sharp's debut solo albumProduct launch

  Background

  The label continued expanding its catalog and artist profile after its 2001 launch.

  Action taken

  In Music We Trust Records issued Matt Sharp's debut solo album.

  Aftermath

  The release was reported as the label's largest to that point, increasing its visibility beyond its earlier releases.

  Source

• 2001

  Expansion from webzine and publicity into label operationsStrategy

  Background

  After operating as an online music publication and publicity venture, Alex Steininger expanded the brand into direct music release activity.

  Action taken

  In Music We Trust Records was established, beginning with Sean Croghan's debut solo album.

  Aftermath

  The label developed a roster of independent artists and became a more visible participant in Portland's music scene.

  Source

1. 1In Music We Trusten.wikipedia.org
2. 2In Music We Trust official websiteinmusicwetrust.com