Smile Records

Smile Records was established in Los Angeles in 1995 by Tony Valenziano, a musician and producer, and Tansy Alexander. The label emerged as an independent imprint rather than as a division of a major music corporation. Its documented activities were focused on recorded music and on developing or distributing releases by artists working in power pop, pop-rock, and neighboring alternative styles. The label's roster included the Knack, Wondermints, Carla Olson, the Negro Problem, Hutch, Supremium, the Stand, Stew, the Andersons, Smash, Sparkle*jets u.k., and the Oranges. This range indicates a catalog built around artist-led projects rather than a single narrowly defined commercial format. The presence of the Knack and Wondermints also connected the imprint with performers known for melodic pop and power-pop traditions, while other roster members represented more specialized or independent scenes. A significant business development occurred in 2001. Smile Records signed a distribution contract with Image Entertainment. Image had established experience distributing video and DVD products and was interested in entering the audio market. The agreement therefore served two related purposes: it provided Smile with a distribution relationship beyond its own independent infrastructure, and it gave Image a route into recorded-music distribution. The available account does not identify the releases covered by the contract, the geographic scope of the arrangement, or its eventual commercial outcome. Smile Records' public profile appears to have been primarily catalog- and roster-based. Unlike larger labels, it has no documented public listing, reported financial figures, or widely reported corporate ownership structure in the supplied references. Its official web address is hosted on Homestead, reflecting an older generation of independent-label web publishing. The available sources do not confirm whether the label continues to sign artists or issue new recordings. Its current status is therefore best treated as unknown rather than definitively active or defunct.

• 2001

  Distribution agreement with Image Entertainment

  [1]Smile Records (United States)en.wikipedia.org

  Smile Records enters a distribution contract with Image Entertainment as Image seeks to expand from video and DVD distribution into audio.

• 1995

  Smile Records is founded in Los Angeles

  [1]Smile Records (United States)en.wikipedia.org

  Musician and producer Tony Valenziano and Tansy Alexander establish Smile Records as an independent record label.

An independent, artist-oriented record label with a Los Angeles base and a roster centered on power pop, pop-rock, and adjacent alternative music.

• Recorded music · 1995

  Smile Records music catalog

  The label's core offering was a catalog of audio recordings by independent artists and bands. The documented roster covered power pop, pop-rock, alternative pop, and related styles, with releases associated with acts including the Knack, Wondermints, Carla Olson, the Negro Problem, Hutch, Supremium, the Stand, Stew, the Andersons, Smash, Sparkle*jets u.k., and the Oranges. Specific release titles and catalog numbers are not established in the supplied references.

• 2001

  Use Image Entertainment for distributionStrategy

  Background

  Smile Records operated as an independent label, while Image Entertainment was seeking to enter audio distribution after building experience in video and DVD distribution.

  Action taken

  The parties entered into a distribution contract for Smile Records' music business.

  Aftermath

  The available reference confirms the agreement but does not document its duration, covered releases, financial terms, or subsequent performance.

  Source

1. 1Smile Records (United States)en.wikipedia.org
2. 2Smile Records official websitesmilerecords.homestead.com