Where is the label and store based?

We are currently based in Minneapolis, Minnesota.


Does your label accept demos? 

Sure. Lighten Up Sounds is active in the independent music community, and the label is open to collaboration proposals. We’re selective and busy, but endlessly interested in the discovery and support of interesting new music. For best results, please read our Demo Submission Guidelines here. We'll get back to you if we're interested.


How do I contact you?

Please use our Contact Form, or send an email directly to lightenupsounds (at) gmail (dot) com


How can I listen?

We’re big fans of physical media, so the best way to listen is on your personal home stereo. Many of our out-of-print releases are available for streaming and download on our official Bandcamp page. In an effort to empower artists to retain maximum ownership of their work, we encourage artists to distribute their music to major streaming services themselves, at their own discretion.


What’s your deal?

Lighten Up Sounds is a one person operation, and always has been. We’re a little tape label from the upper Midwest, and we’ve been doing this for a while now. Our work is focused on the publication and distribution of experimental music and art. We champion artists making creative, challenging music, and specialize in limited editions and analog formats. We are probably most known for our cassettes, with a long running commitment to underground sounds of all kinds. We always like to keep things interesting.


How can I send my music for potential radio play?

The radio show is on hiatus. From 2021-2024 we were hosted by CAMP radio in France, with a streamable archive on Mixcloud here: The Green Path. While the radio show isn’t happening, we’re always into new tunes and curating mixes and playlists. If you think your tunes might be a nice fit, feel free to send promotional mailings to: lightenupsounds (at) gmail (dot) com. We give highest priority to physical submissions, please reach out directly for a shipping address.


How can I get my band or label's releases into your shop? 

If you haven’t noticed, the distro shop is officially closed. For many years we helped promote and distribute various titles from around the world. This model evolved through various stages and platforms, until finally closing in 2025 with the end of the .com site. That said, we're into all kinds of interesting music. If you feel like the sounds you're making might be good fit here, feel free to reach out and say hello. We do not support racist, homophobic, misogynist or otherwise bigoted artists, otherwise we’re all ears.


What are your shipping rates and policies?

This applies to our Discogs shop and our Bandcamp store. We use an accurate shipping calculation system priced by actual weight of the contents and billed at the current postage rates. All domestic and most international packages include tracking numbers. Please be sure that your PayPal or Credit Card shipping address is correct, as your package will automatically ship to this address.

All packages are packed carefully and ship promptly, usually within 2-3 days. Please note: We are not responsible for any issues, delays or damage caused by your local postal delivery service. As an international buyer, you are directly responsible for all VAT or customs import taxes, as collected by your local government. We do our best to help minimize these charges, but all import taxes are your responsibility.


What is this store's return and exchange policy?

All sales are considered final unless your item is damaged or defective. If there is a problem with your order, get in touch and we will do our best to make it right. Please keep in mind that many of the items have very limited stock available. You cannot return an album because you don't like it, haha. If there is an issue with any item in your order, please reach out to: lightenupsounds ( at ) gmail ( dot ) com


How long will it take to receive my order?

Except in rare circumstances, all orders are usually processed same or next day, and packages tend to ship within 48 hrs. of purchase, excluding weekends and holidays. Once shipped most domestic orders take anywhere from 2 to 10 business days to arrive depending on the efficiency of your local postal service.

International shipping delivery times may vary depending on location and expediency of the customs clearance process, usually between 5 days and 10 weeks.


Do you offer wholesale / trades?

Yes. For our own label releases, we happily offer competitive wholesale rates for stores and mail-order sites, and are always glad to connect with new worldwide distribution partners. If you are interested in stocking our products, please reach out and request a current stock list. We will consider potential trades with small independent labels and individual artists whose work we feel fits within the interests of ourselves and our customers.


Do you accept orders placed outside of the US?

Yes. Keep in mind, international shipping costs are higher than ever, but we are happy to pack your order safely and send it to you almost anywhere. We ship worldwide, and we reserve the right to cancel any order at our discretion.


Will you hold or reserve an item for me until I can pay for it?

Sorry, no. All items and purchases from the shop are offered on a "first come, first served" basis. Due to limited supply and general frequency of orders placed, we cannot reserve unpaid items for anyone.


If your question hasn’t been answered yet, feel free to reach out through the Contact page.