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Birdbox Records
The art of sound, born from rigor and nurtured by respect for the wisdom of past masters.
About us
BirdBox Records is an independent label founded by Lorenzo Vella, a prominent producer and key figure in the independent music industry. The label stands out with a clear mission and sound philosophy that goes against current trends.
Birdbox Records' mission is to restore music to its intrinsic value, creating and printing vinyl records that go beyond simple sonic consumption, inviting tactile interaction and fostering a deeper connection with the musical work.
Our creations are designed for passionate souls who appreciate the physicality of music, who find pleasure in owning and sharing their sonic discoveries with loved ones.
In an era often dominated by digital ''perfection'', BirdBox Records leads you into a universe of warm and genuine three-dimensional sounds. Our tape recorders, authentic masterpieces of analog technology, capture the soul of music, preserving those imperfections that constitute its uniqueness and authenticity.
Every nuance, every breath, every vibration is immortalized on tape thanks to iconic multitrack recorders, giving life to a rich and immersive sonic experience, distant from the cold precision of digital.
By choosing BirdBox Records, you choose an authentic and timeless musical experience.
The label's diverse catalog presents a constellation of talented artists, each offering a unique sonic journey and a distinctive voice capable of touching the hearts and minds of listeners.
"My firm belief in analog guides much of my work at Nightingale Studios. I believe that magnetic tape is not just a vintage medium, but a true instrument capable of infusing thickness, depth, and a natural harmonic compression into the sound. This analog 'imprint,' in my opinion, intrinsically aligns with the organic dynamics and nuances of jazz, the beating heart of our productions.
At Nightingale, I strive to create an environment that encourages spontaneous interaction and synergy among the musicians. I often opt for live recording, capturing the ensemble in its entirety. This choice, although technically more complex in post-production, is crucial for preserving that living musical dialogue, the immediate responses, and the subtle dynamics that define an authentic performance. Overdubbing is minimized, prioritizing the creation of a cohesive and vibrant sonic event.
The meticulous selection of microphones and the care given to the signal path are fundamental steps. I choose classic and high-quality microphones, often with a history, capable of capturing the true 'voice' of each instrument, its timbral richness, and the finest details. The signal travels through a carefully calibrated analog chain, with tube preamplifiers and transformers that add that touch of warmth and character without sacrificing transparency.
In the mixing and mastering phase, my approach is that of a 'guardian' of that sonic instant. I work to enhance the natural dynamics of the performance, resisting the tendency to flatten the sound with excessive compression. My intent is to sculpt a three-dimensional soundscape, where each instrument breathes in its own space and the interactions between the musicians are palpable.
My desire, as the sound engineer for BirdBox Records, is that the listener receives not just a simple audio reproduction, but a 'crystallized fragment of time,' a sonic snapshot that encapsulates the emotion, energy, and fragility of that precise creative moment. I want the listener to be able to close their eyes and 'feel' they are there, immersed in the acoustics of the room, perceiving the natural reverb and the pure emotion of the music coming to life.
In an era dominated by digital fragmentation, my commitment is to preserve the integrity and authenticity of that magical moment, offering a listening experience that aims to recreate the unrepeatable magic of a live performance, with all its emotional charge and intrinsic realism. It's not just about listening, but about reliving a sonic emotion."
Lorenzo Vella Sound Engineer BirdBox Records - Nightingale Studios
In an era of fleeting digital experiences, Birdbox Records embarks on a mission to rekindle the enduring magic of analogue music.
Amidst the ephemeral nature of modern digital consumption, Birdbox Records stands as a beacon of enduring musical appreciation. We believe that music transcends mere sound; it is an immersive experience that engages all the senses. This is why we passionately curate exquisite vinyl records that transport listeners beyond the boundaries of passive listening.
Our meticulously selected vinyl releases invite you on a tangible journey through the world of music. Our invitation to you: hold the album cover in your hands, feel the weight of the record on the turntable and let the rich analogue sound sweep you away.
With Birdbox Records, vinyl is not just a format; it is the gateway to a deeper connection with the music you love.
1979-1980
Our Story
Lorenzo Vella's passion for music and high fidelity ignited in the mid-1970s, nurtured by his father's love for sound and the magic of music reproduction. Under his father's tutelage, Lorenzo delved into the intricacies of early Philips and Revox tape recorders, Thorens turntables, and the warm embrace of tube amplifiers.
This burgeoning passion has fueled his journey, leading him to establish his own recording studio and launch BirdBox Records, a label dedicated to crafting exquisite analog recordings for discerning audiophiles and music enthusiasts.
For nearly five decades, Lorenzo has embarked on an unwavering quest to capture the purest essence of music, navigating the ever-evolving landscape of high-fidelity audio. Today, his pursuit continues, as he collaborates with a constellation of world-renowned musicians to bring their artistry to life through the timeless medium of analog recording.
Lorenzo Vella is not just a producer; he is the pivotal figure who defines the label's identity, direction, and the quality of its releases. Beyond ensuring the consistency of the label's sound and philosophy, he is also directly responsible for the sonic quality of the productions (recording, mixing, mastering), often acting almost like a director, guiding musicians towards his sonic vision.
In 2018, Lorenzo Vella's eclectic tastes, discerning palate, and unwavering passion for music culminated in the creation of Nightingale Studios, an audio/video recording haven nestled amidst the Roman countryside.
This residential studio exudes a harmonious blend of high performance, warm hospitality, and refined vintage charm. With the invaluable contributions of collaborators, consultants, professionals, and, above all, friends, Nightingale Studios has emerged as a vibrant hub of creativity, technological prowess, and timeless elegance.
Steeped in the rich legacy of analog recording, Nightingale Studios stands as a rare sanctuary where music comes to life on meticulously restored vintage tape machines, including Studer, Ampex, 3M, Nagra, Sony, Otary, MCI, Tascam, and Telefunken.
Word soon spread of Lorenzo Vella's exceptional talent and unwavering dedication to his craft, drawing a constellation of renowned jazz artists to his doorstep. Eager to collaborate with this visionary producer, these musical luminaries converged at Nightingale Studios to create albums and projects of indisputable quality.
Objectives
At BirdBox Records, our mission is to champion groundbreaking and original recording projects, guided by a discerning and unbiased musical selection process. We aim to introduce our audience to artists who are free to express their full creative potential.
Our recording studio is designed to capture the purest essence of sound during the microphone capture stage, minimizing the need for extensive manipulation during mixing and mastering. This approach allows music enthusiasts to relive the magical moment of recording as if they were present in the studio themselves.
We believe in the value of all audio recording and playback technologies. Therefore, we are committed to preserving and revitalizing every music reproduction format – CDs, LPs, cassettes, reels, and even digital formats – with the utmost care and meticulous attention to detail.
Ultimately, the choice of format is a personal one, guided by individual preferences and listening habits.
The music industry has long been driven by forces that seek to control and shape the creative landscape. Industry groups, including trade associations, professional organizations, and environmental bodies, often referred to as lobbies, exert their influence over the direction of the music industry, often at the expense of the wider public, who may be unaware of these machinations.
The promotion of streaming music is often accompanied by promises of substantial financial gains for struggling musicians. However, it is important to recognize that digital music primarily serves to enrich the aforementioned multinational corporations and a select few "manufactured" artists who are exploited for financial gain.
In an era of artificial intelligence, automated software, and sophisticated digital plugins that emulate analog technology in music production, BirdBox Records stands firm in its unwavering commitment to the "imperfection" of genuine analog technology and instrumentation.
We believe that these tools ignite the spark of wonderfully imperfect human creativity, a spark that can never be replicated by so-called "artificial intelligence."
We reject the relentless, often obsessive pursuit of perfection. Instead, we embrace the natural human capacity to create and perceive music as "perfectly imperfect." For it is within this very imperfection that true perfection resides.
We cherish the "beauty of imperfection."
In today's music landscape, songs are crafted, selected, and distributed by algorithms programmed by the very individuals who have manipulated mass audiences. In stark contrast to this prevailing trend, we at BirdBox Records champion music made by genuine artists – artists who possess their own unique personalities, sensibilities, and creativity, driven by a profound emotional desire to share their artistry with the world.
We refuse to bow to the dictates of the imposed music market. Instead, our sole mission is to offer music on physical formats that can still be touched, held, and experienced with passion for years to come.
Analog audio is not a relic of the past; it remains the most authentic and immersive way to experience music.
We are the guardians of the exquisite analog sound, from recording to playback. It is our mission to restore value to authentic, tangible, and real experiences. Perfecting the art of sound recording is our philosophy.
IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS:
We live in an era of transition, where the models of cultural consumption are rapidly transforming. The advent of subscriptions and streaming, while offering immediate access to a vast catalog, confronts us with a subtle yet profound erosion: the loss of ownership. We no longer possess the films we watch, the books we read, and, increasingly insistently, not even the music we love. The prophetic phrase "You will be happy and own nothing" seems to find an unsettling resonance even within our beloved sonic landscape.
In this scenario, BirdBox Records stands as a bulwark, an oasis for those who believe in the intrinsic value of possession, in the tangibility of art. Our mission goes beyond the simple production of records; it is an act of cultural resistance, a passionate invitation not to succumb to the seduction of a power that distances us from the physical and lasting connection with music.
We firmly believe that the musical experience is not exhausted in an immaterial flow of data. It is nourished by the ritual of purchase, by the gesture of extracting a vinyl from its sleeve, by the admiration for the artwork, by the reading of the lyrics. These physical acts weave a deeper relationship with the work, transforming listening into a multisensory and significantly more fulfilling experience.
Educating about the importance of ownership means preserving the dignity of art, concretely supporting artists, and safeguarding a cultural heritage that otherwise risks dissolving into the volatility of the cloud. BirdBox Records is committed to creating precious sonic objects, curated in every detail, designed to last over time and to be passed down, just like a beloved book or a treasured painting.
Ours is a call to passionate souls, to those who reject the superficiality of ephemeral consumption and yearn for an authentic connection with music. We invite you to rediscover the joy of owning a piece of sonic history, an object that testifies to the passion, talent, and commitment of artists and artisans.
Together, we can stem this drift towards dematerialization, reaffirming the inestimable value of ownership as an act of love and respect towards art and towards ourselves. BirdBox Records is here to cultivate this love, to nurture your passion, and to offer you not mere audio files, but sonic treasures to cherish jealously.
